When searching for a new chainsaw model, you will have to decide on the kind you’ll need (whether gas-powered or electric). It’s also common for you to wonder about the best chainsaw bar length.
There are people with the belief that bigger chainsaws are better. This isn’t exactly correct as varying guide bar lengths are used for certain purposes. For users who don’t purchase bar sizes that are suitable for what they want to cut, issues might arise during the process.
What is the Most Appropriate Chainsaw Bar Length for You?
You’ll have to decide on the kind of chainsaw that would be ideal for what you intend to do. It is highly recommended that you spend some time trying to determine the features you’re looking for in a chainsaw. Purchasing a chainsaw can be expensive, so it’s advised that you consider all the important factors before deciding on what to get.
What are the major features to notice in a chainsaw?
To ensure that you have the best features and price, here are a handful of features you should watch out for. To make the most ideal purchase, you need to have an idea of the best chainsaw size and length of the guide bar.
- Gas-powered or Battery-powered Chainsaws
First of all, you’ll have to determine if what you need is a gas or battery chainsaw. This choice should be swayed by what, where and how you plan on using it. This will ensure that you can enjoy the use of your machine for a long period.
- An automatic oiler is absolutely necessary
Whether gas-powered or battery-powered, this is a necessity. The bar length also doesn’t matter as an automatic oiler is still important nevertheless. So, this should be kept in mind when planning starts.
- Cordless or corded saws
The corded chainsaw models are not suitable for everyone. It is quite limited as it requires a power connection before it can work. This is where cordless chainsaws come in. They are more flexible as you can move around freely when using them. In the end, it will really just depend on what you prefer.
- Durable or not
Durability should be one of the first things you need to look at when purchasing any product – let alone chainsaws. This feature is essential as it ensures that you don’t have to worry about the chainsaw packing up one day. This is very important if you plan on using it for felling larger trees and in difficult areas.
What are the available options for guide bar length?
In the search for the best chainsaw bar length, you’re going to find out that there are actually a lot of options in this category. Your choice should largely depend on the kind of task you’re planning to use the chainsaw for.
In that light, here are the different chainsaw bar lengths and what they’re ideal for.
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12 – 14 Inches
It is important to note that the blade bar’s length is determined by the type and size of wood you intend on cutting. It is highly recommended that you get a guide bar that is at least 2 inches lengthier than the wood you plan to cut.
- POWERFUL, LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT 30cm CHAINSAW - weighing only 3.7kg with comfortable,...
- EFFICIENT, SAFER, SPEEDY CUTTING - a fast chain speed of 4.2m/s lets you make quick, clean cuts...
- CHAIN IS EASY TO TENSION AND AUTOMATICALLY OILED - toolless chain adjustment means no fiddling...
Larger wood can actually be cut with this guide bar, but the cuts won’t be smooth. It can also be dangerous with a significant risk of injury.
For the regular homeowner using his/her chainsaw for cutting small trees, firewood and brambles, the 12 to 14-inch blades are quite ideal for those sort of tasks.
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14 to 18 Inches
If you have large trees in your yard, I would advise you to consider getting a slightly longer chain and guide bar. With this in mind, a bar length ranging from 14 to 18 inches would be suitable for a task like this.
- Ideal for occasional use the CS 35S is a 35cc petrol powered chainsaw that has an power output...
- Cutting Equipment Bar length (inch) - 14. Chain Pitch - 3/8 Inch. Chain speed at max power -...
- Equipped with ox power engine for more power, lower emission levels and lower fuel consumption
Unlike the 12 to 14 inches, thick branches can be easily cut with this range of bar lengths. However, it is important to note that this length range isn’t long enough to comfortably handle very large logs. Its most ideal use would be at home – cutting trees that the 12 to 14 inches bar length would have trouble effectively cutting.
It is important to note that the longer the length of the bar, the more unbalanced and difficult the machine would be to navigate. To be able to safely handle it, you’ll require some experience with large chainsaws.
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18 to 22 Inches
If you stay at a ranch or farm that has bigger trees than what the 14 to 18 inches bar length can handle, then it is advisable for you to look at longer bar lengths (most especially the ones in the 18 to 22 inches range).
Even though this bar length range is really meant for professionals, it might be just what you need for certain large trees.
- Ideal for demanding tasks the CS 50S is a 50cc petrol powered chainsaw that has an power output...
- Cutting Equipment Bar length (inch) - 18. Chain Pitch - 0.325. Chain speed at max power - 24.1...
- Equipped with ox power engine for more power, lower emission levels and lower fuel consumption
This range of bar lengths can also be perfect for people with small tree cutting businesses. This bar length will more than comfortably cut through any tree or branch in any residential area. However, as we’ve already mentioned, the machine gets heavier with larger blades – making it harder to navigate.
So, this should be considered before purchase. For people with certain physical impediments, the range might not be the best thing to purchase.
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22 to 36 Inches
Moving past the 22-inch bar length means that we’re now firmly in the professional zone. Chainsaws that have blade bars between 2 to 3 feet are normally meant to be used in professional settings.
- 58cc 2-stroke high performance engine
- Fitted with the latest easy start technology
- Perfect for cutting through logs and tackling overgrown gardens
This range of bar lengths is the type a logger would purchase and use at work every day. In the event that you’ve seen a kind of TV show where loggers square up against each other to see who will be the fastest to cut through a large log.
There’s every chance that the chainsaws they use on the show squarely fall in this category of chainsaw blade lengths.
Conclusion
With this guide, I’m sure anyone reading now has a better and well-informed idea as to the best bar length for them – especially regarding particular tasks. This guide has hopefully given you a better understanding as regards the bar length that best suits your needs.
I always advise that you spend some time evaluating and making enquiries about chainsaws and their bar length before settling on one to get. Information about chainsaws isn’t hard to find any more thanks to the internet, so it’s important that you take advantage of this.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
