Having extensively reported on one of the best battery chainsaw by way of dozens of hands-on opinions, we needed to show to Professionals. Selecting from battery-powered instruments proved useful to some, however we additionally need to choose our greatest skilled chainsaw for many who want the ability and runtime gasoline chainsaws present. This contains skilled arborists, tree cutters, foresters, panorama professionals, and extra.

As all the time, we don’t need to waste any time. Having used, examined, and reviewed dozens of the highest fashions, listed here are our picks for one of the best skilled chainsaws.

Finest Skilled Chainsaw General

Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss Chainsaw

The unique MS 271 got here out in 2011. Nevertheless it wasn’t till Stihl awarded the coveted “BOSS” elevated standing to the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss chainsaw in 2015 that it formally changed the highly-favored MS 270 chainsaw. The brand new MS 271 minimize emissions in half whereas including a pre-separation air filtration system. That will sound like a lot advertising materials apart from the truth that it added 5X the life to the air filter.

Stihl continues to mess with their air filter programs, creating saws that may run for longer and with much less a efficiency hit—even when the air filter will get considerably clogged up by work. Seize this noticed for round $420.

Finest Light-weight Skilled Chainsaw

Echo CS-2511T High Deal with Chainsaw

This Echo CS-2511T top-handle chainsaw is the actual deal. Positive, it’s small, however the 25.4cc 2-stroke engine actually chews by way of wooden shortly. We used it to take away 4-8″ limbs (which it did with out breaking a sweat). We even examined it by chopping bigger oak. This light-weight chainsaw chewed proper by way of it. We positively want the 12-inch bar, although you may go as much as 14-inches.

In the long run, we simply love how this noticed works. From the clutch-driven oiler to the outsized gasoline tank opening, it has wonderful options to match its energy. You possibly can seize up our choose for one of the best light-weight chainsaw for round $430.

Finest High Deal with Skilled Chainsaw

Husqvarna T525 High Deal with Chainsaw

Husqvarna designed the T525 to be the corporate’s lightest gas-powered tree care noticed. Designed, for full-time skilled use, this 27cc high deal with chainsaw actually impressed us with simply how a lot energy you get out of this compact instrument. The T525 makes use of Husqvarna’s low-emission X-Torq engine and it has an auto-return cease change that resets to the ‘On’ place mechanically for re-starting. We additionally love the quick-release air filter cowl and spark plug accessibility.

This is likely to be our favourite climbing noticed. Priced round $520 (and tough to seek out), seize this noticed and also you received’t look again.

Finest 50cc Skilled Chainsaw

Stihl MS 261 C-M Chainsaw

The Stihl MS 261 C-M chainsaw is made within the USA. It mirrors the gasoline effectivity and low exhaust options of the MS 261 however provides Stihl’s M-Tronic engine administration system. This method makes use of a small pc to watch and mechanically regulate the gasoline combine to cope with issues like elevation, temperature, gasoline high quality, and (our favourite) soiled air filters.

We’ve examined the MS 261 C-M, and it amazingly maintains chains pace even when the air filter is sort of clogged. We don’t suggest you run the noticed like that on goal, however it supplied a fantastic testimony to the effectivity of the system.

You will discover this noticed on sale for underneath $600.

Finest 60cc Skilled Chainsaw

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 60cc Chainsaw

We examined the Echo Timber Wolf CS-590 chainsaw on all the things from eradicating stumps to chopping pole barn beams in half. The noticed begins extraordinarily simply and with none hesitation. Extra importantly, it remained simple to start out from the primary pull till the instrument was over 7-years younger.

The 59.8 cc motor cuts easily and powerfully with an ease that makes it really feel like a bigger skilled chainsaw. There was greater than sufficient torque and no kickback in anyway. The stability and weight of this noticed work with you somewhat than in opposition to you. We’ve used extra highly effective saws, however none that really feel fairly as well-balanced within the hand. At round $419 this noticed received’t come up in opposition to a lot it may well’t deal with. Resolve in your most well-liked bar measurement (18- or 20-inches) and choose one up.

Editor’s Word: We are able to’t assist but additionally point out the a lot bigger Stihl MS 661 Magnum Collection. These saws value significantly extra ($1280 to $1330), however we discover them extremely highly effective and versatile. You may get them with bar sizes from 16- to 32-inches in order that they choose up the place the Timber Wolf leaves off.

Finest Giant Skilled Chainsaw

Stihl MS 881 Magnum Chainsaw (as much as 41″ bar)

Are you able to discover a chainsaw with a bigger bar and extra energy? Positive, however the Stihl MS 881 Magnum chainsaw is at the moment the most important Stihl gives. It immediately replaces the well-regarded MS 880 and reduces emissions. This noticed boasts a 121.6cc engine and assist for a 41-inch bar. Whereas the MS 880 supported a bar as much as 59-inches in size, Stihl not appears to supply that as a inventory or build-to-order choice.

From forestry to logging or milling, this noticed brings each energy and management. You possibly can seize it for round $2020.

Finest Skilled Chainsaw Expertise

Stihl MS 500i Chainsaw with EFI

The Stihl MS 500i chainsaw offers tons of energy with its 79cc (4.83 cu. in.) engine. What stands out to us, nevertheless, is the usage of digital gasoline injection. In addition they use this know-how on their TS 500i 14-inch brushless cut-off noticed.

It provides this skilled chainsaw fast acceleration whereas doing a greater job of monitoring gasoline consumption. How shortly does it ramp up? 0-62mph in 1 / 4 second. That’s quick.

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Pushing 6.7 bhp and weighing 13.9 lbs. with out gasoline, the Stihl MS 500i noticed additionally has a wonderful power-to-weight ratio. A chainsaw with no choke? Sure, please. Priced at round $1,350, it is a noticed you may plan to make use of for properly over a decade if you happen to maintain it.

Finest Skilled Chainsaw for Chopping Firewood

Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw

We love the Husqvarna 455 Rancher for its mixture of energy and worth. You possibly can pay a little bit extra for the 545 Mark II. We truthfully don’t assume it is sensible because it trades off some engine measurement for Autotune and a magnesium crankcase. The 455 Rancher nets you a low-vibration 55cc noticed that cuts by way of firewood like butter.

We just like the inventory 20-inch blade as a fantastic measurement for chopping all method of firewood. You possibly can shortly regulate the chain pressure with a single screw, and altering the air filter requires no instruments. Retailing at $499, we will simply name this one of the best skilled chainsaw for chopping firewood.

Finest Skilled Electrical (Battery-Powered) Chainsaw

Husqvarna 540i XP 40V 16-inch Chainsaw

Professionals have extra choices than ever earlier than. Conventional skilled manufacturers Stihl and Husqvarna have excellent fashions whereas cordless powerhouses corresponding to Makita and Milwaukee have produced reputable choices themselves.

In the long run, we selected Husqvarna’s 540i XP as one of the best battery-powered chainsaw for professionals. Although not as highly effective because the Greenworks Industrial 82V, its stability of 40cc energy and weight makes it a wonderful all-rounder for gas-free tree chopping.

We additionally like the choice to make use of a normal battery pack or change over to a battery backpack for prolonged chopping. That’s a characteristic Stihl, Greenworks Industrial, and Makita have as properly.

Worth: $600 naked (14-inch bar), $610 naked (16-inch bar), $960 (equipment w/9.4Ah battery)

Different Skilled Battery-Powered Chainsaws We Advocate:

• Stihl MSA 220 C-B 36V 16-inch Chainsaw: Strong design and elevated energy backed by Stihl’s seller community
• Greenworks Industrial GS181 82V 18-inch Chainsaw: 50cc gasoline equal energy with a inventory 18-inch bar and chain (beginning at $349)
• Makita XCU04 18V X2 (36V) 16-inch Chainsaw: Easy-cutting and highly effective with a variety of appropriate OPE ($299 naked, $409 with 4 batteries and charger)
• Milwaukee 2727 M18 Gas 16-inch Chainsaw: 40cc gasoline efficiency with a 12.0Ah energy supply accessible ($329 naked, $499 with 12.0Ah battery and charger)

Finest Skilled Chainsaw Chain

Stihl Chainsaw Chain

Stihl is the one chainsaw producer that produces its personal information bars and noticed chains. They’ve a information bar facility in Waiblingen, Germany, and so they manufacture noticed chains in Switzerland. In addition they manufacture merchandise of their 83-acre Virginia Seashore campus. Longer Stihl Rollomatic E Tremendous Information Bars characteristic an angled oil supply gap that improves oil move to the noticed chain. All Stihl chains are pre-stretched earlier than they go away the manufacturing facility.

We are able to’t actually suggest a single chain for everybody. You’ve too many variables relying upon your objectives. Stihl has over a dozen completely different chain varieties if that’s any indication of what number of choices you might have. In the event you don’t know something, we love the Stihl Fast Micro Consolation 3 chain. It combines low chatter and diminished kickback with clean chopping and low vibration. Their Pico Duro chain options carbide-tipped know-how and keep sharper longer.

Lastly, you may select one in every of their Fast Micro skip-tooth blades if you’d like extra pace and fewer tooth for sharpening. That is our most well-liked chain for fundamental felling.

Editor’s Word: Whereas we like Stihl chain greatest, it’s possible you’ll come throughout Oregon bars and chains extra readily. In that case, search for their SpeedCut and SpeedCut Nano for quick chopping with mid-sized saws. In order for you a extra multi-purpose chain, attempt Versacut or ControlCut. Their PowerCut line has some nice skip chains for loggers.

Skilled Chainsaw Testing Strategies

Over years of testing, we’ve made many 1000’s of cuts by way of pine, cedar, oaks, and far more. These vary from limbing small branches by way of felling 3-foot diameter bushes, and digging out after hurricanes. We want to check chainsaws by crosscutting in inexperienced (moist) wooden like their chains have been designed for, not in dried development lumber.

Chainsaw Chopping Energy

The dimensions of the motor determines a superb quantity of the ability potential of a noticed, however hands-on testing actually issues. Our suggestions come from both private use of those saws by our Professionals or cautious analysis into professionals giving us suggestions on particular makes use of and experiences.

We additionally see energy helped by good programs that monitor gasoline/oxygen ranges and maintain saws working sturdy even when filters get clogged from use. For that reason, some 55cc saws can outperform different manufacturers with bigger engines as soon as the work will get underway.

The mix of real-world and managed situation chopping actually places a noticed by way of its paces.

Matching Chains to Scale back Bias

When doing head-to-head testing of chainsaws, we match the chains throughout all saws to make sure we aren’t biased by evaluating saws utilizing various kinds of chains. You’ll discover the identical variations in your individual use relying upon what sort of chain you select. Chain sort impacts the pace of minimize (perceived energy) in addition to chip clearing, vibration, and the potential for kickback.

The Finest Skilled Chainsaw Options We Look For

Triggers

Not like battery-powered chainsaws, skilled gasoline chainsaws use a throttle and clutch to function. For essentially the most half, you both let a chainsaw idle otherwise you run it at full-throttle. You may feather the throttle a little bit for small climbing actions, however typically, we search for a set off that feels responsive and is snug to tug and use.

Ease of Beginning

Skilled chainsaws—for essentially the most half—use two-cycle gasoline. Which means we now have to pull-start them. If a chainsaw begins slowly or requires a drawn-out course of to start out, we want going elsewhere. For essentially the most half, professionals don’t have points with these saws beginning up shortly. For many who must ramp up and down with out lacking a beat, nevertheless, a few of the EFI choices current a pleasant resolution—albeit one which prices cash.

Chain Adjustment

Chainsaw bars must be adjusted practically each time you employ the noticed. A brand new chain stretches out fairly shortly. That you must cosy it up at the least a couple of instances because it breaks in.

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In case your chain will get tight somewhat out of the blue, it often means the bar is just not getting oil. Don’t loosen it till you make sure that the noticed is oiling correctly.

Professional Tip: Get into the behavior of loosening your chain on the finish of the day. Chilly climate could cause it to tighten because it cools and harm components.

Skilled chainsaw bars require a screwdriver-wrench mixture instrument known as a scrench. None of our Professional suggestions characteristic tool-free tensioners—professionals don’t like them and neither can we for this kind of use. They don’t are inclined to work as properly or maintain up over the long run.

Don’t Lose Your Nuts!

Misplaced bar nuts are a frequent incidence throughout common use within the subject. To stop this, some saws have the added characteristic of captive (retained) nuts that received’t fall off the noticed if you loosen them. A number of Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws characteristic these whereas Echo tends to skip this helpful characteristic. We all the time maintain a couple of screnches within the truck and/or trailer.

Professional Tip: Preserve a spare nut available because it’s common to lose one within the subject.

Bars and Chains

Most chainsaw manufacturers don’t attempt to reinvent the wheel by making their very own bars and chains. Aside from Stihl, that’s—who make their very own. Different manufacturers sometimes use an Oregon bar and chain. A lot of the chainsaws we check use 3/8″ pitch, 0.050″ gauge chains. Another saws may go for “quicker” .325-inch pitch chains.

Oiling Techniques

Bar and chain oil is the lifeblood of knowledgeable chainsaw. Your noticed received’t final very lengthy with out it. All through our testing, many of the saws oiled readily, and we appreciated any saws with options to forestall or restrict leaks.

We additionally checked oil visibility. For essentially the most half, Professionals simply preserve an everyday schedule for oiling. Even one of the best translucent oil home windows shortly get soiled shortly—making it tough to make use of them for his or her meant goal. This goes double for those that seem like they have been an afterthought—far too small to be sensible.

Ease of Filling Issues

Since we add oil lots to our skilled chainsaw, the dimensions of the oil reservoir and the convenience of including new oil matter. It makes an everyday process a lot simpler. We don’t like having oily fingers, so with the ability to fill the tank whereas leaving our work gloves on is our choice. Search for oil caps with lugs which might be simple to show with gloves on and/or flip-up tabs that present an excellent higher grip.

Spills & Extra Spills

One other reason behind spills in skilled chainsaws is an oil tank with a filler neck that’s too slender. Bar and chain oil is thick and cheesy. It could possibly pour like molasses within the chilly, so it simply “piles up” and overflows in a slender neck.

Whereas filling most chainsaws proves satisfactory, some designs have a slender neck or sit at an angle that makes the goal even smaller.

Offering one other problem, plastic filters on the inlet of its tank can constrict the diameter. Lastly, caps that cross-thread simply may also make the oil-fill course of extra of a chore.

Tricks to Keep away from Leaking or Spilling Oil

Right here’s a tip—solely poke a little bit gap within the foil sealing your quart or gallon oil bottle so you may pour a thin stream. Or dispense your oil from a syrup bottle that has a tapered, pull-to-open tip. It really works like a appeal, and you may push the tip in opposition to the within of the filler neck to cease the move for one-handed management when your different hand is steadying the noticed.

Simply be sure you clear out the bottle first (you might have to eat a complete lot of pancakes).

Chainsaws usually leak oil whereas sitting as a result of day by day heating and cooling shrinks and expands a plastic tank like a rudimentary pump. Some saws are messier than others.

Chain Brake and Different Security Options

We would like an easy-to-use chain brake that works properly. Most producers have this all the way down to a science at this level, so we encounter only a few points right here. Most lengthen excessive sufficient to supply simple activation throughout a kickback occasion.

We would like a security set off lock that’s simple to make use of with out getting in the way in which. Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo put theirs on the again of the deal with. These work properly—till they don’t. For essentially the most half, we’re merely in search of placement and really feel—guaranteeing we don’t have to maneuver our hand from a pure place when greedy the noticed to make use of it. Notably, Echo offers the simplest to switch set off lock…we’re undecided if that’s a superb or unhealthy signal.

We additionally verify the chain catch pin and place of the hand guards—however most producers have this all the way down to a science.

Bucking Spikes

For pushing a noticed by way of wooden extra effectively, chainsaws come fitted with bucking spikes (a.ok.a. bumper spikes, felling spikes, or canines). These spikes sit in opposition to the physique of the noticed alongside the bar and anchor the noticed in place whereas the bar pivots by way of the minimize.

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The spikes can help you apply a lifting movement of the rear hand as a substitute of pushing downward. Holding the noticed tight to the wooden, the motor can exert its most pulling energy. This protects you from a few of the chopping vibrations and particularly the jerking widespread to holding a noticed away out of your work.

Making use of leverage with spikes provides management, however go simple and take heed to the pitch of the motor. You possibly can stall even a gasoline chainsaw by making use of an excessive amount of stress.

Chainsaw Ergonomics

Stability

Whereas it’s true that the consolation and really feel of a instrument are largely subjective, it’s additionally true that some designs work higher than others. Most Professionals and skilled householders can instantly inform. I consider that considerate design intention and execution do come by way of for almost all of customers.

The perfect skilled chainsaws will really feel balanced in your palms. It ought to minimize straight with out introducing a twisting movement and you shouldn’t really feel like both the again hand or your entrance grip are overly harassed when making a minimize. You need to have the ability to simply rock the noticed ahead and again on the bucking spikes when chopping by way of bigger trunks.

Holding a noticed together with your left hand on the entrance deal with in entrance of it is best to have the noticed balancing pretty flat. Being a bit front-heavy is okay, however a rear-heavy noticed lifts the chopping finish of the noticed up in the direction of you and requires extra effort and vigilance to make use of and carry safely.

Chopping Sideways

Figuring out a superb really feel for felling cuts whereas holding the chainsaw sideways is extra concerning the consolation of making use of pressure to the entrance and rear handles as you grasp it from the aspect, and in addition the convenience of working the set off whereas sideways. We try to check all instructions when utilizing each top-handle and rear-handle saws

Handles

Usually, chainsaws with thicker handles are extra snug to know in use as a result of their broader radiused edges serve to melt the contact together with your hand. After all, rubber deal with surfaces assist too, not just for padding but additionally for the elevated grip they supply.

In truth, it’s outstanding simply how related the grip is on Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo skilled chainsaws. Husqvarna offers little to no rubber overmold. Echo provides you some texture on the aspect of their plastic deal with. Stihl provides some overmold on the again, which we like.

They and Husqvarna additionally present a cease to maintain you from sliding up within the decoupled portion of the deal with the place the vibration management happens. On an Echo chainsaw, they decouple a bigger portion of the rear deal with to regulate vibration.

Set off Consolation

{Most professional} chainsaw triggers are massive sufficient for 2 fingers to suit on them. Some have an extra-long set off with extra room to range your grip stance for consolation. The perfect feeling triggers retract flush with the deal with as a substitute of leaving a raised bump your fingers should push in opposition to.

Weight

The dry weight of one of the best skilled chainsaws will be as little as 6 kilos to properly over 16 kilos. Expertise reveals {that a} noticed’s weight is much less essential than correct stability general as you solely really feel the complete weight if you’re NOT chopping.

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