Working the homestead can be physically taxing but fulfilling. There’s something about shaping your lived environment that makes you feel well integrated where you live. But the work gets to be backbreaking. Picking the right tools can save hours of fruitless frustration.
The best chainsaws for homesteading are chosen according to the homesteader’s vegetation and fuel preferences. Tougher jobs require longer blades, while shorter blades allow efficient and nimble execution of smaller, common tasks. An ideal solution is to have one of each.
We’ll consider the role of a chainsaw in the homestead and share our picks of the eight best.
Chainsaws For Homesteading
Chainsaws are not optional for the homesteader. They are the number one tool for managing growth and picking the wrong saw has knock-on demerits in terms of efficiency and effect. The two criteria to regard in picking a chainsaw are:
The homestead is characterized by the vegetation is supports. Different kinds of trees and shrubs want different tools. Larger trees that are occasionally felled and trunked want more power. Shrubs and pruning trees want lighter saws.
Using an underpowered saw will wear the engine and risk placing stress on the blade. A rough guide is the 2:1 rule – limiting the diameter of trunks sawn to twice the blade length.
Using an overpowered device is a waste of fuel, violating the sustainability mindset that animates homesteading. It also places too much physical stress on the homesteaders. This added stress limits the amount of work that can be done, thus eroding efficiency.
In addition, powerful saws are incapable of rendering clean finishes on small jobs.
Rather than risking it, either way, a common approach is to opt for both a long saw and a short saw. The former will be used for bigger jobs and the latter for trims and pruning.
Overall, gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful and deliver the best finishes per unit of power. Electrical (mainly battery-powered) saws are catching up. With more concerns about fossil fuels, increasingly, homesteaders are drawn to electrically powered machines, which can be powered by off-grid sources like solar and geothermal.
Our pick of the best follows. Given our motivation for the long-short strategy and homesteaders’ own views about gas and electricity, we’ve created eight slots, one each for runner-up and winner in the two categories.
Best Gas Longsaw: Winner
Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher
Husqvarna has produced a clear winner. This is a hard-hitting 60.3cc 2-cycle engine on a 24” blade. The X-Torq engine is backed by an inertia-activated chain brake, which reduces the risk of kickback-induced injury. Centrifugal air cleaning removes debris and larger dust particles before they find the filter.
A combined choke/stop control lessens the risk of engine flooding and makes for easier starting. This is helped by Air Purge technology which de-airs the carburetor and fuel system. The ergonomic body design allows easier handling of the power.
- Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch gas chainsaw combines exceptional ergonomic...
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to quickly and...
- Superior Performance: Powerful and efficient 60.3-cc, 3.6-HP X-Torq engine...
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Gas Long Saw: Runner Up
XtremepowerUS 22″ inch 2.4HP 45cc
This 2-stroke heavy hitter is perfect for a range of cutting jobs. An automatic air filter and chain oiler maintain the saw’s working order. In a nod to sustainability, this model has reduced fuel consumption on the back of increased engine efficiency.
A durable saw, the air intake system is designed to prevent dust from entering the engine. It is easily removable for cleaning purposes. Steadier handling is ensured through an anti-kickback system and anti-vibration mechanism.
- 2-Stroke Engine - 45cc engine with two stokes is perfect for cutting jobs around...
- Engine Clean Air-Intake System - Efficiently prevent the dust from entering into...
- Anti-Vibration - Anti kick back chain and effective anti-vibration design
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Gas Short Saw: Winner
Craftsman 42cc-16
This nifty 16-incher has features for easier handling on several small jobs in a period. The Easystart technology provides or smoother, quicker pull starts. Its polymer chassis provides durability. A three-point vibration system makes the saw more maneuverable.
The bar features a low-kickback chain. Powered by a 42cc full crank 2 cycle engine, the saw packs a lot of power inside a small frame. The auto oiler and view keep the cutting mechanism lubricated, reducing the risk of damage.
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Best Gas Short Saw: Runner Up
Remington RM4214CS
The 42cc engine is full crank over two cycles, delivering high output to a 14″ bar. This results in great power with vibration control. With low kickback, this engine/bar configuration makes for quick cutting. Remington has implemented Quickstart technology to make the stop-start operation less painstaking.
Overall, the saw feels comfortable to handle. This covers manageability as well as weight. The chassis is durable but lightweight. It is engineered for prolonged use with minimal fatigue.
- HIGH OUTPUT ENGINE WITH 14-INCH BAR & CHAIN: 42cc full crank 2 cycle engine...
- LIGHTWEIGHT DURABLE POLY CHASSIS: Easy to Handle, lighter in weight, without...
- QUICKSTART TECHNOLOGY: Designed for quicker, smoother and easier pull starts...
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Long Saw: Winner
Ryobi 40V HP 18 inch
This brushless engine approaches a gas equivalence a little north of 45cc. The 5Ah battery weighs four pounds. Adding the bar, chain, and half a tank of oil, the total weight is fourteen pounds. This is not cumbersome for a machine as powerful and is comparable with gas machines in a similar class.
In spite of the wider battery port, the saw maintains its balance. In spite of the gauge, Ryobi has shunned metal, opting for plastic bucking spikes. This is the only arguable minus.
- 40V HP technology delivers more power than a 38cc gas chain saw
- Up to 168 cuts per charge with the included 40V 5Ah battery
- Full complement chain delivers longer runtime and faster cutting
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Long Saw: Runner Up
Greenworks GS181
Overall, this machine has torque and power comparable to a 50cc gas engine. The 18″ bar length and high-volt battery put it in the tree feller range. Its brushless electric motor is more efficient and reliable than the gas equivalent.
The saw is powered by a 4Ah 82V battery, large in its class. Greenworks have optimized this battery for extended life. It’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing remote tracking of the battery.
On the downside, this saw requires manual chain-tightening and has no onboard tightening tool.
- 18'' CHAIN AND BAR : Perfect for professional users
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY : 2X more torque. Provides more power, longer...
- AUTOMATIC OILER : Delivers proper chain lubrication and increased...
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Short Saw: Winner
Greenworks 40V
Greenworks’s go-to electric saw has been compared to a 42cc gas equivalent. Its advanced brushless motor tech ramps up the torque and runtime, extending the life of the tool.
This nifty machine has a battery that completely recharges in two hours. It gets up to one hundred cuts on a 4×4 lumber on a single charge. The 16’ bar is good for trees and limbs up to 30” in diameter.
The automated oiler keeps the chain lubricated, extending the chain life. A transparent oil window lets the user tell when to replenish the reservoir.
- 40V 16” CHAINSAW: Perfect for homeowners that need to tackle yard projects, or...
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Provides more power, longer run-times, and extended motor...
- CHAIN BRAKE: For added safety and reduced risk of injury
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Short Saw: Runner Up
WORX WG303.1
This saw features a full-wrap front handle for leveraged vertical and horizontal access. The rubberized rear hand has an over-mold for superb control, facilitating long stints without user fatigue.
The patented auto-tension system guards against over-tightening, increasing the life of the chain motor and bar. Auto-lubrication ensures the smooth running of the chain, which whizzes around the bar at 32 ft/s.
More levered access comes from the metal spike bumper, which grips the wood, preventing kickback. The saw has a 16” bar, 14.5 Amp motor with a chain sheath. The chain break has a quick stop to prevent accidental cutting.
- [AUTO-TENSION] Patented system prevents over-tightening and increases the life...
- [AUTO-LUBRICATION] Keeps the chain running smooth and fast around the bar at 32...
- [CHAIN BRAKE] Prevent accidental cutting with the quick-stop chain break. One of...
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
The long-short combo is tested and tried, and whatever your fueling philosophy, there’s a myriad of ways you can implement it. The saws reviewed here provide a good basis for selecting a pair.
