You’ve bought a new electric chainsaw, and now you’re wondering if you can use it for cutting trees. The short answer for you is yes, but it depends on the size of the tree and a few other factors. Continue reading, and you will get to know all about it!
How good are electric chainsaws for cutting large trees?
Electric chainsaws are among the first options that people go for when they have to cut down trees. These are comparatively cheaper than gas-powered chainsaws. While both of them are great for different purposes, but more people go for electric chainsaws as they’re powerful, safer to use, and make less sound. There are many studies that compare how the two types of chainsaws work in terms of safety and efficiency.
As for can electric chainsaw cut trees, the answer to that is yes, you can easily cut down trees with an electric chainsaw, but it will depend on the size of the tree and the kind of electric chainsaw you’re using. If the tree to cut down is smaller, you can simply use a regular chainsaw to cut it. Meanwhile, larger trees will require more power for cutting down. While electric chainsaws aren’t as powerful as a gas chainsaw, they’re still comparatively easier to use. The modern chainsaws come with the capability to easily cut through almost any kind of trees, branches, or saplings, but the species of the tree determines how easy or difficult the cutting will be.
When is it best to use an electric chainsaw?
While both electric chainsaws and gas chainsaws are tremendous at cutting trees and branches, there are a few benefits of using an electric one over a gas-powered one. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose an electric chainsaw over a gas-powered one –
- Generally, electric chainsaws tend to be much lighter than compared to gas powered chainsaws, making them easier to operate and handle. Due to this reason, you will be far less likely to fatigue as quickly as you would have if you were using a gas saw. Of the two types of electric chainsaws (corded and cordless) the cordless ones tend to be the heavier of the two, as they have the additional weight of the battery.
- They tend to be a lot quieter than gas-powered saws. It makes them more suitable to be used in neighborhoods where houses are close to each other, near hospitals, near schools, and noise-sensitive areas.
- Electric chainsaws are easy and clean to operate. Unlike gas-powered chainsaws, the user will not need to be content with the fuel and unpleasant fumes that emit when using it.
- Even though you will need to maintain and take care of your electric chainsaw, this type of chainsaw requires less maintenance as compared to gas-powered ones.
- Unlike many gas-powered chainsaws, they’re fairly easy to start. It is merely a case of pressing a few buttons, and you’ll be good to go. In fact, an electric chainsaw is so easy to start and use as they often surprise new users as the chainsaw springs to full power within seconds after getting switched on. That is in contrast to gas chainsaws that have to be revved up after being started. For overcoming this issue, a few brands sell chainsaws with a soft start feature that makes the motor gradually build power, giving you more time to be prepared.
- Small chainsaws, especially the ones that are battery-operated, are excellent for close quarter cutting and trimming as they can reach areas where larger gas-powered chainsaws cannot go
- With an electric chainsaw, you won’t have to worry about mixing fuel and oil, something that gives gas-powered chainsaw users a headache. Sometimes, having to mix fuel for carrying out a 5-minute job doesn’t seem to be worth it, making electric models much more convenient.
- With the ever-increasing popularity of the products, manufacturers have started to develop more user-friendly features. It includes features like self-tightening chains and auto-oiling.
Limitations of electric chainsaws and when to use a gas chainsaw
While there are a lot of perks of using electric chainsaws, there are certainly a few limitations when using them. Further, there are situations when a gas-powered chainsaw is much better than an electric chainsaw. Without further ado, let’s begin with the disadvantages and limitations of using an electric chainsaw.
- Unless you’re going for a professional-grade chainsaw, it is unlikely that your chainsaw will be able to match the power and abilities of an average gas-powered chainsaw. The limited power makes the electric chainsaws unsuitable for heavy-duty cutting.
- In case your electric chainsaw is corded, the working area will only be restricted to the length of the cord. It means there might be areas of the trees that you wouldn’t be able to reach with the electric chainsaw.
You can run them using a portable generator, even though if you do not own one, it wouldn’t be worth it to buy an expensive accessory to run a chainsaw.
- Corded electric chainsaws have one particular stand-out disadvantage. They frequently get spliced up by misplaced cuts. You will need to give additional care and attention for ensuring that you don’t get snagged and that you don’t end up tripping over the chord when using the tool. In comparison, gas-powered chainsaws don’t need a cord, so they clearly have an advantage in this aspect.
- Even though chainsaw brands have made advancements in terms of storage and battery power, you’ll still have to ensure that you have ample power for finishing the task. People often end up leaving their cutting and pruning tasks in the middle because their chainsaws ran out of juice. If needed, you can carry a spare battery so that you’re safe on that side.
- An electric chainsaw is less durable than a gas-powered chainsaw. Due to the lighter construction in the former, they tend to have more parts made of plastic and aren’t as durable as gas-powered saws. You will need to treat your electric chainsaw with additional care and attention.
Can you cut wet trees with an electric chainsaw?
For people who live in areas that receive a lot of rainfall throughout the year, it is a common question to have that can you cut wet trees with an electric chainsaw? And the answer to that is a resounding yes.
When it comes to tools like an electric chainsaw, there is no denying that water might be a concert. Having said that, not every electric tool is made equally. Some of them can power through wet conditions with ease, and an electric chainsaw is one of them. It is possible to cut wet trees with an electric chainsaw.
Will wet wood damage your chainsaw?
Wood comes in a lot of types, from wet to dry, to new and old. Each type of wood comes with its own level of resistance. The same applies for different species of trees. For instance, cutting through the balsa wood tree will demand considerably less effort than say cutting through an ironwood. Similarly, cutting through dead wood will be far easier than cutting through green wood.
What about cutting through wed wood and does it pose any threat to your chainsaw?
The simple answer is no. The moisture present in the wood will make any significant difference to the cutting process. It won’t place any additional resistance on the chainsaw, and you won’t need to put any extra effort into cutting through wet wood.
However, as you’re cutting wet wood, the sawdust will stick to the chain instead of getting blasted away. This might mean you have to clean the chainsaw and remove the sawdust more frequently so that the performance of your chainsaw continues to be as strong as possible.
It isn’t bad to cut wet wood with your electric chainsaw as snow, raindrops, or dewdrops on the wood won’t cause any harm to the chainsaw. Interestingly, it’ll be easier to cut through wet wood as compared to dry wood because the moisture in the wood will act as an automatic, natural lubricant. People who are short on time will definitely love cutting wood when it is wet. Dry wood tends to lack moisture, so it creates more friction on the chain of the saw when cutting through the fibers of the wood. The strong friction slows down the speed of the chain.
It is a common misconception that cutting through wet wood can dull the chain on the chainsaw. However, the reality is that it won’t dull the chainsaw any faster than dry wood does. As wet wood naturally lubricates the chain, it prevents overheating and allows the chain to glide effortlessly with minimum friction. This further prevents the chain from becoming dull. It is essential to check the size and density of the wood that you’re planning to cut through.
Conclusion
There are many newbies who wonder can electric chainsaw cut trees, even thinking if it is possible in the rainy weather when the wood is wet. Hopefully, this guide has offered you all the answers that you were looking for. While electric chainsaws are great for cutting wood, and they have their advantages over gas-powered chainsaws, the electric chainsaws come with certain limitations as well.
Note: When you’re cutting wood when it is raining, it is common to loose grip and slip. It is important to prioritize your safety and wear gloves, helmet, and other protective gear including a protective vest and eyewear to ensure that even wet conditions don’t cause any accidents.
