There are consumer models which are lighter weight and perfect for the occasional user, and have a lot of features the heavy duty professional ones have, but cost a lot less. They will not have the power of a professional chain saw, but most people do not need that level of power.



A standard model chain saw is intended for more frequent use, since they have more power than the consumer model. If a homeowner has a large lot and does a lot of woodcutting, this might be needed. They are frequently used on farms since they are so durable and powerful.

The most powerful type of chain saw is the professional model. These are saws that are used every day for heavy duty use. They come with a bar of up to six feet long and can be used all day without becoming overheated.

Husqvarna is one of the best chain saws available. It comes in many sizes and styles. The perfect model for the consumer is the 137. It is lightweight and the lowest cost model, ideal for the homeowner. If a professional is looking for a higher powered saw, he would consider the 346XP model. Its slim body is ergonomically designed for comfort during heavy use. It has a choice of bar lengths from 16 to 20 inches. The largest of the Husqvarna saws comes with a bar of up to 50 inches. This is the 3120 model and is intended for felling trees and other heavy duty uses.

Another top of the line chain saw is the Stihl. They also come in sizes to suit the homeowner or professional. The M180 model, with attractive features such as easy to start, light weight and easy chain adjustment is perfect for the homeowner. The bar can be 12 to 16 inches long in this model. A medium use chain saw, such as for a farm or a large plot of land, is the MS290. An "Intellicarb" carburetor allows for all weather use, and the easy access to the chain is ideal for frequent use. The model MS880 Magnum Pro is the choice for professionals who will use the saw almost constantly. It is heavy duty and has a start feature called Elasto, that allows for fast easy starting. Its other important features are a heavy duty air filter and one piece muffler. It has bars from 17 to 59 inches in length.

As you can see from the above descriptions, the type of chain saw you choose will depend on how and how often you intend to use it. Most people only need a consumer model for around the yard use. The bar length will be determined by how large the trees and branches you will be cutting are. (You can cut a tree with a diameter twice the bar length.) The larger the bar you get, the bigger the engine you will need. You will also want to get a saw that is easy to maintain; make sure you can access the filter and spark plugs and that the chain is easy to adjust. The final feature is ease of use. Your chain saw should be comfortable to use, which means be slim and as light as possible for its use, and have low vibration.