4 Signs You Should Choose a Petrol Chainsaw Over an Electric Chainsaw

Posted on: 13 March 2023

For most light home use, people are going to be fine using an electric chainsaw. However, some users may require anything from more power to added range, and a petrol chainsaw is going to remain the best choice for such situations. In contrast, using an electric chainsaw can prove either ineffective or inconvenient, so it makes sense to consider exactly what you need from a chainsaw. 

With that in mind, here are just four signs that you should pick a petrol chainsaw over an electric chainsaw.

1. You Need to Tackle Larger Trees

Probably the most important difference between petrol and electric chainsaws is that petrol models simply offer far more power. Their impressive two-cycle engines can harness more horsepower and be fitted with the longer blades necessary for taking on thick tree trunks. That means that anyone who expects to use their chainsaw to cut through larger trees should opt for a petrol chainsaw – in most cases, an electric chainsaw literally won't cut it. Additionally, electric chainsaws often have trouble cutting through hardwood, whereas a powerful petrol chainsaw will be able to handle anything you throw at it.

2. You Need to Cut Fast

Most people will only need to use their chainsaws to keep their outside spaces tidy, in which case the speed at which you can cut isn't going to make much of a difference. However, others will need to spend a lot of time using their chainsaw to maintain their property, and here again, the added power offered by petrol chainsaws comes into play. That power allows you to cut much faster, so larger jobs can be completed in considerably less time.

3. You Need to Deal With Larger or Denser Areas

Electric chainsaws come with either a power cord or an inbuilt battery. The former can limit how far you can go from a power source, whereas the latter can run out of juice and need to be recharged, which can take some time. As such, electric chainsaws either confine you to one area or put a limit on how long you can cut, and that means they aren't ideal for maintaining larger or denser areas. In contrast, petrol chainsaws can be taken as far from a power source as you like, and it only takes a minute or two to add more fuel.

4. You Need to Work Under All Conditions

Finally, it's worth remembering that electric chainsaws aren't ideal when you expect to deal with excessive moisture or an abundance of standing water. However, petrol chainsaws can be used whether you've been experiencing record highs or prolonged rainfall. If you know you'll need to be out maintaining your property in all conditions, opting for a petrol chainsaw makes sense.

Contact a supplier to learn more about chainsaws.

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