When you live in a detached single-family home, a few yard tools feel like essentials.You'll probably get a lawn mower and a string trimmer.Maybe you'll get a leaf blower.
I'm here to tell you, after a decade of homeownership, that a mini chainsaw deserves as high a place on that list.Avoid the mistakes I made.Don't wait this long to buy one, and don't fall into the trap of thinking that a bigger chainsaw is better.
Even if you do decide to buy a larger one someday, you'll likely still reach for the mini chainsaw more often than not.A mini chainsaw makes easy work of storm debris A wooded yard like mine drops heavy branches after windy days I live on just under three acres of land, half of which is wooded.My home is one that is difficult to see from the road for most months of the year.
We are surrounded by all manner of deciduous trees, ranging from sweetgum and tulip poplar to various species of oak.When storms pass through, it's not uncommon for giant branches to fall on our driveway.While I usually don't need a chainsaw to clear our path, the chainsaw does make easy work of breaking those branches down to size.
You don't need to live in a rural area like me for this to come in handy.Here in Virginia, the cities and suburbs live amongst tall trees that shed during storms.I have a wood stove, so after I reduce the branches down into small logs or kindling, I stack them up for later use.
Yet whether you're trying to remove the remains or toss them into a corner of the yard to decompose, breaking them down is a good first step.STIHL MSA 70 C-B Cordless Chainsaw Kit Battery Life Up to 45 minutes Tool Type Chainsaw The STIHL MSA 70 C-B is a mini chainsaw with a 12-inch bar.This bundle comes with STIHL's AK 30 battery included along with an AL 101 charger.
$400 at Ace Hardware Expand Collapse Smaller trees are the most likely to fall They can provide an abundant source of firewood Sometimes I need to deal with something a bit heavier than a branch.The power company recently chopped down trees near the front of my yard that had grown too close to power lines.Likewise, I can glance out of my window in any direction and see a tree that has fallen in the woods.
Most of these trees are small enough for a mini chainsaw to make easy work of, saving me from needing to ask for help.This also means I'm surrounded by free firewood.I don't need a heavy chainsaw that can fell a tree when there are an abundance of trees that have fallen of their own accord.
Pruning is easier with a lighter chainsaw No need to purchase a separate tool for the job While it seems intuitive to leave a tree alone if you want it to live a long life, that isn't so.Trees grow branches in places that will clearly fall someday, possibly even bringing the whole tree down with it.Other times, trees have branches that have clearly wilted and no longer produce leaves.
When the time comes to prune a tree, a mini chainsaw is much easier to carry up a ladder.It's also light enough to lift higher than I otherwise might.I can also use this chainsaw to prune all kinds of plants throughout my yard.
This smaller blade can be used to give shape to shrubs, and it can take down those stubborn plants that have grown too thick for a string trimmer to handle.A chainsaw you can carry for as long as you need A bigger chainsaw will tire you out more quickly A large chainsaw is a powerful tool, but it's also a heavy one.This means that after a few cuts, I'm ready to put it away.
I have come to think of a bigger chainsaw as a more specialized tool that is only brought out for the tasks a mini chainsaw can't handle.That includes trees whose diameter is too wide for a smaller chainsaw, as well as hardwoods that are too dense for the smaller motor in a mini chainsaw to handle.But as soon as those cuts are done, it's time to switch back.
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That's because I can work for much longer with a mini chainsaw than a short one.It's similar to cutting grass using a self-propelled lawn mower versus one that relies entirely on your muscles, justifying self-propelled's hit to your battery.The weight reduction makes a big difference and gives me more staying power.
A smaller chainsaw will save you money At the end of the day, going with a smaller chainsaw isn't merely more versatile and convenient—it's also more affordable.Differences in brand pricing aside, a smaller chainsaw tends to cost less upfront than a large one.This tool will also be cheaper to maintain as well, resulting in less of a hit to my wallet when the time comes to get a new bar or replace the chain.
That's money that may eventually be able to go toward a robot mower.
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