Comparison STIHL MS 260 38 vs STIHL MS 250 35

The volume of the engine of a gasoline saw (see "Power source"). On the one hand, the power and performance of the tool depend on this indicator, on the other hand, its weight, price and fuel consumption. Accordingly, it is necessary to choose a model taking into account the specifics of the planned work, and it does not always make sense to chase large volumes. In particular, for simple household tasks, an engine capacity of about 40 – 50 cm3 is considered quite sufficient, and in professional models this figure can exceed 100 cm3. More detailed selection recommendations can be found in special sources.

Saw motor power in watts. For petrol tools (see "Power Source"), horsepower is additionally indicated, see below for details.

The higher the power, the better the tool is suitable for voluminous work and hard materials, the greater the depth of cut it can provide and the easier it can cope with significant loads. In addition, for different types of saws and different types of materials, the actual power values \u200b\u200bcan also be different. For example, a power of 2.5 – 3 kW is actually the limit for chain saws, but in chain saws this is an average figure, among such tools there are models of 3 – 4 kW and even more. Detailed selection recommendations for various cases can be found in special sources.

The power of the saw engine expressed in horsepower (hp). This designation is traditionally used in gasoline models (see "Power Source") along with watts; 1 HP ≈ 735 W.

For more information about power, see the paragraph of the same name above.

The largest tyre size (in chain saws) or disc (in circular saws and some others, see "Device") that is allowed for this tool. Tyres are sized by working length, rims by diameter.

A larger bar/wheel allows for deeper cuts but requires more powerful motors. Therefore, this parameter cannot be exceeded — this can lead to an overload of the engine with all the corresponding troubles. However, in many models with a disc it is physically impossible to install a nozzle with a diameter larger than the maximum allowable.

Also note that saws with similar bar/blade sizes may differ in maximum depth of cut (mostly due to differences in design or power). As for the specific dimensions, they depend on the type of saw (see "Device"). For example, large discs of 450 – 500 mm are found exclusively in stationary chain saws, the maximum figure for cutting models is 400 – 450 mm, for trimming — 300 – 350 mm, and sizes of 500 – 550 mm or more clearly indicate that speech It's about a chainsaw chainsaw bar. Detailed recommendations regarding the choice of a tool for a given size can be found in special sources.

Regular chain pitch for which the chain saw is designed (see "Device"). A step is the distance between two adjacent chain teeth; the greater this distance, the higher the productivity of the saw, however, for a large step, higher power is required, and the cut is rougher. Therefore, this parameter largely determines the class of the saw and the specifics of the work for which it is designed. The current standard options are:

— 1/4". The smallest size, found in a low power tool — 1-1.5 hp. It has not received wide popularity due to poor performance.

— 0.325 ". One of the most popular options among amateur-class tools. Saws for such a chain have a power of up to 3 – 3.5 hp, they are suitable for both cutting branches and felling trees of small thickness.

— 3/8 ". He is 0.375". Slightly larger pitch than 0.325" is better suited for rough scale work. Also considered a household and semi-professional option, very popular.

— 0.404 ". The largest tooth pitch in modern chain saws. Rare, used in the most powerful professional tools designed for heavy work — for example, logging.

Note that it is allowed to install chains on saws with a finer pitch than the regular one, but not with a larger one. The latter is fraught not only with a decrease in the quality of work, but also with a critical increase in loads, with the possibility of tool breakage.

The maximum speed of the chain relative to the material that a saw of the appropriate design can provide (see "Device"). Higher speed allows to achieve faster and cleaner cuts, but requires more engine power; low speed, in turn, reduces productivity, but allows you to achieve good traction with a relatively low engine power. More detailed recommendations regarding this parameter can be found in special sources.

The volume of the fuel tank in saws with a petrol engine (see "Power source"). A volume tank, on the one hand, allows the device to work for a long time without refueling, on the other hand, it seriously affects the weight and dimensions. The latter is not critical for stationary units (see "Type"), but it is very important for portable equipment — and the vast majority of chainsaws and power cutters are made portable. And taking into account the fact that refueling usually does not cause any particular difficulties, it does not make sense to equip hand tools with capacious tanks, therefore this volume is small in such saws.

The volume of the oil tank provided in the tool.

In this case, we mean a tank from which oil is supplied to the saw chain (see "Device") to lubricate it during operation. In general, this is a reference parameter that allows you to estimate how much oil is needed for one refueling of the tool.

The total weight of the tool. For petrol models (see "Power Source"), usually, dry weight is indicated, excluding fuel.

In general, it makes sense to pay attention to this parameter primarily when choosing a hand tool. At the same time, note that higher power, a more capacious battery or a capacious tank will inevitably affect weight. However, tools with similar characteristics can and do differ markedly in weight. And here it is worth considering that a lighter model will be more comfortable to work with, but weight reduction may affect reliability and/or cost. In addition, a more massive tool is more stable, it is not so prone to jerks under uneven loads. If we talk about specific numbers, then a weight of 3 kg or less is considered very light, 3–5 kg is relatively small, 5–7 kg is medium, 7–10 kg is significant, and some powerful tools (mainly gasoline) weigh and over 10 kg.

As for stationary saws, weight is of secondary importance for them — it mainly affects the ease of transportation.