When deciding to buy a chainsaw, begin by identifying its strengths and limitations. Narrowing down on chainsaws that fit your budget and lumbar needs is a good place to start. However, getting the engine fired up on the most sturdy and popular chainsaws is a major challenge.
Here are 5 of the easiest chainsaws to start:
- Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
- DEWALT 20V MAX XR Chainsaw
- Poulan Pro Gas Chainsaw
- Greenworks 40V Cordless Chainsaw
- Remington Full Crank Gas Powered Chainsaw
Read on to take a detailed look at the easiest chainsaws to start and list their pros and cons. All these chainsaws are available on Amazon.com. The list comprises both gas and electric chainsaws.
1. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
This powerful gas chainsaw by one of the most reputable chainsaw manufacturers is not one to miss. It comes equipped with a chainsaw bar cover and 2.6 ounces (73 g) of pre-mix fuel. It houses a 20-inch (50.8 cm) bar useful for high-powered and heavy-duty work.
It is fairly heavy but super easy to start with the smart start technology employed by Husqvarna. It cuts through trees with a diameter as large as 18 inches (45.72 cm), like butter. It is also easy to maintain with clear oil changes and chain tightening mentioned in the well-explained user manual.
The high power comes at the cost of heavy weight, which may be difficult to handle for some users. The chain brake must be fully engaged at all times, or else it can stop running. Since the chainsaw is extremely powerful, it also creates more noise than regular gas chainsaws and may require hearing protection.
2. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Chainsaw
This cordless chainsaw has been voted number one in power chain saws. It is a battery-operated chainsaw and is ideal for tough construction and outdoor jobs like demolition and limbing.
It has all the advantages of an electric chainsaw with an absence of harmful emissions or noise pollution. As cordless and electric chainsaws are the easiest to start, and Dewalt MAX XR is no exception. One battery can last you for a long time to get some decent work done.
The biggest drawback with the chainsaw is that the oil leaks all over when the saw is not in use. It also uses more bar oil than a gas chainsaw for the same work done. There are no felling dogs to support wood cutting and no space on the chainsaw to attach them either.
Be also cautious as many users have complained about the bar cover’s tightening system and faced it falling off in between use. It takes a few seconds to pause and re-tighten it, but that can be dangerous even while doing light-duty work.
3. Poulan Pro Gas Chainsaw
This gas-powered chainsaw has a 42cc engine and an 18 inches (45.72 cm) bar. The chainsaw is ideal for medium-duty woodwork. It comes with its carry case and an extra chain in the kit. The chainsaw houses the brand’s patented OxyPower, which is more environmentally friendly than other gas chainsaws, with 70% fewer emissions.
It has an Effortless Pull Starting (EPS) that allows a quick and easy start-up with fewer pulls of the cord. Compared to the other brands, it is easier to start even when it’s cold. The chainsaw has plenty of power for general use and can even cut through trees with a diameter of up to 15 inches (38.1 cm).
If the instructions are not followed well before starting the chainsaw, it may not stay running. The saw does not stay idle and must be shut down and primed again to restart it.
4. Greenworks 40V Cordless Chainsaw
This high-performance electric chainsaw has a robust steel chain and bars good for up to 60 cuts on four-by-four lumber with a single charge. The electric, battery-powered chainsaw promises a guaranteed start every time with no choke and no pull required.
This chainsaw is great for light-duty woodwork and is budget-friendly compared to similar-strength gas chainsaws. The battery life is equivalent to a tank of gas on a gas chainsaw like Poulan. It has an automatic oiler that keeps the chain lubricated at all times, avoiding the need to stop work frequently.
The chainsaw is electric, so it lacks the power of a gas chainsaw and may not be useful for heavy-duty work. The chain brake can create issues for some users, and customer support may not be very knowledgeable and helpful in getting it fixed.
5. Remington Full Crank Gas Powered Chainsaw
This Remington 42cc gas-powered chainsaw has been voted Amazon’s Choice. It is available in different sizes of bars, with 18 inches being its longest option. It is a budget-friendly option when compared to other popular brand chainsaws with similar power.
The chainsaw comes with a helpful carrying case useful for transportation. It also has the chain and bar already set up for you, easing the assembly process. It is very easy to start with its double spring system and well-explained user manual, and even the elderly have given it positive reviews.
The few cons identified by users is that the saw is powerful enough to cut through big trees, but the cuts are crooked. The chain is also of cheap quality and requires frequent adjustments and tightening. The air filter is not the best and gets clogged up with dust and dirt frequently.
What Is an Easy Start Chainsaw, and How Do They Work?
You do not have to be an elderly person or someone with worn-out shoulders to want a chainsaw that is easy to start. Yanking on the tough chain of a chainsaw is not an easy task, especially for frequent work with a chainsaw.
An easy-start chainsaw employs a system that makes starting the chainsaw less time-consuming and effortless. Many brands have recognized the need for an easy start system and are introducing systems that help achieve this.
Some brands use a system that overcomes engine resistance and compression by adding a two-spring mechanism or by dampening the stress when you pull the starter rope. Electric and cordless chainsaws are generally easy to start with just a push of a button.
In general, a larger motor is more difficult to start, but an easy start system does not affect an engine’s power. Gas chainsaws are the most powerful but create more noise with a higher power. Electric and cordless, in general, are less powerful but have less maintenance and are fuel-efficient.
What Is the Easiest Starting Gas Chainsaw?
The easiest gas chainsaw must be one that can reduce the force required to pull the string on a powerful engine.
The easiest starting gas chainsaw is the Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw. There are others, like the Stihl gas chainsaws with Easy2Start technology, but these are not available on Amazon.com.
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw is ideal for heavy-duty work with its X-Torq® engine that reduces emission levels. It also has features like Smart Start® recoil systems that utilize the combined choke and stop control to reduce the risk of flooding and allow easy starting of the chainsaw.
This Youtube user compares the starting of a different chainsaw by Husqvarna, which employs the smart start system, to a Stihl chainsaw.
Are Stihl Chainsaws Hard To Start?
Stihl chainsaws are considered the number one brand of chainsaws worldwide as they are known to have a vast range of durable products. The only issue that users face when using a Stihl chainsaw is difficulty starting it.
Stihl chainsaws are not hard to start if you follow the instruction manual to start the chainsaw correctly and maintain your chainsaw well. Stihl also has a variety of chainsaws that use the ErgoStart or Easy2start system, which makes starting the chainsaw easy.
Stihl requires three things to operate its engine:
- Spark
- Compression
- Fuel
As explained in this video in detail, if there is a problem with any of the three things, the Stihl chainsaw can be a pain to start.
The STIHL Easy2Start™ or ErgoStart in chainsaws makes use of double springs between the crankshaft and the starter rope motor. This allows the user to disconnect from the actual turning of the engine, reducing the maximum pull when starting the engine. The Stihl chainsaws with this mechanism have an “E” in their model name.
Watch this user demonstrate exactly how easy it is to start a Stihl chainsaw with the Easy2Start technology.
Chainsaws can be very arduous to start with their weight and pull chain system. When you want to purchase a chainsaw, it is also important to keep in mind how easy they start.
If you want a powerful gas chainsaw, then the Husqvarna chainsaws with smart start technology are a good place to start. You can also choose a more budget and environment-friendly option by choosing an electric and cordless chainsaw which usually starts with the simple push of a button.
Thanks for reading!
For more, don’t miss What Size Should You Split Firewood? | A Quick Guide to Optimal Stacks.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.