The Best Professional Chainsaws of 2022
Professional tree work/logging is one of the most dangerous and grueling jobs in the world.
In fact, it is almost always in the #1 or #2 position on polls of the most dangerous jobs in America!
Can you imagine what it was like to be a tree professional before chainsaws?! Just like today, but even more so than, it certainly separated the men from the boys.
I spent about 4 years in that industry and I have about 3 scars to show for it.
I have a scar on my forehead after suffering a concussion from a pendulum style collision with an 8 foot long/10 inch diameter log. The log was tied off and being lowered from about 75 ft.
Unbeknownst to me, as the giant trunk of this tree blocked my view, the log got hung on the 2nd story deck of the house and slack continued to build in the line.
Once the log broke free from that deck, it came swinging down and around the tree, where it met my unsuspecting noggin and opened a 3 inch gash.
I thought I was well “out of the way of the work” as we used to say. Turns out that you can make a thousand guesses as to how you could get hurt on a job and still not guess correctly. I share this to emphasize the importance of safety when handling a chainsaw.
Back to the topic at hand, one thing I learned in those rigorous years (besides growing eyes in the back of my head and one in each ear) is that if you REALLY take care of a high quality chainsaw it will last for a VERY long time.
How demanding your day in the field is, how often you have those days, and the conditions/environment you work in, will determine what sort of maintenance schedule you have for your chainsaw.
What is the Best Professional Chainsaw on the Market?
STIHL & HUSQVARNA. That’s it!
Despite what a lot of “Best Professional Chainsaw Reviews” out there say, it is NOT a confusing or difficult decision when picking the best.
Of course, like anything, you can make this a difficult process if you so choose. However, we’re going to narrow it down to only these two companies.
Now, I know a lot of you are probably saying right now that there are more high-quality chainsaws out there than just those two brands, and you are absolutely right.
And if you take out the word PROFESSIONAL here, there are plenty of others to discuss for weekend warriors. However, when it comes to professional use, none of them stand up to these two powerhouse brands.
Is Stihl better than Husqvarna?
This is surely a tough battle. Husqvarna makes amazing chainsaws, without a doubt, and they have personally been some of my favorite saws to use over the years for some very serious work. They are reliable, durable, and have a lot of power!
However, we’re gonna go ahead, with confidence, and make the claim that STIHL makes the best professional chainsaw on the planet!
Before we get rolling I must say a couple of things and I’m certainly not trying to pick a fight, but it’s a joke and a bit shameful that STIHL is not even getting a mention in almost every chainsaw review out there.
This is simply because they do not sell online and there is no commission to be made from promoting them.
However, here at Rugged Man, that will never stop us from bringing you the Best Professional Chainsaws of 2022!!
Let’s see who made the cut!
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STIHL vs. Husqvarna: What is the Best Professional Chainsaw in 2022?
STIHL
“Andreas Stihl developed their first gasoline-powered saw in 1929. And not unlike the early automobiles of the Roaring 20’s, their chainsaws’ essential components – engine, bar and chain – remain familiar, though very much advanced, elements of their original chainsaw. Today, STIHL continues to put a high value on engineering and performance. That’s why they custom design and manufacture their own guide bars and saw chains for all machines in-house. This ensures optimal performance in the field.
When it comes to logging, farming, land clearing, tree service and big firewood cutting jobs, professionals trust the unique features that make STIHL the #1 selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America. STIHL has a particular fondness for their Professional category chainsaws because it’s where they built their reputation in the first place.”
As we have stated, and stated loudly I believe, we here at Rugged Man boast STIHL as the maker of the Best Professional Chainsaws of 2021.
We are picking 4 models from STIHL’s best sellers based on size from small to large.
So whether you’re in the tree, on the ground trimming the tree, bucking up firewood, or felling and bucking up enormous rounds from large diameter trees, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get to it!
1. MS 201 T C-M
“The MS 201 T C-M offers a superior power-to-weight ratio for optimal maneuverability and performance for in-tree work. This chainsaw features the STIHL M-Tronic™ intelligent engine management system that automatically adapts to changes in environmental factors such as fuel quality and altitude. The result is a reliable and fuel-efficient chainsaw that performs optimally in a variety of conditions. Featuring a new simplified starting procedure and top handle, the MS 201 T C-M offers reduced operator fatigue, increased comfort, and much-needed balance. Professional jobs will be easier with the STIHL MS 201 T C-M – the “ultimate arborist chainsaw.”
2. MS 261
“The MS 261 chainsaw delivers low emissions, high fuel efficiency and, of course, professional-grade performance. Its redesigned cylinder and ergonomic housing deliver a great power-to-weight ratio, weighing just 10.8 lbs. Designed for large volume cutting, the MS 261 also features our anti-vibration system for enhanced comfort. Other convenience features include pre-separation air filtration system and a redesigned spiked bumper.”
The MS 261 is STIHL’s best selling chainsaw, period! So I’m inclined to believe it’s the best small chainsaw for trimming/limbing up from the ground that there is.”
3. MS 462 R C-M
“The STIHL MS 462 R C-M chainsaw features an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the next generation STIHL M-Tronic™ engine management system and a wrap handle that allows for more control when using long guide bars. This is the lightest STIHL gasoline-powered saw in its class, weighing only 13.9 lbs. and has an anti-vibration system that helps reduce fatigue for the user when bucking and felling trees. This saw also features a slim sprocket cover that reduces weight and provides efficient chip discharge.”
The 462 series is also considered one of the top rescue saws for First Responders.
And now for the beast…
4. MS 880 MAGNUM
“Simply the most power of any STIHL professional chainsaw, the MS 880 MAGNUM still boasts a great power-to-weight ratio for a big saw that’s surprisingly nimble, thanks to STIHL engineering. Ideal for felling and bucking large diameter trees, this saw is precision balanced with excellent handling and reliability. And with a staggering 23% increase in engine power over the likes of the heavy-duty MS 660, the MS 880 really knows how to deliver the goods. And it’ll accept guide bars up to 59” in length – almost five whole feet of cutting power to tackle your most demanding jobs. The wrap-handle version is also available in select areas.”
The Best Professional Chainsaws (That You Can Buy Online!)
HUSQVARNA
Over the years I have used a number of Husqvarna chainsaws. Even though my favorite professional saws are STIHL, I will NEVER turn up my nose to a Husqvarna. All around, Husqvarna makes fantastic top-notch professional equipment and that is why they stand proudly in line today in our Best Professional Chainsaw reviews.
Here are three chainsaws that I have used personally over the years when I was working as a farmhand and general grounds-keeper on a large horse farm.
The 455 Rancher is ideal for jobs that require a high powered & heavy-duty, but not to bulky and big, chainsaw. It was my favorite on the farm and could perform just about any job that I wanted.
At the beginning of every day, when loading up the GATOR with all of the gear and tools I would need for that day, the 455 Rancher was ALWAYS with me.
It is such a versatile chainsaw (with an 18” - 20” bar), that if I needed to clear space, I would remove other larger and smaller saws and keep that one because it could do almost every job, large and small. It is Husqvarna’s Best Seller and for good reason. My top choice, as well.
I found the 120 Mark II to be enough power to handle basic tasks like tree pruning and light trail clearing from seasonal overgrowth.
I also found that, although it is not a top handle saw, it was small enough with a 14” bar (it can handle up to 18”) and under 11lbs, for me to tie on to my belt line and do some climbing.
The 120 Mark II is a great saw for homeowners who don’t have anything heavy-duty on their list. It features an X-Torq engine for low gas consumption and emissions, making it a great environmentally sound choice and it’s easy to start. A great saw for any season.
Besides a bit more power and the fact that we had a 24” bar on it, the 460 Rancher usually only came out of the barn when we needed larger trees taken down and bucked up.
If we had not had the 455 Rancher on hand, this workhorse would’ve have taken its place as my daily brute-force working companion.
Even under pressure, the 460 Rancher never bogged down on me and always had the power to cut efficiently and safely, making my day easier when the big jobs came along.
“The tree that never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light, but stood out in the open plain and always got its share of rain, never became a forest king but lived and died a scrubby thing. Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger wind, the stronger trees.”
— Douglas Malloch
Just shy of taking down a Sequoia, our list today has covered a range of chainsaws capable of handling any job that requires a professional grade application and the taking down/trimming of trees.
We here at Rugged Man hope you have found a model that suits your needs. One thing that you can count on is that the very best of the best in the world of professional chainsaws has been displayed on our list today.
Remember that chainsaw knowledge and safety practices should be the top priority when working with even the smallest and simplest of jobs.
Keeping a good head on your shoulders could mean the difference between whether or not you actually keep a head on your shoulders!
So, keep your head! And stay Rugged!!
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