We’re in the midst of storm season, which means you may have tree limbs and branches scattered throughout your property. Whether you’re taking care of a mess of wood or simply cutting down some overgrown trees, you’ll know that you can trust your wood outdoor power equipment (OPE). From chainsaws and wood chippers to log splitters and everything in between, Blain’s Farm & Fleet is here to help you make sure you have what you need to get the job done right.
Chainsaws are versatile pieces of equipment that can help you out with many of the common situations you will find yourself in, but you have to be sure that you pick the right chainsaw for your needs and take the proper steps to maintain it. If you don’t have a chainsaw yet, your first step will be determining whether you need a gas one or an electric one.
A gas chainsaw has a pull start, and most have a two-cycle engine. Fueling a gas chainsaw requires mixing oil and gasoline. This type of chainsaw is good for heavy-duty projects such as cutting down trees. Your other option is an electric chainsaw typically built for lighter work such as trimming, pruning, and cutting tree limbs. Electric chainsaws can come in cordless and corded models. While the cordless option offers better mobility, the battery adds weight and limits operating time as you will need to recharge the battery for projects that take a little more time. A corded electric chainsaw weighs less and does not need to be recharged, but you will be dealing with the obvious hassle of finding a power source and running extension cords. Get an in-depth look at what to consider before buying a chainsaw as well as valuable chainsaw safety tips.
If you’ve ever found your yard riddled with branches and leaves after a windy day or rough storm, you know it can be a long process to get your yard cleaned up. That’s where a wood chipper or chipper shredder can help you out. You’ll save hours of work, and you can even use the wood chips in your own garden or landscaping!
As is the case with a chainsaw, you will need to decide if you want a gas or electric wood chipper. The gas option will give you more power to take care of thicker debris but will typically require more maintenance and are usually more expensive than the electric option. While the electric wood chipper might not be able to tackle the biggest branches, it’s great for breaking down smaller debris and shredding leaves with very little maintenance. Dive deeper into safety tips and other wood chipper features to consider before purchasing.
We hope that you can find the right piece of wood OPE to get your job done right with these tips. For more tips on any of your outdoor power equipment, check out Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s Outdoor Power Equipment blog.
