Chainsaws and Accessories

Chainsaws and Accessories buying guide

Veldkraft lists 110 chainsaws and accessories, priced from R13 to R7 937, from brands including Lawnking, RYOBI Power Equipment, Trim N Cut, Husky Garden Equipment. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Which chainsaw or accessory do you need?

Choose the chainsaw for the wood you cut, then add the accessories that keep it cutting. The range includes Titantec petrol models with 18 and 20 inch bars, Ryobi 18V cordless saws and pole saws, replacement chains, bar and chain oil, an electric chain sharpener and fuel cans. It also carries brushcutters, trimmer line and lawnmower blades. Brands include Titantec, RYOBI Power Equipment, Lawnking, Trim N Cut, Husky Garden Equipment, Tanaka and Stiletto.

Petrol or cordless chainsaw?

Choose petrol for felling, firewood and clearing, and cordless for pruning and light cutting. Petrol saws such as the 54.5cc and 61.5cc Titantec Landowner models have the power for thick logs and long sessions, but they are louder and need mixed two-stroke fuel. An 18 V cordless chain saw starts at the press of a trigger, runs quietly with no fumes and suits branches and small logs around the yard.

Choose the right bar length

Pick a bar a little longer than the thickness of the wood you cut most often. An 18 inch bar suits most farm firewood and tree work, while a 20 inch bar handles bigger trunks but needs more engine power and is harder to control. Shorter bars are lighter, easier to handle and a safer start for new users. A longer bar never makes up for a blunt chain.

Matching a replacement chain

A replacement chain must match the bar's pitch, gauge and number of drive links. These are usually stamped on the bar near the mount, and the old chain's part number tells you the same. For example, the Ryobi 52-link chain fits the 355 mm bar on the CS-3635 and CS-3835 saws. A chain with the wrong pitch or gauge will not run safely, even if it seems to fit.

Bar oil, fuel and sharpening

Keep the chain oiled and sharp. Fill the oil tank with bar and chain oil every time you refuel, and do not use old engine oil, which lacks the additives that help oil cling to a moving chain. Two-stroke saws run on petrol mixed with two-stroke oil at the ratio in the manual. Sharpen when the saw makes fine dust instead of chips; an electric sharpener such as the Ryobi CSS-85 speeds this up.

Pole saws, brushcutters and trimmer line

Use a pole saw for branches overhead and a brushcutter for grass and weeds. A cordless pole saw, such as the Ryobi 18V kit, reaches high limbs from the ground without a ladder. A petrol brushcutter, such as the Titantec 26cc model, clears long grass along fences and roads. Choose trimmer line to suit the head: thin 1.5 mm line for light trimming and thick 3.5 mm precut line for heavy growth.

Chainsaws and Accessories: common questions

What size chainsaw do I need?

Base it on the wood you cut. For pruning and small branches, an 18 V cordless saw is enough. For firewood and general farm work, a petrol saw around 54.5cc with an 18 inch bar suits most users. For large trees and heavy logs, a 61.5cc saw with a 20 inch bar gives more power. Choose the lightest saw that does the job safely.

How much does a chainsaw cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 110 chainsaws and accessories priced from R13 to R7 937. Trimmer line, mower blades and bar oil sit at the low end, with petrol saws and cordless pole saw kits higher up. Price rises with engine size, bar length, battery voltage, whether a battery and charger are included, and brand.

What oil goes in a chainsaw?

A petrol chainsaw uses two oils. Two-stroke oil is mixed with petrol at the ratio in the owner's manual to lubricate the engine. Bar and chain oil goes in the separate oil tank to lubricate the bar and chain, and is topped up at every refuel. Cordless saws use only the bar oil.

How do I know which chain fits my chain saw?

Check three numbers: pitch, gauge and drive link count. They are usually stamped on the bar near the mounting end or printed on the old chain's packaging. Count the drive links on the old chain if the markings are worn. Ordering by bar length alone is not enough, because two chains for the same length can have a different pitch or gauge.

How do I avoid chainsaw kickback?

Kickback happens when the upper tip of the bar touches wood or another object and throws the saw up towards you. Cut with the lower part of the bar near the body of the saw, keep both hands on the handles, never cut above shoulder height and keep the chain sharp. Wear eye and hearing protection, gloves, sturdy boots and cut-resistant trousers.

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