Trying to find the best arborist chainsaw that meets your needs and demands?
Then this article is the one for you!
In this article, you can read about the features that make an arborist chainsaw safe and efficient to use. You can also read the reviews of five different models I have listed below to help you find the right one for you.
Guide To Buying A Top Handle Chainsaw
Types Of Arborist Chainsaws
Arborist chainsaws usually always feature a top handle that allows the saw operator to easily use the chainsaw while climbing the tree. These models are usually powered by either gas or batteries. Gas models are usually more heavy-duty and can be used to cut larger trees, delivering a more powerful performance. Gas chainsaws usually require more maintenance, since you have to deal with fuel and oil mixing. Battery-powered chainsaws, on the other hand, are more lightweight, less noisy, and more suitable for occasional use of homeowners.
What Top Handle Chainsaws Are Good For?
Chainsaws that feature a top handle are usually used for pruning tree limbs and branches while the arborist climbs up into the tree to get rid of the hard to access branches. Arborists, or tree surgeons, are professionals who often take care of the trees, among other things, and need a top handle chainsaw that is easy to control and maneuver to cut the branches off. Since they have a lightweight design, they are easy to move and allow you to cut precisely even when you are propped up in a tree.
Safety Features Of Arborist Chainsaws
Since these chainsaws are used up in the trees, while you are climbing, it must come with safety features. They prevent serious and fatal injuries that can be caused by kickbacks. That’s why a chain brake is a very important feature, as it can stop the chain from moving in case of dangerous kickbacks. Moreover, modern chainsaws also have guide bars and chains specifically designed to prevent wood biting that usually results in kickbacks. These safety features are called low kickback bars and chains.
Other Features To Keep In Mind
The best arborist chainsaws also need to be lightweight for easy controlling and maneuvering. If it is too heavy, it will tire you out soon enough. That’s why investing in a top handle chainsaw with an ergonomic design will prevent fatigue, especially if you will be using the chainsaw for hours on end. A good grip will be possible if you choose a chainsaw with a rubber top handle. Choosing the size of the guide bar will depend on the size of the trees you plan to take down with it. Make sure the chainsaw is compact enough to use in smaller spaces, such as a mess of tree branches.
Best 5 Arborist/Top Handle Chainsaws Reviews
Best Top-Handle Climbing Saw
Echo Top-Handle Arborist Chainsaw
Lightweight Model With Safety Features
This arborist chainsaw features a 12-inch guide bar and is powered by a 25cc ga engine. The professional-grade engine is covered by a fine grid that prevents dust and debris from wearing the engine out too fast. This model is one of the lightest models on the US market and weighs 5.2 pounds without the cutting equipment. Safety features include a dual-post chain brake that is durable for safe use, especially in elevated locations.
Designed For Easier Maintenance
Both the chain and the bar get automatically oiled when the chain is moving thanks to the clutch-driven automatic oiling system. This way the chainsaw is always efficient and safe to use and the adjustable oiler reduces the oil consumption that way. The chain and the bar can also easily be adjusted by the side-mounted chain tensioner. The strong metal lanyard ring allows arborists easy attaching and detaching.
Manufactured For Professionals
This arborist chainsaw is intended for professional use only. The air filter life is prolonged thanks to the technology that keeps large particles of debris and dust away from the filter. The top handle has a textured grip that allows comfortable operation and control. If you’d like to check out other models suitable for climbing, read this post where I reviewed some of the best tree climbing chainsaws.
- 12-inch guide bar and chain
- 25cc professional engine
- lightweight and comfortable design
Best Battery-Powered Arborist Chainsaw
Dewalt 20V MAX XR Chainsaw Kit
Lightweight & Compact Design With 5-Ah Battery
This arborist chainsaw is equipped with a low kickback 12-inch guide bar and chain and a 5-Ah battery. It weighs 8.8 pounds so that it is easy to control and use it comfortably. The lightweight compact design allows arborists to easily maneuver the chainsaw while propped up in a tree. Since it is powered by a battery, it also produces less noise than gas models.
Recommended To Use With Vegetable-Based Oil
The chain moves at a speed of 25.2 feet per second and efficiently prunes branches. The automatic chain oiler keeps the chainsaw lubricated and is most efficient when it uses a vegetable-based oil for pruning trees. That way you don’t have to worry about harming the trees, as well as your chainsaw. To check the level of oil in the tank, simply check the window indicator.
Tool-Free Chain Adjustments
This arborist chainsaw is suitable for cutting smaller and medium-sized branches. In case the chain needs to be adjusted on the spot, the knob for tensioning the chain and tightening the bar allows you to do it without using any tools. Check out my article about the best battery-powered chainsaws if you would like to learn more about other models available on the market.
- 12-inch chainsaw
- oil level indicator
- automatic oiler
- tool-less chain tensioning system
Best Gas Top-Handle Chainsaw
Husqvarna T435 Top Handle Saw
Top Handle With Throttle
This gas chainsaw comes with a 12-inch guide bar and chain and is powered by an engine designed to lower fuel consumption and reduce exhaust emissions. For arborists, this chainsaw can be attached to a rope so that it is easy to hoist this tool up into the tree. The chainsaw body features a top handle with a throttle, as well as a side handle and a chain brake.
Weighs 7.5 Pounds
In case you need to adjust the tightness of the chain in the middle of the work, it can be done without having to disassemble the whole chainsaw. That’s why there is a side-mounted chain tensioning system that allows you to quickly do so. The arborist chainsaw weighs 7.5 pounds so that it can be easy to handle while working in elevated locations.
Anti-Vibration For Decreased Fatigue
The body of the chainsaw is well balanced so that you can easily control it while cutting branches high up in a tree while using the top handle. It can be used for any middle-sized job even in your orchard, as well as for pruning branches in parks. It is comfortable to use and decreases fatigue by reducing the level of felt vibrations. Other gas models on the market can be checked out if you take a look at this article about the best gas chainsaws.
- 12-inch chainsaw
- top handle with throttle
- anti-vibration comfortable design
- side access chain tensioning system
- well balanced body
Best Small Top-Handle Chainsaw
Makita Top Handle Chainsaw Kit
For Professional Arborist Use
This small top-handle chainsaw comes with a 10-inch guide bar and chain powered by a 5-Ah 18-Volt battery. The kit also includes the battery charger and two batteries. This arborist chainsaw is manufactured for professionals, such as tree surgeons that take care of trees. The battery takes 45 minutes to fully charge.
On/Off Switch & Lock-Off Lever
The top handle features a throttle on the bottom side and a lock-off lever on the upper side that stops the blade from accidentally engaging. There is also an LED on and off switch on the handle. Large oil reservoir and automatic oiling system keep the chain and bar lubricated and can easily be adjusted. The arborist chainsaw efficiently cuts tree branches with the chain speed of up to 720 feet per minute.
Less Maintenance & Noise
By boosting the torque, this best arborist chainsaw in small size can cut dense materials. Compared to its gas counterparts, this battery chainsaw has zero emissions, requires less maintenance, and produces little noise. The electric brake has a front handguard to prevent any injuries. To find out more about other small models, read this article with my selection of the best small and mini chainsaws.
- 10-inch bar and chain
- includes 2 batteries and a charger
- automatic adjustable oiler
Best Lightweight Top-Handle Arborist Chainsaw
Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw
Limbs Trees With Minimal Kickback
This lightweight arborist chainsaw includes a 2-Ah battery and charger. It features a low kickback 12-inch guide bar and chain with a 3/8-inch pitch that is suitable for limbing trees with minimal kickbacks. The steel chain and bar can easily be adjusted with a knob for tensioning so that you don’t have to use any tools. It weighs only 6 pounds.
Comfortable & Durable Performance
The featured automatic oiling system keeps the bar and chain lubricated to deliver a durable performance. The oil tank is translucent so that you can always check its level. The top handle is wrapped around the body of the best arborist chainsaw so that it can be used to cut tree limbs from different positions and angles. This way the saw operator can stay comfortable while cutting.
75 Cuts Per Charge
This top-handle chainsaw offers up to 75 cuts per charge and can easily be started, unlike gas models. It also has zero emissions and is suitable for use in noise-sensitive areas. To check out other models light in weight, read this article about the best lightweight chainsaws available on the market.
- steel 12-inch bar and chain
- automatic oiling system
- weighs 6 pounds
- suitable for cutting from different angles
Conclusion: Which Arborist/Top Handle Chainsaws To Buy?
I would like to recommend the Echo top handle climbing saw powered by gas and featuring a 12-inch guide bar and chain. It is designed for professional use and is comfortable and safe thanks to its lightweight ergonomic design. To check out long reach chainsaws, read my article about the best extendable chainsaw models. In case you’d like to read about chainsaws in general, check out this post where I reviewed many different chainsaw models.
This Dewalt chainsaw kit is a great choice if you want a less noisy model powered by a battery that is also eco-friendly. It features a 12-inch bar and chain with a compact design for convenient arborist use. If you want to check out electric pole saws instead, give this post about the best electric pole chainsaws a read.