An Echo chainsaw, like other homeowner petrol and battery saws, suits light pruning, storm clean-up and small firewood jobs, not felling large trees. For most Sydney backyards, a battery saw with a short bar is quiet and easy to start, while a petrol chainsaw suits bigger or remote jobs, and the feature that matters most is a chain brake you can reach quickly.
This guide compares types and brands, explains the features that matter and shows when it is cheaper and safer to pay someone.
Key points
- Battery saws suit small yards and light pruning, and petrol saws suit longer, heavier work away from power outlets.
- Choose a saw you can hold comfortably with both hands, with a working chain brake and a bar length that suits your jobs.
- In NSW, powered garden tools must not be heard in a neighbour’s home before 7 am or after 8 pm, or before 8 am on Sundays and public holidays.
- Large trees, work above head height and anything near power lines is for a qualified arborist, not a home chainsaw.
Types of Echo chainsaw and other chainsaws
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol chainsaw | Storm clean-up, firewood, larger yards | Strong and runs until the fuel runs out | Louder, heavier and needs fuel mix and servicing | Petrol |
| Battery chainsaw | Pruning, small limbs, suburban yards | Quieter, easy start, less maintenance | Limited run time and battery cost | Battery |
| Corded electric chainsaw | Occasional use near a power point | Light and low cost to run | Cord limits reach and creates a trip risk | Mains electric |
| Mini or top-handle chainsaw | Light pruning of small branches | Compact and light | Not for cutting from the ground at height; one-handed use is hazardous | Battery or petrol |
| Long-handled (pole) chainsaw | Pruning high branches from the ground | Keeps you off ladders | Awkward balance and risk of falling branches | Battery or petrol |
Whatever type you pick, check the manufacturer’s manual for the correct bar, chain and fuel or battery pairing.
Echo chainsaw features that matter
- Chain brake and safety features: look for a quick-acting brake and a chain catcher, and learn how they work before you cut.
- Weight and balance: a lighter saw tires you less, so pick it up in store and hold it as you would in use.
- Bar length: choose a bar that suits the branches you cut, since longer bars are harder to control (indicative — check the manufacturer’s guide).
- Battery platform: if you already own Makita, Ryobi, EGO or similar batteries, a matching tool can save money.
- Noise: battery saws are generally quieter, which helps with neighbours and with NSW noise hours.
- Tool-free chain tensioning: makes adjustments easier and encourages better maintenance.
- Warranty and local service: choose a brand with a dealer near you so repairs and sharpening are not a postal job.
Echo chainsaws and other brands sold in Australia
| Brand | Known for | Where to buy and service |
|---|---|---|
| Stihl | Professional and homeowner petrol and battery saws, including compact models such as the MS 170 | Stihl dealers and some large retailers |
| Husqvarna | Petrol and battery chainsaws, including the Husqvarna 120 and battery ranges | Husqvarna dealers across Australia |
| Echo | Petrol chainsaws and outdoor power tools; check which models your local dealer stocks | Independent power equipment dealers |
| Makita | Battery tools that share one platform | Bunnings, tool stores and dealers |
| Ryobi and EGO | Battery tools with wide homeowner ranges | Bunnings and hardware retailers |
- Stihl MS 170 price and Stihl 500i price vary by retailer, so compare current listings and ask what is included.
- An Echo chainsaw price, like any chainsaw price, depends on type, bar length and whether the battery and charger are included.
How to choose an Echo chainsaw or any chainsaw for your yard
- List your jobs: pruning small limbs, cutting storm debris or firewood, because each needs a different bar length and power.
- Decide on the power source by yard size, power access and noise tolerance, remembering that battery saws are quieter.
- Set a budget for the saw plus a helmet, visor, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw trousers and boots.
- Check the weight and handle position by holding the saw with both hands and mimicking a cut stance.
- Confirm a local dealer can service and sharpen the saw and supply chains, oil and spares.
- Compare chainsaw prices across retailers, including battery and charger costs.
Echo chainsaw safety, lubricant and maintenance
- Wear a helmet, face visor, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw trousers and sturdy boots every time you cut.
- Refuel a petrol saw only when the engine is cold, and keep fuel away from sparks and children.
- Use chainsaw lubricant (bar and chain oil) as the manual directs, and check the oil level before every use.
- Remove the battery or disconnect the spark plug before changing the chain or cleaning the saw.
- Do not cut above shoulder height, near power lines or from a ladder; call a qualified arborist.
- Powered tools must not be heard in a neighbour’s home before 7 am or after 8 pm, or before 8 am on Sundays and public holidays.
Buy, hire or pay someone for chainsaw work
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy a chainsaw | Saw plus safety gear (compare current prices) | Regular pruning and firewood | Training, storage and maintenance. |
| Hire a chainsaw | Daily hire fee from local hire shops | One-off clean-ups | You still need protective gear and experience. |
| Pay a gardener | $52 to $115 per hour (typical $75) | Pruning small shrubs and clearing smaller branches | Not for trees or high branches. |
| Pay an arborist | Tree pruning $230 to $1,375 per tree (typical $520) | Large or high branches, anything near power lines | Check council tree rules first. |
| Small tree removal | $290 to $920 (typical $575), under 5 m | Trees that need approval or complex cuts | Council approval may be required. |
Prices include GST and are Sydney metro rates for October 2026.
Echo chainsaw FAQ: prices, models and oil
How much does a chainsaw cost?
Prices depend on whether you choose a petrol or battery saw, the bar length and whether a battery and charger are included. Check current listings at Bunnings and dealers instead of relying on old prices. Add a helmet, visor, gloves and protective trousers to your budget.
What is a long-handled chainsaw?
A long-handled or pole chainsaw has a saw head on an extended shaft so you can prune branches without a ladder. It still needs full protective gear and careful control, and it is not for large limbs, branches near power lines or work above head height beyond what you can control.
What oil does a chainsaw need?
Chainsaws use bar and chain oil to lubricate the chain, and petrol models also need the fuel mix specified in the manual. Check the oil before each use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. Never guess the mix or use random oils in the saw.
Is a Stihl MS 170 or Husqvarna 120 enough for home use?
Compact homeowner saws like these are aimed at light pruning and small jobs, not heavy felling. Check the manufacturer’s spec sheet for bar length and use, and test the weight in store. For big trees or work above head height, book a licensed arborist.
Getting chainsaw jobs done in Sydney
If you’d rather not own a chainsaw, we can prune, cut back and clear green waste on a regular schedule. Compare mower options in our lawn mower buying guide, or book garden work in Sydney and we will quote the job.
