If you own a lawn and garden business, you may want to consider adding chain saws and accessories to your inventory. Chain saws are a great tool to have in your arsenal, to help your customers keep their landscape looking good.

There are a great variety of chain saws you can sell. You may get customers who have no chain saw experience. In these cases, you need to make your customer aware of the danger of chain saws. Provide your customers with the following chain saws information:

1. Help determine what type of chain saw the customer requires.

2. Figure out how much power the chain saw should have.

3. Train customers to safely operate chain saws.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find chain saws that run on electricity

Electric chain saws are quiet and efficient. They require little in the way of maintenance. They do have their disadvantages, however. Electric chain saws only have enough power to cut down smaller trees. Also, you must have a power source to use them. Finally, you must be careful not to cut your power cord in two.

I recommend: You can find several electric chain saws on the Tyler Tool website. They offer blades up to 16 inches long. Home Depot gives you a number of choices as well. They offer the alligator lopper as one of their options. This is a combination chain saw and lopper tool in one, and it's safer to operate than a traditional chain.

Select chain saws that operate on a mix of gas and oil

These chain saws come with blades in a variety of lengths. You can find gas chain saws that are powerful enough to cut down the largest trees.

I recommend: Echo Outdoor Power Equipment, a major chain saws provider, offers chain saws in many sizes. You can find models with the handle either on top or on the back of the chain saw. You can choose the style that is most comfortable for you to use. Husqvarna, another major chain saws provider, offers many options for you to choose from, including motor size and blade length.

Make sure your chain saws have the proper accessories

No matter what chain saws you offer, the blades will need to be sharpened sooner or later. Give your customers the option to protect their investment either with a carrying/storage case or a bar cover. They should also be able to purchase the proper lubricants to keep the chain operating with a minimum of friction.

I recommend: Southwest Trading, on its A-chainsaw.com website, carries a full line of accessories for chain saws. This chain saws list of accessories includes sharpening files, replacement chains and storage/carrying cases for chain saws. Jack’s Small Engines and Generator Service also carries a full line of supplies. Some of the items it offers include maintenance kits and bar covers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While it's possible to find inexpensive, off-brand chain saws, it's sometimes impossible to find parts for them. Make sure you offer your customers service after the sale. That includes accessories, but also routine maintenance. Chain saw blades should be sharpened or replaced, if necessary, on an annual basis.