If you are using chainsaws regularly or occasionally, it can be caused personal illness considering their higher dB level and vibration. So when you consider your hearing, you should follow essential safety instructions to protect your hearing when you use a chainsaw every time. So let’s check the chain saw dB level and how it affects the user.
The average noise level for a chainsaw is about 106 dB and for an electric chainsaw is around 80-100 dB. Both are more than the recommended exposure limit of 85 dB. Sometimes gas chainsaw noise level can go beyond 120 dB. So users should wear ear protection for safety.
The chainsaw noise level depends on their device type such as engine type, used technology, cutting bar length and pitch, chain condition, etc. Sometimes noise is exposed to other harmful influences such as chemical- exhaust fumes, problems of fuel mixture and lubricant, etc. So in this article, I am going to tell you the dB level of a chainsaw and how it hurts you, and how to get safety action to avoid damage.
Chainsaw dB level
Chainsaw dB Level Factors
Chainsaw decibel levels are very important. Because it is mostly over the recommended exposure limit and a long time using can cause loss hearing of the user. So users should wear essential safety instruments to protect their ears from the noise.
Chainsaw is driven by a 2-cycle engine (2-stroke) When using an engine always produces a higher level of noise, although there are some tactics to reduce it. A chainsaw noise depends on many factors.
➤ Used Fuel
Noise can be varied with the gasoline and oil mixture ratio. The most used ratio is 50:1, and sometimes this can be varied. So we can see some noise difference. If oil is increased, we can observe some power loss, and oil is reduced it will heat much. Noise will vary according to that. So always use the right gas-to-oil mix ratio.
This guide helps you to find the chainsaw gas oil mix ratio correctly.
➤ Cutting Angle
When we cut wood, we can change the cutting angle by adjusting our hands. When the cutting angle is changed, the chain can interact with different cutting lengths. According to the cutting length, its sound can vary.
➤ Wood Type
There are types of wood, such as softwood and hardwood. So when we cut these, we can observe different noises there. And sometimes, you may observe when a chainsaw cuts heartwood, the noise is varied due to the hardness of the same wood.
➤ Rip cut or Crosscut
There are mainly two types of cuts. Rip cut and cross-cut are them. So rip-cut is cutting along the grains, and cross-cut is cutting across the grains. So cross cut is noisier than rip cut.
➤ User Experience
If you are a newbie, you don’t have the proper experience and know where to speed up and where to slow the chainsaw. So you may try to keep the same speed every time. But professional users know to control the chainsaw speed properly.
➤ Hearing Side
According to the side we hear, the noise is also another factor. If you hear the noise from 4 sides such as front, back, and sides (left, right). You can feel there is a different noise level.
➤ Chain Sharpness
A dull chainsaw is always requires more power from the engine. So make sure to keep the chain sharp every time.
When you see these 08 signs from your chainsaw, It can be a dull chainsaw.
➤ Engine Service
If you haven’t serviced and maintained the engine properly, you can hear different noises due to inside friction and mechanisms. So try to maintain the engine every time.
➤ Chainsaw Brand
Chainsaw noise depends on the manufacturing brand because different technologies have been used in the manufacturing process. Same cc different brands do not have the same noise level. There is a difference.
Gas Chainsaw dB Level
The average sound level when cutting with a gas chainsaw ranges between 106 dB and 120 dB, and it depends on the drive unit loading.
However gas chainsaw’s average decibel level frequencies with range the highest sensitivity of human hearing.
Electric Chainsaw DB Levels
The electric saw’s average sound level falls between 80 dB and 100 dB. Electric chainsaw noise level mainly depends on the drive unit loading. And electric chainsaws handle the noise greater than gas chainsaws because electric chainsaws work with low power but cutting performance is lower than gas chainsaws.
If you wish to use an electric chainsaw, you should know, Are electric chainsaws any good?
Recommended dB Levels For Human Ear
United measurement to determine the loudness given by an action object is decibel. With that measurement, generally acceptable decibel sound level for humans is at or below 70 dB. It is considered fairly safe. Over 85 dB is considered harmful to human ears.
In this guide, I will give you some general knowledge about the maximum recommended each day exposure to loud sound in decibels (dB) because most chainsaws’ decibel level is higher than recommended decibel level for a human.
| Decibel Level | Opening Time |
| 85 dB | 8 hours |
| 88 dB | 4 hours |
| 91 dB | 2 hours |
| 94 dB | 1 hour |
| 97 dB | 30 mins |
| 100 dB | 15 mins |
| 106 dB | 3 mins |
| Over 120 dB | Instant damage |
Hearing too loud sounds for too long is a great risk to your hearing ability.
How To Protect From High dB Level Of Chainsaw
Exposure to loud noise can cause other health problems. If you work with chainsaws regularly, there is a higher risk of hearing loss. The safety decibel level for humans is 70 dB, but chainsaws’ decibel level is higher than the safety level. So when you use a chainsaw, it is essential to protect your hearing from high decibel levels.
The easiest way to protect from loud noise is cheap and effective; using personal ear protective equipment.
When we get it to hearing protection wearing ear muffs or ear plugs comes very first. Most ear muffs and plugs have a reduction rating (NRR) of 17 dB to 27 dB.
In that case, you must wear an ear muffle or plug properly. If the chainsaw is particularly loud, muffs and plugs can be worn for better hearing protection. It will be gained an additional 5 to 10 dB.
The other way to protect from high decibel levels is that maintain the chainsaw machine properly. Using correct fuel mix ratio and quality fuel and oil, lubricant the guide bar and chain are the main cause of noise level. And also, using low-power chainsaws like an electric chainsaw is also a good solution for protection from high-level decibels.
How To Reduce DB Level Of Chainsaw – 05 Tips
- Tip 01 – Use Muffler Mode
The muffler is attached to the exhaust pipe of the chainsaw engine. Using with muffler is effective in reducing the sound pressure and especially effective in reducing the higher frequency noise of a chainsaw.
- Tip 02 – Use the correct gas and oil mix ratio
Using the correct gas and mix ratio also causes to reduction to the decibel level of the chainsaw. Because the correct mixing ratio helps to move parts of the chainsaw machine air friction smoothly, and it effects to reduce unnecessary noise of the machine.
- Tip 03 – While working, keep the distance between you and the chainsaw
Keeping distance between you and the chainsaw also reduces the noise effect. It depends on the machine speed and the side of you and the chainsaw. I find out some measurements you can easily decide to how to use distance to reduce noise
- Tip 04 – Driving the chainsaw at low speed.
Using high speed makes high-level decibels of the chainsaw. To reduce the noise level, you can use your chainsaw at low speed.
- Tip 05 – Use an electric chainsaw.
Using law power chainsaws such as electric chainsaws also helps to reduce the decibel level of the chainsaw.
Related Topics
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- Chain Saw Gas Oil Mix Ratio – Use the Correct Proportion!
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- Is a Chainsaw Worth It? – Do You Really Need it?
