Husqvarna 120 16 inch Chainsaw: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Husqvarna 120 is a 16 inch gas-powered chainsaw ideal for occasional use around the home. This lightweight saw packs impressive power thanks to its 38.2cc 2-cycle engine which provides enough cutting force to tackle small to mid-sized trees, firewood, and other yardwork.

Weighing just 10.3 pounds without the bar and chain, the 120 is designed to be compact and easy to maneuver. It's an affordable option for homeowners seeking a quality chainsaw that can handle frequent weekend use without the professional price tag.

This saw requires some assembly and is backed by a 2 year warranty. Read on for a detailed review of the Husqvarna 120's power, ease of use, features and ideal applications.

Power and Cutting Ability

The Husqvarna 120 chainsaw is powered by a 38.2 cc two-cycle engine with X-Torq technology for reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The chain speed is 20 m/s, quite reasonable for a 16-inch chainsaw. Its powerful engine gives it more than enough muscle to cut through logs up to 14 inches thick. With a maximum power output of 2 horsepower, it has plenty of oomph to tackle medium-sized trees. The chain's .325 pitch, combined with Husqvarna's LowVib mechanism for smooth power delivery, makes it glide through wood quickly and without jarring vibrations. For a mid-sized consumer saw, these are impressive cutting capabilities and ideal for storm cleanup or firewood preparation. Compared to other sub-$300 chainsaws, the Husqvarna 120's cutting performance and efficiency are definitely big pros.

Ease of Use

The Husqvarna 120 is designed for ease of use for the average homeowner. At just 11.9 lbs it is lightweight and easy to maneuver. The smart start feature allows you to start the chainsaw without excessive pulling. Simply activate the decompression valve, push the choke, then pull the starter cord. The saw fires right up even in cold weather.

Adjusting chain tension is straightforward with the side-access chain tensioner. Just turn the tensioner screw clockwise to tighten a loose chain. The tension can be checked by pulling the chain by hand around the bar. Proper tension allows lifting the chain about .25-.375 inches off the bar. Overall the 120 excels in user-friendliness for weekend warriors looking to fell small trees or cut firewood. The lightweight build and intuitive controls make operation nearly effortless.

Comfort Features

The Husqvarna 120 chainsaw has a few key features focused on making the saw comfortable and easy to control during extended use.

• Vibration Damping: This chainsaw utilizes spring-loaded vibration damping technology between the engine housing and handles. This significantly reduces the amount of vibration transmitted to the operator's hands during cutting. Less vibration reduces fatigue, allowing the user to operate the saw for longer periods comfortably.

• Front and Rear Handles: The front handle is designed for optimal grip and control while the rear handle is shaped to fit nicely in the hand, providing leverage when making cuts. Both handles are rubberized for extra comfort and grip security, even in wet conditions.

• Throttle Trigger Lockout: The rear handle contains a built-in trigger lockout feature. This allows the operator to lock the throttle trigger in the "on" position without having to continuously squeeze, reducing hand fatigue during jobs with lots of cutting. The lock releases automatically when grip pressure on the handle is released for added safety.

Safety Features

The Husqvarna 120 chainsaw has several key safety features to protect the operator.

Chain Brake

It has an inertia-activated chain brake that stops the saw chain immediately if kickback occurs. This helps prevent injuries if the saw kicks back unexpectedly while cutting. The brake activates automatically by inertia if the chainsaw experiences a sudden jerky motion.

Low Kickback Chain

The saw comes equipped with a low kickback chain, which is designed to reduce the risk and intensity of kickbacks. It has a contoured depth gauge and guard link that deflect kickback force and allow wood to gradually ride into the cutter. This prevents the chain from suddenly grabbing and jerking back toward the operator.

Inertia Activated Chain Brake

In addition to manual activation, the chain brake engages automatically in the event of a kickback thanks to an inertia activator. This senses sudden movements and engages the brake independently of the operator to stop the chain immediately and reduce kickback injuries. It's a valuable safety feature for reducing kickback risk.

Maintenance

The Husqvarna 120 chainsaw is designed for easy maintenance, allowing you to keep the tool in optimal working condition.

Air Filter Access

The air filter is readily accessible under the rear handle, secured by just two screws. Simply unscrew them, remove the filter cover, and slide out the air filter to inspect or replace it. The easy access makes regular air filter cleaning quick and convenient.

Fuel and Oil Caps

The fuel and chain oil filler caps are designed to tighten securely with no risk of loosening from vibration. Both caps are easy to access and remove for refueling. The fuel cap has a visible fuel level window so you can check how much gas is left with just a glance.

Overall, the Husqvarna 120 simplifies all aspects of maintenance from changing the air filter to refueling. The accessible components and secure caps help you maintain proper function and extend the life of your chainsaw.

Pros

The Husqvarna 120 is a standout chainsaw in its class for a number of reasons:

• Powerful for its size - With 38.2cc of power from its 2-cycle X-Torq engine, you get a great power-to-weight ratio for this mid-size saw. It performs more like a 40cc-45cc saw than its displacement would suggest. This makes it an excellent choice for everything from storm cleanup to small logging jobs.

• Easy to start - Thanks to the air purge and starter system, most users find the Husqvarna 120 starts in just 2-3 pulls. This saves a lot of hassle, especially in cold weather when some saws can be very stubborn.

• Well balanced - The rear-handle design and relatively light 10.8 lb weight make this a very maneuverable saw that's easy to control. It doesn't feel overly front or rear heavy. The balance gives you more finesse and less fatigue when bucking logs or limbing.

Cons

• The Husqvarna 120 is on the heavier side for a 16" chainsaw, weighing about 12 lbs without the bar and chain. This may make it challenging for some users to operate and maneuver over extended periods.

• The chain tensioner on the 120 can be a bit tricky to use for first-time chainsaw owners. It takes some experience dialing in the proper chain tension. An overly loose chain can derail or be dangerous.

• With its small 14.5 oz fuel tank capacity, the 120 has a relatively short run time per tank of gas. Expect to refill the tank frequently if you have a lot of cutting to do. This can get tedious if you're working on a major project. More professional-grade Husqvarna models have larger capacity tanks.

Ideal Uses

The Husqvarna 120 is an ideal chainsaw for a variety of common needs for homeowners and landowners. Its 16 inch bar makes it well suited for:

Storm Cleanup

After storms like hurricanes or tornadoes that bring down trees and branches on your property, the Husqvarna 120 has enough power to make quick work of smaller limbs and trees up to 16 inches thick. Being a gas chainsaw, you don't have to worry about lack of electric power after storms. It can help you clean up efficiently and get your property cleared.

Firewood Cutting

Whether you need firewood for your own wood stove or fireplace or cut some to sell, the 120 is a great choice. It can easily and quickly cut logs and branches into standard firewood lengths. The 16 inch bar lets you cut decent sized logs up to 16 inches diameter. At just 12 lbs, it's lightweight enough for extended firewood cutting sessions.

Smaller Residential Trees

On residential properties, you often need to limb or take down smaller trees in the 15 inch or less diameter range. The Husqvarna 120 has enough power to tackle these common residential tree cutting tasks. It's lighter weight also makes it ideal for use on ladders for tree pruning tasks.

Conclusion

The Husqvarna 120 Mark II is a great mid-range option for homeowners looking for a chainsaw that combines power and ease of use. This 16-inch gas chainsaw offers robust 2.0HP performance to tackle most yard tasks like cutting firewood or pruning trees.

Key features that make the 120 Mark II stand out are the Smart Start technology for easier starts, usable power, and a host of comfort features like the low vibration levels and ergonomic rear handle. The built-in inertia chain brake also provides great peace of mind when it comes to safety.

Overall, the Husqvarna 120 Mark II is highly recommended for homeowners who want a reliable, efficient, and safe chainsaw for frequent use around a small-to-medium property. It provides an excellent balance of power, ease of use and key comfort features at a reasonable price point. For most homeowners, this Husqvarna model has all the capabilities needed in an ideal chainsaw without the added bulk and maintenance of higher-end professional models.