How to Install a SawHaul Chainsaw Carrier

Choose the SawHaul mounting kit that fits your equipment, follow its instructions, and check the installed carrier for a secure fit and safe clearance before use.

An illustrated chainsaw and fuel containers mounted on a rack attached to the side of a vehicle.
In this article

Match the SawHaul kit to both your chainsaw and the place you plan to mount it, then follow that kit’s instructions for assembly and fasteners. SawHaul offerings include different mounting approaches: one listing describes a no-drill tractor lift-arm kit, while another describes a fixed mount for vertical round or square tubing.[1][2] Don’t assume those options install the same way.

That distinction matters when you’re choosing a carrier for a tractor, a roll-over protection bar, or another piece of equipment. Before you begin, identify the mounting surface and check that the instructions and supplied hardware are for your exact kit; the product listing for the fixed mount says installation options depend on tubing size.[2] For example, a no-drill lift-arm setup and a fixed mount for tubing call for different mounting approaches, so use the instructions that came with the kit rather than borrowing steps from another model.[1][2]

Use the product instructions as your authority for fasteners and assembly. The available descriptions identify different kit types, but they don’t provide complete step-by-step instructions or specify the fasteners for every setup.[1][2] This section will help you sort out which mounting approach you have, what to check before installation, and how to use the instructions for that specific kit. If you’re unsure whether the carrier matches your equipment or mounting surface, pause and confirm the kit details before attaching it.

What to check before you start

Before you install a SawHaul carrier, identify the mount style, check that it fits your equipment, and gather the parts and tools specified for that kit. The fixed mount is described for vertical round or square tubing, while a separate listing describes a no-drill tractor lift-arm kit; check which setup you have before you begin. [2] [1]

Identify your mount

Look at the hardware and the equipment location where you plan to attach the carrier. If your kit is for vertical tubing, compare the tube’s shape and width with the fixed-mount diagram; if it is a tractor lift-arm kit, use the instructions for that kit instead. [2] [1]

The fixed-mount listing gives a maximum tubing width of 2 3/4 inches and points readers to a diagram for installation options based on tubing size. [2] Treat that listing as a starting point, not a reason to force a bracket onto a tube that does not match the diagram. If you cannot confirm the fit, pause and consult the current manufacturer instructions before attaching anything.

Gather the right parts and tools

Lay out the carrier and the kit hardware, then compare what you have with the parts list and instructions supplied by the manufacturer. One tractor-kit listing says the package includes a chainsaw mount and a no-drill tractor lift-arm kit, but that description does not give a complete tool list. [1]

Use the hardware specified for your particular kit. Do not swap in a bolt or clamp just because it seems close; a guessed substitute may not match the intended mounting arrangement. If a part or tool is missing, check the current instructions or contact the manufacturer rather than improvising.

Secure the equipment before installation

Park the tractor or other equipment on stable ground, set it so it cannot move, and keep the chainsaw off the carrier while you work. That gives you room to check alignment and handle the mount without a saw hanging from it. The product listings identify the mounting types and kit contents, but they do not provide a full safety procedure, so follow the equipment and carrier instructions for your setup. [1] [2]

Before tightening anything, confirm that you are using the correct kit and that its mounting parts sit as shown in the applicable diagram. If the diagram does not match your equipment, stop and verify compatibility instead of adapting the mount by guesswork.

A person checks an ATV rack, mounting hardware, and chainsaw carrier parts before beginning installation.

How do you install the carrier?

Check your SawHaul kit’s instructions and mount type before attaching anything; the exact hardware and sequence can vary by kit and equipment. The available product information describes a no-drill tractor lift-arm kit and a fixed-mount kit for vertical round or square tubing, so first confirm which setup you have.[1][2]

  1. Read the instructions and sort the parts. Lay out the brackets, clamps, and fasteners, then match each piece to the parts list or diagram supplied with your kit. The tractor kit listing says it includes a chainsaw mount and a no-drill lift-arm kit, while the fixed-mount listing describes fitting vertical tubing; don’t assume those parts or procedures are interchangeable.[1][2] If a part is missing or the diagram does not match your equipment, pause and check with the seller or manufacturer rather than substituting hardware.

  2. Choose an approved mounting location. Hold the mount in the proposed position and check that you can reach the saw without awkward stretching. Look for possible contact with nearby controls, moving parts, hoses, or other equipment, and make sure the saw will not block your normal view or access. For a fixed mount, use the supplied sizing diagram to check whether your vertical tubing fits the kit; its listing specifies round or square tubing up to 2 3/4 inches wide.[2]

  3. Attach the mount in the specified order. Use the supplied hardware and follow the kit’s assembly sequence rather than tightening parts in an improvised order. The tractor kit is described as a no-drill lift-arm setup, so follow its directions for that mounting method instead of drilling the equipment.[1] If you have the fixed-mount version, use the instructions and options for your tubing size.[2]

  4. Tighten and inspect the connections as directed. Use only the tightening guidance provided by the manufacturer; the available product information does not give a torque value, so don’t guess one. Check that clamps sit evenly and that the mount does not shift when you handle it.

  5. Fit the carrier components and test the empty mount. Install the remaining carrier parts according to the instructions, then gently check the empty assembly for looseness or interference. Confirm that nearby equipment can still move through its normal range before loading a chainsaw. If anything binds, rubs, or shifts, stop and reposition the mount before use.

A person tightens bolts to fasten a chainsaw carrier securely onto the rear rack of an ATV.

How can you check the fit before carrying a saw?

Before carrying a saw, check that the SawHaul mount stays put, the saw sits as directed, and neither blocks controls or moving parts. If the tubing or attachment point does not fit the kit’s guidance, stop and ask the manufacturer instead of improvising.

Check the mount by hand

With the carrier installed, hold it and try to move it by hand. Look for slipping, rocking, or a gap that opens between the mount and the tubing. The mount should stay in place during this check; if it shifts, do not carry the saw until you have corrected the fit according to the kit instructions.

Check the attachment point too. The listed kit is described for vertical round or square tubing up to 2 3/4 inches wide, with installation options based on tubing size.[2] Compare your mounting surface with the kit’s diagram and guidance rather than guessing from appearance. If the shape or size is outside what the instructions show, pause and contact SawHaul for direction.

Check clearance around the equipment

Before loading the saw, look at the carrier’s position in relation to controls, guards, and parts that move during operation. For example, make sure the mounted carrier will not interfere with a lever you need to reach or a component that swings or turns. Check the full range of movement, not just the equipment’s position while parked.

Then place the saw in the carrier as the instructions specify and repeat the clearance check. Confirm that the saw does not cover a control, catch on a moving part, or obstruct your access to the equipment. If you cannot verify clearance, choose another approved mounting location or ask the manufacturer before using the carrier.

Confirm saw orientation and retention

Follow the carrier instructions for which way the saw should face, how it is held, and any required clearance. A SawHaul installation review discusses installation of the Complete Kit for Polaris, but the available source excerpt does not give specific instructions for saw orientation or retention.[3] Use the instructions supplied with your kit for those details; do not infer them from a photo or from another setup.

After loading the saw, check that it is seated and retained as the kit directs. If the carrier shifts, the saw cannot be secured as instructed, or anything contacts a control or moving part, stop and resolve the issue before carrying it. When the mounting surface does not match the kit guidance, contact the manufacturer rather than modifying the setup by guesswork.

What installation mistakes should you avoid?

Choose the SawHaul mounting kit for the equipment you have, then verify every part and clearance before carrying a saw. A no-drill tractor lift-arm kit and a fixed mount for tubing are different options; don’t treat them as interchangeable just because both attach a carrier. [1] [2]

Match the kit to the mounting point

Before you start, identify where the carrier will attach. The listed tractor kit includes a no-drill lift-arm kit, while the fixed-mount kit is described for vertical round or square tubing. [1] [2] If you have a lift arm, don’t assume a fixed tubing mount is the right choice; if you have tubing, don’t assume the lift-arm parts will fit it.

Check the mounting point’s shape and size against the instructions for the exact kit you’re installing. The fixed-mount listing says it is for tubing up to 2 3/4 inches wide and refers buyers to a diagram for options based on tubing size. [2] Don’t force a bracket into position or rely on a clamp that seems to hold when loose. A bracket that can be clamped in place has not, by that fact alone, been shown to fit correctly.

Keep the supplied parts and placement clear

Lay out the parts before assembly and compare them with the kit instructions. The tractor kit listing says it includes a chainsaw mount and a no-drill tractor lift-arm kit, but the brief listing does not give a full hardware-placement sequence. [1] Use the instructions supplied with your specific kit rather than guessing which bolt, spacer, or bracket goes where.

If a part is missing or the diagrams don’t match your mounting point, pause and confirm the correct kit or placement before tightening anything. Don’t leave out a supplied part just because the assembly appears stable without it. The listing for the fixed mount points to a sizing diagram, so consult that diagram instead of improvising around a mismatch. [2]

Check the installation before carrying a saw

Before loading a chainsaw, inspect that the carrier is assembled with the intended parts and seated at the intended mounting point. Move or operate the equipment only as appropriate for your setup, and check that the carrier and saw have room to clear nearby parts through the equipment’s movement. These are practical checks, not a substitute for the kit’s own instructions.

If the mount shifts, contacts another part, or leaves you unsure about fit, stop and correct the setup before carrying the saw. Don’t use the first trip as a test of whether a questionable clamp or guessed hardware arrangement will hold. Confirm the installation and clearance first; only then load the chainsaw.

Common questions

The right installation steps depend on which SawHaul kit you own, so check its listing and instructions before mounting it. The available descriptions cover a tractor lift-arm kit and a fixed mount for vertical tubing; they do not establish one installation method for every SawHaul model. [1][2]

Can the fixed mount fit round or square tubing?

The fixed-mount listing says it is for vertical round or square tubing up to 2¾ inches wide. [2] Before you install it, compare your tubing with the listing’s sizing diagram and the exact mount you have; the listing points readers to that diagram for installation options. [2]

For example, if you are mounting it on a vertical square tube, check its width against the stated limit rather than assuming the mount will fit. If your tubing is round, consult the diagram and your mount’s instructions to confirm the fit and installation option. [2]

Does every SawHaul kit install the same way?

No. The sources describe different kit types, including a tractor lift-arm kit and a fixed mount, so follow the instructions for the model you own. [1][2] A method described for one kit should not be treated as a universal procedure for another.

Before starting, identify whether your kit is intended for a tractor lift arm or for vertical tubing. Then check that kit’s included parts and instructions; the available descriptions do not provide a complete set of steps that applies to all models. [1][2]

Does installation require drilling?

Not necessarily: the tractor lift-arm kit listing describes a no-drill option, but that does not show that every SawHaul kit can be installed without drilling. [1] Confirm the mounting method for your specific kit before preparing the equipment.

If you have the tractor lift-arm kit, check its instructions for the no-drill setup. If you have a different kit, do not assume it uses the same hardware or avoids drilling; use the instructions for that model. [1]

Before you put the carrier to work

Choose the SawHaul mount made for your equipment, then follow the instructions for that exact kit before loading a chainsaw. The available kits are not necessarily interchangeable: one listing describes a tractor lift-arm kit, while another describes a fixed mount for vertical round or square tubing. [1] [2]

Before you put the carrier to work, check that you have the instructions and hardware for the mount you bought. For example, do not assume that a tractor lift-arm mount is the right choice for a roll-over protection bar, or that a fixed mount suits a tractor lift arm; confirm the intended setup with SawHaul or your equipment maker if the fit is unclear. The product information distinguishes these mounting applications. [1] [2]

After installation, inspect the fasteners and mount, and check that the carrier stays stable and clears nearby parts before you load the saw. Move or operate the equipment through the positions you expect to use, watching for contact with the chainsaw, carrier, controls, or other equipment. This is a practical pre-use check, not a substitute for the kit’s installation instructions. For more detail, see . SawHaul Chainsaw Carrier Cost: What to Expect.

If you cannot confirm compatibility, stop and ask SawHaul or the equipment maker before proceeding. One SawHaul-related article discusses installation of a Complete Kit for Polaris, but that does not establish that the same setup fits every machine. [3] Keep the carrier unloaded until you have verified the correct mount and installation for your equipment, then recheck the fit and fasteners before putting it to work.

Sources

  1. SawHaul Universal Chainsaw Carrier Kit for Tractors, 20 Inch Blue …

  2. SawHaul Complete Fixed Mount Kit for ROPS & Man Lifts … – Walmart

  3. #SawHaul – DIY My Way