What is the best battery operated chain saw

[Wilburn Cox]

I have a Husqvarna 340 with 18" bar and a Stihl Pro series HT 70 pole saw. I love both of them but at my age, 78, it has become hard to use when just trimming off low small limbs from my many oak trees. I only need the saw for small limbs as I can use the other 2 saws for the large cutting.
I have been looking at different battery operated saws for this purpose. I was on line looking and a Ryobi 40 volt with 14" bar with battery and charger is about $170.00. A extra battery for the saw was $ 129.00. Is that a little steep? Would appreciate any input or recommendations from anyone and all responses will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance and have a fantastic 2019. Red Cox

 

[nybirdman]

I am kind of in the same boat;infrequent user of my small Stihl gas saw;looking at battery powered saws also.
There are some reviews on You-tube.My son(a die-hard Husky guy) recently got to run a Milwaukee battery chain saw for work and was impressed and surprised.

 

[LD48750]

I recently cleaned out all my old dead gas saws and went shopping for a new one.
In the mean time, saw people on line raving about battery operated saws.
I already have a couple corded saws & decided to try the Harbor Freight 40v 14" saw.

Bought a new Stihl gas saw & haven't even started it up.
The battery saw is just too easy & convenient.
No need for an extra battery for what you say you will use it for, any brushless battery saw should work for you.

 

[radios1]

I'd stay far away from Ryobi and Milwaukee anything!!.. today, they are both Chinese junk, with Ryobi being the very first.. and quality went with it.. how about getting parts?. if it's just a few years old, most parts are no longer available, and you are expected to just buy a whole new tool!!.. Milwaukee's are know for going on fire just by using it properly..

 

[HillStreet]

In my orchard I have used two gas chain saws and a pole saw, all Stihls. I just bought a DeWalt 20v compact reciprocating saw and that replaces the other saws about 75%. Quick, easy, 9 inch pruning blades work wonders. By the way, I have cut firewood for 30+ years so I know saws. I no longer burn firewood because in the long run propane is cheaper.

 

[AchingBack]

I absolutely love both of my saws. I have the EGO 16" bar, and Ryobi pole saw.

The EGO cuts through Pacific madrone just as easily as my Stihl did. I'm working my way through a second load of logs. It is also a very good trimming, general purpose saw. I do not miss gasoline powered saws.

 

[newbury]

I've 2 "regular" battery operated 40V chainsaws and one "saw on a stick" pole saw.
The first I bought was a B&D 40v 12" bar. Used it enough to know I liked it and gave it to my son. He primarily uses it to cut up firewood. Bought another for myself. Really liked it, often used it when on a ladder or in a tree, almost like a top handle saw. But my daughter bought a house and needed a chainsaw, so there went another one. Replaced it with a HF 40V 14" this summer when again I needed to cut tree branches while in a tree.

The HF is heavier and more powerful, but not easy to use at full arm extension.

The other saw, the HF Lynxx 40V pole saw, was great, but I got the chain stuck and I think I stripped a gear out, so I will probably get another.

I've about seven 2 stroke saws, from 30cc to 120cc, the HF 40V definitely can replace the 35CC (Stihl 021) and below, not the 62CC and up.
The B&D 40V is a tad weaker, more like my Stihl MS 181.

But B&D (plus others) make 20V saws even lighter. Unless you plan on getting stronger you might think of getting a good 20V or use a battery operated recripocal saw.

 

[joecoin]

I have a GreenWorks 80 Volt pole saw. 10" bar. I use it a lot, have owned for 2 years. That battery also fits my blower, which is very powerful and has 3 speeds.

The saw is a little bit heavy.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We have 4 of Harbor Freight 40 volt power tools but have not used the chainsaw or polesaw. The blower is awesome cleaning off the bus hog and moving leaves.

 

[ericm979]

The HF Lynxx pole saw is pretty good for the price. I had to take mine apart and clean up some flash on the oil tank outlet that was causing a leak.

I need a longer pro pole saw. The Lynxx is only 8'10". I'm not sure if I'll go gas or electric, I need to see which one's easier to handle.

One problem with electric chainsaws is that current chaps and pants are made to resist gas engine saws, not electric. Electric motors since they make max torque at 0 rpm are harder to stall. So your chaps/pants might not be effective.

 

[sea2summit]

I'd stay far away from Ryobi and Milwaukee anything!!.. today, they are both Chinese junk, with Ryobi being the very first.. and quality went with it.. how about getting parts?. if it's just a few years old, most parts are no longer available, and you are expected to just buy a whole new tool!!.. Milwaukee's are know for going on fire just by using it properly..

Back this up please.

What manufacturer do you recommend? Dewalt? More of their parts are made in China they only assemble in the US just see the logo on their boxes.

Wife got a Milwaukee chainsaw for her birthday and she really likes it so far.

 

[Yamforlife]

Cordless Chain Saw | ECHOCordless.com

Echo - Great value, great warranty, cuts like a B!itch!!!

 

[radios1]

Back this up please.

What manufacturer do you recommend? Dewalt? More of their parts are made in China they only assemble in the US just see the logo on their boxes.

Wife got a Milwaukee chainsaw for her birthday and she really likes it so far.

here's a really good one. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCU03Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MUCQTK4 I'd have to do a lot of searching to find more.. basically, you only get what you pay for.. some people would buy an HF saw, because it's so cheap, if it breaks just throw it out and buy a new one.. another very good one. https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CCS-58V4AH-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B019NFPJ12

 

[sea2summit]

here's a really good one. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCU03Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MUCQTK4 I'd have to do a lot of searching to find more.. basically, you only get what you pay for.. some people would buy an HF saw, because it's so cheap, if it breaks just throw it out and buy a new one.. another very good one. https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CCS-58V4AH-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B019NFPJ12

Okay, yet the Milwaukee costs more than both so your logic doesn’t seem to match your words. What about the Milwaukee spontaneous combustion?

 

[murphy1244]

?Never heard of that for chain saws. Human's yes Saws no.

 

[RalphVa]

We've both a 40v Kobalt and 18v B&D chain saws, 2 B&D ones. The B&D ones don't last long and aren't near as powerful as the Kobalt, but the "alligator" B&D one is very useful for cutting smaller stuff, just beyond lopper size.

With an ICD in my chest, I can no longer use a motor driven chain saw, and I like the "green" of the electric chain saw. Also very easy to start and a bit lighter weight.

Ralph

 

[laurencen]

had the milwaukee m18 saw for 6 months, i am real happy with it, got some power like all saws its only as god as the sharpness of the chain

 

[John_Mc]

I'd stay far away from Ryobi and Milwaukee anything!!.. today, they are both Chinese junk, with Ryobi being the very first.. and quality went with it.. how about getting parts?. if it's just a few years old, most parts are no longer available, and you are expected to just buy a whole new tool!!.. Milwaukee's are know for going on fire just by using it properly..

Just the opposite experience here. I have a number of the Milwauke M18 Fuel cordless tools. They are well designed and hold up well. I went with this platform since so many of the pros in my area (carpenters, plumbers, etc) use the M18 Fuel line.

As for chainsaws, I've not used one yet, but the Milwaukee is one of the top rated battery saws on the market when run with its 12 AH battery. A good friend owns one and is impressed. He's someone with quite a collection of chainsaw, which he restores and repairs himself. He's tried a few battery chainsaw brands, and this is the first one he has felt is worth keeping. In his estimation, it cuts about like a good-quality 40cc gas saw.

 

[fried1765]

I've 2 "regular" battery operated 40V chainsaws and one "saw on a stick" pole saw.
The first I bought was a B&D 40v 12" bar. Used it enough to know I liked it and gave it to my son. He primarily uses it to cut up firewood. Bought another for myself. Really liked it, often used it when on a ladder or in a tree, almost like a top handle saw. But my daughter bought a house and needed a chainsaw, so there went another one. Replaced it with a HF 40V 14" this summer when again I needed to cut tree branches while in a tree.

The HF is heavier and more powerful, but not easy to use at full arm extension.

The other saw, the HF Lynxx 40V pole saw, was great, but I got the chain stuck and I think I stripped a gear out, so I will probably get another.

I've about seven 2 stroke saws, from 30cc to 120cc, the HF 40V definitely can replace the 35CC (Stihl 021) and below, not the 62CC and up.
The B&D 40V is a tad weaker, more like my Stihl MS 181.

But B&D (plus others) make 20V saws even lighter. Unless you plan on getting stronger you might think of getting a good 20V or use a battery operated recripocal saw.

I am the same age as the OP (78), and I bought the B&D 20V pole saw last Spring.

I didn't think I would use it a lot, and I won't.

It requires manual oiling, and that is a PITA.

B&D has a modern history of making/selling junk.

All that said: It works, and is lighter weight than the others.
I am sure the are better units out there, but weight is a major factor for us old folk, and this thing is the lightest one out there.

 

[Tropical Jack]

The best battery chain saw for small, low limbs is probably the Stihl. I have both the Stihl (14”) and a Kobalt (18”). The Kobalt is actually made by Greenworks. I use the Stihl for limbing and cutting down small trees. It is fast, light, and pretty much trouble free. The saw and batteries on mine were made in Europe (not China). I have had the saw for over 5 years, and the batteries are still good. I have probably put about 1,000 hours on the saw. Not an economy saw. Stihl is very proud of their cordless chainsaws. I use the 18” Kobalt for cutting and bucking trees that are 8” or larger. It is faster, but is a noticeable notch down in quality. I do not expect to get 1,000 hours out of it. For small branches, a cordless reciprocating saw is a great tool with a good pruning blade.

Jack