Battery powered chainsaw recommendations? (2017)

[fried1765]

I have a Makita (all my battery tools are Makita), The saw is 36V and will in fact out cut my Stihl top handle gas saw for the first half hour. I use it to cut small stuff around my fence line, with both 18V batteries it weights 10lbs. I use it a lot..

I have a new 40V Greenworks 16" saw, but have yet to try it out.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have the same 36v Makita. Haven't touched my gas saw since I got it. For what I need to do it is great. Also does not leak bar oil as long as you keep the bottom side down.

 

[ernemats]

Used my Redback 120 volt saw some more , cutting up a hard maple about 20 inches in diameter. It did ok but not as fast as my Husqvarna 359 could do it which did not surprise me. Still very impressed with it, . My Ryobi 40 volt chain saw is still a saw I also like , it is lighter and has faster chain speed for smaller jobs but lacks power for larger trees.

 

[Sodo]

Makita 36v (the top-handle) has become one of my favorite tools. I have a hotrodded Stihl MS201 that I hardly ever use anymore. I always wonder if it will start, its been so long. But it always does, and oh boy; do you remember what a gas saw does in comparison to the 36v!! Theyre different and have different strengths. But the fact remains, I reach for the 36v much more often. I put a 14 bar on it for more reach (was12).

I also put a THIS SIDE UP label to remind me the oil tank vent is a simple little hole in the cap, and it will dump the oil out, all of it!

Im thinking of buying a 2nd one in case they quit making the top handle version ($140). Cuz it doesnt have that infuriating safety button that the rear handle Makita has.

 

[bridge4]

I have a stihl MSA 220 and I love it. I use the battery powered weed eater and blower so I can use the same batteries in all 3, which saves money and makes them more economical. I have found some real hard wood and big stumps it struggles with, but I haven't seen any dead fall or a tree across any of my trails it can't handle. I really enjoy using the saw, and its light and easy. I can also cut trees in the morning when normally it would be rude to my neighbors and they don't hear anything.


I don't own a gas saw at this point, and I don't think I ever will. My cousin has a big professional saw he got from his father and my brother has a few I could borrow also too.

 

[k0ua]

About one more order of magnitude leap in battery/DC motor technology and no one will own a gas saw anymore. They are getting to the point now that for routine homeowner use a lot of people are just using the battery powered saws. Not guys that need to saw up a bunch of firewood yet, but there may come a day when we look at gas saws like gasoline powered washing machines. Yeah they existed, were kind of loud and smelly and inconvenient, and were from another time.

 

[xyz123]

Thought of my dad when I seen this. So I picked this up the other day when I seen it FS used local at a reasonably price. Came with no batt so hope it works.
I knew dad has the 40v polesaw version and loved it. So figure he can use his batt for this too.

 

[ernemats]

I'm sure he will like it I know I really like mine so far. It will not replace the gas chain saw for bigger jobs but will work good for the smaller jobs.

 

[ernemats]

Update on my Redback 120 volt chainsaw. Have used it to cut down and cut up a 20 inch popular tree and a 14 inch hard maple. It did better than I expected it to, on the popular the bar was not quite long enough to go the whole way through , had plenty of power to easily fall the tree and cut up the limbs and cut the tree into 8 foot logs, the tree was probably 75 foot tall. Still had 2 bars left on the battery. Very impressed with it. See now they have the saw kit on sale for $99.99 with free shipping. Can't beat that deal.

 

[ernemats]

Used my Redback 120 volt chainsaw more today, cut several maple logs into firewood size , I can't believe how good it does I may be getting rid of my gas chainsaws except the biggest one. Have not used the gas saws much since getting battery powered saws. My son bought a Dewalt 60 volt last winter and he loves it also.

 

[AchingBack]

I just used my new EGO 18" chainsaw today. I really like my 16" model, (which is in the shop for a new motor replacement under warranty), but there is little comparison between it and the 18" model. 18" Cordless Chain Saw by EGO POWER+

I have a log truck load of wood I'm working on. Mostly chinkapin oak, and madrone, both very hard woods. As the ad says in the above link, this saw is awesome, and you can read why for yourself. Let me add the most unexpected feature of this saw - after use, the oil reservoir does not leak! I've never been as impressed with any tool , or saw I've owned, except for my Mahindra 2615. This is the sixth chainsaw I've owned since 1977, and my second electric one. You can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

 

[beowulf]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a battery powered chainsaw (Echo 58V). My other chainsaw is a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. I have cut about two cords of oak now. I am sold on the battery powered chainsaw and it is now my go to saw - I easily prefer it over my gas model. I would buy it again in an instant. One issue - leaks oil (most seem to) so I lay it down with oil cap side up.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was very happy with my Oregon Battery powered stuff until I tried to use the thing in the cold.

I used my weed eater for two years before I realized that the trigger was a throttle and controlled the speed. I wish they would do that on the saw. Not just on or off.

 

[ultrarunner]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a battery powered chainsaw (Echo 58V). My other chainsaw is a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. I have cut about two cords of oak now. I am sold on the battery powered chainsaw and it is now my go to saw - I easily prefer it over my gas model. I would buy it again in an instant. One issue - leaks oil (most seem to) so I lay it down with oil cap side up.

Echo is my best at not leaking oil... but I don't have the battery model.

So far have not noticed oil issues with the Stihl...

I seldom do any prolonged or production cutting anymore... the battery saw is perfect for my use around the homestead 98% of the time.

 

[nybirdman]

Purchased an 58Volt Echo after reading tons of reviews;for me it's perfect.Keeping the Stihl for real big stuff(if it will start).No oil leaks from mine.

 

[Sodo]

I've been using a Makita 36v.
It's one of my favorite tools for sure.

I had a larger cutting task to do and fired up the good old hotrodded Stihl MS201, that almost never gets used anymore (since the Makita arrived).
It was pretty satisfying to feel some "real gas power" again.
And thats a small saw.

But I tellya ....... each time I had to pull that cord 4 times (from cold) it seemed like such a silly old ritual.
Even once or twice from warm (especially if there was only one cut to do).
And the noise, I can do without the noise and the earmuffs.

A battery saw sure preserves your gas saw.:laughing:
One thing I notice too is the battery saw always needs sharpening, but the gas saw is always sharp.
I have also been surprised how my gas saws sit for months, but still start readily (4 pulls though).

 

[Industrial Toys]

All I have to do with my Oregon saw is push some little lever, watch sparks shooting out the end and the chain is as sharp as new. It's why I bought it on impulse.

Going out to cut some standing dead elm for my shop stove. Use my new Echo gas saw. To tell you the truth, I just don't see a battery powered saw up to the task, yet. For me, the battery saw is still only for special applications. Like carrying it for emergency (tree accross trail) type of stuff.

 

[Sodo]

To tell you the truth, I just don't see a battery powered saw up to the task, yet. For me, the battery saw is still only for special applications. Like carrying it for emergency (tree accross trail) type of stuff.

You are right the battery saw shines for "tree across the trail" one-cut type uses.
That's what I thought too, before the battery saw entered my tool cache.
Pick it up, pull trigger, cut log, put down.

Then the gas saw just sat there, unused.
For months.

When you add a good tool to your collection it ain't something you regret.

 

[AchingBack]

I just sold my last gas saw to a tree company. I now own two EGO chain saws, one 16", and an 18". Big difference between the two: 16" runs at 6500rpm, 18" at 11,000rpm. The 16" has no dogs, the 18" has steel dogs, two LED head lights, easy no tool chain tensioning, and best of all, does not leak one drop of oil.


Details

Introducing the all new EGO POWER + 18” Chain Saw. Everything on this saw screams innovation and power. The re-imagined chain tensioning system, tightens your chain with the twist of a dial, no need to take anything apart to get your chain set properly. An aggressive 18” bar and chain for taking down large branches, stumps and tall trees. The bright LED lights illuminate your cut when you are cutting at dusk or in an emergency and there is no access to lights.
Tech Specs

Auto Tensioning system: tightens the chain with the twist of a dial
18” Oregon Bar and Chain
11,000 RPM’s: For Efficient Clean Cuts
Brushless Motor: Extends the life of the tool
Bright LED Lights: Illuminate your work area
5 Year Tool Warranty, 3 Year Battery Warranty

 

[Industrial Toys]

Put them in the freezer for an hour or so and please tell me how well they work. I would be curious.