Battery powered chainsaw recommendations? (2017)

[ericm979]

I've been impressed with the HF Lynxx battery pole pruner. I've yet to run the battery down.

I don't see a battery chain saw being significantly quicker to use than a gas powered one. I'm not going to run a saw without putting on all my safety gear and that takes a lot longer than gassing up and starting a saw. The battery saw still needs oil. It would be a lot quieter though.

 

[Sodo]

A pruning saw works pretty well on branches that are no thicker than the reciprocating stroke. If the branch is thicker than like, 1.5 inches, the sawteeth can't clear the chips and you have to lift up, down, etc. And you ca't cut from below, there's very little allowance for the kerf. Also you can't cut a branch that flexes with the reciprocation. But I agree it's useful and in many cases better than a chainsaw. And many not too.

I don't see a battery chain saw being significantly quicker to use than a gas powered one.

Need one sitting next to your gas saw to truly evaluate this situation. When you notice that all you do is "remove batteries and place them in the charger" and -------- never even picking up the gas saw..... that's proof. Really.

You cannot know this before.

I'm not going to run a saw without putting on all my safety gear and that takes a lot longer than gassing up and starting a saw. The battery saw still needs oil. It would be a lot quieter though.

Electric saw is slower, gentler, much safer. You'll see that too. When you take your finger off the trigger, the chain stops, dead quiet, you can set it down on your tractor seat, (immediately, for example). It's different. You won't feel the need for so much safety gear cuz the chain runs slower, and you have so much more control, and the quiet doesn't demand so much of your attention to danger.

It feels safer than a skilsaw, cuz the spin-down time is less. You don't heed your hearing protection. The chain runs slower because it has torque at lower speeds than a gas motor, and it can do the job at a slower chain speed. And it doesn't sit there engine idling and pumping oil out it doesn't spit that excess pumped oil off the chain when you blip it, thus less oil used. And it doesn't make an oil spot on your tractor seat, because it hasn't sat idling, pooling oil.

The chainsaw rigamarole is so committed to your muscle memory you can't realize all the work you do to accommodate it, until it's "gone". And the mixing. You'll spend as much time fussing about ethanol as your wife does (zero).

I've used the pruning saw blade on a Sawzall, it's much slower than an electric chainsaw. To cut a 5" branch with a pruning blade would take a LONG time, so long I'd really have to be the only saw available, for me to do that. To cut it with a battery chainsaw would take about double the cut time as a gas saw AFTER the gas saw is up & running. We're talking about 4 seconds battery vs 2 seconds gas here (this is after the chain is on the wood). It's not the cutting time saved, it's all the other time.

If you had a gas saw and a battery saw sitting on the tailgate, a 5 inch branch to cut. The battery saw will be back on the tailgate, done, before the 2nd warmup blip on the gas saw. And by "done" I mean setting there back on the tailgate.

 

[4570Man]

I'm not sure how you eliminate the gas issue unless you don't burn wood and only need to prune a few trees and clean up dead fall branches. If that was the intended use I'd just use my sawzall which I agree is slower but it's paid for. If I didn't already have it I'd use a handsaw.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like my 40 Volt Husky stuff, but the regular saw is mostly just to carry in case you come across dead fall on a trail. I really like the trimmer although I know guys who have little use for it. The pole saw is also great, if the two poles wouldn't stop coming apart!

 

[Sodo]

I'm not sure how you eliminate the gas issue unless you don't burn wood and only need to prune a few trees and clean up dead fall branches. If that was the intended use I'd just use my sawzall which I agree is slower but it's paid for. If I didn't already have it I'd use a handsaw.

If you cut your own wood to heat your house there's no question you need a gas saw. I heat with wood and I use a gas saw.

If you can afford a battery powered saw your gas saw will last a lot longer, because it will sit there waiting for the bigger jobs and whenever there's sustained cutting. Tanks full & ready for work.

My battery saw was "about" $169 (Makita) I use the same batteries for other tools, drill, driver, grinders, die grinder, multitool, skilsaw. Mine came with 2 5Ah batteries, a charger and a 'free' angle grinder for $299. Here is the top-handle: http://a.co/gsQ9vqa They are probably rising the price because customers are realizing it rules.

There are two Makita chainsaws, a top-handle (slow chain speed) and a rear handle (fast chain speed). I do NOT recommend Makita's rear handle saw. (http://a.co/iAka9oR) It has an infuriating start process where you have to hold a little button down for a few seconds each time before pulling the trigger. Give me a break! This will remind you of the starter rope you were so happy to rid yourself of. Except you have to do it EVERY frickin' time, just like a gas saw that won't idle. And the major difference is, when you're pulling a rope at least you THINK you're doing a necessary task. This stupid little safety button is SIMPLY wasting your time, to make it safer if your 10-yo daughter picked it up right after you set it down. A little gas saw may be able to compete against that rear-handle Makita for the quick cuts if there's a lot of cuts. (just maybe).

Which brings me to another point. Before buying a battery saw make sure it doesn't have stupidity programmed in. You can't always tell that in the reviews, as some people tolerate stupid. So read ALL the reviews and keep your wits about you. Different people have all kinds of point of view. I have work to do and I get stuff done, but I screw off too so YMMV.

 

[ericm979]

If the electric CS's chain is slower than a gas saw, it cuts slower than a gas saw.

Even if the chain is slower it'll still cut through flesh and bone. In fact most saw chaps are not rated for electric saws because they make more torque than gas saws. What do y'all use for chaps?

When I have to cut something I put chaps, steel toe boots, etc. The only step for getting ready that the battery saw saves is gassing up the saw and starting it. I take care of my saws so they start easily. Yes it'll take a little less time to get ready to cut with a battery saw but the the difference is small. My saw work is rarely just one branch, it's more like a tank of gas or two.

Where a battery saw would help me is when clearing brush. Much of our brush is so thick that I have to stop every few cuts to pull brush out of the way and pile it. I usually stop the saw when I do that so it's not wasting gas. The 025 takes enough effort to start that I'd get tired after an hour or two. A battery saw that I could just pick up and run would deal with that. I ended up buying an Echo that is very easy to start and that took care of the issue.

 

[ultrarunner]

Christmas is almost here so the Tree Farm will be busy...

Typically each tree gets a fresh cut as it goes out the door...

The small Stihl Chainsaws (3) is what they use... I was thinking for each 20 second cut the saw runs x 1600 trees there must be a better solution...

I bought a Stihl plug in and it is a fine saw but there were concerns using it in the rain and mud...

I can see a battery chainsaw could be idea and quiet!

 

[Sodo]

If the electric CS's chain is slower than a gas saw, it cuts slower than a gas saw.

well OK you're still right in a way.... The chips are bigger, and they don't fly as far. But if the electric saw is done and back on the tailgate before the gas saw has finished its 2nd warmup blip,.,,,,it's not really "slower".

Even if the chain is slower it'll still cut through flesh and bone. In fact most saw chaps are not rated for electric saws because they make more torque than gas saws. What do y'all use for chaps?

When I have to cut something I put chaps, steel toe boots, etc. The only step for getting ready that the battery saw saves is gassing up the saw and starting it. I take care of my saws so they start easily. Yes it'll take a little less time to get ready to cut with a battery saw but the the difference is small.

Note that slow chain speed that stops immediately is much much safer than fast chain that can do all sorts if mayhem during spin-down. Much safer. and manny times per day. If safety is a high concern....electric is far superior.

I never use chaps, I never did with my gas saws either. Not sure what to think about that, it sure would be safer to have the protection on. I can't really comment on that, I don't know how much time it takes.

My saw work is rarely just one branch, it's more like a tank of gas or two.

I recall that from gas saw days. With electric, cutting "a few" is effortless so you're more likely to do it.

Where a battery saw would help me is when clearing brush. Much of our brush is so thick that I have to stop every few cuts to pull brush out of the way and pile it. I usually stop the saw when I do that so it's not wasting gas. The 025 takes enough effort to start that I'd get tired after an hour or two. A battery saw that I could just pick up and run would deal with that. I ended up buying an Echo that is very easy to start and that took care of the issue.

eric your opinion will change with experience. They are more popular all the time I think the day will come fairly soon where you'll have the experience to compare the twop. Your example of cutting brush is worthy. Then after using it more and more (for other than "brush") you will understand the efficiencies I referred to.

 

[4570Man]

If you cut your own wood to heat your house there's no question you need a gas saw. I heat with wood and I use a gas saw.

If you can afford a battery powered saw your gas saw will last a lot longer, because it will sit there waiting for the bigger jobs and whenever there's sustained cutting. Tanks full & ready for work.

My battery saw was "about" $169 (Makita) I use the same batteries for other tools, drill, driver, grinders, die grinder, multitool, skilsaw. Mine came with 2 5Ah batteries, a charger and a 'free' angle grinder for $299. Here is the top-handle: http://a.co/gsQ9vqa They are probably rising the price because customers are realizing it rules.

There are two Makita chainsaws, a top-handle (slow chain speed) and a rear handle (fast chain speed). I do NOT recommend Makita's rear handle saw. (http://a.co/iAka9oR) It has an infuriating start process where you have to hold a little button down for a few seconds each time before pulling the trigger. Give me a break! This will remind you of the starter rope you were so happy to rid yourself of. Except you have to do it EVERY frickin' time, just like a gas saw that won't idle. And the major difference is, when you're pulling a rope at least you THINK you're doing a necessary task. This stupid little safety button is SIMPLY wasting your time, to make it safer if your 10-yo daughter picked it up right after you set it down. A little gas saw may be able to compete against that rear-handle Makita for the quick cuts if there's a lot of cuts. (just maybe).

Which brings me to another point. Before buying a battery saw make sure it doesn't have stupidity programmed in. You can't always tell that in the reviews, as some people tolerate stupid. So read ALL the reviews and keep your wits about you. Different people have all kinds of point of view. I have work to do and I get stuff done, but I screw off too so YMMV.

I could afford an electric saw, but it's a why would I kind of thing. I'm not foreseeing it extending the life of my gas saw. I traded for a 30 cc saw and sold it because I had no use for it. Now if I've got a 50cc saw and a 70cc saw. If I've got 1 branch to cut I'll probably use an axe. I keep my sawzall in my dump truck to cut off the limbs that were missed in the original limb cutting and cutting to length. In the rare event I chose to take my little saw I usually regret it and wish I had my big one.

 

[4570Man]

If the electric CS's chain is slower than a gas saw, it cuts slower than a gas saw.

Even if the chain is slower it'll still cut through flesh and bone. In fact most saw chaps are not rated for electric saws because they make more torque than gas saws. What do y'all use for chaps?

When I have to cut something I put chaps, steel toe boots, etc. The only step for getting ready that the battery saw saves is gassing up the saw and starting it. I take care of my saws so they start easily. Yes it'll take a little less time to get ready to cut with a battery saw but the the difference is small. My saw work is rarely just one branch, it's more like a tank of gas or two.

Where a battery saw would help me is when clearing brush. Much of our brush is so thick that I have to stop every few cuts to pull brush out of the way and pile it. I usually stop the saw when I do that so it's not wasting gas. The 025 takes enough effort to start that I'd get tired after an hour or two. A battery saw that I could just pick up and run would deal with that. I ended up buying an Echo that is very easy to start and that took care of the issue.

Nothing beats a blade on a weed wacker for cutting brush. ( assuming that's the way it has to be done and heavy equipment isn't an option)

 

[Sodo]

Agree 100% on the weed wacker with carbide blade for brush. There is nothing faster (excepting hydraulic eqpt) and much less fatigue cuz you don't bend over. Once you've experienced it......of course.

Christmas is almost here so the Tree Farm will be busy...
Typically each tree gets a fresh cut as it goes out the door...
The small Stihl Chainsaws (3) is what they use... I was thinking for each 20 second cut the saw runs x 1600 trees there must be a better solution...
I bought a Stihl plug in and it is a fine saw but there were concerns using it in the rain and mud...
I can see a battery chainsaw could be idea and quiet!

My Makita would cut a 4" christmas tree in about 3 seconds not 20. Your Stihl gas saws could be 2 seconds, but perhaps more than 20 seconds with all the other fussing. You will save a LOT of time.

Funny. Battery is safer for the customers too, and tou can talk to them while cutting. Battery saw won't fling oil on the customers. You will feel like a dinosaur who missed out on recent technology within the first 30 minutes.

After the 1st 30 minutes it's all gravy for the remainder of the season.

I'm going to guess with my Makita (top handle) that one 5AH battery will cut 30 4" trees, and they take about 1/2 hr to recharge, so with two batteries, you have capacity of about 60 trees per hour. One per minute all day long. If you test a saw you will find the real numbers. Do some industrial espionage at growers/sellers, someone must be using battery saws at their retail locations.

 

[Piston]

I keep the same compact reciprocating saw on my Kubota L3560 tractor. It takes only a single bungee cord to hold the saw securely. Saw is ready-to-hand when I am standing on the ground.

Try Milwaukee's THE AXE blades, which are much more rigid than pruning blades. THE AXE is easy to find in 5" length, more difficult to find in 9" length which I prefer. You will not return to pruning blades.

I have a Stihl MS261 always in the bed of my utility vehicle, along with two sizes of loppers.

Thanks for the tip, I’ll give THE AXE a try!

 

[Piston]

I've used the pruning saw blade on a Sawzall, it's much slower than an electric chainsaw. To cut a 5" branch with a pruning blade would take a LONG time, so long I'd really have to be the only saw available, for me to do that. To cut it with a battery chainsaw would take about double the cut time as a gas saw AFTER the gas saw is up & running. We're talking about 4 seconds battery vs 2 seconds gas here (this is after the chain is on the wood). It's not the cutting time saved, it's all the other time.

If you had a gas saw and a battery saw sitting on the tailgate, a 5 inch branch to cut. The battery saw will be back on the tailgate, done, before the 2nd warmup blip on the gas saw. And by "done" I mean setting there back on the tailgate.

Agree that the sawzall is not the “right”choice to be cutting a 5” diameter limb, but it is a whole faster.
Reason being is, I keep the “Hackzall” on my tractor with me when going into the woods. It’s a lot quicker to grab and cut a limb, than it is to go all the way back to the house, get the saw (gas or electric) and come all the way back. So, while slower to cut, the convenience wins out at times.
Just another way to look at it that’s all.

 

[ultrarunner]

On the tractor I keep a good pair of Loppers and a cheap Bow Saw...

The Sawzall does come in handy with roots at times... the replaceable blade is cheap so I don't chance hitting a rock with the chainsaw.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just started using a Ridged 18 volt saws-all on roots this summer. Sure beats the sharp axe and getting a bunch of dirt in your hair.

 

[Garandman]

On the tractor I keep a good pair of Loppers and a cheap Bow Saw...

The Sawzall does come in handy with roots at times... the replaceable blade is cheap so I don't chance hitting a rock with the chainsaw.

Great idea. Just ordered those Milwaukee blades to give that a try. We have an 18V DeWalt.

Bought an HF small bow saw for the tractor. My wife keeps stealing it.....

 

[yomax4]

I like the idea of Electric. ( Battery ) for many instances plus Wife could limb with it. She struggles to start the Gas saws. I can't help but wonder where you will be in 5-10 years with the expensive Battery op chainsaw. I have an 034 made in West Germany that runs like a new saw every time I use it. Wish I know how long the electric would live.

 

[ultrarunner]

Electrics tend to last forever but batteries have a shelf life...

My Bosch 12 volt drills required battery rebuilding since Bosch told me there are no longer available.

I would say that option would be necessary in the future as manufacturers move on.

 

[California]

OP asked about a more powerful battery chainsaw that can take the place of a normal gas saw. I see smaller saws are also being discussed.

For someone who just needs a limbing-size saw - I'm happy with my first-generation 10 inch Ryobi. It accepts their modern 18 volt Li-Ion batteries. Photo below is clearing a fallen Eucalyptus, a wood that is tough and stringy. This is the hardest application I've used it for, tougher than it was probably designed for. My ordinary use is limbing and clearing old punky wood in the apple orchard. It is ideally matched to that. I no longer own a gas saw. Life is simpler now with no 2-cycle fuel to mix, store, carry, refuel.

Here's my post a year ago where I first posted this photo cutting the Eucalyptus, with more description.

 

[Bird]

Of course I have NO experience with battery powered chainsaws; however, in view of my experience with my 56 volt EGO self-propelled lawnmower, EGO string trimmer, and EGO leaf blower, I'd be buying the EGO chainsaw. Before EGO, we had a small storm that knocked a little tree down right in front of my tool storage building, so I went to Home Depot and bought the cheapest 120 volt corded chainsaw they had; a 14" Homelite for $49.97 plus tax. I've not needed it recently, but still have it, so I haven't bought one of the battery powered ones yet.