trail clearing technique and tools

ArlyA · Jul 19, 2022

Assembled this Makita XCU06Z 18V 10" top handle saw when I got home from work and really like how this unit is set up. Its about 90% same as a regular saw, just lighter and smaller. Has stainless shields under the cover to protect it from the chain and steel teeth to grab into wood. Oil tank has a sight glass (really plastic) and cap like most saws do. Chain tension again, like most saws do with a flat screw through the cover.

airbiscuit · Jul 19, 2022

It looks like the design and balance are good. From watching videos, I'm wondering if it's going to be a little short on power (limited by the 18v battery?). Apparently it is supposed to be equivalent to a 22cc gas gas chainsaw. I'm hoping that there will be a next generation of cordless saws that do a better power/weight ratio.

That said, I think you will find that Makita handy for your trail work.

airbiscuit · Jul 19, 2022

if you need a spare chain, I have a slightly used Echo chain I can sell cheap

2manyrocks · Jul 19, 2022

I've been thinking about a small cordless chainsaw to carry on my L2501 because there isn't much room for a saw like on a larger tractor.

There's a YT video of a guy demonstrating another brand of 20v chainsaw that scared me. He was limbing a hackberry tree, and the saw was jumping around. He didn't recommend the saw in the end, but now it has me wondering.

How stable are these electric saws compared to a normal 16" gas chain saw?

airbiscuit · Jul 19, 2022

My friend has a couple of 40V Walmart chainsaws and they work better than I expected - just heavier than a similar power gas chainsaw. Here is some good info.

kenmbz · Jul 20, 2022

ArlyA said:
Assembled this Makita XCU06Z 18V 10" top handle saw when I got home from work and really like how this unit is set up. Its about 90% same as a regular saw, just lighter and smaller. Has stainless shields under the cover to protect it from the chain and steel teeth to grab into wood. Oil tank has a sight glass (really plastic) and cap like most saws do. Chain tension again, like most saws do with a flat screw through the cover. View attachment 755010 View attachment 755011

The Makita only has one nut to hold down the cover for the bar. Let us know if this loosens up.
This is a problem over time in a long cut on my Milwaukee pole saw.

ArlyA · Jul 20, 2022

airbiscuit said:
My friend has a couple of 40V Walmart chainsaws and they work better than I expected - just heavier than a similar power gas chainsaw. Here is some good info.

In general, we can't use battery powered tools in the field since we have no electric power source and normally use tools for many hours. In some case days at a time, so having gasoline fuel along is a know energy volume. The mini I just got, was a special situation since there is a building there with power..

ArlyA · Jul 20, 2022

kenmbz said:
The Makita only has one nut to hold down the cover for the bar. Let us know if this loosens up.
This is a problem over time in a long cut on my Milwaukee pole saw.

The echo polesaw's we use have single nut bars and we've not had any problem with them. So I'd guess the makita's will be fine but I will give a report on there general quality after it goes into service.