Battery powered chainsaw

[two_bit_score]

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[Richard001]

I have the Ryobi 14" with two 40V 4AH batteries. Got that when my gas powered saw wore out and would not start anymore.

I only need a saw every now and then when a big branch needs to be cut down or a tree need to come down, but the tree cutting only happens about every 5 years or so.

 

[5030]

One thing I never seem to have is saw issues not starting. They always start, even the 45 year old Stihl 028 I bought new 45 years ago but I run them exclusively on Echo Red Armor canned gas. No starting issues ever. In fact my 028 is still my favorite saw for wood cutting. Echo Red Armor is good for 5 years so they say. E-gas is good for nothing.

 

[bdhsfz6]

So how should have I cut it?

I cut in "dirty" environments like that where chain to ground contact is likely. To eliminate frequent sharpening, I switched to a carbide chain.

Carbide doesn't cut quite as well as a newly sharpened standard chain but it lasts 10 times longer. Sharpening a carbide chain is more difficult and diamond files are required but it's less labor in the long run.

 

[ArlyA]

I cut in "dirty" environments like that where chain to ground contact is likely. To eliminate frequent sharpening, I switched to a carbide chain.

Carbide doesn't cut quite as well as a newly sharpened standard chain but it lasts 10 times longer. Sharpening a carbide chain is more difficult and diamond files are required but it's less labor in the long run.

We do trail work and commonly work down to the dirt. Years ago i spoke with my chain shop about carbide chains and he said something to the effect "those chains cost X much, then we charge Y much to sharpen them. There not worth it in my book". So we never went down that chain path. We do trail work professionally

 

[Tinhack]

I never had a problem starting my Polan gas chainsaw until arthritis made it impossible to pull the starter rope. That's when I switched to electric. I'm not a logger. The 12" DeWalt does everything I need and most of the wood around here is Mesquite--One of the hardest woods known to man.

 

[WinterDeere]

One thing I never seem to have is saw issues not starting. They always start, even the 45 year old Stihl 028 I bought new 45 years ago but I run them exclusively on Echo Red Armor canned gas. No starting issues ever. In fact my 028 is still my favorite saw for wood cutting. Echo Red Armor is good for 5 years so they say. E-gas is good for nothing.

My saws also always start, never an issue. Also running some older saws, like you, a Stihl 036 PRO and Stihl 064 AV, among them. And... I run them exclusively on pump gas, whether it's E10 or E15 I don't even care or pay attention. Anyone who believes this stuff is the cause of their troubles is barking up the wrong tree, as I'd be willing to bet I do more sawing and run more E-gas through chainsaws than just about any other member of this forum. I cut 20 full cords of firewood most years, from trees that I fell myself, a "light" year for me is 10 full cords.

I believe the key to E-gas is to just never let it sit and go stale in a saw. That may be where people run into trouble. I use my saws almost every weekend, roughly October thru May, then drain them and run them dry for summer storage. If I pull one out to use in summer, I run it and then drain it, knowing it'll be sitting in a hot shed several more weeks/months before next use.

Many people buy canned gas for storage only, since running 2-strokes dry is arguably not the best thing for them (lubrication). Run them on E-gas in-season, then run some canned E-free through them before storage.

 

[xyz123]

Just like my dad in 80's after battle with cancer and bad hands and shoulders. It isnt they dont start. Just cant pull over anymore ones with good psi even with decomps.

He went easy start I gave him for Christmas one year and to battery pole saw. He wants the matching battery chainsaw to go with the ploesaw too.

My wife loves having them too. Best thing I ever did. Now if the batts would ever die out I would like to upgrade to the newer bigger stuff. We keep like 6 batts ready.
Chainsaw, Polesaw, Trimmer, sawzall, drills, impact, lights, etc.

Best thing I ever did. Get her batt stuff. I dont have to trim stuff anymore. I hate weed trimming. So I only get called now to bring out the big echo trimmer for when to much for her little trimmer or brush cutting blade needed.

 

[5030]

I don't use them regularly as I don't heat with wood so my chain sawing is spotty and why I only use canned gas.

Phase separation with e-gas can and is an issue issue when it sits for a period of time and that all depends on the quantity of corn alcohol in the fuel itself and remember, the 'E' in E-gas is mixed at the fuel rack and not pipelined at all. It all gets delivered to a refinery via truck because corn alcohol is corrosive in nature and cannot be transmitted via pipeline simply because it would corrode the pipes. It also gets delivered via dedicated rail car and those dedicated rail cars cannot haul anything else. Around here, it's mostly via big truck hauling lined tanks.

Had the phase separation before in my sitting over the winter seasonal equipment. Why I religiously use Blue Marine Stabil (not cheap and not the red stinky stuff that don't work anyway). Since I've been using that in seasonal gas powered equipment I've not had a phase separation issue and have not had to disassemble gunked up carbs and give them a bath in my heated ultrasonic cleaner in Berryman's B12 Chemtool, which handily removes the gunk produced by the phase separation.

The inherent issue with E-gas here is how much corn alcohol is blended with the non e-gas gas. It's entirely up to the rack operator to determine the percentage so it could be about anything from the mandated 10% (here) to any amount depending on if the operator is having a good day or a bad day and anything over 10% can be detrimental to the longevity of any air cooled engine.

 

[5030]

I might add that E-15 can be very destructive to a 2 stroke engine because of elevated operating temperatures and the inherent risk of lean running. One reason I set my saws to 4 stroke a bit when running at speed even though I use canned gas. No point in taking any chances, especially with vintage saws. I don't want to have to rebuild them if I don't have to. besides, parts for vintage saws can be hard to obtain.

 

[WinterDeere]

I might add that E-15 can be very destructive to a 2 stroke engine because of elevated operating temperatures and the inherent risk of lean running. One reason I set my saws to 4 stroke a bit when running at speed even though I use canned gas. No point in taking any chances, especially with vintage saws. I don't want to have to rebuild them if I don't have to. besides, parts for vintage saws can be hard to obtain.

This is exactly how I set the H screw, just barely into 4-stroking when WOT no load. It leans out when under load, which gives better power when needed, but not so much as to cause damage from running too lean.

 

[5030]

Unplanned obsolescence is not welcome as well. Better to 4 stroke a bit than stick a piston or have ring issues, least in my view as I don't much like rebuilding an intentionally roasted saw. Overly lean running can and will cause internal issues over time.

My ancient 028 still runs just fine though I keep thinking at some point in the future it will need the crank seals replaced. They have to be hard after 45+ years. seals don't last forever, even quality Stihl seals. Amazing the carb diaphragm is still good.

 

[WinterDeere]

What haunts me is the ignition system on my 064 AV. I've been told that replacement ignition modules are made of unobtainium, and the replacement for that saw is a $1600 MS 661, or taking my chances on a $1200 used MS 660. I rely on that saw too frequently to not have something of similar size at the ready.

 

[two_bit_score]

What haunts me is the ignition system on my 064 AV. I've been told that replacement ignition modules are made of unobtainium, and the replacement for that saw is a $1600 MS 661, or taking my chances on a $1200 used MS 660. I rely on that saw too frequently to not have something of similar size at the ready.

Sometimes I think when you find something good that you use frequently and really like, buying a spare to keep on hand is not a bad idea.

Of course, that's expensive and as long as you can find parts for your saw or a parts saw is available you are good.

 

[5030]

Curious as to if your 064 has solid state ignition or points and condenser. My 028 has real mechanical points and a condensor and I've had zero issues with them since new. I keep hearing that Stihl solid state ignition can have issues btw. I do know that 'Saw It Again' offers replacement Stihl ignition sets, both OEM and import. I buy a lot of stuff from them, fast shipping and good prices and you can actually talk to a person not some website... Me, I prefer dealing with a real person.

 

[two_bit_score]

Curious as to if your 064 has solid state ignition or points and condenser. My 028 has real mechanical points and a condensor and I've had zero issues with them since new. I keep hearing that Stihl solid state ignition can have issues btw. I do know that 'Saw It Again' offers replacement Stihl ignition sets, both OEM and import. I buy a lot of stuff from them, fast shipping and good prices and you can actually talk to a person not some website... Me, I prefer dealing with a real person.

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[WinterDeere]

Curious as to if your 064 has solid state ignition or points and condenser.

Electronic ignition module. I actually just went on ebay and found there are several listed, so I guess either there's a healthy non-OEM aftermarket, or enough old saws out there (064 & 066 are same) that there's plenty of used options. Not as rare as I was lead to believe, at least today.

 

[aesanders]

I have the 18" Ego from Lowes. Love it. Have put down several 18", 70" trees with no problem. Of course, I have to change the battery on occasion, but wouldn't go back to a gas saw. Unless I was in the business I guess, then I would have both.

I have one of these also. I Really like mine for small jobs where I don’t need to spend a whole lot of time. It’s a great grab and go saw that. For larger jobs like my Echo gas 590 way better, but the compliment each other well.

 

[5030]

I have one of these also. I Really like mine for small jobs where I don’t need to spend a whole lot of time. It’s a great grab and go saw that. For larger jobs like my Echo gas 590 way better, but the compliment each other well.

I have a moderately breathed on 590 as well with a 20" bar and full tooth 325 chipper chain. Opened up the muffler and removed the last baffle plate from under the muffler outlet but kept the USDA spark screen intact. I also replaced the stock air filter with a Stokel Stack and oiled foam air cleaner and replaced the stock ignition coil with the Echo 620 module and the 5 degree offset crank key and she screams. 2 stroke saws are so easy to modify for power, hard for me to keep my mitts off them and I really like the overall Japanese build quality of Echo saws in general. I have a pair of them presently.

 

[5030]

I actually just went on ebay and found there are several listed,

Be careful what you buy. Lots of sub par counterfeiters out there, mostly made in China stuff.