Battery powered chainsaw

[xyz123]

Second paragraph from your link: "With an astounding 4.3 kW superior brushless motor..."

If true, that would be impressive. But the actual Greenworks site does not show any 4.3 kW model, they only show 1.5, 2.7, and 3.4 kW "max power" models, each with "rated power" running roughly 15% below "max power", seemingly indicating they cannot be operated at max power over long periods without tripping a thermal overload on motor or battery. These rated powers are nowhere near 70cc territory, the top model being 2.9 kW ~ 54 cc equivalent.

Moreover, whereas these 50-70cc Stihl's classically run 1.6 - 1.8 kg/kW, the Greenworks 82V units are an insanely bloated 2.7 - 2.8 kg/kw with even the smaller 4Ah battery, not even considering the larger and heavier 6Ah battery mentioned in the article. You're talking an extra 80% (1.8x) weight, which is the single most important factor I consider when choosing any saw of any size.

Note that Greenworks does not disclose whether their weights include the bar, so that may offset a little of the difference. We all know that all other chainsaw manufacturers list weight of powerhead only on their pro models, as bars are sold separately and interchangeable, usually a dealer-select option. It seems possible that Greenworks may be selling the powerhead/bar as a fixed combo, with no ability to select a different bar size at time of order, indicating their intended market is likely homeowner/occasional user only.

Did you not see me say in same post that saw was shown at KY expo in Oct. No it isnt released yet.

 

[WinterDeere]

Did you not see me say in same post that saw was shown at KY expo in Oct. No it isnt released yet.

Missed that, but still surprise they wouldn't have "coming soon" on their site, for any new model.

Did they fix the weight problem? I think there are a lot of advantages to be had with a battery saw, but my God... not at those weights! Power to weight ratio is one of the most important criteria in choosing any saw, intended to be used for more than a few quick cuts.

 

[Snobdds]

Battery saws have two huge draw backs.

1. duty cycle
2. Weight.

The saws have very low duty cycles. The heat generated by the motors can't be sustained for long. If you are cutting less than 6 inch limbs, you might be fine. If you are cutting logs, then good luck.

Batteries have a weight issue. The bigger the battery, the heaver the saw. At a certain point, if you have to put up with a lot of weight...the power to weight ratio turns into a detreiment. You are better off with a gas with higher duty cycle and the same or less weight.

It's a physics problem.

 

[ning]

I have to say that the weight is what holds me back at this point. I'm not a big guy, and when wielding a piece of monstrous mayhem like a chainsaw the last thing I want to be concerned with is its weight, and gas chainsaws are heavy enough as it is, and I don't even have a monster saw.

I could see a powerful (battery) electric with the battery on the belt, but it would need a "magsafe" type connector so if you drop the saw the cable disconnects readily. No, I don't make a practice of dropping the saw and yes they should rapidly stop but you still don't want to be trying to GTFO a falling tree and get hung up by the cord or the saw if you screw up.
The belted battery saw would need to be intended to be run that way and not just an adapter - there may be some rebalancing that could be done if you're not expecting a 3kg battery to be hanging off the back of it.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have to say that the weight is what holds me back at this point. I'm not a big guy, and when wielding a piece of monstrous mayhem like a chainsaw the last thing I want to be concerned with is its weight, and gas chainsaws are heavy enough as it is, and I don't even have a monster saw.

I could see a powerful (battery) electric with the battery on the belt, but it would need a "magsafe" type connector so if you drop the saw the cable disconnects readily. No, I don't make a practice of dropping the saw and yes they should rapidly stop but you still don't want to be trying to GTFO a falling tree and get hung up by the cord or the saw if you screw up.
The belted battery saw would need to be intended to be run that way and not just an adapter - there may be some rebalancing that could be done if you're not expecting a 3kg battery to be hanging off the back of it.

Actually, a magsafe connection to a battery worn as a belt or backpack sounds like an excellent idea. Not only for chainsaws, but also string trimmers, leaf blowers, edgers, and several other OPE's.

 

[ning]

Actually, a magsafe connection to a battery worn as a belt or backpack sounds like an excellent idea. Not only for chainsaws, but also string trimmers, leaf blowers, edgers, and several other OPE's.

They have battery backpacks, but question whether the tools become awkward to use because of the changed center of gravity / balance point as a result. Also the cord plugs into the (fake) battery adapter about an inch and a half and the reviewer I saw couldn't separate them with one hand.

 

[shooterdon]

I have both…like both

 

[5030]

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.

If you have a chain grinder, I have 2 actually, Diamond Abrasives make a chain grinder wheel just fir sharpening carbide tipped chains (like you have). I use the CBN wheels for standard chains. I can get up to 300 20" loops before it's wheel time. Quality made right here in America, Wisconsin to e exact. You might want to check them out and possibly buy an electric chain grinder as well. A grinder like an Oregon will hold your tooth angles better than you will ever be able to do hand filing anything. I sharpen a ton of saw chains for my arborist customers btw. Only thing I hand file is square tooth chipper.

Goggle them up. They have a nice website and are nice folks to deal with as well.

 

[bdhsfz6]

If you have a chain grinder, I have 2 actually, Diamond Abrasives make a chain grinder wheel just fir sharpening carbide tipped chains (like you have). I use the CBN wheels for standard chains. I can get up to 300 20" loops before it's wheel time. Quality made right here in America, Wisconsin to e exact. You might want to check them out and possibly buy an electric chain grinder as well. A grinder like an Oregon will hold your tooth angles better than you will ever be able to do hand filing anything. I sharpen a ton of saw chains for my arborist customers btw. Only thing I hand file is square tooth chipper.

Goggle them up. They have a nice website and are nice folks to deal with as well.

I actually have a grinder and diamond grinding wheels. I mentioned diamond files in my post just for simplicity.

The diamond files can be handy in the field though, with no grinder or electricity available.

 

[xyz123]

Think someone mentioned the battery saw weights were with batt installed and b+c attached?

If that is true then totally understand why they show so heavy.

OEM gas saws are weight PHO and dry.

I add mix and oil to some of my saws and then b+c it adds 6-10 pounds more weight depending on saw.