Battery powered chainsaw

[Fixastuff]

4" and under is a good rule of thumb for electric chainsaws.

It's a good rule of thumb for your electric chainsaw!

 

[RoyJackson]

It's a good rule of thumb for your electric chainsaw!

I think I'd take that to 6", at least

 

[stephenh]

Since I posted earlier about ordering a Greenworks saw from the Costco sale, I've used it quite a bit. I figured I'd use it for limbing, see if I could stand it instead of my Stihl 211 for that. The 211 has a well-deserved habit of leaking lots oil [design of the oil tank outlet] so it would not create sadness in me to get rid of it.

I began limbing some 12-14" trees [dead] and then cut a few rounds to see how it would do. I ended up cutting the entire trunks on three of these trees into rounds. By the time I was done, battery ran out and I'd been cutting for 45 minutes [4 amp hr battery].

Hot damn, not bad. Relatively quiet, weight not much different from the 211, lasted about as long as a tank of mix. Have now cut over a dozen trees into rounds ready to split, and the saw is very nice to use. 18" bar.

I also am using a Stihl 261 and the 441, some of my trees to cut up are more like 22"+ diameter. No way the battery saw makes sense there.

I have no idea, of course, how well this saw will hold up over time. Or the batteries. But initial use is very encouraging. Never thought I'd want or use a battery saw, but I am convinced and will keep this one.... And the county ban on gas-powered tools [and firearms and outdoor grilling and etc.] continues apace. I expect it to remain until year's end.

 

[ernemats]

It's a good rule of thumb for your electric chainsaw!

I would go a little larger depending on the type of wood and also the battery chainsaw. My Redback 120 volt saw will do 12 inches easily but my Ryobi 40 volt saws I can do 8 inches easily.

 

[Reddogs]

I don't think anyone is suggesting that current battery saws are even close to being a good replacement for a 70cc saw. Most of them are lucky to match a good quality 40cc saw. Some are approaching a 50cc saw, but suffer from short battery life and heavy weight (especially as compared to pro-level 50 cc saws). With enough batteries, you can make them work for a full day's use, but that gets cumbersome.

Yes, but when you need to make a quick cut, or take out a branch or two, it's much easier to have and use a battery powered chainsaw....

 

[Grumpycat]

I think I'd take that to 6", at least

Ditto on my 56V EGo 18". It seems to be the equal of any gasser.

Clearing trail last week a friend was using a gas Stihl. Was reminded how much I like my EGo watching him start that thing several dozen times. Start. Cut 10 seconds. Kill. Start. Cut 10 seconds. Kill. Repeat.

 

[Racenut]

I just got the 80v Greenworks 18" saw during Amazon Prime Day. $194 with a battery. My Greenworks 40v 16" has punched above it's weight, so expecting the same from this one. It uses a .050 chain and more solid adjustment so hopefully less resetting the chain. We'll see.

The 16" cleaning up some storm damage.

 

[Boeing]

Old Oak about 24" fell across trail from high bank.

Neighbor alerted me.

I walked down with Stihl AP Battery saw and made short work of it...

One thing I noticed is a spray of WD 40 or similar helps all my battery saws and trimmers... mostly from the sticky sap

Neighbor just came over and asked if I was going to clear tree today and I said all done.

He was listening for the sound of chainsaw but with electric there was nothing to hear.

Thanks for the elect saw info. I bought a batt powered POLE saw last year and love it, gets about 50min. per batt.
I do have a quest though...the pole saw has a chain oil reservoir. I just bought a 6" "hand chainsaw" and it has no oil tank???? I hate to run this little chain dry....
Advise???

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks for the elect saw info. I bought a batt powered POLE saw last year and love it, gets about 50min. per batt.
I do have a quest though...the pole saw has a chain oil reservoir. I just bought a 6" "hand chainsaw" and it has no oil tank???? I hate to run this little chain dry....
Advise???

Not sure who built the "hand chainsaw" but all chains on a saws needs oil. I know for the Stihl version it came with a little oil can just for that.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Thanks for the elect saw info. I bought a batt powered POLE saw last year and love it, gets about 50min. per batt.
I do have a quest though...the pole saw has a chain oil reservoir. I just bought a 6" "hand chainsaw" and it has no oil tank???? I hate to run this little chain dry....
Advise???

My DeWalt saw has no oil reservoir either. I carry a small squeeze bottle of chain oil when I use the saw and just apply some after making a few cuts.

 

[Spike56]

For what it's worth, I have this one. Has an oil tank - love this saw. VERY handy.

 

[ArlyA]

View attachment 776773
For what it's worth, I have this one. Has an oil tank - love this saw. VERY handy.

I'm a professional sawery and I got baby sized makita's with a chain oil tanks for limbing. I would recommend saws with oil tanks.

 

[bdhsfz6]

View attachment 776773
For what it's worth, I have this one. Has an oil tank - love this saw. VERY handy.

I have the same saw and it is indeed a handy tool. I cut quite a few 12" logs so I replaced the 12" bar with a 14" and added a carbide chain.

It's my DeWalt pole saw that has no oil reservoir.

 

[Spike56]

I have the same saw and it is indeed a handy tool. I cut quite a few 12" logs so I replaced the 12" bar with a 14" and added a carbide chain.

It's my DeWalt pole saw that has no oil reservoir.

Wow. I also have the 20V Dewalt pole saw. It has an oil tank. Guess, there is a model without one - didn't know that. That would be a pain.

 

[John_Mc]

I have the same saw and it is indeed a handy tool. I cut quite a few 12" logs so I replaced the 12" bar with a 14" and added a carbide chain.

It's my DeWalt pole saw that has no oil reservoir.

If you are cutting in very dirty conditions, the carbide chain will definitely last longer. I don't use them, since they cut slower than a regular chain which is properly sharpened (and carbide chains are more difficult to sharpen than a regular chain). I'd rather spend a bit of time resharpening than put up with the slower cut. It's just a trade off between what works better for you: slightly faster cutting, but sharpen more often, or slower cutting but don't have to sharpen as frequently.

 

[Tinhack]

If you are cutting in very dirty conditions, the carbide chain will definitely last longer. I don't use them, since they cut slower than a regular chain which is properly sharpened (and carbide chains are more difficult to sharpen than a regular chain). I'd rather spend a bit of time resharpening than put up with the slower cut. It's just a trade off between what works better for you: slightly faster cutting, but sharpen more often, or slower cutting but don't have to sharpen as frequently.

What! Why does it cut slower--Because of the carbide or because of the 14" chain? Certainly not the chain, the motor runs at the same speed.

Added:
I have a DeWalt chainsaw, and the Pole saw. They both rip through Mesquite--One of the hardest woods known to man.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

It's the chain, for one, you just can't get the same lever of sharpness with carbide.

SR

 

[John_Mc]

It's the chain, for one, you just can't get the same lever of sharpness with carbide.

SR

Exactly. You just can't get the same tooth profile. (Well, it is possible, but the carbide would chip too easily if it were shaped that way.)

Note that I'm not saying someone shouldn't use carbide chains. It's just a trade-off. If that trade off works for the end user, great... go for it.

 

[4570Man]

It's the chain, for one, you just can't get the same lever of sharpness with carbide.

SR

Carbide can’t sharpen as sharp as HSS to begin with but the bigger difference is the carbide tooth has to be pretty blunt not to break. I’ve never had a carbide chain but every comparison video I’ve watched the carbide did considerably worse. And they’re usually using a round profile 1/4” chain for comparison. Using a 3/8 full chisel would set the difference farther apart.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have a 60v dewalt.... its OK... but somewhat disappointed that it doesn't seem to live up to the reviews... I find battery life less than advertised and cutting speed slow compared to a good / sharp gasser.

Good to have around strapped to back of ATV or truck for those unexpected needs but if the cutting work is planned I will choose gas.

If you use them thin batteries I imagine you are disappointed. Thick batteries last.