What is the best battery operated chain saw

[sea2summit]

I'd stay far away from Ryobi and Milwaukee anything!!.. today, they are both Chinese junk, with Ryobi being the very first.. and quality went with it.. how about getting parts?. if it's just a few years old, most parts are no longer available, and you are expected to just buy a whole new tool!!.. Milwaukee's are know for going on fire just by using it properly..

Back this up please.

What manufacturer do you recommend? Dewalt? More of their parts are made in China they only assemble in the US just see the logo on their boxes.

Wife got a Milwaukee chainsaw for her birthday and she really likes it so far.

 

[Yamforlife]

Cordless Chain Saw | ECHOCordless.com

Echo - Great value, great warranty, cuts like a B!itch!!!

 

[radios1]

Back this up please.

What manufacturer do you recommend? Dewalt? More of their parts are made in China they only assemble in the US just see the logo on their boxes.

Wife got a Milwaukee chainsaw for her birthday and she really likes it so far.

here's a really good one. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCU03Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MUCQTK4 I'd have to do a lot of searching to find more.. basically, you only get what you pay for.. some people would buy an HF saw, because it's so cheap, if it breaks just throw it out and buy a new one.. another very good one. https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CCS-58V4AH-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B019NFPJ12

 

[sea2summit]

here's a really good one. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCU03Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MUCQTK4 I'd have to do a lot of searching to find more.. basically, you only get what you pay for.. some people would buy an HF saw, because it's so cheap, if it breaks just throw it out and buy a new one.. another very good one. https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CCS-58V4AH-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B019NFPJ12

Okay, yet the Milwaukee costs more than both so your logic doesn’t seem to match your words. What about the Milwaukee spontaneous combustion?

 

[murphy1244]

?Never heard of that for chain saws. Human's yes Saws no.

 

[RalphVa]

We've both a 40v Kobalt and 18v B&D chain saws, 2 B&D ones. The B&D ones don't last long and aren't near as powerful as the Kobalt, but the "alligator" B&D one is very useful for cutting smaller stuff, just beyond lopper size.

With an ICD in my chest, I can no longer use a motor driven chain saw, and I like the "green" of the electric chain saw. Also very easy to start and a bit lighter weight.

Ralph

 

[laurencen]

had the milwaukee m18 saw for 6 months, i am real happy with it, got some power like all saws its only as god as the sharpness of the chain

 

[John_Mc]

I'd stay far away from Ryobi and Milwaukee anything!!.. today, they are both Chinese junk, with Ryobi being the very first.. and quality went with it.. how about getting parts?. if it's just a few years old, most parts are no longer available, and you are expected to just buy a whole new tool!!.. Milwaukee's are know for going on fire just by using it properly..

Just the opposite experience here. I have a number of the Milwauke M18 Fuel cordless tools. They are well designed and hold up well. I went with this platform since so many of the pros in my area (carpenters, plumbers, etc) use the M18 Fuel line.

As for chainsaws, I've not used one yet, but the Milwaukee is one of the top rated battery saws on the market when run with its 12 AH battery. A good friend owns one and is impressed. He's someone with quite a collection of chainsaw, which he restores and repairs himself. He's tried a few battery chainsaw brands, and this is the first one he has felt is worth keeping. In his estimation, it cuts about like a good-quality 40cc gas saw.

 

[fried1765]

I've 2 "regular" battery operated 40V chainsaws and one "saw on a stick" pole saw.
The first I bought was a B&D 40v 12" bar. Used it enough to know I liked it and gave it to my son. He primarily uses it to cut up firewood. Bought another for myself. Really liked it, often used it when on a ladder or in a tree, almost like a top handle saw. But my daughter bought a house and needed a chainsaw, so there went another one. Replaced it with a HF 40V 14" this summer when again I needed to cut tree branches while in a tree.

The HF is heavier and more powerful, but not easy to use at full arm extension.

The other saw, the HF Lynxx 40V pole saw, was great, but I got the chain stuck and I think I stripped a gear out, so I will probably get another.

I've about seven 2 stroke saws, from 30cc to 120cc, the HF 40V definitely can replace the 35CC (Stihl 021) and below, not the 62CC and up.
The B&D 40V is a tad weaker, more like my Stihl MS 181.

But B&D (plus others) make 20V saws even lighter. Unless you plan on getting stronger you might think of getting a good 20V or use a battery operated recripocal saw.

I am the same age as the OP (78), and I bought the B&D 20V pole saw last Spring.

I didn't think I would use it a lot, and I won't.

It requires manual oiling, and that is a PITA.

B&D has a modern history of making/selling junk.

All that said: It works, and is lighter weight than the others.
I am sure the are better units out there, but weight is a major factor for us old folk, and this thing is the lightest one out there.

 

[Tropical Jack]

The best battery chain saw for small, low limbs is probably the Stihl. I have both the Stihl (14”) and a Kobalt (18”). The Kobalt is actually made by Greenworks. I use the Stihl for limbing and cutting down small trees. It is fast, light, and pretty much trouble free. The saw and batteries on mine were made in Europe (not China). I have had the saw for over 5 years, and the batteries are still good. I have probably put about 1,000 hours on the saw. Not an economy saw. Stihl is very proud of their cordless chainsaws. I use the 18” Kobalt for cutting and bucking trees that are 8” or larger. It is faster, but is a noticeable notch down in quality. I do not expect to get 1,000 hours out of it. For small branches, a cordless reciprocating saw is a great tool with a good pruning blade.

Jack