Considering battery chainsaw

[dwasifar]

Considering whether I'd be happy with a battery powered chainsaw.

Gas powered saws are noisy and dirty, they can be balky to start, and fuel is expensive these days; whereas battery saws are relatively quiet and clean, never have a starting problem, and charging batteries costs me nothing. Those are all advantages to the battery saw. But they don't matter, if the saw interferes with my workflow by running out of juice. When a gas powered saw runs out, you fuel it up and keep going; but when a battery runs out, you're down until it charges, unless you also shell out for a bunch of extra batteries, which makes buying these saws less attractive.

I currently have a 30cc Echo saw with a 16" bar and a 50cc Tanaka with a 20" bar. I use them for personal firewood processing and yard cleanup. This means I don't use them every day, but when I get a bunch of rounds to process into firewood, I'm running the saws all afternoon.

Todd at Project Farm did two videos comparing battery chainsaws, and he liked the DeWalt 60V DCCS670T1, the Echo 58V CCS-58V4AH, and the Makita 36V XCU04PT1, all with 16" bars. So those are my candidates. But I'd still like to get opinions from anyone here who's actually spent an afternoon making firewood with a battery saw. How is real world battery life in those conditions? Would I need to have multiple batteries, or could I finish an afternoon's firewood with one?

 

[Lucid Moments]

Look here, we had a long thread on this recently.

 

[ybnormal]

Considering whether I'd be happy with a battery powered chainsaw.

Gas powered saws are noisy and dirty, they can be balky to start, and fuel is expensive these days; whereas battery saws are relatively quiet and clean, never have a starting problem, and charging batteries costs me nothing. Those are all advantages to the battery saw. But they don't matter, if the saw interferes with my workflow by running out of juice. When a gas powered saw runs out, you fuel it up and keep going; but when a battery runs out, you're down until it charges, unless you also shell out for a bunch of extra batteries, which makes buying these saws less attractive.

I currently have a 30cc Echo saw with a 16" bar and a 50cc Tanaka with a 20" bar. I use them for personal firewood processing and yard cleanup. This means I don't use them every day, but when I get a bunch of rounds to process into firewood, I'm running the saws all afternoon.

Todd at Project Farm did two videos comparing battery chainsaws, and he liked the DeWalt 60V DCCS670T1, the Echo 58V CCS-58V4AH, and the Makita 36V XCU04PT1, all with 16" bars. So those are my candidates. But I'd still like to get opinions from anyone here who's actually spent an afternoon making firewood with a battery saw. How is real world battery life in those conditions? Would I need to have multiple batteries, or could I finish an afternoon's firewood with one?

depends on how many cords you planning on cutting up. it also depends on whether you plan to invest in the battery powered tool world.

I bought a 40v Ryobi ($105) and it seems ok for the things I've used it for. If you plan on going fullbore with 40V Ryobi, they also have a multi-charger for 3 batteries. and you can buy the multi-charger with 3 batteries.

RYOBI 40V Lithium-Ion 3-Port Quick Charger OP407AVNM

RYOBI introduces the 40-Volt Lithium 3-Port Quick Charger. Compatible with all RYOBI 40-Volt batteries. Sequential charging allows you to have a battery ready when you need 1, while the other batteries

www.homedepot.com

RYOBI 40V Lithium-Ion 3-Port Charger with (3) 4.0 Ah Batteries OP407A-4

RYOBI introduces the 40-Volt Lithium 3-Port Quick Charger. Compatible with all RYOBI 40-Volt batteries. Sequential charging allows you to have a battery ready when you need 1, while the other batteries

www.homedepot.com

 

[F-22]

I'd go with the 36V Makita chainsaw cause the batteries are the same for all their 18V tools, from top quality to more budget oriented products.


Imo a battery powered chainsaw can't replace a petrol powered one yet, but it can be an amazing supplement.

 

[ATC]

Considering whether I'd be happy with a battery powered chainsaw.

Gas powered saws are noisy and dirty, they can be balky to start, and fuel is expensive these days; whereas battery saws are relatively quiet and clean, never have a starting problem, and charging batteries costs me nothing. Those are all advantages to the battery saw. But they don't matter, if the saw interferes with my workflow by running out of juice. When a gas powered saw runs out, you fuel it up and keep going; but when a battery runs out, you're down until it charges, unless you also shell out for a bunch of extra batteries, which makes buying these saws less attractive.

I currently have a 30cc Echo saw with a 16" bar and a 50cc Tanaka with a 20" bar. I use them for personal firewood processing and yard cleanup. This means I don't use them every day, but when I get a bunch of rounds to process into firewood, I'm running the saws all afternoon.

Battery saws are just as "dirty" since they have to oil the chain too.

Battery saws are great for limbing, or anything under 12" max. I would not use one for processing rounds for firewood, or running all afternoon as you state. Gas saws still rule for that.

I use my MS311 for dropping and bucking trees. My M18 Chainsaw for limbing and bucking the tops of the trees. I love 'em both

 

[Rinspeed]

Check the other thread, very happy with the Makita 36V.

 

[dwasifar]

Battery saws are just as "dirty" since they have to oil the chain too.

I meant "dirty" as in emissions, not oil spray. But thanks for pointing that out; I should have been more precise.

Battery saws are great for limbing, or anything under 12" max. I would not use one for processing rounds for firewood, or running all afternoon as you state. Gas saws still rule for that.

That's kind of what I was expecting. Thanks.

 

[ATC]

I meant "dirty" as in emissions, not oil spray. But thanks for pointing that out; I should have been more precise.

The emissions that went into making the lithium batteries, plastic housing, and copper windings of the motor far exceeds a gas saw under homeowner use. Please don't let the greenies brainwash you into thinking gas anything is bad and electric anything is good. That's not how it works.

 

[uratool]

I purchased a Milwaukee 18V due to the hype of electric and honestly didn't think I'd use it for much other than "limbing". I've grown to love it and it's replaced 90+% of my Stihl MS-260 run-time mostly cutting firewood. I get about 1 - 1.5hr of mixed felling/cutting/loading time out of the 12ah battery. My back appreciates the charge time.

This works for me because I'm cutting on my own land and never more than 10min away from my shop and a charge. This would not work if I was wanting to work remotely and didn't have multiple batteries, I also don't see it as a replacement for truly large tree work.

 

[dwasifar]

The emissions that went into making the lithium batteries, plastic housing, and copper windings of the motor far exceeds a gas saw under homeowner use. Please don't let the greenies brainwash you into thinking gas anything is bad and electric anything is good. That's not how it works.

To be fair, this comparison would also have to include the emissions involved in building gas saws, which also include plastic housings and metal castings. I don't know if they're equivalent or not, but it's not right to compare the entire manufacturing lifecycle emissions of one product to just the operating emissions of another.

However: once a gas saw is manufactured, it's pretty much done generating manufacturing emissions, whereas for battery tools, you have to keep buying batteries as they wear out. So that's a point toward your argument.

 

[billconner]

I love my EGO 16" chain saw. I have yet to run out of battery, but then I'm not that fast at 70. Its practically no maintenance, quiet, brakes very fast, no smell. First project was clearing 20 pines in the 8 to 12" range, one 16". Some 60' tall. Felled, limbed, and cut into manageable pieces over a week.

I have acquired some other EGO tools that use same battery and their big new leaf blower was only $70 more with a battery and charger, so now have 2 batteries. Alone, the extra battery and charger were $250 iirc. No regrets.

Every review I found which included EGo ranked EGO high if not first.

 

[Snapped-off]

I haven't used any big electric saws, just my little 12" Makita I recently got for limbing. I don't think I'd be ready to move to electric though for a main saw. Maybe the 16" will be alright for an auxiliary saw. I'd be keeping a battery or 2 on standby though.

We process 2-3 cords a year for home.

 

[F-22]

The emissions that went into making the lithium batteries, plastic housing, and copper windings of the motor far exceeds a gas saw under homeowner use. Please don't let the greenies brainwash you into thinking gas anything is bad and electric anything is good. That's not how it works.

A gas saw has to be made too, it's got even more plastic and metal parts that have to be cast, rubber vibration dampening and reinforcements to withstand vibration fatigue, and it has at least some copper windings for the generator coil... It even needs alumina ceramics (spark plug) which are burned at really high temperatures (ceramics are becoming more and more problematic for production nowadays with pricey gas, and the al2o3 ceramics used for spark plugs are even extra demanding for temperature).
While petrol chainsaws are made for a long time, electric motors are made for far longer. Apart from the battery, manufacturing an electric chainsaw is made on a massive scale cause they can use standardised parts including the motor. Batteries are standardised too. In my opinion the handful of 18650 cells is not nearly as dirty as the emissions of a small two stroke engine of a chainsaw.

You can argue lithium is dirty for cars, where they use 5000-10000 cells per car. There are only 5 or 10 in a power tool battery...

To be fair, this comparison would also have to include the emissions involved in building gas saws, which also include plastic housings and metal castings. I don't know if they're equivalent or not, but it's not right to compare the entire manufacturing lifecycle emissions of one product to just the operating emissions of another.

However: once a gas saw is manufactured, it's pretty much done generating manufacturing emissions, whereas for battery tools, you have to keep buying batteries as they wear out. So that's a point toward your argument.

Oil has to be pumped, transported, refined into petrol, and then distributed all around the world, so I'd not say "manufacturing emissions" end on a petrol powered chainsaw (and besides the petrol it also requires oil, since they're all two strokes). Besides, in case of a chainsaw you also even need to get in your vehicle, drive to the pump, fill up a container and drive it home to use it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

When buying any battery powered tool you are getting "married" to that product line. Some day you will want another battery tool. Will that product line have the one you want/need ?

The average home owner can get by with one battery of sufficient size. Having said that, a spare is a good thing to have.

 

[Rgrigutis]

This!

 

[JEFinCLE]

I'll provide an alternative opinion. If you're processing firewood, and you're doing it relatively close to your house (or any source of 110VAC), consider a corded electric saw. Yeah, the cord is a PITA, but there's never a question of running out of a charge, the motor is considerably more powerful, and I'm guessing the overall package is much lighter. I used a Husqvarna electric for close to 20 years processing 7 or 8 cord per year. I would work in the timber with a gas saw, cutting logs into 4' lengths, gather them with the tractor, transport them to the barn and then buck them up in to 16" lengths and split them. I did all the bucking with the electric Husky. It was quiet, convenient and quicker than starting and stopping a gas saw over and over. I wouldn't consider anything other than a Husky or Stihl...there's a lot of **** corded electrics out there...but either of those will do you proud and avoid the pitfalls of battery saws.

Last year I sold every 2-cycle power tool I owned (a lot) except my Husky chain saw. I bought into the Milwaukee platform and may eventually get the chain saw, too, but for this old dog, a battery chain saw is a tough trick to learn.

 

[dwasifar]

Oil has to be pumped, transported, refined into petrol, and then distributed all around the world, so I'd not say "manufacturing emissions" end on a petrol powered chainsaw (and besides the petrol it also requires oil, since they're all two strokes). Besides, in case of a chainsaw you also even need to get in your vehicle, drive to the pump, fill up a container and drive it home to use it.

This is all correct, but it stretches the definition of "manufacturing emissions" past what we were talking about to this point, which was the emissions produced in creating the tool. The emissions produced in creating and transporting the fuel are not negligible, and it's good that you pointed it out, but I don't think they can reasonably be lumped in with tool manufacturing.

Someone will no doubt point out that generating electricity can also produce emissions. In my particular case that is not true, unless you count the emissions generated in manufacturing solar panels. But now we're heading down the rabbit hole.

I'll provide an alternative opinion. If you're processing firewood, and you're doing it relatively close to your house (or any source of 110VAC), consider a corded electric saw. Yeah, the cord is a PITA, but there's never a question of running out of a charge, the motor is considerably more powerful, and I'm guessing the overall package is much lighter.

I appreciate the interesting suggestion, but I don't trust myself not to catch the cord on something or trip over it and find the saw heading off in an unwanted direction, like for instance at my head.

 

[American Locomotive]

The DeWalt and Echo saws certainly are super powerful, but the Makita definitely seems to be a great saw being well balanced with good ergonomics. I have seen a lot of positive comments about the Makita.

If you already have DeWalt or Makita power tools, it probably makes sense just to go with a saw in that particular brand for battery commonality. If you don't have either, than I guess it doesn't particularly matter. That Echo saw is definitely a beast, and the price is right.

I do have to chuckle at the Milwaukee after watching those videos though. I remember when they first announced that saw and the super-duper 12Ah batteries. People on this forum were going on and on about how it was a world-beating saw that will forever change the market and gas saws don't stand a chance. Hilarious seeing it only be a middle-pack saw performance wise. That Milwaukee marketing sure is something.

 

[quickfarms]

I bought the 36v makita saw because it came with four batteries and a dual port charger, effectively making the saw a $50 addition.

Initially I thought it was just going to be a backup for the 110v saw but that saw is not any more powerful than the 36v saw.

I now have two 36v saws, one at the house and one lives in the work truck.

With 4 batteries you are in good shape but with 6 or more and at least two dual chargers you will never run out of batteries

I have quite a collection of makita 18v tools and a growing collection of the 36v tools

Since I got the 36v skill saw neither of my 77’s have been plugged in

 

[Xcursion88]

Considering whether I'd be happy with a battery powered chainsaw.

Gas powered saws are noisy and dirty, they can be balky to start, and fuel is expensive these days; whereas battery saws are relatively quiet and clean, never have a starting problem, and charging batteries costs me nothing. Those are all advantages to the battery saw. But they don't matter, if the saw interferes with my workflow by running out of juice. When a gas powered saw runs out, you fuel it up and keep going; but when a battery runs out, you're down until it charges, unless you also shell out for a bunch of extra batteries, which makes buying these saws less attractive.

I currently have a 30cc Echo saw with a 16" bar and a 50cc Tanaka with a 20" bar. I use them for personal firewood processing and yard cleanup. This means I don't use them every day, but when I get a bunch of rounds to process into firewood, I'm running the saws all afternoon.

Todd at Project Farm did two videos comparing battery chainsaws, and he liked the DeWalt 60V DCCS670T1, the Echo 58V CCS-58V4AH, and the Makita 36V XCU04PT1, all with 16" bars. So those are my candidates. But I'd still like to get opinions from anyone here who's actually spent an afternoon making firewood with a battery saw. How is real world battery life in those conditions? Would I need to have multiple batteries, or could I finish an afternoon's firewood with one?

Well......

I have a Husqvarna (it's around 16") not sure the model at present but it's a good one.
I don't buy junk items. My Husqvarna trimmer is commercial grade....

Anyways...i has an issue with it and HAD to clean up trees after a bad storm.

Im akready in the DeWalt platform (switched over from Makita) and purchased the DeWalt 16"

That saw outperforms the gas Husqvarna I have.It's ridiculously user friendly (bar oil sight window...tooless chain tightening.. etc

The DeWalt takes a 60v battery.
The Makita takes their 18v battery but requires 2 of them.
Why does that matter? Well if you find yourself running out of battery you need two charged batteries to get running again.

Watch the part2 of the project farm video.
He puts the DeWalt against the chainsaw brands electric.

The only saw that ran with the DeWalt was the Echo electric.
The Stihl electric...no (plus it's around $800) the stihl couldn't hang..
The Husqvarna electric...nope. couldnt hang
Ego, oregon, no and no.

Perhaps the bigger question is this ....

Are there any cordless tools in the future you might want?

We just got a 60v DeWalt weedwhacker and it has as much *** (maybe more) than the Husqvarna commercial trimmer I have.

Trust me when I tell you it's pretty amazing to put in battery and start whacking o' weeds versus getting gas...then having to mix it...fill it... Etc.


Check his video out of the trimmers.

DeWalt again way out in front.
Takes the same battery as the Chainsaw..
You can usually find a DeWalt trimmer in the $300-$365 range WITH a 60v battery.

Then you'd have two batteries for the chainsaw and trimmer.
Plus the 60v works on all of DeWalt's 20v tools.

Good luck.

 

[American Locomotive]

I wouldn't say the DeWalt was "Way out in front". It was the most powerful - but by a pretty a small margin, and he mentioned that a few of the other trimmers were much smoother, with better ergonomics and better user protection. Those things are not insignificant when it comes to the enjoyment of a tool.

 

[billconner]

I'll stick with EGO - 16" chain saw, pole saw, blower, hedge trimmer, and string trimmer - so far. Looking at tiller. Always a long battery life. And my long time trusted reviewer - Consumer Reports - ranks them no. 2. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I will say no ownership experience however I have used a few battery operated chainsaws. I haven’t cared for them. They just don’t give the power that a gas one will. Perhaps the supplied battery makes a difference? I know on the Milwaukee weed eater we had everyone said if we had a different battery it would of been better but we returned that piece of **** and I say that as a Milwaukee guy. I have not been impressed with any battery operated lawn tools. My dad has two corded chain saws that are pretty good. They are green for the color I can’t remember the name on them both at least 20 years old as we have had them since I was a kid. They are great but I’ve still got to use my gas ones. My brother in law can even operate the corded one and he is bad about cutting cords on things while using them lol . Of course if you let go of it, it will cut off. But I’d advise staying away from battery. Here is the way I see it if the professionals aren’t using them then they are not worth having usually. Just my opinion of course. The ones I used were Kobalt and another brand that was silver and green maybe Ego?

Part of it is my bias towards them too no lawn stuff should be battery. So since I’ve got no ownership experience you don’t have to take my advice but I will say underpowered is probably an understatement for the ones I used.

 

[Xcursion88]

I will say no ownership experience however I have used a few battery operated chainsaws. I haven’t cared for them. They just don’t give the power that a gas one will. Perhaps the supplied battery makes a difference? I know on the Milwaukee weed eater we had everyone said if we had a different battery it would of been better but we returned that piece of **** and I say that as a Milwaukee guy. I have not been impressed with any battery operated lawn tools. My dad has two corded chain saws that are pretty good. They are green for the color I can’t remember the name on them both at least 20 years old as we have had them since I was a kid. They are great but I’ve still got to use my gas ones. My brother in law can even operate the corded one and he is bad about cutting cords on things while using them lol . Of course if you let go of it, it will cut off. But I’d advise staying away from battery. Here is the way I see it if the professionals aren’t using them then they are not worth having usually. Just my opinion of course. The ones I used were Kobalt and another brand that was silver and green maybe Ego?

Part of it is my bias towards them too no lawn stuff should be battery. So since I’ve got no ownership experience you don’t have to take my advice but I will say underpowered is probably an understatement for the ones I used.

I used to have this mindset. A drill or driver was one thing I thought but lawn care...no way. Thinking back in the day about corded weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, original battery black and decker leaf blower.

They left a lot to be desired.

Then I actually used a couple modern day lawn/tree tools. Battery/electric technology has come a long long way. A long way. Like leaps and bounds.

I wouldn't say the DeWalt was "Way out in front". It was the most powerful - but by a pretty a small margin, and he mentioned that a few of the other trimmers were much smoother, with better ergonomics and better user protection. Those things are not insignificant when it comes to the enjoyment of a tool.

Ever notice he doesn't bash any brands and he tries his best to find something positive about all things he tests.

The DeWalt trimmer and saw was way out in front.

How was that he said at the video end...???

"DeWalt crushed the competition"

His words...not mine.

 

[shawhite]

You guys put a lot of stock in project farms opinion.

 

[American Locomotive]

Yes, the DeWalt is the most powerful - the Makita trimmer took 80 seconds to cut the swath of grass, vs 68 seconds of the DeWalt. But there is more to a tool than just speed.

To bring up the again: It is 33% lighter than the DeWalt, and had 87% less vibration, yet only took 15% longer to cut the same swath of grass. For people who care about operator fatigue or are sensitive to vibration, those are significant advantages to the Makita for only a slight hit in cutting speed.

I'm not saying the DeWalt is bad either, but other tools are better in certain areas. For some people, those things may be important.

 

[Lasu]

Remember, the operating time with a 1-2 battery is short and then back home = a small amount of wood in the forest. That's why I can't use a battery chainsaw myself.

Also, the size of the chain / tooth size I use must be min 3/8LP .050 or .325NK = narrow kerf.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Considering whether I'd be happy with a battery powered chainsaw.

Gas powered saws are noisy and dirty, they can be balky to start, and fuel is expensive these days; whereas battery saws are relatively quiet and clean, never have a starting problem, and charging batteries costs me nothing. Those are all advantages to the battery saw. But they don't matter, if the saw interferes with my workflow by running out of juice. When a gas powered saw runs out, you fuel it up and keep going; but when a battery runs out, you're down until it charges, unless you also shell out for a bunch of extra batteries, which makes buying these saws less attractive.

I currently have a 30cc Echo saw with a 16" bar and a 50cc Tanaka with a 20" bar. I use them for personal firewood processing and yard cleanup. This means I don't use them every day, but when I get a bunch of rounds to process into firewood, I'm running the saws all afternoon.

Todd at Project Farm did two videos comparing battery chainsaws, and he liked the DeWalt 60V DCCS670T1, the Echo 58V CCS-58V4AH, and the Makita 36V XCU04PT1, all with 16" bars. So those are my candidates. But I'd still like to get opinions from anyone here who's actually spent an afternoon making firewood with a battery saw. How is real world battery life in those conditions? Would I need to have multiple batteries, or could I finish an afternoon's firewood with one?

you don't need a "bunch" of extra batteries, just one additional swap. I've got the M18 saw, and It seems just fine. came with a 12Ah battery and I have a 9Ah battery (and 2.0 for little things). just swap back and forth on the rapid charger. the M18 saw is plenty adequate for light/"homeowner" use.
as for "emissions" the only ones I care about are the ones right in my face. don't have to breathe 2 smoke with a battery saw. you can also use the battery saw in your shop/garage/barn if needed without smoking the building out.

I'll provide an alternative opinion. If you're processing firewood, and you're doing it relatively close to your house (or any source of 110VAC), consider a corded electric saw. Yeah, the cord is a PITA, but there's never a question of running out of a charge, the motor is considerably more powerful, and I'm guessing the overall package is much lighter. I used a Husqvarna electric for close to 20 years processing 7 or 8 cord per year. I would work in the timber with a gas saw, cutting logs into 4' lengths, gather them with the tractor, transport them to the barn and then buck them up in to 16" lengths and split them. I did all the bucking with the electric Husky. It was quiet, convenient and quicker than starting and stopping a gas saw over and over. I wouldn't consider anything other than a Husky or Stihl...there's a lot of **** corded electrics out there...but either of those will do you proud and avoid the pitfalls of battery saws.

Last year I sold every 2-cycle power tool I owned (a lot) except my Husky chain saw. I bought into the Milwaukee platform and may eventually get the chain saw, too, but for this old dog, a battery chain saw is a tough trick to learn.

the one caution I'd offer for a battery saw is that they're likely MORE dangerous than a gasser. if a gasser is on, it's sitting there rattling away, scaring small children. a battery saw, sitting there with the brake off, is ready for you to pick up by the trigger and do something real dumb. WHOOPS. I use my chain brake every. single. time. I set down the battery saw. don't need to absentmindedly do something dumb, or have an onlooker do it while I watch in horror.

as for power, I think you'll find that battery tools can offer MORE umph than plug in 110V stuff. just look at the eGO 2 stage blower vs 110 plug in blowers. you're limited to 12, maybe 15 Amps on a 110V tool, which usually have universal motors (60-70% efficiency). a battery tool can have way more instant power on tap (one eGO 7.5Ah battery will do at least 2000W, probably more), and the motor is a high efficiency (90%+) inverter run motor.

that means about 1kW of umph on a cheapo plug in tool, and conservatively 1.8kW on a single battery tool.

I've run a plug in snowblower to the limits before, the battery ones easily eat their lunch. And yes, I had my speeds and feeds right. Had it throwing snow at the thermal limits of the windings, not the typical slug it into a snowbank and watch it jam thing people do.

 

[finn]

To be fair, this comparison would also have to include the emissions involved in building gas saws, which also include plastic housings and metal castings. I don't know if they're equivalent or not, but it's not right to compare the entire manufacturing lifecycle emissions of one product to just the operating emissions of another.

However: once a gas saw is manufactured, it's pretty much done generating manufacturing emissions, whereas for battery tools, you have to keep buying batteries as they wear out. So that's a point toward your argument.

Batteries can be recycled.

 

[Davefr]

the one caution I'd offer for a battery saw is that they're likely MORE dangerous than a gasser. if a gasser is on, it's sitting there rattling away, scaring small children. a battery saw, sitting there with the brake off, is ready for you to pick up by the trigger and do something real dumb. WHOOPS. I use my chain brake every. single. time. I set down the battery saw. don't need to absentmindedly do something dumb, or have an onlooker do it while I watch in horror.

That's a good point. In the case of Makita, it has a main power switch that times out after a few minutes. But I agree that the chain break should be engaged with any pause in cutting.

 

[reader2580]

I have a battery powered chainsaw because it is easy to use, is easy to start, and doesn't have issues if used only sporadically. I didn't buy it thinking I was saving the world from emissions. I might go multiple years between using my chainsaw which is not good for gas powered tools. I have a diesel riding mower in part due to not having to worry about a carb and fuel being left in the tank long term.

 

[JradM]

I have the 60v Dewalt and like it a lot. However, like someone mentioned earlier - it might not be the right choice for your application depending on how much you want to invest.

e.g. I feel like I can do quite a bit of cutting with a single 9ah battery. However, even a pair isn't going to have you processing firewood all day. Maybe 3 could get you close-ish, but 4 is much more likely (and using the Flexvolt fast charger). It just takes a lot of power.

On the other hand, the instant readiness of a cordless saw, lower noise, lack of exhaust fumes, etc, is VERY nice. Where a battery-powered saw makes sense, it is much more pleasant to use.

If you're close to power, you really might want to look at an electric saw. I don't know that the 60v Dewalt gives up much power to a corded saw, but it doesn't have more either. Stay organized and the cord isn't a big deal - plus it is way cheaper to buy and is lighter.

 

[F-22]

You guys put a lot of stock in project farms opinion.

He makes nice reviews and tries to be objective, but I definitely agree it's not the end-all review and there are many aspects that he often forgets to check. Like, with most of his hand tool reviews it's always all about strength. For example, no I don't need my needle nost pliers to cut bolts but I do need them to be slender and precise (while the "winners" of that video were instead slightly pointy linemans pliers)...

 

[Rinspeed]

You guys put a lot of stock in project farms opinion.

I think he is a bit of a hack myself but he certainly has a lot of fans and probably makes a decent living at what he does.

 

[reader2580]

Most everyone I know who has a corded hedge trimmer has cut at least one extension cord. I could see that happening with a corded chainsaw too. My neighbor has a corded chainsaw and loves it.

 

[ATC]

To be fair, this comparison would also have to include the emissions involved in building gas saws, which also include plastic housings and metal castings. I don't know if they're equivalent or not, but it's not right to compare the entire manufacturing lifecycle emissions of one product to just the operating emissions of another.

However: once a gas saw is manufactured, it's pretty much done generating manufacturing emissions, whereas for battery tools, you have to keep buying batteries as they wear out. So that's a point toward your argument.

A gas chainsaw has a service life of 30-40 years easy. Then can be recycled easily as well. Even if a few parts need to be replaced over the years...better than 90% of homeowners who will just toss the lithium battery in the garbage can headed to the landfill.

I'm just sick and tired of people thinking that gas = emissions = bad, and electric = no emissions = all peaches and cream.

 

[Steve_P]

what percent of homeowners do we actually think have 30+ year old gas chainsaws and weedeaters that actually work???? I'm guessing 99% are less than 15 years old. And half of those chainsaws won't start, because they get used less than once a year and have old gas in them. This is why typical users are moving towards battery powered OPE.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

A gas chainsaw has a service life of 30-40 years easy. Then can be recycled easily as well. Even if a few parts need to be replaced over the years...better than 90% of homeowners who will just toss the lithium battery in the garbage can headed to the landfill.

I'm just sick and tired of people thinking that gas = emissions = bad, and electric = no emissions = all peaches and cream.

My old man's Stihl says "Made in W. Germany" on it. Cut up at least 400 cords in that time. I think 30-40 years is a stretch. been overhauled a few times.

Something tells me this saw won't do 20 years:

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Most everyone I know who has a corded hedge trimmer has cut at least one extension cord. I could see that happening with a corded chainsaw too. My neighbor has a corded chainsaw and loves it.

one of my neighbors cut her fingertip off. Pretty sure it got put back on. them thing's dangerous.

 

[engineer2]

I've got 10 years on some of my Makita batteries. I can see them easily lasting another 10 years.
By then we'll have new battery technology with better energy density.

Got a 10 year old 4-cycle Ryobi string trimmer from a neighbor. Got it running, found it was worn out and blew oil. Not worth repairing.
A brushless electric motor should last for decades.