I thought about taking the bone that the gubermint threw at me and getting a new saw. New shinny toys always help; even if temporary, with chasing away the blues. It will be important to jump now before that bone is worth less. Should I go with a fossil fuel powered saw or a battery powered saw? Actually, the battery powered saw is a fossil fuel powered saw as well but you know what I mean. What do you guys think?
My knee jerk reaction is to scoff at electric chainsaws but the more I look into them, the more I almost want one. At least for limbing and smaller work.
They work, to an extent. For limbing, a light electric saw would be great. I have a buddy that was using an electric saw for his Friday night campfires in summer and fall. The electric saw ( greenworx iirc) it's light and worked for his use. Then he bought the 50 acres of woods behind his house. He now owns a Makita 6100 gas saw, and a Bobcat Toolcat 5600.
I have used the Kobalt saws; sister had a 40 volt one that didn't want to keep the chain tension. My brother-in-law has the 80V Kobalt and it didn't have any problem with the chain tension. I like the press the button and it is on feature. I am not sure I would go with the Kobalts but the Stihls are expensive.
The current MS290 is pretty heavy for me to use and gets heavier the longer I use it; I have cut by supporting myself on my knees as my back gives out on me. I wouldn't want a saw that was heavier.
How much wood will you be cutting and whats the typical size? Echo is always the correct answer though.
Have you looked at the 024, 240, 241 they are the smallest pro saw. I had a 024 its a great light weight saw. The 241 is 9.9 lbs and 42.6cc compared to 13.0 lbs for the 290 and 55cc vs the MS 180 32cc @ 9.3lbs
If you go cordless you are going to need an extra battery... Gets expensive. If you want really lite, go with a climbers saw. Echo 2511t
I don't think anyone can answer this question without knowing what you'll be cutting with said saw. Battery has a place in the fleet but can not replace a gasser above a certain level.
I use a battery powered Stihl pole saw. One charged battery will cut as much as I want in a day. It’s not cutting firewood, but it gives you an idea of battery life. Stihl has #’s for how many cuts you should get on a charge. I have demo’d all the battery powered Stihl saws and I like them. The pole saw was a must have, because it’s so much lighter than the gas version. We will eventually get a battery top handle at my job and others.
Chud, I have the battery and gas version of Husky's T540. As you said, the battery version isn't made for big stuff but if you use it as intended, one battery lasts almost exactly the amount of time as one tank of fuel in the gasser. I did test it on bucking up a 12" tree just to see and one tree killed the battery where as the gasser would have plenty left in the tank. Again, that's not what it's designed for though and I just did it as an experiment. I love working with the battery top handle for clearing brush, limbing and to have next to the chipper for when you find an unexpected crotch that needs cut before it will fit. Plus, no ear protection needed. I actually liked the battery version so much that I considered selling the gas unit but decided they both have their uses so now I have two... and so it goes... Plus, my wife loves the battery T. The first weekend it came home I couldn't get it away from her as we worked on making a perimeter trail around our property! I had to wait until she went to work on Monday to get some time with it...LOL
Another thing I liked the battery unit for was my recent rental of the boom lift. When I was done with my small roof repair I took it up and limbed up 3 large oaks that had some old deadwood widow makers hanging over my lawn and driveway. Using the battery saw in the lift let me hear what was going on better as I dropped the limbs so there were no surprises as they let go. A pro climber probably wouldn't care but for me, it gave me a little better feeling working so high up in the air...
One thing i learned recently Rope is that an 024 and 026 powerhead are the same weight. Makes me want to sell my 024. If a nice 241 came up for sale id consider it. I think there is a member here who runs a ported 241 as his only saw.
I had the 024 super. Huskihl ported 026 and 261, the 026 had a 044 carb and was a thirsty girl but couldn’t keep up with the 261. Huskihl did port a 241, it would be a great little saw.
