Battery chainsaw

I rarely buy stuff that I don't really need, but I'm feeling like I need a pick me up.

I'm tired of messing with the little Echo 14" chainsaw, it hasn't run right in a few years despite a carb rebuild, and many attempts at tuning.

So, I'm doing battery power this time. I'm thinking either the Ryobi 10" 18 volt, or the Harbor Freight 14".

The Ryobi 10" will do most of what I need, fruit tree trimming, shrub pruning, etc, and small branches. I already have two of the higher capacity batteries, a hedge trimmer, and a string trimmer, that I think are great. It'll be a smaller investment, I think about $100.

The Lynx from HF will be a more capable saw, and with only one battery, it'll be at least $160.

Wish the tech was a little better, but my arm is getting tired running the manual pruning saw, so I think I'm done waiting.

Any other ideas or opinions here?

 

No experience with battery chainsaws but already having interchangeable batteries would sway me that way.

 

I’m also in the market, but a higher budget. Right now I’m leaning towards Makita.

 

Couple deals at HD today if you happen to use Dewalt cordless tools...
I’d jump on the 20v one if I had any play $$ right now.

FLEXVOLT 16 in. 60-Volt MAX Li-Ion Brushless Electric Cordless Chainsaw w/3Ah Battery and Charger and Bonus 2Ah Pack

DEWALT FLEXVOLT 16 in. 60-Volt MAX Li-Ion Brushless Electric Cordless Chainsaw w/3Ah Battery and Charger and Bonus 2Ah Pack-DCCS670X1606 - The Home Depot


20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless 13 in. Brushless String Trimmer w/ Bonus Brushless Chainsaw, (1) 5Ah Battery & Charger

DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless 13 in. Brushless String Trimmer w/ Bonus Brushless Chainsaw, (1) 5Ah Battery & Charger-DCST920B620P1 - The Home Depot


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I have ran Midwinter 's battery chainsaw. I was very impressed with it. I was expecting it to be low on RPMs, but it did justice to its self. Not quit as fast as a gas saw, but a lot more RPMs than my corded chainsaw.
I believe it was a Greenworks brand. If I were to buy one I would definitely be looking at that brand for the $$$$s

 

Compatibility would make the most sense to me if going that direction.

I have M18 stuff and I think I am going to get one and throw in the truck when I go hunting. Never know when one might experience a deadfall blocking the road.

 

Have you considered a pole saw? Find one with an adjustable length pole, and go to town. From your use description, it would be almost perfect.

 

I have the 18 volt Ryobi chainsaw and pole saw. The chainsaw is a bit slow, the pole saw I love. If I were to buy another battery saw I would look for a higher voltage saw with higher rpm.

 

Mine is a 56 volt 16" EGO saw. It's very capable, cuts a lot on one charge. I'd like to get another battery though, it takes awhile to charge up. I got it on Urban Woods' recommendation.
Battery Chainsaw
One thing I can add though, it's about as heavy as my MS180.

 

I have a Ryobi (I think) gas pole saw, and a Fiskars manual one. I love the Fiskars, and absolutely hate the gas one. I think I'd be willing to give the electric one a go, but I'm pruning stuff within arms reach, and doing other stuff like cutting small trees and shrubs down at the base. All of my fruit trees are semi-dwarf, and my intent is to keep them no taller than I can reach from the ground. I have hundreds and hundreds of shrubs that I maintain, as well, and they are generally small diameter cuts, but exhausting because of the volume.

 

Thanks, MW. I remember looking at the EGO saws some time ago. When I start looking for a larger, general purpose firewood saw, I'll make sure to consider it.

 

If price were no object, I'd probably go with the 10" top handle Makita. But $350 is a show stopper for me, by about $250.

I would definitely prefer a top handle saw for what I am doing.

I think I'll probably try to find the Ryobi 10" on sale at some point. Since I already have the batteries. Or, just drop the Benjamin.

 

thanks for posting the Dewalt stuff, wife has wanted a battery trimmer for a while. Now I get a trimmer, saw. and an extra battery and it will work with all my other Dewalt products.

 

I have the Makita 18V top handle. It was purchased for one specific task...grapevines. I have two Echo top handle saws, but they become cumbersome when hiking around in the woods cutting vines. I had previously been using a folding saw for the vines that are too big for 2" loppers. Was looking for a better solution and have found it in the Makita saw. Small, lightweight and no need to tote oil or fuel around with me.

Don't get me wrong, the Echos will stomp it in firewood terms, but that's an orange and apple comparison IMO. I have so far only managed to go through one battery over the course of 2-1/2 hours of vining, with the makita making probably 150 cuts on various sized vines. I use my weedeater strap to haul it around on which allows me limited use even while it's tethered to me. Having both hands free means easy use of the loppers until I come across larger vines. The oil reservoir will last about 2-1/2 batteries when it is fully turned up as I have it.

I have used a Ryobi in the past...the older blue one...no idea if it has improved, but the Makita is better. More torque and more chain speed. The top handle design is much better for cutting the vines as you sometimes need to hold the vine to avoid pinching. One handing this little saw is a piece of cake. I didn't opt for the 36 volt model as it is larger and heavier than the 18v. I can imagine that the increased power makes it almost viable as a replacement for a 30cc gasser.

I've let two buddies run it so far, both have plenty of chainsaw experience, and both were impressed.

 

Thanks for the good review.

If I were buying this for a business, I'd definitely do the makita, as productivity and deductibility are the name of the game. But, I can hardly justify $100 based on the amount of work I'll be saving with it,

I do wonder why the default configuration for such small saws wouldn't be top handled?

 

I received the toys I ordered Monday night. Will need to find something to cut now.

 

Looks nice!

I've really enjoyed the battery string trimmer. The gas one is overpowered for 95% of everything we do, and sometimes just makes a mess of things, plus now I have a helper who pitches in with that chore, because she will use the electric one.

 

There’s a dealer about 45 minutes from me who is selling the 36 volt Dolmar top handle/Makita for $199 with free shipping. 9.9 lbs, pretty tempting

 

That is tempting. You'd pay more for a gas powered version of the same saw.