Electric chainsaws

[MaryB]

A little intro before getting to the topic. I have had rotator cuff surgery twice on the right shoulder, I have a tear in the left that was never fixed, and bad carpal tunnel both wrists. Stuff the vibrates is really bad for my arms/shoulders.

I have fought with my gas chainsaw for years, hard to start, always have to take the carb apart to clean it... it is not rated for modern fuels, and the vibration kills me with pain for a day after.

So I started researching electric chainsaws, a LOT less vibration, no fighting with the carb and hard starting...after reading a ton of reviews I ordered a Ryobi 40 volt chainsaw(I have their 40 volt weed eater, same reasons as the chainsaw! It has 1/10 the vibration of a gas weed eater).

Had a chance to use it yesterday on a down boxelder branch I have been mowing around for 2 years. VERY impressed! Over an hour of cutting, some on 14 inch diameter branches. Almost no vibration! And it cuts as well if not better than the gas saw! 16 inch bar so it is NOT a toy saw like some. It cut better on thick stuff than the gas saw that liked to bog down, the torque available from the electric blows it away. 40 volt 4 amp hour batter, still at half charge after all that cutting.

For the occasional use homeowner who needs to clear downed branches I can highly recommend it! No it is not for the guys who burn wood and cut down 4-5 trees a year. It is for someone like me who gets broken branches every now and then, or to trim back low branches so I don't hit my head on them mowing, or to keep bushes trimmed back to a manageable size. If you have fire pit to sit around and the occasional fire it would be perfect for cutting some downed branches to stack as firewood, not like you are burning 3++ cord of wood.

Price was reasonable, I found mine on eBay from a large dealer, Amazon carries them too.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Thanks for the review. I've been considering purchasing an electric chainsaw, as when the fire danger gets too high gasoline saws are prohibited in the forest, even on private land.

DG

[BJK]

I've been looking at them too. But I'm in the Makita battery system.

[jonp]

Great stuff, MaryB. The battery powered tools have advanced a ton since I bought a Ryobi 18V kit several years ago. Chainsaw, skillsaw, jigsaw, lights etc. and still have them although I've moved on to the Hitachi brand. I even used a solar charger to get the batteries useful at my hunting camp might be useful if gas and such is not available and the charger can be used with a generator or vehicle. As you said, I can't disagree with the occasional use homeowner buying the chainsaw and also every other tool like the weedwacker, skillsaw etc that comes with it.

[abunaitoo]

I have a Ryobi, and just don't like it.
Seems it spins to slow to cut well.
I've been using a corded chain saw for a long time.
Never had a problem with it.

[swingingblock2520]

I have a stihl 14” msa200 battery saw,it was about as handy as a pocket on a tee shirt for climbing. While it will never replace my old school hot rodded 372 husqvarna or 066 stihl saws it does have a very useful spot on the roster.

[Finster101]

I have a Ryobi, and just don't like it.
Seems it spins to slow to cut well.
I've been using a corded chain saw for a long time.
Never had a problem with it.

Is your saw an 18v or 40v ? That might be the difference.

[jonp]

I have a Ryobi, and just don't like it.
Seems it spins to slow to cut well.
I've been using a corded chain saw for a long time.
Never had a problem with it.

Corded like extension cord? Yes, much better I think but be aware that there is no let up in one of those. If your finger is on the trigger it keeps chewing

[dverna]

I love my battery saw for small jobs. Just a HF Lynxx

One caution. If you, your lady, or kids are not used to saws they are VERY dangerous in part because they are so quite they do not get the respect they need, but also because the have a lot or torque. They are not toys and will hurt you badly. I have a friend who is an arborist and he got cut badly by his Lynxx saw. Some folks suggest chaps rated for an electric saw.

[Handloader109]

There is a place for battery powered hand tools. I bought a low end homelite gas chainsaw several years back. used it a few times, but I had to fight it to get it started. ( dad had one he bought probably 1980 and I could start it after sitting all summer with almost one pull. worked great till stolen) I finally gave up in it and it's just sitting in corner waiting on the trash. I bought a Harbor freight battery, 40v 12 inch a year ago and it works great for what I cut.

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[Minerat]

I have a Greenworks corded with an 18" bar. For trimming and around the yard it is easier then my Stihl 035. I like it because the chain stops as soon as the trigger is releases. It weighs about a 1/4 of the gas saw.

[DocSavage]

Project Fatm on you tube has a video on battery powered chain saws . Might be helpful should someone is looking into one.

[Mal Paso]

I too bought the HF Lynxx chainsaw and the pole saw. I cut up all the limbs on those 2 Oaks with it. I swapped the chain for Bailey's though. Great to keep in the trunk to make sure you get home when trees are falling. My neighbor bought Stihl and it's even better.

[sharps4590]

Not chain saws but, I just had a 20 X 24 addition put on my shop. They broke out a corded tool one time. The rest was all battery except for one air nailer. They've come a heck of a long way since I retired as an electrician just a few years ago. Our preacher has a battery lawn mower and loves it.

I have a little Remington, corded, pole chain saw I inherited and it works fine.

[Winger Ed.]

Awhile back, I got one of those electric ones on a (removable) telescoping extension pole.

My 'Paul Bunyan' days are over.
But for the bush & minor tree trimming I still do-- It does great if you keep the chain sharp.

[snowwolfe]

I love my Echo battery saw. Bought it about 3 years ago and its the first thing I grab for small jobs that might last 30 minutes. By then both the battery and myself need to be recharged. It does its best work on small diameter logs, say under 10 inches or less. On the bigger stuff it runs out of juice faster.

[Hogtamer]

This was a topic last winter I believe, and I too bought the Ryobi 40 volt w/14” bar. Bought an extra chain and battery and set to work clearing a 1 1/2 acre lot. I was also very impressed. Two batteries outlasted me each day and I was felling bigger trees than Imagined it would cut and sawing them into firewood. Touched up chain daily cause a sharp chain really cuts. Would highly recommend on medium size trees and smaller.

[MUSTANG]

I had a Sears Electric (110 volt) chain saw I used for over 25 years. I usually cut trees/branches to 8 ft lengths using a Gas Chain saw; and then take them home where I cut them to size for Wood stove and stack using the electric chain saw. Last spring; the Sears electric chain saw gave up the ghost. I bought another electric (110volt) chain saw at Harbor Freight late summer this year. I have cut about 3 cords to 16 inch lengths so far this year.

I like the electric chain saw because of the light weight and not having to mess with the Gas/Oil mixtures.

[gwpercle]

I got an electric chainsaw with a cord . Over the years every battery powered tool had to be done away with ... not because of the tool ... but the batteries , sooner or later they need replacing , want hold a charge and then no longer available ... no batteries = No Functioning Tool !
I've gone back to tools with cords and the chain saw is a cheap Black& Decker ...about 18 years old and still cutting limbs around the house ... If you keep tools for decades ... the electric cord and wall receptacle will be around forever ...batteries ... not so much , discontinued by the maker and you have to buy another tool .
Gary

[MUSTANG]

I got an electric chainsaw with a cord . Over the years every battery powered tool had to be done away with ... not because of the tool ... but the batteries , sooner or later they need replacing , want hold a charge and then no longer available ... no batteries = No Functioning Tool !
I've gone back to tools with cords and the chain saw is a cheap Black& Decker ...about 18 years old and still cutting limbs around the house ... If you keep tools for decades ... the electric cord and wall receptacle will be around forever ...batteries ... not so much , discontinued by the maker and you have to buy another tool .
Gary

+1 ^^^

[Meatpuppet]

I have a STIHL MSA 220 electric chain saw. It is pretty impressive! It is so handy to just pop the battery in and trim off limbs or cut down small trees. Obviously it cant match a gas chainsaw, but you would be amazed how powerful and handy it is. I would say the electric and gas chainsaws really complement each other if you live in a wooded property. Plus the battery can be used in my STIHL String Trimmer and Leaf Blower.

[BigAlofPa.]

My 1st chain saw was a Pullan 14 inch electric corded saw. It worked great for my needs. I don't remember what happened to it. That was back in the 90's.

[samari46]

Have a Harbor Freight 14" electric chain saw. Just plug in the battery and off you go. Have a Husky in the garage with 20" bar so save it for the big jobs. But prefer the smaller one as at times I'm unsteady on my feet. Getting old is not for sissies. Frank

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Well, this makes for a bad situation for me. I love to buy the lightly used 10 yr old Stihl Gas chain saws from residential users for cheap, because the carb needs to be cleaned.

BTW, has anyone priced the NEW Stihl Pro grade saws lately? When did they double in price?

[Huskerguy]

We spend some time on my wife's family farm. Lots of creek and the trees have almost taken over the place. My BIL "lets" us cut all the trees we want for firewood and I haul it and actually give it away as we don't have a fireplace. He had an nice 16" Echo he gave me and bought a cordless Dewalt, 16". I have cut several trees down, removed bushes and limbed several trees. I have to say I am very impressed. With two batteries I can cut a pretty good day, plenty of power, quiet, light and for the best part is I pick it up and start cutting, no pulling ropes and adding fuel. I was all set to buy a new saw until I used this one, this does all I need to do, and we have some big trees to tackle.

[farmbif]

my neighbor got one of those ego power chainsaws , I was impressed she got an extra battery , but it sure does cut. not as fast as my stihl 261, but it gets the job done. and everyone around here heats with wood so chainsaw is absolutely necessary. I been thinking about maybe selling off one of my old 260's and getting an electric.

[MaryB]

Corded is great of you are close to your work... I would be at the end of 150 feet of extension cord for the downed branch I am working on... dragging cord around and into a down jumble of tree branches is not my idea of fun.

I can rebuild battey packs, it isn't difficult...

[MUSTANG]

Yep; cords can be a pain. At the Moapa House I run cords up to 400 feet away from the house for 110V power tools. I use a garden cart to coil the cords in while working at a distance from the house. That way I can uncoil and coil to "Control the Cord and Trip Hazard"; also less abrasion than dragging the cords around. To each their own on battery vs cords. I have about 6 or 7 battery powered drills in the Work Shed that battery's are dead or no longer supported. Still have two electric drills that are battery powered in addition to 3 drills(various horsepower) that are corded. One pays their money and takes their choice.

[BJK]

Mary, you could put straps on a genny and take the juice with you.

I never saw any sense to a corded electric. But the new Li-Ion saws could be all I need today. I have 3 saws, a Stihl 031 AVE from the 70s. I haven't used it in decades but last time I did it ran fine. Then 2 Huskys a 2xx and a 3xx (I can't remember the numbers). There was a time when I used to down the trees and work up my winters firewood and we heated mostly with wood back then. I just got done trimming limbs back with the lighter of the 2 Huskys and clearly I'm no longer capable of doing what I could even 30 years ago. I might get an electric and depending on how I like it sell the other saws. I might have to give away the Stihl. I've been thinking along these lines for the last year. Christmas is coming.

[cabezaverde]

I bought the 40V Ryobi for when the job is too small to mix gas. It's really handy and works well.

[BamaNapper]

I got an electric chainsaw with a cord . Over the years every battery powered tool had to be done away with ... not because of the tool ... but the batteries , sooner or later they need replacing , want hold a charge and then no longer available ... no batteries = No Functioning Tool !
I've gone back to tools with cords and the chain saw is a cheap Black& Decker ...about 18 years old and still cutting limbs around the house ... If you keep tools for decades ... the electric cord and wall receptacle will be around forever ...batteries ... not so much , discontinued by the maker and you have to buy another tool .
Gary

+1 here too. I got about a decade out of my previous 110v saw. This year, instead of replacing the bar and chain I caught the HF special on sale for about $40 and just tossed the old one.

I use the devil out of cordless tools at work, but have none at the house anymore. I've gone through a handful of cordless drills and now use the corded one I got almost 40 years ago.

[Loudenboomer]

I have a Stihl for serious cutting and a couple of poulan saws than I mostly pull on. I have many 20 volt DeWalt tools around the shop so I decided on a DeWalt 20 V saw for battery commonality. Yes it is somewhat a TOY saw but it sure is handy on the trail with the ATV.

[wch]

I bought an Ivation 15 amp saw, auto oiling and no problems for many of the same reasons as the original poster.
It works great and always starts if Reddy Kilowatt is amenable!

[Mal Paso]

I can rebuild battey packs, it isn't difficult...

I bought the lynxx chainsaw and polesaw to tackle a rotten branch that required climbing. That gave me 2 $50 batteries in the $300 package.

Mary is right. The battery housings are not interchangeable between brands but the cells inside are standard. If batteries fail before I wear out the saw I'll rebuild the pack.

[farmbif]

I found that by the time I got one of those poulans started I was a pulling pro

[GregLaROCHE]

From what I’ve been hearing, in some states you may have to go electric. I looked at a Sthil this spring, but the cost/weight with the big batteries, I passed. The cord models are a lot cheaper and I have considered them. With the price of gas going up, electric is becoming more interesting.

[Kraschenbirn]

When I put my old Mini-Mac out to pasture last year (parts no longer available), I bought a 40V Remington for tree trimming and brush clearance. Only issue I've had, so far, is asking why I didn't make the switch earlier whenever I get it out.

Bill

[Beagle333]

I have the Kobalt 40V 14" from Lowes. It's really handy because I seldom need a chainsaw, but when I do, it's ready and never needs carb cleaning. It'll outlast me on just the one battery.

[quilbilly]

I have had a Poulan corded saw for at least 20 years. It just keeps going and going. Of, course I have a Stihl Farm Boss for the bigger jobs but that Poulan has outlived two gas powered. With 150 feet of extension cord I have cut up several 15" + diameter trees near the house. It does cut slower than the gas powered Stihl, however. In my dabbling with chainsaw sculpture, the electric is certainly more forgiving at its slower speed.

[bangerjim]

I went with a Craftsman 16" electric 120v. GREAT saw. Cuts till the cow's come home. Plows thru green and dead trees like butter. Bought it at Lowe's for under $100.00. I just do no trust battery powered chain saws at all. Lot's of power needed and batteries are very costly. Same with weed whackers and leaf blowers. Extension cords are cheap!

[popper]

Corded craftsman (old) for me. Easy for small jobs around the house. Did get a battery blower recently, again, for around the house. Works fine. Decent batteries add a lot of weight. Shoulder won't take it.

[facetious]

290540

uses renewable energy

[Lloyd Smale]

i have the same saw. I love the thing. It rides in my jeep daily and no mess or stink at all. Cuts as well or better then a small gas saw. I also have (had) three gas saws. A small, medium and large stihl. I gave the small gas one to my grandson and the big one to my son in law who has a side job cutting and spliting and selling firewood. If i still did my own i would have kept the big saw but he supplys my wood for free and the little electric saw really takes care of anything i need to do. Kept the 18 in stihl so if i need to cut down a bigger tree and hes not around i have it. But it seems every time i go to use it its a bear to start from sitting to long. Whats not to like about it. Its powerful for its size. Will cut as much wood on a single charge as tank of gas in my small saw. Charges back up in two hours doesnt stink for gas and it can sit for 3 years and all you do is slap a battery in it and pull the trigger.
I have a stihl 14” msa200 battery saw,it was about as handy as a pocket on a tee shirt for climbing. While it will never replace my old school hot rodded 372 husqvarna or 066 stihl saws it does have a very useful spot on the roster.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Got a dewalt awhile back. Darn thing leaks bar oil in between uses. Cuts well enough though, good for turning deadfall into firewood.

[Mal Paso]

Got a dewalt awhile back. Darn thing leaks bar oil in between uses. Cuts well enough though, good for turning deadfall into firewood.

I've never had a chainsaw that didn't leak bar oil. LOL