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.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[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 ^^^