Electric power saws

[Charley]

In the OP situation where they experience numerous downed trees, a chainsaw is probably best.
But, since most folks these days have numerous battery powered tools, FOR SOME FOLKS, who wander in less tree covered trails, a sawzall with a couple 12 inch long 3 tpi blades may be all one needs. A couple batteries, and yeah take the charger, but no oil or chain tightening required.

Bought some of those Diablo blades from HD and they buzzed right through a 16 inch at base, 25 foot tall maple tree a couple weeks ago.

Sponsored

 

[IceBerg]

If it is for casual use I would say buy w/e chainsaw uses the batteries that you already have.

I got a few gas chain saws and about a year about I bought the Milwaukee chainsaw and it's pretty much my main chainsaw for the farm now. If I have to cut a lot of stuff I will get the gas saw but the batteries that I have last long enough to handle most tasks.

For clearing a trail to get by it would rarely drain a whole battery. Bring the charger and plug it in while driving to recharge.

 

[Compression-Ignition]

The M18 chainsaw is a beast. When we bought our property all I had was a couple old homeowner/farm saws that I hadn't taken the best care of. Think ethanol gas, and all that that entails...Well instead of teaching myself how to rebuild homeowner saws that were really out of their league for what I wanted to do with them, I bought a Milwaukee M18 chain saw. That damn thing can cut. I probably took down and limbed up 30 trees. Some of them decent size. All Ponderosa pine. I eventually bit the bullet and bought a couple Stihl 500i's to get quasi serious, but the Milwaukee held me over just fine.

 

[JeepinPete]

I own the Makita saw in that review. Good saw for light or intermittent cutting. It will overheat if you try to cut too long. Really frustrating. Great tool for cutting up a tree enough to get it off the trail, just not the tool for cutting firewood.

Also own the EGO 16". The saw is great, plenty of power. The batteries on the other hand have been nothing but trouble for me.

Pete

 

[Pig-Pen]

ive only encountered situations where large branches were in the way. i pack a foldable hand saw in my gear box.

 

[C.Sco]

I've got a 20" Husky gas saw, but almost never would take that offroading with me unless maybe I'm doing an unpopular trail early in the season that might have trees blocking it. I'll probably get one of the DeWalt 20V saws eventually; going with that brand mostly just because all my other Jeep tools are DeWalt 20V and I already have a charger for those batteries permanently installed in my cargo area.

 

[wrath]

I have tried a lot of saws over the years due to firewood and general property maintenance... and I know a bunch of different arborists that will let me borrow their stuff before I go rent one from a dealer.

I don't care about emissions, fuel economy, or the cost of parts (except I prefer to use 91vxl chain loops overlapping as much as possible). I care about power to weight ratio, emphasis on the weight. I'd rather the saw be cheaper than more expensive, but if I think it will last forever I don't care. I prefer not to have to wear hearing protection but it's not a big deal.

Electric:
Milwaukee standard 14" chainsaw
Milwaukee top handle 14" chainsaw

Gas:
Echo 2511T 14" with Canadian muffler
Stihl MS250 18" (I have 3 of these, one has been through 4 bars and is getting tired)
Stihl MS261CM 18"
Stihl MS362CM 22"
Stihl MS462CM 28"


I consider them all to be best in class for value. I used to use Husqvarna saws but that ended with the discontinuation of the 346XP. I did buy a 550XP Mark2 recently but I sold it.


I would prefer to use electric. Mostly because it's quieter. That means I don't piss off my neighbors. I have abundant acreage near subdivisions. I can cut fairly incognito with an electric saw. I heat with wood.

The Stihl electric saws are by far the nicest to use. You can almost use them like a gas chainsaw unlike all the others where it's more like a 25 year old plug-in hedge trimmer. They are not a good value in my opinion. Even though recently they have been pushing BOGO on batteries. The Echo electric saw is a way better value but a Milwaukee is almost the same price but weighs more (and is way quieter).

The Milwaukee standard chainsaw is a PITA. It's heavy, and absurdly heavy with the 12ah battery. You're better off carrying two smaller batteries unless cutting bigly wood in which you will overheat a smaller battery. It's still loud. The trigger is irritating as it's like a doorbell in activation. The top handle Milwaukee is a decent saw. With it being top handle it is able to at least be used for production level firewood and limbing. It's still heavy. The both start struggling at 6" logs but if you have unlimited patience you can use the full bar.


The Milwaukee saws can be had for a deal (less than $300) if you watch sales.


Hours of use and production related... My Echo 2511T is my favorite saw. It is also still my favorite for intermittent use. This is because I can easily "recharge" it by carrying a small bottle of fuel and oil. I can use it all day and not get tired. It is my go-to saw for anything under 6" in diameter. It is quiet enough, even with the Canadian muffler, to use without hearing protection. It also doesn't leak like most saws. I've run it on tons of stuff, but it mostly gets 93 E10 in it like everything else. I've run lots of crap through it for bar oil, including a lot of used gear oil and ATF. I've burned through the original Echo bar, an Oregon doubleguard, and am on my second doubleguard.

Sponsored