Milwaukee top handle is coming

[ATH]

Just heard an ad on the radio this morning that a local hardware store will have a "contractors day" where Milwaukee will be 10% off in a couple of weeks....may lighten up the wallet if the top handle is in stock.

 

[Treemuel]

I’ve been running the Milwaukee top handle for about a month now and the torque really is impressive! West Coast Saws makes a nice felling dog for it too, which it actually has the power to make use of. I also have the Makita with the dual batteries (conveniently I was already running both platforms for my carpentry tools anyway) and it doesn’t have nearly the same torque, but I do believe it actually has a faster chain speed (just based on feel without comparing specs), so sometimes I prefer it if I’m doing a lot of small limbing. The two 5ah batteries also seem to last a bit longer than the 8ah that I run in the Milwaukee (haven’t tried a 12ah).

 

[Phil]

I’ve been running the Milwaukee top handle for about a month now and the torque really is impressive! West Coast Saws makes a nice felling dog for it too, which it actually has the power to make use of. I also have the Makita with the dual batteries (conveniently I was already running both platforms for my carpentry tools anyway) and it doesn’t have nearly the same torque, but I do believe it actually has a faster chain speed (just based on feel without comparing specs), so sometimes I prefer it if I’m doing a lot of small limbing. The two 5ah batteries also seem to last a bit longer than the 8ah that I run in the Milwaukee (haven’t tried a 12ah).

The 12 lasts pretty well. I found the 8s drained a little too quick for my liking. 8s were ok for pruning jobs but if you're gonna get into a mix of pruning and large limb cuts or removals the 12 is the safe bet. Have you had the chainsaw tool pop out and fall to the ground yet while climbing or in a bucket? I feel like losing the onboard saw tool in the top handle is a matter of when for everyone lol.

 

[ATH]

How is the oil reservoir? Is it empty with a 12Ah battery? Will it last 2 full 8Ah batteries?

 

[Phil]

How is the oil reservoir? Is it empty with a 12Ah battery? Will it last 2 full 8Ah batteries?

It will last the whole 12. Never ran two 8s fully through it. It does not guzzle oil though.

 

[Treemuel]

The 12 lasts pretty well. I found the 8s drained a little too quick for my liking. 8s were ok for pruning jobs but if you're gonna get into a mix of pruning and large limb cuts or removals the 12 is the safe bet. Have you had the chainsaw tool pop out and fall to the ground yet while climbing or in a bucket? I feel like losing the onboard saw tool in the top handle is a matter of when for everyone lol.

I haven’t had the tool drop, but I’ll keep my eye out for it.

I know what you mean about the 8s, but I just have another one sent up. Milwaukee did just come out with the new 6.0 Forge battery and I think next year they’ll have a 12.0 Forge battery…might just have to save up for one of those

Milwaukee Forge Battery – M18 and MX Fuel High Performance

We cover everything you need to know about Milwaukee M18 Fuel Forge and MX Fuel Forge batteries including charging times, power, and more.

www.protoolreviews.com

 

[Treemuel]

How is the oil reservoir? Is it empty with a 12Ah battery? Will it last 2 full 8Ah batteries?

Haven’t tested it with two full 8s, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did. Always seems to be a fair amount of oil left when I refill.

 

[Phil]

Another video showing the Husky, a stihl, and the Milwaukee for some perspective.

 

[Treemuel]

Anyone know if there’s a 16” bar that will fit the Milwaukee top handle? I heard somewhere that Oregon makes the bar that comes with it (which is .325 .043) so maybe a Speedcut Nano? I don’t have a Stihl or Husky top handle so I can’t compare the bar mounts to the Milwaukee, but maybe one of them would fit or could be modded?

 

[evo]

Anyone know if there’s a 16” bar that will fit the Milwaukee top handle? I heard somewhere that Oregon makes the bar that comes with it (which is .325 .043) so maybe a Speedcut Nano? I don’t have a Stihl or Husky top handle so I can’t compare the bar mounts to the Milwaukee, but maybe one of them would fit or could be modded?

There is a 16” that fits. The Milwaukee table at the conference had one, pretty sure it was an Oregon bar.
Fairly heavy with a 8amphr battery and 16” wasn’t impressed

 

[Phil]

There is a 16” that fits. The Milwaukee table at the conference had one, pretty sure it was an Oregon bar.
Fairly heavy with a 8amphr battery and 16” wasn’t impressed

14" bar on the one I have is max I'd want to put on it. I run it with the 12ah and I don't mind the weight so much. I really wish they would not have made the side handle swoop back to the rear though. I'd prefer it to be like the 200t, straight down the side.

 

[Treemuel]

I think I've just accepted the weight as a trade off for running on batts. I was curious about a 16" because I put the Westcoast dog on mine, which I really like but loses about 2" of usable bar. Not that I regularly want to cut full bar length with it, but there seems to be an interesting coincidence of needing to cut one more chunk before being able to drop the spar and that last chunk being right at max bar length. Don't always want to send up another saw for one more cut. On the other hand, I imagine a 16" could lead to an awkward balance point on the saw...

 

[XTREEC]

Used mine for the first time today. I was fairly impressed. Seemed to run longest on 8 ah xc battery. I didn’t like the weight with the 12. I cut a mix of maple and oak and it didn’t hesitate a bit

 

[Merle Nelson]

Is the battery inset and protected or encased in any way?

 

[XTREEC]

Mostly in the body of the saw. It sticks out a little but I don’t see it being an issue

 

[Merle Nelson]

Ah. Thanks.

 

[27RMT0N]

After seeing that comparison video my suspicions were certainly confirmed, the Milwaukee sure stomps the Husky I have.

The bar on my Husky got bent the other day (not by me...) and I honestly thought about buying the whole Milwaukee system instead of a new bar for the Husky. Then I ordered a two pack of bars off ebay, and am still considering buying the Milwaukee...

 

[ATH]

I’ve been running the Milwaukee top handle for about a month now and the torque really is impressive! West Coast Saws makes a nice felling dog for it too, which it actually has the power to make use of......

Finally bought my saw a couple of months ago. Shouldn't have waited so long...its great! (the 10% off at a local hardware store is what pushed me over the edge)

So, now I'm looking for better dogs. Which ones did you get at West Coast Saws? Anybody else have others they have found to fit well?

 

[27RMT0N]

Well, I should be getting the Milwaukee battery telescoping polesaw in the mail tomorrow. Got a spare bar and a few chains to go with it, and what the hell, while I was at it, I got their most powerful battery impact gun as well. Should be great for doing chipper knives. I'll share my impressions of the pole saw after some usage.

Climbing Arborist just posted a video on the top handle today, the short version is he says its good for the price but the Husky is his choice over it 100% of the time.

 

[Treemuel]

Finally bought my saw a couple of months ago. Shouldn't have waited so long...its great! (the 10% off at a local hardware store is what pushed me over the edge)

So, now I'm looking for better dogs. Which ones did you get at West Coast Saws? Anybody else have others they have found to fit well?

West Coast has a three point dog made to fit (should be at the bottom of their drop down menu). Works well for me.