- Location
- South Carolina
What model battery powered saw should I be looking at for mostly bucket use and occasional climbing. I prune a lot of mature willow oak and live oaks.
What model battery powered saw are yall raving about?
- Thread starter DGC
- Start date
Mick Dempsey!
Participating member
Husky 540i with clutch.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Yes. Which I believe is a 542i.
And if you like light weight when it suits the Echo 2500t is great for mostly 3 inch and sub cuts.
And if you like light weight when it suits the Echo 2500t is great for mostly 3 inch and sub cuts.
Lumberjack
Branched out member
For pruning, the T540 or 542’s chain speed will be nice. We have T540s and Milwaukee’s top handles for electric top handles.
For light ground saw the 540 rear handle is great. For removals I’ll use the Milwaukee dual battery aloft, it’s easier to crank than a 500.
For light ground saw the 540 rear handle is great. For removals I’ll use the Milwaukee dual battery aloft, it’s easier to crank than a 500.
- Location
- South Carolina
Thanks, that was useful info, I just looked it up, it's the 542i with the clutch, basically the old 540 with the addition of a clutch. Winner! Thanks again.
Mick Dempsey!
Participating member
Yes 542i
my mistake.
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
I like my Milwaukee.. especially with Forge 8 battery (or Forge 12, but I usually don't get through the 8, so I keep that in since it's lighter). Prunings, not removals.
Mick Dempsey!
Participating member
It’s a proper removal saw.
Bit heavy for anything else.
Bit heavy for anything else.
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
I'm sure they are all trying.
I was initially hesitant to buy a saw from a "non-chainsaw" manufacturer. Then I realized the "chainsaw" part is relatively easy...when I bought a Milwaukee I was buying from a "battery and electric motor" company instead of a "chainsaw company". Point being: for this tool, it may come from outside of the saws we are used to buying.
Mick Dempsey!
Participating member
Agreed, Kress are highly thought of in that field as well.
RyanCafferky
Been here a while
- Location
- Hood River, Oregon
542i is my go to climbing saw for pruning and removals.
Mick Dempsey!
Participating member
Well I guess your wanking spanners are pretty strong then.
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
Maybe I'm the weirdo, but I prefer just keeping a sharp handsaw for most of my detailed pruning work. I routinely make cuts up to 7cm, and occasionaly a bit bigger. I have the boys send me up a 2511, 201, or 540- whatever is handy- when I need to make a larger cut, but those are rare enough that I don't bother to carry it around all day. I was just in a beautiful trident maple and did half the job with the 6' ARS shears and the boss worked from the ground with my 20' cabon pole pruner. He fell in love eith it, and is now buying his own.
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
Absolutely! (well, not "absolutely" to the weirdo part....that's a solid "maybe", but I'm in the same camp with you!)
Unless I have a single cut over 6-7" (15-18 cm, if you prefer
) or a bunch of cuts over 3-4", the chainsaw stays in the truck.Silky Sugoi is my most used. Silky Tsurugi straight blade/medium teeth (330mm) for structural pruning/tight crotches/smaller branches.
But there is certainly still a place for chainsaws when pruning, and I really like not pulling a cord while hanging in awkward positions, so glad to have a good battery saw.
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
Yea, don't get me wrong, I am planning to get me a battery saw, and am always watching these discussions closely. I will probably end up starting with Milwaukee, as I own Milwaukee drills, and I would love to have battery cross compatability. Getting a forge battery to be able to crank screws all day, or run a tiny battery in a climbing saw for a cut or two up high sounds neato. When the time comes though, I want a 542i for more steady use/removals.Absolutely! (well, not "absolutely" to the weirdo part....that's a solid "maybe", but I'm in the same camp with you!)
Unless I have a single cut over 6-7" (15-18 cm, if you prefer
Silky Sugoi is my most used. Silky Tsurugi straight blade/medium teeth (330mm) for structural pruning/tight crotches/smaller branches.
But there is certainly still a place for chainsaws when pruning, and I really like not pulling a cord while hanging in awkward positions, so glad to have a good battery saw.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Anytime you can borrow and try a model of saw before you buy I think it's a great idea. We all have our different focuses and alternate methods of working.
I just spent a couple of days with Brian Bixler who used to post on the Buzz all the time. He said his Omme lift goes out on about every job he does. I would have different saw preferences standing in a lift than climbing all over a tree - for one distinction.
since i bought the little echo battery saw (i often forget it‘s on my harness) i use my silky much less… blades are expensive.
