Lithium powered saws?

JTree said:
I'm honestly ready for the tech to catch up and make battery saws actually feasible. Love me some cordless tools. My cordless impacts get used way more than my air tools, and nowadays they even out power the air wrenches. I don't see battery saws ever being as powerful as gasers, but if they could do 80% and be just as durable, I'd make the switch for the climbing saws. Until then Imma keep make potatoes.
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In my experience gas tools are cordless too...
 
Husqvarna now has electric as does Stihl, not sure about Echo. Husky just had a demo day here at the local lumber yard and they were chopping up Maple, Pine and such with their Electric saw and no problem with 18" dia Maple.

DeWalt also has their family of electric tools and that now includes E-Chain Saws which can use the FlexVolt batteries (up to 120V).

I have a Husky 576XP for my cutting work but it is a beast ! and been looking at the new DeWalt for the lighter stuff. All my cordless tools are DeWalt and never had any issues at all, so that's a reference for me. I have no doubt that Husky, Stihl etc would also make sure their products do what they are intended to do.

I myself would stick with DeWalt simply because it's one platform and I can use the batteries across the family of tools. That might be a consideration for you as well... if you already have an investment in a "family" of cordless, it would be prudent to stick with the family if you can.
 
Climbeast said:
Husqvarna now has electric as does Stihl, not sure about Echo. Husky just had a demo day here at the local lumber yard and they were chopping up Maple, Pine and such with their Electric saw and no problem with 18" dia Maple.

DeWalt also has their family of electric tools and that now includes E-Chain Saws which can use the FlexVolt batteries (up to 120V).

I have a Husky 576XP for my cutting work but it is a beast ! and been looking at the new DeWalt for the lighter stuff. All my cordless tools are DeWalt and never had any issues at all, so that's a reference for me. I have no doubt that Husky, Stihl etc would also make sure their products do what they are intended to do.

I myself would stick with DeWalt simply because it's one platform and I can use the batteries across the family of tools. That might be a consideration for you as well... if you already have an investment in a "family" of cordless, it would be prudent to stick with the family if you can.
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Welcome to The Buzz, @Climbeast! And great first post - I couldn't agree more except I happened to choose the red over the yellow.
 
Climbeast said:
. . . I myself would stick with DeWalt simply because it's one platform and I can use the batteries across the family of tools. That might be a consideration for you as well... if you already have an investment in a "family" of cordless, it would be prudent to stick with the family if you can.
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I LOVE my 20v cordless DeWalt chainsaw. Auto-oiling and tool-less chain adjusting. Same batteries fit all my other DeWalt stuff including the heavy duty drill I use with my DIY power ascender. The small saw can't compete with my bigger gas saw for heavy work but it is so nice for a quick prune or other light jobs. 4ah or 5ah batteries last for a lot of cutting. Anyway, welcome to the forum, Climbeast! We have some great people on here, both pros and recreational climbers.
 
My Craftsman and DeWalt stuff is all old NiCd stuff. I've been buying generic batteries, but they just don't last as long as the originals. Of course the tools are getting old and probably need new brushes and stuff.

I'd been holding out for a deal on a set of DeWalt brushless impact driver and drill, but I've had my eye on those Makita top handles, so when I found a deal on a Makita combo, I snatched it up.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Has anyone tried that new Makita top handle i linked to earlier? Model #XCU08 or #XCU09PT (same saw according to them.) Apparently it's available for purchase now.. id really like to see a comparison of that & Husky's lithium..

Here's another video of it actually running.. it's just the kiwi version.

Seems pretty legit, what y'all think? Next best thing to the Husky?
 
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TallTreeClimber said:
Can it be purchased in the states?
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They are on Amazon at least (not via Amazon, so maybe being imported?). The old version with the batteries sticking out the back is $319 with an angle grinder, here's the new version for $480:

Amazon.com : Makita XCU09PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 18V X2 (36V) LXT 16" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Makita XCU09PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 18V X2 (36V) LXT 16" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

Edited about the price
 
treebing said:
My makita has one battery, is a top handle and is teeensy tiny. Awesome little prune saw. Much smaller than the ms150 or little echo. Had a hard time this winter with powering through gunky bar oil but now its spring its running great. We have two of the stihl back handle 200s Which are great. one of the makita dual battery which is a bit awkward but much more power than the single battery saw.
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I found the balance of the stihl ms160 to be odd and thought it was heavy when I tried it. I wanna try the makita, haven't played with that yet
 
DumpyMcDoodleface said:
They are on Amazon at least (not via Amazon, so maybe being imported?). The old version with the batteries sticking out the back is $319 with an angle grinder, here's the new version for $480:

Amazon.com : Makita XCU09PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 18V X2 (36V) LXT 16" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Makita XCU09PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 18V X2 (36V) LXT 16" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

Edited about the price
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Just to be clear, there really isn't an old version of this.. not that i have seen anyways. The x2 XCU02Z
your referencing for $319 as a kit is a completely different design & in my opinion not very arb friendly.. not only that but it has a completely anemic chain speed according to specs.

There's a single battery version (XCU06Z), that at face value, looks very arb friendly & something I'd consider.. However, from what I've seen in videos, it severely lacks power/stamina to keep that chain spinning @4700fpm when compared to Husky's top handle. Which is disappointing cuz it's relatively cheap & compact.

Now, this XCOU8/DUC356 that was just released seems somewhat based off of the Arb friendly design of the XCOU6.. Although it has a bit lower chain speed @4000fpm vs 4700fpm, it has double the stamina/power to drive it... I also don't know if that 4000fpm is with the boost included or if it's the norm.. In my opinion, if what's on paper with this saw, equals real world results, this would be my alternative to purchasing the Husky without a significant power compromise..

I also see Husky has two different Top Handles now on their site, but doesn't list any dang difference between the two..
 
Treetopflyer said:
I found the balance of the stihl ms160 to be odd and thought it was heavy when I tried it. I wanna try the makita, haven't played with that yet
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I think part of that is just going to be an ongoing compromise as far as power/stamina & balance goes..
Part of me wonders if there is a lighter more powerful battery tech out there that could be used in these tools to get a better power to weight ratio.. im not so sure I'm fond of the whole back pack solution to get the ultimate runtimes... This isn't why I'm not fond of it, but imagine that thing catching fire on your back like those over discharged e-cigarettes do in people's pockets..
 
Joeybagodonuts said:
....

There's a single battery version (XCU06Z), that at face value, looks very arb friendly & something I'd consider.. However, from what I've seen in videos, it severely lacks power/stamina to keep that chain spinning @4700fpm when compared to Husky's top handle. Which is disappointing cuz it's relatively cheap & compact.
....
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The XCU06 is no match for the Husqvarna 535i XP battery saw. Just like a Stihl 261 is no match for a Husqvarna 372XP. Not that any of those 4 saws are bad...they fill different niches.

I have the XCU06. It fits between a good hand saw and a tradition top handle saw, but it does bog down too easy. They certainly leaned heavy on chain speed when balancing speed vs. torque. I like it and use it, but gotta realize what it is and set realistic expectations.
 
Joeybagodonuts said:
Just to be clear, there really isn't an old version of this.. not that i have seen anyways.
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I guess I see the new model as a progression of the current model and assumed it would replace it. However, there isn't any indication that it isn't a new (additional) saw option vs. a replacement for the other.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
ATH said:
The XCU06 is no match for the Husqvarna 535i XP battery saw. Just like a Stihl 261 is no match for a Husqvarna 372XP. Not that any of those 4 saws are bad...they fill different niches.

I have the XCU06. It fits between a good hand saw and a tradition top handle saw, but it does bog down too easy. They certainly leaned heavy on chain speed when balancing speed vs. torque. I like it and use it, but gotta realize what it is and set realistic expectations.
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Hahaha.. No way man! My 261 will smoke everything! I think this is where im supposed to say "stihl ftw" :frenetico:

So what do you think causes it to bog? Is it lack of volts or gearing? I'm making the assumption that the new XCUO8/9 is not going to act up like that because it has a secondary battery.. hence possibly providing more torque & not overwhelming the single battery. I really wish that XCUO6 had been setup with a single larger power source capable of running that small bar buried because i really really dig it's size/weight. Like i was saying before.. i don't actually know the current cutting edge battery tech, but i get the feeling it's out there & available. The whole high drain lithium thing has been around for quite a while now.. Youd think a power source for these smaller saws would be more capable at this point in time...

Carrying on about newer tech,
What is the difference between the 535i & 536li, both are shown as top handles so its not a matter of rear vs top, yet they have identical literature/specs in the ads. Is it a newer battery tech or something? Sorry, Google couldn't help me on this one..
 
I've got one that leaks bar oil nonstop, and the climbing clip attachment sucks as well.

An ill designed trimsaw for sure....

They've made a much better one since.

Jemco
 
Usability story - so just spent all day today hacking away (er . . artistically trimming) a big sickly spruce, that seems confused about it's survival intent, in -5 degC weather/ snow on the ground and in the trees. Used 3 bars/4 on the Husqvarna T536Li XP battery saw with 300 battery (14" bar)/ two bar oil additions thru the day, as a measure of use. I am still blown away at how practical these things are, in their place (not felling or cutting trunk wood) of course. No kidding. Two year old saw/ dozens and dozens of charging sessions under it's belt. And no yankin' on starter cords/ choking cold saws up in the tree - I'd buy another if this one ever got swiped or dropped. Gotta get some battery gloves though, or sumthin'.
 
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ghostice said:
Usability story - so just spent all day today hacking away (er . . artistically trimming) a big sickly spruce, that seems confused about it's survival intent, in -5 degC weather/ snow on the ground and in the trees. Used 3 bars/4 on the Husqvarna 535i XP battery saw with 300 battery (14" bar)/ two bar oil additions thru the day, as a measure of use. I am still blown away at how practical these things are, in their place (not felling or cutting trunk wood) of course. No kidding. Two year old saw/ dozens and dozens of charging sessions under it's belt. And no yankin' on starter cords/ choking cold saws up in the tree - I'd buy another if this one ever got swiped or dropped. Gotta get some battery gloves though, or sumthin'.
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Hey Ghost... The 535i your talking about is 2yrs old? I thought that one just came out & the 536li was the older one.. Do you know how it's different than the 536li? I can't see any differences on Husky's site, they show same specs, same price, yet they are supposedly 2 different models.

Ive Googled the usual suspects on this & I'm getting nothing..
 
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