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Battery Power for Lawn equipment -- is it time?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Stevewoods, Jan 24, 2018.

  1. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Neighbors' tree hangs over our 2nd story north east corner - so - going down to Harbor junk, picked up their extended length battery pole saw. So far it's holding up!
    .
     
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  2. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Just a guess, but have about 120 to 150 privacy arbor vitae to drop. About 12 feet tall and maybe thick as my upper thigh. Very tight quarters and I don't relish the thougt of swinging around a 25 pound saw to do the work. I have a corded saw, but tangles would be frequent and madding. My mower and blower and string trimmer are 60-volt Greenworks and the secondary string trimmer is a 20-volt Ego. So. Would like to stay with either of those brands for "battery" reasons.
     
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    For that much work I'd get the Greenworks 60v saw, no contest.
     
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  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If you already have batteries, then yeah, stick within that ecosystem. I don't know how big your "upper thigh" is, but assuming about the same as mine, you are talking about ~6-inch diameter trunk of trees. Yeah, any 60v electric chainsaw will cut it. But 150 is a large number. You will need several batteries charged to complete the job.

    I just checked Greenworks 60v chainsaw spec, it weighs ~9.3lb with a battery. By comparison, my 52cc Husky pro-grade chainsaw weighs ~15 lbs fully fueled. It's not a 25lb beast you are thinking of, but it does get heavy after a while. For the size of the trees you are cutting, I really don't think you need a gas chainsaw. But, I would recommend picking up an extra chain so you have less downtime for sharpening the chain. If the tree has a lot of sap, it gets dull fairly quickly. I learned this when I cleared ~1/2 acre of a small fir-wooded area.
     
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  5. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    I would totally recommend a greenworks 60v 16" chainsaw. It did quick work of the crappy birches that sagged into my driveway, a maple that fell in the yard and some pine trees that fell across my walking trail. With a 2.5A battery it's quite light. If you have 6A or 8A batteries from your mower then it'll run all day on one of those.

    If you're worried about power they have a new 20" 60v chainsaw with a stronger motor.
     
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  6. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    My father was a logger. He had several old saws. I was the youngest and inherited the least desireable but still solid saws.

    Anyway, based on feedback here and need to move on tthis project quickly went for a 16 inch Greenworks saw at 60 volts with no battery for $150. I have two five amp batteries and one two amp so should be covered.
    As always, thanks to all the helpful folks. I am on my phone and not too proficient with typing and all. Need a teenager to help. LOL
     
  7. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    OP again..

    Just a thank you to THE KING about bar oil. As mentioned with a gas saw adding bar oil is a no brainer, but I can certainly see myself totally forgetting bar oil with the battery saw. YIKES
     
  8. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Why? They both have separate ports for chain oil. And you see the results in the residue around the chain. Oil up before every use. And exchange chains once in a while when things slow down. Sharp chains need less battery or gas power.
     
  9. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    I am a pretty good hand with a saw. Not as good as dear old dad, but still.
    Anyway. It gets drilled into the brain when cutting...GAS/OIL.

    When adding gas, you add oil for the bar. Don't add gas, may forget to add bar oil. Pretty simple. Does not matter if there is a tank for the oil if you don't think about adding it. So, yeah, no brainer to add it if you think about it, but myself, having used saws since I was 14, am used to adding bar oil when I add gas. If I am using a battery saw that will outrun the bar oil supply, yeah, I see myself forgetting. Not a big deal as long as I am aware of it, which is why I liked THE KING'S gentle reminder.

    And after all this, pretty sure I will not forget, so thanks!
     
    #709 Stevewoods, Feb 27, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2023
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  10. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Received the Greenworks Pro CS60L02 16 in. 60-volt ChainSaw (Tool-Only) RETAIL BOXED NEW from an EBay seller yesterday. Paid $150. Most other vendors wanted considerably more than $150, like $100 more, although a few were around $160-$180.

    Oh, it also comes with its own scrwrench, which surprised me to no end.

    Never know where these come from....the seller had a dozen or so to sell and as of today has one more to sell. I was impressed by quick as a bunny UPS free ship and the fact that the saw comes fully assembled with bar and chain installed. All you have to do is add -- opps I was going to say gas and oil.

    But, no, all you have to do is add BAR oil, which is included, and a battery. The weather is a bit frightful today and my dog got into a fight with my daughter's dog first thing this morning, leaving my dog with some moderate injuries, plus, I feel a bit lazy, so will not take the saw out today, but I will report back in the next few days.

    But so far, so good.....although I am a bit leery about the balance. I have not smacked in a battery yet, so we will see.
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    At first I was going to chalk up scrwrench to typos from being made to surf on a phone. But I see that it is not.
     
  12. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Yeah, I guess you have to be an oldtimer to know the term. For you young'uns, it is a saw tool, basically a combined wrench and screwdriver. It pretty much handles any of the work-a-day issues you have on a saw until you get down into real engine work. Say SCREN and add wrench to the end of the word and you have said it right. You will sound like a pro at any saw shop "Screnwrench."

    [​IMG]
     
    #712 Stevewoods, Mar 4, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2023
  13. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Took new Greenworks saw out for a test run. Temps are hovering around 22F with the windchill so did not stay out for more 45 minutes but saw works well. Light .... Sort of...starts right up of course and no chattering problems, which I was worried about. So I declare myself happy with it. So far.
     
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  14. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    Did you by that Snapper item at Walmart? They sold those about 5-6 years ago and they are awesome. I owe nearly every item!
     
  15. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    IT IS TIME

    Seems hard to believe, but five years ago I posted this question and other than one cheap B&D variable speed drill, I owned no cordless tools of any kind -- or if I did, they were of little use and received little use.

    Now: Wow. Not counting things that are not "lawn equipment," such as impact wrenches and drills. I am mostly happy with:

    1) Greenworks 60V lawn mower 21" (?)

    2) Greenworks 60V blower

    3) Greenworks 60V string trimmer -- although the plastic line spool has been problematic.

    4) Greenworks 60V 16-inch chainsaw (my newest buy and it has less than five hours on it).

    5) B&D 20V (I think) 16" hedge trimmer -- I actually have two of them -- his and hers. Great tool purchased at closeout prices at Menards.

    6) Bauer Reciprocating saw 20V (?) -- while not really "lawn equipment" it comes in handy cutting the odd branch or three

    7) Ego String Trimmer -- like it better than the Greenworks and it is easier to reload the cutting line.

    I think that's it.

    So, yes. Reading through this thread, I think nearly everyone would agree -- it's time.
     
    #715 Stevewoods, Apr 6, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2023
  16. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I'm about to rent a Nifty 50 lift again to get back up in my trees and do some more trimming. Need a pruner.

    I love my 80 Volt Kobalt gear. I have a 80 Volt Kobalt lawn mower going on 6 years old still have the same battery it came with and still running good.
    I have a 80 volt 18 inch bar Kobalt chainsaw too that's incredible. Way more power than a Stihl chain saw. Heavier but way more power.
    80 volt blower.

    None of the Kobalt battery's have failed yet.

    I just bought this little Dewalt bad boy for quick pruning in the bucket. I have 16 Dewalt 20 volt battery's so this works great for me. Really nice little saw very light for one hand cutting and cuts like a beast.
    $169 @ Home D.:

    20V MAX* 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw (Tool Only) | DEWALT
     
    #716 edthefox5, Apr 6, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2023
  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Best bar oil is Stihl. That's all I use on my saws.
     
  18. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Use the same bar oil dear old dad used, and what most loggers in the Pacific Northwest use, which is Durex, not to be confused with the condom of similar name.

    Some 20 years ago it was $5 a gallon. Now it is $18. But I think Stihl is around $30. Still use Stihl mix oil (aka two-cycle) despite them removing the stabilizer with absolutely no notice.

    Durex is tacky, never had an issue with it and it is popular for good reason. I am pretty sure it is only available regionally, so..

    Oh, BTW, regarding pruning...a pole saw would probably be handy. I have a Stihl pro Ht75 that is a beast but probably overkill for you, but battery options have been mentioned in this thread.
     
    #718 Stevewoods, Apr 6, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2023
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  19. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    hey Steve Yes the Stihl bar oil is not cheap but best I could find. Never seen Durex.

    I have 2 Pole saws both ac powered a Sunjoe and can't remember what the name is on the other saw.

    I like the Sunjoe but It gets very fatiguing up in a bucket all day so my shoulder muscles start going away on me pretty quick in this heat if using a pole saw. I'll only use the pole saw if I can't get close enough in the bucket. Which is why i bought the little Dewalt .I also have a 12 inch 40 volt Kobalt but cant use one hand on that.

    My 18 inch Kobalt is pretty heavy too the battery is big and heavy and but feels really good in a cut very solid has never kicked back and it tears through wood. I'm going after a death trap Laurel Oak which is a piece of shit wood. The laurel was torn apart by Irma and then Ian. The bids I have gotten to take it down were outrageous like $20,000. so I'll keep swinging at it myself. Plus I enjoy it.

    Here's the laurel. Its highest and longest branch is now close to the main power line the 7000 volt bare primary in my backyard if it fell over in the next hurricane. It may just catch that line if it falls so tic toc on me cutting it down as much as I can to mitigate that effect.

    Laurel Oaks are a very dangerous tree. Should have cut it down years ago but its very tall and very expensive.
     

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    #719 edthefox5, Apr 7, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2023
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That's a big one, all right! Be careful up there. We heated the house with wood in Ohio. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that cutting trees can have nasty surprises.
     
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