36 Volt and 40 Volt Chainsaws

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Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
AS Supporting Member.
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We have had some threads on the newer generations of battery powered chainsaws. As Zogger predicted in one of those, the market is really expanding, similar to the way it did with battery powered drills, etc.

From a discussion on another site, I did a search for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment (OPE) with 36 to 40 volt Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are in a different 'class' than the 18 and 24 volt products. The number has jumped exponentially since last season.

Some of these have familiar names. Some are not available (yet) in the US. Some may be 'box-store' brands. A few may be identical/clones with different labels. Some sell complete for less than a battery for another brand alone. Etc.

I have only used the Oregon ones, so I can't compare or comment on the quality of the others. Most are sold as a 'system' that uses the same battery for a chainsaw, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, etc. Some systems include lawn mowers, blowers, or pole saws, etc.

Caveat Emptor!

Philbert

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Black & Decker http://www.blackanddecker.com/recharge/

Bosch (UK) http://www.bosch-garden.com/gb/en/garden-tools/garden-tools/cordless-chainsaws-199952.jsp

Core Outdoor Power http://coreoutdoorpower.com/

Craftsman http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...400010000100675&aff=Y&PID=361116&AID=11042411

EcoproTools Inc http://www.ecoprotoolsusa.com/

EGO (56 volt!) http://egopowerplus.com/

Greenworks / Sunrise Tools http://www.greenworkstools.com/products/category/chainsaws

Greysen (off shore manufacturer?) http://greysenproducts.com/40-Volt-Chain-Saw-Powered-by-LG-Chem-Lithium-Battery-GP-CS.htm

Husqvarna (UK - Homeowner) http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/outther...series-professional-products-for-home-owners/

Husqvarna (UK - Professional) http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/products/battery-series/t536li-xp/

Kobalt http://www.kobalttools.com/products/outdoor/outdoor-power-equipment.html
http://www.lowes.com/Kobalt-40-Volt...weyrZ1z0wgez/pl?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1#!

Makita http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/X2/HCU02ZX2Features.aspx

Oregon PowerNow Tools https://oregoncordless.com/US

Ryobi http://www.ryobitools.com/

STIHL http://www.stihlusa.com/products/battery/

Yardworks (*can only find reviews - negative ones; not a manufacturer’s website) http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045...ctric-chainsaw-12-a-16-in-reviews/reviews.htm
 
Battery voltages are over rated. More cells can lead to internal resistance, more internal heat and charging trouble.

Its incredible what current 18v Lithium batteries can do.

Put your stock in high efficiency brushless motor designs that can do more longer with smaller batteries.
 
 
Great post!

I was reading on battery advances the other day, zooba there's some decent things coming down the pike shortly. I mean, it's pretty good now compared to ten years ago, but it is about to get 2 to 5 times better.
 
anlrolfe said:
Battery voltages are over rated. . . .
Click to expand...

Interesting comment. I have to confess that I rely on what I have been told comparing differences between NiCad, NiMH, and Li-Ion batteries. I don't have that technical knowledge on my own. But I have been really impressed what those smaller, 12 volt Li-Ion drivers do, compared to the much larger, 18 volt drills and drivers. I have also been impressed what I have been able to do with the Oregon system tools.

Most of these OPE Li-Ion batteries are rated in amp hours (Ah) for comparing how long they operate. Oregon has 1.25, 2.4, and 4.0 Ah batteries. STIHL rates their batteries in watt hours (Wh), which is slightly different, from 76 to 178 Wh (2.1 - 4.9 Ah?), plus 891 Wh (24.75 Ah?) with their backpack battery. Info from some other OPE manufacturers is harder to find, but some indicate their basic batteries are in the 1.0 to 2.0 Ah range.

Since the charge on these Li-Ion batteries is supposed to drop off quickly (rather than taper down), 2.0 Ah means you should get twice the run time of a 1.o Ah battery, all things equal. Of course there can be differences in battery quality, etc.

anlrolfe said:
Put your stock in high efficiency brushless motor designs that can do more longer with smaller batteries.
Click to expand...

Ryobi lists two models of '40 volt' chainsaws , including a brushless design, but they do not provide much information to compare them against each other. I have seen these on their website, but not yet in any HD stores.

Philbert
 
Makita has a very creative adapter to allow you to use two, 18 V batteries instead of one, 36 battery. This could be an advantage for those who have already bought into their 18 V contractor tools.

STIHL's battery backpack is also interesting for extended run time, but it weighs 15 pounds. A trade off between run time and swapping out smaller, lighter batteries.

Bottom line, of course, is how these saws cut. We need to have a cordless GTG to try them all side by side!

Philbert
 
At the moment I'm using the Husqvarna tophandle 536 LiXP their newest battery is a 4.2Ah 36volt powerpack! It's only 80 grams more than their 3.0Ah.
Times are changing and seeing is believing.
Battery powered saws are here and they're here to stay.

Wolter
 
Power tools usually follow the RC industry. Brushless motors have been on the scene for a decade now. And Li-ion batteries are vastly superior to the LiPoly crap that has dominated RC for years. So at least power tools have that advantage to start with.

I could really see these little battery top handles being perfect in the tree. Strap batteries around your belt like M4 mags and you're good to go, with a lightweight tool.
 
Yes Philbert, it's my first choice saw for pruning jobs and small take downs. I have to keep myself from misusing it for the bigger work.
Let's say it's developed for 6 inch branches but I misuse it to the full bar 12 inch in oak and elm.
The saw runs the chain at two speeds. The eco modus at 14 meters per second and the normal speed of 20 meters per second.
At this moment the saw is sold in a combo that includes the saw, a charger and two 3.0Ah batteries.
Take your charger on the job and you can work all day constantly. The charger is topping the fully discharged battery in around twenty minutes.
I have a couple more batteries so I leave my charger at home.
The 3.0Ah battery is more than enough to let you work between coffee breaks when pruning. On the takedowns while cutting way more and thicker wood I sometimes have to lower the saw to have the battery changed.
For a comparison with a petrol powered saw you have to think of a modded Stihl ms 192.
The best part on these saws is the fact that you dont have to pull a cord to start them.
Do me a favour the next day you start your petrol saw. Count all the pulls. Especially the ones where you forgot to switch the saw on or when you forgot to use the choke.

Wolter
 
Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to trying the Husqvarna cordless saws - been following them on Facebook for a few years! In-tree use seems like an ideal application: less pulling, like you mentioned, and quiet between cuts, so you can talk to your groundie!

With the Oregon, I find that it works best with green wood around 6 inches or under, and dry wood 4 inches or under. Although, I did cut a 14 inch spruce with it, just to prove I could. As with any saw, these work best within their capabilities. If someone tries to compare them to a felling or bucking saw, they will be disappointed. I did like the pole saw too - mostly use those on smaller diameter branches anyway.

Philbert
 
Treespotter said:
What I like best on the Oregon Powernow is their chain that cuts like no other.
Click to expand...

They have the built-in sharpener, but you should be able to mount the PowerSharp bar and chain on any 3/8 low profile (type 91, or Picco) saw.

That brings up another point: some of these battery powered saws use 3/8 low profile (type 91, or Picco) chain; some use 3/8 low profile, narrow kerf (type 90, or Picco mini?) chain; and some run 1/4 inch pitch chain. That may make a difference to some users.

Philbert
 
On my Husqvarna I use the narrow kerf Stihl chain. That's running through the wood way better than the standard safety chain. It's all about removing wood. The Stihl chains are one fifth less wide so this means your saw needs less power/energy to do the same job.

Wolter
 
I looked into electric about 2 years ago but didnt get them mainly because I just needed the yard equipment, felt the blowers werent powerful enough, and I already had/have a like new Stihl Chainsaw. I am a homeowner who cuts 4 yards and more if they come up plus I routinely do side jobs and help out friends and family.

If I ever get anything it will have to include chainsaw, weedeater, hedge trimmer, edger, pole saw, and a good size blower. Attachment system is good for me and would keep the cost down. A car charger would be a major plus and probably a selling point for me. All sharing the same battery type. It would be nice if using one or more batteries together got you more power on a given tool, mainly the blower and chainsaw.
 
stonny9 said:
If I ever get anything it will have to include chainsaw, weedeater, hedge trimmer, edger, pole saw, and a good size blower. . . A car charger would be a major plus and probably a selling point for me. All sharing the same battery type. It would be nice if using one or more batteries together got you more power on a given tool, mainly the blower and chainsaw.
Click to expand...

It definitely makes sense to look at the whole 'system' if you will be using more than one tool. Like with cordless contractor tools, the batteries are often the most expensive part. A car charger seems pretty obvious, but I have not seen one yet for any of these systems (anybody else?) - but you can run an inverter with the standard 120V charger.

Makita lets you use (2) of their standard 18 volt batteries on some of their 36 volt tools, but that does not increase the power over their 36 volt batteries. STIHL has a mega backpack battery ( http://www.stihlusa.com/products/battery/battery-accessories/ar900/ ) for extended run time, but you have to carry all of that weight (16 pounds!) - if you run several, smaller batteries, you can carry less weight, and maybe have the others recharging while you work.

Philbert
 

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