jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In December, 2020, I got a Greenworks 16" battery-powered chainsaw. I paid $178, but they're up to $247 now. That was a very good investment. I get tired cutting wood before the battery runs out of juice. It's quiet, and I never have to mix gas and oil - or pull a starter cord again and again. I could buy another battery, but one has been sufficient. My conventional Stihl dates from 1977, so for most firewood cutting I use the Greenworks.

https://smile.amazon.com/Greenworks-Cordless-Chainsaw-Included-20312/dp/B089PS3QWY?pd_rd_w=hlgsa&pf_rd_p=ee521540-07c2-4687-9605-13c98e32ab2c&pf_rd_r=T1SPB4SAX3XXFFK2NGBG&pd_rd_r=a001b462-65db-40e7-87e5-b1e52391e2e0&pd_rd_wg=GrFXD&pd_rd_i=B00DRBBRU6&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_1_t&th=1

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I have been thinking about a Stihl battery powered saw, My son-in-law has used one and he really liked it.
My problem with my gas powered is starting it , no compression release, even when it starts right away I'M wore out pulling the rope.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've worn out starter cords, too.

Project Farm tested battery-powered saws.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aBZt8m1XkQ&t=25s

And - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WDaTwEwhTk&t=7s

Equus Loc: Puget Sound

Living with 20 acres of woods I have had the need for chain saws. I have three Stihl. One big one for those monster trees and when I have the energy for using the alaska mill. It is a beast to start and use but it is one powerful saw. Then there is the 251 with easy start. Love it as it doesn't kill me trying to start it. It works well and being of the 250 line it is one of the most common saws out there. Then several years ago I got a battery saw. Supposedly for my wife. She loves it. I love it. One battery will usually do me for about 45 minutes. I cut up to 8 inch rounds for the stove with it. It is quiet and easy to use. The only thing is the chain is really small but if you keep it really sharp it does an incredible job. With a second battery I can cut until I am beat, a lot longer than I can go with the big saw.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Sounds interesting Jerry, just out of curiosity how does it perform compared with the gas type, especially with larger diameter branches /logs. Does the motor "bog down" or cut out?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The blade is new, and I keep it sharp, so it cuts fine. Except for the noise, it seems to be the equivalent of the gas saw. I think I subconsciously go easier with it. Watch the tests on Project Farm.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Cool, thanks for the answer, I will watch the project farm tests, I do however prefer hearing first hand from an owner /user such as yourself.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I just watched a test of four electric saws price range $199 WORX) to over $400 Makita, Dewalt and Milwalkee
The gas saw was a $179 Stihl
The winners were both over $400 and not quite as fast cutting as the gas saw.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Hello Jerry and all, When I left Louisiana, I sold all my gas powered tools. When I arrived in New Hampshire, and saw all the trees that surrounded our new home in Bow, I decided to buy all battery powered, or electric powered tools. New Hampshire, has a more than draconian prohibition on non-ethanol gasoline. There are no gas stations in New Hampshire, that can sell non-ethanol gas through a pump. But, you can buy non-ethanol gas in 1 gallon, 2 quart, and 1 quart sealed gas cans over the counter at Lowes, Home Depot, and other hardware stores, but the price runs to over $20.00 per gallon. So, I bought into the Ryobi 40 amp battery power tools. My first purchase was a chain saw. Then multi tool weed eater, and then a hedge trimmer. I bought new batteries and each came with a charger. So, I keep all the batteries fully charged and ready. I also bought a strong gas powered wood chipper, lawn tractor, with dump trailer, leaf sweeper, rake, and flat bed trailer. I also learned how to remove the ethanol from gasoline. The process is easy, cheap, but, dangerous as hell.

therwol Loc: USA

Just so you know, all gas powered equipment such as chain saws, leaf blowers, lawnmowers, post hole augers and generators will be banned for sale in California starting in 2024. This will probably create hardship for rural property owners and also make it difficult for fire control on these properties. People will just drive to Nevada and buy what they want. The good part of this will be getting rid of noisy leaf blowers that drive everyone nuts.

I have a battery powered lawnmower and also a leaf blower and string trimmer. A battery powered chain saw is next. I stick with Ryobi 40V products because they can share the same batteries. Maybe they aren't the "best", but they suit my needs. If I want to buy a generator, it will be one that runs on propane. Whole house batteries are out of my budget.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’ve had a Stihl FarmBoss for decades, but it’s a bitch to start (and has no compression release). After all this time, I’ve never gotten it started with out multiple pulls - usually half a dozen which wears me out at my age. A year or two ago, I bought a little 10-12” Ryobi battery powered saw, and I love it. It will take down a 4” diameter 25’ tree and cut into firewood with a single battery. Obviously not what you need for a BIG tree, but fine for everything else. I also have their hedge trimmer which uses the same battery. i still have my Stihl Weedeater, also probably 25 years old and while it starts relatively easily, it takes a few minutes to warm up, which is a PIA. I finally got rid of my Stihl blower after 25 years when the muffler bolt into the cylinder head sheared off. Replaced the head, but such a major PIA to get the piston rings in from the bottom (after making a small ring compressor), I bought a Husauavarna, which is not as good as the Stihl in terms of reliability and quality of the materials - already had the ignition module fail.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

I’ve got a Stihl farmboss for a chainsaw after having a few lesser makes, the Stihl is heavenly, starting is two pulls until you get the little pufft of it firing then move the choke position and away we go. Restarts when warm always one pull. My Stihl blower has easy start and it is. Works great. These will last longer than me but I am thinking of a smaller electric chainsaw and have been looking at the Stihl ones, they are getting very good recommendations from friends

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Do you initially pull it with full or half choke?

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Full until you get the little pop, then half choke otherwise it floods

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I could see a battery saw for trim work but for real cutting I will stick with my good old Stihl saws. Have one husky and it is as good as the Stihl but if you run it out of fuel, plan to spend 45 minutes getting it restated.