If you're like me, this suggestion will hardly get a notice. Cause I'm old school and don't trust new fangled contraptions. But please take a look and give a consideration.
Electric, battery operated.
This winter I had a project that called for quite a bit of chainsaw work. Nothing big, but over 300 saplings. My Sthil (older than Methuselah) crapped out. Now in 67 years I've never owned a "brand new" chainsaw. And it's always been "cut 30 minutes, work on saw 45 minutes". Chainsaws have broadened my vocabulary...in ways that my Mom wouldn't have approved.
I called the only repair shop in my small town. They have a $60 cover charge if they do no more than say "you're out of gas".
It wasn't in my budget, but I was tired of fighting worn out saws. So I decided to bite the bullet and buy my first brand new saw. Until I saw the prices for new Sthils. Nope....not gonna happen.
While researching other brands I happened across an article on battery saws. Sounded promising. More research. Tons of improvements since the early days of electric saws.
I decided to give it a try. If it was junk, I'd demand my money back. Lowe's is pretty good about that. I got a 40volt Greenworks w/ 1 battery. (They have a 60v also, but reviews said it didn't work as good as the 40. Go figure.) It had a 4 yr warranty on the saw, with 2 yrs on the battery. Now I NEVER buy extended warranties, but I figured no way a battery would last over 2 years, and the extended warranty was less than the cost of a new battery. Keep it one year, 11 months, and get a new battery.
W I N N E R !!!
No exaggeration. Best tool investment I've made in YEARS! Fully charged battery, I sighed a sigh of relief when it finally died. I was pooped! It cuts fast. Faster than my gas machine. 16" bar. Biggest I have tried it on was a 14" tree. Didn't even hesitate. Right through it, and on the ground. Did all limbing and cut up for that tree on 1 charge.
Best part? No gas, no oil, no mixing, no mess. No special trips for non-ethanol gas. No gas storage problems. No "winterizing" if it's not going to be used for awhile. NO PRIMING, PULLING, OR FIDDLING! Set out down, it's off. Pick it up and you're instantly cutting again. NO PULLING. No learning new vocabulary. Hit the button and it's ON.
I used to procrastinate like crazy when I needed to use the chainsaw. Such a PITA. Now.....I use it...very nearly weekly. It's a joy.
Just looked it up at Lowes. $230 w/ 1 battery and charger.
I know, I know. I sound like I work for Lowes or Greenworks. Nope. Just an old retired guy trying to reclaim a small overgrown plot of earth. I'm sure most brands will work as good. And any store that sells them will be as good as Lowes.
Not sure I'd go back to gas if someone offered to GIVE me one.
