Chain saw handle types

[Donald]

I am probably going to buy another gas chainsaw as my Ryobi 10" does not really cut it and my brother seems to have lost my Husqvarna 20" gas chain saw.

Probably going to get an Echo at Home Depot. 5 year consumer use guarantee. And decent products.

I see rear handle ones and more expensive top handle ones. I have always had a rear handle but not against paying a little more for a top handle one if it's better.

Any one who uses a top handle one? Pros/cons?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Sounds to me like your brother owes you a New Husqvarna! The reason I don't lend my tools.

 

[mk378]

The top handle saw is a specialist item since it can be used one-handed while climbing the tree. For ordinary use on the ground, a back handle gives you better control of the saw.

 

[spasm3]

I have a small echo to handle saw. 2511T.
It's designed for limbing. I use it as such. It's light , easy to move with it, I use it to limb a tree once it's down, then use larger saws to cut up the trunk.

 

[martinq]

The top handle saw is a specialist item since it can be used one-handed while climbing the tree. For ordinary use on the ground, a back handle gives you better control of the saw.

Almost, but not quite. No chainsaw is sold to be used with one hand for safety reasons. The top-handle saws are favoured by professionals for it's agility / compact size in tight situations.

 

[Nukeman7]

Top-handle saws are designed primarily for trimming smaller branches while climbing. Typically lighter weight and shorter bar length, but powerful for lower displacement. The rear handle saw will be more versatile for typical woodcutting duties, cheaper for similar performance, and more controllable for kickback. Echo saws w/ 18" bars are excellent for most homeowner/pro-sumer chores.

 

[UncleDave]

Yes I have two rear handles and a top handle saw.

Top handle saw is designed for use while climbing and for one handed operations like limbing and trimming.

The saw that gets grabbed 95% of the time is the rear handle Makita.

 

[Donald]

Sounds to me like your brother owes you a New Husqvarna! The reason I don't lend my tools.

Probably but he is gone now so it's on me.

 

[User_19876]

My Echo CS-310 has been one of the best saws I’ve ever owned. I have bigger saws, but this thing is a workhorse. They’re cheap at HD.

 

[Donald]

My Ryobi that I thought needed a charged battery now needs to be tossed in the trash. It does nothing on several fully charged batteries.

So more emphasis on getting a new chain saw.

Do I get a Milwaukee M18 8" one and or a Echo 16" or 18" or both.

Never know about the use. This week I could have helped clean up the development for several days. But not with a Ryobi 10" one that stopped working. And then I might not need it for awhile.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Cry once buy another small Husqvarna or Pro Sthil and be done with it.

 

[Nukeman7]

My Ryobi that I thought needed a charged battery now needs to be tossed in the trash. It does nothing on several fully charged batteries.

So more emphasis on getting a new chain saw.

Do I get a Milwaukee M18 8" one and or a Echo 16" or 18" or both.

Never know about the use. This week I could have helped clean up the development for several days. But not with a Ryobi 10" one that stopped working.

If you really meant Milwaukee M18 EIGHT inch saw as shown below, it is only good for pruning limbs and small branches.

While the Milwaukee M18 16" saw is great if you already have the M18 batteries, the ECHO CS-4010 will handle all of your needs for a lifetime and starts easily. I recommend using VP Racing or Echo Red Armor 2-stroke oil with the CS-4010.

 

[Donald]

If you really meant Milwaukee M18 EIGHT inch saw as shown below, it is only good for pruning limbs and small branches.

View attachment 326298

While the Milwaukee M18 16" saw is great if you already have the M18 batteries, the ECHO CS-4010 will handle all of your needs for a lifetime and starts easily. I recommend using VP Racing or Echo Red Armor 2-stroke oil with the CS-4010.

View attachment 326299

There are sometimes where just popping in a battery is easier than adding gas and starting a gas engine. Especially if for something quick. I would be more inclined if Milwaukee has a 10" one. Not sure I want to spend $279 on an 8". And not buying another Ryobi.

I will probably get one of the Echo gas ones. With 16" or 18" bar.

 

[martinq]

Stihl has top-notch battery and gas saws and every one of them comes with a Stihl bar and chain.

 

[Donald]

Stihl has top-notch battery and gas saws and every one of them comes with a Stihl bar and chain.

Well not looking to expand beyond Milwaukee M12 & M18 battery systems. I had 3 Ryobi. Now 2 that work. Milwaukee does not have a grass clipper and small hedge trimmer combo. I have a Ryobi for that and a Ryobi tire inflator. I also have a Milwaukee tire inflator but the Ryobi can also inflate high volume/low pressure items like a beach toy. So I am keeping it for now.

 

[Opelman]

Echo has a decent battery line also.

 

[martinq]

Well not looking to expand beyond Milwaukee M12 & M18 battery systems. I had 3 Ryobi. Now 2 that work. Milwaukee does not have a grass clipper and small hedge trimmer combo. I have a Ryobi for that and a Ryobi tire inflator. I also have a Milwaukee tire inflator but the Ryobi can also inflate high volume/low pressure items like a beach toy. So I am keeping it for now.

Yep, I know what it's like being locked in to a battery system. Can't wait until that's no longer a thing. Regardless, any saw you get can be upgraded to a good chain from Stihl, Oregon or similar.

 

[Donald]

Echo has a decent battery line also.

I have had a 8" and 10" cordless chain saws over the past 5 or 8 years. I just get the feeling that a cordless motor can not spin the chain anywhere the speed of a 2 cycle engine. Or so it seems. But my experience with cordless chainsaws is with Ryobi quality and below.

 

[Opelman]

Ryobi and others are primarily battery companies. Not saw companies. I worked on a DeWalt rear handle saw that was so poorly designed and cheap it leaked bar oil everywhere from new. Very poorly engineered. DeWalt pole saw, again super cheap and by design over oiled the chain to the point of raining oil on the operator. If purchasing a battery saw I would recommend buying one from a brand heavily experienced in the saw market.

 

[Silverado12]

Chainsaw
I would get this Echo or a Stihl MS250 if it were me. That should be all you ever need.