Chain saw and brush cutter recommendations.

[fizzy]

Can't comment on a brush cutter but both my father and I have been mightily impressed with the little Husky battery chainsaw.

He's has his for quite a few years now, I've had mine about a year. They sit on the shelf for a while then get heavy use. For a sense of runtime (with a brand new chain straight from the shop) I felled and logged into 1ft sections a 25ft ash tree and all its branches on a single charge of the battery.

Its so nice being more or less quiet, also not having to faff with fuel and trying to get the damn thing started is really nice. Switches on instantly and away you go. Very rarely use the "normal" mode as it's usually on eco. Dull chains knacker the battery though.

Not been fault free, Dad had some corrosion on the battery terminals just out of warranty but the dealer honoured it and had them fixed free of charge. Since then we keep them in dry sheds, his was in a slightly damper environment to begin with.

Wouldn't be without it now, there is the time and place for bigger saws but for non continuous use its a definite contender in my opinion.

I fancy a battery chainsaw - you can sneak into the forestry and nobody would ever know
Of course before Tony Blair and the Forestry commission ruined it you could forage in the forestry anyway with a cheap licence - ah well it was a right that had only been in place for 800 years

 

[angellonewolf]

but the no fumes appeals

some one slap that man no fumes there 2 stroke i could sit all day smelling that

 

[Robbie260]

some one slap that man no fumes there 2 stroke i could sit all day smelling that

In regards to the battery ones

 

[Robbie260]

I have had a few high end brush cutters. Dont use them a huge amount but they all died in the end.

Then I bought one of these

https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/52cc-petrol-strimmer-brush-cutter-extras

I paid £110 for it - now £75 which is insane! It is very very good. REALLY powerful and no problems after 2 or 3 years.
At that price you could buy 3

It is a seriously good bit of kit. Surprisingly so - people would trust it more if it was £200!

That look interesting I like the multi tool one seems good value.

 

[mpats]

I went for one of the electric Aldi Ferrex ones as I already have some batteries already. Mainly for us in the garage, used it a few times and been surprised at how well it's worked. Cut through a Jara wood sleeper without any issues.

 

[Barking Mat]

My brother's a pro tree cutter and planker...

The electric Stihls are excellent.

No breathing in two stroke fumes, not my thing...

I was impressed.

 

[fizzy]

I have used electric chainsaws many times. They are certainly powerful but the actual chain speed is quite a bit less than a petrol one. I assume the battery ones are the same.
If there was a zombie invasion instant starting of a battery one could save your life

 

[Barking Mat]

I can't say I've ever used one.

He's my bro.

He rates them.

 

[Barking Mat]

I have used electric chainsaws many times. They are certainly powerful but the actual chain speed is quite a bit less than a petrol one. I assume the battery ones are the same.
If there was a zombie invasion instant starting of a battery one could save your life

Imagine that day, when your chainsaw just won't start.
Or then the battery runs out.....

 

[J1nx]

I currently use a Husky petrol (365) and a Makita battery, I’m really happy with this combo, it works so well. The Makita is so light and easy, you can even forgo hearing protection, it makes de-limping a joy. The Husky is the powerhouse, the Makita can’t hold a candle to it powerwise and it will still be a long while yet before batteries compete for the more powerful versions.
I think Bobs spot on, between the Stihl and Husky, just get the one that your closest dealer supplies/recommends.
My suggestion is to run aspen fuel, especially if it’s used infrequently. A fair bit more than normal 2 stroke but it will probably save you as much in time/repairs whilst also being much nicer to work with, less nasty fumes!

 

[armalites]

I currently use a Husky petrol (365) and a Makita battery, I’m really happy with this combo, it works so well. The Makita is so light and easy, you can even forgo hearing protection, it makes de-limping a joy. The Husky is the powerhouse, the Makita can’t hold a candle to it powerwise and it will still be a long while yet before batteries compete for the more powerful versions.
I think Bobs spot on, between the Stihl and Husky, just get the one that your closest dealer supplies/recommends.
My suggestion is to run aspen fuel, especially if it’s used infrequently. A fair bit more than normal 2 stroke but it will probably save you as much in time/repairs whilst also being much nicer to work with, less nasty fumes!

Check out the Stihl Motomix, costs a lot less than the Aspen stuff. £16-18 for 5L

 

[fizzy]

Check out the Stihl Motomix, costs a lot less than the Aspen stuff. £16-18 for 5L

What about Single Malt whisky

 

[armalites]

What about Single Malt whisky

I don't use Motomix but I bought some when I bought a new saw because 5L got an extra years warranty.

It may seem massively expensive but someone who fills the tank on a hedge trimmer or strimmer and can run for weeks or doesn't want the hassle of draining a tank it makes a lot of sense because it doesn't have any ethanol or benzene in it. It's also perfectly mixed. A big portion of 2 stroke power tool running issues are fuel related.

I run high octane unleaded in all mine so the Motomix works out about 2.5 times as much which for someone who has been through multiple tools due to running issue isn't a problem. It smells really nice when running too.

I think it's viable to run normal petrol but if you have to fill before you've finished a job then fill up with Motomix and run for a bit then you know the carb is full of it.

The people who would benefit the most are the people who buy a cheap too with the mindset of if it stops working I'll buy another because probably 99% of the time when it doesn't start next time it will be stale fuel or carb issues due the ethanol affecting the rubber.

 

[angellonewolf]

The people who would benefit the most are the people who buy a cheap too with the mindset of if it stops working I'll buy another because probably 99% of the time when it doesn't start next time it will be stale fuel or carb issues due the ethanol affecting the rubber.

i get most of my petrol tools this way wont start get shot of it

 

[Robbie260]

Thats interesting motomix might be worth looking into to preserve the longevity of what ever i get.

 

[armalites]

i get most of my petrol tools this way wont start get shot of it

My lad grabbed a strimmer from a scrap pile yesterday. Only a cheap unit but all there was in the tank was some oil remants. Quick flush and some fresh fuel and it fired up, not running right and won't rev up so needs a carb kit but £10 will see it going. I would imagine most failures fall into that bracket.

 

[fizzy]

I don't use Motomix but I bought some when I bought a new saw because 5L got an extra years warranty.

It may seem massively expensive but someone who fills the tank on a hedge trimmer or strimmer and can run for weeks or doesn't want the hassle of draining a tank it makes a lot of sense because it doesn't have any ethanol or benzene in it. It's also perfectly mixed. A big portion of 2 stroke power tool running issues are fuel related.

I run high octane unleaded in all mine so the Motomix works out about 2.5 times as much which for someone who has been through multiple tools due to running issue isn't a problem. It smells really nice when running too.

I think it's viable to run normal petrol but if you have to fill before you've finished a job then fill up with Motomix and run for a bit then you know the carb is full of it.

The people who would benefit the most are the people who buy a cheap too with the mindset of if it stops working I'll buy another because probably 99% of the time when it doesn't start next time it will be stale fuel or carb issues due the ethanol affecting the rubber.

I have never had trouble with fuel. Just use normal petrol and a 25:1 mix. Before layup I let the motor run out of fuel so it is dry.
For chainsaws I use new cooking oil for chain lube. Very cheap. Only drawback it gums up over winter. A quick spray with wd40 and pull the chain around by hand to free it up. Cheap as chips
It comes in nice handy 1L bottles as well for about £1 a litre.

 

[armalites]

Each to his own but I just don't get why anyone would run cooking oil just to save £5-6 on 5L of oil. I would bet money that chain/bar/pump wear would outweigh that cost.

If you let the machine run dry you won't have any issues but the people who just bin them when they won't start can't be bothered with that hassle.

 

[angellonewolf]

If you let the machine run dry you won't have any issues but the people who just bin them when they won't start can't be bothered with that hassle.

but if you dont know how to fix it its get a new one

 

[8ob]

My suggestion is to run aspen fuel, especially if it’s used infrequently. A fair bit more than normal 2 stroke but it will probably save you as much in time/repairs whilst also being much nicer to work with, less nasty fumes!

Good for long term storage of kit and for personal use its the way to go, for health reasons alone its worth it. Not so bad with a chainsaw as its held out front and the exhaust is pointing away from you, its different matter with hedge trimmers and strimmers where you are swinging them about all over the place as there is no escaping the fumes. We can get through about 100ltrs of mix a week so its a bit cost prohibitive.

Bob