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Makita is famed for being one of the best power tool brands around and, after testing many of their cordless tools, I can see why. So, while I had high hopes for their DUC353Z Twin 18V Cordless Chainsaw, I was also a little doubtful about whether or not it would be up to the task that I had in mind for it – helping me to slice up the several mature trees that Storm Arwen had scattered around my farm.
They’re very lightweight when compared to petrol chainsaws – this not only makes them easier to move around to different parts of your garden, but also gives you more manoeuvrability if you need to take your chainsaw up a ladder or a tree Thankfully, this is no longer the case. The cordless chainsaws of today are now more powerful and efficient than ever. In some cases, their performance even rivals that of the best petrol chainsaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although they may be smaller and lighter than their petrol alternatives, cordless chainsaws still have the potential to cause just as much damage should an accident occur. As a result, you need to take safety very seriously. When it comes to safety, this chainsaw offers the standard features, with the most important being its chain brake that’ll stop the chain from hitting you if it ever derails or breaks. At 94 dB(A), it’s a pretty quiet machine too – more so than the other chainsaws that I tested. When it came to performance, this machine both impressed and disappointed me. It was great with smaller branches but not so great with larger tree trunks, to the point where the motor cut out a few times because I kept getting frustrated and unintentionally put too much pressure on it. It also has quite a slow cutting speed of just 4.3 m/s . Again, this isn’t really noticeable when you’re cutting smaller pieces of wood, but it makes things more tedious when you’re working with larger limbs. That’s right, I said batteries – plural. This 36V battery powered chainsaw has been designed to run on two 18V batteries . This gives it a chunkier look and feel than those that hold just one battery. It boasts a few other thoughtful design features too, from its claw stop to its oil level indicator to its handy on/off button. Its cutting bar is 30cm in length, which is on the higher end of the scale for cordless chainsaws. Just about all of the best battery powered chainsaws need to be assembled in the same way. This isn’t complicated – it’s only the bar and chain that need to be attached. Ryobi has designed this machine to make that whole process tool-less, including when it comes to adjusting the chain tension at the end. As a result, assembly only took 10 minutes and was a very easy task.
Before you get going, you’ll need to buy a full set of protective clothing. We recommend a safety helmet, boots and ear defenders as well as chainsaw gloves and chainsaw trousers. Assembly Ease: I assessed assembly ease on how long it took to put the chainsaw together and the clarity of the instructions provided. I deemed any chainsaws that took more than 20 minutes too long, as this may take significantly longer for someone who is unfamiliar with this tool. I also marked down chainsaws that didn’t provide clear instructions, those that took longer than specified, or models where the parts didn’t seamlessly fit together. Chainsaws that required no assembly were given top marks, as these designs made the tool more accessible for less experienced users.Read our first look review of the Lidl chainsaw to decide if you should buy it. How to buy the best chainsaw
For more advice, read our guide on how to buy the best chainsaw. Which sort of petrol should I use?Husqvarna 23, 33, 36, 41, 335XPT, 333, 334, 338, 1400, 1600, 136, 141, 142, 243, 315, E16, E316, 316, 318, 320 and 321 chains If you’re going to be investing in a cordless chainsaw, then you’ll want a machine that’s going to be comfortable and easy to use. For this, you’ll need ergonomic, soft-grip handles, which most chainsaws usually come with. A secondary handle is also useful for giving you extra manoeuvrability. Design: A well-designed cordless chainsaw will have considered ergonomics, with a comfortable handle and grip. Models with cushioned or anti-vibration handles were given top marks as these made the chainsaws more comfortable to use for long periods. I also looked for chainsaws with balanced weight distributions, as this improves the user’s manoeuvrability and control. While the optimal bar length varies depending on the tasks, those with longer bars (of 25 cm +) could complete a wider range of tasks, so they were given higher marks. I also identified whether each chainsaw’s bar length matched up with its power – for example, an 18 V system for a 15 – 20 cm bar chainsaw or a 36 V system for chainsaws with 30 cm bars and above. The length of a chainsaw’s cutting bar will determine the size of wood that you can use the machine on. Although cordless chainsaws usually have a shorter bar than petrol chainsaws, there’s still a fair bit of variation to choose from, usually between 15-30cm. But how does this machine compare to the others when it comes to price? The Ryobi sits somewhere in the middle. Yes, you could buy yourself a more powerful petrol chainsaw for less, but you’d end up with a much heavier and more cumbersome machine. Plus, with its powerful motor and fast cutting speed, this one will do just about anything that a similar-sized petrol chainsaw will do – it really does function so well.
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