It seems my weekend post is in alignment with the feeling theme this week. Not so much as how does it feel to go back to work tomorrow, although yes, I know I've got a back to back meetings all day tomorrow. Yesterday and today is about feeling the ache from tree cutting. More cleanup of the large trees that fell from the storm a couple weeks ago. I posted last week about the sharpening tools I'm using for the chainsaw, so I thought this week I would post more information on the saws themselves.
Here is a pic of my saw and it's recent handiwork. I know some fans prefer their older style gas or gas and oil powered saws, but I just love these electric saws.
I'm using the EGO electric saw. I do not get along with the small gas-powered engines, they always seem troublesome for me. Sure they will work the first year or maybe two without issue, but then problems with the carburetor fouling, the spark plugs, the starter cord, or any number of issues. Not to mention the hassle most of them have of having to buy a separate gas can and oil to mix with the gas before using, blah, blah, blah.
The top pic is a 14 inch EGO saw that I bought like 5 years ago. Last year after the move, I couldn't find my extra chains for it when I needed to cut. I have had my eye on getting a larger one anyway, the store had the 16 inch (lower saw) and extra chain in stock, so I snatched it up. Where we're at, there are many trees overhanging our driveway, and if one falls across it, there is no way in or out without a quarter mile walk. We've already had one fall across the drive earlier this year, so glad I was prepared.
I'm not a professional cutter, just a homeowner that needs the occasional tree clearing and cutting some of our winter firewood stash. I just love the convenience of these saws and the fact that I just push the button and cut. No multiple yanks to get it started, no restarting if I set it down for a minute to move a limb. No time spent mixing, pouring, or hauling gas cans around. No stinking up the truck if I need to haul it somewhere, or to haul gas back. Just toss in an extra battery and go.
The electric saws still require chain oil (you can see the green fill cap at top left of saw. Other than that, they require no maintenance other than sharpening the chain and charging the battery. The batteries are exchangeable with the same ones I use for the snowblower, the weed-whacker, the leaf-blower, the lawnmower, etc. Yes, I suppose I am an EGO fan.
I often get asked how long/how much will it cut on a battery. Well this little 14 inch saw cut this entire pile here it is sitting on with one battery, and still had some juice left. Probably about 45min to an hour of cutting. I find that they last about as long as a single tank of gas in a gas saw, maybe a little less. It of course also depends on if the blades are sharp, what type wood cutting, etc.
The saw cut the pile in the pic on the ground above, and this UTV bed full (also one battery) the previous day before the blades are starting to get dull again. The batteries will "quick charge" to full in about 20 minutes on a fast charger, or about an hour on a slow charger. Since I use for multiple tools, I've got a handful of different size batteries sitting about, so easy to just pop in another if I need extra cutting time to finish a job.
I generally find that I'm worn out after a battery's worth of cutting anyway, or at least I am for sure if I pick up and stack all the wood afterwards. That's two good loads of firewood so far, and I haven't even got started on the big stuff on the main trunk yet.
Here's where we ended up today. Making some good progress. Another two or three sessions and I'll have the good firewood cut up, then just the brush pile from the tops to deal with. I don't have a chipper/shredder yet, that may have to wait until spring.
Here's was the previous days cut that gave me the UTV load.
and below here's where we started from.