Chainsaw Repair
Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Cordless Battery OPE - Corded Electric => Topic started by: Cut4fun . on April 18, 2014, 01:35:27 pm
-
Kobalt 40v chainsaw and other OPE. Wonder who is making this stuff for them.
(http://gearpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kobalt-lowes-40-volt-max-outdoor-power-equipment-gear-patrol-lead-full-.jpg)
http://youtu.be/un7_2923W_o
http://youtu.be/MX1vFH4PvNI
-
First time I have seen those, and I was recently in a Lowes, prowling around the chainsaws (found one chain on backwards). Might want to start a cordless/battery OPE section of the forum for these types of tools? They seem to be expanding quite a bit and it makes sense to keep them together.
I have been using and am familiar with the Oregon 'PowerNow' tools (chainsaw, pole saw, string trimmer, hedge trimmer). STIHL, Husqvarna, Bosch, Makita, and Ryobi all have at least some of these products in the 36-40 volt range. Some also have mowers. HD also introduced a 56 volt line ('EGO') that is now in their stores.
Quality of construction is always a point to consider, along with features, ease of use, availability of parts, selling price (with or without the batteries), etc. I was told that there are only a limited number of manufacturers for the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, but they are not inter-changable between different brands of OPE.
Most of these battery powered OPE I have seen have been manufactured overseas. A rep at a local tool show pointed out that most (all?) don't have UL listings, like their corded electric counterparts, even by the same manufacturer - they do have other approvals (IEL. CSA, etc.), so I think that we have a whole industry still developing.
Philbert
-
Looking on line, the pricing on these Kobalt/Lowes tools is significantly less than the Oregon and STIHL versions. Chainsaw is $179 and trimmers $149, including a 2.0 Amp-hour battery (listed at $99). That places the trimmers in the same range as the Ryobi, and Black&Decker products, which makes sense (I have not seen chainsaws from these other guys, yet).
I would LOVE to try them all side-by-side (at least the saws)!
Philbert
-
Good idea on a cordless and maybe add corded electric to the same board area.
Will work on it when have more time to do so.
-
Looks like re branded Ryobi chainsaw.
-
Looks like re branded Ryobi chainsaw.
'Ryobi' is what I meant, instead of 'Poulan' on posts above. Thanks. Fixed my posts.
As I understand it, Home Depot owns, or has exclusive rights to the 'Ryobi' name. Could be the same factory making both, but designed/engineered by different companies? Could be contract manufactured?
I did a search for 36 volt and 40 volt battery powered chainsaws (or OPE), and found the information below! This number has really jumped in the last 2 years. I did not include smaller (e.g. 18 volt) saws, as they are really in a separate class.
Organized alphabetically for reference. Some are brand names you know. Some are not available (yet?) in the US, so I listed UK sites. Some appear to be off-shore manufacturers. A few look similar enough that they are probably re-branded clones. Many are part of a 'system' with other outdoor power tools (string trimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.) that use the same batteries and chargers. As with anything else: caveat emptor!
Philbert
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black & Decker http://www.blackanddecker.com/recharge/
Bosch (UK) http://www.bosch-garden.com/gb/en/garden-tools/garden-tools/cordless-chainsaws-199952.jsp
Core Outdoor Power http://coreoutdoorpower.com/
Craftsman http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07198946000P?sid=I0084400010000100675&aff=Y&PID=361116&AID=11042411
EcoproTools Inc http://www.ecoprotoolsusa.com/
EGO (56 volt!) http://egopowerplus.com/
Greenworks / Sunrise Tools http://www.greenworkstools.com/products/category/chainsaws
Greysen (off shore manufacturer?) http://greysenproducts.com/40-Volt-Chain-Saw-Powered-by-LG-Chem-Lithium-Battery-GP-CS.htm
Husqvarna (UK - Homeowner) http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/outthere-news/husqvarna-battery-series-professional-products-for-home-owners/
Husqvarna (UK - Professional) http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/products/battery-series/t536li-xp/
Kobalt http://www.kobalttools.com/products/outdoor/outdoor-power-equipment.html
http://www.lowes.com/Kobalt-40-Volt-Outdoor-Power-Equipment/Chainsaws-Pole-Saws/_/N-1z0weyrZ1z0wgez/pl?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1#!
Makita http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/X2/HCU02ZX2Features.aspx
Oregon PowerNow Tools https://oregoncordless.com/US
Ryobi http://www.ryobitools.com/
STIHL http://www.stihlusa.com/products/battery/
Yardworks (*can only find reviews - negative ones; not a manufacturer’s website) http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0545703P/yardworks-yardworks-electric-chainsaw-12-a-16-in-reviews/reviews.htm
-
Kobalt as I see it is Lowes "house brand " .I've not seen one thing yet that wasn't made in China .Then again I just learned today that ABB robots originally from Sweden is now made in China .So much for the Vikings .
I suppose now of days when even Lincolns are made in Mexico you can't expect too much --mumble grumble --- >:(
-
UPDATE: The Husqvarna cordless saws are now available in the US (as of August 1, 2014).
Philbert
-
Saw the STIHL cordless, telescoping pole saw at the MN State Fair today. Shaft appears heavy duty. Motor appears to be at the saw end (unlike shaft drive pole saws). Around $550 + battery and charger?
Also saw a Toro 48V battery powered string trimmer. Rep said a chainsaw and other OPE will flow.
Philbert
-
Add hitachi to the list!
This one looks like it can work with a battery or a corded adaptor?
(No comments on technique!)
Philbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aze-fqht6Q#t=50
-
Chance to win an Oregon cordless hedge trimmer on FB - part of the OPE 'family'
Philbert
-
OK - STIHL just announced their cordless pole saw. No pricing info yet. Don't see what size chain it runs.
Philbert
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/pole-pruners/professional-pole-pruners/hta85/
-
My bad just caught this was pole saw thread. Will fix later to right thread.
-
Still have not seen these Kobalt saws in any Lowes. Have only seen their 40V hedge trimmer
Philbert
-
To be honest I havent looked for them when in Lowe's stores. Down south or up at home north.
Always on a mission when I go to one it seems.
-
Same thing with the Ryobi 40 volt cordless OPE system. Several items listed on the Home Depot and Ryobi web pages, but very few in any store that I have visited, including a few in upscale, suburban neighborhoods.
Maybe 40 V unicorns? If they are catalog only now, it makes me wonder how they might be supported down the proverbial road.
Philbert
https://www.ryobitools.com/outdoor/products/list/family/40v
http://www.homedepot.com/s/ryobi+40+volt+battery?NCNI-5
-
Throw away devices?
Those big box stores never supported anything to my knowledge? They might replace it but no parts or adjustments.
-
Throw away devices? Those big box stores never supported anything to my knowledge? They might replace it but no parts or adjustments.
That is part of the question. Maybe a $150, 18 Volt tool is a 'throwaway' device. These 36 - 40 Volt tools cost a bit more, and should last a bit longer?
Maybe it is similar to buying a homeowner quality saw versus a more 'pro' model. Can't just compare by displacement and bar length.
Philbert
-
If you bought a $2000 riding lawn mower at one of those stores, the story is the same - Home Depot might give you your money back that day or the next or even exchange it for another but they do not have any parts and do not work on anything. You will have to find some place else to warranty repair anything or even buy parts for it to fix yourself.
And also I bought a Sears riding mower 8 years ago and 5 min after I started mowing, the deck belt got caught and broke. I sure wasn't going to call Sears service and wait a couple weeks. I went up town, got a new belt, and used the replacement belt for 6 years before it wore out. I don't want them touching my lawn mower. Other than the initial belt breakage and blades every few years and flat tires from thorns, oil changes and gas, I've never had any trouble with it.
-
Just saw ads for DeWalt 40 volt string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers.
Due out in 2015. No chainsaws listed (yet?).
If the 40 V batteries are compatible with their other tools, this could be a real competitive advantage for contractors. For an average homeowner, it probably does not matter as much if their cordless drill and weed wacker are different brands, voltages, etc. - they likely see them as separate tools, and not as part of a system.
http://www.dewalt.com/tool-categories/outdoorpe.aspx
Philbert