Best Overlanding Chainsaw?

1117 Views 29 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Just a Hunter, 3 d ago

TRUTH is ABSOLUTE

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Battery vs gas? And which model is best? Im considering Echo gas powered. Is it safe to keep the gas chainsaw in a carrying case inside the vehicle?

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Tlrtucker

· #2 · 2 mo ago

TRUTH is ABSOLUTE said:
Battery vs gas? And which model is best? Im considering Echo gas powered. Is it safe to keep the gas chainsaw in a carrying case inside the vehicle?

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I hunt every year, about 4 hunts per year, with a guy that has a full Milwaukee cordless set up and he has one of their medium size chainsaws. That thing is amazing and the battery seems to last forever. They aren't cheap, but well worth the money. We love it because it's MUCH quieter than a chainsaw, but also because you don't have to carry around all the fuel and oil, which always seem to leak. Two batteries has always been enough for all the firewood we need, and to clear the trails of any fallen deadwood.

If you're only needing to cut enough wood for firewood, or to clear a fallen small to medium tree, I highly recommend one. If you have a generator, there are plenty of electric options out there as well.

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Ssanders224

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Depends.
If you aren't really "into" chainsaws, or don't have much experience with them, just buy one of the popular Milwaukee or Dewalt batt choices, a few batts, and don't look back.

That said, if you have some experience with gas saws, a 14" top handle saw (like a Stihl MS194T or a Husky T435) is hard to beat IMO.

You can carry one small 32oz bottle (size of a Nalgene) of VP pre-mix fuel and fill the tank of a MS194 3.5 times. That's WAYYY more cutting than anyone is likely to ever need on the trail. I've never had one of the metal 32oz VP cans leak or vent. Plus you can keep one tiny little 2oz bottle of oil in the truck, and make a whole gallon of fuel (from any source of gas) if needed.

You'll have to carry a quart of bar oil with either saw, so that's a moot point.

I get the draw to electric saws. I'm kind of a saw "hobbyist", and I've tried them. I was convinced at one point that it's what I'd carry in my truck. But alas, I'm back to my "vintage" Stihl 015L as my "truck saw".

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Tlrtucker

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Ssanders224 said:
I get the draw to electric saws. I'm kind of a saw "hobbyist", and I've tried them. I was convinced at one point that it's what I'd carry in my truck. But alas, I'm back to my "vintage" Stihl 015L as my "truck saw".

That's a good point. There isn't much "exciting" about the battery powered Milwaukee saw we use, but the quietness is vital.

Ssanders224

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Tlrtucker said:
That's a good point. There isn't much "exciting" about the battery powered Milwaukee saw we use, but the quietness is vital.

The noise aspect is certainly a consideration.
My old 015 screams pretty good.

Then again, I'll pop in ear plugs if someone farts too loud, so I'm not a good metric for that.
I'm around too much loud noise on a regular basis so I'm subconsciously OCD about hearing protection.

Speed25

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Asked myself the same question after coming to a deadfall I couldn’t move earlier this year. I’m going electric and it will be Ryobi, because...well like many others I have a bunch of stuff from their ecosystem already. If starting over I’d have all Dewalt or Milwaukee, but starting over sounds expensive 🤣.

Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Plant

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outback97

· #7 · 2 mo ago

I am in the 18V Ridgid system with many other tools, and it looks like they just came out with a cordless chainsaw. Likely not as nice as Milwaukee but I've been happy with most of the tools in their lineup.

We often bring a bow saw with us for camping trips. If you're not planning on cutting much wood, for the unexpected deadfall this could be a good compromise. Granted it's a lot more work than a chainsaw, but I've used mine plenty for yard work and it works great.

www.amazon.com

Bahco 10-30-23 30-Inch Ergo Bow Saw for Green Wood - - Amazon.com

Bahco 10-30-23 30-Inch Ergo Bow Saw for Green Wood - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

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Tlrtucker

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Ssanders224 said:
The noise aspect is certainly a consideration.
My old 015 screams pretty good.

Then again, I'll pop in ear plugs if someone farts too loud, so I'm not a good metric for that.
I'm around too much loud noise on a regular basis so I'm subconsciously OCD about hearing protection.

Yes, hearing protection is important. But we're more concerned with being able to clear a downed tree without clearing the valley of all the critters, lol

Just a Hunter

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Gas vs Battery

You can make either work, but a fuel leak with mixed gas/oil blend can make a mess inside your Xterra which you may never fully clean out.

For this reason, if I had to carry a chainsaw inside my xterra it would probably be a battery powered unit that came with a case which could contain any leaking bar oil.

Ssanders224

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Tlrtucker said:
Yes, hearing protection is important. But we're more concerned with being able to clear a downed tree without clearing the valley of all the critters, lol

I mean, it IS just a chainsaw. Not a howitzer.

Reactions: 1

boyer

· #11 · 2 mo ago

i second the recommendation by @Ssanders224 , don't get into a gas chainsaw unless you already are in the home heating game.

MTN

· #12 · 2 mo ago

For an overland trip, no issues with having a gas saw if you know there will be many downed trees. Just don’t go cheap…msa170 cough.

But if you want something to keep in your vehicle all the time in case of a tree down, go battery. The new dewalt 20” is a beast and there was a great deal on it at HD with a free battery. I prefer my husqvarna saws, but they are $$$.

Ssanders224

· #13 · 2 mo ago

What’s a saw thread without pics?

Again… batt saws have gotten really good. I like them. But the contents of this pic (water bottle for size comparison) is capable of a LOT of work. Would take quite a few batteries to compare.

As for leaks, if I’m on the trail, I dump the unused fuel back in the can with a small funnel. No leaks.

Bottle Liquid Water bottle Fluid Automotive tire

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ChrisHaynesUSA

· #14 · 1 mo ago

We as a group do Corral Hollow every year in the western sierras of California.
Someone brings an electric chainsaw, someone brings a gas chainsaw and some bring a Silky Katanaboy 500mm or 650mm.
We use all of them depending on the size, position, etc of the fallen tree.
We also use old worn out snatch straps to haul the logs off of the trail.

Badlander

· #15 · 1 mo ago

Can't help but think about a Texas Chainsaw massacre reboot in the near future with a battery operated chainsaw. Milwaukee saw sounds great for my needs. For a horror movie...not so much.

prodragon4x

· #16 · 1 mo ago

There's a time and place for each, but I much prefer a gasser. I just make sure gas and bar oil are topped up in the saw before leaving home, and then take 1L of each. That will outlast any battery saw for a trip. I also have my saw in a case, and never had any issues with fuel leaks/smell in the X. I'm also from PNW, where downed trees on the trail can be upwards of 24-30" in diameter. Gonna have a tough time getting thru a massive fir or hemlock with an electric saw.
If going with a gasser, don't cheap out. Get a Stihl or Husq, if any parts are needed for repair, they're more likely gonna be easier to find in smaller communities.

Reactions: 1

LVX

· #17 · 1 mo ago

Agree with everyone's thoughts on personal preference and what your intended use will be for it. My use is pretty light and mainly for help to clear the occasional fallen tree from a trail 9and light trimming around the house). So, for me the 16" EGO 56V has been fine. Not sure how well it would hold up to heavy use, but that's not really what I need it for, either.

TwoWheelsDown

· #18 · 1 mo ago

If noise isn't an issue, I prefer using gas. If you're an occasional user, I suggest using TruFuel. Even if you're not, I suggest running the chainsaw on TruFuel for 5ish minutes before draining the fuel tank and putting it away for more than a couple days. I did that with my Echo CS-310 and didn't have a single issue with it not wanting to start.

If I were in the market now for an occasional-use chainsaw, I'd take a strong look at the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16". I got to use one a while ago. It's a little slow probably because it's an 18v chainsaw with a 16" bar, but it gets the job done. I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 4.0Ah battery.

eighty

· #19 · 1 mo ago

In the summer, for weekend trips, electric all the way. Firewood is only for ambiance.

In the winter, gas only. Firewood is for cooking and staying alive.

TRUTH is ABSOLUTE

Discussion Starter · #20 · 13 d ago

I went with the Echo.

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