Milwaukee Top handle chainsaw - 9 months ownership follow up review

[@StevesTrees]

Really appreciate the follow up! Thanks for taking the time for us little guys.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Cheers Steve

[@billybm0]

Chip drop is awesome. Every time I’m out of town I use it. I’d recommend contacting the drop site owner with a text or call to confirm the site is still accepting for the best experience for both parties.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Yeah, ChipDrop is such an amazing tool/service/app

[@joshjohnson3378]

Thanks Dan as always really appreciate and enjoy your content!

[@ClimbingArborist]

I appreciate that! Thank you

[@austinsmith3749]

Thanks for sharing Dan. I have two of them and I have lots of Milwaukee tools, so it works out well.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Sounds like with all your other Milwaukee tools it makes perfect sense

[@brotherlove100]

I am eager to try the Milwaukee, but I have a lot of experience withe the Husky and I agree, it IS a very nice tool. The latest version blows the original T540i away.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Yeah, for now the Husqy is still king

[@DEOMSTL]

I definitely agree with you. The chain on mine is the same way but I’m at least happy that it finally moves by hand. I tried 5.0 batteries and it’s fine if you stay in small wood like when doing a reduction of 3rd order branches, but in 4” wood the 5.0 just isn’t enough unless you really monitor the load on the motor. The 8.0 is a decent battery overall.

[@ClimbingArborist]

👍

[@jbcardin]

Not being able to turn the chain and sharpen it would be a deal breaker for me.

[@chrishastings8318]

Totally agree. Just saved me a near 600$ in saw and batteries. Still love me Milwaukee tools, just makes me excited to see when the catch up with our industry. Thanks for the follow up!

[@davida2603]

I have this saw and use it everyday. You absolutely can spin the chain while sharpening

[@jbcardin]

@@davida2603 His must be a defective one. He's have trouble spinning his chain.

[@jmackinjersey1]

You can spin the chain. It may be that he has the bar too tight.

[@LongsQuest]

Thanks for the review, that was good information.

[@inlinesix1187]

I own both saws also and find myself grabbing the Milwaukee more do to doing a lot of chunking. The torque is unreal. I changed the dawgs out for some west coast ones do to the factory ones being to small. The chain on mine moves a lot for freely for sharpening. I do find the 8ah batteries are a no go for me. It’s either the new forge 6ah or the 12ah battery. They are releasing a new forge 12ah battery this year that’s more powerful and lighter.

[@ClimbingArborist]

I imagine the Forge 6 are great

[@PaulStamp-w8d]

I can't find chipdrop in the uk , only usa ,

[@boomupengineering]

It's a shame that Milwaukee chose to go the 18V route, rather than 36V like Makita. Having to buy expensive and big 18V batteries is a major letdown. Too much current flow needed for the lower voltage batteries. If only Makita didn't go overboard with their startup protection. I did see a new sprocket for running the Oregon Nano chain though - that will be nice as then I can run the same 0.325/0.043" chains and bars on my Makita and 2511t. If I made money with my saws I'd probably want the Husqvarna.

[@ClimbingArborist]

👍

[@matiascamprubi-soms7719]

The chain not being free spinning, and the battery management system not being able to keep up with the tool make this version a non starter. I gotta admit that I'd be taping down that dead man switch. I'm sure it's strong enough for correct use, but these things get knocked around in so many stupid ways, and usually unintentionally. It's a major safety concern when the dead man switch is so unergonomic that guys feel like they just can't deal with it anymore. I know they will improve, but they better do something to be better in more categories than just being cheaper. I would love for them to shoot for a midsized chunking saw in electric. If the loaded weight were comparable to a 60cc gas saw, and it could have enough torque to adequately chunk down to 20", I would be all over that, even if it meant running dual 12ah batteries. I would love to have an all/mostly electric tree service one day.

[@ClimbingArborist]

👍

[@stihlms400cm3]

Hi Dan , loved your review on Milwaukee arborist saw, have you tried moving the chain forward by hand while squeezing the throttle trigger, battery removed of course, this disengages the clutch, please let me know how you got on , l have just subscribed, greeting from Ireland !!!

[@ClimbingArborist]

I’ll give it a try and let you know

[@firstname6208]

I have many milw batteries, yes the overheating can be an issue, but, i have had many more issues with the large xc lithium not starting. I charge them and if they sit a couple days when i plug them into the tool, nothing, press the fuel level and one light flashes. Plug them into a charger and in 5 seconds they flash full and work fine. The xc5's have never done this , the xc8 and 12 do it quite often. I was waiting on milw to come out with a power pruner, couldnt wait any longer, bought a dewalt then a $14 3d printed adapter to run Milwaukee batteries in a DeWalt tool. It does excellent.

[@ClimbingArborist]

👍

[@tomfendall1942]

Thanks Dan for another great video. Had my T540 xp stolen two days ago it was the mk2 petrol. Decided it was time to try a battery saw and option for the 540i after listening to how good you feel it is. To be honest, seems faster cutting than the petrol version I’m well impressed!

[@ClimbingArborist]

Glad you went for it 👌

[@ninjabeavertreeservis-ok1yx]

This saw sucks I was stuck buying one bc I didn't have enough money to buy a real saw that being the husky t540 mk2 the Milwaukee duzent just bog down it completely shuts off and u have to wait a sec b4 u can Evan use it again and the batteries are realy expensive and makes the saw supper heavy

[@ClimbingArborist]

We certainly think the Husqy is superior

[@ninjabeavertreeservis-ok1yx]

@@ClimbingArborist yes it is I just made a custom exhaust for my 540 and it has so mutch more power now

[@CaveSkiSAR]

Feedback: Chipdrop may work well for certain areas. Here in the Southern Fingerlakes nr Ithaca, NY I have not had any luck with Chipdrop. We have space for both chips and log ends at our place - so I would expect us to be really popular. I just got a Milwaukee top handle on Home Depot deal-of-the-day and love it for down branches clean-up work. The line trimmers just came through and we said "leave the trimmed branches." Cutting those branches up is much easier than with a rear handle saw. Great comment about the batteries - can go with a lower Ah battery when less run time is needed. My first cordless was the Husqvarna 540I XP. Then I got some extra batteries on Black Friday sales. Now that those batteries are wearing out, it is less expensive to switch than to buy new Husqvarna batteries. One advantage of the Milwaukee - press down on the safety switch, press the trigger. Rather than press a button to turn on. I could see that accidentally pressing the safety switch might an issue.

[@drewperoni5316]

Obviously a die hard Husky fanboi

[@ClimbingArborist]

I’m a die hard fan of the best for the job, the most ergonomic, and most reliable, so whatever that maybe

[@leonard2512]

Regarding not being able to move the chain very easily: Is there any chance this isn't an issue if you hold the trigger down while applying force to move the chain? It drastically reduces the force required on my corded Bosch chainsaw.

[@jmackinjersey1]

I dont have an issue rotating te chain on either my Milwaukee M18 Chainsaw or the one i used a ew days ago. The bar may be too tight on yours.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Weird that you don’t have that issue, nearly everybody I’ve spoken with has a very stiff chain to some degree, not because of chain tension

[@ozlakota1]

My saw just died after 8 months 16 inch saw on farm light use poor quality to say the least bad biting dog for leverage and wont sit flat

[@neilrice8714]

Hi Dan thanks for the update. I love to see your videos as there is always something worthwhile watching. Have you seen Husqvarna have just released the T542i apparently it's just the same but with a clutch. It will be a long wait I'm sure but I'm holding out for one of them 😁

[@ClimbingArborist]

I have heard and read about it, but not used one yet.

[@jma8352]

i love mine but im not a climber. you need a 9ah but i understand the new forge battery is more power to weight but alot higher price.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Yeah, the Forge battery does interest me.

[@byroneckhardt4131]

I use the 6 ah forge battery. Turned it into a different tool . Not had any problems yet .

[@ClimbingArborist]

Great to hear that, I’ve been meaning to get the forge 6

[@andrewgollnick6655]

Hey Dan have you tried the M18 hatchet? It’s a great little saw for pruning, it doesn’t have the over tempting problems. It has a slow chain speed that can be a little jagged on the final cut and kicks back with the top of the bar.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Not tried the hatchet, would it be a mainstay tool for professional arborists? Or more of a homeowner tool?

[@JamminClemmons]

@@ClimbingArborist I just *SUBBED* your channel. Great posting here. Regarding the M18 Hatchet, and probably all the others........I'm aged in my mid-60's and have the Hatchet and pose a question on you; Can I buy a longer bar and chain? Its lightweight for a guy like me and wayyyyy lighter than my gas operated Stihl! Thanks in advance brother. JC, US Military, 25 years, -Retired

[@AverageHouseHusband]

Now that I realize the milwaukee top handle is the cheap option... I bought the Makita xcu08 with batterys for 350, it's heavy, it shuts off if anything is in contact with the chain on start and the chain it comes with isn't awesome, but it does have enough power and the chain is easy to move. But I am just a hobbiest climber.

[@boomupengineering]

I don't think the Milwaukee is any lighter and it looks pretty chunky. Those big 18V batteries are also super expensive. I have some Milwaukee 18V tools but I also chose the Makita XCU08 especially since the price is way cheaper than even the Milwaukee (assuming you have to buy batteries). I must say though, I would much rather climb with my Echo 2511t - it is just so light. More fun to be had. Note that Makita has a new sprocket out to run Oregon Nano chain. Once they are available, I'll switch over both my saws so I can continue running the same 14" bar and chain. I don't make any money with my saws unless I get a tip for helping a friend. I started with the Makita but the 2511t was money well spent. The Nano chain will make it cut smoother than the 3/8LP.

[@AverageHouseHusband]

@@boomupengineering I considered the Echo but the XCU08 was such a good deal and knock off batteries are cheap.The 2511t was quite a bit more I didn't really want to refuel or start a gas saw up a tree or God forbid climb back down to refuel.

[@boomupengineering]

@@AverageHouseHusband Not sure which saw would get me further. I have only 5mah Makita batteries. With the 5.0's I scale in at 10-1/2 lbs. while the Echo is 7 lbs. Huge difference when reaching for a cut. However, I have use for both, especially since I run Makita 18V tools.

[@AverageHouseHusband]

@@boomupengineering Guess it's confession time. After a bit working with the XCU08 I came to the conclusion that it was a bit heavy for some of the work I was doing and I picked up the XCU06 for on sale for $150 if I had gotten the 2511T I could have used the same saw for everything for a couple dollars less than the 2 makita's and extra batteries...

[@boomupengineering]

@@AverageHouseHusband I look at my 2511t saw and Monkey Beaver 1.0 saddle in a similar way. I have the Makita cordless saw and had a Notch Sentinel saddle which came free with my first gear order. They both worked but I wasn't very comfortable. The saddle was a bigger issue because it was causing me noticeable pain. I wasn't sure I should spend the money but I did sell the Sentinel to offset the $450 Monkey Beaver. Regardless, money well spent because my enjoyment went way up, also because the Echo is so easy to manipulate. I climb to work around my own place, get exercise, help friends and teach my two boys. You should see the pride in my 11yr old when he helps another kid who has never climbed before. Priceless.

[@ItreboR63I]

Push the chain away from you, with the back off the tooth so if you slip your not going to run your hand across the teeth if you slip.

[@ClimbingArborist]

👍

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video. Good follow-up review.

[@ClimbingArborist]

Thanks dude, appreciate the comment 👍

[@bradleywise835]

The milwaukee cuts better

[@ClimbingArborist]

Does it?

[@dab.]

@@ClimbingArborist In your first review, the Milwaukee was much faster and smoother than the Husky. You said it was 'about the same power' but actually the Milwaukee won hands down.