Makita the budget electric chainsaw contender !

Makita XCU08 vs Husqvarna 540i liXP head to head comparison
UPDATE!
This saw is a few years old now and falls well short of newer models by husqvarna and Milwaukee which ive both used. This served its purpose in its time, but is NO longer a recommended saw considering other options unless youre VERY invested in the makita battery ecosystem.
What is a skill or technique you would like explained? Let me know in the comments.
For those who would like to support the channel, the purchase of ANYTHING on Amazon after using my link is helpful, and the following list consists of Many of my favorite daily use equipment for climbing and rigging. All these are excellent pieces of gear you won’t regret to own!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Patreon▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
If you've found this video valuable and want to thank me, please consider donating at my Patreon
/ stridertrees
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬My Gear Picks▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬Climbing▬
Helmet: Pfanner Protos amzn.to/3xZMX71.
(THE BEST!! If you can find them, the integrated glasses are great)
Helmet Intercom: Cardo Packtalk Bold amzn.to/3exMvFo
Saddle: Monkey Beaver available only at monkeybeaver.com
Gloves: ANSI A5 Cut resistant amzn.to/3uBySKZ
▬Saddle accessories▬
Favorite Carabiners:
DMM Ultra O and Perfect O: amzn.to/2R9bnua
Rock Exotica Transporter: amzn.to/3hgz1zr
CMI Shembiner : amzn.to/3hgYzMN
Petzl Zillon Lanyard : (my personal favorite ) amzn.to/3uE6XtB
Yale Steel Core Lanyard: amzn.to/3o5lvQu
Silky Tsurugi hand saw: amzn.to/3tvKcqA
Notch Quickie: amzn.to/306eAvB
My Climb Saw:
Makita 36V top handled Saw amzn.to/2Rc8wRd
▬Climb System▬
Petzl zigzag (Best for beginners) amzn.to/3o3QFYw
Petzl Chicane (for SRT use) amzn.to/3o7itew
Rope: Petzl flow amzn.to/3tDnEnE
Foot Ascender: amzn.to/3tDiwQH
Knee Ascender: amzn.to/3beZnhG
▬Rigging Equipment▬
Cmi Rope Jack: amzn.to/31qUlKq
Soft shackle: amzn.to/3jfCBaK
Notch portawrap: amzn.to/2Qob7Uf
Throw weight: Notch 14 Oz: amzn.to/3w3ObfJ
Throw Line: Tuefelberger Dynaglide: amzn.to/3ogU1Ym
Ultra Slings ( rigging rings and Arborist Block/Pulley): amzn.to/3fmGURd
X-Rigging Ring amzn.to/3wb2or1
Light duty Rigging: Notch sasquatch: amzn.to/3fknlJp
Heavy Duty Rigging: Samson Dynasorb ii: amzn.to/3ohf0Ky
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Social▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Website stridertreegear.com
Instagram / tree_strider
Facebook / strider-tree-service-1...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Music Credits▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
www.streambeats.com/
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[@WeGoWalk]

Excellent comparison review. Well done. Very helpful!

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

I have the older Husky and so far, I’m loving it. Over a year now. Great in the bucket. Don’t miss the noise or the exhaust! And no hot muffler!

[@Stridertrees]

it is a great little saw, and with the newer batteries its even better!

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

@@Stridertrees need to know more about newer batteries.

[@imkrane]

Great video, thanks...I bought the Makita XCU06T 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 10" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal for just cutting up campfire branches and stuff, I am VERY impressed with it... I have used it to cut a lot more trees down and cut up more trees than I ever thought I would with it, I am going to buy the Makita XCU08PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless (5.0Ah) 18V X2 (36V) LXT 14" Top Handle Chain Saw Kit, Teal for my go to top saw, I love the no smell and little noise...

[@anthonyr6286]

Getting into tree work, climbing and still learning. I got the Makita, almost the Stihl... So far I love it. Got a few aftermarket 6ah batteries. Aside from using it above, it's a great saw for getting a tree limbed and also making slight marking cuts for bucking

[@C-Wilsons-View]

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge :)

[@stevebrough304]

Thanks for the battery chainsaw review. Hope all is well with you and your family up in your neck of the woods.

[@chris247478]

Nice video. All my shop tools were Makita so it was a no brainer to buy that saw when it came out. I liked it so much I got the pistol grip saw for my groundies. I purchased the little 10" XCU06Z that only takes one 18V not too long ago when it was on sale. There's not too much you can do with a 10" saw for removals or larger prune jobs, but it is nice for mistletoe removals, especially on live oaks where you're crawling through all those witches brooms and you want as little as possible hanging off your belt. A fresh Silky is probably just as effective, but it's a fun little saw and you should try it out if you find it cheap. I look forward to the next video, try to stay cool out there.

[@user-ud5mq8ch3s]

We have the 36v and the 40v top handles running 10 " bars , they are superb , highly recommend.

[@jimmydupres1847]

Thanks for the video , just on time was planning of buying a makkita

[@Stridertrees]

I haven’t regretted it

[@BairMendoza]

Haha. I liked the eyewear comment you threw in at the end. Even the pros have their moments! 👍🏼😂💯

[@Live2Surf]

Old school here!! I try and never forget my safety glasses when ever I cut. Just a matter of time before a splinter finds its way in to your sclera or worse. I was thinking of getting an electric climbing saw but my Stihl 192 won’t die. Going on 9 years. Does finally need a muffler as the old one just detached on me. time does what it does. I like the channel!! You can always teach an old dog new tricks. Peace Be safe to all. Speed kills. Mark 57 over--

[@schwartztekllc]

I have the Makita 36V saw and it works well. As a learning climber though, I had to break down and buy an Echo 2511t. I can share chains between both saws with the 14" bar. The Echo is much lighter and still cuts well enough after adjusting the carb. It starts super easy too. Soon I'll try opening up the muffler to get a little more chooch. I'm sure I'll still climb at times with the Makita but the Echo is easier to deal with when navigating around a tree.

[@benjaminbordson7502]

Have the 18v Makita and it rocks for pruning work, waiting for an 80v xgt Makita to come out 👌

[@Stridertrees]

heck yeah, more power more better right?

[@zacharyvought5597]

Have you seen the ECHO DCS-2500 battery saw? I'd be interested to see what you think about it. Looks like it is available in the states now

[@JessePawlak]

What are the exact chain size? You said that you each saw take the same size chain. Thanks

[@louislax14]

Do you feel like trying out the dewalt top handle saw? I think we'd be interested to know what you think, and get a comparison with the makita! Haven't tried one myself yet, but i feel like the dewalt would be a great chipper/groundsman saw!!

[@ddonron9071]

Ready to buy the Makita. If you had one choice would you buy top handle or back handle saw? Thanks

[@danielreynolds6498]

XGT few saws are starting to appear now. I have this top handle saw it’s been a great saw. I have 24 18 volt batteries to.

[@erik30012]

happy with the Makita

[@Rahnlev]

Hello there, nice movie about the chainsaws, I was just wondering weather you know some thing about the name tags on the Makita XCU and DUC, is it just a matter of Australia brand vs USA brand or there some kind of a difference worth mentioning?

[@davidchang8428]

Have you had a chance to use the Ego 56V chainsaw? Any thoughts?

[@indigophox]

Can you also link whatever bar adapter you're using to put the Stihl bar on the Makita?

[@jiffypop247]

I bought the Makita based on this review. I live in MN and our number one removal is ash trees killed by EAB. Ash is one of the toughest trees to cut through in MN. The 36v makita is worthless here. It stalls out 10 times through a 12" cut. I used it around 10 days on the job. The chain tensioner malfunctioned, then I almost cut myself. The f$@#n' throttle interlock failed. I accidentally hit the throttle twice, which I have never done with any other saws. After testing that the throttle interlock didn't work anymore, I smashed the thing to pieces and tore out the electronics to recycle. absolute garbage

[@JohnVeitch1]

Can you tell me which Stihl 14" bar and chain you have on the Makita, looking for something with a little bit more cutting power

[@bigobasementprod.9776]

Love the Makita saw...own one myself. Was skeptical about electric chainsaws but the Makita changed that. Lightweight... powerful, no gas or carb. to fool with. Was a no brainer since my tool line is Makita.

[@sirvozelo1]

You are right my brother also went with Makita he is a contractor and use the same batteries in other tools, but last year just for the fun we went into a chalange sense I have the Stihl, so we set up I got the Stihl 220C and 161T he have 2 Makitas comparable, power wise was very much no diference but the Stihl kind feels better on the hands, this acording to him. I use to have 3 gas saws, sale 2 and just keep my old husky for memory. I find battery more convinient and have 3 now, Stihl 161T, 220C and MSA300, however and speaking in regard to what I have hope they can improve batteries cutting time and come down on price.

[@branchmanagertreeworks7780]

I have the Makita saw and found that upgrading the 16” bar to a 14” bar was a big improvement in power, battery life and weight

[@jacobandmalakye4070]

What bar did you get? I

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

The makitas throw chains dewalt 500mm bar version id a beast with 15amp

[@andrasnemeth6659]

Does the Makita still in bussiness? How do you satisfy after this time frame? Are you still recommend it?

[@BroniusK]

Hello I see your Makita saw has a Stihl cutting band. I want to know what exact model the cutting bar is on and the chain? You can see the inscription ROLLOMATIC E. Was it not necessary to redo or replace Makita itself, or did its standard units fit the new cutting band and chain. P.S. Lithuania

[@igorkuzmanovski5552]

That makita saw is my favourite saw. The run time gets reduced on big cuts as the battery get to hot and don’t have time to cool down versus stopping and starting

[@paulamoore1221]

I've looked and looked but could not find the weight of the Makita XCU08 with the two 5Ah batteries and bar and chain. Nobody carries them in the town where I live to check them out.

[@mimhap]

Huuus-kvarna, kind of like “hues” without the j-sound. Town name in Sweden, literally House-Mill. (Love your vids!)

[@newgunguy4176]

I don't know where everyone sees the "A".

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

You left out the A. 😎

[@babiesfartingfire6007]

Anyway to put 1/4 pitch on that.

[@Jeromemarc]

Thank you for this great comparison! I could not find the XCU08 on the German market. Do you think it is the same model as the Makita DUC256? Could not find anything about a rebranding within reasonable time. Also, would you recommand using the 5Ah or the 6Ah version? Should one be a difference of 2x 60 grams...

[@Stridertrees]

you won't regret having the biggest battery you can get. They go through them pretty quickly especially in the cold. as far as I can tell the DU256 306 should be comparable. I think there may be some difference in which bar/chain combo comes with each.

[@cretanbull1]

I have the XCU09 model and want to reduce the bar length to a 14” carving bar. Which bars fit for this model? Panther has a conversion kit to make it a 1/4” pico, which is out of stock, and I don’t want. Some light reading online said echo bars work. Can anyone speak from experience and expedite this transition?

[@mreggbird]

So I have the Makita saw too. I have the standard bar and chain but I want to get a different bar and chain. What are you running on it if I may ask? Hope to hear from you!

[@elijahowens8507]

I've heard converting it to 1/4 pitch chain with the panther bar makes it rip.

[@9.16TreeService]

I really like my makita 36v for smallish stuff! Rather use that than the 2511t in awkward trees just because there is no pull cord haha. Anything big I run my 355t which is a great saw once you muffler mod and advance the timing if ya want! 👍🏼

[@xpumax1]

I have the 355t to and I like that saw very much. But I dont understand why is necessary to modify the muffler. Can you tell me why? Thanks

[@9.16TreeService]

@@xpumax1 it’s not necessary! It helps the saw run a little cooler and you gain a touch of power and responsiveness from doing it 👍🏼

[@xpumax1]

@@9.16TreeService Thanks! And is it difficult to do it?

[@9.16TreeService]

@@xpumax1 no it’s not too hard, lots of videos on KZbin too look at 👍🏼

[@WhiskeyTangoFoxtraught]

Glad you mentioned the 355T, I’m actually thinking about the 36v Makita and pick up the 355T for solving bigger problems. I have the 18v and love it for small pruning.

[@GiegX]

Got this Makita, the only thing im not happy is too loud tone..... i tried to buy sth generating quiet sound like :)

[@richkellett2418]

I was using an electric husky climbing saw the other week. I liked how quiet it was but, like you say, with large cuts the battery ran down pretty quickly. Can’t see them ever replacing 2stroke engines without a giant leap forward in battery technology. I was thinking maybe someone could make a larger battery that you could clip onto your harness and have the chord run through the lanyard, but the there’d be all sorts of problems with that.

[@martinrebane]

If you'd like a longer running time then I suggest to go for Husqvarna, they have significantly larger and longer-lasting batteries. Or just get several sets of Makita ones.

[@AssafLevyIL]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3TUc52kaNpgptk

[@brandonswan9247]

Did you have torque boost on the Makita?

[@warped2875]

It does have the boost function, but it only goes for around 60 seconds and then drops back down to normal mode. In order to use boost again, you have to power off the saw for at least 10 seconds before you can activate it again, ...and the batteries have to have enough juice left and also not be to hot from supplying the extra amps for the boost.

[@newgunguy4176]

Why does everyone pronounce it "husqAvarna"? It's clearly written Husqvarna without the A.

[@warped2875]

Also, ...it's pronounced hoosk-varna, not husk-varna.

[@edgararmas5406]

Can you show us how you sharpen your saws

[@Stridertrees]

I’ve actually got a couple videos about that exactly on my channel, one for filing round and one for square filing

[@sirvozelo1]

I have buy the sthil 220 because here in Portugal is about 200 euros cheaper then huskvarna but seing some videos apparently the huskvarna is faster, I also have the sthil 161t and this one even smaller feels more professional than the 220

[@stusue9733]

I think you'll find that the faster you discharge a battery the less power you get out of it. Lots of little cuts lets things stay cooler

[@Stridertrees]

That would make sense especially considering the heat based safety shut offs both saws have

[@reubenmcloughlin423]

The older batteries seem to work fine on our top handle 540ixp, maybe I need to try the newer batts.

[@Stridertrees]

Maybe my old ones were to worn out but I could never get more than a couple cuts out of them with the new saw

[@Stridertrees]

They sure worked much better for me!

[@DawnAtSex]

The older Husky batteries work just fine on the new saw. After using the old and the new “x” battery, honestly, i can’t tell the difference.

[@colinmckim4515]

I use my old model batteries all the time. Even the non-x bli300 battery is more powerful than the 200X

[@j73stuart]

Have noticed a decline in battery performance in freezing weather? The price point on many quality battery saw remains high.

[@gnarmarmilla]

I was wondering what you fellas thought about these. They are so much more quite and that’s better for the neighborhoods you arborists or wannabe arborists like myself might be working in. I bought a 12” 40v GreenWorks chain saw only to read in the instruction manual…”do not use in a tree.” 🤔 Wonder why they say that…guess they don’t want to get sued by some careless or inexperienced person who might get hurt?

[@colinmckim4515]

They do not come with the same chain. 540ixp comes with .325 .043 speedcut nano, makita 3/8lp .043

[@cecilmize1]

Thanks but I think I will keep my EGO 16” 40cc equivalent chainsaw.

[@valentinvogel5843]

I usually really like your reviews but this is like comparing apples with pears. A tophandle saw against a rear handle saw. Not sharpening chains or using new chains for a cutting comparison isnt great either. If you get your hands on a t540i xp id love to get your thoughts on it cause its sooo much better than the old 535 ones. For small cuts and pruning i never use a rear handled saw up in the tree.

[@Stridertrees]

So the top handled T540LIXP is exactly the same except for the handle placement as the saw I was demonstrating with so it’s not so different, and I sharpened both saws as best I could immediately before the test. The useful takeaway there is that, the difference in cutting speed is small enough that even slight variance in chain quality can make up for or overshadow any difference in performance. It’s not a perfect comparison. But it gets the point across

[@aggamemnon666]

Hope they get some waterproofing sorted for the battery saws. I would love to get one but as I'm in the UK I couldn't justify getting one to use it 2 months a year. Lol

[@deltatrees2726]

They are fine in rain just don't drop them in a pond im in Southampton and run battery gear all year

[@ryanrichmond1261]

My stihl msa160 is 5 years old and not had any problems

[@jean-christophegallant8855]

I have the t535i and the t540i and I do not own an x200 battery all my battery run mint on my t540i

[@drltreecare7353]

T4401 don't u mean 540ixp

[@jean-christophegallant8855]

@@drltreecare7353 yep that what I mean

[@dose2two]

Is he filling his chain the wrong way on purpose? is this a meme. I'm new here. halp

[@arturasnesakysiu1684]

Makita is way better, why well engine and battery makita is like top brand in electric tools. They have all tools on same battery. And what about husqvarna or stihl they just started to make, only have garden no saw no any ussual tool. Pick 40volt mAkita battery is already twice the size less of husqvarna, husqvarna stihl is top brand in saws only in petrol, than they come to battery and electric they fail they become low brand.

[@Yo-Man]

not the best....

[@tunintunin3417]

Husqvarna gas is great but battery ver. are junk, I had a saw and a hedge trimmer, the batteries crapped out after just over a year, replaced 12 batteries within tree months. Dumped it all.