Milwaukee Chainsaw Long Term Review 1 Year Professional Use. The Good the Bad and the Heavy !

Thank you Milwaukee for giving me this saw! It’s been a tank and slain many a tree in the last year.
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Josiah, the Tree_Strider is a contract climber based in Northern California, and a tree climbing Instructor focused on training the next generation of climbers, tree workers in safer, more efficient work practices.
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 owning!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬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 Edge amzn.to/4a3XqA7
Saddle: Edelrid Treerex amzn.to/4a0Y4y9
Gloves: ANSI A5 Cut resistant amzn.to/3ycBC7X
▬Saddle accessories▬
Favorite Carabiners:
Bulletproof Triple: amzn.to/3NxEqlL
EDELRID HMS Strike amzn.to/3p1Cc45
Oval Power 2500 Triple amzn.to/3VssGTI
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:
Milwaukee M18 Top Handled Saw amzn.to/3UIfBHc
▬Climb System▬
Petzl zigzag (Best for beginners) amzn.to/3o3QFYw
Petzl Chicane (for SRT use) amzn.to/3o7itew
Rope:EDELRID Woodpecker amzn.to/3LNQqyf
Foot Ascender: amzn.to/3nrgp5u
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/3fmGURds
X-Rigging Ring amzn.to/3wb2or1
Rigging with Pulling/Lifting : Pelican APE :amzn.to/3NDIYHi
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Social▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Website stridertreegear...
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Facebook / strider-tree-service-1...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Music Credits▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
www.streambeat...
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[@richardf9137]

I like a Review like this after 1 year in a Real Working Environment!

[@PrometricUSA]

I’m just a homeowner but own 6 wooded acres.. have 3 nice Husqvarna’s but wanted a limping saw.. this one is a beast.. even better is the m18 hatchet.. what a combo.. so impressed, never thought I would like electric in a saw.. when it comes to a 40” red oak I still pull out the 372xp… but would never give up my Milwaukee’s

[@JohnnyButtercuts]

Long time Milwaukee owner here. Although I do not own any electric chainsaws from them I did just buy their new electric pole saw. I love it. My climbing saw is the Echo 2511T. I love the sound of my Egan pipe screaming at full throttle!

[@Stridertrees]

Yeah their pole saw is phenomenal!!

[@christianedwards1823]

Modded 2511t's absolutely slap. the milwaukee pairs with it well as the are on opposite sides of the performance spectrum. 16in bar works great. Gotta build your own doggs. Not sure if someone manufactured any.

[@JohnnyButtercuts]

@@christianedwards1823 I have taken tops from 10-14” down no problem with it. The pipe 100% alone gives it life. It’s a boring saw without it but having a 7 lb. saw over a 10 lb. is a huge difference

[@Lostin2024]

Great review. That thing looks like a true beast. Like some other people said maybe the 6.0 forge battery will be your saving grace and help with the weight. Thanks for putting out quality content.

[@truemanley2953]

Hi Josiah! I just wanted to put in a request for you to make more videos explaining how to prune all different types of trees- young, old, conifers, deciduous, for aesthetics, for health, specific tree species, etc. There’s not enough content on properly doing this and I feel like you have the perfect channel to do it.

[@Stridertrees]

That’s a good idea, it’s a bit tough because most every tree species has different recommendations so it ends up being one video per tree type, but I do have a video covering the generalized basics that is pretty consistent across most trees, and I could probably do another and it would be good idea !👍🏼

[@John-cj3ve]

I used to run big saws when I was younger. Now I just use battery operated ones for a hobby. I'll buy this one or that one just to see how they perform. Something that might be fun for you, would be to try the Biusine top handle saw from Amazon. I bought one just to see how a top handle saw works out for me. I have never had a top handle saw. The smallest saw I had back in the day was a Stihl 020AVP with a 14" bar. Anyway; this Biusine is a beast! It comes with a 14" bar with non-safety full chisel chain. The motor is huge! 1800w! I'm still learning my way around a saw of this configuration. I think it is great fun. P.S.; the cost is around a hundred dollars. This includes two batteries and two chains.

[@dankotos61]

Thanks for the information. I've been thinking about one

[@pathofresilience1796]

I bought a Milwaukee Top handle this last weekend,and Im absolutely impressed by it. I used it for limbing and pruning all weekend and it was flawless! The 6.0 batteries definitely balance out better,but like you mentioned the 12.0s seem to have more power etc. Would recommend this saw to anyone 👍😎

[@spiercevaughn]

Great review! Thanks! I was close to buying this saw when you did your first review and glad to hear it’s holding up. I ordered a ported 540 mk 3 a couple months ago and still waiting on that to come in… I’m thinking about ordering this saw too. My old 194T has taken a royal beating over the last several years! Haha

[@Stridertrees]

Glad I could help! If durability is what matters most to you, you can’t go wrong with thissaw but if you could be gentle with your equipment the T542LIXP has Excellent ergonomics and is much more refined when it comes to tree trimming. It’s really nice. I generally grab it first these days.

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the review. I run an Echo 2500T & a Husky 540i....love the e-saws. Weight is a problem for me in the trees. Less is better (I'm 77). I'd buy a Milwaukee in a minute except for the weight and balance. The Echo DCS2500T is a joy to use for limbing....so light and well balanced. The 540i is heavier, but allows me to take some spar chunks after topping. Maybe the next version of the Milwaukee will be a little lighter and better balanced. Thanks for the review.

[@kabir424]

I have the 2500t and the Milwaukee top handle. Given a choice between the two saws I enjoy the Echo 2500t significantly more than the Milwaukee. It's significantly lighter, it's much better balanced, and it cuts a bit more like a chainsaw than the Milwaukee. The Milwaukee seems more like a circular saw made in to a chainsaw which might not be too far from the truth considering Milwaukee's other products. I do use the Milwaukee for larger wood but I have pushed the Echo into some bigger wood than I normally would because I didn't want to swap saws. It does ok as long as you know how to cut with an underpowered saw on stem wood and as long as the wood is green. But, for limbing and pruning it's a world of difference in favor of the 2500t.

[@Stridertrees]

Yep, it really makes sense to have something super light as much as possible up in the tree !

[@alexworks9659]

Try the new 6.0 Forge batteries. Lighter and about same power as 12

[@Stridertrees]

I have heard good things about those I will have to give them a try.

[@prestonluscher776]

How’s the runtime tho the 6 forge vs the 12

[@adamheiermann2462]

Have you tried the new FORGE batteries? Supposed to be the same power delivery as the 12s without the weight

[@MrMessiboss]

Could you do a video comparing the miluakee vs makita top handle saws?

[@trevorwhat]

Great review. Thanks for putting it together.

[@echologged85]

Great review! My favorite climbing saw is The Echo 2511t just because its so light but I do like the Milwaukee top handle saw. Westcoast Saw makes some great 3 point felling dogs for the M18 top handle thats a pretty nice upgrade from the ones that come on the saw. I've learned a lot from your videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@Longtimerolling]

Thanks again..! helpful review.

[@Stridertrees]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zaccheus]

Did you just sharpen that saw with a battery in it and the brake released?

[@John-cj3ve]

I've noticed the 'choppiness' with a couple of MY saws that have a slower chain speed. The faster the saw; the smoother the cut.

[@John-cj3ve]

The performance is very impressive; but the price is breathtaking! And I've spent 650.00 on a battery operated saw! I suppose I find the price of admission to be a little excessive; because I don't have any use for a saw in this configuration. But I can see where a climbing arborist would look the other way due to the unparalleled performance.

[@judyl.761]

Have you tried the Milwaukee 16 inch battery saw?

[@feelthepayne88]

I'd like to see a side by side cut demo between this and other top handle saws in your arsenal, gas or electric. I want this saw, it looks like a winner and I'd love to have a top handle. Does it perform ok with smaller batteries? I have one 6ah high output but most of mine are the 5ah standard batteries.

[@Stridertrees]

It won’t run well with the 5 ah and it’ll probably run ok with the 6 ah but it won’t want to make multiple big cuts in quick succession. It will go into overheat protection mode. There are fewer cells in the smaller batteries to provide the current this saw can draw under max capacity, so each cell has to provide more energy therefore they heat up more quickly.

[@PowerThroughMusic]

Wheres that 542i comparison video?

[@gregbrown9271]

Just got one today 👌

[@toolonthehill]

What ya pay?

[@gregbrown9271]

Think it was like $329 no batteries

[@chillipphi]

Heavier than the new Stihl?

[@philodox7599]

please take the battery out before putting your hands near the chain. You are ALWAYS 1 small short away from that saw turning on by it self

[@THEBEARDEDTOOLGUY]

RUN The FORGE BATTERY

[@PowerThroughMusic]

It has less capacity than a 12 though

[@philodox7599]

A 12ah forge has less capacity then a 12ah HD? Is that what you meant?

[@THEBEARDEDTOOLGUY]

@@philodox7599 nope the 12amp FORGE is like a 15 amp DeWalt Flexvolt

[@alhere6335]

Heavy, awkward and had trouble making cuts without going into protection mode unless opeating a 12 amp hour. Feel and weight are two very important factors for someone using a saw daily. If you are throwing your shoulder out pull starting a small gas saw then perhaps change the plug and clean out the air filter. I was interested in this but it sounds as blocky as the two handled saw they have which I tried and sold.

[@jonzimmerman427]

I own 2 of these saws. Do yourself a favor and tape the safety switch down. Try it.. you won't go back.