Tool Tuesday Makita 36V XCU04 16 inch Cordless Chainsaw

It's been a long time coming for this tool review, but I review my beloved Makita XCU04 36V 16" chainsaw. I compare it to the Milwaukee chainsaw that I reviewed last year in the exact same Ponderosa Pine log. Does the Makita destroy the Milwaukee or the other way around? Watch and find out!
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Makita XCU04PT1 36V 16" Chainsaw with dual charger and four 5.0AH batteries amzn.to/30auVmq
Milwaukee M18 18V Fuel 16" Chainsaw with charger and one 12AH battery amzn.to/3qjGy5e
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[@mrglsjr]

I purchased that model this summer, and have been putting it through it's paces this fall. I actually used it today to drop, limb, and buck a ~15“ diameter tree. It was around 30' tall, so about twenty-one cuts, and I went through two and a half pairs of 5AH batteries. I've found that it works best when I let the saw do the work, and don't rush it. I can hear when it's starting to bog down, and if I ease off a little bit it usually won't stop on me. I've been really happy with it. As a side note, the XCU03, XCU04, & XCU07 all use the same motor, so you can change bar & chain lengths from 12"-16" as needed. I also have a XCU02 (18V X2, top handle, 12") that is very handy when limbing. It also can run 12"-16" as needed.

[@arresha_eng]

Thanks for the video. I went and watched the Milwaukee video, I think the wood was green in that video, and this video the wood is more dried out which will make the wood harder.

[@izoyt]

and log seems to be thiner last time.

[@anthonywychock3449]

Totally unfair video. The wood is 2to3 times as hard now. The blades are both used. You never let the Makita cool off. To do a fair comparison u need 2 of the same brand new blades and brand new batteries all to be done on the same log at the same time.

[@JB-fh9rb]

I have several Makita 36V outdoor tools and have owned Makita brand hand tools since the early 1990's... While it takes some getting used to; the battery protection for Makita can be annoying at times but I have to believe it saves the battery life significantly. I always try to buy Makita when it makes sense. I almost hate to put yellow or red next to my blue but I have a few of each.😁

[@orangesforall2053]

Makita makes some awesome stuff, I have the new dewalt 18” chainsaw and it finally can compete with the makita 40v rear handle. When they release the 80v rear handle i think I’ll have regretted my decision lol.

[@Resistculturaldecline]

Been in construction for almost 30 yrs, and battery tools are an all day - everyday presence. Ive had them all. Makita often isnt fastest brand, or necessarily the most powerful. Milwaukee surely wins with variety. But, over the years I have observed less trouble with Makita than other brands. Not a substantial amount, but a junk Mak is an uncommon thing. Reliability is tops. I have different brands of corded tools. DeWalt, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Makita, and Bosch. I will only use Bosch or Hilti for corded concrete drills - no exceptions. But my battery tools are Makita.

[@buttmuffins3586]

I pulled the trigger (lol) on a close-out Makita 36V mower, now this saw will also be added to the garage, thanks! (I deeply respect the views of a person wearing the smartest fall/winter gloves on the planet, my beloved Kinco’s ;))

[@1956vern]

I just bought the 14 inch bar! I have a generic 10 inch that takes the makita battery and other makita battery power tools! Yes I’m a fan of makita! My friend is a harbor freight Bauer fan and has a drill blower and the 6 1/4 saw! We will stay with the two because of batteries! Thanks

[@Houseofcanary]

Thanks for the video , they around $275 on eBay the same set just a tool is about $150

[@cerisefraker1572]

I would be curious to see if you would have tried to make one more cut after your assessment when it cooled down.

[@PR0V0L0NE]

Thanks, chowderhead.

[@minde28383]

the dog is amazing. Saw also ok, want one too.

[@arporntomaino7509]

Good video and well explained. Thinking about to buy one,after saw the video.

[@normneufeld9688]

You probably would have done fine if you had used Makita 6ah batteries which would have been a fair comparison to the Milwaukee. A fiend has the Milwaukee and it cuts very well BUT the bar is very flimsy compared to the Makita and has given him trouble. Thanks

[@wesparker799]

It also looks as though the diameter of the rounds might be slightly smaller on the Milwaukee group. That last round on the far right looked to be 1-2" smaller than the far right round cut by the Makita. BTW, just bought the xcu04, do a lot of tree work. We'll see.

[@mikebythesea45]

Do you have an update on your XCU04?

[@tubastuff]

I've picked up the Waitley (Chinese) 9AH batteries for my string trimmer. I wonder how they'd do in my XC04 chainsaw. One difference is that the Makita brand batteries shut down before they're completely run dry. The Waitley will run down considerably more, which should be watched. Generally when I hear the speed drop, I swap batteries.

[@DennisHicks78749]

Wow. You really put the Makita through it's paces at the extreme limit of it's usefulness. As a homeowner, I plan to replace the bar and chain with a top quality 14" set. This way I won't be tempted to overmax the saw. Also, I know neighbors will want to borrow it. I don't mind saying no to tool borrowing requests. But in an emergency I will probably help them out. Generally I'll want to be there with them, but being in a wheelchair I may not be able to. With the shorter, thicker kerf bar it'll hopefully keep them from overworking the motor, and from bending the bar. Project Farm testing showed the Dewalt running faster, but liked the balance and handling of this Makita. In a second vid he recommended a Echo batt powered 16 incher. But I have four sets of batts for my Makita, which means if I can use a charger I can run that saw all day long. Without the charger it'll still go plenty long with four sets of batts. Since all my cordless devices are Makita (well, I have a little demon powerhouse 12v Bosch drill driver that rocks my smaller tool world) it makes sense for me to leverage the batteries both ways by getting this Makita. Now I have enough batts to drive any tool I have ll day long without recharging. At least all day long for me, since I can do less from a chair than I could back when I could stand. Thanks for the video. BTW, if I wanted to cut lots of trees and logs that are 14' across, there is no way I'd buy the Makita for that application. But it si nice to see what it can do when you push it, really, beyond it's intended use. Oh, and i love the enhanced safety of the instant off when you release the trigger. Greatly reduces chance of injury, or severity if an injury does happen.

[@DanSarahMakers]

Thanks for the comment, for the big trees, I have 2 Husqvarna saws, a 455 Rancher and a 572 XP. If I need to cut 2' diameter logs into fire wood rounds, that's the way to go! I probably use the Makita 30 times for every one time I use the gas saws.

[@jakethetool698]

Those that own tools, and know how to use them, usually don’t ask to borrow tools. When someone does ask to borrow a tool, you can almost assume they know nothing about tools.

[@tackanderson4270]

It's understandable to test the limits, but this is far beyond that. Not sure about the HP ratio, but the 4" rule was far exceeded. The only thing more dangerous than a buried bar is pulling a cut with a buried bar.

[@jma8352]

i hav both but the makita has faster rpm but not the power and i hate the button on the makita

[@oddthought1]

Would never use that for bucking out, would use my stihl. But for fall cleanup/ trim would be ok

[@abelgerli]

I do only have two chains and a Pferd Chainsaw Sharpeners CHAIN SHARP CS-X that thakes out thd guesswork out of chain sharpening. My chains are therefore sharper than new and cut perfect. Its crucial to hace a sharp chain.😊😊

[@s3an6]

Thanks you for this video.

[@John-lj1zi]

Nice vid! Will still buy the makita

[@northman9227]

I do that all day long with the same tool, I never see a unskill user like that ... bat was the goal ? piece of makita for sell a another dirty tool ?

[@markk3948]

Awesome video. I counted 8 for the milwaukee tho and milwaukees were alot thicker lol mikita makes nice tools, decent prices on most aswell. I personally find milwaukee usually has more power but the tools cost more. Did that aftermarket chain perform better than the original?

[@markk3948]

Oh and your bar is upside down lol

[@Echo22WC]

​@@markk3948other than printed words, what makes a top?

[@markk3948]

@@Echo22WC a top?

[@Echo22WC]

@@markk3948 yeah, for someone to be "upside-down" there's obviously a top & bottom 😉

[@markk3948]

@rkeogh22 someone or something? Lol yeah I know I'm just fussy like that lol

[@DillyWillow]

Well I would say these chainsaws are really meant for cutting smaller diameter logs which I’ll be doing… now to put it together and give it a whirl 😀

[@corygriffiths4394]

No their not I have a Greenworks chainsaw and it’s only a 10 inch and I cut up a regular size tree.

[@oddthought1]

How much for the saw? Does it come with batteries? A charger?

[@elgi131]

How many recharge cycles do these batteries hold up, before you'd have to buy a replacement?

[@shortyorc121]

It's a makitia... hundreds man. Hundreds.

[@blakesmith9039]

Excellent for trimming, brush and light stuff.But even then not worth four hundred some dollars.

[@thealokin4663]

realy good video

[@Silverback_GMT410]

Great vid!

[@jm-handyman7878]

No está la barra al revés?

[@TheBeaker59]

Interesting is that a North American thing? 5 Ah batteries are rare for Makita here in NZ all I have are 10Ah batteries for my Makita's watching this because I am considering one of these saws.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

I don't no if you know but. Makita batteries need too be charged and drained at least 15 times from new before the cells start performing att full power as. Told bye Makita too me

[@corygriffiths4394]

The downside to a lot of these name brand cordless chainsaws is the battery and charger isn’t included you have to buy them separate and you end up spending more money rather than getting like a Greenworks chainsaw and the battery and charger is already included.

[@MrRolloTamasi]

For me it is an advantage - hedge trimmer, chain saw, drill, impact driver and grinder. All share the same batteries.

[@dmc2537]

A 3/8 pico chainsaw chain 40 to 50 dollars? 30 dollars?? must be covered in 24 carat gold In my country Portugal a stihl, husqvarna or oregon chain for this chainsaw does not cost more than 15 euros, which are 12 to 13 dollars In your country things are expensive

[@harambereincarnate]

Dang that thing is sharp! Fresh chain or filed?

[@DanSarahMakers]

It was almost a new chain. I did some brushing and limbing beforehand but the chain is super fast and sharp. The curls from the rip cut looked like a pile of straw! Thanks for the comment.

[@FranklySpeaking73]

wow! thanks for the info-packed video!!

[@Bogdan-kk9bd]

👍👍👍

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Liberals ruined gasoline. That's why I bought this saw. Fill a saw with treated gas, set it down for 6 weeks, and you may not be able to start it.

[@tysonernst9657]

so 6 cuts at the most.... thats HORRIBLE

[@joseenriquerodriguezdiaz9037]

you have the bar upside down 👍

[@tristanwebster]

It's chewing out dust like that. Chains blunt

[@RobTheTrucker]

Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear.

[@joshl90]

@Jose tell me you’ve never used a chainsaw before without telling me

[@hdrjunkie]

I think he played everyone with his comment…. Lol