Surprising Results Logging w Battery Powered Chainsaw Husqvarna 350i 

This saw is an excellent choice for the occasional use homeowner. No old fuel, no fuel stabilizer, no mixing oil, no running the saw dry, no pissed off neighbors.

Lets face it, we are all going to get old. In my mid 70's I have faded a bit. Using a pro size chainsaw tires me out a lot faster than it used to. Fatigue is dangerous when handling a chainsaw. The 540 series Husky combined with a Flexibelt makes the saw feather light. I can carry two batteries on my belt which uses a short umbilical cord to connect to the saw. I still use the big gas saw for dropping and bucking the really big ones, but more and more I am reaching for the electric. My back and my lungs appreciate the Husky. I also use the same batteries to run my electric Husky brushcutter. It's great!

Your rational attitude is a breath of fresh air. Lately I've been unsubscribing to RU-vid channels that indulge in toxic politics, both liberal and conservative. I'm switching my attention to fellow rational Americans who sweat and do real actual work both physical and mental and know that the world works a bit differently than extremist politicians would have us believe.

I bought a stihl 300 pro electric saw last fall and have cut 14 cords of hard maple with it, ranging in diameter from 6 to 25 inches . As an injured person that can't do the pull cord thing anymore this saw is amazing! There are 3 speeds, eco, standard and full, at full power it has a chain speed of 30 meters per second(100')! The saw is the equivalent of my MS261 for power. They aren't cheap! With 2 500s batteries and the fast charger and saw it tops $2000CD but it's a game changer for me to be able to continue to heat our home with wood without trying to find help. So, pricey but when you get a pro model like this one you can do firewood the same as a gas saw, after 2 batteries I'm more than ready to recharge myself and the batteries!

You do need two, three pretty hefty batteries to run these saws anything half serious. But once you do that, well, the beautiful thing about battery powered equipment like this is that with two good batteries you could run about any number of different tools. In addition to a pretty powerful 18" chainsaw, my two 40V packs run a lawn mower, pole chainsaw, hedge trimmer, 2 string trimmers, 2 leaf blowers. On the other hand, I am really missing out on all the gas and oil fills, carb adjustments and rebuilds, cold season fuel drains, spark plug changes, oil changes, pull starts, air filter cleans, and that beautiful wakeup sound and aroma of two stroke in the morning. Life is truly full of tradeoffs.

I have the Greenworks 80v saw. One of the best things about a battery saw that many overlook is that it has practically zero vibration. No more numb hands from running a saw.

I have two 40V battery powered chainsaws, with 4 batteries. Excellent for occasional use out and about, each battery gives me 1hour to 2hours work. It works for me, as i might leave my saw for a couple of months, pick it up and its ready to work. I don't have to worry about old fuel/ dodgy carberator etc.

This whole thing was an excellent analysis from a man who doesn’t pull punches when it comes to equipment. Thank you, Wilson.

I'm not a logger but a climbing arborist. I think the two biggest improvements for the past while have been mechanical friction devices and electric top handle climb saws. You could keep everything the exact same and only change those two things and it would make a major difference in productivity and comfort for most climbers.

Thanks for giving that battery saw an unbiased look Mr. Wilson. I was a little fearful you’d think it was a joke, but it looks like it went to a good home. The Husky 350i is kind of a mid level battery saw, but it seemed like the minimum you’d need not to just throw it in the dumpster. Remember that little 350i is about 1/3 the cost of your big Stihl. Stihl’s MSA 300 or Husky’s 540i/542i XP would be closer to your Stihl gas saw’s cost and performance.

You must be the most objective level headed RU-vidr ive come across.

Probably the biggest thing I noticed when switching to an electric chainsaw was the lack of noise and that it was almost like a false sense of security. "Oh, this isn't loud like a gas powered so it's not as dangerous." Might not get burned on an exhaust but you definitely still gotta respect the tool, even if it isn't screaming at you.

As someone who is allergic to hard work, I enjoy the down time I get while the battery is recharging. Even better is using a corded electric tool, where much of the work is avoided due to short cords.

I think the utility of having an electric saw with a solar power station and a handful of batteries and chargers on an off grid lot makes sense. Yeah it won’t do the same as a gas saw, but for somebody not doing the work for a profession it seems like there is some good utility in it.

Honestly of I'm just going out into the woods for the day to clear some brush or cut down some invasive stuff, I think I'd appreciate how much quieter an electric saw is than a gas one. Being able to "refuel" with solar is a plus, too.

Battery saws are great for quick jobs. If Im cutting all day, its gas for sure. Don't think of it as either or, more like another tool for the job. Most people have more than one pair of shoes. Different shoes for different terrain.

I run saws a lot. This is a good review. Most people don't need a commercial production saw. Most don't need to cut more than a tree or two. One advantage is most people's gas saws sit around and don't get used the battery saw would not have carb issues due to bad gas. I'm intrested in adding one to my arsenal.

I just like the fact that you can hear the woods when your not using it

I will never have enough land to have a need for a pro size fuel saw, but I am glad to learn that these electric tools are now good enough

I use battery saws on my property in Northern Michigan. I'm off grid and about an hour on sand roads to the nearest gas station. My solar setup that I need up there anyway can keep me running indefinitely and for free. I have an MS 500i if I need it for big diameter stuff, but I rarely do.

I worked as an arborist for 30 years and have used many chainsaws in the most difficult positions. One thing I like about electric saws is... How quite they are. Not that good for gelling "big" trees but fantastic for pruning. People don't know you're up there.

I know nothing about chainsaws but the benefits of having less sound, less vibrations, no exhaust fumes… the pros are better than the cons imo

Definitely the first Humboldt Undercut using an electric chainsaw on your property.

Different chainsaw strokes for different folks. I use both and you outlined the reasons why very well. Thanks.

We own that saw and love it. In fact it's the only chainsaw we own. Since we were total newbies, we didn't think it was a good idea to try to cut down a tree bigger than the 16" blade could handle anyway. It's obvious that that great big powerful saw you have with the huge long bar on it eats wood like it was Rice Crispies. But since we've known nothing else (except for our tiny little Milwaukee Hatchet...forgot to mention that), AND we're not cutting down really big trees, it works a charm! We have two batteries and find that if we put the used up battery on the charger before popping the charged battery in and starting to cut, the first battery is fully charged by the time we've used up all the juice in the other battery. So other than sharpening or replacing the chain and topping up the chain oil as needed, that little saw can basically go all day long! Another thing about this saw that I've heard is NOT true of gas powered chain saws is that when you take your finger off the trigger, the chain almost immediately stops going around on the bar, as if it literally had breaks on it. So this is a great safety feature. We love, love, LOVE that we don't have fumes, gas expenses or the gas itself to have to deal with, never mind all the maintenance of the engine, etc. We love the saw. It's been excellent for us. I WISH they made larger ones, but oh well. Maybe someday!

I'm involved in a group that uses Milwaukee battery saws, and I'm pleased with those - they will do a full depth cut with the factory bar. I also have a friend who's an arborist, and I asked him what he thought when we first got the milwaukees, and his answer boiled down to three things: maximum torque, minimum weight, and never being at the top of a tree pulling a string to try to get the thing to start.

Wow, very impressed that DLWoregon gave you this saw. He's a generous and forward thinking person. I love my EGO 18" electric chainsaw, but I'm a very light user. Just clean-up here and there. Not having to worry about carburetor maintenance and fuel spoilage is really nice.

Thanks for putting in the time to evaluate this saw. Your comments/observations are spot on. Gas vs electric comparisons are apples and oranges; and each have their place. For a homeowner, this saw has much higher merit. For a pro-sumer or commercial logger; not so much. Thanks again, and keep up the great videos 👍

I'm 68 and spend my summers in northern Wisconsin. It is rare I ever felt a wood tick crawling on me. Last year while I was logging, I got bit by a tick and the result was Lyme disease. I though I had a bad cold but a blood test confirmed it and, I got one of those bonus ticks that not only was carrying Lyme but also gave me babesiosis. Now at the end of every day in the woods, I do a full body search with two mirrors every time I go out. I don't ever want to go through that ever again! By the way, I love your channel and just subscribed!

Thank you for the open minded, honest review. I've recently added a battery saw to my gas saw collection and it's now my go to for 90% of jobs.

Honest and fair review. Its always about the right tool for the job

America needs more people like you who don't talk crap or spread conspiracy theories.

The model of saw you buy makes a big difference! A good, knowledgeable dealer is worth their weight in gold…

I have both and like them both for what they are made for. Love the electric saw for quick deals, and you’re right about the no- noise between cuts being nice! And you can't beat how easy they start!!😂

Not having ticks on you is a sign of a very well managed understory.

Me and my brother bought our dad one just like that for Christmas this year, and he loves it. It's a great saw, now it want cut like or as fast as my big gas Husqvarna saws but I wouldn't expect it too. But I have grabbed it when needing to trim up a few things around the house because it's easier then getting my big saws

I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning

The best thing about battery powered tools that could be gas for those of us who don't use them every day, is we don't have to worry about winter prep, and other issues from sitting too long

Congrats on being able to discuss the politics of this issue without making either side wrong. Very rare.

They absolutely have their place. The Husky 350i Power Axe is hands down the best deal right now, I have four I think. Have had other Husky and Stihl battery saws that were good but much more expensive.

We build bike trails with groups of volunteers. The difference electric saw makes when working with a group of people is extraordinary. Most of that is based around the noise and exhaust. The quieter saws are excellent. Fire danger was mentioned and it is a huge issue in our area as well and now it's an issue really from spring until fall. One thing you might notice when you hike in to do work the electric saw is that the package is the same weight coming and going.

I think the higher pitched sound of the e-saw might do damage to one’s hearing. And, my audiologist said that the highest frequencies tend to go first as one gets older. I would wear the hearing protection.

Don't have a battery operated but I do have a corded electric that I like, just used it earlier today for a few minutes on big oak branch that fell. 3 gas and 1 electric, I use the electric most often for my limited needs.

Lately I have been doing a lot of wood chipping of trees and branches and I have been getting tired of starting the gas saw to cut one piece of a branch that doesn’t want to go through the chipper, an electric saw like that one you have there would be great for this purpose.

I use my gas saw in the woods and keep my battery saw in the truck and around the property. I've cleared my path in the winter of downed trees with the little battery saw several times. Saves me from having to keep my expensive gas saw in the truck all the time.

Looks like it’s going to be awesome for my wood carving and for beams and boards

Well, you professionals would obviously choose the best for your needs. I’m just a homeowner in a semi rural area. I just got an 8 inch electric saw and it’s the cats meow! A lot of my work is intermittent some trees here, little ones salmon, berries, Etc. Love how you don’t have to start it or stop it. Quiet enough to use without earplugs at least the small one. Switching the batteries, sometimes I’ll need two in a day for this intermittent work, but no fuel no oil to mix actually quite a bit cleaner than a gas saw . For This kind of work I’m a convert.

I'm an ancient logger a l have an electric chainsaw. It's awesome around the house to cut limbs and stuff like that. A bigger one like that would be good for a firewood cutter. I just couldn't imagine being able to log with one yet. The key word is yet. Our family logging business started with crosscut, axe and horses. We have lived the evolution of logging.

You looked more comfortable standing and bucking versus all that kneeling and bending with the short bar.

Awesome! You have an open mind. I respect that.

I use a Makita saw around my sawmill and also for cleaning up limbs after a storm. Here in West Virginia I'm seeing more and more arborists using battery powered top handles. "From my cold, dead hands" will I ever give up my big Stihl's!

Love the sound of power!

I have that same Husky 12-lb, 40 volt, 18"-bar saw. Did you discover the higher-chain-speed button on the right ? Shorter run time, but cutting speed more like equivalent gas saw; a little higher-pitched noise level... That said, their 7-lb, 40 volt, 16" saw is the one that gets used the most around here because it's so light.. It has a right-side button that gives you a slower, quieter chain-speed for longer run time in smaller wood. With an extra battery, these saws easily out-work a retired guy like me. One Big advantage: NO pull-start; just push the ON button and pull the trigger...! There are other brands w/ longer bars, and 80 volt motors, that might be interesting to try... Great to see the deer resting in the sawdust by your sawmill... Waiting for a hand-out ?

I use a makita mostly clearing trails while on 4 wheeler , cause I don't have to keep stopping and cranking. And also very handy in bucket truck

Thanks for showing us.

I have a Ryobi 18" 40v and it lasts long enough to get a few hours of work done around the property. But for work it's the gas saws for reliability of having power on demand.

That saw looks impressive. I watch DLWOregons channel and decided to look at some other videos on it. I currently have a Husky 570 and a Stihl 261 that are both fantastic saws but I need something for my camping-road clearing adventures that I can run when it’s the dry season and I don’t always want to bring the gas with me. I have a Dewalt 20v saw that I’ve put a lot of work on over the last several years but I need something a bit bigger. I think this saw is a good fit for the camper/overlander/homeowner that doesn’t quite need a gas saw year round but needs something more than a hand saw.

I have both , use the battery one for small trees and residential use because it’s quiet and use the petrol for the bigger jobs , they both have there place

I want one of them little 6 inch saws... looks great for camping...

I have never used a chainsaw and I don't work with wood. I don't know why youtube recommended this. But I watched it entirely. You make really nice videos. Thank you.

Hey Chuck Norris of the forest, you can use the husky for your angle back cuts 😄

Thanks for the video!! I have an older battery saw, theyve came a long way. May have to try a newer version!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

I liked the way that saw didn't bog down and cut out.

i bought the 350i last year and am very impressed. it is the first saw i reach for unless i am cutting a pile. for bucking and limbing it is very handy. the biggest downside is that it takes like 5 hours to charge the battery unless you drop another couple more hundred on a fast charger. and extra batteries are hundreds. but with that taken into consideration, the 350i is a great saw. lowes had them online for $360 last year.

I like cordless for quick jobs ,after fighting 2 strokes since I was 12 , I sometimes just get tired of them. Theres no way these compare to a 390xp etc.......but you also aren't breaking the cord or cleaning the plug when you just want to get some wood cut. He makes a good point about the exhaust,I get a cough when I run all day

I just came across your channel and I'm enjoying your content. I am in the process of building a "woodyard" around a MechMaxx SM26 sawmill. I have a 12" Kobalt 24v chainsaw that I like to keep around the mill, because it is quiet, quick, and easy to grab to lob off small limbs/knobs or whatever I miss getting my logs ready to mill. Keep up the great content!

The Stihl Ms 3000 electric chainsaw cuts like a professional gas powered saw. Its awesome. It doesnt last that long but for a few trees of occasional forestry its the best thing out there right now.

I used one a bit. Quite impressive. It wood be great to have in the truck or 4wheeler. But for cutting timber professionaly theres no comparison. The battery saw is handy, the gas saw is a beast

I love my electric saw. I cut northern hardwoods so I use my gas husky to fell and limb the trees then use the electric to buck it up into firewood. I run a battery full for bucking then use the time to charge the battery to split my firewood. Hard to get rid of the gas saw but the electric has its uses.

Every tool out there has its place in the toolbox. 😉👍

I have the same husky battery saw. It’s a great saw and works good for what you did. Smaller firewood and brush cleanup. It’s starts to show weakness on large long cuts as those really take a toll on the battery. But small log cuts and brush clearing/limbing it does fantastic. Not as powerful as a gas saw but also none of the headache. I can grab the saw and battery, fill up bar oil and start cutting in under a minute. For a down tree in the yard or across the road I’d be done before I could be started with my gas saws.

Great videos 👍 no BS keep up the great work. You gained a subscription.

I'm power agnostic. I've a Sthil saw I inherited from my Dad, a great saw that is close to 30 years old, but still works fine with minimal maintenance. I've used a few battery saws and, while they aren't as good as the 2-smoke saw, they are good enough for what I need. I'm only cutting firewood and clearing up a few branches, not dropping big trees all day. My hearing is also shot to hell, so I'd prefer a battery saw.

Truth is, that saw would probably fit my needs. I think the hardest thing to adjust to would be the sound. I noticed you still tended to rev it up like a gas saw. I would too. Thanks. -Ed 😄👍

I bought my first electric "outdoor" tool (weed whacker) a few weeks ago and for my light use case it's just so much more convenient than 2 strokes. I don't currently own a chainsaw but now that I'm in a battery ecosystem of this class I'll most likely be going electric when I finally buy one. I'm all about batteries when they fit a use case and are actually something that makes my life easier, the only real drawback for my use case is how much additional batteries cost (usually more than the tool you're shoving it in).

I live in town and run a corded saw. Pull the trigger and it starts every time.

I think you're on point -- for 98.3% of people, the battery saw is more than enough chainsaw for their needs. And for most of those people, the few times they might need more saw can be filled by a rental. But it will some time (if ever) before they are capable of replacing all gas-powered saws.

I love my electric chainsaw! Especially in the fall time. I am able to get a full day of felling trees done and come back to the house to carve up the turkey or ham my wife cooked up.

I do a lot of trail dead fall clearing here in Canada using silky hand saws, and for some reason im not as young as I used to be so I can see a time not to far from now where i will be getting a battery saw , to me a battery chain saw is a huge step up not a step down. the amount of cuts you made on one battery would be roughly equal or less that I would do on a typical day trail clearing so for me battery would be great. I would still need to lug an extra battery and chain oil with me but the quietness and no gas would be a huge bonus so thank you for showing this , much appreciated.

I've used the Dewalt 18 inch bar set up (battery). great for smaller trees and limbing up trees. run time depends on the batter size. 60 volts. I see you have a similar logging unit on your 3 point as well.

Great review we’re Offgrid and I’d have one, mainly because we have a wood fire for the colder months hence no need for petrol, hi from downunder 🤙🇦🇺

I used a Ryobi 14" saw for trail maintenance on trees up to 10" or so. It works great and is quick. We had a giant hemlock come down. Me and my friend tag teamed it with the Electric and bigger Gas Saw. I could limb much faster than he could and then we used the big gas saw to buck it up. It was a good combo for the day. These saws get better every year. If will be a more fair fight when the gas and electric energy density is equal. Great video

I think for the casual cleanup of property and light work I think the electric saw would be perfect

I have the smallest Black and Decker to use for blowdowns and firewood. Very handy and all B&D batteries interchange. Very handy.

I think they have their place, I have 2 electric, one corded for around the wood shed and a cordless for limb work and smaller trees. They are a nice break from gas powered and hardly need any maintenance, my corded one has been around over 10 years with no breakage, battery one is going one it's 3rd season with no issues.

Wow, the comment about the disconcerting sound these saws make....you took the words right out of my mouth! They really do sound like they're self-destructing!!😂😵‍💫

I have a couple of consumer grade battery saws as well as other battery tools from Makita and DeWalt , often these are what I grab first these days . One advantage of your Stihl with the long bar is the ability to stand up and buck , the battery saws certainly have their place though .

I like the 100% torque at zero rpm

Great video, even if you just used it for dressing the tree and taking the branches off as fast and handy.

I have a stihl electric saw with a 4inch bar. It works great for the little branches I ran into while operating my lawn and landscaping business. 2" to 4" is it's wheel house but I have gotten crazy with it before and cut a 6 inch limb to see if it could do it.

Bought a small 4 1/2 inch Makita for climbing. Had to down an ash tree heavily weighted towards my moms and neighbours house. It was plus 70 feet. Buy the time it was down to 4 1/2 or greater it was MUCH more manageable and guaranteed safe to draw away from the homes. This is my most used battery device. I am a hero on glading days in our backcountry ski area near Huntsville Ontario. The smaller blade is more efficient than a bigger battery saw and as no big trees are getting hit it is perfect.

I have the older Makita 36v and the new 40v and use them quite a bit. Nothing like you do but its super easy.

In February I bought a ECHO DCS - 5000, it has a 18” bar. I love it for the convenience it has, no gas and it’s quieter for sure. But I soon found out it didn’t like cold weather or 12”- 18” Douglas Fir. The battery only lasted for 14 cuts at -10 Celsius. I still like it for warmer weather and smaller logs. It doesn’t replace my bigger gas Husqvarna

He shoots, he SCORES! A Hat-Trick; 3 for 3 on the Doug-fir. First Humboldt cut on YOUR channel with a Husqy battery-powered saw! Well damn done, Sir. So pleased to welcome you into the battery-powered fold. Will it do what your big-bar saw will? NO; but it will fill-in when the seasonal restrictions kick in. Pick up another battery and you'll be able to go for a couple hours, which is when you'd be taking a break anyway. Hearty cheers from your battery-powered neighbour in Linn County.

😂😂😂loved the "they"! when describing the tick.😅

I have the 20 inch 60v DeWalt chainsaw and it's awesome. Great for property maintenance and even commercial work.

I bought a 35cm Makita 36V saw because I was tired of the weight and hard starting of my old gas saw. I use two 5 Ah 18V batteries and supplement with 3 Ah's from my other 18 V Makita tools. It's a great tool for harvesting firewood from downed wood in public owned forest. My next set of batteries will be 6 Ah. Sold my old 40 cm gas saw for $30.

Got to love the smell of 2 stroke saws

I just go with an electric and cut some fallen branches for firewood without a permit in the forest. And I cleaned a chestnut tree in the yard with it. They are more quiet, clean and easy to use. i love it. For bigger jobs I would pay a professional. For the occasional use around the house or cabin the electric chainsaw is perfect for me.

In an Urban environment, Arborists and homeowners alike can run the electric advantage because of the no noise factor. And, as you said, no issues during fire season, you can continue cutting. I can't vibe with it personally, I love the exhaust note of the gas saw, and that's part of the adrenaline rush...lol Plus,, the long bar and power advantages of a traditional gas saw make it remain the professionals choice.