Best Electric Chainsaws For Pensioners
It is said that 60 is the new 40, and it is true that many so-called senior citizens are fit, healthy and active.
It therefore is no surprise that many older folk are keen to try their hand at something new. And that includes wielding a chainsaw in their back yard!
So the question is this. What sort of electric chainsaw would be the most suitable for a pensioner who does not have much previous experience using a chainsaw?
We aim to answer that question for you here.
———————————————————————————————————————
Sidebar
We are limiting this article to electric chainsaws. This is because there really is no reason why the average senior citizen would need to operate a gas-powered chainsaw.
Gas-powered chainsaws are notoriously difficult to start.They are noisy and smelly and you need to carry a supply of (usually) 2 stroke gas around with you. For the part-time or newbie chainsaw user, gas powered chainsaws are probably more trouble than they are worth!
——————————————————————————————————————–
Electric chainsaws, on the other hand, are the opposite. They are easy to start, are quieter and more eco-friendly. Most are light, and have enough power to accomplish most jobs that an older person would wish to tackle.
They also offer models that are much smaller, and therefore lighter and easier to handle, than the traditional gas-powered type chainsaws.
2 Basic Types of Electric Chainsaws
Electric chainsaws can be divided into two groups based on their power source. They can either be corded and thus need to be connected to an electricity source of some sort, or they can be battery driven.
Corded electric chainsaws generally have very short cords (rarely longer than 18 inches) themselves. This means you will invariably need an extension cord to operate the chainsaw.
Be aware however that using an electrically powered tool on the end of an extension cord is fraught with a whole bunch of technical considerations.
For that reason alone, battery powered electric chainsaws are a much better option. They can operate anywhere and at any time without the need for an electrical power point close at hand.
Yes, their working time is limited by how long the battery lasts. However, most people will find the battery working time is more than sufficient for most small jobs.
Small battery powered chainsaws will easily cope with this sort of pruning.
And if battery operating time really becomes an issue, then buying a second battery is always an option.
We are going to look at 2 broad options which should cover 99% of the needs of most senior citizens. The first option will cover small or mini electric saws (6 to 8 inch bars). The second option will cover slightly larger chainsaws (12 inch bars).
The Best Small Electric Chainsaw to Buy
Chainsaws come in a range of different sizes. Battery powered chainsaws can be as small as having a 4-inch bar (the part of the chainsaw that the chain runs on).
Many of these mini chainsaws are designed to be operated with one hand. They are ideal for smaller jobs.
So, our choice for the best small battery powered chainsaw for pensioners is:
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet 6 inch chainsaw.
If you want something slightly bigger, then choose the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hatcher 8 inch chainsaw.
Milwaukee for the win!
Why do we rate these chainsaws ahead of the (literally) hundreds of mini chainsaws on the market today?
We believe the following aspects are important, and particularly for pensioners!
– A recognized chainsaw brand name.
This is particularly applicable in this class of chainsaw. Most of the competition are branded with names that are unfamiliar to most people. That’s not to say they are bad tools, but there is a degree of comfort when you buy a well-known and proven brand.
The downside – price! These Milwaukee chainsaws are significantly more expensive than their competition. However, you usually get what you pay for!
So if you want a chainsaw that is going to be effective and last a long time, then it’s worth spending the money once and be done with.
– One or Two Handed Operation
Almost all battery-operated chainsaws of this size are designed to be used with one hand. These Milwaukee mini chainsaws however are designed in such a way that, if you feel the need to steady the saw, there is a place and space for a second hand on the tool.
It’s a very useful feature for arms and muscles that may no longer be in peak condition!
– Brushless motor
Being powered by a brushless electric motor is not unique to the Milwaukee brand. However it is an important supporting factor.
Brushless electric motors are just that much better than the older brushed variety. In summary, they have better performance and last longer. It really is a no brainer to choose a mini saw with a brushless motor over one with a conventional brushed motor.
You can read more about the advantages of brushless motors here.
– Instant Start and Variable Speed Trigger
Being an electrically driven saw, you don’t have to worry about priming the engine, pulling a cord multiple times, temperamental carburettors and all the other issues that come with a gas powered chainsaw.
Just push in the safety button, pull the trigger and away you go.
The variable speed trigger allows you to have more control over the speed of the chain at all times which can be handy.
As we get older, simplifying life becomes a mantra for many people. In chainsaw terms, this is as simple as it gets in terms of starting a chainsaw.
– Automatic Oiler
Many mini chainsaws don’t have inbuilt automatic chain oilers simply because they are small and don’t have much room to accommodate one. To keep the chain and bar oiled you then need to carry around a small oil dispenser with you and apply the oil regularly.
Some of the sellers of these small saws without oilers will claim that they don’t need oiling. However, a steel chain running around a steel bar creates a lot of friction and without any oil being applied, you can anticipate a short lifespan for both the chain and the tool.
So having an inbuilt oiling system is a major bonus. It keeps things simple – as long as you remember to put some oil into the reservoir!!
– Size and Weight
Both these chainsaws are less than 20 inches (50cm) long and weigh less than 5 pounds (2.25kg) without a battery. They are well suited for pensioners and senior citizens who might not have the need, or desire, to wrestle with a big chainsaw.
These are awesome chainsaws BUT they are not perfect.
These small Milwaukee chainsaws are well rated by all that use them. Like all products though, there are a few potential issues you should be aware.
– Bare Tool Only?
You very often have to buy the bare tool (i.e. the chainsaw without the battery), a battery and a battery charger separately. In other words, don’t assume you are getting that all (and you need it all for the chainsaw to work!).
They do this because, like many electric tool brands, one battery can power a selection of other tools within the brand. It makes it cheaper if you already have a battery and battery charger for that brand that will work.
But of course, if you are starting from scratch, the initial outlay can hurt your pocket a bit.
NB – you will also need to buy some bar and chain oil as this won’t usually be supplied with your initial purchase.
– Batteries
Batteries can be a complicated subject. In an effort to keep it simple there are 2 factors to consider here.
The first is weight.
Obviously, a bigger battery weighs more. This means you have to add that weight to the weight of the bare chainsaw to see how much the tool will weigh when you are using it.
The second is battery capacity.
For this discussion we are going to talk about Amp-Hours (Ah). We will limit ourselves here by saying that a higher Ah rated battery (e.g. 5Ah) will work for longer than a lower Ah rated battery (e.g. 2Ah).
You can read more about this somewhat complicated issue at https://www.mkbattery.com/blog/understanding-battery-amp-hours.
And of course, a 5Ah battery will weigh more than a 2Ah battery!
NB. When buying a battery, make sure it is compatible with the tool!! Many brands, Milwaukee included, have different ranges of tools with each range potentially having different battery requirements.
– The Location of the Safety Button
This is an issue with many mini saws and it’s no different here. Pressing down the safety button and activating the trigger at the same time can be a bit of a challenge due to the placement of the button relative to the trigger.
Nothing you can do about it except be aware of this issue which is more an annoyance than a deal breaker.
Milwaukee Mini Chainsaw Wrap Up.
While there are literally hundreds of small or mini chainsaws on the market today, the two Milwaukee mini saws mentioned here are, we believe, the best value for money and the least likely to give you problems.
Whether you opt for the 6-inch bar Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet or the slightly bigger 8-inch bar MilwaukeeM18 Fuel Hatchet is a personal choice.
Either will serve you well for a long time.
The Best “Big” Electric Chainsaw For Pensioners
But if you have a big yard, or need to cut some firewood, then a somewhat bigger chainsaw may be required.
So if a bigger version is needed, then the Dewalt 20V MAX battery powered chainsaw is our choice.
In terms of suitability for pensioners, the Dewalt has the same important features that we identified in the Milwaukee mini chainsaws.
To recap:
– Well known and trusted brand name
– Brushless Motor
– Automatic Oiler
– Instant start & variable speed trigger
– Lightweight and only 25 inches (63.5 cm) long
Two issues to consider that might make you think twice about buying this:
- At the time of writing, oil leakage from the oil reservoir was quite pronounced and hence irritating to many. One would hope that this has been noted and that they will sort it out.
- Some people feel the chain brake obscures your view of what you were cutting. They feel this might encourage some people to lean forward over that to see better. Obviously not a good idea!
The Best Electric Chainsaws For Beginners
Everything we have written about these chainsaws that make them ideal for pensioners applies equally to chainsaw novices.
So if you have never used a chainsaw before but would now like to get one, then a small battery powered chainsaw would also be the ideal chainsaw for you.
A Final Word
Small battery powered chainsaws are great tools for doing the odd bit of clearing up, to take camping with you and so on.
However, if you want them exclusively for pruning, then you need to consider WHAT you are wanting to prune.
A mini chainsaw will do fine for most things with a diameter of more than say and inch (2,5 cm). However, if your main aim is to potter around pruning roses and other more delicate plants, then electric pruning shears are probably a better bet.