We've had this device for four years now, so this is more of a follow-up than an initial review.
I use this chainsaw to cut up windfalls on both our home and office land, where there are some trees (many over 12" diameter).
So far, all I've had to do to keep this saw working perfectly is to clean it when I'm done, keep the chain/bar reservoir full of oil and re-sharpen the chain once/year. That's it. It keeps working reliably year after year.
I've never had a gas-powered saw do that. Even with winterizing and the proper maintenance, all of the other saws I've used failed after 1-2 seasons and required servicing of the gas motor. Every one of them.
I'll keep using it until it falls apart and then I'll get another.
Wassapointed 2nd time out. Just used this morninng for third attempt. 3 cuts. 1 16" and 2 8" cuts. And its dead on fesh charge. Tool falls out of slot in handle. Box had no packaging in it? Manual was stuck to packaging tape. Was this a return? Just charged again and got less cuts then my last with smaller part of tree. Nedd to see about reeturn i guess.
Response from greenworkstools.comBy Greenworks Customer Service , Greenworks Customer Service , September 30, 2018
Hello Benjamin
Thank you for taking the time to post this review for your Cordless Brushless Chainsaw (GCS80421). We are sorry to hear of the problem you have described. We understand you'd like to return the product but please feel free to reach out to us at 888-909-6757 (1-888-90WORKS) and we can investigate this together and find out what was going on.
We live and operate a business in the Pacific Northwest. We have a lot of trees on both our home and office properties. Every winter, there are storms that knock down some trees or cause limbs to fall, creating dangerous situations.
Needless to say, having a good saw is vital to live and work here. I've personally owned seven saws over my fifty-some years of living and working here; this is by far the best saw I've ever had.
Why?
1) It always starts and runs. Always. Every time. No repeat-pulls, no flooded cylinders, no clogged fuel filters. It just runs. Consistently.
2) 'Winterizing' (or, in our case, Summer-izing)? Easy. Clean it, keep it lubricated, sharpen the chain periodically. That's it. Next season, it works as it did last season.
3) Torque. Nice thing about electric motors - the torque band is flat. No matter how fast or slow I run it, it always provides the same angular force to the spindle. Starting a cut, continuing a cut, ending a cut. No big. Stops instantly. Super-safe.
4) QUIET. I was cutting firewood in the back yard, and my wife didn't even know I was outside. That's what I'm talking about. I can use it at midnight and no complaints from the neighbors.
5) Weight. Even with a 4A·h battery, it's lighter than the Kioritz gas-chainsaw that it replaced. Well, didn't actually replace - I still have the Kioritz, I just winterized it and put it away and I never took it back out again. That was three years ago. If this one ever breaks, I might use it again - but I'm not holding my breath.
So, that's it, in a nutshell. Love this saw. You may be able to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.
I got tired of dealing with gas pole saw so I bought the Green Works 80v 10" Pole Saw. Wow it cuts like a hot knife through butter without having to lug a gas can around...no more mixing up gas & oil...no more hot motor to get burned on. All this with a lighter, better balanced tool!
Don't let the 18" or 80v fool you. This thing is a fantastic size for an all-purpose chainsaw. It's light, has all the power you would need and is amazingly quiet. It does just as well as my previous name brand gas chainsaw. I have done tree work at 7-8 pm in the summertime without bothering my neighbors and that is a true joy. I'm a musician too so having quiet efficient tools is so refreshing. No gas to mix, no adjustment tool to lose or remember, (its neatly tucked inside the handle) unlike gas chainsaws where you have to bring your mix gas and tool into the woods. Not sure what else to say. It's a great tool and won't let you down. You can use the 2 AH battery to make the saw lighter for limb work or you can slip a 4 AH or higher for a little more weight to help with cutting and longer run times. Run time is very efficient. Chain automatically stops when releasing trigger, this is really nice if your constantly putting the chainsaw down on the ground. No idle chain still moving and vibrating and getting dirt in it like a gas chainsaw. Oh also it starts every time ;).
This tool is a little heavy to handle but that weight actually works for its advantage. There is downward pressure on the pole saw so once your up at your branch she is ready to fall and cut down through it effortlessly. Just wear some eye protection (no ear protection necessary!). I have limbed 100's of branches with this tool now. Still going strong and is a pleasure to use.