It was about this time last year that I reviewed Proyama’s 62cc 22″ chainsaw.

You can find that review –> HERE.

I’m back with another Proyama, this time their 68cc 24″ chainsaw.

Like last time, I wanted to start fresh with a chainsaw directly out of the box, and then put it through its paces for a few hours to tell you what I think.

Saw Setup

Proyama packs a lot in the box. The whole kit includes:
24″ bar and chain
20″ bar and chain
gaskets
scrench and basic assembly tools
file
fuel mixing bottle
bar cover for storage
face shield
gloves
ear muffs

Getting the 24″ bar bolted on was nothing taxing. If you’ve spent any time around chainsaws, you’ll be able to get the chain untangled and installed.

You will want to fill the bar oil up, as well as the fuel (40:1 mix ratio) once you set the chain tension.

Like their 62cc saw, the 68 has a prime bulb. They have specific instructions, but it’s basically like most saws:
push chain brake fully forward to lock
push the prime bulb 3-5 times until bulb is full of fuel
flip the on/off switch up to “ON”
pull the choke knob out
pull the starter cord a few times until the engine first catches

My saw started right up with no issues. It was around 81 degrees F, springtime has sprung!

Features

Proyama claims 4.5 hp for this thing, at a running speed of 13k rpm.

You can compare that to their 62cc saw I looked at last year at 3.5 hp and 12k rpm.

It has a 0.6 liter fuel tank. They claim this is good for up to 45 mins of work, but at full throttle that seems optimistic.

Oil capacity is 9.2 oz.

The handle does have a rubber grip to help with vibration. It might even be the same grip/handle as their 62cc saw.

Weight is listed as 14.5 lbs. They use a magnesium frame to help reduce weight and operator fatigue.

The engine air filter has a quick release mechanism for easy cleaning. And they also use filters for their air injection to reduce how much sawdust, dirt, and gunk get sucked into the cooling passageways.

My Review

The saw really was easy to put together.

You are supposed to use a gasket between the chain cover and the bar oiling mechanism to reduce leaks. They include two in the kit.

They do include a little stamped piece for the bucking spikes. It’s odd that it’s just part of the kit, but they include two fasteners and even a wrench that fits them, so it’s no trouble to bolt it on there.

Either I’m getting smarter (ha ha) or I just got lucky with the 24″ chain because it was not very kinked up, and I had it installed and tensioned in literally minutes.

Unlike some saws, you do need a tool to tension the chain. It’s easy to just use the flat blade on the opposite end of the scrench. I don’t mind using a tool, but if you are scatter-brained you have to remember to take this with you if you’re travelling with the saw.

It starts just fine, warm or cold. Use the purge bulb, follow their instructions and you won’t have any trouble.

It cuts really well. The saw is pretty well balanced, and cuts straight.

It has a lot of power. I would compare it to the 4.2 hp Supmix I reviewed a while back, except with more!

More power, more torque, and of course a much longer bar.

I spent quite a bit of time cutting through some pretty aged trees, up to maybe 30″ in diameter. This thing really just powers right through them.

When I stopped for lunch, I did pull the file out of the Proyama tool kit and touched up the chain. It’s cool that they included this.

My only real complaint is with the chain brake.

It works. I mean, it does what it’s supposed to. But it feels very notchy and rough. It pops back and forth only with some vigorous encouragement. Obviously not a deal breaker for a saw at this price point, but I’m just being honest with my review.

There is a fair amount of vibration and noise, but with a 68cc engine and 4.5 hp, you are not dealing with a little kid toy. Make sure you wear your hearing protection, either using what they included in the kit, or buying your own.

Overall, I’d give the Proyama 68cc saw two thumbs up!

I have heard a few folks talking about Proyama saws lately, so I thought I would give one a try.

I ordered a “kit” and within a few days it was sitting on my front porch.  My plan was to unbox it, assemble it, check it over, and take it with me on a trip into Tennessee the following weekend where I had been hired to clean up a 35 acre property.

Saw Setup

I was pleasantly surprised at all the extras included in the box.  It really is a “kit”.  Included are:

• Owner’s manual
• 22″ bar and chain
• 18″ bar and chain
• Ear muffs
• Work gloves
• Fuel mixing bottle
• Face shield
• File, 2 gaskets, and a small tool
• Bar/chain guard for storage
• Scrench
• Dogs
• Hardware
• Storage bag

It only took me a few minutes to get everything assembled.  There was nothing special or unique about loosely bolting the 22″ bar on, unboxing and untangling the chain, looping it around the bar and clutch, and then using the flathead end of the scrench to set chain tension.

I fueled it up, added bar oil, and started it of course.  No way am I driving somewhere to spend a couple of days cutting without making sure the saw runs!

It was not difficult to start.  I primed it and gave it two, maybe three yanks.  It was probably 75 degrees F outside when I cranked it up.  I avoided giving it full trigger throttle.  I prefer to break my saws in a bit easy, even though I’ve been told by engine “experts” I don’t have to worry about it.

The storage bag is a nice touch.  It is pretty thin material, and might not take much abuse, but it’s more than most manufacturers include.

Features

This saw did not cost me a fortune, but at the same time it wasn’t the cheapest 22″ option out there.  I would say it’s closer to opening price point than mid price point.

I am told it is made in China, but it is packed with features.

It has a magnesium case to help reduce weight.  It weighs around 14 pounds.

It has a primer bulb, which I’ve found typically helps get a saw started with fewer pulls.  Would you rather rip your arm off a couple of extra times pulling on that cord, or just push the primer bulb?!

They use a filter to reduce the amount of grit and dirt that circulates through the case and around the motor, which in theory should help it run better and cooler for longer.  But the drawback… you have to clean the filter.

They have a rubber sleeve/grip on the handle.  They claim to have an anti-vibration system, but I’m not sure if it’s anything more extensive than just that grip.

I’ve heard this saw is similar to the SupMix 62cc saw, or possibly made by the same parent company.  But I’ll point out Proyama advertises this as a 3.5 HP motor, 12k rpm speed, where as the SupMix I reviewed a while back was 4.2 HP and 8500 rpm.

My Review

This thing is typically easy to start, whether it is warm or cold.

It cuts well, and has reasonable power.

My saw sometimes had just a bit of a stumble off idle, but it was not annoying and didn’t seem to affect it running or cutting at normal RPM.

It cuts fairly fast, ergonomics and balance are good, and it cuts straight.

I would give the chain durability a solid C, maybe a B.  I did end up with some burrs on some of the links.  I actually wish instead of packing the saw with both a 22″ chain/bar and an 18″ chain/bar they would have just sent it with a spare 22 bar and chain.

I took this saw along with an old trusty PoulanPro.  I wouldn’t say I preferred it over the PP, but it is not a bad saw.

Along those lines, I don’t like it as much as the Supmix behemoth I reviewed last year, but it’s a different size saw and frankly I didn’t pay as much for this one.

All in all, I rate it a “B” and I think it’s worth the money.

With a great balance between raw power and ease of handling, the DEWALT DCCS670X1 chainsaw is designed with homeowners in mind. It’s ergonomic and quite efficient, so it’s ideal for cutting needs around the yard and house. No, it’s not a pro saw, but it’s suitable for the majority of folks in the market.

In this article, I’ll cover a broad range of topics, including what I think about this saw, general info about Dewalt’s Flexvolt system, and how the DCCS670X1 stacks up against the competition.

DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V Tools
DeWalt’s 60V FLEXVOLT battery architecture is a smart move. They know that one of the biggest concerns consumers have is making sure their tools have enough power. DeWalt has jumped through a number of technical hoops to give us a battery that works to provide excellent power and runtime.

Once you go through my review, you’ll have a solid understanding of how the 60V battery works in this saw, and whether it would be right for you. Regardless of what I think when I try it out, if your needs for a saw, or your application, are different then we need to consider what technology is best for you.

Features:

• Up to 70 cuts per charge (on a 6″ x 6″ pressure treated pine wood)
• Low Kick Back 16″ Oregon bar and chain can be used in construction and outdoor cutting applications
• Tool-Free chain tensioning and bar tightening knob (simplifies bar clamping force adjustments)
• Auto-Oiling for continuous lubrication
• Quarter-turn oil cap for quick oil re-fills
• Chain brake for kick back protection

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the DEWALT DCCS670.

Review | DEWALT DCCS670X1 Flexvolt Chainsaw

The familiar yellow and black brand coloring of the DeWalt immediately gives me a sense of ease. It’s a brand that has delivered quality and cutting edge technology for almost a century. This, in itself, goes a long way toward selling it to anyone who’s familiar with DeWalt tools.

From the moment you take hold of the DEWALT DCCS670X1 60V Flexvolt Chainsaw (wow, that’s a mouthful to say), it’s apparent that it’s going to be a pleasure to use. The ergonomically designed soft-grip handles make handling the DeWalt super easy and comfortable. You can forget about those pains that you get from using a gas chainsaw, with constant vibrations that run all the way up your forearms. The large trigger switch gives you excellent control over the ample power provided by the brushless motor. A weight of only 12.2 LBS, makes it even easier to use.

The size is really great, a 16” Oregon bar gives you a good length to cut through most logs or tree trunks with a single stroke. The chain is self-lubricating, so maintenance is virtually done away with. Filling the chain oil reservoir is no problem, there’s a well-marked filler cap on the side that opens with a quarter turn and locks tightly into position when you’re done filling it with oil. It’s a chainsaw that you can pick up, start with a touch and get to work in seconds. Even the chain tensioning and bar tightening is made really easy. There’s no need to use any tools for this, as it has a handy tightening knob.

Safety is a big concern with chainsaws and the DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V Flexvolt chainsaw has got this well covered. The large well-designed chain guard makes one feel very confident operating the saw. In addition to this, the chain and bar are designed for low kickback and it also has a chain brake to protect you in the event that you do experience a kickback.

What really sets the DEWALT DCCS670X1 apart from other comparable chainsaws is the 60V Flexvolt battery. The Flexvolt range has not been around very long, it’s the latest and greatest battery technology from DeWalt. The 60V FlexVolt battery provides the best working time out of all their batteries (up to 70 cuts on pressure treated pine 6” X 6”) but is also backward compatible with other Dewalt 20V MAX and 120V FlexVolt MAX tools. This versatility makes it highly desirable to invest in the Dewalt FlexVolt line of tools. The standard 3AH lithium-ion battery will give about the best battery life for a battery of this size and if you need more, you have an option of 9AH battery.

One thing I really like about DeWalt is their excellent warranty and service agreement. Not only do you get a 3-year limited warranty with very few limitations, but you also get a 90-day money back guarantee and a 1-year free service plan. This is a chainsaw that you can buy with confidence and be sure that you’re going to get many years of hard work from it. Congratulations to DeWalt for this.

Tech Specs (DEWALT 60V Chainsaw — DCCS670X1):

Amp Hour : 3.0 Ah
Bar Length : 16″
Bar Type : Oregon
Power Source : Lithium Ion
Weight : 12.2 lbs

60V MAX Flexvolt battery

Batteries have been around for a very long time but until now, they have always been limited to a single voltage rating. This means that you have to use a battery of a voltage that corresponds to the motor that it runs. Now that battery powered tools are so common, this has become quite a problem. This is especially true when we look at the rapid development of these tools. Every few years a new model comes out, often at a higher voltage. This makes the older tools (and their batteries) obsolete.

DeWalt is the first company to offer a solution with the Flexvolt battery that can be used either as a 20V or 60V power source. This is fantastic news for those of us who have a wide selection of tools.

The concept behind the Flexvolt is so simple, it seems strange that no one has thought of it until now. The battery has twelve 5V cells that have two switching modes. To obtain 60V from the battery, all 12 cells are connected in series. This multiplies the voltage of the cells – 12 X 5 = 60. When the battery is switched to 20V, the battery rearranges the cell configuration so that you get 3 banks of cells. Each bank consists of 4 cells connected in series (4 X 5 = 20). The end result can be seen as three 20V batteries connected in parallel. You end up with a 20V battery with three times the amount of current – your amp hours are, therefore tripled in 20V mode.

It’s pure, simple genius. While the theory is so logical and simple, it must take some pretty advanced microelectronics to achieve this in something as small as a battery. It really is a work of clever engineering.

The DeWalt Legacy

So often technology seems to be developed by engineers, for engineers. New products boast new and amazing feats of modern science that look great on paper but don’t actually have any real benefit to us as users. Well, DeWalt started out with a very different approach.

The company’s founder, Raymond DeWalt worked at Seabrook Farms as a superintendent. He sought to develop machinery that would increase productivity and offer the user good versatility. In 1922 he developed his first woodworking machine. Because of his background, he’s machine was developed from the standpoint of the user and not an engineer sitting behind a drawing board.

His ideas were so good that in 1924, the DeWalt Product Company was established at a site in Leola, Pennsylvania. The company grew fast and in 1929 they opened a new facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For its time, this was an ultramodern production plant and was a big advancement for the new company.

The Second World War increased government demand for machinery and DeWalt was one of the companies that rose to this challenge. In 1941, they expanded greatly to meet the increased demand for wartime machinery.

In 1953, DeWalt expanded into Canada and in 1955 the Lancaster plant was extended as the company continued to grow. Over the years DeWalt became a recognized brand worldwide and is seen as one of the leaders in the development of tools and machinery.

For most of its existence, DeWalt specialized in producing machinery for professionals. While they were well known in factories and workshops, DeWalt tools were not made for the domestic DIY user. In 1992, the company introduced a range of smaller tools that was specifically intended for more regular domestic use. Since then, we common folk have also had the opportunity to own DeWalt tools and benefit from their years of development in the professional tool market.

The 1990s saw the development of battery tools and DeWalt was one of the first tool manufacturing companies to embrace this new trend. In 1994 they launched a range of more than 30 cordless power tools. At that time, their 14.4V drill/driver was the most powerful battery powered tool on the market. They continue to dominate the innovation of improved battery tools, culminating in their latest achievement – the Flexvolt battery system.

In recent years there has been a shift in production by most established US and European brands, outsourcing much of their production to other countries, in particular China. For many this has been a disappointment and a lot of people believe that these products are inferior to those that were once made locally.

While DeWalt has also followed this trend in order to remain competitive, they have 7 production facilities in the US. Their more advanced products, including the Flexvolt tool range carry the logo “Made in the USA with global materials”. All products that carry this logo are made locally just as they have been for almost a century.

Whether it’s out of a sense of national pride or a genuine belief that local products are better, you may feel let down when you buy a product that is supposed to be American only to see that it was made in China. If you want to be sure that you’re buying an all-American product, look out for DeWalt’s “Made in America” logo.

Back in March, I posted about my experience with Ego’s 18″ battery saw.  You can read about that HERE.

I knew that Ego also had a 16″ version – their CS1604.  I had not tried that one before, so I recently made the purchase in order to do this write-up.

I purchased the saw from Amazon, and it came with one of the 5 amp-hour batteries, along with a charger.  According to Amazon, over 500 people purchased one of these in the last month.  That compares to about 200 people for the CS1804.  This makes sense, as there is a $100 difference in retail price between the saws.

Ego CS1604 Basics

16-inch bar and chain
6,800 RPM operating speed
IPX4-rated weather-resistant construction
Tool-free chain tensioning system
Brushless motor for longer life
35cc gas engine equivalent
3/8-inch pitch, .043-inch gauge chain
5 Ah lithium battery
5 year warranty for the tool
3 year warranty for the battery
18 lb operating weight

If you aren’t familiar with Ego products, one of their claims to fame is that all of their batteries work with all of their products.

This comes in pretty handy.  If you have one of their blowers or string trimmers, you could just buy one of their “naked” chainsaws (one without the battery and charger), and just use the battery and charger you already have.  That can save you in some cases $75 or $100.

The battery clicks into place securely.  It definitely makes up a large percentage of the saw’s weight.  Once installed, the chainsaw is pretty well balanced, but not particularly light.

As I mentioned in the CS1804 review, I think Ego makes a 3Ah battery, which might lighten this thing up by a pound or so.

CS1604 Performance

I was surprised at how different the CS1604 experience is compared to the CS1804.

I was expecting basically the same saw, but with a shorter bar.  But right from the get-go, it was apparent they are two very different saws.

The 1604 is definitely quieter, and feels a bit less powerful.  I am guessing this is all due to operating RPM.  You’ll notice Ego lists the CS1804 at 11,000 rpm, versus 6,800 RPM for the CS1604.

Ego doesn’t list a spec for their motor wattage, but we can assume the 1604 uses a smaller motor than the 1804.

The saw cuts well, with very little vibration and noise.  I noticed straight cuts, and I must have gotten a particularly sharp chain right out of the box, as this thing really made the chips fly for the first few cuts.

Ego claims this thing can make up to 250 cuts on a 4×4 post.  You can compare that to 300 cuts for their CS1804.  I suspect they get about the same battery life unless you are really maxing out the saw length.

Which I did on occasion!  Some of the red oak I was cutting was 20″ plus in diameter, requiring a 2-sided cut.  Burying the bar into the wood didn’t stall this saw out, but I could only apply somewhat light pressure.

Like their other saws, the chain tensioning mechanism works fine, and really is tool-less in its adjustability.

For convenience, I’ve added a copy of the CS1604 owner’s manual HERE.

Review Verdict

I give the CS1604 a thumbs up.

I liked the saw, but it’s definitely a bit lighter-duty than the CS1804.

I think that stands to reason, given that it’s smaller and $100 cheaper.

Depending on how much and how often you’ll use a saw, as well as what your own personal budget looks like, it may be worth your money to upgrade to the 18″ version.

But as a more entry-level battery saw, I do think it’s an attractive option.

After the big storm (Helene) raged through the southeast, there has been plenty of tree work going on. I might go more into that later.

I recently got my hands on a Dewalt DCCS620 chainsaw. This is from their Max XR series, with the 20V batteries.

I borrowed it from a friend for a weekend, and mixed its use in with a few other saws. I thought I would list a few of my thoughts and findings here, and give it a proper review.

Specs

This is one of the smaller chainsaws out there, with only a 12 inch bar. Not as small as some of the loppers (which are pretty popular these days for some homeowners), but maybe one step above.

Dewalt’s 20 volt battery series are designed to be fairly light duty, lighter weight, and lighter on the wallet. They are a step down from the 60 volt product.

It’s listed at 7 pounds, but I believe that weight is without its battery. Weight increases to 9 pounds with the battery.

It has a 550 watt brushless motor.

They claim it can make 90 cuts through a 4×4 pressure treated post on one charge.

It has a tool-free chain tensioning system.

It has fairly soft, grippy, overmolded handles.

I noticed it comes with a 3 year “limited” warranty from Dewalt, which I think is pretty standard for their products.

Review

The first thing I noticed about the saw is of course its size.

It’s very small, and very light. That can be a good thing if you’re trying to get small/easy jobs done. No sense in putting any more strain on your back than you have to.

The battery clicks into place securely. I do think you need to be a bit careful with this saw, as the battery is on the bottom and positioned in the very back. That means it doesn’t have a ton of protection, so just make sure you don’t toss it into your truck bed or drop it on some rocks!

The Dewalt enjoys the benefits of pretty much all battery saws. Plenty of torque, quieter, no fumes, you don’t have to carry fuel and slosh it all over the place trying to refill it. And of course intermittent cutting means you can squeeze the trigger and cut, set it down to do what you need, grab it and go again, all without having to restart it or leave it idling and wasting fuel.

I wouldn’t say it has an abundance of power, but given its size it does great.

I cut off and on with it for a couple of hours at one point. Its battery life is adequate. Of course cutting larger stuff, closer to its 12″ diameter max, puts much more stress on the motor and burns the battery up faster.

I was using this during two fairly cool days. I had no issues with it overheating or shutting down due to overuse. Some battery saws have that issue, but because of the cooler temps in my area I can’t really speak to that with the Dewalt.

It has good balance, and no obvious kickback problems.

As small and light as it is, I wouldn’t have any concerns slinging it across my back, climbing a tree, and using it 1-handed to limb something 40 feet off the ground.

Some users have complained about the saw leaking bar oil. I did notice some of that going on in the bed of my truck the second morning when I arrived at the job site.

When I talked to the owner, he said it was a common problem. Some people have addressed it by adding an o-ring to the oil cap. I checked the owner’s manual (you can download it HERE), and interestingly enough Dewalt recommends users always empty the oil tank when finished cutting. Haha, can you imagine what a messy hassle that would be?

Dewalt has sold thousands of these saws, especially through Amazon where it’s as simple as clicking the button and it shows up on the porch a couple of days later.

There is a reason they are so popular. They are not huge, heavy, feature-laden saws. They are small, dependable, and fairly inexpensive.

I think for a lot of homeowners who cut wood infrequently and don’t want or need a bigger saw, this 12 inch 20 volt saw from Dewalt hits the sweet spot.

Here’s the Dewalt DCCS620 on Amazon.

I ain’t getting any younger.

That’s what I tell myself every time I do something risky.

I are more aware of and take better precautions about safety these days. The older I get, the wiser I get.

Also, it takes longer for me to recover from injuries! I have bills to pay, and I can’t afford to be laid up on the couch with stitches or icepacks. Plus, I can’t stand to be cooped up.

So I “measure twice and cut once” when it comes to felling trees. I outfit myself with PPE – like gloves, pants, boots, eye and ear protection – every time, even if it’s just for a few minutes. And while I’ve never been scared of heights, I’m a lot more careful now when it comes to climbing trees or up on a roof.

I was hired recently to limb some trees.

The homeowner has a 150 yard long gravel driveway. Many years ago, trees were planted or allowed to grow up alongside the driveway. Although they are located well off to the side, over the years they got much bigger and the limbs now overhang the driveway. This has been causing some issues with large delivery trucks. The limbs contact the cab or the box on these big trucks.

In the past, I probably would’ve grabbed a small, lightweight chainsaw, a big ladder or some tree spikes, and taken whatever risks necessary to get this guy’s driveway cleared.

But what about using a pole saw?

I have never owned a pole saw before, but they have a lot of advantages.
1) Safety
You can’t fall off a ladder or fall out of a tree if your feet never leave the ground. This is a big plus as far as injury prevention.
2) Ease of use
Any time you have to climb with equipment, it’s a challenge. Whether you’re going up a ladder or a tree, carrying a chainsaw with you complicates things (even if it’s lightweight).
3) Speed
Whether you’re a weekender or you do this for a living, getting the job done efficiently and not wasting time is a big benefit. If you don’t have to shimmy up a tree or lug a ladder around you can move a lot faster. I’m guessing using this pole saw reduced my job time by 50%!

Once I convinced myself I was ready to make the investment and purchase one, I didn’t screw around. I bought the mother of all pole saws!

The Husqvarna 530i PT5

This pole saw from Husqvarna is battery powered and has a 10″ bar.

Unlike some of the other saws on the market, Husqvarna calls this “weather proof”. You don’t want to go swimming with it, but it is classified as rain resistant.

The telescopic tube uses collars to lock and unlock the telescopic function. At maximum length, this thing is 157.5″ long. To calculate it’s maximum reach, you would usually consider a person who is 6′ tall using it, so it’s close to 20′ of reach!

For convenience, here’s the 530i owner’s manual.

It uses Husqvarna’s usual group of 40 volt batteries. It has an embedded, pass-through battery attachment design that I think is both unique and really cool.

This sort of protects the battery. Having the machine itself wrapped around the battery case minimizes the number of bumps and bruises it takes.

Also, they use a ventilated design so the battery stays cool and won’t need to take a break during hot weather use. This pass-through design reduces the amount of debris, dust, and sawdust that gets sucked into the battery or gums up the battery connector.

Because they’ve made this thing out of aluminum and other lightweight materials, it only weighs 11 lbs.

Now that’s a little deceptive. Just the saw weighs 11 lbs, and once you add a battery it gets heavier. Also, this thing is obviously long, so once it gets fully assembled and extended you have to be careful as it can tend to get away from you.

My Review

There are several pole saws on the market. Why did I pick this one?

I decided I preferred a battery saw. It just made sense.

I’ve talked about some of the advantages and disadvantages of a battery chainsaw versus a petrol chainsaw before.

In this case, trying to reach over my head to get to branches way over the ground with a roaring gas engine was not an attractive option. The lack of heat and noise made me focus on battery for this application.

I’ve reviewed and used many different chainsaw brands. Husqvarna has been in the game a long time. They make really good saws, and have a great reputation in the industry.

I was looking to make an “investment” in my business, my safety, and my capability. I wanted the longest reach, and I didn’t want something that was disposable, that I would have to fix or throw away after just a season or two.

There was basically no learning curve with this thing.

Right out of the box, it was ready to rip. Adjusting the length of the boom with the locking collars is intuitive and easy.

The push button controls are easy to understand and operate.

The battery clicks in with a positive feeling latch, and feels solid.

The thing has more than enough power, especially if you keep the chain sharp.

Run time was excellent. I limbed six trees. The job took close to 4 hours, including cleanup. Of that, I was probably cutting off and on for a total run time of maybe 30 minutes. The battery still had 50% or more capacity left, and I had a spare battery in the truck.

Are there things I don’t like about the 530i?

Hmm…

Like I mentioned above, at maximum extension this thing is like trying to swing a 20′ long axe. You have to really plant your feet and be intentional about keeping the power head under control.

I specifically bought this model because I liked it’s super-long reach. So I wouldn’t change this, just something to keep in mind.

The oil/lube tank on this saw is listed as 0.32 pints. That seems pretty small. You have to keep an eye on it to keep from running it dry. Not a big deal, and I’m not sure it would be worth the extra weight to have a bigger tank.

One other thing, you are going to want a helmet. Working overhead, you have to be strategic how much of the limb you are cutting, which direction it is going to fall, and where you are standing.

If you save yourself from falling out of a tree but end up giving yourself a concussion or a broken collar bone from a branch falling on you, that might not be a good trade after all!

I like the visor on the Husqvarna helmet, which in this case keeps all of that sawdust and bark from dropping down into your eyes.

So overall, I’m really happy with my purchase. I give it two thumbs up, and I’m ready to use it for the next job!