Makita XCU03PT1 18V X2 (36V) LXT Cordless 14" Chain Saw Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah)
I use this saw to trim and cut down small trees on our home lot, but almost didn’t buy it because some reviews were highly critical of how you start the saw.
THREE switches are used to turn the saw on:
1. Depress the main power button and a green light shines; it’s above the trigger (see Amazon photo). You have 3 seconds to begin using the saw or the power shuts off.
2. Push the lock-off lever (top side of handle from trigger) down flush – i.e., grab the handle.
3. Pull the switch-trigger to instantly start the saw – begin cutting.
When you stop cutting:
... if you release the lock-lever, power will shut off in 3 seconds; start with #1 above to use the saw again
... if you hold the lock-lever down, saw will activate with the trigger.
The power button’s light becomes more difficult to see when wearing gloves. The problem is that you should always wear gloves when using a chain saw.
Picture felling a 12" diameter tree with a hundred branches that need removing and cutting up. As you make your way to each branch you’ll likely release the lock-lever to carry the saw plus more than three seconds will pass, so it’s back to step #1 each time. For big jobs, these safety steps will be frustrating. However, this feature is important for users such as teenagers, or my wife, and those not as familiar with the saw.
[Some reviewers suggest taping the lock-lever down, so the saw is ready with only a trigger pull – but that bypasses safety features designed to prevent personal injury.]
- seems about as powerful and quick-cutting as a small gas chain saw – the kind arborists carry up trees for trimming.
- very quiet – we can start early in the morning and not wake the neighbors.
- the oil tank (for the chain’s auto-oiler) doesn’t leak if you tighten the cap, so there’s no need to drain the tank between uses and it won’t leak on your truck bed. If the chain isn’t getting sufficient oil, use the adjusting screw to increase the oil flow.
- chain tightening is simple. Back off on the hand screw securing the bar; rotate the tiny wheel below that toward the bar’s tip until the chain isn’t loose (rotator wheel is small to prevent over tightening of the chain); retighten the hand screw. Check chain tension every half dozen cuts at least, because it can loosen. Cutting with a loose chain, especially if cutting on the bar’s top by pushing up on a limb – can throw the chain off the bar, possibly ruining it and the drive gear.
- Replacement chain: Oregon 90PX052 with a suffix of XMA, G, or CK.
- needs no pull-rope for starting like a 2-cycle engine does; no “can’t start” issues; no mixing gas/oil, no ear-shattering noise – humans will appreciate the quiet.
- as I own several other Makita 18v tools, the deal with the four 5ah batteries was a no-brainer. I’ll rarely run-down the batteries on any given job, but will have spares if needed.
- The handle guard (just forward of the front handle) is also a chain brake. If your hand slips off the handle while cutting, the theory is, that will push the handle guard toward the bar, locking the chain – another safety feature. The handle guard must be in the rear position to start the saw.
- Makita offers several dozen of tools using these same (18v) batteries. So, once you own a charger and multiple batteries, you can buy the “tool only” version of 18v Makita models and save big money.
The key to how frustrating the safety switch is, depends on the size of your cutting tasks; and your patience. For occasional small jobs around the house, it’s not bad. But, if you’ll use the saw for hours at a time, it could be a royal pain in the arse.
All in all, though, another professional grade tool from Makita.
I've owned a couple of my own chainsaws. And used some higher end Stihl models. All of them are insanely maintenance intensive. If you're smart, you take them into a maint shop at the beginning of the summer and sometime around the fall. Most of the fire departments I know own half a dozen Stihls, and a couple are in the shop at any given time. It's just how chainsaws are.
This? This is "put charged batteries in chainsaw, make sure the chain is on, fill bar oil tank, you're good". It starts instantly. Always. Doesn't matter of it's cold. No mixing gas and oil. No futzing around with the carb. No worries about leaking gas. You can leave this in your car and not worry.
It has enough power to cut through trees at least two feet wide. I'm tend to work slowly and cautiously, so I don't need more than that. Typically a battery will last me 2-4 hours of work. If I was operating flat out cutting continuously, it lasts about an hour. As I own 4 pairs of batteries, it's not a concern for me.
People complain about the button thing. It's not a big deal. You get used to it, and it's a safety function. People very used to gas chainsaws complain up a storm, because they're used to idling the chainsaw and the chainsaw being more than loud enough to tell you it's ready to go. Electric chainsaws don't have any noise to tell you it's live. So yes, you have to hit the idiot button to make it live. If you work with gas chainsaws every day for decades, it probably is annoying as it's very different. If not, it's not a big deal. And certainly not "zOMG dangerous" safety feature. For a normal person that used a gas chainsaw regularly but not daily, it'll take you 10 minutes to get used to it.
Oregon bars fit perfectly. The Oregon chains work well, but tend to get thrown more often than I'd like. It'll take you a bit to figure out how to tension the bar perfectly. I threw more chains than I'd care to admit working it out. Weirdly, Power Care (cheaper brand) chains seem to working better for me than the more expensive Oregon chains.
I've dropped couple dozen trees, limbed them and then sectioned, no issues.
If you're going to be using a chainsaw daily, stick to gas Stihl. If you use chainsaws once in a while or just on the weekends, buy this. I only wish I had done so years ago.
Seriously this saw is incredible If you can set your expectations based on it being electric. If you are a 240 lb 6’ 4” lumberjack used to 36”* Bar and ripping through a 16” diameter log in 6 seconds it’s definitlely not for you. If you are happy knowing you could process a 20ft tree that fell over on your property with minimal noise, no pull starts and no extension cord then this thing is for you. I have easily cut through 12” diameter trees in 20-30 seconds. Anything smaller and this thing will just chew it right up. Great tool to keep in your truck for clearing debris and fallen limbs. Good for 10-20 minute chunks of work. Double if you have extra battery set. If you do chainsaw work for hours on end it’s not for you. For the other 80% this thing is enough of what you need with a lot less hassle. Also when cutting large limbs or logs just keep the trigger/throttle fully depressed to maximize torque and let the weight of the saw do the cutting with minimal downwards pressure. Have fun!
I have been buying Makita 18v tools for a while as a professional woodworker and the idea of a cordless chainsaw seemed like it might be a bit too much for the battery technology, but the dual lithium ion 5 Amp-hr batteries deliver. I wanted to put the tool to the test before I wrote a review, this past weekend I spent nearly 2 hrs clearing brush, taking down tree limbs (up to 6") and cutting down 3 dead trees and bucking them up. This saw ran right to the end of the session, about the same as my 18"gas Sachs-Dolmar. No gas, no choke, no pulling my arm out starting, no noise, no earmuffs. The action/torque is not quite the same as the gas saw, but the variable speed trigger does allow for fine controlled cutting for pruning. I also bought the leaf blower so I have two chargers, 4 batteries for continuous work if needed. While the price seems a bit steep initially, this is a professional tool with some heft, so it should last like the other Makita tools that I use on the jobsite. The charger and two 5 AH batteries are selling for $309, so adding $75 for the saw and a grinder makes it a deal. I wish Makita offered a choice of the bonus tool as I now own two cordless grinders, I would have taken a multi-tool or another impact driver.
I waited a while before I posted this review. I did not buy this blindly, having read and watched many reviews of this cordless electric chainsaw. I have a good gas powered Stihl chainsaw. I am not even a weekly wood cutter. Occasional use. Perhaps cut down 3-4 trees a year & buck them for splitting. More often its something small or limbing a tree of dead limbs. Don't get me wrong, I love my Stihl, but always store it empty with all fuel run thru. I also don't like to store a lot of premix, since it will go bad in 6 months and can gum up my carb, even with stabilizer. So for a small job, I gotta mix fuel, fiddle with the start sequence (my Stihl starts & runs great), get her going and warm it up. So much easier to grab the Makita, pop in 2 18V LXT batteries and away I go! And man does this Makita XCU03 cut wood. Wow.
And lemme tell you from prior experience with Makita 18V LXT Lithium Ion batteries, these things last much longer than you think. having used cordless power tools back into the Ni-Cad days, Li-Ion is way different. Yep I still have an old cordless Mikita drill driver from the 90's with Ni-Cad stick batteries and YES it still works. But this Ni-Cads go down pretty quickly under load. The 18V LXT x 2 give you 36 volts of electric motor torque you have to try to believe. Sure you can bog it down, but you can a small gas chainsaw too. I bought the kit with 4 batteries since it is SUCH a good deal. The batteries are expensive. Get them this way and the extra 2 are like half price
A little TEST: I put brand new chainsaw blades on both this Makita XCO03 and my Stihl 025. Similar size chainsaws, but my Stihl is a 16" bar vs this Makita 14". So I chose about a 10"-11" log. To my amazement, this Makita XCU03 Lithium Ion out cuts my gas powered Stihl. Bucked about a 20 foot log and was still showing 3 bars of power on my battery check meter. WOW. I still will use my Stihl for some jobs, or with 2people cutting, but we will be fighting over the Makita XCU03.
Feature Product
- Makita-built outer rotor BL Brushless motor direct-drive system provides high power efficiency Equivalent to a 32cc gas chain saw
- Variable speed trigger and high chain speed (0-3, 940 FPM) For improved cutting performance
- "Tool-less" chain adjustment for convenient operation and maintenance. Chain pitch : 3/8 inch
- Built-in lock-off lever helps prevent the chain from accidentally engaging
- Built-in L. E. D. On/off switch with auto power-off function; automatically shuts the saw off when operation is delayed for extended Battery life
Description
Landscapers & contractors are demanding more cordless alternatives to corded & gas-powered outdoor power equipment. Makita is meeting demand with an expanding line of cordless OPE, including the 18V x2 LXT (36V) Brushless chain saw kit (model XCU03PT1). with zero emissions, lower noise, & considerably less maintenance, the chain saw is a welcome solution for cutting & trimming applications. It's powered by two 18V LXT batteries for 36V power & run time, but without leaving the strongly-preferred 18V battery platform. & with the efficient Makita outer rotor Brushless motor with direct drive system, users get high power efficiency that is equivalent to a gas chain saw. The chain saw has a 14" Guide bar & the Makita-built motor with variable speed delivers 0-3, 940 FPM For increased cutting speed, but with less noise (only 100dB(A)). it has zero emissions & reduced maintenance: there's no engine oil to change, no spark plug to replace, & no air filter or muffler to clean. & there's no need to drain the fuel for storage. Simply pick it up, load two 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, & the saw is ready to use. Convenience features include a "tool-less" Chain adjustments, A front hand guard engineered to actuate chain brake When engaged, an electric brake for maximum productivity, & more. Model XCU03PT1 is a kit & includes the chain saw, four fast-charging 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 5. 0Ah batteries & an efficient 18V Dual Port Rapid Optimum Charger.
Makita XCU03PT1 Cordless Chain Saw Review 20180116
Makita XCU03PT1 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 14" Chain Saw
My review of this Makita XCU03PT1 chainsaw is as follow.
This Makita Cordless ChainSaw is a high quality, strong performer, smartly designed, solid, tool. Performance is great, CLEAN, easy to adjust chain, and bar oil filling was also easy, battery power source duration of use is good for batteries, and Cordless does not make it a weak, gimmicky, or a ‘Pretty’ tool it makes it extremely maneuverable with a solid power system.
As fort the issue about the auto-shut off, I found it to be a smart safety item for the type and situations I find myself working in. My only con is the button is a little hard to push with gloves on… perhaps a drop of JB weld on top would make it easier to locate and push. Read on if you need to UNDERSTAND more about this saw.
I don’t need to wear hearing protection (30 plus years on the Flightline with USAF Fighter Aircraft) hearing protection is something I believe is a smart personal protective item. I’m all in with this Makita saw and most Makita tools.
Currently my chainsaw for general to heavy use is a Husqvarna 450 Rancher, 18 in. 50.2cc Gas Chainsaw. I needed another chainsaw that is less of a beast and more of a medium duty tool. Following the large tree cutting and ‘limbing’ when cleaning up branches which is the bulk of the work. Sometimes you are o the ground moving branches and tree trunks to get to what you need to cut or just cutting the larger sections into usable ‘Fire Wood’. The saw is NOT as powerful as the ‘450 Rancher’ but I never thought it would be. The rancher even bogs down on some cuts because it is mostly oak. Cutting a ten or twelve inch branch of oak is serious cutting. But unless I push hard on the Makita it chips away like nobody’s business. I keep all the cutting edges sharp and use a file every Gas up or Battery change. I have chips a flying, but it is hard, dense and dry wood. The saw performs well and has a strong cutting ability. The only performance issue would be when cutting large long cuts the Makita is slower by about 30% to that of the 450 Rancher. While cutting fire wood there is many times to stop between cuts and work the pile for a bit to position wood for cutting, this is where the auto-shut-off is a great safety issue. When I put the saw down it is good to know that is OFF and going to slip from where I set it to move into a hazardous position. And then to push a button instead of having to pull start the saw is such a time saver and face it sometimes you are not in a good position to pull start a gas saw. Not All Chain Saw Work is On Solid Flat Ground. Leaning, kneeling, bending, reaching, starting, stopping, setting the saw down and reaching for it again. Even though this is an electric saw, it is by no means a lightweight when it comes to being a useful tool for working trees and branches. It is a quality saw, as you might expect, it is much more powerful than my two corded electric chainsaws. Price issue should be considered the Makita and the 450 Rancher cost about the same. The up side is that the Makita came with four 5.0Ahour batteries that retail for about $125 EACH (Home Depot price is $129ea…yes, $500 worth of batteries) which is one factor that influenced my purchase.
I read the reviews and there is quite a bit to say about the auto-shut off. In a minute. The performance of the
WHY BUY MAKITA -- I have many chainsaws from traditional gas, electric, pole saws, a Jaw Saw to the Black and Decker Alligator pruning saw. I use lots of cordless tools as much of the work is away from common 120 VAC. The Makita fit my needs for quality, price and performance, while DeWalt and others are fine tools, but when you make a choice, it’s sometimes silly to change mid-stream once you’ve got so many tools and chargers and batteries. Which is why a bought the Makita.
You should know…First off I’m not a professional lumberjack or use my chainsaws for any type of professional work. My background is aircraft electronics and a home owner. Currently I live on a small ranch with about 300 oak and other types of trees. Most of the tress are under 24” diameter, I trim trees, clear downed trees, cut the logs and branches into fire wood and use the wood to heat my dwelling, the rest is considered Hazardous Brush Abatement to aid in forest fire prevention.
Point is this is not a hobby or a couple weeks a year of use time. When the season hits the saws are used around 6 hours a week for about 20 weeks. Then used off and on throughout the rest of the year for odd purposes.
MCC
Central California Mountains
pros:
- cuts like butter. takes 1/2 as much time to cut a 12" log as my 16" gas Echo, and that Echo is a quality saw
- more power than my Echo. i'm speechless. an electric that has more power than a gas Echo. but its true.
- say goodbye to ear protection. compared to a gas saw, this makita won't make you the neighborhood pariah
- no more gas and exhaust stench from my gas saw, and no more inhaling carcinogenic fumes.
- no more pulling on the cord, adjusting the choke, etc (although my Echo is a dependable starter, but still, a hassle compared to electric!).
- well balanced. i was concerned about battery weight but not an issue. it weighs the same as my gas saw
- puts just the right amount of oil on the bar.
- can visually check the oil level.
- tooless chain tensioner
- tooless chain remove and replace
cons:
- has an annoying anti-kickback. requires you to lift the chain off the work and start over. but this seems to be the techonology. my two other new chain saws do the same thing.
- chain jumps out of the track sometimes when limbing small branches. must be careful
- chain tensioner is too small. can't get any leverage, so chain is more slack than i like.
What an awesome deal, over $400 worth of batteries plus a free saw for $390. This thing is incredible, powerful, light weight, and no gas or pulling on a cord to crank, or any of the other hassles of a gas powered chain saw.
The power button is a great safety feature and is very easy to use with or without gloves, no problem at all. The saw is a pleasure to use and cuts like a champ. It cuts so well, that I personally am very happy with the power button safety feature which makes it slightly more difficult to cut off your leg by mistakenly hitting the trigger. This thing really cuts great!
I have used it on several jobs without any problems with the bar clamp, adjustment knob or any other feature. Works great.
This is my first electric chain saw and my tool cabinet will never be without one again!
This is a great saw. Has as much power as a 16" gas powered craftsman. I got tried of winterizing my gas powered one. I always had some type of problems with it. I only used it few times a year. I cut my fire wood with this makita saw. 2 sets of batteries lasted about 45 minutes. Not as long as I expected. It takes a lot to cut through large limbs even with a gas powered saw. So if you use it to cut big limbs batteries won't last a long time. I had my tree cut down by a tree company. I used this saw to cut up the limbs. This saw cut a 11" diameter wet log with ease. It's a great saw for trimming and small trees. If you want to cut alot. You really should buy a big gas saw. Just common knowledge a 16 " or smaller saw is only for trimming limbs, small tress or scrubs. The chain tension is easy to use. Much lighter than my gas saw. I like it that I can put the saw down to move limbs and pick back up and start cutting again. It comes with a chain guard. Seems to be durable. I am long time makita cordless tool user. I have cordless circular saw, router, 10" miter saw, 3 different reciprocal saws, impacts drivers and drills, jig saw, planer, oscillating saw, angle grinder. If you don't plan on being a professional lumberjack. This is a awesome saw to have on hand. I also used it to notch out a 6x6 pressure treated post. Over all GREAT SAW.
FYI at homedepot a 2 pack of 5.0 batteries are 159.00 dollars, that's 318.00 in just batteries. On Ebay dual charger is 50.00 dollars. So basically you get the chain saw for FREE!!! Its a great deal!!!
I like this saw a lot and already have a ton of Makita batteries for use. I have a gas powered Stihl MS360 which is a powerful commercial 20" saw but I don't always need the power or inconvenience of starting it and the oil exhaust smell. I bought this saw for sporadic use around the yard cutting long pieces of wood for splitting and for campfires while camping. I enjoy big fires camping and that means lots of wood preparation. As I am getting older I don't mind the splitting by hand but do find the hand sawing to wear on me. This saw is perfect for my use.
I read about all the complaints on the safety button features and actually found the feature a benefit for my type of use as there are usually younger kids around. I purchased a plastic chainsaw case (Husqvarna 24 Inch Chainsaw Hard Sided Storage and Transport Box Case) holds the saw, four batteries and a small container of oil and I am set to go for about a few hours of casual cutting. The saw also has a great balance and feel to it similar to the Stihl gas saw.
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