Since there has been some discussion here recently, I thought some might
be interested in a review of my new toy, a Makita DUC306Z - a 36V top
handled[1] saw.

Vis:

https://tools4trade.co.uk/products/m...less-body-only

Note that some of these observations are in comparison to my Makita
DCS430 petrol saw, which is a 43cc saw with 2kW output at 9,000rpm.

First impressions are its a very well made saw with some nice attention
to detail. For example the main chain cover release nut is fully captive
in the side panel - so you can't drop or lose it, but can still do it up
properly with the supplied box spanner. The chain tension screw is also
conveniently located right beside the main nut rather than being access
from the front of the saw directly under the chain like on many saws. It
has a folding lanyard loop on the rear. Metal dog teeth on the front of
the saw and a metal chain catcher[2] fitted close to the drive sprocket.

Mine has a 12" bar with a 3/8" chain. The nose wheel is quite small (to
reduce the kickback zone). Chain speed is 20m/sec[3], same as on my
petrol saw. It has a traditional type chain brake operated by moving the
front guard away from the saw, as well as an electronic brake to stop
the chain quickly when you release the switch.

It has a decent sized oil tank, and the oil rate adjuster is a screw
turn affair on the top of the saw, protected by a rubber snap open cover.

Weight is about 1kg less than the petrol saw and it's more compact.
Noise also significantly less. One unexpected benefit is the different
centre of gravity means you end up carrying the weight with both arms
rather than just the left one - which also means you don't need to take
the strain on the arm contorted into a slightly unnatural position.

To power it on, you need to first push the power button. This
illuminates the LED and indicates its ready to run. There is a dead
man's switch that is depressed on the top of the saw when held naturally
(if you release this during operation it will stop immediately), and it
will switch off completely if released for more than 5 secs even if not
running. So all the time it is in your hand it will remain powered and
ready to go, but put it down, and you will need to turn it on again
before next use.

For most of my first use I was cutting a variety of stuff up to about 6"
in diameter. I made about 100 cuts in total. (felled some bits of tree,
limbed it, and sectioned into logs, then took the top out of a mad
conifer hedge which was going rampant!) I started with a pair of fully
charged 5Ah batteries, and used about a third of the capacity. So in
reality for my use I can't see me needing to swap batteries in a typical
session. (obviously for more intensive use, you will need more sets or a
pause to recharge).

Cut speed was comparable to the petrol saw (probably not surprising
since its the same chain speed and pitch). You can stall the chain if
you push it too hard (much the same as you can bog down the motor and
slip the clutch on a petrol saw), but in normal use the power feels more
than adequate (there is a high torque mode you can enable for 60 second
bursts of difficult cutting if required, but I did not need to use it).
Noise is far less, but still quite noticeable. An added bonus is not
ending up smelling like 2 stroke petrol fumes after use. Vibration was
low and chips are ejected cleanly.

So in summary, very pleased with it at this stage. I can see it making a
nice companion when processing branches through the chipper since its on
hand, less fatiguing to use, and no need to start it frequently or leave
it idling when making intermittent cuts.


[1] These have a different layout from a traditional saw with no rear
handle, and the throttle control moved to a top handle directly over the
centre of gravity of the saw. These are considered to be more dangerous,
since the lack of handle spacing gives less leverage to resist kickback,
and you can (although are advised not to in most cases) also use then
single handed. However the main risk, is they they are often used by
professional tree people climbing around them with ropes and harnesses
and such, and hence they are already exposed to extra risk before you
introduce a powered cutting tool into the mix!

[2] Designed to snag and stop the chain should it break during use.

[3] Faster than some battery saws including the previous Makita model.
Also possibly faster than the protection rating of some gloves and other
protective gear - so check before use.

--
Cheers,

John.

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