Отзывы о Дрель Makita DDF 485Z

This is the first Makita tool I have ever returned (XCU03). I have many, many Makita 18v tools at my home and my ranch, including two of the prior cordless chainsaws (XCU02, which is actually one of my favorite Makita tools). The problem, as others have noted, is the "power" switch. This seemingly redundant power switch is a bit strange, as the prior XCU02 (like nearly all my Makita tools) has no redundant "power" switch. You simply inset batteries and pull the trigger.

In and of itself, the power switch would not be much of a problem, except that it has an auto-shutoff feature that deactivates the unit after 4 seconds of non-use. 4 seconds!!! At first I thought this would just be a minor bother to press the power switch, but in practice I found it quite frustrating to have to press it every time I moved to make another cut, especially wearing heavy work gloves. What I found myself doing to compensate for this problem was to keep pressing the tool trigger (revving the motor) every 2-3 seconds, which prevents a time out. However, this "solution" results in the saw blade spinning (dangerously) while I am moving. This is clearly a safety hazard. Further, I found that I tend to rush to get into position to prevent the saw from timing out - another safety hazard. And, it seems to me that pressing the trigger every 2-3 seconds would drain the battery prematurely. So, as a result of this new "safety" feature, this tool is actually far more dangerous than my other power tools.

This defect was so serious that I contacted Makita tech support. I explained the situation and was informed that my unit must be defective, as this chainsaw was designed to auto power off after 1-2 minutes, and not after only 4 seconds (ahh, that makes more sense). Makita support recommended I return that defective unit and replace it. Several days later the new unit arrived, and I anxiously tested it. Same thing! Powers off after 4 seconds. Disappointed, I again contacted Makita and a different rep told me that the unit is designed to auto shutoff after only a few seconds. He said it was indeed a new "safety" feature, and could not be changed by the user. Of course, I explained experience and safety concerns with the unit, and suggested Makita change the timeout interval to at least 15 seconds. He didn't seem inclined to take my concerns seriously, and we agreed I should just return the second unit as well.

Following this disappointing development, and upon learning that the new "feature" was not actually a power switch, but a safety switch, I looked for ways to possible override it while in use. I considered opening it up and trying to wire around the switch, but decided that I was better off just continuing to use my very functional XCU02 chainsaw, and my Stihl gas chainsaw. However, after playing around with various switch combinations on this new chainsaw, I discovered that if you continue to hold down the trigger release lever in the top of the handle, the unit will not power off until after 60 seconds! That is actually a most helpful discovery, as once I practiced not letting off the release lever between cuts, the new unit was almost as good as it should have been designed originally. I do find that I still accidentally release the lever and have to interrupt my progress to reactivate the safety switch. Nonetheless, I find I no longer needlessly pressing the trigger between cuts.

However, I discovered all this quite by accident. Neither the Owner's Manual nor Tech support informed me of this option, which is an oversight. I have no doubt that there are many users who are unaware of this function and who find it necessary to "rev" the saw between cuts to keep it from timing out. Makita should at the minimum revise the manual, and preferably revise the design to allow at least 15 seconds before the unit times out.

Otherwise, this is a nice chainsaw, which I plan to keep a few days longer to evaluate further. I do note that unlike the XCU02, the XCU03 seems to have very poor low end torque. Mine stalls if I don't fully rev it up before engaging the balde in the wood. In fact, this chainsaw behaves far more like my gasoline chainsaw, which also has the internal combustion engine's poor low end torque. This unit also seems to have a much shorter battery life that the XCU02, despite having a brushless motor (which may explain the low torque compared to the brushed motor). I got about 45 minutes of useful life from the XCU03 with new 5ah batteries (the XCU02 would run for at least twice that long on the same batteries). However, in fairness, the 03 cuts much faster and therefore consumes power more aggressively.

I will update this review as I learn more, but wanted to make potential buyers (and possibly existing users) aware of the safety issues and possible works arounds, as well as flagging to Makita the need to address this problem in the existing units.

UPDATE: After using this replacement saw for another week, I have returned it. I had hoped that I could remedy the "safety" switch issue by simply holding down the trigger lock. But, what I found in practice is that I have to release my right hand to adjust the log for the next cut, or to move branches away for the next cut, and of course thus results in the tool timing out. I got so frustrated that I just taped the trigger lock closed, which worked fine and made the saw very useable. However, this is in itself a larger safety issue. And, despite this temporary improvement, I found that more often that not I reached for the smaller XCU02 saw to cut everything under 4-5", especially as it has far better torque than the 03. Moreover, my wife greatly prefers the 02 because it is more compact and easier to handle.

Interestingly, I just bought one of Makita's larger battery string trimmers, which has a power switch system very similar to the XCU03 chainsaw's. However, the trimmer switch times out after one minute (vs 4 seconds), which makes it perfectly safe and useable.

In summary, until Makita corrects the power switch problem, I cannot recommend this saw. Once Makita fixes the switch issue, this chainsaw will be useful as a replacement for my smaller gas chainsaws, as it does cut fast.

This review is on the new Makita XCU03Z, which I've just returned to Amazon. For context--I'm a Makita user, I have a range of their tools that use the 18V platform, including the XCU02. I have a corded Makita as well, and am very familiar with their electric chainsaws and how they work. I've used the XCU02 extensively, have cleared an estimated 15 tons of Juniper and Pinon with it.
I bought the new XCU03 because I wanted more power and the longer 14" bar. Please note also that Makita claims the XCU03 will fit a 16" bar as well, as an option. I used the standard 14".

While it does indeed have substantially more power and chain speed, in my opinion the XCU03 has two fatal flaws:

1. The first is that, after using for approx. 2 hours, I could no longer get the tool-less chain adjuster to securely clamp the bar in place. No matter how I adjusted it, I could not get the bar locked in firmly. Again, I'm very familiar with Makita's tool-less adjustment system and my best guess is there may be a flaw here. I felt the lack of secure clamping was a safety hazard. I'd suggest using more metal in these critical parts.

2. I used only Makita's 5Ah and 6Ah batteries with this saw, and the saw drained the batteries much too quickly for any sort of practical use. I did not specifically measure the time it took to drain the batteries, but my impression was that it drives batteries down in less than half the time when compared with the XCU02. Even if you run two sets of batteries as I do, existing Makita batteries are simply inadequate. I would wait until Makita comes out with 10 Ah (or higher) batteries before buying this model.

Lesser, non-fatal flaws:

1. As other reviews have noted, the new LED on/off switch is a hassle to use. It is there to extend battery life, but interrupts workflow and is hard to operate while wearing gloves. And who uses a chainsaw without heavy gloves.

2. As with other Makita chainsaws, the tool-less chain adjustment could be made easier, perhaps by making the paddles on the adjusting wheel just a bit longer, and maybe rubberizing them.

3. These electrics are now getting powerful enough that makers should be making more parts out of metal, rather than plastic. This is especially true for clamping and adjusting hardware.

4. I had trouble finding the sweet-spot for the bar-oil adjustment screw. I did not have the tool long enough to dial that in, but given the increased power and RPMs of this saw, be generous with the oil.

Recommendations--

1. This is a significant improvement in terms of power over the XCU02 BUT I wouldn't buy this one until Makita comes out with batteries that can handle the additional power needs of this tool. Once bigger batteries come out, this saw could really be a beast.

2. I continue to use the XCU 02 and recommend it for both limb-trimming and tree-removal. I use it pretty easily on wood up to 10" diameter.

3. Keep the chain sharp. A sharp chain will make all the difference with either the XCU02 or XCU03.

4. A good source for replacement chains for Makita electrics is Frawley's Chain Shop, online at loggerchain dot com.

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.

Makita has so many different chainsaw models that it made it confusing to me at first for which one I wanted. After quite a bit of research, I ended up trying 3 different models. I will try to make this as brief as possible to explain the pros & cons and differences between each model so you can make the right choice for yourself as a non-professional user.

There are two types of chainsaws, a rear-handle saw and a top-handle saw. The rear-handle saw is what most people will want. It is designed for both cutting down trees and cutting them up. It is also a safer design than the top-handle saw because your hands are further apart giving you more control of the saw. The top-handle saw is geared more for professionals. It's easier to maneuver and can be operated with one hand (one-handed operation is not recommended because it's a safety hazard), but it requires more attention to safety as your hands are close together while holding the saw on top and is not designed to cut down trees. Both types of saws require great attention to safety while using or you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Note on the Makita model numbers: "Z" on the end of the model number means "saw only", "PT" means "saw with 2 batteries and a charger" and "PT1" means "saw with 4 batteries and a charger".

First up is the XCU02PT1. This saw is geared for the average homeowner and has a tool-less chain adjustment. It is a 36-volt, 12-inch, top-handle saw with a single chain speed of 1,650 FPM, weighs 10.1 pounds with batteries and is made in Japan. The brushed motor has replaceable brushes. The kit comes with four 5 Ah batteries, a dual-port charger and the saw. This is a great buy at $319 because the you get the whole kit for the price of four batteries by themselves. While it is a top-handle saw, the slow chain speed makes this saw safer for the non-professionals to use. It has a lot of torque and instant chain speed with long run-times between charges. This is an older model (2014 or 2015) and it shows by its lack of a brushless motor and no electronic power/safety switch. Also note that the support handle only has a top grip (it doesn't wrap around to the side), so this saw is not designed to cut horizontally. I also found that the oil cap can leak if you leave the saw resting vertically on its batteries with the bar in the air. It doesn't leak while resting horizontally. If you are new to chainsaws, this is a good starter saw that can cut off branches and cut them up into firewood.

Next is the XCU03PT1. This saw is geared for the average homeowner and has a tool-less chain adjustment. It is a 36-volt, 14-inch, rear-handle saw with a variable chain speed of up to 3,940 FPM, weighs 11.5 pounds with battery and is made in China. The kit comes with four 5 Ah batteries, a dual-port charger and the saw. This kit is also a great buy at $375 because you get the whole kit for the price of four batteries and a charger. It's like getting the saw for free. This saw was released in 2016, has a brushless motor (more efficient and less maintenance) and an electronic power/safety switch. The early builds of this model had a power switch that turned off after 4-5 seconds of letting go of the handle's safety lever which understandably made consumers upset. The latest builds (including mine) have a 60 second timeout. The brushless motor has a soft start which takes a second or two to come up to full speed before you can start cutting. This saw has a current limiter, so if you bog down the motor the saw will cut out to protect the motor and batteries. Because of the faster chain speed, this saw cuts twice as fast as the XCU02 but has a shorter battery life. The support handle does wrap around to the side so you can cut horizontally. If you need to cut down trees, this saw can do that and cut them up into firewood.

Last is the XCU06PT. Makita states this saw is designed for the professional. It comes with a scrench to adjust and tighten the chain. It is an 18-volt, 10-inch, top-handle saw with a variable chain speed of up to 4,720 FPM, weighs 7.2 pounds with battery and is made in China. The kit comes with two 5 Ah batteries, a single-port charger and the saw for $318. This saw is so light that it feels like a toy, but it's not! It's a great limbing saw. The single battery reduces the weight, but it also reduces overall runtime. Thankfully, you can swap out batteries when needed. The saw is balanced for one handed use (one-handed operation is not recommended because it's a safety hazard). If you are climbing up in a tree to cut branches, this is the saw you want. It also has a D ring so you can connect it to a lanyard. This saw was released in 2018, has a brushless motor (more efficient and less maintenance) and an electronic power/safety switch. The power switch turns off after 60 seconds of letting go of the handle's safety lever. The brushless motor has a soft start which takes a second or two to come up to full speed before you can start cutting. This saw also has a current limiter, so if you bog down the motor the saw will cut out to protect the motor and battery. While the support handle wraps around to the side, this saw was not designed to cut down trees. You can do it, but you are limited by the small bar size.

I found myself using the XCU06 the most because it was so nimble. When its battery died, I went on with the XCU02. I really liked it because I didn't have to wait a second or two for the chain to come up to speed before cutting. For cutting down the tree and cutting up the trunk, I liked using the XCU03 the best. It's larger bar and faster chain speed made quick work of it. I also own an Echo CS-400 with an 18-inch bar that I love for larger jobs. It blows away all three Makitas. I only use non-ethanol gas in it, so I have never had any issues starting it. However, it does require slightly more maintenance and is much, much louder than any of the battery-powered Makitas. So if you are new to chainsaws and need to cut up beefy branches or small trees for firewood, get the XCU02PT1. If you are more experienced, need to cut down trees and cut them up, and only want one saw, get the XCU03PT1. If you are climbing trees to cut off branches or want a more nimble saw to compliment your existing chainsaw, get the XCU06PT.

Other current Makita saws I didn't try:
XCU01Z - A slow 18-volt, 4.5-inch, top-handle chainsaw designed for cutting small branches with a single chain speed of 980 FPM.
XCU04PT - Same as the XCU03PT1, except it only includes two batteries and has a larger 16-inch bar.
XCU05Z - Same as the XCU06Z, except it has a shorter 8-inch bar and doesn't look to be available anywhere.
XCU07Z - Same specs as the XCU03Z, except it doesn't have the tool-less chain adjustment.
XCU08Z - A professional 36-volt, 14-inch, top-handle saw with a variable chain speed of up to 3,940 FPM.
XCU09Z - Same as XCU08Z, except with a larger 16-inch bar.

I love the Makita chargers. They have a fan that circulates air through the battery while it's charging. This is how they can recharge a 5 Ah battery in 45 minutes with it barely getting warm. Very nice!

If you are looking for a battery-powered leaf blower, try the Makita XBU02PT1. It comes with four 5 Ah batteries that are compatible with all of the current Makita chainsaws listed above. For the price of the kit ($329), it's like buying four batteries and getting a blower and dual-port charger for free. It's also a very nice, powerful and quiet blower. My 8 year old Hitachi gas blower is stronger and better at larger jobs, but the Makita is great for quick jobs such as blowing grass off of everything after mowing or blowing out the garage.

A word on safety. Never operate a chainsaw when you are tired. Clear the area where you are standing while cutting (you don't want to trip while the chain is moving). Keep your chain sharp. All three Makita saws I tried use an 11/64" or 4.5 mm round file for sharpening the chain. Always wear eye protection, gloves and chainsaw chaps when cutting. None of the chainsaw chaps are rated for electric chainsaws, but you should wear them regardless as it could save your life or prevent an ER visit. If like the way your face/head looks, you should wear a hard hat with face shield. Never wear loose clothing that can get caught in a moving chain. If your saw is loud, wear hearing protection as well. Pay attention to what you are cutting and the surrounding area of your intended cut including what's behind it. Make sure what you are cutting isn't going to fall on you or someone/something you value. Never let a moving chain come in contact with the ground. Remember that most chainsaw accidents take less than a second to do their damage. When you are done cutting, activate the chain brake so you or your kids don't accidentally start the saw up again. Stay safe!

Update: I've added a photo of all three models for comparing sizes. The XCU02 is the widest because of the brushed motor layout. The XCU03 has the longest body (longer than my Echo saw). The XCU06 is the smallest all around.

I'm an avid fan and power user of the Makita 18V lineup. I have almost every tool in their lineup except for some of the more niche items (i.e. the concrete agitator and floor fan etc).I had originally purchased the Stihl Bar-180Q chainsaw about 4 years ago when they were the only manufacturer with a real option on the table for a chainsaw. It was a fine cordless model and did a great job albeit with a 12 inch blade and extremely thin custom chain. I had been wanting to move up to a more powerful model and was waiting for Makita to release a more traditional chainsaw. When this one hit the market I knew it would be just what I needed. In terms of power and cutting speed, it was exactly what I expected from Makita, loads of power and the blade with a new chain melted right thru the tree trunks and downed limbs I was tackling. The tool-less design for mounting the blade and adjusting the chain was just as easy (if not a little more) than my Stihl and the longer 14 inch blade was much more practical.

That said, as other reviewers have mentioned, it has a safety "feature" that almost completely kills it as a product. The power button has to be pressed and held EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! I cannot stress how frustrating that is. The only way to avoid it is to either keep the chain idling (extremely hazardous and unwise). Another reviewer mentioned there is a trick to avoid this if you keep your hand wrapped around the grip, however that's only solves a tiny portion of your typical cutting. Quite frequently you will need to make a cut, set the saw down to move the chunk you cut and then pick up the saw again which means you have to press and hold the Power button again. Compared to my Stihl and probably just about every other cordless saw now on the market, this is a terrible design and a huge mistake by Makita. You eventually get in the habit of pressing and holding the button but you never appreciate it and every time you think how silly it is. Its a shame because its an otherwise wonderful saw that does a tremendous job but honestly, its hard for me to recommend it to others. Considering that Makita is an OPE manufacturer already, it seems especially egregious that that they would make this big of a mistake. Bottom line, its such a annoying defect that even if you already have invested heavily in the Makita lineup like I have, I'd recommend considering another manufacturer for your chainsaw need. I'll be keeping mine and getting rid of my Stihl but I'm less than thrilled with the idea that I'm going to have to fight the power button every time I use it. Since I only need a chainsaw for occasional duty its acceptable for that. If I had to use it daily, I'd return it because its that big of a hindrance. You think you won't mind, but trust me, you will.

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 got this saw on May 1, 2018--a Tuesday. I charged the batteries and cut a couple of small oak branches before it got too dark to work. On Sunday, May 6, 2018 I got it out again and cut 5 or 6 2" limbs off a Bradford Pear tree hanging down over my driveway. The saw quit after the last one I cut and the battery lights began flashing. Thinking the batteries were already dead(which would have been disappointing after so little use) I removed them and put in the other 2 fully charged batteries. When I pulled the trigger I heard a "crack" sound kind of like electricity arc-ing. Smoke started pouring out of the saw and I thought it was going to catch on fire. I quickly removed the batteries in case there was a fire and that was the end of my $389 dollar saw--after less than 5 minutes of use. Pretty disappointing for a Makita product. I have other Makita 18v tools which I love but this chainsaw is not off to an impressive start. I will call Makita tomorrow and see how much of a hassle it will be to get a warranty repair. I will return and update this review depending on how Makita handles this.

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.

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 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.

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

The saw is great, but I purchased 4 additional chains based on the chain recommended in the combination offer and they are .050 which does not fit the saw. It is too late to return them and there is no mention of the chain specs in the ad. I had no way of knowing the chain specs until I got the saw. I didn't need a second chain until later and at that time I discovered the error, but it was too late for a return. The add needs to be changed to list a .043 chain for this saw.

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!

I read a lot of reviews about battery powered chainsaws, and decided to buy this one more because I already had a lot of Makita batteries than anything else. I set it up (properly), oiled it up, ran it for 30 seconds cutting branches before the chain bound on the tree, then twisted off the bar, then I found out the chain itself had bent the bar groove somewhat, and one of the chain teeth was jiggered so I had to file that back down. Basically, this setup is pretty junky except for very light demonstrations on YouTube. Disappointed to say the least.

Assembly is essentially mounting the chain and bar to the saw body. No tools are required. This was accomplished while two of the four batteries included were getting their first charging. I have used gas powered chain saws for decades but have never used one of these tool less chain tensioning systems. There is a learning curve involved and for me it was quite time consuming. About 20 minutes into my first session with this saw, the chain left the bar. Fortunately no personal injuries occurred. The chain however was another matter entirely. Apparently these battery powered chain saws need to have their chains a wee bit tighter than those on conventional gas saws. I thought I had gotten the chain adjusted properly but I was horribly mistaken. I spent the next half hour or more filing down the burrs that were created on the chains bar guide fingers when the chain decided to take flight. The burrs, once removed, allowed me to mount the chain back on the bar and thus the bar back on the saw. Some more time making adjustments to the chain tension and I was ready for some test cutting. I had a 6 inch diameter pine log nearby and I started bucking it into about 14 inch lengths, stopping to check chain tension between every cut. After about six cuts, without having to make any adjustments to the chain, I think I have the tension correctly applied. My advice, be constantly vigilant of the chains tension. I do not want to experience another chain departure from my saw any time soon. This could have been Code Red but it's just Code Brown for now.