Makita 18v top handle saw question.

[stenner]

   Do a fair bit of hedge laying  each season and for years have used my trusty stihl  ms181 saw which has been faultless. 

     Always looked at it as a do a season and chuck away and buy a new but truthful the saw keeps going and I guess this one is going into its 6 season. 

      I Borrowed a stihl mse200 battery saw last year and got on well but bit disappointed in battery run times. 

 

     Been thinking about  the little Makita either the 18v or the 36v.   Top handle saw which looks light weight and useful size in a hedge.  

    Would like to hear from those that have the little Makita what they think of them?  Run times? Any problems? 

       Most of the hedge stuff is 4inch and down, so for the bigger stuff the old stihl will be used .. 

[s o c]

I’ve used 36v makita , it’s a lot more powerful than the husky 536li I normally use but batteries don’t last as long.

probably faster cutting than your ms181

[Dan Maynard]

I use the 18v Makita on reductions and hedge work, cuts up to say 2" nice and fast but over that it's slowing down. It's great because it's so light, but if I'm dismantling a tree then I take up the 36v instead.

Depends what your balance is, the 36v is happy cutting 4" but you will use battery if you do a lot.

[gary112]

I got the Dolmar 36v,great little saw on small stuff and fast cutting 

[AngrySquirrel]

1 hour ago, Dan Maynard said:

I use the 18v Makita on reductions and hedge work, cuts up to say 2" nice and fast but over that it's slowing down. It's great because it's so light, but if I'm dismantling a tree then I take up the 36v instead.

Depends what your balance is, the 36v is happy cutting 4" but you will use battery if you do a lot.

Which battery are you using? the 6amp spins it faster apart from longer run time they also do some off board connection for some items know the 24 volt drill had that so battery could be on belt etc cable connected by a plate

[Peasgood]

I use 5amp batteries on my Makita 36v, it surprises me how much they will do. 

[richyrich]

I would NOT recommend the 18v for hedge laying. The 36v rear handle would be much better. 

[Canal Navvy]

5 ah batteries in mine too and also surprised what it'll do. 

 

Use it for the odd bit of firewood cutting as well and think it feels safer than using one of the proper forestry saws on small bits, so can't see any objections to using one on hedges 😉

 

Talking about the top handle 36v

Edited November 4, 2021 by Canal Navvy
Clarity

[richyrich]

The 36v top handle seems to have more bollocks than the rear handle- but for safety get the rear handle for ground work. Better suited for hedge work. 

The 18v is great in the tree but i really would not use it for hedge work. A silky sugoi be better..or a billhook.

[Bunzena]

Makita 36v is a great saw.  Had mine 2-3 years and wouldn't be without it.  It's is a rear handle.

 

I run it with 5 amp batteries.  They seem the best balance between price and the time they last on the saw.  Roughly I'd say they last as long as a tank-full of fuel on comparable size petrol saw.  

 

To keep going I have four 5 amp batteries.  Two on the saw and two on charge.  I also have the Makita double charger.

 

So keep in mind these extra costs if that's an important part of the equation.