Stihl GTA 26

[pleasant]

Chainsaw design legislation within the UK and EU dictate a chainsaw must have an operating chainbrake designed to stop the chain within a given time. As these hand helds do not have a chainbrake they cannot (and should not) be described legally as a chainsaw, which is why the manufacturers describe them as 'pruners' because a 'pruner' does not have to have a chainbrake fitted.

 

Which is why an extendable pole pruner is described as such, rather than as an extendable chainsaw.

[Haironyourchest]

Reciprocating saw with a pruning blade? 

 

https://youtu.be/558oa_ekoK8?feature=shared

[green heart]

On 17/03/2025 at 10:41, HKarb said:

 

 

The DeWalt and Milwaukee don't have a protective hood, but they do have a protective handle over the top hand grip, and the DeWalt also has a tip guard.  

 

From what I can see, the GTA40 is the only one in the category that doesn't have either a protective hood or protective handle (or tip guard).

 

So does this mean the safety of the GTA40 is worse, or is the protective hood and protective handle not really useful. 

 

 

I'd reiterate the following points, to Hkarb, especially: 

Whilst the 'battery pruning saws' typically only have 5-10m/s chain speed, given the inevitable occaisional (and anticipated inexperienced) one-handed use, they pose a different, but rather more serious hazard to users, than the top-handled 2stroke equivalent chainsaws, IMO.

 

Cut resistant gloves* and ballistic cuffs and x2 should be a mandatory minimum, and supplied with each unit, IMO. 

 

After a year's occasional pruning use of the Makita saw, I'm glad I didn't remove it's top guard -it doesn't actually get in the way, at all, and adds safety. 

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel saw is a wildly more capable unit (than even the GTA40) , but has too much torque and 'grabiness' to safely cut on the TOP-side of the bar, even with two hands firmly braced on it! And as such, the top hand guard is very useful feature .

 

Never bothered trying the Dewalt unit, but I'd be very interested to hear how 5thelement has found his GTA40, after a few months use ?

 

*After a fair bit of research, I have concluded that the following gloves have very high 'cut' (and wear) resistance, and unbeatable value for money:

Portwest A645 Green cut nitrile foam glove.

Not too difficult to obtain, but very strangely not used in our industry...

Really sorry, I just don't know how to post a link to them..

 

[AHPP]

45 minutes ago, green heart said:

 

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel saw is a wildly more capable unit (than even the GTA40) , but has too much torque and 'grabiness' to safely cut on the TOP-side of the bar, even with two hands firmly braced on it! And as such, the top hand guard is very useful feature .

Is that with the full house chain it comes with, as opposed to the more common full complement on everything else? That would explain the grabbing. 

[green heart]

5 hours ago, AHPP said:

Is that with the full house chain it comes with, as opposed to the more common full complement on everything else? That would explain the grabbing. 

 

Yes, with the full house/standard factory supplied chain, which otherwise works very well.

 

I've seen the Milwaukee M18 fitted up with a 12'' bar too, which didn't seem to phase it. Although it's more like 2511/201 saw territory, I'm tempted to give this a try myself soon, on a standard chain (for those clandestine/guerilla pruning jobs, only..)

 

I'll also find out and post when the bigger 40v Makita pruning saw is  expected to be released this year, in the UK.

 

 

[AHPP]

I did wonder why they went with full house over normal full comp. Must be a reason. Smoothness?

 

Do you have one? If so, could we prevail upon you to have a loop of normal made up to see whether that's any better?

[5thelement]

The Stihl Gta40 is my new favourite toy.
I have been using it constantly on re-pollards, tight crowned reductions and fruit tree pruning. 
The best part of it is the light weight combined with the narrow profile as it hangs on the harness, the small batteries provide a very well balanced machine.

Although it is intended to be used with both hands like any other top handle saw, it is really good for reaching out and cutting one handed. 
The only negatives I have found are the low chain spread doesn’t deliver as neat a finishing cut as my Echo 2511 and it tends to judder a little when using the pushing chain to cut.

It’s purely a light pruning tool, if I want power I have petrol saws.

Edited Wednesday at 07:35 by 5thelement

[green heart]

On 18/03/2025 at 19:44, AHPP said:

I did wonder why they went with full house over normal full comp. Must be a reason. Smoothness?

 

 

I'm reasonably sure it's down to the characteristics of the motor Milwaukee have chosen: a low-ish RPM unit, but with a fair high torque..

So therefore they selected a chain with more cutters, to get the 'work rate' back up, if that makes sense? 

That's my guess, anyway. 

It's a very different experience from using a 201/2511, but much like 5thelement experience, I'm a convert, where pruning jobs are concerned. 

 

I will get round to testing a 'normal' chain on the M18 and report back, but it'll be a few weeks yet..

 

[AHPP]

Yep. I get you. They don’t have the speed so specify the chain to make best use of the torque instead. Like making sure a boat has the propellor that best suits its engine.

 

Look forward to chain results. If you remember, could you tag me when you do please. 

Edited Wednesday at 23:40 by AHPP

[Stere]

So whats the advantage of theese gun grip style things over the smaller battery toppers like the battery echo for example?

 

Im not sure the total weight it that much different?