Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
We really like the boost in performance this Greenworks 60V chainsaw has over the previous model. Considering the old one did a fine job, the update is pushing beyond what general homeowners need and settling into performance that larger property owners can take advantage of.
We were pleased with the performance we saw in the previous generation of 60V chainsaws from Greenworks. When the most recent models came in boasting even more power, we decided to put the new Greenworks 60V chainsaw through the same kind of testing as the old one to see how much of a difference it really makes. Our friend Eli Mosley had some oaks to work on, so we headed out to his ranch to put the saw through its paces.
Before we got started, I asked the guys if they’d rather climb with their gas saw or try a battery-powered chainsaw. Lifting and noticing the lighter weight, they decided to give it a try.
On paper, Greenworks tells us this saw is cutting faster and with 20% more torque than a 42cc gas engine. With the first pull of the trigger, our man noted that it sounded “adorable”. Ramping it up to its full 20 m/s chainspeed and making his first cuts in the oak, an adorable smile spread across his face.
It was obvious this updated model cuts faster and stronger than the previous model. A big of that is due to upgrades in the brushless motor and battery technologies that deliver more current than previous versions.
While he was up in the air, a couple of our guys noted how much easier it was to communicate with him since we weren’t battling the noise of a gas engine.
We prepped and took the main branches down we were after and got started on the ground work. From light limbing to cutting 12″ branches, the Greenworks 60V chainsaw performed admirably.
By the time we had all of the debris piled up, no one had even bothered to crank up a gas saw.
So I’m a really bad person and didn’t actually count the number of cuts we made. It’s a tough metric to quantify, anyway. You have the diameters of the cuts, the species of the tree, temperature… you get the idea.
What I can tell you is that we took down several main oak branches in the 12-inch range with a 5.0Ah battery. Once on the ground, we cut the bigger parts into ~18-inch sections and trimmed all of the offshoots off. In terms of working time, we cut for about an hour and a half.
The 2.5Ah battery that comes in the kit is fine for light trimming, but I highly suggest moving up to the 5.0Ah for taking medium to large branches (or felling altogether).
The Greenworks 60V chainsaw has an oil cap with a lug that’s easy to turn with gloves on. A flip-up tab also provides a good grip. The translucent window is a little tough to see through, however.
Like most chainsaws, there’s a little bit of oil leakage when it sits. If you only use your saw on an occasional basis, you may want to empty the reservoir when you’re ready to set it down for a while.
The previous Greenworks 60V chainsaw used an Oregon 91 skip-tooth chain. This saves on the cost and requires less juice from the battery, but these skip-tooth chains cut slower than traditional chains. That’s no surprise since it has half the teeth. They also do a good job clearing debris from the chain path—which is why you often see them in models using longer bars.
Like the previous model, Greenworks moves away from the thinner 0.043″ chain that most cordless chainsaws come with to a beefier 0.050″ chain. The difference is they pack it with a standard tooth chain instead of a skip tooth. It still comes with a 16″ bar.
The bar is held on with dual studs whose nuts require a wrench to tighten and loosen. Some of the saws in this class have a tool-free adjustment, but the benefit remains a source of contention. Some Pros consider the dual stud design to maintain a more secure connection despite losing some convenience.
However, dropping bar nuts is common. Greenworks also designed this saw with captive nuts that are tougher to lose in the field. That’s definitely a plus.
Pro Tip: Be sure to snug the nuts evenly on a dual stud chainsaw bar to ensure it’s secure.
The updated Greenworks 60V chainsaw features steel bucking spikes for gripping the wood securely during a vertical cut. As you slightly rock the saw forward using a bucking grip, the spikes allow you to gain downward leverage. Many of the saws in this category have plastic bucking spikes—and puny ones at that. It’s good to see the more durable steel spikes here.
With a battery, this chainsaw weighs 9.3 pounds and a 2.5Ah battery brings that up to about 12.5 pounds. Compared to its peers, it does a decent job in the balance category. A lot of it depends on what battery you use since the 2.5Ah pack drops some weight. We primarily used a 5.0Ah and didn’t feel things were terribly out of whack, though it definitely shifts the weight back. The important thing is how well you’re able to guide the saw through your cut, and we didn’t feel like we had to fight the saw’s weight at all.
There’s some debate ion our team about the handle size. Guys with bigger hands might feel they’re too skinny. I have medium-size hands and didn’t find it an issue, but I can definitely see how the gorilla in our office takes exception. As a chainsaw that targets homeowners, I think it strikes a fair balance.
This Greenworks 60V chainsaw runs $299.99 as a 2.5Ah battery kit. If you already have batteries, you can grab the bare tool for $229. Both the saw and the battery have a 4-year warranty.
We really like the boost in performance this Greenworks 60V chainsaw has over the previous model. Considering the old one did a fine job, the update is pushing beyond what general homeowners need and settling into performance that larger property owners can take advantage of. For general tree maintenance, the 2.5Ah battery that comes in the kit works great. However, grab a 5.0Ah battery or two if you’re planning on taking trees out completely or maintaining larger properties.
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
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The oil tank cracked on my CS60L01. How can I get a replacement tank? I think over tightening caused the cracks.
Hey. please explain to me – what is the difference between model CS600212 and 2014502T? thanks.
I was very impressed with the performance of the saw until the switch stopped working after four months of sporadic use. I’ve sent two messages to Greenworks (Via their website) and have yet to receive a reply. In the meantime I’m without a working saw….not impressed!
Good to see these improvements but I agree that it should come with a 5.0Ah battery. I also prefer that battery location to be under the saw like Ego. Top batteries allow for sawdust to get in the battery slot and that certainly cause a mess to cleanup. It would also be nice to see a video of the saw in action. Thanks!
Since this one comes as an 18″ : how does it compare with EGO in the same (56) voltage class? Most notably on the power-to-weight scale?
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros