Summary
The Makita HCU02C1 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw, 36-Volt is a powerful, lightweight, and quiet tool that is ideal for cutting small- to medium-sized trees and branches. It’s also “clean” – with no gas required to operate it, you won’t breathe noxious fumes or pollute the air while using it. Add to that ease-of-use and a long battery charge and you get a very handy tool for the DIY-minded property owner.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS SIMPLY MEANS THAT I MAY GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ THIS WEBSITE’S PRIVACY POLICY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Date Purchased: May 2015
Cost: Approximately US$400 for the entire kit, which included a 36-volt battery and charger, plus tax
Key Attributes:
- 1,650 FPM chain speed (Lush Heritage note: “FPM” means feet per minute, which is a chain-speed calculation. The higher the number, the faster the saw’s cutting speed.)
- Low noise level at only 89 dB(A)
- “Tool-less” chain adjustment for convenient operation and maintenance
- 12” guide bar for increased capacity
- Instant start-up
Does It Work as Advertised?
Yes. The Makita HCU02C1 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw, 36-Volt is comfortable in hand and cuts equally well on green and aged wood. I do not use it on rotting or mushy material – that would likely dull the chain. Although I cut only wood that is no more than six inches in diameter, I suspect it can cut much larger pieces pretty quickly without bogging down. However, that capability is also dependent on the operator’s skill and sound judgment. I am not a chainsaw expert and stay well within my limited skill set with this potentially lethal tool. The 36-volt battery charges fast and holds the charge for at least a month, even when I’ve left it in unheated or semi-heated spaces. While you have to be mindful of battery life, I never let the charge wind completely down so this tool is essentially ready whenever I am.
I don’t own any other Makita cordless tools so I can’t attest to the battery interchangeability among them.
I have been so busy using this Makita cordless chainsaw for so long that it has been discontinued! Check out a comparable Makita model here.
Special Considerations
All chainsaws are extremely dangerous. I always store and transport this Makita without the battery in place. With the battery loaded, this chainsaw is “live.” So, for example, if I tripped while the battery was loaded, I could land on the saw (or the saw could land on something) just so, causing the lock-off button and switch trigger to engage. This could lead to serious injury or death. Unlike a gas-powered chainsaw which makes a distinct noise whenever it’s on (and even not cutting), this chainsaw is silent when battery-loaded and not being used. That may make it easy for novice and experienced operators to forget how potentially lethal it is and to forget where it has been placed. When I’m not actively cutting, I set the saw in a highly visible and the flattest location at a safe distance from me to lessen the chances of an accident occurring.
Real-World Application
Why and How I Use It
I use the Makita HCU 02C1 Cordless Chainsaw on downed tree branches and downed trees, cutting them into firewood whenever possible. I also use it to clear light brush that is too big for my hand loppers to handle and for when I need a more precise cut than my brush hog can provide. For example, it does a great job of cutting the mature trunks of the invasive burning bush shrub (Euonymus alatus), which are usually no more than three inches in diameter. Although this shrub can grow to be quite unwieldy and over eight feet tall, its individual branches and trunk are not heavy. I do not saw anything upright that could injure or kill me if it fell on me, and I do not use this chainsaw to remove overhead growth of any kind.
The Potential Pine-Branch Nightmare
I was particularly pleased to own this chainsaw when I awakened on a lovely May morning to see that a massive pine tree branch had fallen in front of one of the barns.
My immediate thought was: I need to call my tree guy. Then I thought, if I cut and remove all the smaller branches I’ll be left with a manageable pile of big pieces that my brother could cut with his more powerful, gas-powered chainsaw. My sister and I used the Makita and hand clippers to cut all but the biggest pieces. Then, luckily, a passing utility crew offered to cut them. Although their kind help was essential in our clearing all the debris in about six hours, my sister and I were able to do much of the cutting ourselves. The below photos show the thick logs that the utility crew cut. If they hadn’t come along, at least the area wouldn’t have looked like a disaster zone after my sister and I finished cutting and removing what we could.
Benefits
Increased Self-Sufficiency
For average do-it-yourselfers, the Makita HCU 02C1 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw, 36-Volt allows them to keep their property looking neater in between visits from a tree professional. I often use it after storms have littered the lawns and hayfields with broken branches. Removing all the limbs off a large branch or smaller tree can often make the resulting wood “rollable” or easier to “flip” end-to-end until you get it where you want it. Using both methods, I’ve moved thick, 6-foot logs that were otherwise too heavy for me to move by myself.
Easier Land Management
Cutting your own wood can save your property from additional, unanticipated damage and the extra time, cost, and effort it would take to repair it. If you have to wait weeks or months for a tree contractor to show up, that kind of delay can kill grass or greenery beneath downed wood. This can also postpone your ability to do other lawn and garden projects or create unsafe conditions. I left a downed tree at the end of a hayfield for a couple of months, intending to cut it with the Makita before the end of spring. Unfortunately, I didn’t made it out there before the growing grass buried it, creating a trip hazard and posing an obstacle to low-set tractor blades.
Other Positives
Easy to Use
Just load a charged battery, and it’s ready to use. No start cord to pull, no electrical cord to limit your work area, no reason not to use it. For many years I watched my father and brother cut firewood with a heavy, noisy, gas-powered chainsaw. They made it look deceptively easy, but I never contemplated using a chainsaw until I started buying property decades later. All I knew was that I didn’t want to have to pull any type of cord to start it – that’s one of the reasons why I dislike using gas-powered push lawnmowers. My brother showed me (and my sister) how to use the chainsaw over a few demonstrations. As he always does with any product that I buy, he also strongly advised that I read the instruction and safety manual – preferably more than once. For additional safety, my sister and I are usually together when one of us uses this saw.
It’s Lightweight
This means that users likely won’t become fatigued the way they can with a heavier, gas model. Also, its low vibration greatly limits any tiredness in the user’s hands, arms, and shoulders. This decreases the probability of injury and allows for longer, more comfortable work sessions. Granted, I use this Makita for small jobs for no more than 30 minutes at a time. I don’t have tremendous upper-body strength, but I’ve never felt that I had to stop cutting because this chainsaw became too heavy to operate safely.
Quiet Operation
This is one of this chainsaw’s biggest selling points. Unlike with many other electric tools, I can use this Makita comfortably without wearing ear protection. That’s one less item to forget to pack. You can get an early morning start without disturbing your neighbors or enjoy the sounds of nature as you work. Unlike a gas-powered chainsaw, this Makita is completely silent when it is not actively cutting. Depending on where you’re using it, you may appreciate being able to hear what else is going on around you. Also, because I use this on wood no bigger than six inches in diameter, the whirring sound only goes for short periods of time which contributes to a much more pleasant experience. If you’ve ever been near a screaming gas chainsaw (or heard one from a mile away), the Makita’s quietness is a huge positive.
Portability
At just ten pounds and with a 12-inch guide bar, it’s relatively easy to carry long distances by hand. This is especially helpful if you must traverse rough terrain to reach a cut site.
“Tool-Free” Maintenance
As noted above. I have tightened the chain myself and checked the oil, but generally speaking, my brother maintains all of my lawn and garden equipment. At least I feel less guilty when he checks this saw since he doesn’t have to break out his seemingly endless array of tools. I’d like to become more self-reliant when it comes to tool and equipment maintenance generally, but for the foreseeable future, I’ll rely on my brother’s (free!) expertise and labor.
Can the Average Woman Use This?
Yes. At a mere ten pounds with the battery loaded, this compact chainsaw doesn’t require users to have outsized strength or huge hands to use it properly.
Verdict
The Makita HCU 02C1 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw, 36 Volt is a quiet, lightweight, and powerful tool that’s easy on the operator’s body and on the environment. It allows for more property-owner control over the appearance and safety of their land at a relatively low price. In addition, its ease-of-use should appeal to those individuals who otherwise would be disinclined to purchase a chainsaw at all. For 6+ years, it has been a reliable and much-used piece of equipment on my 25 acres, and I expect many more years of outstanding performance. I’m a fan of products that easily foster self-reliant land management at a reasonable cost. Based on my experience, this chainsaw fills that role without any drawbacks. And, yes, I would gladly buy it again.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for general information purposes only. Lush Heritage makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability with respect to this website or to the information contained herein for any purpose. Any reliance the reader places on such information is therefore strictly at the reader’s own risk.