HART 40V Battery-Powered 16-inch Chainsaw Shows Off Increased Cutting Power And Performance
HART is making a push into the high-performance battery-powered lawn care scene with new additions to its 40V lineup. Among them, we have the HART 40V battery-powered 16-inch chainsaw which now sits at the top of the brand’s expanding lineup. While it likely won’t make our best battery chainsaw list, we wanted to see how much further this saw can take you compared to HART’s previous offerings.
Pros
- Much faster and stronger than other HART chainsaws
- Hard shell storage case
- On-board wrench storage
- Dual-stud bar security
Cons
- Plastic bucking spikes
- Prone to leaking oil
Using the HART 40V Battery-Powered 16-inch Chainsaw
HART has two 40V brushless chainsaws at the moment. Between the 14-inch and the 16-inch, the 16-inch is the sweet spot for homeowner use. It’s great for managing storm cleanup and seasonal tree care for any species without being so large that it’s intimidating.
We teamed up with our good friend and resident rancher, Eli Mosley, to do a little tree clearing out at the ranch in Polk County, Florida. This was a great opportunity to fell some trees and get up close and personal with the chainsaw in the same environment we tested previous models.
The brushless motor keeps the chainspeed up well and has some decent muscle behind it. We took down several trees up to 6 inches with ease. Once each tree was down, we were able to quickly remove the limbs and then chunk it into usable firewood.
Making some test cuts in thicker trunks, it’s obvious this model cuts faster and stronger than the HART’s other battery-powered options. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable saw to use because it’s easy to control, cuts confidently, and isn’t outrageously heavy.
One thing we’d like to see change is to swap the pastic bucking spikes for more aggresive metal ones. The saw has enough power to tackle medium-size trees, and having more bite would be helpful.
Design Notes
Ergonomics
From tip to tail this chainsaw measures 33.75 inches. The front and rear grips are really spaced out well so it doesn’t feel cramped when you’re making cuts.
As a bare tool, it weighs 10.19 pounds, and with a 4.0Ah battery, the scale tips to an even 13 pounds. This is what we expect for this size saw and falls right in line with what we’ve seen from similar battery-powered models.
The call to go with a side entry is an interesting one. With the 4.0Ah battery, it balances well, but it does stick out some.
Chain Tensioning
There’s plenty of debate between dual-stud and tool-free bar security designs, and I’m personally happy to see that HART sticks with the latter. While this isn’t a chainsaw targeting professionals, many Pros avoid the tool-free options.
HART supplies a scrench that fits securely in the base of the rear handle for making adjustments on the fly, saving you a trip back to the truck or garage.
When you need to tighten or loosen the chain, loosen the bar nuts slightly (a 1/4-turn will do it) and then use the slotted end of the scrench to turn the adjustment screw left or right.
Variable Speed Trigger
It’s unusual for a battery-powered chainsaw to go with a variable speed trigger. However, HART does. In general, you want the chain at full speed when you’re cutting so it’s less likely to catch and bind. If you do feather the trigger, make sure you’re using good technique to avoid any issues.
Carrying Case
We love that HART includes a hard carrying case for this saw. It makes storage and transportation easier and contains the oil that inevitably leaks as temperatures rise and fall.
Additional Features
- Translucent oil reservoir window
- Electronic chain brake
- Trigger safety
HART 40V 16-inch Chainsaw Price
The chainsaw kit retails for $246 and comes with a 4.0Ah battery, charger, scrench, and a rugged storage box. HART covers this chainsaw with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The latest generation of HART 40V outdoor power equipment has been a huge improvement and the 16-inch brushless chainsaw is no exception. It’s stronger than previous models and has a design that helps homeowners tackle a wider range of cutting. If you’ve been waiting for HART to come out with a good all-around chainsaw to handle storm cleanup and seasonal tree care, this is it.
HART 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw Specifications
- Model: Hart HLCS021
- Power Source: Hart 40V battery
- Bar Length: 16 in.
- Oil Capacity: 6oz.
- Chain Pitch: 3/8 in.
- Chain Gauge: 0.50
- Weight: 10.2 lbs (bare), 13.0 lbs (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Overall Length: 33.75 in.
- Height: 10 in.
- Warranty: 3-year
- Price: $268 (kit)
