Greenworks 60V Chainsaw Offers Gas Power Without The Hassle
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.
Pros
- More power and speed than the previous 60V model
- Metal bucking spikes
- Now includes a standard chain instead of a skip tooth
- Dual captured nut bar retention system
Cons
- Kitted 2.5Ah battery may not give you the runtime you need for larger projects
Greenworks Pro 60V 16-Inch Chainsaw Performance
More Power, Less Weight, Less Noise
Before we got started, I asked the guys if they’d rather climb with their gas saw or try a battery-powered chainsaw. After lifting the saw and noticing its lighter weight, they decided to give it a try.
On paper, Greenworks tells us this saw cuts 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 groundwork. From light limbing to cutting 12″ branches, the Greenworks 60V chainsaw performed admirably.
By the time we piled up all of the debris, no one had even bothered to crank up a gas saw.
Runtime
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 cuts’ diameters, the tree species, temperature… you get the idea.
What I can tell you is that we used a 5.0Ah battery to take down several main oak branches in the 12-inch range. Once on the ground, we cut the bigger parts into ~18-inch sections and trimmed all of the offshoots. 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).
Oil
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. However, the translucent window is a little tough to see through.
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.
Greenworks Pro 60V 16-Inch Chainsaw Design Notes
Chain Gang
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.
Bar Security
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.
Bucking Spikes
The updated Greenworks 60V chainsaw features steel bucking spikes for gripping the wood securely during a vertical cut. The spikes allow you to gain downward leverage as you slightly rock the saw forward using a bucking grip. 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.
Ergonomics
With a battery, this chainsaw weighs 9.3 pounds, and a 2.5Ah battery brings that up to about 12.5 pounds. It does a decent job in the balance category compared to its peers. 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 on our team about the handle size. Guys with bigger hands might feel they’re too skinny. I have medium-sized 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.
Additional Highlights
- Mechanical trigger safety
- Inertia-activated chain brake
Greenworks Pro 60V 16-Inch Chainsaw Price
This Greenworks 60V chainsaw runs $299.99 as a 2.5Ah battery kit. You can grab the bare tool for $229 if you already have batteries. Both the saw and the battery have a 4-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
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 pushes beyond what general homeowners need and settles into a 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.
Greenworks 60V Chainsaw Specifications
- Model: Greenworks Pro CS60L212 (kit)
- Power Source: Greenworks 60V battery
- Weight with Battery: 12.5 pounds
- Kitted Battery: 2.5Ah
- Nominal Battery Watt Hours: 108
- Chain: 3/8-inch pitch, 0.050 gauge
- Bar Length: 16 inches
- Warranty: 4 years limited
- Price: $229 bare, $299 kit with 2.5Ah battery
