Thread: Black and Decker 18v rechargable chainsaw

I know that Bunnings have the Alligator in mains and 18V forms. From the link it seems that B+D have a compact chainsaw as well.

I have the mains powered alligator which I use for light to medium trimming and breaking up stuff for the recycling bin and find it a handy and usefull tool.

However it has a 850W watt motor and a rated capacity of 4inch/100mm. B+D do not give any power specs for the battery alligator or battery chainsaw, or the charger except that it is a 1 Hour charge unit, so most likely mains powered, limiting chances of recharging batteries on the road.

However, looking at the possibilities, the18V tool battery is rated at 1.5AH, or about 27WattHour. B+D claim that the either battery unit can manage 150 cuts through 1.5inch/40mm material from a charge, and can handle 4 inch (alligator) or 6 inch (chainsaw) material. However the battery capacity is not there to operate a motor of similar rating to the mains alligator of more than a couple of minutes per charge, so it is a reasonable guess that the motor output is significantly less, impacting on the units overall cutting ability.

I find the mains alligator useful for jobs just out of the capacity of my loppers, where getting out a petrol chainsaw is an overkill. Limiting factors are small capacity oiling system (needs refilling every 10 minutes of running time) and the need to run extension cords to the unit. B+D claim a larger capacity resevoir for the chainsaw, but I doubt that even a couple of charged batteries would cut much firewood.

Personally, if firewood was a requirement, I think I would be packing a 12 to 14 inch petrol powered unit rather than a battery unit.

Just my thoughts based on using the mains alligator, a 12 inch Stihl, and an old 24inch Echo, rather than the first hand experience you sought.