Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Chainsaw Enters New Territory With 18-Inch Stem
Ryobi has done a great job developing HP's brushless line, and we've been very impressed with the improvements in OPE. Using the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 18" Chainsaw, we were wondering how it would compare to other 18" models we've used.
advantage
- excellent cutting force
- Good balance with various battery sizes
- Automatic lubricator flow adjustment
- Double bolts for bar safety
- Onboard screch storage
- Includes blow molded case
shortcoming
- plastic buckling nail
Cutting effectively with an 18" rod takes some serious muscle. Its size represents some of the best gas-powered models available for homeowners and into the farm and ranch realm. These are very different power levels though, and we set out to see which end the Ryobi fits into.
Our friend Eli Mosley invited us to the ranch where he works to help him cut down a cracked oak tree. Solid branches can be up to 14 inches in diameter, which is a good test for this saw. It's amazing how often he needs to get work done when we have OPE reviews…
When we first pulled the trigger, it sounded like we weren't getting as much chain speed as the other 18-inch saws we've reviewed. However, its power is evident when we cut through the oak. Ryobi's HP brushless motor goes into the center of the wood's densest and thickest diameter, allowing the 0.050 chain to move better than our other models. As we continued, it became apparent that the torque of this saw provided more muscle than we anticipated.
Ryobi does not claim gas engine size equivalence like some brands do. To us, it feels like it falls into the 42cc+ category. It's not quite at the level of the 50cc+ farm and ranch models, but it's very powerful and clearly at the top of the range for battery powered chainsaws today.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 18" Chainsaw Design Instructions
weight and balance
With the blade, chain and half a tank of oil, the saw weighs 9.9 lbs. The 5Ah battery in the kit adds another 4.0 lbs, bringing your entire unit to under 14 lbs. It's not inconsistent with similar air saws when you add the rod and chain, oil and gas to their weight.
The design team decided on a wide-entry battery port. We've seen some tools get out of balance with larger packages, but this model doesn't seem to be affected. Whether we used the smaller 4.0Ah battery or the larger 6.0Ah battery, we never felt like we were tipping the saw's balance.
double post nut
The tool-less rod tensioner is handy, but when we use these larger saws, we really like the extra security of the double stud and rod nut to secure them. That's what Ryobi has on this model, they add the convenience of onboard storage to your scrench.
It comes with a case!
This chainsaw comes with a very nice blow molded case. The scabbard goes over the crossbar and chain, and it fits in the case, giving it some extra protection during transport. It also prevents any oil from getting everywhere. Clean it up and let it dry out from time to time so it doesn't build up too much.
If you are not going to use the saw for a while, keep turning the auto oiler all the way to the bottom to minimize and leak. Just remember to turn it up a bit the next time you're ready to cut.
flex spike
The only real downside is that the curved spikes on this saw are plastic. We don't mind small saws too much, but we love seeing metal on these performance models.
Additional features
- 0.050 gauge, 3/8" pitch chain
- Mechanical Chain Gate
- Quick charger and 5.0Ah battery included in the kit
- Compatible with all Ryobi 40V batteries
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 18" Chainsaw Prices
You can get this Ryobi chainsaw kit for $329 at The Home Depot. This includes the chainsaw, 5.0Ah battery, fast charger and case. That's about $20 less than an 18-inch saw from Ryobi's main competitor. Given the high performance we've seen, that certainly boosts this product's value rating.
Ryobi supports tools for 5 years and batteries for 3 years under its warranty program.
the bottom line
It was very interesting to see such an improvement in the performance of this HP series OPE from Ryobi. If you've used other Ryobi battery powered chainsaws, get ready for a completely different cutting experience. With this overhaul, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 18" Chainsaw catapults it into competition with the top cordless chainsaws on the market.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 18" Chainsaw Specifications
- Model: Rimei RY40580
- Motor: Brushless
- Supporting battery: 40V 5.0Ah battery
- Pole Length: 18 inches
- Chain Spacing: 3/8"
- Chain Gauge: 0.050
- Chain speed: 22 m/s
- Replacement chain: Y62.050
- Chain oiler: automatic
- Weight: 13.2 lbs.
- Warranty: 5-year tool warranty; 3-year battery warranty
- Price: $329