The Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw is Ready for Storm Season
More and more professionals and serious DIYers are turning to batteries for landscaping and yard work simply because of the ease of use. While it may not be for everyone, the Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw lets you skip gasoline maintenance in exchange for cordless convenience.
advantage
- On-board wrench storage
- caught nuts
- big oil field
- double rod bolt
- metal buckling nail
shortcoming
- case not included
Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw Performance
When our friend Eli Mosley called us to do some tree work, it was a perfect opportunity to see how the Toro 60V cordless saw compared to other cordless saws we'd tested. We had some medium sized pine down which gave us a chance to test out its 16-inch bars and chain.
During our testing, this saw definitely held its own. With its 0.043" chain, it can rip through 8" pine trunks as quickly as you'd expect from a cork species. Once the tree is down, we start branching and breaking off the trunk.
Smaller 3 to 4 inch branches are no problem at all, however, thicker cuts start to put some pressure on the saw. We had to take some pressure off to let the brushless motor maintain its RPM, but it was able to keep the saw cutting all the way. It cuts a bit slower than top-of-the-line models from EGO, Greenworks, and Ryobi, but it's still higher than we'd expect from an entry-level option.
run
Determining the exact run time is always a challenge with chainsaws because branches vary in diameter and different species have different densities. During our testing with the 2.0Ah battery, we also tackled the bulk of a 30ft pine tree, but couldn't quite get the job done. We'd say that if you're going to be using your chainsaw for an extended period of time, then you should have some spare batteries on hand, just in case.
Of course, you can also use a higher capacity battery. However, we prefer a smaller package with less weight and cycle a few on the charger.
Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw Design Notes
weight and balance
Without batteries, the saw weighs 10.2 lbs, including blade, chain, and oil. With the 2.0Ah battery pack in the kit, it weighs 13.3 lbs.
Toro's top load battery compartment contributes to the overall balance and feel of this cordless chainsaw. This styling gives it a more traditional look and keeps the weight centered like a gas engine. The battery has a convenient top handle that makes inserting and removing it a breeze, even if you're wearing thick work gloves.
Pro-Style Chain Tensioner
The rod is secured with a double stud whose nut needs to be tightened and loosened with a wrench. Some saws in this class feature tool-free adjustments, but the advantages are still debated. Some professionals feel that the double stud design maintains a more secure connection, albeit at the expense of some convenience.
However, dropping nuts is common, especially if you're wearing work gloves. Toro designed this saw with a retaining nut so it's not easy to lose it in the field, so that's definitely a plus.
Another huge advantage is the onboard scrench storage. It's embarrassing to admit how many of these damn things I've lost over the years. The screncch is hidden at the bottom of the main handle, out of sight until the next time you need it.
flex spike
The metal tips on this 16-inch cordless chainsaw are small and blunt. This isn't entirely a disadvantage, as this does allow you to get closer to the log when cutting and utilize the entire pole length.
The spike ends are a bit rounder than you'd expect from a "spike". Regardless, they do provide a decent amount of grip when you're cutting.
chain and bar
Like many saws in this class, Toro pairs a 0.043-inch, 3/8-inch pitch chain with the saw's 16-inch bar. This is a standard configuration and can be easily replaced when required.
Additional features
- Automatic Chain Oiler
- chain gate
The Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw is available as a bare-bones tool and is available in a variety of kit options. As bare metal, expect to pay $219.99 at your local Toro dealer. For $249.99, you get a 2.0Ah battery and 1 amp 60V Max charger. If you want more capacity, there's a kit that includes a 2.5Ah battery and a 2-amp charger for $279.99. All three options come with a full 3-year tool warranty and a 3-year full battery warranty.
the bottom line
Overall, the feel and performance of the Toro 60V cordless chainsaw is a step above what we would consider entry-level or pure DIY, but still not as good as the top of the range. It's also not as expensive as a top dog. This is an excellent choice for your storm cleanup, seasonal preparation, heavy pruning and light to medium diameter felling jobs.
Toro 60V Cordless Chainsaw Specifications
- Model: Toro 51850
- Power: Toro 60V Max battery
- Chain Pitch: 0.325"
- Chain Gauge: .043
- Pole Length: 16"
- Length: 34 inches
- Maximum speed: 36 fps
- Warranty: 3-year tool warranty, 3-year battery warranty
- Price: $219.99 (bare), $249.99 (with 2.0Ah battery and charger), $279.99 (with 2.5Ah battery and charger)