Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Chainsaw Redefines Cordless Power
We’ve seen a ton of advancements in the world of battery-powered chainsaws over the last few years, but Milwaukee is upping the ante. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery 20-Inch Chainsaw makes some truly mind-blowing claims, so I’m excited to dive in and see what this Pro-focused saw can do!
Pros
- Impressive cutting power
- Excellent balance
- Two speed modes
- Dual metal bucking spikes
- Large oil reservoir
- Pro-grade bar and chain
- Zero ramp-up time
Cons
- A little pricy
- Heavy
Want to See the Video Review? Of Course You Do!
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 20-Inch Dual Battery Chainsaw Performance
- Chain speed: 14.3 m/s
- Gas Equivalent: 70cc
- Power Output: 4.4 HP (low), 5.8 HP (high)
- Max Torque: 9.5Nm
- Chain pitch: 0.325-inch
- Chain gauge: 0.50-inch
Cutting Power
Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel Dual-Battery 20-inch Chainsaw generates a gas equivalence of 70cc thanks to its PowerState brushless motor. For perspective, this saw outpaces the Greenworks Commercial 82V 20-inch Chainsaw and Stihl MSA 300 C-O that came out a few years ago. It’s almost on par with the Pro-grade Stihl MS 462 C-M gas saw and matches up with the power claims of Greenworks Commercial’s H.O.G. model. For a battery-powered chainsaw, this is breaking new ground.
This tool features two mower modes: Peak Power Mode and Standard Mode. Peak Power Mode produces power levels of up to 5.8 HP and a max torque of 9.5 Nm. This performance level allows you to make demanding cuts without bogging down, even in hardwoods like Oak.
In Standard Mode, this chainsaw tops out at 4.4HP. In our hands-on experience with this saw, that’s more than enough power to glide through tough cuts while still prioritizing runtime.
Runtime
The 2827 chainsaw requires two M18 batteries for operation, and Milwaukee specifically optimized it for use with the new M18 Forge XC8.0 batteries. On a single charge, it can make up to 60 cuts in 10-inch hardwoods.
Milwaukee kits this saw with a simultaneous dual-port rapid charger so you can get back up and running with minimal downtime.
Hands-On Testing
Fortunately, this saw showed up just in time to help us out with a tree trimming project here at our shop. We started by felling the large limb with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw and then got to work bucking it up with the chainsaw.
The 2827 glided effortlessly through the dense oak logs and left a clean cut in its wake. What really impressed us was the raw cutting power. No matter how hard we pushed the saw through the cut, it never stalled or even bogged down. That’s a big deal for any battery-powered chainsaw, but it’s a really, really big deal since this is a Pro-focused chainsaw.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Chainsaw Design Notes
- Model: Milwaukee 2827
- Power Source: Two Milwaukee M18 batteries
- Weight: 15.1 pounds bare; 19.9 pounds w/ (2) XC8.0 Forge batteries
- Length: 37.5 in.
- Oil Capacity: 5.7 oz.
- Bar Length: 20 inches
- Chain Length: 78 links
Size and Weight
The Milwaukee 2827 weighs in just shy of 20 pounds with both Forge 8.0Ah batteries and measures 37.5 inches from tip to tail.
Compared to some of the saws I’ve used in the past, this model is remarkably well-balanced and easy to maneuver in spite of its weight. The top handle acts as a pivot point so you can easily rock the saw back and forth while cutting larger logs. That will shift slightly if you’re using smaller, lighter batteries to wrap up a job or larger, heavier ones to extend your runtime.
The grip features a textured rubber overmold and a folding safety switch to prevent accidental trigger pulls.
Personally, I love Milwaukee’s handle design because it feels very natural and familiar. This should make it easier for Pros who want to shift away from gas-powered equipment.
Bar and Chain
As I’ve already mentioned, this saw is aimed at Pros who need a tool that can handle demanding cuts. Milwaukee equipped the 2827 with a sturdy 20-inch bar and an aggressive semi-chisel chain that delivers fast cuts and smooth chip ejection.
One minor drawback is that this saw doesn’t appear to be rated for bars longer than 20 inches. This will limit larger tree felling jobs, but with a 19-inch cut capacity, most common chainsaw tasks are well within reach.
You won’t find any surprises when it comes to chain tensioning. Milwaukee stuck with a very traditional tensioner and included a scrench that stores on the bottom of the saw.
Dual Metal Bucking Spike
A feature that really stood out to our team is the large dual metal bucking spikes. Most chainsaws only have one set of spikes, and many battery-powered chainsaws feature smaller, less aggressive bucking spikes, if any at all!
Milwaukee equipped this saw with a pair of spike that sit on either side of the bar. These play a vital role when bucking up large logs and do a great job of biting into the wood so the saw won’t slip. This feature is typically only found on premium gas-powered chainsaws, like the Stihl MS 500i, so it’s cool that Milwaukee is maintaining that Pro-focused mindset even in the smaller details.
Additional Features
- Onboard tool storage
- Captured bar nuts
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Chainsaw Price
The Milwaukee 2827 retails for $899 as a kit and comes with two 8.0Ah Forge batteries, a dual-port simultaneous charger, and a scabbard. Milwaukee backs this saw with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
After getting some hands-on time with this saw, I’m genuinely impressed. The brushless motor and 2-speed gearbox make this a versatile option for Pros who are looking to make the switch away from gas equipment. Additionally, its familiar controls and perfectly balanced profile make this saw easy to use and help make for a smooth transition. It is a little on the heavy side, but that seems to be par for the course with premium battery-powered chainsaws. If you’ve been on the fence about the capabilities of battery-powered equipment, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot!
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