I just got my 82CS34 and can confirm: the 5Ah battery is radically better than the 4Ah. Not only does it give the saw more power (as your timing shows) but it also lasts significantly longer, it seems like more than the 25% you'd expect from 5 vs 4Ah. Subjectively, while using the 4Ah the battery % ran down alarmingly fast. The 5 Ah feels like "a tank of gas" runtime you'd expect from a gas saw, the 4 Ah did not.
technique is everything with the battery saw. figuring out how to not bog it down cuts faster in the long run, keeps the motor and the battery running cooler.
I've got the smallest makita saw, takes one 18v battery, and if you don't push it, it will cut much better than one would expect from a "22cc equivalent saw.
Thanks for this test. I'm considering getting the kit (because the 4Ah is practically free in the bundle price) then buying a 5Ah battery separately. Sure would make more sense for them to bundle the 5Ah tho.
Great comparison, wish I had seen this before buying my Greenworks commercial 20 inch. I thought the battery may be defective because the saw cut out so easily when leaning on it, easier than my old Redback or my friends Ego which seems impossible to stall out. Even worse after draining the pack below 30% it won't take a charge for a while until it cools down so the fast charger doesn't allow you to get back to work quickly. Looks like after spending $600 on a saw I'll need to drop another $300 on the 5ah pack to get good performance. At these prices I cannot recommend this saw.
Yes, it is very unfortunate that the saw is kitted with the wrong battery. I'm sure it's so that they can claim a lower operating weight. A single tool is definitely hard to justify. The backpack blower came with 2 5ah batteries and a charger. I was able to pick one up that was used once for $400, so with the blower and the batteries it becomes worth it and I can run the saw indefinitely. The 5ah battery doesn't suffer the same overheating as the 4ah battery.
@@reusefull I think I'm going to write Greenworks and complain about them shipping a battery that isn't sized properly for the tool. They aren't doing themselves any favors by crippling the saw with an undersized battery.
If these battery platforms are really running off 60v and 80v and yet stihl can get the msa 300 sport a 20 bar and eat through wood as easy as a ms261 off just 36v then greenworks needs to seriously innovate their battery technology, I'd say pouch cells would be the best way to go because 21700s and 18650s just don't cut it. I could be wrong but at 80v I feel like you could make a motor strong enough to perhaps sport a 24 inch bar let alone a 20 inch. I know that makita could theoretically achieve this with their xgt system 40v x2 would allow two batteries to carry the load as apposed to one big battery. Thus reducing the discharge rate and help keep the batteries cooler.
I don't really know enough about the battery technology to speak intelligently about it, but it makes sense that if Milwaukee can get over 2kw from an 18v Battery, then there's some room to make more power at 82 volts.
@@reusefull I know, it's crazy impressive what Milwaukee can get out of just 18v I'm hoping to see an m18 x2 chainsaw soon from them that would be amazing!
I'm always watching for a more powerful unit, but a far as I know, the 3400 watt Greenworks is the most powerful saw available at this time. I think it is on par with the top homeowner/prosumer saws available at this time... the 455/460 huskys and such. I'm hoping to get some saws to do some comparisons. But I don't think it will be long before there are saws that can keep pace with the 372xp type saws... not yet, but soon.
thanks for showing the different chains. I like the more agressive ones, and glad to see they actually can cut faster/more efficiently.
I just got my 82CS34 and can confirm: the 5Ah battery is radically better than the 4Ah. Not only does it give the saw more power (as your timing shows) but it also lasts significantly longer, it seems like more than the 25% you'd expect from 5 vs 4Ah. Subjectively, while using the 4Ah the battery % ran down alarmingly fast. The 5 Ah feels like "a tank of gas" runtime you'd expect from a gas saw, the 4 Ah did not.
I definitely agree. I can't understand why greenworks is sticking with the 4ah recommendation other than to make it look like the saw weighs less.
It's to get you to upgrade to their 5 Ah battery. Isn't it obvious?
technique is everything with the battery saw. figuring out how to not bog it down cuts faster in the long run, keeps the motor and the battery running cooler.
I've got the smallest makita saw, takes one 18v battery, and if you don't push it, it will cut much better than one would expect from a "22cc equivalent saw.
Thanks for this test. I'm considering getting the kit (because the 4Ah is practically free in the bundle price) then buying a 5Ah battery separately. Sure would make more sense for them to bundle the 5Ah tho.
I agree on both counts, the battery really is free if you need the charger, so that's an easy decision.
Great comparison, wish I had seen this before buying my Greenworks commercial 20 inch. I thought the battery may be defective because the saw cut out so easily when leaning on it, easier than my old Redback or my friends Ego which seems impossible to stall out. Even worse after draining the pack below 30% it won't take a charge for a while until it cools down so the fast charger doesn't allow you to get back to work quickly. Looks like after spending $600 on a saw I'll need to drop another $300 on the 5ah pack to get good performance. At these prices I cannot recommend this saw.
Yes, it is very unfortunate that the saw is kitted with the wrong battery. I'm sure it's so that they can claim a lower operating weight. A single tool is definitely hard to justify. The backpack blower came with 2 5ah batteries and a charger. I was able to pick one up that was used once for $400, so with the blower and the batteries it becomes worth it and I can run the saw indefinitely. The 5ah battery doesn't suffer the same overheating as the 4ah battery.
@@reusefull I think I'm going to write Greenworks and complain about them shipping a battery that isn't sized properly for the tool. They aren't doing themselves any favors by crippling the saw with an undersized battery.
@@JRP3 I agree. I have not been able to penetrate the customer service veil with my comments.
If these battery platforms are really running off 60v and 80v and yet stihl can get the msa 300 sport a 20 bar and eat through wood as easy as a ms261 off just 36v then greenworks needs to seriously innovate their battery technology, I'd say pouch cells would be the best way to go because 21700s and 18650s just don't cut it.
I could be wrong but at 80v I feel like you could make a motor strong enough to perhaps sport a 24 inch bar let alone a 20 inch. I know that makita could theoretically achieve this with their xgt system 40v x2 would allow two batteries to carry the load as apposed to one big battery. Thus reducing the discharge rate and help keep the batteries cooler.
I don't really know enough about the battery technology to speak intelligently about it, but it makes sense that if Milwaukee can get over 2kw from an 18v Battery, then there's some room to make more power at 82 volts.
@@reusefull I know, it's crazy impressive what Milwaukee can get out of just 18v I'm hoping to see an m18 x2 chainsaw soon from them that would be amazing!
I'm always watching for a more powerful unit, but a far as I know, the 3400 watt Greenworks is the most powerful saw available at this time. I think it is on par with the top homeowner/prosumer saws available at this time... the 455/460 huskys and such. I'm hoping to get some saws to do some comparisons. But I don't think it will be long before there are saws that can keep pace with the 372xp type saws... not yet, but soon.
@@reusefull In October 2022, Greenworks Commercial introduced a 4.3kW 82V chainsaw with a 24-inch bar and chain.
@@PaulStregevsky I have heard rumor of this. Any idea how to get ahold of one?