Milwaukee Tool showed off their latest and greatest new cordless outdoor power tools this week, at a special Pipeline 2022 media event.
We spent half a day outside, checking out the new cordless OPE tools. Following is a first-look, with more details and information to come!
The new tools are expected to launch as early as Q4 2022, and into Spring 2023.
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We also got a closer look at several recently-launched tools that are available now, and I’ll talk about those tools separately.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hatchet 8″ Pruning Saw (3004-20)
Milwaukee Tool took their popular M12 Fuel Hatchet cordless chainsaw, which launched last year, and created a larger and more powerful M18 Fuel Hatchet.
The M18 Fuel Hatchet is an 8-inch pruning saw, whereas the M12 is a 6-inch saw.
The new model is said to deliver increased control and access, has the power to cut hardwoods, and is the fastest cutting pruning saw on the market.
The chainsaw weighs less than 5 lbs (without battery), and can maintain speed under heavy loads without bogging down.
Milwaukee says that the M18 Fuel Hatchet can reach full speed in under 1 second, and cuts faster than a 25cc gas engine chainsaw.
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Price: $279 (tool-only)
ETA: October 2022
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Top Handle Chainsaws – 12″ & 14″ (2826)
There will be a new M18 Fuel top-handle cordless chainsaw available in two configurations – 12″ and 14″.
Milwaukee says that the new cordless chainsaw cuts faster than 35cc gas saws, delivers the power to cut hardwoods, and eliminates the headaches associated with gas engines.
The saw reach full throttle in under 1 second, and can maintain cutting speed without bogging down. With an XC HO 8Ah battery, the saw can deliver 150 cuts per charge in 4″ x 4″ cedar.
It was designed with professional arborists, power utility linemen, and landscape maintenance professionals in mind, and has a more compact size compared to rear-handle chainsaws.
Purchasing Options
- 12″ chainsaw (tool-only) – 2826-20C
- 14″ chainsaw (tool-only) – 2826-20T
- 14″ chainsaw kit – 2826-21T
Should users’ needs change, the top-handle chainsaw is compatible with 12″ and 14″ bars and chains, which will be available separately. In other words, you can easily convert the 12″ saw to a 14″ saw, and the 14″ saw to a 12″ saw.
The kit comes with an M18 XC High Output 8Ah battery and a Rapid Charger.
Price: $339 for the 12″ (tool-only), $479 for the 14″ kit
ETA: January 2023
Milwaukee M12 Brushless Pruning Shears (2534)
Milwaukee showed off a new M12 brushless pruning shear, which has the power to cut through branches up to 1-1/4″ thick.
The new cordless pruning shear has an inline design and is said to reduce muscle effort by 75% compared to manual solutions.
Not only can it handle larger branches, it has a smaller branch-cutting mode that increases application speed by 40%. The smaller branch-cutting mode limits the opening width of the shear blades, which means faster cutting times.
It can deliver over 1,000 cuts per charge in 1/2″ branches.
A Trigger Tracking feature allows the blade movement to follow the trigger action, which Milwaukee says provides more control over the cut capacity in application.
The pruning shears will be sold in tool-only (2534-20) and kit (2534-21) configurations. The kit will come with an M12 CP 2.0Ah battery and an M12 charger.
ETA: Spring 2023
Milwaukee M12 Handheld Sprayer – 1 & 2 Gallon (2528)
Milwaukee will be coming out with a new cordless handheld sprayer that is available in 1 and 2 gallon configurations.
They say it delivers the best pressure control and does not require any manual pumping, to provide users with instant, constant, and adjustable pressure up to 80 PSI and a 17-foot vertical spray distance.
It features a 3-mode pressure adjustment knob, for 20-80 PSI.
The sprayer can deliver 80 gallons of spraying with a fully charged 2.0Ah battery.
It also features an onboard measuring cup, a strainer that filters debris from entering the tank, and both vertical and horizontal wand storage.
Configurations
- 1-gallon – 2528-21G1
- 2-gallon – 2528-21G2
1 and 2-gallon tanks will be available separately.
Price: $189 for 1-gallon, $199 for 2-gallon
ETA: November 2022
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Blower (2824-20)
Milwaukee showed off their latest M18 Fuel dual battery blower, which I recently posted about here.
They say this new blower delivers the highest constant power on the market, reaches full throttle in under 1 second, and provides the best clearing control.
The new blower can deliver 600 CFM max air volume and 145 MPH max air speed. It comes with tapered and flat nozzle attachments.
The saw had far better balance than I had anticipated, making good on Milwaukee’s claims of a balanced and downwards-leaning geometry, at least when paired with M18 XC High Output 8Ah batteries.
The ambidextrous speed control was impressive, and while requiring a little more thumb-reach than a dial, it felt more controllable. The variable speed trigger can also be used for controlling the power and speed output.
Price: $299 (tool-only)
ETA: August 2022
Read More: New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Blower
Discussion
These new tools are a small but significant expansion of Milwaukee’s cordless outdoor power equipment lineups.
Milwaukee also showed off several other recently-launched cordless OPE tools – 3 new Quik-Lok attachments, a smaller M18 Fuel hedge trimmer, an M12 Fuel hedge trimmer, and their new M18 Fuel dual battery lawn mower, which we reviewed here. I’ll discuss these tools separately.
All of the new tools are sure to please users. For instance, the M18 Fuel Hatchet was designed to meet user requests. The M12 Fuel Hatchet has been a strong seller, but users have also been asking for a slightly larger saw that’s compatible with Milwaukee’s M18 battery platform. This is exactly what they delivered.
The top-handle chainsaws looked to perform well, especially compared to the clunky and noisy gas engine saws that demonstrators had difficulty starting at the event.
So far, it’s looking like all of Milwaukee’s cordless vs. gas engines are entirely spot-on. These tools do the job – often if not always better – and with lower noise, zero fumes, and less hassle.
My favorite of the tools is the M12 brushless pruning shears, as it will absolutely save me a ton of manual effort on storm cleanup and manual pruning tasks. My only request to the team was that they also make a pole-attached version that provides greater overhead reach.
It’s such a simple idea, to limit the shearing blades’ opening width for repetitive cutting of smaller branches, but one with significant implications. This tool will dramatically speed up my storm cleanup tasks, where I usually use a reciprocating saw and hand pruner to break down fallen branches into bundles for the town to pick up.
Milwaukee Tool has been slowly but steadily increasing their cordless outdoor power tool offerings. For instance, with these new tools, they have – by my count – 6 different chainsaw sizes, plus a pole saw.
After seeing these new tools, and talking with Milwaukee’s cordless OPE product managers and engineers, it’s clear they’ve upped their game.
All of the new tools have thoughtful designs, and I had at least one “oh, that’s clever and useful!” moment about each of them.
A couple of years ago, it was fair to think “what does Milwaukee Tool know about outdoor power tools?” Now, it’s clear they know a lot. Some of their team members brought knowledge and insights with them, and others have been building new understanding from the ground up.
Are there any other cordless outdoor power tools you wish Milwaukee Tool would come out with? We know that a cordless snow blower is on the way. What else is on everyone’s wishlist?
Collin
The most interesting part of the presentation was Milwaukee’s admission that they will be pushing into OPE with MX Fuel. According to Milwaukee:
M12 mainly replaces hand-powered tools, like manual pruners and manual handheld pump sprayers.
M18 replaces corded tools and some smaller gas-engine tools, like corded hedge trimmers, corded edgers, corded trimmers, small gas chainsaws, etc.
MX Fuel is apparently going to be their main answer for lawn care professionals.
Milwaukee is finally paying the piper for its overreliance on an 18-volt platform.
It’s clear that the professional level of lawn care tools cannot be easily replaced with 18-volt tools. 40 volts at a minimum. Hence the M18x2 blower. M18x2 mower.
At least other cordless systems can claim one-way compatibility across their range of tools, including OPE. But using MX Fuel means a completely new battery and tool system, with 0 compatibility with M18/M12.
I’m also unsure what sort of competitive advantage MX Fuel is supposed to bring to the table in terms of power. The CP203 pack uses 20 cells at 4.2 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 10.3 inches long (!!). I cannot imagine using a MX Fuel handheld tool, as the battery is ridiculously long. The balance would be horrendous. An Ego 5Ah battery is only 6 inches long, and contains 14 cells. The DeWalt FlexVolt 15ah battery contains 30 cells. Makita’s XGT 8Ah battery contains 20 cells. Of all the ways Milwaukee could have chose to package a large number of cells into a battery, they chose the worst way: super long. I’m guessing MX Fuel is going to be solely relegated to “light equipment” like riding mowers, stand-on ZTRs, snowblowers, etc. Meanwhile, other battery systems can power those tools with handheld size batteries.
Collin
Ego actually manages to stuff 28 cells into their 5.0Ah battery, which is borderline handholable and only about 6 inches long.
Stuart
I didn’t get that impression at all. Yes, MX Fuel is going to be a part of things, but so will M12 and M18. Different tools and capabilities are tied to different battery sizes and capabilities.
MX Fuel will be suited for riding equipment, but not long-session handheld tools.
In talking with a couple of product managers, M18 is perfectly capable of meeting a lot of professional landscaper needs.
One of the challenges is the disconnect between continuous claims and practical runtime expectations. A user might scoff at claims of up to 20 minutes of runtime, but real-world usage might see an average of 80 minutes of runtime.
Next-gen battery tech might also play a part here, as it will likely raise the M18 ceiling even higher than it is now.
As for the MX Fuel interface, it was designed to handle far greater operating stresses than M18 or other 18V form factory battery systems. Yes, it’s bigger, but this also gives its interface better strength and resilience.
Dave
I think that’s missing Collins point a bit. Had Milwaukee transitioned to a more mainstream high voltage platform like DeWalt, Makita, Metabo HPT, etc. They wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with. Now I need 3 different voltage platforms to use all of their OPE? Who else has such a convoluted solution in the OPE segment? 12v, 18v, 18×2, MX. You can run a little ego pole saw on the same battery that can run a zero turn, and their batteries are much smaller than MX. If I’m investing in a whole new platform anyway, why wouldn’t I pick something that can run any tool I need? Also, while batteries may get lighter and more powerful, lower voltage still means less efficiency. Milwaukee can’t run from physics forever, hence the need for their X2 solution, but that is a half assed one at best. If anything, improvements in battery tech benefits high voltage platforms more. Imagine all of the efficiency gains of higher voltage without the added bulk that current tech requires? That is really going to be the final nail in M18’s coffin.
fred
That is a bit of a conundrum. But there is another issue as well and that is battery weight. Even if you can get by with 1 battery platform (say 36 or higher voltage) – you may still need several different batteries. A battery powered hedge trimmer or pole saw as examples – might become too heavy to efficiently use if the onboard battery has too many cells, So, you might want several compact batteries to swap out for some tools and also higher Ah batteries for other tools. One or more MX batteries might work for a Zero-Turn – but I can’t imagine one tied to a chain saw (unless your name is Paul Bunyon). Maybe we will star to see more backpack or other transportable battery-power sources like the Makita:
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-PDC01-Portable-Backpack-Supply/dp/B085VQ4WHC/
Stuart
I didn’t miss that point; he brought it up multiple times in my separate post about the blower, and we discussed it ad nauseam. Ultimately, it comes down to opinion.
Dewalt has a higher voltage system – FlexVolt – yet they’ve been backtracking towards “20V Max with FlexVolt Advantage.”
Makita has 36V XGT. I have purchased and used some of their new tools, and there’s zero apparent benefits compared to 18V X2. I thought XGT would be more powerful, but it doesn’t seem to be. I believe Makita went to 36V/40V Max not because of slight theoretical benefits, but because they reached a hard limit with 18V and X2 systems, and it would have been even more of a marketing nightmare to break through the ceiling with a next-gen-capable replacement 18V/20V Max system. So, they went with a 10-cell 36V battery format rather than 10-cell 18V.
Brands such as EGO have higher voltage systems, and this works great for more power-hungry tools, but there are limits when it comes to compact and lightweight tools that might otherwise benefit from lower voltage-class batteries. Some of the tools shown above simply aren’t possible with larger higher voltage batteries.
There’s no perfect approach yet, and each has its own compromises.
Will Milwaukee’s platforms and approach work for everyone? Of course not. But it seems they’re doing quite well so far.
Dewalt’s 40V Max cordless outdoor power tool platform was a great idea. Craftsman’s V60 platform had potential. Neither exists anymore today, although I still see a single Craftsman V60 hedge trimmer available on Amazon.
I have talked to Milwaukee engineers and product managers many times over the years. I shared in the opinion that they reached a power and performance ceiling, and each time we talked about things, they opened my eyes as to how they’re getting around certain limits or challenges.
The fact of the matter is that they’re quite cognizant about these things, and Milwaukee engineers understand the M18 platform’s capabilities and limits far better than you, I, or anyone else who things they know better.
Phil
Thanks for the reply. I still disagree. The brands have achieved the same. Except yellow has higher potential in capacity and power due to voltage or combo set up. not Including mx. They all have 2x combo set up. A major issue is not just ergonomics… it’s also battery and charger maintenance while using the tools in combo mode. Another huge issue is different amph batteries in combo set up performance.. it adds up time going to the outlet/charger. That matters especially to a pro. Battery size form factor no difference across the top 3 companies . I have also personally seen or felt the damage to hi heat on a number of hi output on red 18v tools … they definitely should have not made so many tools ho at 18v… better now at 36v. The voltage does matter for heat control the higher output tool when considering all tools and trades .Yellow said brushless with voltage is a big reason that changed the voltage debate.We can see a huge difference when you look at the capacity of an adjustable tool bit tool. Ex a rotor hammer. Sure we can add more and more bats to equipment… but the disadvantage add up when doing this on certain tools and equipment. We can all also all have more batteries as back up. I believe yellow has said first to have cordless work sight. And they cover all lines 60v 20v 12 v with new recent innovation. Not sure if we will see more 120v. But anyway 20 v performance at all 3 companies is the same now anf taking same advantage of bat size. Luckily on tool guyd and internet I have confirmation of ho red at 18v is good. But yellow 60v clearly better set up on most ho tools at power runtime cost battery charger maintenance and ergonomics… more potential for what is the future
Tojen1981
By your metric, Makita has a worse situation with their ope platforms (18v lxt, 18 lxt x2, 40v xgt, 40v xgt x2). Dewalts flexvolt system is better with compatibility, but you still can’t use regular dewalt 20v batteries in flexvolt tools. Same situation with Metabo HPT which doesn’t even really have OPE offerings.
Milwaukee could adopt a similar multivolt system as DeWalt and Metabo HPT if they wanted to really push the envelope on utilizing it’s current 18v platform in the market. My guess is they’re working on that.
I think the MX line is still too cost prohibitive to go hardcore into OPE and it’s never going to be a top to bottom solution in that market anyways due to it’s sizing as you mentioned.
Phil
“Zero advantage with higher voltage… back track to 20v advantage ”
You have to consider all trades and materials. But let’s look at house building. The contractors consistently say 60v yellow is what they prefer for the power they need at times. Metal working 60v yellow runs with zero issues. Where tool bit is adjustable 60v yellow has higher range
Milwaukee built the 2x 18 lawnmower vacuum and the blower for the need of lower amp draw for heat control .otherwise they would have stuck to one battery. Some HO tools by Milwaukee are a joke at one battery. It’s alot of battery/charger maintenance for the users
Phil
Milwaukee to build a flex volt style system would take new construction of new battery or tools. Possibly royalty payments depending on the construction.
It’s why makita did a complete 180 in originally saying they would stick to 18v and 18×2 with horrible ergonomics. They are banking on battery compatibility is a far less an
issue than missing out on high output with brushless tools and equipment performance and sales.
Stuart
@Phil,
It’s not just about higher voltage, but greater energy capacity.
Let’s say that Milwaukee and a 36V battery system too. Would the mower have been powered by just 1 battery? No – it still would have been better designed and equipped with two, in order to provide reasonable runtime expectations.
The same with the dual battery blower. I don’t think a higher voltage battery would have been enough to deliver to the desired user experience.
This is why Makita must also offer XGT x2 tools, because single batteries don’t pack enough punch or stamina. An 18V x2 tool is going to be competitive – or better than a 36V tool unless the 36V tool is equipped with a substantially larger battery.
Jack
Dave . You got a bit over half that right . 36 volts Is a more honest measure than 40 . Makita also do that double up system. Stihl are now running $ diff Batts 12 , 36 , and 36. Try to run big stuff on small batt you’ll cook it ( shorten life anyway ) BC ALL power will have to come from one bank of cells instead of having the load spread over 2 or 3 banks .
Rx9
Milwaukee made a good decision on putting out mx fuel OPE. About time too. OPE will be a critical volume booster for that platform.
MM
There’s certainly some cool stuff here. I know a few people who whined about the original Hatchet being M12, they will surely like this new model.
I like the M12 sprayer, I’ve been cursing my current pump up model. I’ve seen cordless sprayers before, and I think Milwaukee had and older M18 model but it wasn’t of much interest as I wasn’t on the platform. The M12 sounds great for my limited needs, I will certainly take a look at that.
I’m a bit confused about the new chainsaws. The article calls them both “top handle” saws yet only one of them seems to be. To my understanding, a “top handle” saw is the short model, normally used when climbing in a tree, it has the trigger with the throttle on top of the motor rather than behind it. However the photograph showing the saw lying on the ground is of a traditional rear-handle saw, NOT a top handle. The next photo showing the kit of a saw, blade guard, battery, and charger on a white background shows what I expect when I hear “top handle” chainsaw. So either that saw lying on the grass is being incorrectly described as top-handle when it isn’t, or that’s an incorrect picture.
IronWood
I had the same thought regarding the chainsaws. Seems like they’re introducing a new top-handle 12” and conventional 14”, but the bars are interchangeable?
Stuart
Top-handle 12″ and 14″, and rear-handle 14″ and 16″.
I confirmed that top-handle 12″ and 14″ saws will have interchangeable bars and chains, but don’t yet know if the 14″ will be cross-compatible with the rear-handle 14″.
MM
Thank you for the clarification, that makes perfect sense.
Shaun
Does anyone know if they are compatible with other brand bars? Also, where is the lanyard ring on the top handle saw?
MM
Could be. Speaking of swapping bars, I wonder what the bar compatibility between the two Hatchet models, these saws, and their existing pole pruner will be?
I have a Stihl MS150, their smallest top-handle saw, which is advertised as taking a 10″ or 12″ bar. I have mine fitted with a 14″ bar like that used on the HT133 pole pruner. I have that pole pruner as well so my goal was to have just one chain size to keep spares on hand. I absolutely love that little saw, it was a pricey bugger but man can it punch above its weight, even before I started messing with the engine. It would be neat if Milwaukee users could do the same kind of thing.
TomD
The pruner I have is NOT the same size as the M12. It’s bigger. Maybe it will be the same as the M18. I’ve not tried running the pruner bar and chain on the M12.
Big Richard
The 10″ pole saw bar and current M12 6″ bars are interchangeable, can confirm. They are both A041 tail mount, 3/8″lp, 0.043″ga. I assume this new 8″ M18 will be the same.
The 16″ chainsaw actually has the same spec bar, but I haven’t tried swapping that. Might be fun.
Stuart
Sorry – I mixed up that image with another. Instead of removing it, I uploaded the proper image from a video screenshot, and kept the photo of the rear-handle saw for comparison.
Jim Felt
I use the single M18 battery equipped leaf blower on our sidewalks and only occasionally wish it had more power. So, of course, if I can lift the new twin battery version and it’s not too much heavier then my single 12Ahr batteries I’ll be pleased.
Balance, to me at least, is a big part of the appeal of this blower. And having tons of M18 available for quick change out.
Stuart
Even though the dual battery blower is larger, I wasn’t fighting it, but I’ll reserve final judgement until I can test it further.
I wasn’t interested in testing it for review it until I actually had the opportunity to test it at Pipeline.
I have been holding onto Dewalt 20V Max and FlexVolt blowers, and although I don’t prefer dual battery tools, the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel has the potential to replace both. I also always have at least one EGO blower available, but that’s never going to change.
Phil
I will take that flex blower when u sell it. Lol. My flex blower is one of the best cordless tools ever. And batteries have no issues. My Milwaukee supercharger could not comes close to dewalt system of efficiency. My supercharger cooling fan broke in half. A 12 amp battery overheated because they trip out at 50 percent when it’s a tool with high heat demand. Like saws and grinders.
Stephen
I wonder if the tube from the M18 dual-power blower is interchangeable with the standard blower. The lack of a shaped nozzle tip on the standard model is one of the few drawbacks.
James C
Any idea on the blower db? Ryobi 40v whisper blower looks hard to beat.
Big Richard
Did you get a chain speed on that top handle saw? Their rear handle saw has tons of torque, but the low chain speed (~42ft/sec) makes it chatter quite a bit on small branches. And with top handle saws, the majority of your cutting is going to be smaller braches, so I’m really hoping it is a higher speed lower torque motor compared to the rear handle.
TomD
I think they’re really positioning the “two saws” model where you use the hatchet for small branches and the bigger saw for main branches/trunks. I suspect it’ll be basically the same as the current large one.
A switch between two modes would be nice.
Big Richard
They actually have 3 saws now. Rear handle, top handle, and one-handed (Hatchet). I agree the Hatchet, both M12 and M18, are for the smallest of branches. But I’m talking about the new top handle saw. These arborist saws, as they are also known, are what you use in a tree to delimb and trim branches. I can’t imagine Milwaukee would overlook that fact and give it the same motor as their current rear handle saw, but who knows.
Makita for example put a faster motor in their latest top handle that screams at almost 80 ft/sec. And that’s what you want for a limbing saw. At least that’s what I prefer.
Jack
Or you can go the route stihl did with a narrow kerf chain on Batt Saws / pole. . does a smooth cut. You could go less chisel via sharpening also
Stuart
I didn’t, but it’s one of the things I’ll ask once the official announcement hits closer to launch.
Big Richard
No worries, I made a few calls. It’s about 50 ft/sec (15 m/s). So they did up it a bit from the rear handle models, but still a little low for my liking.
Either way it does look like a nice saw and I’ll have my eye out for sales next spring.
Seaquell
What a joke that they struggle to start a gas saw in the demonstration!
Any new stihl,husky, or even poulan saws start right up and always do if taken care of.
I thought Milwaukee had better standards than resorting to cheap infomercial tactics.
Leo B.
Although I agree that this particular tactic is a little questionable, in fairness, those looking to upgrade to these tools would probably be using older gas tools, not the brand-new offerings. In that circumstance, they would likely be harder to start. Just a thought.
Champs
I’d like to see those shears as a Quik Lok attachment somehow.
Stuart
Yup! I said “I need this on a pole” to at least 3 engineers, will see what they do with that.
Jack
Ryobi has got one( on a reasonable length pole) . There are some professional brands with them also
Ct451
The small saws and shears need poles. Make the battery socket sturdier to attach to a pole and put the battery at the other end. The sprayers need wheels and a handle to pull them along and are very expensive. They don’t offer anything better than what you get from sprayers 1/2 their price. I made my own.
What’s missing from all the tool lines is a bunch of harvesting tools. The one thing you really need clean battery power.
FullofBS
There is already a pole saw in the quik-lok lineup.
Why do you need wheels on a 1 to 2 gallon sprayer? That would make it more cumbersome to move around than carrying imo. There is already a 4 gallon backpack sprayer in the m18 lineup if you need something larger and I found similar pump versions very easy to use.
Ct451
If you’re spraying from the outside, I agree with you. I use this size sprayer when I have to get under outside branches to reach inside. It is not easy to carry it bent over especially if you’re not standing next to it.
Stuart
They have a 10” pole saw.
Ct451
I mixed two articles together. When I was talking about small saws I was thinking of the Craftsman compact reciprocating saw which I thought was part of this lineup. I have a similar 12v tool, which is basically a compact saw with a bracket you attach to the front to hold onto branches, I wish had a pole.
Keith Allen
“Should you need change” should maybe be “chains”.
Blame Milwaukee.
TonyT
You can get a hand lopper and pole lopper today from Ryobi.
Ryobi also makes a wide variety of sprayers. From the specs the M12 sprayer is nicer than my 2 gal Ryobi but it’s also a lot more expensive.
Phil
I’ve been desperate for a telescoping power scrubber. Would love that as an attachment for their multi head system. Would make scrubbing my gutters/fascia boards, maybe even shower floor, so much more efficient. Ryobi seems to be the only current option but I have no interest in getting into that line so here’s to hoping TTI spreads the love in the future!
Big Richard
Hart has one as well:
https://www.harttools.com/products/power-tools/cleaning/20v-telescoping-scrubber-kit
But if you unwilling to get into Ryobi I have to assume you are equally unwilling to get into Hart.
JR Ramos
Very interested in the new Hatchet and also the 14″ saws. I’ll have to feel them in hand before buying but will likely pick up the Hatchet pretty soon. The M12 version is neat but for my purposes it didn’t offer a whole lot over what I can do with a recip and a decent blade/technique…just a bit faster. The M18 looks like it has more going for it.
For the chainsaws, they seem a bit slow and maybe need a “Dremel technique” where you guide the tool and let it call the shots, but just from initial videos they look plenty capable. I do not like the placement of the battery on these saws. On one hand, they’re not going to fall out, but on the other hand they look ripe for water ingress straight to the battery contacts in you must work in a little rain or drippy morning leaves. For me, I can’t always pick when I want to cut, and quite often it’s emergency use when there may still be light to medium rain (post-storms, etc). I’ve been debating on a small cordless chainsaw and the Milwaukee introduction reminded me of that…if these really are worth a hoot I may get one and save on battery costs, otherwise there are several very good ones out there that may be more capable even if you have to buy in to the platform.
I’m still not sure about eking out pro use on 18V for many of these landscaping tools. It’s a lot to ask of the cells even with smart management. I’m sure before too long we’ll see quite a revolution with cordless OPE…it sure is impressive where we already are and to think about where cordless in general was just a decade ago.
Big Richard
I was excited when I first heard they had an M18 Hatchet coming out, this was my first time seeing it. While it appears to have more power/torque, I found it a little underwhelming that it had the same chain speed as the M12. You think they would’ve bumped that up a bit, and not necessarily for faster cuts but smoother cuts.
JR Ramos
It’s probably the right balance of sustainability vs. output for the cells/batteries…at this voltage. We’ll have to become connoisseurs instead of heavy swingers. When I have some time to browse I’ll have a closer look at specs from some of the competitors on the 14/16 models. I think Project Farm had a decent video on these if memory serves…helpful one.
J. Newell
Guessing the main point was a combination of greater runtime and ability to dump more current into the motor when needed…so maybe not so much chain speed on the bench but in actual use.
I recently bought an M12 hatchet, which is still in an unopened box. I will probably return that. I love the M12 system but I don’t think OPE is the best use of that platform.
Rog
Maybe I missed it in the article, but why not a dual battery chainsaw option? A single-battery 12 and 14 seem so close in use case, why not differentiate them with a larger option.
Big Richard
Chainsaws will often have multiple bar sizes for the same powerhead. It’s not uncommon at all. Just gives users more options. Smaller bars are cheaper and safer, but sometimes a slightly bigger bar is needed so they offer one.
A dual battery may be down the road, but it likely would be an 18 to 20 inch saw to compete with the likes of DeWalt and other OPE brands.
MM
You beat me to it. If you visit most chainsaw dealers, i.e. Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna, Johnsered, etc, you are free to choose whatever bar you want to match the saw itself (powerhead), within the range of options which fit that particular saw. Many people have different size bars for different jobs. The geometry of the bar can vary as well, professional bars often have a larger sprocket at the nose of the bar; this lets the chain run straighter for more efficient cutting but it also increases the risk of kickback if a careless operator lets the tip of the bar hit something. There are also various types of chains as well which have different tradeoffs between cutting performance, durability, and safety.
I have 10″ and 14″ bars for my MS150TC, and I have 24″ and 38″ bars for my MS461.
I am sure the powerheads for the 12″ and 14″ are identical here, the only difference is the bar & chain they are sold with, sort of like how some cordless tools are available with different kit options that have larger or smaller batteries, etc.
Stuart
Milwaukee offers both because most users will likely opt for the 14”, but certain users might prefer the 12”, such as for trimming tree canopies at heights.
TJ Cornish
I was looking at the current-gen Milwaukee quick lock system as maybe a replacement for my Stihl Kombi system, but then I started reading reviews of the Milwaukee – lots of overheating and burned battery contacts. Has Milwaukee commented on this? Was this just a bad production run?
Big Richard
It’s also a proprietary connection, so only Milwaukee attachments will work with it. That was a big turn off for a lot of people when it launched. Though I’m sure Stihl’s was as well so you may be accustomed to that.
eddie sky
Those shears look like they modded their Pex crimp tool, yes?
Wil
When will Milwaukee debut a small detachable rototiller? For M18 combo head.
Stuart
They didn’t say, but hopefully it’s on their roadmap!
Smitty
The pruner should be attachable to a pole and have a remote switch
Ct451
Bahco makes such a pole for theirs.
https://www.bahco.com/int_en/telescopic-pole-for-bcl25ib-pb_bcl25tp_.html
Clark
Please make a 18volt ice drill!
John R
They should make a handheld spreader that will do from fine grass seed to fertilizer to ice melt.
Big Richard
Curious to see how this yellow version will compare:
https://www.toolservicenet.com/dewalt/en//Dewalt/OUTDOOR//p/DCCS623B
Stuart
Nice find!
Good question.
Big Richard
Looks like they are going with a standard sequence chain, versus the Hatchet’s full house chain. But its chain speed is 72% higher than the Hatchet’s at 8.6 m/s. And the chains should be the same .043 3/8lp 34 link, so you could swap them.
I was pretty set on upgrading my M12 Hatchet to the M18 once available, but I may have to try this DeWalt first. Or I just get all 3.
Big Richard
Supposed to be available beginning of October. Not sure if they will officially announce it beforehand, or if it will just show up on shelves.
MM
Now that is very interesting indeed….
Big Richard
It’s live… https://www.dewalt.com/product/dccs623b/20v-max-8-brushless-cordless-pruning-chainsaw-tool-only
Stuart
Thank you!