Jonness
ArboristSite Lurker
Right out of high school, my first job was as a tree slasher. It was down on the Oregon coast, and we would go out in the woods and cut down all the alder as fast as we possibly could. For the most part, we wouldn't even bother to face cut them because it took too much time. It was dangerous work as alder likes to barber chair, and I almost died on a daily basis until I finally figured out what the heck I was doing. It seems kind of crazy to me when I think back and remember falling maples, up to 4' at the base, along with an endless sea of alder trees, only to purposely burn the unit and plant fir. But that's how they used to do it in the good ol' days (before chipping came into vogue).I thought that husky electric looked pretty darn good anyway for a battery saw. Yep, spendy, but top of the line new tech is always spendy, no matter whatever that is.
Times change, and these new battery saws are the wave of the future as far as homeowner saws are concerned. They will also find their way into many professional applications. Given the current push to increase the limits of battery technology, due to the emergence of electric cars, and the predictions of battery capabilities 10-years out, I see good things coming to chain saw technology.
My wife's mother grew up with Steve Wozniak, who invented the first Apple computer. It wasn't all that impressive by today's standards. But when you stop to realize this guy took on the entire world's engineers single-handedly and out-designed them, it was a pretty impressive feat. Eventually, a new generation rose up with new ideas and pushed the envelope far beyond what the original inventor had initially foresaw. This is the story of technological change and is evident in modern gene therapy, stem cell engineering, nanotechnology, electric cars, and many other technologies. I see no reason why chain saw technology should fail to advance along with the rest of the world just because some people enjoy breathing gasoline fumes and wearing ear plugs.
Last edited: