HUSQVARNA 316E Electric
4.1
5
20
20
Electric saw
From my experience, you are much better off buying a noisier $60 electric saw from the local hardware store. They last longer and perform better, they just run louder than than the 316e. My second one just smoked in my hands and wasn't cutting anything. My first one went through 4 trigger switches before they gave me another saw. The second one has lasted a whole week before it literally went up in smoke. Husqvarna lost me as a devout customer. $300 of garbage. My saws spend more time in the shop than in my hands. I want my $$$ back.
February 2, 2013
Disposable Chainsaw, AVOID!
This is a DISPOSABLE chainsaw. That's because you CANNOT FIND A REPLACEMENT BAR! BARS WEAR OUT! It's like buying a car for which you cannot get replacement brake pads.
And contacting Husqvarna is NO HELP EITHER! I called and THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY a replacement bar! (They broke a promise to get back to me, haven't heard a thing in two weeks!)
DON'T buy this chainsaw unless you're willing to throw it away when the bar wears out! (And WHAT'S UP with the way too short power cord?)
November 26, 2012
Exceeded all my expectations!
Although the 316E had a large number of very positive reviews on multiple independent websites, I was concerned that an electric would be so much less powerful than a gas model that it would be frustrating and a waste of money. But I didn't want to be bothered with the maintenance and noise of a gas engine, so I took a chance - and was fully impressed by the power & speed, and ease of use & maintenance.
The user manual warns not to use an extension cord longer than 50 feet with this saw. The reason for this is to avoid voltage drop due to resistance of long cords, which can damage the motor. Two electrical experts advised me that it would be no problem to use a longer cord so long as it was 10-gauge, to maintain voltage. I have used this saw extensively on 200ft of 10-gauge with no loss of power or unusual behavior, sounds, etc from the motor. This may violate the warranty, but I am an adult, and I will take responsibility if anything happens. Shame that we live in a world where we can't put reasonable advice about using longer cords in the user manual; but customers will always do stupid things and then blame the product.
I had only minimal chainsaw experience prior to buying and using this saw. Among the reasons I went electric were: not wanting the noise of using a gas-powered model in my residential neighborhood; not wanting the maintenance hassle of another gas engine; and not wanting too MUCH power that could lead to safety issues due to my inexperience. Another important side benefit is that if you are hauling your own cuttings, you can shut the saw off entirely between cuts, and take your time (and thus be safer) because there are no noise/fuel usage issues, or concerns about keeping the gas engine running while hauling cuttings to the other side of the property. My wife even got in on the action; and this saw is so light (under 10lbs) and easily controllable that she very much enjoyed being able to competently, safely and easily do a dangerous guy thing. I was quickly assigned branch and long-hauling while she happily cut faster than I could carry.
My one con is that on my first weekend of cutting the chain-tensioner bolt developed a worn spot and was difficult to adjust. But I am willing to blame that on possible overtensioning by the user, and not the product. I have since replaced the bolt and cut another full day with no problems.
Great product, Husqvarna. What a nice surprise in today's world of cutting corners on quality. Thank you.
June 24, 2012
Good electric saw
Although my company ordered this saw, i still think its on the expensive side, but quality costs money. It's probably one of the best ELECTRIC chainsaws around. One tip, i see reviews that say their saws were dead on arrival. We thought the same thing. We could not get our saw to work. The key is to pull back on the chain brake handle HARD until it clicks. If you don't, it won't run. I mean Hard, you will feel like your gonna break it, but thats the way it's made.
April 20, 2012
Very well balanced
Really like this saw, nice weight & balance. Cutting power is really great, just keep it well oiled & the blade sharp.I really like the idea of not having to keep gas around for it.Nice saw.
November 24, 2011
This product is powerful and easy to use.
The Husqvarna 316E chain saw is easy to use and surprisingly powerful. The directions were very clear and offered some useful tips for operation. The saw ran quiet and powerful for an electric chain saw. I cut down an older plum tree. The saw had plenty of power to quickly fell the tree and cut it up in short time. This chainsaw did all that I expected it to do with ease. It is a great saw for light to medium jobs.
October 14, 2011
Lightweight nimble powerhouse!
Well balanced powerful saw! Very well built! This is not your Walmart cheap Poulan or Remington Electric saw but a true professional saw! AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE SAW IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL; YOU MUST PULL BACK THE CHAIN BRAKE LEVER IN FRONT OF YOUR LEFT HAND! IT IS STIFF SO IT CANNOT BE EASILY ENGAGED AND DOES REQUIRE SOME FORCE TO MOVE IT! I special orded mine fromn Lowes. Mine works perfectly well! I got mine the end of august 2011!
September 5, 2011
My new 316E does not work
Out of the box my new 316E saw will not run. After carefully following the bar / chain assembly instructions I discovered the unit would not run at all. It appears the drive sprocket is locked.
I should have gone with the Stihl saw.
September 4, 2011