Quick Trimmer Makita XCU02PTX1 Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw Review

Makita XCU02PTX1 features a new take on cordless saw design. Initially, when you read the saw’s spec sheet, you may mistakenly believe that it only has a total of eighteen volts of power to offer, when in fact, it comes with two eighteen volt batteries that are used at the same time, for a total of thirty-six volts of power. This combined with its lightweight design will make this saw unstoppable. It also comes loaded with some great safety features, which makes it more beginner-friendly compared to competing power tools with this type of raw power.

Our Verdict: This tech-heavy saw comes loaded with all the right bells and whistles including a smart charging feature that allows for a faster charge time and improved performance. The dual battery design will give the tool the type of power it needs to slice through anything you throw at it. The saw itself is heavier than what you’d expect from a cordless model, however, the addition of a dual battery pack setup does have an impact on weight. This model can handle small and large jobs around the yard or on the job site. Built tough, designed to last, and beginner-friendly this model earned top marks in a variety of areas for its stellar performance.

Overview and Features of Makita XCU02PTX1

The manufacturer offers a new take on cordless saw design by including two battery pack slots on the saw, while traditional models use just a single battery during operation. This innovative and unique design works to significantly extend runtime and also improves the saw’s cutting performance. Additionally, another one of the saw’s biggest selling points is its faster than average charge time, which allows you to get back out there and finish a job after a short break.

This model also has a reputation for its low noise operation, with a noise level of just eighty-nine decibels. This will allow you to use your saw earlier in the morning or late at night. With a traditional gas-powered model, you’d have to wait later in the day in order to prevent waking up your family and the neighbors.

Chain Guards

The front handguard works as a chain brake during use, preventing injury to the fingers and hands caused by flying debris.

Guide Bar and Chain

This model comes equipped with a twelve-inch chain and guide bar for top cutting capacity.

Automatic Oiling System

This feature will keep the saw’s chain and guide bar lubricated during use to improve cutting efficiency and to prevent the machine from overheating or stalling out. Your only job here will be to keep a close eye on the oil level indicator window and top off the oil reservoir before use, or once you notice that the tank is less than half full.

Battery

This saw isn’t like many competing models, in fact it’s one of the best electric chainsaws due to its impressive battery life. While most cordless saws feature a single battery slot located on the top, this model comes with two. For operation, you’ll need to use two eighteen volt batteries. This will give you a total of thirty-six volts of power. Of course, this also means you have to purchase twice the extra batteries for those bigger jobs. However, in terms of cutting performance, this type of power allows the saw to handle wood that’s twelve inches in diameter.

Tool-Less Chain Adjustment

The tool-less chain adjustment feature allows you to quickly tighten or loosen the tension in the chain for improved cutting performance. Unlike some competing models which require special tools for this purpose, you can quickly adjust the chain tension in a matter of seconds. I recommend adjusting the tension before use. Since it’s common for new chains to stretch over time, you will need to keep a closer eye on the chain’s tension the first few times you use it and tighten the chain as need.

During use, you can expect the chain to lose a little slack, however, this is very common and nothing to worry about. If the chain loosens more than an inch and a half, this can cause it to slip off the bar completely, especially if you’re sawing through thicker branches.

Star Protection Computer Controls

For extended battery life and improved performance, this model is equipped with star protection computer controls. This technology allows batteries and tools to interact in real-time by exchanging important data to prevent overheating and over-discharging the batteries.

Automatic Speed Change

The saw’s electronic torque control will shut down the motor if the rotation speed slows down suddenly, or the wheel is forced to stop.

This feature will adjust the torque and speed automatically during operation, once you start slicing through thicker branches. This type of variable speed control ensures that the saw doesn’t work too hard, increasing the torque based on the material you’re cutting.

Brushless Motor

Since this type of motor has fewer moving parts, it doesn’t possess the same type of high maintenance needs that motors with carbon brushes do. As an example, there are no air filters to clean or oil to change. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about draining any remaining fuel and oil for storage. The motor delivers a total of 1650 FPMs for cleaner performance and faster-cutting speed. The motor emits zero emissions and will run more efficiently, and cooler, even with extended use.

XPT

XPT, or extreme protection technology, is designed to provide increased resistance to water and dust.

Battery Life Indicator

The built-in battery life indicators will allow you to keep a close eye on how much juice the battery packs have left.

Runtime

The saw offers an average runtime of one hour. However, this can heavily depend on what type of material you’re cutting. If you’re dealing with thicker branches over eight inches in diameter, then you can expect the batteries to run out of juice faster. If you’re cutting through thinner branches measuring at around four inches, the saw can provide a significantly longer runtime of one hundred and twenty minutes. This is pretty impressive considering other models in this price racket only offer an average runtime of thirty to forty-five minutes or less.

Charger

Since this saw requires two batteries for operation, it makes sense that it comes with a dual-port charger. One of the biggest selling points is the faster than average charging time, which comes in at forty-five minutes or less. The dual-port charger works by communicating with the built-in chips in the batteries throughout the charging process, working to optimize battery life by controlling temperature, voltages, and current. The charger also comes with a built-in fan that blows air, circulating it through the batteries as they charge to cool them down and keep them cool. This results in a significantly faster charging time.

Warranty

This model is covered by a limited three-year warranty on the dual-port charger, batteries and the saw.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros

Cons

Makita Saw Versus Ego Power

This model is powered by a couple of eighteen-volt batteries, which provides users with maximum performance and an improved runtime compared to competing models. In fact, some users compare this saw’s power and efficiency to that of a gas-powered model, however, this saw is much more efficient. But how does it stand up to the competition? The Ego Power+ CS1400 14-Inch 56-Volt model is available for a fraction of the price, but it’s nowhere near as tech-heavy. It comes with some great basic features including a chain kickback brake and chain tensioning knob. It also weighs in at just eight pounds, which is significantly lighter than this model. However, it can’t compete in terms of power, battery efficiency and runtime.

This is not a saw you can use in a professional setting. Instead, it’s better suited for small jobs around the yard, such as light pruning. If you need a saw that offers a more powerful cutting performance, top speed, and a better than average runtime, then be prepared to pay a steeper price.

Conclusion and Rating of Makita

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This model by Makita comes with all of the bells and whistles you could want including a dual battery pack design, safety features, innovative charging technology for a faster charge time and overheating protection, not to mention a tool-free tensioning system and chain brake. The bottom line, this saw is powerful enough for home and pro use and it’s a tool you’ll find that you can rely on for jobs of all sizes. If you’re looking for a moderately priced saw that will last season after season, then your search is over. I gave this model a rating of four and a half stars out of five.