I have 3" - 4" bush/trees and branches to cut, I'm considering a Milwaukee 18V Fuel chain saw. A lot of my cutting involves kneeling on the ground to cut the tree as close and parallel to the ground as possible. There are 8" "Hatchet" and 16" models available on Ebay at around the same price ~ $250. Is there any reason not to go with the larger 16" model? Thanks!




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Those "hatchets" are neat and I wouldn't mind owing one for pruning, but given the choice of it or the saw, I'd take the saw every time.

We have one of the saws at work and it's pretty impressive for small jobs, small trees, trimming etc. You wouldn't want to fell and buck trees with it, but it's handy. Assuming you have some bigger batteries they are hungry.

I have a MIlwaukee 6" 12V Hatchet. Even the 12V will easily do 3" limbs. The shorter saw is easier to use when pruning.

I also have the 12V hatchet and find myself using it often/multiple times per week to clean up anything up to 3” or maybe slightly larger. It’s incredibly useful. It lasts a surprising long time and cuts well. Never tried the 18v version.
I am now in the market for a Milwaukee 18V chain saw as well for some larger stuff I want to cut up. I was considering the model that takes 2 batteries, but not sure I need that much extra power.

I have a DeWalt 12" version and it's great! I got it because I have several tools that take the 20V batteries.

I have the full size Milwaukee M18, It works great.
For smaller jobs I use a M18 reciprocating saw.

We had a professional company come in with a bucket truck and delimb a bunch of trees that were hitting the garage and building. I was surprised when the tech pulled out the Milwaukee 18 volt and used it for the whole job. He said it works great and last a long time. Was cutting for over an hour.

The 18v 20” is a quite capable saw. It is on the heavy side and the bigger the battery it gets worse. 6 amp is probably a good compromise. You can get a lot of stuff cut using a reciprocating saw and a pruning blade.

Nice thing about the recip saw is it’s not upset about sticking the blade in the dirt to cut roots or get the small trees out of the landscaping, low enough that they don’t grow back.

If cutting brush or pruning, I am a huge fan of a Top-Handle saw. They make one handed operation of the saw a much more controllable/enjoyable experience. with small limbs/brush, most of the time i have one hand holding the limb and the other running the saw.