DeWalt 60V MAX 18 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw Kit

Why I reached for a 60V cordless instead of gas

A windstorm left a tangle of oak and pine on my property, and for the first time in years I didn’t reach for a pull cord. I grabbed the DeWalt 60V 18-inch chainsaw, clicked in a FLEXVOLT pack, and went to work. No choke, no warm-up, and no fumes drifting back into my face. That convenience is the headline, but after several sessions bucking, limbing, and noodling logs, what stood out most was how consistently this saw stays “in the cut” for a battery model—provided you respect its setup and limitations.

Cutting performance

DeWalt claims peak output equivalent to 2.85 HP with the DCB609 battery and compares it to the 40cc gas class. In practice, the saw feels squarely in that neighborhood. In clean, sharp chain conditions it moves through 10–14 inch hardwood confidently and doesn’t flinch when bar-deep in softwood. I timed repeated crosscuts in seasoned red oak around 12 inches, and the tool kept a steady bite without hunting for speed. The manufacturer lists 13.5 m/s chain speed, which is lower than pro-grade electrics that push into the 20s; the trade-off here is torque. It isn’t a screaming cutter, but it doesn’t bog easily either, especially if you let the rakers do their job and keep your body weight steady.

Burying the full 18-inch bar in dense hardwood will slow things down, and you can get the motor to stall if you bind the bar. That’s not a knock—it’s exactly what I’d expect from a 60V homeowner/ranch-class saw. If you typically fell and buck 18–24 inch hardwoods, a bigger platform (or a sharp chain and patience) will serve you better. For storm cleanup, firewood up to a foot and a half, and general land management, this saw is absolutely in the mix.

Runtime and charging

DeWalt ships the kit with a DCB609 FLEXVOLT battery (marketed 9Ah/20V, 3Ah/60V) and a DCB115 charger. With that pack, I averaged roughly 25–40 crosscuts in 10–12 inch oak per charge, more in pine and significantly more when limbing. You can drain a pack quickly if you’re pushing full-bar cuts in hardwood; that’s simply the physics of moving an 18-inch chain through dense material.

A practical note: the included charger isn’t a fast charger. Expect something on the order of 90–120 minutes to refill a depleted DCB609. If you plan a long day, budget a second pack or a fast charger to avoid forced coffee breaks. The silver lining with FLEXVOLT is system flexibility—this pack powers 20V MAX tools in your lineup and vice versa.

Handling, balance, and weight

At 18.6 pounds ready to cut (with bar, chain, and battery), this isn’t a featherweight. The heft and the long bar push it toward ground work rather than overhead pruning. That said, the balance is predictable and slightly nose-forward, which helps the spikes bite into the log and keeps the cut straight. Vibration is low for the class, noise is far below gas (you’ll still want hearing protection), and the trigger response feels immediate.

The front handle geometry provides a confident wrap for felling, and DeWalt’s felling marks are easy to reference. Visibility to the kerf is decent, though the bar nose naturally obscures your line in very short limbing cuts.

Bar, chain, and tensioning

This saw ships with an 18-inch bar, 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain (62 drive links). The auto-oiling system does its job; I never saw a dry chain, and oil consumption felt appropriate for the bar length. The oil tank has a visible window and a cap that’s easy to manipulate with gloves. I did notice minor seepage when the saw sat for a week—common on many oiling systems—so I store it on a tray.

Chain tensioning is “tooled,” not a large dial. You use the onboard wrench (stashed in the handle) to loosen the bar nuts and adjust the side screw. I prefer this for bar retention under load; it’s slower than tool-less systems but tends to hold more securely. Two recommendations from my time in the woodpile:
- Expect initial chain stretch. Re-tension after the first couple of cuts with a brand-new chain.
- Keep the bar nuts snug—finger-tight plus a firm quarter turn. Over-tightening can deform the cover; under-tightening invites chain derailments.

If you’re limbing with the bar tip or working in brush where pinch hazards are real, a loose chain will walk off any saw, battery or gas. Set tension so the chain just snaps back to the bar with a gentle tug at midspan, and recheck every battery change. The Adjuster pin alignment is straightforward, but take care when reinstalling the cover so the tensioner engages the bar slot properly before tightening.

Safety and controls

The chain brake is firm and engages decisively, with a positive snap both directions. I tested brake engagement with inertial kick (a controlled bump forward) and by deliberately punching the guard; in each case the chain stopped immediately. The electric brake halts the motor quickly on trigger release, which adds a layer of control when repositioning mid-cut. As ever, use proper PPE—helmet with face shield, hearing protection, gloves, and chaps—because torque is torque whether it’s gas or electrons.

Build quality and serviceability

Fit and finish are typical DeWalt: robust plastics around the motor housing, solid-feeling handles, and clean molding at the cover seams. The side cover and tensioning hardware are conventional, which I appreciate for serviceability. The spikes are aggressive enough to anchor the saw, and the scabbard actually fits (a small detail that matters when you toss it in the truck).

While the chassis feels rigid, the long bar will flex a bit if you lean on it. Let the chain cut rather than forcing the saw. The UL listing, 3-year limited warranty, and 90-day money-back guarantee are reassuring, especially if this is your first foray into battery chainsaws.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Instant-start convenience and low noise make it ideal for neighborhoods, early mornings, and quick jobs.
- Plenty of torque for 10–16 inch logs, with smooth, controlled cutting manners.
- Auto-oiling works well; onboard wrench and conventional tensioning give secure bar retention.
- FLEXVOLT system compatibility adds value if you’re already in DeWalt’s ecosystem.

Trade-offs:
- Weight is significant; long sessions of overhead work will tax your shoulders.
- Chain speed is modest versus pro-tier electrics; you trade top-end speed for usable torque.
- The included charger is slow for a 60V pack; a second battery is functionally mandatory for continuous work.
- Like any long-bar saw, improper tension or bar pinch will throw the chain—stay on top of setup.

Who it’s for

Homeowners, landowners, and ranch users who want gas-like cutting capability without gas headaches will be well served here. If your work is primarily storm cleanup, firewood, and occasional felling in the under-16-inch range, the DeWalt 60V 18-inch chainsaw is a smart, system-friendly choice. Professional loggers or arborists who live in big hardwood and need blazing chain speed will still want a higher-end electric or a 50cc+ pro gas unit; conversely, if you’re mostly pruning, a lighter 12–14 inch battery saw is easier on the arms.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V 18-inch chainsaw for users who value no-fuss starting, solid torque, and system compatibility and are willing to manage chain tension and battery logistics. It’s a capable, confidence-inspiring cutter for medium-diameter work with the convenience that makes battery saws so compelling. Pair it with a second FLEXVOLT battery and a fast charger, keep your chain sharp and properly tensioned, and it will handle the bulk of homeowner and ranch tasks without smelling like two-stroke when you’re done.