There’s no better proof of today’s cordless electric tool capabilities than seeing this technology applied to a chain saw. It takes serious power to pull a hungry loop of saw chain cutters through a gnarly log or branch. And that’s what the Oregon CS250 cordless electric chain saw brings to most home, landscape, and rural woodcutting situations.

No, it won’t replace a gas-powered saw for high-volume forest or landscape cutting applications. But it’s a capable tool that excels in several unique areas.

First, it’s convenient. Just snap in a charged battery and you are ready to go: No fuel mix to add, no recoil starting ritual—just pull the trigger and cut. It’s extremely quiet. There’s no noise between cuts and when cutting, the CS250  is about four times quieter than a gas saw at cutting RPM. And, the chain is always sharp, thanks to Oregon’s PowerSharp system with special saw chain and on-board grinding stone.

There are zero emissions with the CS250 saw, which makes for a pleasant work environment. And it’s economical. It is estimated that a cordless electric saw will pay for itself after just 300 charging cycles, compared to a gas saw that requires gallons of fuel/oil mix and ongoing maintenance costs to do the same amount of work.

These advantages make the Oregon  CS250 attractive to both casual users and serious users who want an alternative to firing up a gas saw when this cordless electric unit will do the job. According to Oregon, many landscape maintenance contractors are adding cordless electric models to their equipment arsenals for the cost savings and ability to work more quietly and more “green” in certain situations.

The heart of the Oregon CS250  chain saw and companion products, HT250 hedge trimmer and ST250 string trimmer/edger, is its 40-Volt, lithium-ion battery pack.  These rechargeable battery packs offer high power without excessive weight.

Lithium ion batteries provide constant power until the charge is exhausted; they do not fade.  They are not subject to a “memory” effect, so can be recharged any time, depleted or not, and still retain consistent capacity. When not in use, they hold their charge for many months.

CS250 battery packs will last for approximately 1,000 charge/discharge cycles, according to Oregon. Buyers can opt for a standard 1.25 Ah battery pack or 2.4 Ah “Endurance” pack, which has double the life per-charge.

The CS250 chain saw is manufactured in China (batteries in Japan).  It is a handsome, well-made product, with covers and housings molded in tough, glass-filled nylon resin. Nearly all the components are attached via 4 mm Torx T-20 socket-head fasteners.

While big box stores may seem like the primary marketing vehicle for cordless electric tools, Oregon has factored in the servicing power equipment dealer, according to Josh Huffman, senior product line manager. “A standard margin assumption for the dealer network was built into the MSRP,” he says.  “We believe our dealer margin is very competitive and rewarding.”

As dealers might expect, CS250 service opportunities are limited because only a few components are replaceable. The list includes sprocket cover, bar pad gasket, sharpening lever, sprocket/brake drum, chain tensioning assembly, oil tank cap and cutting attachment.

Nevertheless, this a product with unique capabilities that would add a compelling option to any dealer’s chain saw display rack.

Oregon CS250 cordless electric chain saw may be configured to suit buyer. PET test unit came with C750 rapid charger and a pair of 2.4 Ah Endurance battery packs. Rapid charger refreshes Endurance battery in just 30 minutes. Retail price as shown above with one Endurance battery is $497.00.

Oregon PowerSharp on-board sharpening system adds to convenience of CS250. Red lever pulls stone against moving PowerSharp chain. Typical sharpening requires 3-5 seconds of contact. Gold “cutter” is stone dresser link. Regular 3/8-in. low-profile chain may be used, but sharpening system won’t work and stone should be removed (two slot screws.) Knob on other side of sprocket cover provides tools-free access.

Drive-side components include PowerSharp lever; cast-metal lever guide; sharpening stone; and one-piece, machined, 6-tooth sprocket/brake drum. Metal cover protects chain brake spring/linkage. PowerSharp lever pivots on post above brake spring.  Bar tension and oil delivery setups are typical.

Small but ambitious motor turns at about 7,000 RPM, producing a no-load chain speed of 2,350 FPM. Note triangular bar oil sight port in sturdy glass-filled nylon cover. Tank holds 5.9 fl. oz. This interior view is provided to satisfy curious technicians only. None of the parts under this cover is replaceable.

Self-contained oil tank just drops into void in power head. Big grommet in middle fits over nipple on plastic oil pump body (arrow). Smaller fitting on tank is duckbill air vent. Like all the internals on this product, oil pump is not serviceable.

Battery pack slides neatly into cavity atop saw body. Test button and LEDs on battery face indicate charge level. Large red knob on saw body is battery release. Endurance battery above will power the saw about twice as long as a standard battery, but at 2.7 lbs., weighs 1 lb. more. Powerhead with Endurance battery weighs 11 lbs., which is about 1 lb. more than a typical 30cc gas saw powerhead.

In typical applications, with 2-3 in. branches, Endurance battery will provide around 250 cuts. PET test presented “worst case” situation, using hard, knotty, dried-out alder tops about 6-8 in. diameter. We made a few pieces of firewood, then did about 130 successive “cookie” cuts, which exhausted both endurance batteries. Output varies depending on wood type, diameter, chain tension, chain condition, etc. Chain speed is slower than a gas saw, but CS250 still did admirable job.

By Ken Morrison

Ken Morrison, former editor of Chain Saw Age magazine and long-time PET contributor, has researched and reviewed portable power equipment technology for more than 30 years.

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