I know home Depot is a right wing cess pool, however i worked there back in 2007/2008 and I have a LOT of Ridgid tools, and quite a few batteries. Only reason i would shop there these days.
I mostly will be using it to clear fallen debris (almost exclusively cottonwood) from the trail i hike daily with my dog. Usually nothing major, i have been using my Ridgid sawsall but even with my longest blade i have a hard time with some stuff.
I have never used a chainsaw, will i be able to get through stuff with a 12" blade that I cannot with my 12" sawsall blade?
Smaller chainsaws can be more dangerous than bigger ones, watch out for kickbacks and learn how to use a chainsaw properly so you don’t mangle yourself up. Do not get fooled by the lack of noise from an electric chainsaw, they can still fuck you up
Having said that, yes, you’ll be able to handle them more easily. I don’t know enough about that brand to comment on it, but as you said, you already have a bunch of batteries available for it. Watch your footing and have an understanding of possible tension and compression forces on those limbs
But do you really need it? Are debris a common occurrence on your hike? I won’t deny chainsaws can be useful to have around, but you mentioned it would only be used on the trail and you already have a sawsaw
Btw, which blade are you using on your sawsaw? You might want to get a pruning blade if you are using a standard carpentry blade, as they can be way faster too
I found manual unpowered bow- or chain-saws (simple chain and handles, no motor etc) much better for just this purpose. They are easy to carry around and are faster to start and stop using - exactly what I need when something fell unexpectedly, not a clear-cut type of jobs.
