DEWALT FlexVolt 60V Max 20-Inch Chainsaw 5Ah Kit Review DCCS677Z1

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DEWALT went BIG with power when pushing the bar length to 20" on the new FlexVolt chainsaw. DEWALT states the DCCS677 puts out up to 3100 watts. In addition to the power, the saw features many pro-grade items including pro-style dual bar studs, aggressive metal bucking spikes, trigger chain brake, and Onboard wrench storage.

The DEWALT chainsaw has amazing build quality and includes a very nice case. The case will hold a battery and charger.

The 3/8" low-profile 20" chain is a proprietary DEWALT chain. If you would like a more readily available chain, you can drop to an 18" bar and find many different 3/8" low-profile chains at almost any store. At this time, I would not recommend upgrading to a larger chain as we have not tested it with those yet.

There is no doubt that the DEWALT FlexVolt 20" Chainsaw has similar power to a mid-grade 50cc chainsaw.

You can purchase this saw in a few different kits. The DeWalt DCCS677 in bare tool is $349. With the 4.0Ah/12.0Ah battery it’s $499, or you can get it with a 5.0Ah/15.0Ah pack for $549.

DeWalt FlexVolt 60V Max 20-Inch Chainsaw Specifications
Model: DeWalt DCCS677
Power Source: FlexVolt 60V battery (15Ah recommended)
Bar: 20 inches
Chain: 3/8 x 0.050
Power Output: 3100 watts
Weight: ~17 lbs with 5.0Ah/15.0Ah battery

[El_Diablo_LI]

I own the Milwaukee 16" battery chainsaw. I bought it and used it to fell a 40'+ pin oak tree in my yard a few years ago. I already had a gas chainsaw but wanted to try the new battery saws to see how well they worked and wasn't sure my gas saw would start due to lack of use for a couple of years.

My Milwaukee 12AH battery lasted in my saw all day and I was amazed how well the saw cut that tree down. It was lighter and quieter which allowed me to climb that tree and cut it down safer in the small urban environment that I live in and needed to deal with.

But I was not running the saw continuously and constantly until I had the tree down on the ground and started cutting it up into firewood sized pieces.

That's when I noticed the battery not lasting as long and needed to change it more often. The chain was also getting dull towards the end of the job and likely hit some dirt causing the chain to dull and ultimately causing the saw to work harder requiring more frequent battery changes. So keeping these things in mind are paramount for the best performance for any chain saw, gas or battery powered.

But after watching your review, I think the longer 20" bar on your tested saw puts a strain on that DeWalt saw. I also believe, as others have said, other batteries may be better suited for that saw and might not heat up as quickly. You'd need to experiment to find the best combination of saw bar size and battery size to fit your needs. Bigger isn't always better in every application! Life teaches us that lesson in many ways.

So I've come away with the following conclusions.

Higher voltage saws maybe better suited for higher demand projects like this depending on your needs.

Let me explain. I'm also in the EGO OPE line and I really like their 56 volt battery platform. I think the higher voltage saw would be much better suited for more demanding applications like cutting larger trees or using the saw all day for bigger jobs or if you did this type of work for a living.

EGO has done a fantastic job with their battery design and I feel this really helps with run time and longevity because the battery stays cooler longer. And the fact that their batteries fit in all of their OPE is awesome. But it's not perfect or for everyone either.

But for most people who only occasionally cut trees down, a smaller bar saw would probably be a better choice if you need the saw to run longer or you have to push the saw to get the job done and have limited access to power to recharge the larger expensive batteries. You have to compare your choices to see what's best for you. Many can purchase a Ryobi HP saw for one time or occasional use for much less than just the battery on this DeWalt.

And I also believe for high demand applications where a bigger bar is needed or required, I still think a gas saw is needed and can't be beat.

But if you only run a saw once or twice a year for a day or two each year, the advantages of a battery chainsaw and not needing to worry about stale gas or rotted internal gas lines or the smell of gas when you might need to transfer the saw makes the battery saws more ideal for these tasks and most people.

As much as all battery powered OPE has advanced over the last 5 years, for high demand applications, gas saws can't be replaced just yet.

But for non professionals and most home owners, the battery OPE is a great alternative to their gas counterparts.

The only downside, and it's a big one, is the initial cost. But the lower maintenance these battery powered saws need more than makes up for that initial cost.

The pros of battery powered OPE are, safety, less noise and emissions, and ease of use. And if you have the money to spend, the battery powered OPE is a no brainer for most non pros and homeowners.

I stopped trying to be in just one battery platform years ago. I own battery powered tools from almost every manufacturer who makes them. But I use most of my tools almost everyday to make a living. And I can tell you there's just no one perfect platform or manufacturer that makes the best of everything.

So going with the big 3 or 5 is inevitable if you shop for performance and good deals.

That means don't be surprised if you end up owning Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, EGO and yes, even Flex nowadays if you want top of the line performance and ease of use along with durability and tool life.

But I also own Kobalt, Craftsman, Ryobi, Rigid and others. It's almost impossible not to. Each and every one those names I mentioned make some great tools that the others either don't, or maybe are just better and less expensive than the other manufacturers tools for my applications.

So staying in one battery platform while ideal isn't always possible, or at the very least, limits your choices or won't get you the best or least expensive tool for your application.

But going 100% battery for everything is not likely possible yet, if ever, and will cost you the most money overall.

I'm talking cars, boats, tractors, OPE, power tools etc. It's possible, but is it cost effective and economical for the masses? Not yet!

In 10, 20 or maybe 50 years from now, fossil fuels may be outlawed and no longer available so that certainly seems like the way we're headed. But not everyone has the resources to spend $500+ for a chainsaw, $10k for a zero turn lawn mower, or $80k + for an electric car or truck.

So lower cost tried and true fossil fuel tools and power equipment are here to stay for now.

The numbers to purchase new tools and equipment that are the latest and greatest are crazy and getting out of control! But as more and more regulations are thrust upon us and we're forced to conform to the rules and laws made by politicians who don't care about average costs or poor and low or limited income people, and how they make a living or can afford even the basic necessities in life, changes to our societies and how we consume things need to be addressed.

In the end and over time, it will all be figured out, but at what cost? Not just to average class or the elite and upper middle class masses that can afford to buy a new car and equipment when needed, but also to lower income or retired people who don't have 6 figure incomes that are now needed just to survive in today's day and age. The way things are going, the poverty line will be $100k before we know it! And unfortunately most incomes aren't keeping pace with the cost of living or consumer goods. So we try to make the best choices for our own situations and life styles. Sorry the getting off topic there for a minute.

Thanks for the review Brian. As always, it's very helpful and will allow many to make an informed decision about this product and whether it's the best choice for them or if other options need to be looked at before dropping almost $600 for this saw.

While it might be the better choice for some, I think there are better choices for others depending on their needs and requirements and what features are most important to them.

Have a great holiday season with your friends and family and God Bless!

[lilsprite]

The fact you started off with a demo earned my respect… watched the whole video dope

[GeoffCostanza]

Got the 18" predecessor to this saw. I've cut down and chopped up well over a dozen trees with it, and up to four trees in an afternoon with a handful of 6/9 Ah FlexVolt batteries cycling on charge. With the convenience and ease of use, I'll never go back to gas for handheld yard tools.

[eage]

The stock chain is oregon. You can get oregon replacements, but they're not easy to find:
91PX068G - AdvanceCut
91VXL068G - VersaCut

I've done a few trees with mine with a 12Ah(4Ah) battery and the battery does overheat when doing a lot of cuts. (completely shuts the saw down) I have to either wait for it to cool down or swap batteries.

[MarkSixFilms]

I've had this saw for almost 6 months now. Pretty much agree with everything you said. Originally got it with the 12ah battery and man, that thing gets hot quick! Ended up purchasing 2, 15ah batteries just so I could get a little more runtime out of it. Other than that though, I borderline cannot get it to stall (provided I maintain the chain) and the torque is INSANE. It feels great in the hand and is very well balanced. I have an 18", 16" and 12" bar for it as well and will swap depending on the work I'm doing. Using the smaller bars, I've noticed better runtime, especially with the 12", that thing almost doubles the battery life. Very expensive upfront, but in the long run, I'll be saving a lot of money from not buying gas.

[AnnoDomini-lu]

I just got the 677, and I'm Happy, it came with the 12ah battery and charger and that case, thumbs up Great video

[Clayman]

I bought the 16inch model when they first came out got a smoking deal from our MacTools truck it was $450 for the Saw, 2 9ah (3AH) flex volt batteries and charger.

After not being super impressed with the chain and wanting a little more length i moved up to an Oregon 18inch bar and chain. And it works awesome around the house. Ive cut down and chopped up close to 2 dozen pines on my property Without
issues. I was already invested in the 60V (have the 60V weed whacker/powerhead which is also awesome) lineup so having multiple batteries is a must have.

[qqslp]

Fantastic chainsaw, I use that saw, the 16inch flexvolt saw, and the Ryobi 40v hp 12inch top handle saw... Very rarely reach for my gas saws nowadays.

[bossmanz]

Its a great option if you are already invested in flexvolt. I have this saw and also got it with the 15ah but i also already have 7 other 12ah and 3 9ah batteries plus a 4 port rapid charger.

[seismojones]

I've had mine a year or two and I really want to love this saw.
But with the runtime problems and the high price of 12 and 15 ah batteries, it's tough to recommend this over a good gas powered chainsaw.

[tx]

My brother has the old 40V DeWalt saw and it has great runtime. I wish they hadn't discontinued the 40V line.

[redgoldcu]

Sir, you do excellent reviews. I have bought several high dollar DeWalts after your reviews. Well Done Sir!

Now…. Safety Issues. I am an almost 70 year old, pro wood cutter. I have in effect operated mainly Stihl saws for a •Half Century.•. Felling many a tree.

PLEASE… review your “bucking” practices! (Bucking= Cutting limbs into useable lengths for your wood stove, etc.).

You •••Do Not Undercut••• unless your only, last option. And then often just to cut in an inch to prevent a downward buckle.

At the very end of your —in the woods demo— (just before returning to your shop) you showed the •••Very Worst-Most Dangerous Cut Ever! •••
You attempted (and failed) Thank God at a PLUNGE CUT. (Attempting to drive the blade in from the side of the log). The saw & blade abhor this maneuver! What the tip of the blade is doing is changing direction right on the tip.

You forcing the tip of your blade into the wood, invites a screaming fast __KICK-BACK__THAT COULD LIGHTENING FAST, THROW THE SPINNING BLADE UP INTO YOUR FACE!

This again happens so fast that the kickback is over before it began. You just end up in a pool of blood on the ground. Often it kills the operator out in the woods cutting alone.

If possible have someone with you when cutting, then so much the better.

So many get seriously injured by “widow makers” an innocuous dead branch that as the main tree is falling over, the dead branch swipes another nearby tree and __ straight down__ it rockets right on your head, as you admire the tree felling job you did so spot on.


This is why pros wear hard hats, with a face shield mesh protector, protection from that kick-back.

So •Always• step back about 10’ and off to the side looking up for any possible “widow makers.”

I watched a fellow cut a large tree down in his yard. I offered to do it, no charge. He was so mesmerized watching the trunk fall, that he disregarded that extra cracking sound. He never stepped back or over to the side (in case the trunk would push backward off the stump) and sure enough, this “widow maker” hit him right in the forehead. He was blessed a thousand times over as I bandaged his forehead. He refused a trip to the ER, but his call. A foot over and a 6” branch would of hit his head, instead of a 1”.

Chain saws are wonderful inventions. But they must be respected. Plenty of good U-Tubes right here for learning proper & Safe felling, limbing, bucking, and splitting.

I once offered Stihl’s management to travel the country and put on “Safely using your Chainsaw” seminars at Home Depot, etc. They declined. Too bad. Stay Safe.

[Player-lwpr]

As much as I love my Stihl
I have a hell of a time getting it to fire up when it’s jack ass cold outside, this is perfect for winter time as all you have to do is keep the batteries warm

[skygreen]

Viewer beware: don't try taking a shot every time he laments the lack of runtime.

[thomaskelly]

Dont think you need to hold down the thumb trigger. Once started you can release the thumb trigger. Yeah, totally agree w this demo…well done

[trekmcdonald]

I had 4, 9ah batteries and I had the 16 for awhile and decided to get the 18 and felt that it needed a larger battery than what I had, even with 4 of them. Crazy that a 12 and even 15 are too small for the draw these have.

[phillipcrittendon]

Just got this on sale for $380. Came with the 12AH and they had a deal going to get a 9AH with the purchase for free.

[shaneberckman]

I have the 16" and I put the organ 18" bar and chain and it works amazing! I work with a tree service and the look on the guys faces when they see me pull it out. LOL several has went a d bought their own and upgraded the bar and chain. All in all you really can't beat the covenants and if you trip the saw is cut off. Invest in a hand full of batteries and you will find yourself using this more often than your gas saws.

[KimPDnextdoor]

Thanks for the info and video. I just purchased this chainsaw, but I only have 9ah flexvolt battery... not 12ah, not 15ah.... will mine good enough for a few dead wood in my backyard. Not for rushing work.

[gfire_productions]

Thank you for that awesome live example.