NEW Dewalt 54V Chainsaws - 18' and 20' 'flexvolt' models

oztooltalk take a look at two new 54V chainsaws from Dewalt.

With bigger motors and bars, but lower chain speed than the original 54V chainsaw, we have mixed expectations going into this review. Watch through to see all our thoughts!

Specifications as follows:

DCMCS574
Bar & Chain length: 45cm / 18"
Brushless motor
Power equivalent: 2,000W / 2.7HP / 40cc
Chain Speed: 13.5 m/s
Chain type: 3/8 low profile, 0.050" gauge
Spikes: Metal bucking spikes
Weight: 5kg (skin)

DCMCS575
Bar & Chain length: 50cm / 20"
Brushless motor
Power equivalent: 3,000W / 4.0 HP / 50cc
Chain Speed: 13.5 m/s
Chain type: 3/8 low profile, 0.050" gauge
Spikes: Metal bucking and felling spikes
Weight: 5.5kg (skin)

[default]

Cheers for this guys, good to hear they have a heavier chain gauge. On the oil leak “issue” with the earlier models: I’ve had literally dozens thru my shop with users claiming they leak: none of them leaked when testing them properly (cleaned first, on blocks, full tank, left for a week or more). They wick oil from oily sawdust, same as every other chainsaw. Good to see the traditional outer cover with 2 nuts tho: lots of users didn’t manage the other covers well. Gotta check them often, especially if you’ve been burying the tool, tearing a shrub apart. Like most chains, they don’t handle side pressure well when running.

[Codebreakerlabs_AU]

Awesome Video Guys! Keep them coming! 🛠🪚🧰

[covingtonrace]

Ive got the 18v, its done everything i need for a year now, kept the wood burner going for 2 winters
I only get the sthil Petrol out because its faster chain speed if I have lots to cut.

[Mick_Au]

You need to do more reviews guys you have a great channel here.

[FrankMiko-otcu]

Great present. Just a suggestion in editing, the sound on the PIP videos covered up your commentary as well as some of the presentation when mentioning the accessories. We couldn't see what you were referring to because the video was covering. Also some of the talking over each other we missed part of the comments. Great presentation guys. I'd love a chance to cut with you guys in Australia.

[cooler]

I have the 20" (new) and the 16"(3 years old). Ran both side by side bucking a 14" hardwood. Both with freshly charged 9ah batteries. Did 7 cuts with the 16 and still ok. At 6 cuts with the 20 it started to cut out every 2 seconds. Took the battery from the 20 and put it in the 16 and did 3 more cuts with the 16 to finish off the tree. The 20 is surely powerful and a bit faster than the 16. I'll be returning the 20 and running my 16 until it breaks.

[TomSilver_]

Thanks for comparison.
I believe you switched accidentally a sprocket covers as beefier one on the left is supposed to have that gray 20" bar and cover with teeth - so double line of those metal teeth. While smaller DCMCS574 should have yellow bar and no teeth on cover.

[jpmkiv]

15ah battery is required for the "2x the tq of 50cc "claim. It's stated clearly on the box. Retest with that battery, as the 20in saw was under powered the entire time.

[khuongathebounga]

Thanks for the video. Hopefully will see more from you soon!!

[patterdalezipsuzilil]

I have just put a 16inch advanced cut bar on my dcmcs575n its a flying machine

[peterstevens]

Good evening from Auckland, New Zealand ...

[libertarian]

My DeWalts leak like horribly. I own the original 12”, 16”, the new 18” and 14” along with both pole saws and all but the 14” pour out all their oil if you leave it in the saw. I’ve gotten used to just draining my oil out of all my DeWalt saws. The biggest issue I have with the saws, other than oil leakage, is the difficulty it is finding spare chains as their sizes are odd.
I have dropped a lot of trees over the years and cleaned 2 acres with a mix of gas and battery saws and everyone wended up loving the 16” original DeWalt for bucking on the ground with the 12” being perfect for up in a tree. Felling trees was OK for smaller trees with the 18” but we still stuck with gas for dropping most. I prefer the 9 Amp/Hour batteries as a good mix of power, weight, and run time vs. heat build up and with over a dozen and fast chargers you can cut a reasonable pace all day.

[stormvent]

Great team! bounce of each other nicely and great info.

[jasonswift]

For home use just chopping up and cleaning up fallen trees do you really need the 500mm 20" or will the 18" 450mm one suffice?

[bnwww]

Spikes also called Dogs.

I bought the Milwaukee version with 16" bar a few years ago on the back of your review. Yes it was slightly less powerful than the yellow saw, but I preferred the normal holding nuts vs DeWalt's plastic ratchet. It's a great camping / light duty saw.

Fast forward to today and I'm looking for something bigger: The Stihl 500i or 660, or the Husky equivalent.

FWIW the Milwaukee 16" (or at least my one) leaks bar oil when stored on a flat horizontal surface. *EDIT* "de Fault" has a good point below: " They wick oil from oily sawdust". The two occasions where my red saw had oil collect below it, it had not had the bar removed for cleaning.

[FixitFingers]

Cheers lads, got it out in time for the boxing day sales at least ;) hahaha always good to see an OTT drop in the feed.

[pettypendergrass]

Audio left & Right is flipped :P Great video!

[inv]

What ampare did you use for 54V? And how many trees can you cut with it?

[ddexter]

Thanks for the video guys. Great practical knowledge.

[Nyall]

Replacement chains for the 20" can be hard to find, which is a minus in my book. (They can be special ordered.) I have the 18" and I love it and I can get replacement blades at my nearest hardware store. Also, I'm glad to see you all wearing chaps in your videos, but I don't know if they can stop high torque electric chainsaws.