Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet 2527-20 Pruning Saw Review

The Hatchet cuts well beyond what its size suggests. The 6-inch bar carries a full-house low-kickback chain, meaning a cutter on every link, and the chain runs at 984 ft/min. The saw is rated for 3-inch hardwoods, with a maximum cut diameter of 5.5 inches. For limbing and pruning, that covers most of what a homeowner faces.

Power and control

A POWERSTATE brushless motor paired with REDLINK PLUS intelligence drives the chain, and the variable-speed trigger spins it up instantly, with none of the lag of a gas engine. Metal bucking spikes let the saw bite into the wood and hold its position while you cut, which matters when you are working one-handed on a branch.

Weight and handling

At 4.1 lb bare and 4.85 lb with an XC4.0 battery, the saw is light enough to carry on a walk, strap to an ATV or hold on a ladder while your other hand steadies the branch. It measures 16.56 inches long, 3.76 inches wide and 9.12 inches high, so it stows easily in a truck or a pack.

Runtime

Milwaukee claims up to 120 cuts in 2-inch oak on an XC4.0 battery, which is enough for a solid pruning session. Buyers on Amazon are divided on battery life: some call it great, while others report packs lasting only about 5 minutes. The saw rewards a larger pack and punishes a small one.

Convenience and build

An automatic oiler feeds from a translucent 1.7 oz reservoir, so you can see the level at a glance. The scrench stores on board, a scabbard comes in the box, and a keyhole hang hole lets the saw hang on a wall. A handguard encourages a two-handed grip, and the body is mostly plastic. The brushless motor, the full-house chain, the light weight and the shared M12 batteries are what justify this tool's standing as a serious pruning saw rather than a toy.

The saw has no chain brake. There is no inertia or manual brake to stop the chain quickly, so you rely on releasing the trigger and on good technique. Milwaukee states that at the 5 m/s chain speed the tool meets UL requirements without one. This is the single most important limit to understand before buying, and it puts more weight on a sharp chain and careful handling.

Bar oil in storage

The saw can leak bar oil when stored. The practical fixes: drain the tank before storing, store the saw on its side with the reservoir down.

Oil consumption and a small tank

The 1.7 oz reservoir empties roughly in step with the battery, so expect to refill at battery swaps. Plan on two or three refills per pack. The automatic oiler runs at a fixed rate and cannot be adjusted.

Chain tensioning and ergonomics

The single-stud tensioner needs the supplied scrench, which is less convenient than a tool-free design but holds tension well. The battery fuel gauge sits where a right-hander has to squeeze the trigger to read it, the safety lock-off takes some getting used to, and there is no belt hook. Buyers on Amazon are also divided on durability, with some reporting a gear failure early on, and on ergonomics, with some finding the saw awkward to handle.

It is not a chainsaw

The Hatchet will not fell trees or buck firewood. It is a pruning and limbing tool, and buying it for firewood work leads to disappointment.

• Model 2527-20, bare tool, 12V M12 platform.
• POWERSTATE brushless motor with REDLINK PLUS intelligence.
• 6-inch bar; full-house 3/8-inch low-profile, 0.043-inch gauge, 28-drive-link low-kickback chain.
• Chain speed 984 ft/min; motor 2,650 rpm.
• Cutting capacity: 3-inch hardwoods; 5.5-inch maximum cut diameter.
• Runtime: up to 120 cuts in 2-inch oak on an XC4.0 battery.
• Oil tank 1.7 oz, automatic fixed-rate oiler, translucent reservoir.
• Weight 4.1 lb bare, 4.85 lb with an XC4.0 battery; 16.56 inches long, 3.76 inches wide, 9.12 inches high.
• No chain brake.
• Single-stud tensioner, scrench required, stored on board.
• Metal bucking spikes, handguard, scabbard included.
• Replacement chain 49-16-2732; replacement bar 49-16-2733; file size 11/64 inch (4.5 mm).
• Operating temperature 0°F to 125°F.
• 3-year tool warranty, 3-year battery warranty.
• In the box (bare tool): saw, 6-inch bar and chain, scabbard, scrench.

Refill bar oil at every battery swap and check the level through the translucent reservoir. Check chain tension often, especially after the first 45 minutes of use as the chain stretches, and aim for about 1/8 inch of pull at the bar. Keep the bar groove and oil slot clean to reduce oil leakage and keep the oiler working.

Sharpen with an 11/64-inch round file.