What Is a DeWalt FLEXVOLT Chainsaw (Bar & Chain Speed)

The DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCCS672 is a 60V MAX battery chainsaw with an 18-inch guide bar. Its chain runs at 15 metres per second, or about 49 feet per second. That speed describes chain travel, not engine RPM. The saw uses a 3/8-inch low-profile chain with a .043-inch gauge; exact replacement parts must match the saw’s label and manual.

If you are comparing saws for yard work, storm cleanup, or property care, the bar length and chain speed can help you understand the tool. They do not, by themselves, tell you whether a specific cut is safe or suitable. Local rules may also affect tree work: workplace requirements and professional tree-care standards can apply, and conditions vary by region. Check the manual and follow applicable safety rules.

What the DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCCS672 is

The DCCS672 is a cordless, battery-electric chainsaw in DEWALT’s 60V MAX FLEXVOLT system. It cuts with a moving chain around a guide bar, so it has no gasoline engine or fuel mix. Its 18-inch bar and specified chain form a matched cutting setup; use the manual to confirm fit and operation.

The saw’s power comes from a compatible, charged FLEXVOLT battery. A trigger controls the motor, while the chain brake is a safety feature designed to help stop the chain in certain situations. The saw also needs bar-and-chain oil to lubricate the moving chain and guide bar.

A common point of confusion is the name “60V MAX.” It identifies the battery platform, not a gas-engine size or a direct measure of cutting capacity. Battery runtime and cutting performance can vary with the battery, wood, chain condition, and how the saw is used.

What the 18-inch bar and 15 m/s chain speed mean

The bar guides the chain, while chain speed tells you how fast the chain moves when the saw is running. For the DCCS672, DEWALT lists an 18-inch bar and a chain speed of 15 m/s, approximately 49 ft/s. Neither figure is a promise that every 18-inch cut is safe.

“Pitch” describes the spacing of chain links, while “gauge” describes the thickness of the drive links that fit in the bar groove. Both must match the bar and saw. Do not choose a chain based only on its length or on a listing that says “18-inch.”

Bar length is not the same as safe cutting capacity. Wood diameter, species, condition, how the wood is supported, and the operator’s skill all affect the task. The bar nose also needs special care: contact with its upper quadrant can cause rotational kickback, which can drive the bar rapidly back toward the operator.

Bar-and-chain fitment and setup examples

Fitment means confirming that the replacement bar and chain are the exact types approved for the saw. Pitch and gauge alone are not enough. Before buying or installing parts, compare the saw’s model label and manual with the bar and chain part numbers, including the required number of drive links.

These are setup scenarios, not reports of particular jobs. They show why a part that looks close may still be wrong. If the manual, label, or parts information does not confirm fit, pause and contact DEWALT or an authorized service source rather than forcing the parts to fit.

To install or adjust a bar and chain, follow the DCCS672 manual’s exact steps and torque or tension guidance. Remove the battery before working on the cutting parts. Keep hands clear of sharp teeth, orient the chain as shown in the manual, and check that the chain moves as directed once installed. Do not run the saw with an incorrectly fitted or tensioned chain.

Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation

Preparation means checking the saw, protective gear, work area, and wood before starting. These checks reduce the chance of preventable problems, but they do not remove chainsaw risk. Use the manual for model-specific steps, and use trained personnel and suitable controls for tree work.

Wear a chainsaw-rated helmet, eye and hearing protection, gloves, leg protection, and suitable boots. Inspect the chain, bar, chain brake, trigger lockout, oil level, battery, and fasteners. Confirm the bar-and-chain fit and tension before use. If a part is damaged or a safety feature does not work as intended, do not operate the saw.

Set a clear work zone and keep bystanders away. Look for overhead hazards, lean, wind, and wood that may be under tension. Plan a route to move away from the cut if needed, and keep stable footing. Felling trees, cutting overhead, or working with complex or tensioned wood calls for qualified tree-care procedures and personnel.

For workplace use, follow applicable OSHA requirements. ANSI Z133 is a safety standard for arboricultural operations; it is relevant to tree-care work, but it does not replace the saw’s manual or applicable law.

Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation

Operation means starting, holding, and using the saw in a controlled way that suits the task. The DCCS672’s battery power does not change basic chainsaw hazards. Keep two hands on the handles, maintain secure footing, and avoid cuts that can pinch the bar or bring its nose into contact with the wood.

Install the specified, charged FLEXVOLT battery with the chain brake engaged, then follow the manual’s starting steps. Keep both hands on the handles. Release the brake only when you are ready to cut, and use controlled cuts that suit the wood and its support. Do not force a dull chain through the cut.

Keep the bar nose clear of the work. Contact with the upper quadrant of the nose can trigger rotational kickback, rapidly pushing the bar toward you. A chain brake can reduce risk, but it cannot make unsafe technique safe. Do not cut above shoulder height.

When the cut is complete, release the trigger and engage the chain brake. Remove the battery before adjustment, cleaning, or transport. If the wood shifts, the bar binds, or you lose stable footing, stop and reassess rather than forcing the cut. Felling and complex, tensioned, or overhead work should be left to qualified personnel using appropriate controls.

Maintenance, Chain Sharpening, and Inspection

Maintenance keeps the saw’s cutting parts and safety features in usable condition. The chain needs proper sharpness, tension, and lubrication; the bar and brake also need inspection. Use the manual’s instructions and parts specifications, because the correct adjustment and replacement items depend on the fitted setup.

After use, remove the battery before cleaning or making adjustments. Clear debris and inspect the chain and bar for damage or unusual wear. Check chain tension as directed in the manual; do not run the saw with a loose, over-tight, damaged, or incorrectly fitted chain.

A dull chain often cuts poorly and may lead an operator to push harder. Stop if the chain is dull, damaged, or not cutting as expected. Sharpen it using the manual’s guidance or have a qualified service provider do so. Keep bar-and-chain oil at the required level and use the oil specified by DEWALT.

Do not use engine RPM, idle speed, engine torque, or gasoline-mix figures to assess this model. It is battery-electric, and those gas-engine specifications do not apply.

Storage and Seasonal Care

Storage means leaving the saw clean, protected, and ready for its next use. Before putting it away, shut it down, engage the chain brake, and remove the battery. Let the saw cool, clean away debris, check for damage, and follow the manual’s directions for the battery and tool.

Store the saw where it is protected from damage and where children or other unauthorized users cannot access it. Keep the chain covered or otherwise protected as the manual directs. Store and charge the battery according to its own instructions; do not assume the tool and battery have identical storage rules.

Before seasonal use, inspect the bar, chain, brake, trigger lockout, fasteners, and oil. Confirm the cutting parts still match the saw’s label and manual, and check chain tension before operation. If anything is damaged or does not function correctly, arrange service before cutting.

Frequently asked questions

These quick answers clarify the DCCS672’s bar, chain speed, and fitment. They do not replace the model’s manual, which controls the exact parts and operating steps. If the saw’s label or fitted setup differs from a parts listing, verify the correct configuration before use.

What is a DEWALT FLEXVOLT chainsaw?
It is a cordless chainsaw powered by a compatible DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery. The DCCS672 is the 60V MAX model with an 18-inch bar.

How fast is the DCCS672 chain?
Its listed chain speed is 15 m/s, or about 49 ft/s. This is chain travel speed, not engine RPM.

What size bar does the DCCS672 use?
The specified bar is 18 inches. That length is not a rating for the size of cut you can safely make.

What chain pitch and gauge does it use?
The listed setup uses a 3/8-inch low-profile pitch and .043-inch gauge. Confirm the complete chain specification and part number in the manual.

Can I buy any 18-inch chain for it?
No. Verify the approved part number and drive-link count, along with pitch and gauge, against the saw’s label and manual.

Does the DCCS672 use gas or a two-cycle fuel mix?
No. It is battery-electric, so gasoline, two-cycle oil, and fuel-mix ratios do not apply.

Does a 60V MAX battery guarantee a certain runtime?
No. Runtime depends on the battery and work conditions, among other factors. Follow the manual for compatible batteries and charging.

Does the chain brake make kickback harmless?
No. The brake is a safety feature, not a substitute for safe technique. Keep the bar nose out of the cut and maintain a firm two-hand grip.

What should I do if the chain binds or cuts poorly?
Stop, release the trigger, engage the brake, and remove the battery before inspection. Check for damage, tension, sharpness, and lubrication using the manual’s guidance.

Can I use the 18-inch bar for felling?
Bar length alone cannot determine whether felling is appropriate or safe. Tree condition, lean, hazards, skill, and controls matter; use qualified personnel for tree work.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Evan Bradley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)