Pole saw recommendations

[Ted in NE-OH]

I need some recommendations on a chain saw pole saw. Not for professionalduty but not light duty home owner type either. Your recommendations would be appreciated

 

[tractorsam]

Probably not what youre after but I have one as part of the Stihl Kombi system. Nice to only maintain one engine for multiple uses, but if you already have everything else its not any benefit.

 

[RogerinIowa]

Do you already have a weed eater power head that accepts a pole saw? My Poulan did. Minimizes power units.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Careful Ted. I have a Stihl, the smaller 12 foot model, and it's a workout for me since my shoulders are shot. Alos need care bc you're walking with it and looking up a lot. Easy to trip. You can take a ride here and try mine if you'd like.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I used to have a Remington plug in electric. Great saw, but terrible balance, top heavy and uncontrollable.

I have borrowed and used a Stihl gas. Much better balance as the motor is on the bottom and a shaft drive cutter on the top.

I've been looking at battery power but haven't decided yet what I want. Battery because it's something that only gets used once a year or so.

I looked at Ryobi, appeared very light and short reach but extension poles are available. Would recommend stepping up to a better grade.

No matter what kind, they are a real challenge to operate! Trying to look up at falling sawdust, being ready to get out of the way when the limb comes down without falling... I am very limited in those areas now, probably best left to a youngster!

 

[Geo-TH,In]

The arthritis in my right shoulder prevents me from starting any 2 cycle engine.
I have a 4 cycle weedwacker. I can easily start it.
I'm not sure if anyone makes a 4 cycle pole saw.
If they did, I would buy it.

I wish I had bought a 20v dewalt pole saw instead of a 20v black and decker pole saw.
I can cut more branches than I want to clean up using my black and decker and one 6 amp 20v battery.

The electric pole saw isn't as fast as 2 cycle. No one is paying me, so a few extra seconds is no biggie.

Upside to an electric pole saw, I can start it with one finger.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Don't know about pole saws. We use a regular chainsaw and lift with telehandler and do a scorched earth policy of cutting about 20 high back to the tree trunks. Good for about 10 years.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I have a Stihl. Expensive, but it works whenever I need it.

 

[rockgrower]

I have a 20 year old echo and have used a newer Stihl. Both were good. If I was buying today I would look at the battery powered saws. It sits alot between uses, is not something you want to use a lot at one time, and not something that requires a lot of power. I think that would make it good match for batteries, but I haven't used a battery powered one.

 

[redtom]

Ive grown fond of my Milwaukee Fuel battery chainsaw, so I bought a Fuel pole saw with the extension. Its heavy but has reach. I didn't need to buy a battery. Neither were cheap, though.

 

[Johnhof]

40 volt Kobalt from Lowes. I trimmed 6 pickup loads this spring and had plenty of battery left. Usually they have it packaged with another handy yard tool for a combo deal.

 

[Harper]

Earlier this summer I bought a 60 volt Greenworks Pro. From Tractor Supply. Really like it, well balanced and not heavy.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

I have the One+ 18 volt Ryobi and also have the extension pole. The operater is usually what gives out first when using it. As long as I can hold out to run it it does an excellent job and is not real heavy. I do use the large 4 AH battery for mine and it will cut longer than I can hold out. I have several 18 Volt Ryobi tools and have had good service from them.

 

[Gary Reif]

Just something to think about. I have a Ryobi corded pole saw with an angled bar, it helps eliminate pinching the bar as the cut comes down through the limb.

 

[sammydwm]

bought the 40 Volt Ryobi set up this summer since I had one of those chainsaws laying around without a battery. It says it will reach 9.5 feet. Worked well enough.

 

[johnlobb]

Like Johnhof, I have a Kobalt battery powered. I don't use it often, and when I do, it works well.

 

[gmccool]

I have a cordless 20 Volt Dewalt.It is light and well balanced.

 

[MF294-4]

We are heavy into Milwaukee,so made wife buy Milwaukee. Works well. Came with 8ah battery. It will outlast most users. It is rather heavy with that big battery and extension. I like one battery style.

 

[WNYBill]

Our Echo gas pole saw works great but will wear you out... it's heavy. For a homeowner, I would look at electric.

 

[cwtech]

I have a gas pole saw of fixed length. ...The long 12' pole is awkward to use and was damaged twice when limbs fell on it.

I bought a corded-electric telescopic pole saw from Harbor Freight. ...It works great, even if it means dragging out multiple extension cords.

My experience with battery-powered tools is that I don't use them enough to get my money out of them before needing to buy an expensive replacement.

 

[Hay hay hay]

Me too...I have 3 pole saws....2 are hanging in the barn....the only on being used is the new Ryobi 18v. Great saw! As he said...I'm done before it is. Get the 4 AH battery.

 

[mark1955]

how tall are your limbs, do you have to reach over your head, most poles are just so long, then when you reach up, it adds another few feet, to reach their claimed reach. i have a telescoping pole, perfect for short and long reaching. it is electric, my problem is i have taller branches, than i can reach, if you think a chainsaw and a ladder is crazy, try a ladder and a pole saw.

 

[cityboy]

(quoted from post at 12:54:57 09/29/22) Probably not what youre after but I have one as part of the Stihl Kombi system. Nice to only maintain one engine for multiple uses, but if you already have everything else its not any benefit.

I also have a Stihl Kombi, have their pole saw. Bought the extension as well. Gets heavy after awhile. Like someone else said, watch where you walk, how the branch falls so you don't bend the shaft. Got an oak tree out back that needs a pruning. Saw w/extension is to short. Not looking forward to using a ladder but Im tired of hitting my head while mowing.

HTH...Don.