I've been starting to seriously consider getting one of these. I know they're not cheap so I thought I'd ask you folks. I'm going to be looking at Stihl and Echo. Of those two, which seems more popular among the people that use pole saws a lot.
Most popular pole saw
- Thread starter Toyboy
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xtremez
ArboristSite Guru
Both are good. I’d look at which one you have better dealer support for in your area. Makes it easier when it’s time to get pieces parts.
Stihl HTA 85 battery
https://blog.stihl.com.au/new-stihl-battery-pole-pruners-a-cut-above/
or the Husqvarna 530iPT5 36V battery & has a bit more reach
https://blog.stihl.com.au/new-stihl-battery-pole-pruners-a-cut-above/
or the Husqvarna 530iPT5 36V battery & has a bit more reach
I looked at both Stihl and echo before buying the M18 Milwaukee setup. I don’t need a pole saw often enough to justify the cost of either gas options that would sit a lot. I really like the Milwaukee, Used it a bit last weekend.
Milwaukee. You can get so many other things when they have a sale. You definitely want the hatchet. Check Home Depot daily deals and Northern tool. Both ship and both had big sales in the past week. Plus you can get different heads to go with the pole saw.
I bought a echo extendable pole saw PPT-260 many years ago. One reason was it was real 2 stroke. Worked great and go to like 16' .
But didnt use it much over the years for homeowner land use.
I also bought a manual pole saw and later a battery pole saw for wife. Boy did those save me alot of work not having to follow wife around pointing out what she wanted out of trees.
So later on the gas one got sold. If was buying a again I would a echo again.
But check out the battery ones too. What my dad even went with for land farm use.
Own a PAS-280 set up now and love it but no saw head as wasnt needed.
But didnt use it much over the years for homeowner land use.
I also bought a manual pole saw and later a battery pole saw for wife. Boy did those save me alot of work not having to follow wife around pointing out what she wanted out of trees.
So later on the gas one got sold. If was buying a again I would a echo again.
But check out the battery ones too. What my dad even went with for land farm use.
Own a PAS-280 set up now and love it but no saw head as wasnt needed.
Sloughfoot
ArboristSite Member
Torque would be top priority were I buying a pole saw again.
I have a Stihl HT101,.4-mix, extendable which is probably 20 + years old non-commercial use. Only problem being I needed to replace the ignition module/coil and retighten the clutch discs on the head.
I've cut some pretty large limbs without any issues, probably around 12". Just took my time and didn't force anything. I'd probably buy the HT 131 if I need to replace this one. I'm just not ready for battery powered units yet."
I've cut some pretty large limbs without any issues, probably around 12". Just took my time and didn't force anything. I'd probably buy the HT 131 if I need to replace this one. I'm just not ready for battery powered units yet."
I have been very impressed with my Echo PPT-2620. In truth the battery version would have suited my needs better but I have a suspicion that 2-stroke tools might become scarce in the future so I bought a better tool than I really needed.
WI_Hedgehog
You bought a WHAT???!!
The STIHL Kombi system uses one powerhead with multiple attachments, plus has more reach than a standard pole saw. I do landscaping on the side so needed something versatile, dependable, affordable, and space-conscious, plus didn't want to maintain multiple engines.
Silky hayate or hayuchi
130 or 131 break drives if you stuff it. Have two 101HT and going to sell them soon. Just updated to a 103HT. Less is more. Lighter the better. Still fixing up the elusive triple threat Echo to keep for myself.
It shouldn't be. Light weight is the game if you acually use your saw and it isn't just for employees.
Sloughfoot
ArboristSite Member
I'm not a lightweight and a lot of what I cut isn't either.
Depends on your use case. Really like my Stihl 131 But yeah battery if I did it again.
Not least, cuz 15 minutes of pole saw = better than an hour of branch hauling.
side note; the head from the 131 bolts directly on the straight shaft stihl trimmers for a nice brushing tool without all that back tweaking length (weight).
Not least, cuz 15 minutes of pole saw = better than an hour of branch hauling.
side note; the head from the 131 bolts directly on the straight shaft stihl trimmers for a nice brushing tool without all that back tweaking length (weight).
wilsonhs
ArboristSite Lurker
I'd look at battery saw that uses batteries you may already have. I have a gas echo, great but 25 pounds. I bought a 20Volt DeWalt for about$150 without charger or battery and it is a great saw. I have 560 acre tree farm and it is my go to pole saw. I use the echo only in extreme cases. With 2 of the 3 sections in the Dewalt it only weighs about 8 pounds, 10 pounds with all three sections.
I have the Stihl 131 with a 30 degree angle adapter. If you are cutting from the ground it will save you , the angle I mean.
I just got through restoring an Echo PPT-266 that needed a new flexible drive shaft. This pole saw was in excellent condition otherwise and I was rather impressed with how it works: power, balance, etc. It's being used by a tree service company and has held up very well.
Any info on the angle adapter?
I hadn't considered a battery powered unit because the only battery power tools I have, is 18V Makita and Dewalt drills. I really don't want to go with another battery tool. It wouldn't get used enough to keep the battery healthy. But thanks for your thoughts on them.
2 strokes I can get along with.
2 strokes I can get along with.
