Do you have an ARS Pruner with faulty locking mechanisms?

[arbor pro]

I was just wondering if anyone else has an ARS pruner with faulty lock mechanisms just sitting around in the shop? I bought an ARS from Sherrill Supply a few years back and within just a few weeks had problems with the red locking mechanisms stripping out and not wanting to hold the sections in place. I notified Sherrill about the problem and they immediately responded to the problem by sending out replacement locking mechanisms. I put the replacement parts on (the same mechanisms as the stipped out ones, not re-engineered parts) and almost immediately they stripped out again leaving the pruner practically useless. Out of frustration, I drilled a small hole straight through all four sections of the ARS and used a small bolt to hold the units in place when extended. After fumbling with that quick-fix for a couple of days, I through the dumb thing on the shelf and bought a Silky Hyauchi which has worked very well for me up until a couple of weeks ago. I bent the third section so now it sticks when opening and closing the third/fourth sections.

I think Sherrill supply has treated me well over the years but, I think they should have insisted that the manufacturer of the ARS recall the pruner if they couldn't come up with a better locking mechanism to replace the bad ones with. Replacing a defective part with a defective part is not a satisfactory solution to the problem and I would expect more from Sherrill.

I guess I was just wondering how many others experienced the same problem and was thinking that, if enough of us tell Sherrill about our disappointment in the item, maybe they can go to the manufacturer and ask for some kind of recall or get us a replacement unit (different unit - not just the same old lock mechanisms that don't work). I spent about $325 on that ARS if I recall correctly. Way too much money for the little use I got out of it. It can't hurt to ask can it?

(BTW - I orignially posted this in the Sherrill - sponsored site. Sherrill responded very expediently and professionally to another issue of mine (broken felling wedges) but I haven't heard back from them or anyone else on this issue so I thought I'd try posting it here to see if I get a better response).

 

[fishercat]

i have the Stihl version of the ARS

never had a problem.i couldn't live without it.

 

[TreeTopKid]

I was just wondering if anyone else has an ARS pruner with faulty lock mechanisms just sitting around in the shop? I bought an ARS from Sherrill Supply a few years back and within just a few weeks had problems with the red locking mechanisms stripping out and not wanting to hold the sections in place. I notified Sherrill about the problem and they immediately responded to the problem by sending out replacement locking mechanisms. I put the replacement parts on (the same mechanisms as the stipped out ones, not re-engineered parts) and almost immediately they stripped out again leaving the pruner practically useless. Out of frustration, I drilled a small hole straight through all four sections of the ARS and used a small bolt to hold the units in place when extended. After fumbling with that quick-fix for a couple of days, I through the dumb thing on the shelf and bought a Silky Hyauchi which has worked very well for me up until a couple of weeks ago. I bent the third section so now it sticks when opening and closing the third/fourth sections.

I think Sherrill supply has treated me well over the years but, I think they should have insisted that the manufacturer of the ARS recall the pruner if they couldn't come up with a better locking mechanism to replace the bad ones with. Replacing a defective part with a defective part is not a satisfactory solution to the problem and I would expect more from Sherrill.

I guess I was just wondering how many others experienced the same problem and was thinking that, if enough of us tell Sherrill about our disappointment in the item, maybe they can go to the manufacturer and ask for some kind of recall or get us a replacement unit (different unit - not just the same old lock mechanisms that don't work). I spent about $325 on that ARS if I recall correctly. Way too much money for the little use I got out of it. It can't hurt to ask can it?

(BTW - I orignially posted this in the Sherrill - sponsored site. Sherrill responded very expediently and professionally to another issue of mine (broken felling wedges) but I haven't heard back from them or anyone else on this issue so I thought I'd try posting it here to see if I get a better response).

When you say locking mechanism I presume you mean those little metal buttons with a spring behind that disappear inside the tube of the pole?

I owned one in England I bought it from a good supplier and was really excited about having a fully adjustable pole,but within a few weeks the buttons started to disappear into the tubing. I managed to retrieve them a few times until they disappeared for good. The red snap down clips don't hold down anything. I remember been in a huge Oak with the pole sliding up and down inside the other. It one of the worse one hundred and thirty pounds I'd ever spent. I used to use screw thread aluminum poles, I now use Marvin fiber glass.

 

[arbor pro]

When you say locking mechanism I presume you mean those little metal buttons with a spring behind that disappear inside the tube of the pole?

I owned one in England I bought it from a good supplier and was really excited about having a fully adjustable pole,but within a few weeks the buttons started to disappear into the tubing. I managed to retrieve them a few times until they disappeared for good. The red snap down clips don't hold down anything. I remember been in a huge Oak with the pole sliding up and down inside the other. It one of the worse one hundred and thirty pounds I'd ever spent. I used to use screw thread aluminum poles, I now use Marvin fiber glass.

It was the red lock down mechanisms that I was refering to. Obviously, they didn't operate as the designers intended. They didn't hold the poles in place.

 

[TreeTopKid]

It was the red lock down mechanisms that I was refering to. Obviously, they didn't operate as the designers intended. They didn't hold the poles in place.

Exactly! A nice idea if they had used the right design. I'll be honest I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for a good adjustable pole. I'm surprised somebody hasn't yet come up with a solid idea. It would be a big seller. I've seen the same (or very similar) to the ARS being sold with a STIHL logo on it. I strongly suspect that it is manufactured by ARS. The only difference I can see is that the plastic fixings are black instead of red.

 

[newb]

I've got the Jameson and it also worked for a short time, replaced it and the same thing happened to that one. At an Expo I asked a rep about it and he said they were never intended for commercial use. I stick to sections now. Pete

 

[TreeTopKid]

I've got the Jameson and it also worked for a short time, replaced it and the same thing happened to that one. At an Expo I asked a rep about it and he said they were never intended for commercial use. I stick to sections now. Pete

It's funny how they sold them to so many professional suppliers. In fact you can still purchase the said piece of equipment from many professional outlets. Not to mention a home owner using a 20ft pole with a professional blade on the end. The possible out comes are endless. That was a lame excuse on their part.

 

[arbor pro]

Sherrill comes through again!

Ok folks, I'll give kudos to the Sherrill Supply folks once again. I just got a call from Irene at Sherrill and she's sending me out a free replacement kit for the ARS pruner. This time, the locking mechanisms are supposed to be re-engineered ones that don't slip. Sherrill acknowledged that there have been some problems with the old locks and welcomed anyone who is having problems with the old lock mechanisms to call for a replacement kit.

Now, that's customer service. Anyone who works in the service sector (aka tree services, lawn care, landscapers) can learn a thing or two from their professionalism and attention to customer care. Sherrill could have easily told me 'no' on the replacement parts - that the saw was 'out of warranty' or 'abused' or given me some other reason for denying my request to stand behind the product they sold. Instead, they took the high road and did the right thing in order to keep a customer happy. Now, they have a loyal customer for as long as I'm in the tree care business.

Keep it up Sherrill... :yourock:

 

[Freakingstang]

really speaks volumes for a company to do things that will make the customer happy in this day and age. Kudos!!

 

[TreeTopKid]

Ok folks, I'll give kudos to the Sherrill Supply folks once again. I just got a call from Irene at Sherrill and she's sending me out a free replacement kit for the ARS pruner. This time, the locking mechanisms are supposed to be re-engineered ones that don't slip.


That's good! I love Sherrill tree. I would love to hear your opinion of the new pole, and some pictures of the locking clips. If you could that would be great.

 

[(WLL)]

I was just wondering if anyone else has an ARS pruner with faulty lock mechanisms just sitting around in the shop? I bought an ARS from Sherrill Supply a few years back and within just a few weeks had problems with the red locking mechanisms stripping out and not wanting to hold the sections in place. I notified Sherrill about the problem and they immediately responded to the problem by sending out replacement locking mechanisms. I put the replacement parts on (the same mechanisms as the stipped out ones, not re-engineered parts) and almost immediately they stripped out again leaving the pruner practically useless. Out of frustration, I drilled a small hole straight through all four sections of the ARS and used a small bolt to hold the units in place when extended. After fumbling with that quick-fix for a couple of days, I through the dumb thing on the shelf and bought a Silky Hyauchi which has worked very well for me up until a couple of weeks ago. I bent the third section so now it sticks when opening and closing the third/fourth sections.

I think Sherrill supply has treated me well over the years but, I think they should have insisted that the manufacturer of the ARS recall the pruner if they couldn't come up with a better locking mechanism to replace the bad ones with. Replacing a defective part with a defective part is not a satisfactory solution to the problem and I would expect more from Sherrill.

I guess I was just wondering how many others experienced the same problem and was thinking that, if enough of us tell Sherrill about our disappointment in the item, maybe they can go to the manufacturer and ask for some kind of recall or get us a replacement unit (different unit - not just the same old lock mechanisms that don't work). I spent about $325 on that ARS if I recall correctly. Way too much money for the little use I got out of it. It can't hurt to ask can it?

(BTW - I orignially posted this in the Sherrill - sponsored site. Sherrill responded very expediently and professionally to another issue of mine (broken felling wedges) but I haven't heard back from them or anyone else on this issue so I thought I'd try posting it here to see if I get a better response).

+1 on the hyauchy & +1 on sherrill:yourock: we first went with the ars and it failed on the first day, whata POS!! we then went fer the silky yellow hyauchy and its been going on 4yrs, still works as good as new. the hook fox is a great attachment fer the yellow silky . imo sherrill blows the comp. outa the water on customer service and product availability. they have a great catalog and there splice work is top notch!!