Fiskars Pole pruner, worth anything?

[Shady Brook]

I have a landscape business and we do some minor tree pruning and such. I had an old Fiskar pole pruner that was pretty durable but nothing special. Anyway it has disapeared into the twilight zone and I need a replacement. I am not a pro like you fellas, and will work from the ground or a small ladder with a pole pruner so weight is not that important in a pole pruner, and would like some advice on a selection. My wife knew my plight and brought me home an $80 Fiskars pruner, it is the low profile model with an internal cam. The design looks intriguing, and less likely to get hung up in tight areas, but does anyone know if the tool is decent. I also was never too impressed with the saw head on my old unit, infact I took it off as it was in the way more then it was getting used. I am not sure if the current blade is the same style as that used 5 years ago.

Anyway, I do not know if I need a Turbocut unit, but do want a reliable and effective tool. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[che]

I bought one last year. Can't remember the details, but do remember returning it that same day.

 

[NickfromWI]

I LOVE mine! Not for use IN the tree (while climbing), and not good for big stuff, but if you're doing general work, clearing roofs and things like that, it's awesome. Mine has seen a lot of use with minor repairs.

Buy the right tools for the right job, though.

love
nick

 

[sharpstikman]

i have been using the hand saw by fiskers and like it very much .Ithought the pruner pole was a little heavy so I desined my on i got a polesaw head and a wooden fir pole from lowes and a fiskers replasement blade and for $36 it works great. i got the head from SHERRILL

 

[Stumper]

I used one of the Fiskars internal cam units courtresy of a customer once It works but I wouldn't buy it. A good Marvin PH4 would be much better and more durable while being easier on the operator. Since yuo have it -use it where appropriate but get a Professional model like the Marvin or the great Corona 1600. Fiskars loppers and snips can be quite good handtools for the price.

 

[Jumper]

I bought one last year-not a commercial duty unit but it seems to do all I ask of it, and was only $49 at Home Depot as I recall. Extends to about 20 feet.

 

[Koa Man]

I have a few of them in different sizes. For stuff up to 1/2 inch they are great. The heads will start to slip after a while. I fixed that by plastic welding them so then cannot move. The angles are not adjustable anymore, but to me they are way faster than the pull rope type of pruners. I just wish they would make a true commercial version. I even suggested that to them via email and complained about the pruner head slipping. Friskars said I was the first to have that complaint and a new pruner was on its way. Couple days later I got a new one via UPS. Too bad Nextel does not provide that same type of customer service.

 

[NickfromWI]

Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing.... http://www.fiskars.com/US/Garden/Product+Detail?contentId=85543

It states 1.25" cutting capacity. I've done it, but wouldn't on a regular basis.

In the past 2 months, I've been using this pole a lot, as a trial. We do a lot of tree shaping at the company I work at, so this thing is getting worked. It needs regular maintenance, mostly bolts being tightened weekly, and **** cleaned off the blades every few days.

I could go on and on about this thing. It's ALMOST ready for professionals to use it, but it needs a few modifications, specifically a hook to hang it on while climbing. Right now I have to unlock the pivoting head, angle it downward, use that to hang it, climb, then unlock and reangle it.

FWIW, I've noticed that I NEVER use the thing with the head at a straight 180 degree angle. It's always off at least 15 degrees, and occasionally more than that. I've found that the cutting is WAYYY easier with a slight angle, and the blade can be perpendicular to the grain of the wood. You know cutting with a standard pole pruner along the grain can be hard, and often leads to tears. The fiskars bypasses that (pun intended!).

Today my boss told me that yesterday he saw a professional pole pruner head, maybe made by Jameson or Marvin that has a non-adjustable angled head. I LIKE that idea, but I can't find a picture online or anything.

love
nick

 

[Koa Man]

Nick,
When climbing I use a loop runner and carabiner to attach it to the tree or my belt.

I think it is a great tool and use it a lot. As I mentioned before, it doesn't hold up. I need to get a replacement about every 6 months. Even though it comes with a lifetime warranty, the cost and time to send it back makes it more cost effective to just toss the old one and buy a new one. I do not use the pull rope type pruner anymore....it is too slow. If the friskars cannot cut it, I use a pole saw.

 

[Sheshovel]

I also love my Fiskars stick pruner have used it heavly for at least 6 years now and have not had to do a thing to it but clean the blades and adjust the strap.Stay sharp,have cut way over 1&1/2" with it many many times.I like the adjustable head and the fact that you can pull the head closed to cut by the end knob OR the center handle.I would buy another in a second,and want the longer polestik too.