Pole Saw Question

[Furious]

Hi folks, first off I am not an arborist, make no claim to be at all but seeing as these are tools of that trade I am posting here. I am looking for a pole saw and was looking for feedback on what makes a good pole saw vs. a bad pole saw. I am looking for at least 12 foot reach and some of the systems that offer the option to switch between pruner, brush cutter, trimmer etc. are intriguing. Not trying to start a brand bashing thread, just honest feedback, pros and cons that sort of thing.

Thanks!!

 

[lone wolf]

Hi folks, first off I am not an arborist, make no claim to be at all but seeing as these are tools of that trade I am posting here. I am looking for a pole saw and was looking for feedback on what makes a good pole saw vs. a bad pole saw. I am looking for at least 12 foot reach and some of the systems that offer the option to switch between pruner, brush cutter, trimmer etc. are intriguing. Not trying to start a brand bashing thread, just honest feedback, pros and cons that sort of thing.

Thanks!!

Stihl HT 135 pole pruner check them out.

 

[timberland ts]

+1 on the stihl if your going to spend the money get it. I had the polan its fine for a few cuts. I have the telescopic stihl prunner. Great tool.

 

[Philbert]

OK, so you are looking for a POWERED pole saw, which puts this in a specific category. When you started with the "I am not an arborist . . ." thing, I assumed you were looking for a good, manual pole saw - these can still run you a couple of hundred dollars for a high quality one.

I was looking for one a while back, and brand and cost aside, I discovered something interesting between the telescoping powered pole saws and the sectional ones.

The telescoping models are, of course, more convenient because everything is already assembled. They also offer continuous length adjustment within their range. This can be important when you are trying to snake the pole between branches, or to just the right spot. An unexpected downside was the overall length. The STIHL model, when fully collapsed, would not fit into my small station wagon that I frequently use. Not a problem with a truck or trailer, but might be for some. I think that the telescoping models were slightly heavier and more expensive than the sectional ones (?). I know that the weight specs in the STIHL catalog were not reliable, and I had to go to my dealer with a tape measure and a scale (they already know that I can be compulsive).

The sectional STIHL models offered a broader range of motor choices, and I think would work better with the optional attachments you mentioned. The sectional unit broke down into smaller segments than the telescoping model, but then there were more pieces to keep track of. Again, the length was only adjustable in fixed length segments, so you could find yourself in an in-between situation.

Husky, Echo, and Poulan also sell versions of these. Let us know what you choose.

Philbert

 

[capetrees]

Just bought an HT 101 the other day. Had one years ago and got frustrated one day (hot, cramped,aggrivated, sunburned) and threw it out of the tree. Not recommended. Needed the new one for a funky take down and I do recommend them. The extendable reach give you more flexability. The fixed length is just that, one length. Keep the chain sharp and they are very helpful. One added feature, (and Stihl doesn't recommend it) is that any head can fit on the end of the extendable pole. That means after you've cut limbs, you can switch to the hedger head and hedge the bushes up to 16 feet up and out as far as you can hold the machine up, out to 16 feet! I use the HL-KM 135 adjustable hedge trimmer head. Works awesome.:msp_thumbsup:

Keep in mind also that if you have a straight shaft weed wacker, you can attach the various obvious heads to the end of that too as well as the chainsaw head attachment HT-KM.

 

[ATH]

How much do you plan to use it, and how big of limbs do you plan to cut?

If your "normal" cutting will be under 4", I'd highly suggest a Silky (manual) pole saw.

 

[Furious]

Thanks guys, looks like I will check out the Stihl dealer and see what he has!!

 

[flushcut]

Just bought an HT 101 the other day. Had one years ago and got frustrated one day (hot, cramped,aggrivated, sunburned) and threw it out of the tree. Not recommended. Needed the new one for a funky take down and I do recommend them. The extendable reach give you more flexability. The fixed length is just that, one length. Keep the chain sharp and they are very helpful. One added feature, (and Stihl doesn't recommend it) is that any head can fit on the end of the extendable pole. That means after you've cut limbs, you can switch to the hedger head and hedge the bushes up to 16 feet up and out as far as you can hold the machine up, out to 16 feet! I use the HL-KM 135 adjustable hedge trimmer head. Works awesome.:msp_thumbsup:

Keep in mind also that if you have a straight shaft weed wacker, you can attach the various obvious heads to the end of that too as well as the chainsaw head attachment HT-KM.

Really!!???? It is just that easy? If so SWEET! Swap one head for another just by loosening a few bolts. opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[lone wolf]

Really!!???? It is just that easy? If so SWEET! Swap one head for another just by loosening a few bolts. opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

Yes it is that easy I have two pole pruners and a weed trimmer and all the heads swap.Not on the cheaper non pro stuff with a flexshaft though!

 

[capetrees]

Really!!???? It is just that easy? If so SWEET! Swap one head for another just by loosening a few bolts. opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

It is that easy. I don't know where you're going with this.

 

[flushcut]

It is that easy. I don't know where you're going with this.

No douchbagery in my post. I just wanted to know and I appreciate the info.

 

[capetrees]

Oh, OK. You're welcome!!