Pole saw

[Great Feller]

I'm nervous to ask this question. I asked it in the forestry forum and almost started a riot. I recently started a forest consulting business. One of my services will be tree felling and trimming. I need a pole saw. What's the best route to go? I could buy 3 poulans for the price of one stihl. I can see how buying the top of the line chainsaws is essential, but I can't see spending 500-$600 on a top of the line pole saw to cut limbs less than 6" in dia. Don't get me wrong I like having the best brands but sometimes it's not imperative. Not every tool hanging in my garage is a snap on. Does every tool for my tree business need to be Stihl? Thank you!

 

[Bluehill logger]

I'm nervous to ask this question. I asked it in the forestry forum and almost started a riot. I recently started a forest consulting business. One of my services will be tree felling and trimming. I need a pole saw. What's the best route to go? I could buy 3 poulans for the price of one stihl. I can see how buying the top of the line chainsaws is essential, but I can't see spending 500-$600 on a top of the line pole saw to cut limbs less than 6" in dia. Don't get me wrong I like having the best brands but sometimes it's not imperative. Not every tool hanging in my garage is a snap on. Does every tool for my tree business need to be Stihl? Thank you!

You can certainly get by with sub standard equipment, many people do in business every day. (Poulan is substandard equipment for commercial use) But you have to think about this as an investment in your business. Buying a quality product will repay you over the years in the time you do not waste messing around with something not suited to the job.
If you are worried about the low frequency of use as a justification maybe look into a silky pole saw. I assure you over the long term it will prove more reliable.

rodger

 

[385XP]

I'm nervous to ask this question. I asked it in the forestry forum and almost started a riot. I recently started a forest consulting business. One of my services will be tree felling and trimming. I need a pole saw. What's the best route to go? I could buy 3 poulans for the price of one stihl. I can see how buying the top of the line chainsaws is essential, but I can't see spending 500-$600 on a top of the line pole saw to cut limbs less than 6" in dia. Don't get me wrong I like having the best brands but sometimes it's not imperative. Not every tool hanging in my garage is a snap on. Does every tool for my tree business need to be Stihl? Thank you!

What ever you do dont by a poulan pole saw they are pure junk. The pole on the poulan is really flimsy and bends very easy the rest of it seems pretty chessy also. Stihl or husky is the way to go. I know they seem expensive but there worth every peny if your trying to make a living with them.

 

[Stihl'n wood]

I like the Power Pruner. Back in the late 80's, I was given a PP to try out. I looked at it and thought "this little piece of junk won't make it till the end of the day". It lasted daily use for over 2 years. They improved it over the years and the optional 5' shaft gives it quite a bit of reach. JMO.

 

[Great Feller]

Ok here's the real numbers available to me:

Stihl:
HT 101 $599
HT 131 $649
This doesn't include tax,title, license.

Poulan Pro 31CC:
129.99 + $17.20 shipping = 147.19

So let me rephrase this,,,, I can get four poulans for the price of one Stihl..... FOUR. FOUR! I could get 3 pinched 12 ft off the ground and still have a back up to cut them all out! Is it really a wise business move to go with the stihl? My tree work will be done on the side initially, not 10hrs a day everyday. I realize you can't get by with a poulan wild thang if you are logging all day everyday but come on. This is for trimming small branches. It's like riding lawn mowers.... Sure a John Deere is a sweeter ride but my Sears has been getting the job done for the past 12 years.
Does stihl have everyone brain washed?
I own an MS 460 stihl and it was hard to cough up the money but when you have a tool that you are going to use extremely hard you've got to go with the best. Trimming branches doesn't strike me as being extremely hard on equipment. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Great Feller]

What do you mean I deserve one? That's an intelligent reply.
Anyways, unless the poulan pole pruner is a complete worthless hunk of S*$# I don't think it's a bad deal. If it sucks as bad as everyone says I'm not out much. From now on I'd like to hear from people that have actually operated a poulan pruner.

 

[stihl sawing]

Trimming branches is just as hard on one as a chainsaw. Their both cutting wood. Actually my polesaw gets more abuse than either of the saws. If you plan on just cuttin real small limbs and not using it eight hours a day then the poulans will work. But if you happen to need to cut some eight to ten inch wood the poulan will not have the power to do it and will not hold up for long. Now you may say i will never cut nothing that big, But you will if you do a lot of trimming. I have cut a lot of ten inch limbs with mine and i don't do it professionally. The poulan will work for small jobs on occasion. Not full time.

 

[skyhightree1]

My opinion is this if youre not gonna use it on a Heavy basis of your business why not use a poulan? I have a poulan I use for trimming no problems out of it. I also have a stihl polesaw as well. I use the Poulan primarily and no one else does so I think alot of that depends on whos gonna be using the equipment. If youre just starting out why not get a cheap pole saw till you make more money. I think cheap is way to go till you see how much of a demand you have to use a polesaw. thats my 2 pennys...

 

[maloufstree]

Why are you even asking everyone here. I think you have already made up your mind and you are just looking for one person to agree with you. Sorry but I think you are gonna regret the Poulan. Good equipment makes a job so much easier.

 

[TreeGhost]

Because you are starting out it probably wouldn't hurt to go cheap at first. I have never used a poulan to compare it to the stihl. I have seen one before and I notice it had a half circle handle on it. It looked like it would help hold the pole saw at different angles. I have had my stihl for 2 years now. It definately is a great tool to have.

 

[Bluehill logger]

Ok here's the real numbers available to me:

Stihl:
HT 101 $599
HT 131 $649
This doesn't include tax,title, license.

Poulan Pro 31CC:
129.99 + $17.20 shipping = 147.19

So let me rephrase this,,,, I can get four poulans for the price of one Stihl..... FOUR. FOUR! I could get 3 pinched 12 ft off the ground and still have a back up to cut them all out! Is it really a wise business move to go with the stihl? My tree work will be done on the side initially, not 10hrs a day everyday. I realize you can't get by with a poulan wild thang if you are logging all day everyday but come on. This is for trimming small branches. It's like riding lawn mowers.... Sure a John Deere is a sweeter ride but my Sears has been getting the job done for the past 12 years.
Does stihl have everyone brain washed?
I own an MS 460 stihl and it was hard to cough up the money but when you have a tool that you are going to use extremely hard you've got to go with the best. Trimming branches doesn't strike me as being extremely hard on equipment. Maybe I'm missing something.

I think your missing the point here. Your comparing two manufactures that make a product with vastly different quality. Heck most people do have a love fest with stihl products and theres a good reason...because they make quality products. If your not a stihl fan go right over to your nearest husky dealer and check out their selection. or if you like neither of those check out shindaiwa's product selection.

The simple fact of the matter is that a poulan may work, but the odds of it holding up in a professional environment is not good.

 

[Great Feller]

I would love to have a Stihl pruner! If I found one under the Christmas tree I wouldn't be disappointed. I'm just asking about the Poulan because I'd like to get some feedback from people that have actually used one. I own husky, stihl, and poulan chainsaws. I've owned two poulan woodsharks that I purchased at walmart for about 100 bucks. They start and they run. The first one was my first saw ever. I abused it for 7 years. During those 7 years I never changed out the spur sprocket, never replaced the air filter, ran dull chains and worn out bars on it. I was 18 years old and didn't know crap about saws or maintenance. I ended up selling it for 25 bucks at a pawn shop. I was so pleased with it I took the 25 bucks and went and bought another one at Walmart.

 

[lxt]

poulan power pruners......RUN!!! yep you can buy 4 of em & will need too. Echo makes a good power pruner & is what I use, I see newbies all the time with just such equip. as you are defending & thinkin about buying, truth is you are gonna do what you want!! good luck! but cheap is cheap! I hope you dont shop for insurance the same way!!!!!




LXT..........

 

[Climbing Cutter]

I wouldn't trade my ht101 for 20
POS poulons.

 

[Nailsbeats]

Yes, Stihl does have everyone brainwashed. Once you use one you don't have much to complain about. What your equation is missing is resale value. Stihl equipment goes for gold on e-bay. More capital upfront, yes, but no headaches and downtime while using it, great performance and resale value. Also, it helps the image as you are starting a business. Take care of it and you can't lose.

Of course if you have other idiots running your stuff, go with the Poulans.

Personally, I have a Husky and like it.

 

[Frank Boyer]

Someone mentioned the Silky. It is in your price range and a great saw for higher branches. It may take a little more beer to run than a Poulan, but it is a good pole saw.

 

[Great Feller]

OK OK OK. I think you guys have talked me into it. I'll get the damn stihl. I know I'll love it. So now,,, HT 101for $599 or HT 131 for $649??? Hurry and let me know, I'm going shopping tomorrow.

PS. What is the protocol for unsticking a pinched pole pruner 16 ft in the air? I know it's going to happen to me sooner or later.

 

[STLfirewood]

OK OK OK. I think you guys have talked me into it. I'll get the damn stihl. I know I'll love it. So now,,, HT 101for $599 or HT 131 for $649??? Hurry and let me know, I'm going shopping tomorrow.

PS. What is the protocol for unsticking a pinched pole pruner 16 ft in the air? I know it's going to happen to me sooner or later.

Like someone else said check into the Echo. They are a good bang for your buck saw. I have a stihl and it has served me well. You will end up cutting a lot bigger then 6inch branches.

Scott

 

[stihl sawing]

OK OK OK. I think you guys have talked me into it. I'll get the damn stihl. I know I'll love it. So now,,, HT 101for $599 or HT 131 for $649??? Hurry and let me know, I'm going shopping tomorrow.

PS. What is the protocol for unsticking a pinched pole pruner 16 ft in the air? I know it's going to happen to me sooner or later.

Try to undercut the limb a little, That will keep your saw from gettin pinched. Both models are good, I love my 131

 

[oldirty]

by all four of them things....finish out the day and then go back to the dealership for the stihl. there is a reason why you can buy 4 of them. they wont last.

call it a lesson learned for having an ass thats too tight.