Stihl pole pruners- any feedback?

[ripplerider]

Looking at the HT 131 Pole pruner (I would consider it a pole saw). Is the shaft easily bent, any durability issues, etc? Does it come into play that much in your arsenal?

 

[48"BAR PINCHER]

I have the older one with the smaller 4-mix motor. I rune the crap out of it and it's given no troubles in 3+ yrs.

 

[John464]

I have 6 or 7 of them. 2 of them are running, rest are in pieces. I also have 1 recently purchased echo. which lost its bearings after about 90 days. Covered under warranty. I prefer the echo because we are hard on them. much better warranty, stronger shaft, real hard to bend. stihl is easy to bend and easy to wear bearing.

BTW: its the only non-stihl chainsaw of about 50 saws I own and I will no longer be buying stihl's power pruners

 

[tomtrees58]

never had a problem with them tom trees

 

[asthesun]

stihl pole pruners are good. every one i have used has developed oiling problems eventually though and they never were easy to fix. i've always despised echo but i think i prefer their polesaw over stihl's. the rearward handle is much more comfortable than the stihl's and is positioned in such a way that the bar naturally wants to be in a vertical position. with the stihl, it wants to flip over on you unless you're manhandling it, contributing to fatigue (which is a big issue when you have a large pole pruning job)

 

[capetrees]

Without going out and looking at which one I have, the 101 or the 131, the only problem I have with it is its weight. Using it up in a tree can be awkward and even on the ground, unless the branch is right over head, it can be tiring. Other than that, it works great. The best thing to remember is a sharp chain. Dull will get you nowhere and it will bind easy.

 

[ripplerider]

Thanks for the feedback. I have shoulder issues and I'm going to need something to make life a little easier on me. How does the Echo compare as far as price? The cheapest price I've got on the Stihl was $625.

 

[capetrees]

If weight is a problem, something else to consider is the manual pole saws with extensions. They are lightweight and some, such as my Silky Hayauchi, can extend to 21' and the saw is razor sharp. Doesn't sound possible but sometimes, it can keep right up wioth the power pruners.

 

[treemandan]

I used one once in twenty years and just came across a job where one just might be key to drop a limb down by some wires... from the ground of course.
I suppose some of you guys have the type of work that would run a stick saw from the ground but I have seldom seen the need.
I saw a guy trying to TD an oak with one, it wasn't pretty. Put one of those saws in the hands of township employee and set him loose in the park and see what happens. I seen it.

 

[asthesun]

Thanks for the feedback. I have shoulder issues and I'm going to need something to make life a little easier on me. How does the Echo compare as far as price? The cheapest price I've got on the Stihl was $625.

idk for sure but i'd almost bet the echo is cheaper. like every saw other than stihl is.

 

[Scottscape]

I bought a brand new one for 600.00 last year 3 days later we bent the shaft on it some that couldn't be straighted out and it was no longer very smooth to hold as it would almost vibrate out of your hand. It was fast and powerful but for the money I think I'll be looking at the echo and I'm a stihl guy.

 

[fishercat]

we have two.

the 101 and 131.4 mix sucks bigtime.

the HT75 was a much better and lighter machine.

 

[BC WetCoast]

One advantage of the Stihl is that you can swap over the hedge shearing head from a regular hedger. Allows you to do the taller hedges without breaking out the ladder.

 

[ozzy42]

stihl pole pruners are good. every one i have used has developed oiling problems eventually though and they never were easy to fix. i've always despised echo but i think i prefer their polesaw over stihl's. the rearward handle is much more comfortable than the stihl's and is positioned in such a way that the bar naturally wants to be in a vertical position. with the stihl, it wants to flip over on you unless you're manhandling it, contributing to fatigue (which is a big issue when you have a large pole pruning job)

:agree2:It is funny how the powerhead makes it off balance. Doesn't even want to stay upright in the truck,,,,,always rolling over.

 

[TreeClimber57]

I have one, but my Jameson gets a lot more work. Have not had any issues with it, but it does not get out every day.. in fact some times sits for a week unpacked. For the money, personally, not sure it is worth it.

 

[mic687]

Looked online and it appears the echo ppt 260 is 600.00 to 630.00 depending where you buy it.

 

[CentaurG2]

The ht131 is a great tool, when it is running. Ours was a bit of a lemon from the get go. Went back to the dealer three times cuz the shaft would disengage every time you extended the pole. It also went back once for a new ignition module. All fixed under warrantee, but not a good track record for a $600+ piece of equipment.
Other than that, it has more than earned its money. Use it mostly for clearing away low branches to allow access for the bucket truck. Also works great on trees loaded down with poison ivy. If you don’t already own one, be sure you get a manual pole saw BEFORE you buy a power one. If you get it stuck in the cut (and you will) the design of the shaft does not allow you to pull it free. Use the manual saw to unstuck it or you will end up bending the shaft. I am told that the echo units are superior but I have not used one. Good cutting.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

I have an HT101 and to be honest, I am all not that impressed.

I LOVE Stihl saws, but the pole saw is heavy and awkward, even for me (im a big dude). And the 4-stroke doesnt seem to have alot of power. I am told the older 2-stroke motor put out more horsies.

As far as maintenance issues, the oiler sucks, and a sharp chain is an absolute necessity as on all saws, but more so on the pole saw. Other than that a powered polesaw is a good investment if you will be using it regularly. I bought mine for around 700 bucks (New York...) and have only used it a handful of times, much less than I thought I would when I talked myself into buying the damned thing. They can make quick work of low limbs though if the opportunity presents itself.

I have never run an echo, other than a little tiny saw for my FIL that "fell off the back of a truck", and that saw sucked, but apparently from the feedback they make a decent polesaw.

I would save some dough and get a regular pole saw, silky or similar, and then if you really need a powered pole saw, buy it.

Though it pains me to say it, I wouldnt advocate the Stihl.

 

[Miket163]

used the stihls...prefer the echos

 

[fishercat]

i agree on the manual pole saw.

i use my PP 800 99% of the time.it's a life saver and half the price.i have had the gas pole saw in the tree while climbing and it sucks.never again.