Best Pole Lopper ?

[GregManning]

I have a 35 yr old Corona pole w/ saw & lopper. It is in very good condition, blade is sharp, but will not easily cut > 1/2" up 15 - 20 ft up.

I also have a Silky LongBoy. However, the saw is a little brutal for the young, tall, deciduous trees that I want to prune.

I'm trying to "release" (or keep released) a couple hundred young Eastern Hemlocks, that I planted.

The deciduous trees are too small a diameter to even support a light-weight "window-washer's" ladder.

Don't want to buy a hydraulic lopper, which I have borrowed previously, but don't want to buy.

 

[oldoakman]

That's like asking which rope is the best. All personal preference. I like Marvin pruners, but that is what I have always used.

 

[Mark13y]

Greg I have a 12' orchard ladder you could borrow if it would help

 

[Hoowasat]

Like oldoakman, I have only used one brand ... Jameson ... and it's never let me down. I have the multi-pulley 1-3/4" capacity lopping head, and have used it with poles extended as much as 24'. I must admit that at those lengths/heights, balancing the pole becomes a bit of a chore.

 

[GregManning]

Greg I have a 12' orchard ladder you could borrow if it would help

Thanks for the offer. I've frequently thought about buy one (only higher). Thanks again.

 

[GregManning]

That's like asking which rope is the best. All personal preference. I like Marvin pruners, but that is what I have always used.

Fair enough.
What I want is something that will cut thru more easily than my old Corona.
e.g.
http://www.sherrilltree.com/SINTUNG-50-Lopper-Head-for-HAYAUCHI-Pole-Saws#.VaWEyvlViko

http://www.pruner.com/Shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=4
Bull head series.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Greg, I use that pruner head all the time for a few cuts here and there to finish a tree out to perfection. And I find it so useful that I have a spare for when it fails. But, it may not be a prunner that you want to look at making a ton of cuts with. It is a little 'soft', 'persnickity' or 'weak' to keep it light etc.. It does make significant sized cuts by virtue of it's ability to ratched to a more leveraged cutting position. I just try to make sure I dont put any sideways forces on it etc..

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Marvin has been mine for all of my career. In fact, the head that I have is probably about 30 years old. The only thing that needs replacement on the head is the return spring once...in 30 years.

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=95

Sharpen correctly and you're good to go

If I were to get a second I'd get the larger Marvin. The head isn't much bigger but the 'throw' of the cutter is and that takes up a bit more air space if it was the one and only pruner head. Get the smaller Marvin and you'll be happy.

 

[oldoakman]

Greg I have a 12' orchard ladder you could borrow if it would help

My son in law took a fall from an orchard ladder and somehow jammed his hand in such a way as the webbing between his ring and middle finger was badly cut. Bought him 8 stitches there. In fun! Confirms my opinion that a ladder is the most dangerous tool ever devised by the mind of man.

 

[kstreehuggerco]

Greg, I use that pruner head all the time for a few cuts here and there to finish a tree out to perfection. And I find it so useful that I have a spare for when it fails. But, it may not be a prunner that you want to look at making a ton of cuts with. It is a little 'soft', 'persnickity' or 'weak' to keep it light etc.. It does make significant sized cuts by virtue of it's ability to ratched to a more leveraged cutting position. I just try to make sure I dont put any sideways forces on it etc..

Thanks Merle. Im puttin that one on the next cool piece of kit to buy list.

 

[BRIAN_GRASS]

My son in law took a fall from an orchard ladder and somehow jammed his hand in such a way as the webbing between his ring and middle finger was badly cut. Bought him 8 stitches there. In fun! Confirms my opinion that a ladder is the most dangerous tool ever devised by the mind of man.

I agree, I fell of one of those once and rolled down a hill into poison ivy. Then I had one on a pool deck just lay flat and I felt like I was floating for a second, then landed on the ladder just inches away from the edge of the water. Which was green and had more skeeter larva in it than I've ever seen.

 

[JeffGu]

When the DOT tests motorcycle helmets, they put a melon in them and drop them from a ten-foot stepladder. Kid you not. I have a friend who insists that the DOT has merely proved that people who use step ladders should wear the helmets, not him.

 

[Jeff]

X3 for the Marvin. Not the "biggest" or the "baddest", but if you've got a bunch of cuts under about 1" or 1-1/4" to make, the Marvin is the lightest and fastest way to do it.

 

[fall_risk]

I will cosign on the lighter Marvin, with the caveat that we're talking about the regular one; I have used, sharpened, lubricated, and been happy with all the Marvins I've ever touched, so I thought I'd spring for the version with the swivel on the pull-rope pulley. Big mistake. The swivel is poorly made and fell apart, and it didn't make that much of a difference.