Good Pole Chainsaw?

for handling the power pole saw up in the tree, i actually like to extend it as much as possible, while still keeping it an appropriate length to keep my hand on the grip/trigger and the bar in the cut. I use the leading arm as a fulcrum, and the powerhead, due to being extended, acts like a counterweight. you are more just supporting it vertically, as opposed to having to support both the tools weight plus the magnified weight from the lever arm effect.

not sure if that makes sense, but it works to help keep balance while perched somewhere precarious.

-Steven
 
That's it. Good explanation.

Tip:
If the big O-ring on the extendable portion of your Stihl expands from lubricants working the rubber go to a hydraulic shop and get an o-ring "Viton". Has been impervious to lubes so far.
 
Hey Merle are you still happy with the KM130? I was just at the dealer looking at that motor. I am debating a power saw and figured that made the most sense for me with a couple extensions and the saw head to start. Later on I can replace some old trimmers and so on with new attachments instead of complete machines. I'm the only one using any of it so 1 is perfect.
 
My KM130 has the blower on most of the time, hedger often, weed eater some, sythe almost never, and a saw head with 14 inch extension tube almost never.

But, saw usage almost never is only because the Stihl HT131 with same basic engine is in the truck with me almost everyday anyway.

Both fantastic tools.
 
Saw work to save some time on sketchy stuff from the ground. That would be the main use but it will also eventually see the tiller head for garden work in the spring along with other attachments. The dealer said for saw work anything would do, very little power required but for the tiller, bed edger or power sweepers he highly recommends more power. At less than 100 bucks difference I figure why not just buy the biggest head and be done.
 
Agree with your analysis, not with the dealers. He needs to spend 8 hours holding an underpowered saw in the cut while it does it's thing. You do carry just a tad more weight as a result.

Well, talk to me more. If your first sentence was the main focus why not the HT131 that goes from about 7 feet long to about 12 feet long?
 
6ft 6in truck bed. I did not look at regular versions because my assumption was that they don't break down small enough. Am I wrong in that assumption?
 
Maybe not wrong. Stihl specs say 7 ft 6 in. (Is it mandatory that it fit in the truck bed? )

You can't go wrong going the way you're thinking. I'm just thinking you will wish you had more capability (reach) right off the bat. That's ok, even it I'm right it will be because it would make you money to turn right around and buy the extendable pole saw. Each tool earns it's keep multiple times in a month or two with the way I work. I think you will be very pleased.
 
I'm thinking I should stop by the dealer and carry the 7'6" out to the truck. Mathematically it might fit corner to corner. In the bed is the only current option since I have a cover and no rack. I am basing that decision on your thoughts from above. If I read between the lines I think your really saying, "Frank get the extendable if there is anyway you can make it fit" lol.
 
Ha.

Well Frank, I would if it were me here with my jobs and I was using an enclosed truck for now. I can cut anything I want on most trees up to about 20 feet off the ground.

AND, here is how I would make it fit if I needed to. (After your diagonal idea.) The cutting head is only held in place with two torqx screws that affect its attachment. Loosen those and slide it off. Install one of the two semi-disposable black plastic caps that were on each end of the pole saw shaft when it came to your dealer in a box. (Have him feel free to give you any extras he wants to get rid if too. They also work well with the KM unit and its implements for your future use.) You may want to have a secondary protection for that just to make sure you don't drag it off some time. Off and stowed 3 minutes, back on and checked 4 minutes.

I protect the powerheads by pulling a snug fitting soft cooler over it when not in use.
 
The Echo ppt (?) 280 is the best in my opinion. Stihl may have improved on their comparable model as they were dreadfully inferior back when the Echo was owned by "Power Pruner" company. They sure could not have gotten any worse.

But the HUGE advantage the Echo has over the Stihl 131 is that it has 2 more full feet of reach. This is a big dif. to people like Merle and I who use them almost on a daily basis. They save so much time and energy.

If the pole is too awkward for you to make a correct natural target pruning cut....you really need to consider a good gym membership. Planet Fitness is only $10. per month.

Anyway....I can make a perfect cut easily with full extension on an echo...and make them all day long. Clear for the crane and bucket, low limb, house cut backs, deadwood etc etc. I may occasionally use one on storm damage on the ground but maybe only once or twice in years take one up in a tree or the bucket.

But sometimes the situation calls for it. You gotta have the tools to be flexible.
 
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Well after much deliberation about bed size, powerhead size, dedicated saw vs multi tool since this is not my full time profession, I worked my Stihl dealer and bought

KM130R Power head
HTKM 12" saw head attachment
2 of the 3ft extension poles
 
Used it today for the first time, what a beast. Way better than I was expecting. It's kind of weird because it does sound like a chainsaw but man does it cut wood. It was dropping 6-10 inch dead limbs like flies.
 
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