Good Pole Chainsaw?

Nice. It takes a bit of getting used to for me because it has so much power at lower RPM. I still have a 2-cycle power head (Ht73) that won't die from 12 or 15 years ago. I run that frequently and am used to the zippy power. Then I switch over to the newer 4-cycle (functioning) power head and have to remind myself to let it do more work even though the engine sounds 'slower.'

Keeping the chain out of dirt pays off higher dividends with these pole saws as opposed to chainsaws too.
 
Exactly Merle, the engine sounds and the speed that is cuts just makes no audible sense when you're use to chainsaws in the proper sense. I would guess that the guys running battery saws probably have the same thoughts the first time they use them.
 
True, I had to remind myself to take my Husky battery powered saws deadly seriously when first running them.

If you start to concider purchasing any of the KM impliments let me know if I can give you any insight on their field performance.

There is a 14 inch shaft that comes only on the non adjustable hedge trimmer. Any time you can get hold of those or the black plastic end caps for shafts I think of it as worthwhile to have a couple of extras.
 
Just from my experiences over the weekend I think it will be very helpful for me. I still have hardware in my left elbow and arm so there are just certain positions my left arm doesn't like. Supporting that saw fully extended at about 45 degrees seems to be one of those spots. I will keep you posted though. I had the strap and used it but really didn't find that it worked for me. The harness actually lets you move the swivel point quite a bit. I was playing with it at the dealer with my same setup and it seemed like it cured my issues. However if not and it turns out to be a crappie purchase I will be the first one to say that too.
 
Well, I have been dead set on buying a new HT-131 Stihl for some time, after renting one three or four times. At first, I was convinced I wouldn't use it enough to justify the expense, since I could rent one for $15 for the day. But, damn if they aren't freakin' handy as hell. Today, I went to buy one and I remembered that Treevet said he liked the Echo better than the Stihl... but couldn't remember which model he mentioned. No matter, I bought a new PPT-280 after playing around with both tools. Yes, my dealer actually keeps some branches hanging over the roof behind the shop. I mean, who does that? I think they're weighted on the butt end with concrete blocks on the flat roof. Anyway, it's a great gimmick, as you can actually try the things out on real branches.

Both power pruners were great, but I liked the Echo better. They're about the same price. You can't possibly lose the Echo in the canopy, the main pole section is such a bright orange I wouldn't be surprised if it glows in the dark.

The only downside to all this is... well... I have to admit that Treevet was right about something. ;)
 
That's awesome you can try it before you buy. Cleaver dealer.

How easily are front pole sections replaced on the echo and drive shaft? Cost on those?

My stihl polesaws seem to routinely not get out of the way in time. ( :), operator error. )
 
Echo actually has a 4 foot extension... I didn't think to ask the price, but as he was putting the saw together he mentioned that you'd add the extension to it just like the cutter head goes on, then add the cutter head to the extension just like it goes on the inner pole. So, I guess it wouldn't be too hard, but I didn't actually ask him whether the extension telescopes inside the stock pole or if it makes the whole saw 4' longer at minimum length. I thought about 16' being really nice... then thought about trying to hold that up, and quickly forgot about that, for now. I'm thinking it would be nice to have that kind of length, but it would add more weight and be a lot harder to handle, too. So, I don't know. Might ask about that, though, next trip up there (which might be today).

Treevet might know. He may even have the extension, he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that skimps on his equipment.
 
Downloaded the manual for the 4' extension for the Echo pruners... it does indeed install as the dealer said, and Echo only recommends using one of them because the thing would be a bit dangerous to handle with more than one. It looks like you could, however, add more.

At 13' extended, one would give you 17' of reach. The extension does not telescope, so the added 4' to the closed pruner would be pretty long. About as long as the stock one is when extended, 13' plus a few inches. Carrying it on a trailer, that's not bad, but might be a little long for a pickup truck.

Still looking for a price on the 4' extension.
EDIT: found it at Home Depot for $99
 
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Ha, ha, no! The whole drive shaft and front of extended tube. That's what I put a kink in from time to time and must replace.

Speaking of heavy I just ran my Stihl extendable with the 20/24 inch hedger attatchment all day. Ready for some down time now.
 
There's a guy up the highway a bit that has a row of junipers that he trims like a hedge... has a sickle mower on his tractor that he flips up vertically (I think that's the traveling position) and he runs down the row of trees on the both sides to keep it looking like a solid hedge. It's gotta be 25' tall or more. I haven't figured out how he's doing the top half of them, because I haven't caught him out there doing it, yet. But I saw him doing the lower half with the tractor. It's actually pretty impressive hedge/windbreak. At least 100' long. I'll try to get a pic.
 
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