Pole saw and usage

ClimbingTN

ClimbingTN

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Location
Columbia
I have an upcoming job that I’ll need to trim several hundred feet around a private lake. The owner wants me to trim 12-15 feet above for clearance when walking or mowing around the dam. I’m thinking a pole saw would keep me from having to move a ladder tree to tree. I rarely ever use a ladder either. What’s a good gas or battery saw? If I buy one, can it be used in a tree or does the weight negate the benefit? Maybe just buy a cheap one for the job. I have 3 dewalt 8 amp batteries…Dewalt 15ft $229. What ya’ll think? Craig
 
What diameter are the limbs at the collar?

When I had mass elevation work like that I'd cut the limbs in two stages. First use a bypass pruner to stub off the limbs. Then make the final cut with a polesaw or4 stick saw [chainsaw head]

Now there are some battery options that could really speed things up

First, stub off with a battery pole pruner. Then go around using a recip style head rather than the weight of a chainsaw head.

I think you'd find a Silky polesaw being a good ergonomic choice. Lghtweight means easy on shoulders.

Look at the charging capabilities if you're usiing smaller batteries. Keep the extra batteries on the charger while you work.
 
For powered version, Stihl HT131 or HT132, whichever one uses the 3/8P chain with 14" bar. It will become a really good friend to you pretty quick. I've gotten to where I do most everything under 14 ft with it where possible. Not fun in tree, but definitely doable. My dealer gave me cash discount of about $75 a few years ago. Also works well on downed storm damaged trees when you want to stand back a little. You might be surprised at some of the large cuts I've made with it.
 
A good power pole for that work and you will blast thru it in no time. I use the power pole in the tree fairly frequently, when it’s easier to deal with the awkwardness than climb extra
 
We like echos. We have the echo PAS, which is a power head that allows extension sections and different to attachments including a chain saw and sheer. We would tend to use the chain saw for such work. And having the ability to use the same power head with different tools is nice if you do any sheering. It also allows for fairly stable extension of the length of the saw reach. Just an option to consider for some versatility.
 
When it comes to power pole saws I've been using the battery Husky extendable on the ground and in the tree first and foremost all the time unless there is a reason to bring the Stihl HT131 with 14 inch bar. (I do a lot of in tree end weight reduction.)

And I just realized one more reason I like battery pole saws so much. When my initial cut is beyond normal reach plus the 12 feet of pole or whatever and I do the trick where I'm pretty much throwing the saw out and barely catching it by its lanyard and triggering it, battery does not have 12 feet of shaft that is all spooled up as it drops onto the cutting surface. Thus not endangering twisting a shaft while doing that ill advised maneuver.
 
Most of it is 6” or less and almost all of it is just junk trees. Chinese privets, small hackberry and basic fence row stuff. There’s just a few hardwoods and one massive box elder that I have to climb. It has some squirrelly branches and I’m looking forward to that one for fun.
 

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Loving the Milwaukee telescoping pole saw! So much torque. Kinda heavy, but a lot of the weight is at the handle where both the battery and motor are, which makes it easy to brace on one's leg or body.

www.milwaukeetool.com

M18 FUEL™ Telescoping Pole Saw (Tool-Only) | Milwaukee Tool

The MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ Telescoping Pole Saw is designed to meet the performance, durability, and ergonomic needs of arborists, lineman, & landscaping professionals.
www.milwaukeetool.com www.milwaukeetool.com
 
I've wanted to try the Milwaukee as I've got their batteries too.

Motor at the handle? Then they would need a shaft to transmit power to the head and would be back to a weakness that is present in my gas Stihls.
 
Merle Nelson said:
I've wanted to try the Milwaukee as I've got their batteries too.

Motor at the handle? Then they would need a shaft to transmit power to the head and would be back to a weakness that is present in my gas Stihls.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the power does transfer through the shaft. However, the shaft seems fairly stout as tested by my own stupidity on a couple occasions, haha
 
Battery pole saws are AWESOME.

I have the Husky and the Milwaukee, plus 3 different manual pole saws in my truck at all times.. The Husky is light and weak-ish, the Milwaukee is heavy and powerful, but chews through batteries. Both are FAR better than manual pole saws in terms of stress on your body probably 10x over.

From what it sounds like on this job, you would be crazy to not buy a telescoping battery pole saw. Any kind would be better than what you have now, but which is best is going to depend on how large the limbs you need to cut are.
 
I bought the echo battery dpas 2600 and find myself using the pole saw and hedge trimmer attachment fairly often. Especially when just elevating numerous trees. The battery powerhead itself is super light, but the attachments seem a little heavy/heavy duty.

Here’s a video I made. I had to modify the bar and chain because stock sucked. It’s not telescoping, but I bought an extension for it.

Next, I want to buy the brush cutter for when doing invasive species removal.

 

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