Battery powered pole saw

[Whiskeymike]

Looking at getting a battery powered pole saw for light trimming. Looking at the Ryobi 18v or Kobalt 40v. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on the comparison?

Both seem to have good reviews. The Kobalt reviews sound a bit to good to be true. Is it a private label version of an Oregon or green Works? If not, how do they compare?

 

[metaleltr]

If those are the only two options I would go with 40v all day long. Without seeing numbers I can imagine the 18v could compete in the same ballpark.

 

[Whiskeymike]

If those are the only two options I would go with 40v all day long. Without seeing numbers I can imagine the 18v could compete in the same ballpark.

I'm open to any options. But a 400-800 Stihl or echo isn't and option for once a year cleanup. I have a good chainsaw, etc...

 

[code4pay]

Dad has the 18 v ryobi he's happy with it does the job on Aussie hardwood branches.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I know it's not on your list... But I have the Ryobi pole saw attachment on my 40v Ryobi power head, and it works great. The separate power head is a nice option... Plenty of power, and can swap out attachments


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pauls_workshop]

I know it's not on your list... But I have the Ryobi pole saw attachment on my 40v Ryobi power head, and it works great. The separate power head is a nice option... Plenty of power, and can swap out attachments


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

x2, I have that same setup now. One of the best lower cost cordless options out there. I posted on it just a week ago here. Much much better than any 18v system. - Paul

 

[Whiskeymike]

Thanks guys. I'll look for your post on the 40v system. Ryobi doesn't list much info on their website about it. Were you able to get the pole saw with the power head? Or did you need to get the string trimmer as well? I have a good gas trimmer, so I'd rather not get the trimmer.

 

[kctyphoon]

Ya know, a decent pole saw (hand operated) is not that hard to use as long as you're not trying to cut branches that are 6" thick.. They are cheap and reliable. I used them a lot at work. This one extends to 14' , is only $40, and is cordless too...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-14-ft-Bypass-Pruner-93006966J/100153111

If you don't have a crazy amount of cutting to do, it's a good option.

 

[Raymond Fast]

I bought a 19-foot telescoping pole saw from Ironwood Tools at the Georgia National Fair last fall. No moving parts. Just a 2-foot-long, super-sharp, very flexible, heavy duty steel blade that will fold practically in half without creasing then snaps back to it's original shape (a handy feature when cutting limbs seventeen feet away) and cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter.

In spite of it's reach, it's fairly light-weight and easily maneuverable. And for close-up work, the blade easily disconnects from the pole - the coupling forming a handle with a comfortable grip.

The saw paid for itself at least three times over the first time I used it as I avoided paying a tree service $500+ to top, shape, thin, and raise the canopy on a large Bradford pear tree. (I took about fifteen feet off the height alone, and still left the tree about 20' tall.)

I'm not sure why, but the company doesn't have the saw listed for sale on their website yet. (They say it's coming in 2017). It's a small company in Georgia, east of Atlanta, that designs their products and has them manufactured in the US. They may not have built up their inventory yet, but I bet if you contacted them, they'd sell you one. The link above does show a picture of the saw in use.

 

[kctyphoon]

Yea the key to the hand operated saws is to cut on the down stroke.. A lot of people never seem to figure that out.. They are fairly aggressive blades and do very well.. We use Jameson models at work, but it's more of a utility grade of tool with the fiberglass sectioned poles.. It's really worth considering for something you will hardly use.. You'd be surprised how well they do small branches just for trimming and maintenance.

 

[Raymond Fast]

Yea the key to the hand operated saws is to cut on the down stroke...

Mine is shaped like a boomerang so that it actually increases the downward force, making the down cut more effective. It also makes the up cut easier (less resistance). And, it's got a small additional blade perpendicular to the saw blade that serves as a stop and cuts into the bark on the up cut to help prevent splitting off as you work through the limb. It really is a cool saw. Well worth the money.

 

[zendriver]

Not cordless, but these rule, but It helps to a generator, to work away form the house.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-electric-pole-saw-68862.html

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks guys. I'll look for your post on the 40v system. Ryobi doesn't list much info on their website about it. Were you able to get the pole saw with the power head? Or did you need to get the string trimmer as well? I have a good gas trimmer, so I'd rather not get the trimmer.

On the Ryobi 40v system, you start withe the powerhead and then it will drive any expand-it tool in the lineup. These are all the tools made for gas powered drive heads for many years, so there are trimmers and blowers and hedge trimmers and tillers and even a mini snow blower for it. Also compatible with "trimmer plus" attachements too. Really nice. The chainsaw attachment can be Ryobi brand or other brands too as long as either expand-it or trimmer + compatible. Homelite is, MTD, Troybilt, etc. The 40v system also allows you to buy the separate tools if you want using the 40v batteries without the powerhead too. But the above is the way to do the chainsaw attachment with the 40v battery. - Paul

 

[Finky198]

It's hard to beat a Silky pole saw. Not to mention it should last you a lifetime. I've used mine professionally for about 6 years now still cuts like new and my arms are the only power needed.

And Bigger Arms are just a bonus for your lady friend...

 

[Whiskeymike]

Just wanted to circle back on this thread. A month ago, I bought the Kobalt 40v Pole Saw from Lowes using the 20 off 100 coupon generator that's out there for a grand total of $160. I charged it that night and the next day used it for a couple of hours trimming 4-5 trees pretty heavily after a big storm cracked several limbs on each. I used the 3 cut method and generally cut the pieces in 2 foot lengths so it was quite a bit of cutting. When I quit for lunch, the battery was down to one bar from four to start. I recharged it through lunch and used it again in the afternoon to continue cutting.

All in all, it was well worth the purchase and I had no issues with the saw. I never felt like the job was too big for the saw and it cut relatively quickly. Not as fast as my gas chainsaw, but I didn't expect that. I cut everything from 1" up to about 7-8" which required cutting from both sides to get it all the way through. Occasionally when the limb would start to droop and it would bind on the blade, I did worry about it breaking the saw. The rod between the battery and the head was plastic and I did get some flex in those situations where I had to pull the saw out of the limb binding. I was very careful, but I think it would break pretty quickly if I was careless and I'm sure a good gas powered echo or stihl wouldn't have much of an issue with this, but it would have been $600 more.

Since then, I've pulled it out twice, popped the battery in and quickly cut one or two branches on some other trees and I think that's where this really shines. The ease of use in pulling it out, cutting something, wiping it down and storing it are really great.

Biggest dislike is that it's yet another battery form factor and charger, but I got over it.

Hopefully I won't need it, but it has a 5 yr warranty which I think is longer than all of it's competitors. I would definitely buy again for occasional use around the house