Pole saw reccomendations

[lwlobo]

I moved to the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs. We have a few acres, moderately wooded with Ponderosa Pines and a pretty heavy infestation of dwarf mistletoe.

As a part of my mistletoe mitigation plan, I need a pole saw to clear out heavily infested limbs, 1-3" in diameter, from waist high to 20', roughly.

I am thinking manual, since it would seem to be a better combination of length and cost. I've used pole saws extensively in almond pruning growing up on the farm, we typically used fixed pole saws with slightly curved blades (similar to this), except with an angled overhang behind the blade used to pull branches out of trees. I think they were ag specific, as I've never seen them outside the industry. It seems like they were made by Valley Saw, but I can't find pictures or anything online. I don't have a way to get one anyway at the moment anyway.

Lecture over, few questions.

How well do the rope actuated loppers work?

What you have that has worked well? It looks like you can spend $29 to $200+. Stihl has one that looks pretty nice, $150. Lowes and HD have a number of models as well, this $40 friscars gets particularly good reviews.

Any types of models to particularly avoid?

Thanks!

 

[dodgejunkie]

I've used the old sturdy wooden ones years ago but the where heavy as hell, and I was a lot younger too! I don't know what brand they were as they were part of my Pops bell system tools!

I now have the the fiskars like you linked. They work good the pole and blade are a bit more flexible than I'd like, but do the job I need it to do! Oak limbs up to 2"-3" hanging over the house and drive mostly!

 

[montanafordman]

I know most people on here would scoff at this (because of the brand), and I have not personally used it other than seeing it in action, but a friend of mine had a VERY large pine tree blow down and cut right through his shop and I helped with the cleanup. He had a cordless 18v Ryobi pole saw we used to cut branches and rafters with when removing the debris. He said he used it for years with great results and had lots of use with it with no problems, plus the convenience of cordless power made it quick and easy vs. a traditional non powered pole saw. It sure helped us out and we used it a lot that weekend. YMMV.

 

[64merc]

When I bought my house I bought one of the $40 Fiskars saws to trim the overgrown trees in my yard. I used the heck out of that thing and it never let me down. It is very lightweight and the saw blade cuts well. On the negative side, it flexes quite a bit when you have it fully extended and are pulling on the rope. Also, the rope and pulley system often gets off track or tangled, and the lock isn't always enough to keep the extension from pulling out too far. I was probably pushing it's limits though, so it's probably my fault. For $40 it gets the job done and it was the best value I could find.

If I had to buy one again, I would look at finding one with a chain pulley system. Maybe it wouldn't get off track as often. Also, if you have the money, I would also buy a cordless electric pole saw for the lower branches.

 

[highland_hunter]

I have been looking for a pole saw as well and think I have decided on a Marvin saw. To get to the ~20' mark you would need to add a third pole section which puts it a bit above the $150 for the Sthil you mention above. Best price I have found it is located at a site called "Treestuff" seems to get decent reviews on other forums.

 

[cashishift]

my FIL has the Stihl but it wasn't $150... unless this is an attachment to your trimmer.

 

[woody 73]

Silky makes a nice pole saw, and they are made to take a beating and keep on going day after day.

http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Pole-Saws_2

 

[Wizzard]

Silky makes a nice pole saw, and they are made to take a beating and keep on going day after day.

http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Pole-Saws_2

This is what many loggers use. Stihl pole saw is not as popular when you do some reading on the logging forums. Same goes for the gas powered version, Echo is much preferred over Stihl on those.

 

[cheechi]

I have the Ryobi attach to your trimmer type and like it though it can be awkward.

Dad has a Fiskars fiberglass tube extending rope unit, the curved saw blade and hook/lopper behind it and that thing hasn't failed us yet. It ***** to have to get it out and even more to extend it and still be there 30ft below it playing balancing act. But it works really well. It's easily 30 years old.

 

[lwlobo]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Those silky saws look terrific. Not sure I can justify the cost over a budget saw for as much as I'll use it.

May end up with both the Friskars and Ryobi, good combination of function, convenience, and value.

 

[rick carpenter]

I've used both. I just don't think the rope-pulls are generally worth the effort setting them up then feeding the heavier cutting head through the branches, plus I have one hand and arm to hold the pole and the other to operate the pull dealie. Sometimes you won't have room for the cutting head, and operating a rope pull upside down is much more difficult than doing the same with fixed. For me, a fixed pole saw is much simpler and quicker.

 

[purosananto]

I have one of the fiskar combination lopper/saw. I broke the lopper blade attempting to cut to large of a branch. I emailed Fiskar and the only question they had was my address so they could mail a new blade.

It has worked great other than that.

 

[finn]

I've got a Fiskars manual with the extendable fiberglass handle and a Ryobi gas powered chainsaw on a stick.

They both work well and have paid for themselves. Both are probably 6 or 8 years old.

The gas powered job will handle larger diameter branches faster, but the manual job with the rope lopper is fine for small stuff and the saw does the bigger branches fine, albeit with more effort.

A Stihl or other high cost gas saw isn't worth the additional investment for the amount of run time I actually give it, probably an hour or two per year total. My Ryobi cost only $100 on clearance at Lowes, so I could probably buy a half dozen for what a Stihl would cost.

 

[Trey T]

I have the Ryobi attachment pole saw and it works well with the right cutting technique. I've trimmed my oak trees last winter with branches ranging from 1" -3" diameter. I had to do some climbing on a 20yr tree. I'm not a chain saw or pole saw expert but there are a lot of negative feedback from the Ryobi attachment pole saw in lawn forums.

 

[smiffy]

If you want manual there is nothing that will beat silky saws they do pole saws and pruining saws and nothing will beat them dont know anyone in the arboriculture industry that uses anything else the hand saws are a thousand times better than a bowsaw and the polesaw is very sturdy despite being lightweight aluminium construction however as good as it is it still becomes very heavy very quickly and arms die after using it for a hour however it will cut through larger diameter than the chainsaw version just difficult to get and undercut so risk tearing bark and damaging trees

 

[cheechi]

I'm not a chain saw or pole saw expert but there are a lot of negative feedback from the Ryobi attachment pole saw in lawn forums.

These are homeowner attachments are honestly they deserve any criticism they get from pros. However the other hand is also pretty significant, pros should not be using this unit in their work as it's not built to their demands.

I have several of the Ryobi attachments; the only one I have real issues with is the hedge trimmer. Mine is the older one before they added the angle/bevel thing. It might be used in too thick of bush and brush but it stalls (the attachment; it doesn't stall the engine) too often for my liking. I have had a need to use it with the extension that comes with the pole saw and it works but it is even more prone to stalling. This tells me the transfer case (or whatever you would correctly call it) to take the rotating to linear actuation is really killing its power.

I have no problem suggesting the Ryobi chainsaw on a stick attachment to any homeowner who is going to use it on their own tools for no profit but really the pros should know better. It's a solid unit, just not completely bulletproof.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

I would personally go with Stihl. Thats all we've used to trim trucks in the logging woods with for 5 years now. Tough, reliable and crank on the first pull usually. If your only gonna use it a few times, I geuss you could cheap out some and go with another alternative.

 

[Wizzard]

I would personally go with Stihl. Thats all we've used to trim trucks in the logging woods with for 5 years now. Tough, reliable and crank on the first pull usually. If your only gonna use it a few times, I geuss you could cheap out some and go with another alternative.

I am a Stihl fan but if you're talking about the gas powered versions the Stihls are notorious for weaker shafts when used heavily. The Echo pole saw has a much more robust shaft design and a better warranty, Echo chainsaws are generally mid-grade but they are renown for their gas powered pole saw.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

I am a Stihl fan but if you're talking about the gas powered versions the Stihls are notorious for weaker shafts when used heavily. The Echo pole saw has a much more robust shaft design and a better warranty, Echo chainsaws are generally mid-grade but they are renown for their gas powered pole saw.

Im not sure, never had that problem. Just going by experience. Ive never seen an echo saw in the woods or on anybodys work truck. All the small engine and saw shops around here only deal with Stihls and Huskys. As loggers we tend to buy from the place we can take them and get them serviced, worked on and stocks all the parts if we ever need anything. For homeowners needs it might be worth it to check out an Echo if their is a big difference in price.

 

[rcktpwrd]

I have had this Fiskars http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-54-in-EZ-Reach-Stik-Tree-Pruner-92347935/100041609?N=5yc1vZc5rj for about 8-9 years and it works pretty well. Mine also came with a saw that attaches to the shaft over the pruner part.

 

[tarmy]

If it is a hand pole saw...the Stihl is the one...I think I paid close to 300 for mine...but that thing is a brute...and was way better than several others I have owned.

 

[alpinewhite]

This is what I bought:

Silky 179-39 Telescoping Landscaping Pole Saw HAYAUCHI 390 21-Feet

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014CC4WK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Really long and light.

 

[kctyphoon]

the brand i use at work are from Jameson i think.. the loppers work great, was using them today on top of 12' of fiberglass sticks.. i think you will be fine with any extentable Fiskars you'd find in Home Depot..

 

[geojag]

I have a Fiskars from HD. You can sharpen the saw with a small chainsaw file. The most important thing is not to let the saw rust. Coat it with oil or paste wax. Once it has even minor rust, sawing becomes exponentially more difficult. I regularly cut branches up to 5 inches on my property and my deer lease.

 

[PugetDude]

I've got the Stihl Kombi system with the pole pruner, have cut limbs up to 12" diameter with it. With the added extension (get the lightweight carbon fiber one) you can do so safely, out of the fall zone... It's a great tool.

 

[Plump]

I think the expense is a little beyond what you're looking for but, I do arborculture for part of my living and wouldn't use anything else:

http://www.gemplers.com/product/WEB220673/Silky-Hayauchi-Pole-Saws

 

[organ]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Those silky saws look terrific. Not sure I can justify the cost over a budget saw for as much as I'll use it.

May end up with both the Friskars and Ryobi, good combination of function, convenience, and value.

Do what this guy did... buy a Silky replacement blade for ~$40 and attach it to a pole...

 

[Trey T]

^did you get the medium or large teeth pattern?

 

[organ]

Not my video. Ask Cody.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Echo has five power pruners to chose from and they come with a 5-year consumer, 2-year commercial warranty.
What's the warranty on a Fiskars?

 

[HMCFab9]

I bought a Remington electric pole saw about a year ago & it works great for it's size.

 

[manwithtools]

I've got a Stihl Kombi system with the shaft extension and saw. Regardless of brand, the powered versions have the advantage of allowing you to first make an undercut on the branch; 1/4 to 1/3 of the way through. Then when you make the top cut the branch won't pinch the saw or strip the bark down the trunk - potentially exposing the tree to further damage from disease or decay. It's hard to do that with a manual pole saw.

The powered version without the shaft extension is practical for light limbing after you cut a tree down as well, it provides an extended reach into the canopy to trim it up.

 

[manwithtools]

I never worry about these things as often as my friend who had a huge Acacia tree in his backyard. He swears using Fiskars and he had it for about 5 years now. When I need to use it for my personal use, I just borrow it from him and I also found it easy-to-use. If I had to use it often, I'd probably buy a Fiskars and the same model as his. It might also help if you have a look at this article to get a better idea of the available options out there.

http://woodworkingtoolkit.com/pole-saw-reviews/

Hmmm, "Woodworkingtoolkit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com"

Looks like click-thru advertising to me....

 

[Finky198]

Another silky user here as well I have the Hayate 420-20 And I’ve used it professionally for about 5 years now and I’m still using the original blade. It’s Never been sharpened either. I can’t recommend silky enough.

I personally can’t stand gas or electric trimmers so I will not use them... I find them to be nothing but money pits...

a rope pruner is great to have especially a nicer one like a Marvin they offer reg and bull (the bull pruners offer a larger cut capacity. Pole are up to the user and can be assembled up to 12’-15’ with good results. +1 Please WEAR A HARD HAT...