Best el cheapo pole saw...

[/pine]

Elec. or gas...looking for the cheapest saw that actually works OK...need about 8' reach the lighter the better...not going to be cutting anything bigger than 2.5"...

...Need it for about a 2 hour job that likely wont be needing done again for another 10 years...the 2 hours does not need to be continuous...

 

[Diggin It]

My 10" electric Remington has worked fine. Cost about $100 or so 15 years ago. Reach is around 10'. Saw detaches from the extendable pole to become a hand held one.

Used it in both modes today to trim the lower branches off an overgrown Cedar. Pole made reaching in to the core a lot easier.

 

[3Ts]

The battery powered Lynxx pole saw from Harbor Freight is a good one. A logger cut down an oak for me - 40' spread, 30' tall, 24" dbh. The main trunk I cut with a gas saw, all the rest was cut with the HF pole saw and some of the branches were 8" diameter.

 

[k0ua]

Elec. or gas...looking for the cheapest saw that actually works OK...need about 8' reach the lighter the better...not going to be cutting anything bigger than 2.5"...

...Need it for about a 2 hour job that likely wont be needing done again for another 10 years...the 2 hours does not need to be continuous...

I have one of these. It works pretty well. I didn't buy the one with battery and charger as I already had plenty of those, so it was cheaper. It does drip som oil, so if you leave chain oil in the tank expect it to drip. Not a big problem. It cuts well, and has the reach you mentioned.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-Battery-and-Charger-Included-P4361/203444119

 

[Diggin It]

And if you have a trimmer with an add-on pole connector, there is a pole saw accessory that will fit it. Comes with a pole extension and is good for 11'.

 

[k0ua]

And if you have a trimmer with an add-on pole connector, there is a pole saw accessory that will fit it. Comes with a pole extension and is good for 11'.

Hey, I forgot about that. I have one of those too.. It works, but is way way slower than my ryobi chainsaw type pole saw. It would be cheaper though if you already have a compatible trimmer.

 

[/pine]

Alright...thanks for the replies...somewhere I do have an older Ryobi power head (BC30) and a couple of 3' extensions...will be searching for a (chain) saw head and am also wondering about the 'Sun Joe' series ??

 

[flyerdan]

I probably have the same Remmy that Diggin It has, it works fine for me off a long extension cord, and the adjustable pole is nice. In the book, it does say to drain the bar oil when done with it as it will leak out, I'd imagine they all have the same total loss oil system.

 

[California]

My 10" electric Remington has worked fine. Cost about $100 or so 15 years ago. Reach is around 10'. Saw detaches from the extendable pole to become a hand held one.

Used it in both modes today to trim the lower branches off an overgrown Cedar. Pole made reaching in to the core a lot easier.

Cord, or battery? I found the battery version of that detachable Remington at Goodwill for $10, then made an adapter to use my Ryobi batteries because the originals are unobtainable.

The saw was immaculate in the chain-drive area and the chain is wicked sharp, obviously never used. A heavy tool but much better than using a long manual polesaw.

I used that quite a bit then decided to do it right so I bought the Ryobi polesaw that uses my existing 18v batteries. It's lighter. Recommended.

/Pine if you have some tool batteries I recommend get the matching polesaw.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I also have a 15 year old Remington pole saw. Works great, still on the first chain. Never use it for anything but branches up in the air. 200 ft of extension cord works fine.

 

[newbury]

<snip>looking for the cheapest saw that actually works OK...need about 8' reach the lighter the better...not going to be cutting anything bigger than 2.5"...

...Need it for about a 2 hour job that likely wont be needing done again for another 10 years...the 2 hours does not need to be continuous...

8 foot, 2 hours every 10 years?
Fiskars Brands-cutting P-Extendable Tree Pruner 7-12 Feet
Totally manual
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-...MIyO_R3LDa6AIVhZ6fCh0NTAKUEAQYBCABEgJrrfD_BwE

 

[shooterdon]

I also have an old Remington corded saw. I use a cheep HF 900w generator to power it. Works well

Last year bought the HF 40v chainsaw for light use. Been thinking about adding the pole saw.

But for a few branches, I have a manual pole saw. I think it was $40. Might be all you need.

 

[radios1]

once I saw how well these worked, I'd hesitate to use something with a gas or electric motor on it. Greenlee Fairmont Hydraulic Chain Saws - Pruners - Pole Saws

 

[California]

Last year I bought the HF 40v chainsaw for light use. Been thinking about adding the pole saw.

I see the reconditioned 40v Ryobi pole saw is $70 but it might be a long wait.

 

[/pine]

When I said "elec." I should have clarified battery powered...I do not want to use a generator...

has no one used a 'Sun Joe' unit?

I also mentioned light weight as a criteria because deteriorated rotator cuffs in both shoulders are a handicap...(why a power saw is required)

 

[3Ts]

I've never heard of "Sun Joe" before, but see that Walmart carries that brand. They're probably as good as "Karcher" and I've got 2 of Karcher's pressure washers because on the 1st one the pressure switch failed and the pump would not shut off. So, for a few hours work I think it'll do, just be sure it includes a battery and charger. Some of the reviews say it came without.

 

[radios1]

When I said "elec." I should have clarified battery powered...I do not want to use a generator...

has no one used a 'Sun Joe' unit?

I also mentioned light weight as a criteria because deteriorated rotator cuffs in both shoulders are a handicap...(why a power saw is required)

now if you could find a saw with the battery, preferably Lithium, separate from the saw, like on a belt clip or shoulder strap, that would make the saw much lighter!..

 

[shooterdon]

/pine,

I saw a video somewhere of a guy who mounted a small gas saw on his FEL and trimmed branches that way. He had to do a lot of jockeying around but it worked. Might be worth a shot. I have shoulder problems too so I feel your pain. I can only trim for about 20 minutes at a time. Luckily I do not do much trimming.



Good luck.

 

[California]

...need about 8' reach the lighter the better...not going to be cutting anything bigger than 2.5"...

...Need it for about a 2 hour job that likely wont be needing done again for another 10 years.

Any power saw will have a far heavier nose compared to a manual pole saw. These things need some force to swing the saw up to the limb. It might be easier on your shoulders to get a manual pole saw and do the project a few minutes per day.

Also most have a hook or slicer on the back side - but the ones used by professionals don't have that. The simple type - saw only - is lighter and won't get trapped where you have to rassle it to get it free. Avoiding getting the back side of the tool snarled up and stuck will avoid much shoulder stress.