I need a pole-pruner. Any new ideas I should consider? I could build one maybe...

[jimgerken]

After this Springs last really heavy snow, I need to prune off a bunch of broken spruce limbs that are less than 2.5" diameter. Probably a hundred of them to cut off, so I won't be doing it with a hand saw. I have looked at gas pole pruners of course, but I dont want to spend $600 on this deal. I have looked at 110v electric ones, even though the cord would be inconvenient, I had the thought that I could put the PTO generator on the back of the tractor and run it that way. But they all look kinda cheaply built, and cost about $100. Are there any other ideas to choose from? I wouldnt mind constructing something myself if the concept seemed interesting. I think I have seen the electric company running theirs from the bucket truck, and if I am not mistaken it was some kind of hydraulic thing. The guy pulled the trigger and it sheared instantly. does this sound right, or did I dream it? Any links to such products that I could copy from? Other ideas? Thanks!!!

 

[Scooby074]

I know you dont want to spend much, but have you considered a Stihl kombi? I just bought one and LOVE it. Blows away my Honda in both lighter weight and more power. Plus it spins up much faster.

If you need a new trimmer, it might be a consideration to buy into the Kombi system.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

If you have a weedeater that will take multiple attachments you can get a Ryobi pole saw attachment reconditioned for a really great price. I have one and use on my cub cadet trimmer and it works fine.
Ryobi Expand-It Reconditioned Pruner Attachment for Trimmers-ZR15520 at The Home Depot
The new price is only $99 at Home Depot.
Search Results for expand it pruner at The Home Depot


Here's the hydraulic bucket mount saw:
Limbinator Saw, Model# LS8 | 20in. Bar| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[flyerdan]

I got this Remmington a couple years ago, took a chance and got one of the used ones for $88. Works great, and I like that you can adjust the length. I use it only for the high stuff so it should last me a lifetime.

 

[Dozernut]

I was in the same situation as you and did not want to spend $600. I found a Poulan pole saw at Lowes for $179.
I know that Poulan is not a great brand but it has worked well for me. The saw will reach 12' and you can buy attachments for it to do other work.

Shop Poulan Pro 25cc 2-Cycle 8-in Gas Pole Saw at Lowes.com

 

[beeforty]

I have the Poulan also, not too bad, maybe a little underpowered for what I would like to do sometimes, but wish it came with a 10" bar as the chains are more commonly available at most places. If you are reaching high some times that extra 2" would be nice when you have to cut at an angle. Great for trimming down limbs and brush in a pile.

 

[Soundguy]

i have one of hte electric ones and they run good.

the saw is incredibly powerfull. it actually cuts better than my wood shark gasser, as long as you hav ethe supply current and a heavy extension cord.

about 100$ at tsc or lowes / hom depot.

good value imho...

 

[len10]

Another hydraulic saw attachment:

Here is the web site.

 

[hslogger]

Electric pole saws can be pretty dangerous. Often you will hang them up, tweak your chain and get P>Oed although maybe in different order. If you don't mind the elbow work, go to Baileys or Madsens web site,, Order a pole saw head made from aluminum, a real good blade to fit it. When you get it delivered at home, go down to the local lumber yard, not DEPOT, and buy yourself a twelve or fourteen foot piece of round wood stock to fit the pole saw head. You will have to taper it a bit with a rasp, drill a hole through it for a keeper bolt, treat it with linseed and turpentine mix. You will have a professional pole saw that will do the job safely and well.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I use a pole saw a lot. I decided to try the Ryobi first before spending $700 on a Stihl. I would use it until it broke and then bite the bullet. That was ten years ago. I'm still using the Ryobi, waiting for it to break.

 

[jimgerken]

Good stuff Guys, thanks! I had a 110v one from local home store, only cost $64 but came with missing parts and Remmington unwilling to send any parts so back it went. Now I am looking at a $79 one from Horror Fright Tools. It actually looks a little nicer than the Remington did. I guess I will give that one a try when they get them back in stock, and use it till its scrap (hopefully thats not the first day). I really like the teleloader mounted hydraulic saw, thats cool. I have some really tall trees that will have to come down one or two at a time once I get set up to burn them for fuel, so long-term I think I will build something like that loader-mounted one.
Thanks again.

 

[tree farmer]

Bite the bullet and buy a good gas pole saw. I've had a Stihl FS110R with pole saw, string head, and brush cutter attachments for a couple of years now without any issues. Use it mostly as a pole saw. I am on the 4th chain and second bar. It will run a good 30 minutes between fuel stops, which is about as long as my 66 year old body wants to operate without a break. First pole saw was a Remington electric. I ran it with 2-100' 12 ga. cords from a 1200 watt generator on my quad. I believe I spent more time untangling the cord from the limbs than I did cutting. Most of the pole saws I have seen have rather flimsy bars and chains that are toasted when a limb twists and hangs up on the way down. Since I usually work alone, and with a saw chain running over my head in the brush, I want all the safety I can get. Dan

 

[SPIKER]

I bought the polan pro from TSC a few years ago, works well paid less than 200 bucks out door so can't complain much other than it tends to shut off if ya raise it too vertically guess the thing has a safety if ya try & cut a limb over your head? lol...

Mark

 

[yomax4]

I have the big buck Stihl ploe saw and it's amazing but very heavy. I used a Poulan and could do twice as much work before running out of strength. Stihl is nice but you better be in shape if you have much to do.

 

[jmc]

I have the big buck Stihl ploe saw and it's amazing but very heavy. I used a Poulan and could do twice as much work before running out of strength. Stihl is nice but you better be in shape if you have much to do.

Ditto that. It gets heavier every year, too.

Mine is the Stihl dedicated saw, telescoping. Hated to spend that kind of money never having run one and they do look rinkydink compared to a regular chainsaw. Turned out to be very aggressive and I often grab it instead of my regular saw even for jobs that are on the ground.

 

[SPIKER]

I have used mine a LOT for cutting BRUSH and MultiFloral Rose where it is hard to get to. Stick the saw head into the middle of the rose bush and start hacking at it... lol. most of the time I'm swinging a machete and it is hacking right back at me! Not sure WHO wins those Machete vs CLAWED Attack Bushes rampage wars I go on after draining a quart of the high test red stuff out of my limbs face and body while mowing.

The Poulan Pro saw gets HEAVY too but I can hang it out with one arm at reach into a tree if i'm over 45 degrees or so. straight out if I can get it laying on the limb as a swing it into place. Mine has a pretty good BOW in the shaft after 4 or 5 years of abuse now. Still works and STILL on the first chain (4 or 5 sharpening times..)

Mark

 

[sea2summit]

I've got the stihl kombi and I love it, I use that power head at least three times a week between the blower, wacker and polesaw. Used the pole saw about four hours today going through some limbs near 6" in diameter and it never hesitated at any chore. I've also got one of the extensions for the saw, I should have gone with the carbon version because it does get heavy with the metal version.

 

[Dakota_male]

I just purchased the stihl kombi with 12” pruner saw, thinking the km91r might be too light, I’m calling the dealer before I use it to see if I can exchange it for the km131r power head .

 

[Smokeydog]

My stuff tends to be higher and use

HAYAUCHI 3-Ext. Polesaw 6.3m (21') https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014CC4WK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vL67DbEE4HNVY

Manual but doesn’t take many strokes to go thru a 4” limb. Sharper than a serpent’s tooth. Same blade for 12 years.

Working on a chainsaw polesaw for the tractor loader. Much like Limbhog. Receiver hitch on grapple done. Other parts waiting to be assembled and welded.

 

[WranglerX]

Bit the bullet, spend the $600, cry once and be happy forever... Anything other than self powered (gas), electrics all have problems of running out of power (batteries need recharge) or having some sort of generator and a extension cord ... Both are negatives once you get outside the barn....


I have used a ECHO and STIHL 12 footers and most seem to operate the same, the big thing I noticed was the handle and throttle... Either one with the loop handle with throttle in loop are really awkward and tiresome and does not fit hand well and it gets miserable after time in use.... While still in store raise the unit up to almost vertical with hand gripping throttle at about chest height and see how well it fits your grip...

Dale