Pole pruner: most useful acreage tool?

[blurrybill]

After using my Echo 12" bar power pruner 2 days this weekend, I had to make a post about it. It extends to around 16 feet and, with a sharp chain, works like a charm.

With all the trees and bushes on my Land, I couldn't get along without it. This weekend I stacked around 40 piles of brush from the trimming. The funny thing is I've had to speed up my pruning schedule because the new tractor will be home this weekend with the tall folding ROPS. This necessitated trimming lots of trees and shrubs that were negotiated before with the LX279 (17 hp garden tractor).

Anyway, the pruner can cut up to 9" or so limbs and no downward pressure is recommended or needed. Stihl makes one as well with a little bit different design. One can rest the Echo on the limb without first revving the engine or having the chain moving.

I have used it for about 3 years and it has never been a problem to start. I do take care of my things. They cost around $500. I debated for some time, based on the cost, but have not regretted this purchase.

I would make a strong recommendation to TBNers to consider buying one, either Echo or Stihl, especially if your property has many trees. The main safety concern is dropping limbs on one's head -- I wear safety glasses under a helmet with face screen and built-in ear protection. This setup also lets a person get in the brush to pick up fallen limbs.

Let me know if you have any questions/comments.

Bill

 

[njrqs]

Bill

Your poor Aussie cousin who has a tractor without a FEL does have a pole pruner !!!!!!

However mine has a long string and I have to pull the string to cut the brach. Just a lopper on a pole.

gee you guys have all the toys /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

 

[blurrybill]

Believe me, Neil, I used one just like that for a long time. But, with 8 acres and lots of trees, I had to do something. I can reach higher and cut off some pretty good-sized limbs this way.

Hey, how's winter going Downunder? Good to hear from you.

Bill

 

[njrqs]

Yep I have 6 acres but NO original trees (was farming land) so don't have that problem yet !!

Winter here is great. Perfect clear days.

6 degrees over night (43F) but warms up nicely during the day. Most winter days are still T shirt weather for us !!

Cheers

 

[blurrybill]

An idea: pay for my often-dreamed about trip down there and I'll bring the pruner and trim all those trees for you! Just a thought...

Bill

 

[njrqs]

Well in 20 years or so when all my seedlings have grown, you are on !!!!!!

 

[Bird]

Unfortunately, Neil, I have the same kind of pole pruner you have./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[Boondox]

My wife, who has a knack for innovative thinking, uses a Winchester 12ga for pruning limbs. She also claims it's great practice for the next time that fox comes to check out her chickens!

Pete

 

[njrqs]

Pete

Does the word redneck come to mind /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[EdKing]

Bird, Neil,
Those pole pruners with the hook and blade are the best thing I found for removing multifloral roses that are in places I can't get my bush hog/slasher. I just slip it in and cut the suckers off at the base, then use the hook to drag them out to where I can move them with the FEL. I wouldn't be without one of those style pruners. I also like the fact I don't have to start them to use them and don't have to mix gas for then. I do have a pruning attachment for my Ryobi string trimmer, but I only use it on the thicker branches that would be very difficult to cut with the hook pruner.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a big red and white fiberglass model I got at Sears quite a few years ago. I don't use it often, but when I do nothing could take it's place. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[njrqs]

Very handy for pruning the spiky date Palms I had.

Note HAD.

I got sick of the above mentioned pruning and disposal of spiky branches so I got rid of the lot.

Boy I'd hate to be the dump guy chucking them into the mulcher !!!

 

[fishman]

Anybody used any of the electric pole pruners that are available? A generator on a 3-point carryall could supply the power if the pruner was up to the task. Many TBN members have generators and carryalls, and $100 sounds better than $500!

 

[Branch]

I've avoided putting in my two cents but yes, I bought a Remington from Home Depot for $79 and it's been great.
I started out renting a Stihl, for $60 a day. Like a lot of rental tools it sucked and I got my money refunded after about 3hrs of screwing around. I wanted to just by one but I felt it was to hard to justify for me.
I ran across a McCulloch at Costco for $89 dollars, bought it and I was amazed at how great it worked. I took it back the next day because the oiler was cheesy and bought the Remington. I found out the Remington is identical to the McCulloch, I think they both come out of the same plant. The oiler just looked a little different between them. To me the oiler is the worst part of these saws because they are not automatic. You have to manually pump a bulb. That wouldn't be a big deal if it were hand held but being on the end of a pole makes it a little awkward.
Anyway I put the generator in my FEL and use a 50' cord (you can use up to 100' of 16 guage). It has a 10" bar, chains are cheap and it has done an outstanding job. Unlike the gas saws that are purpose built, the electrics are 10" electric saws that clamp on the end of a pole. Should the saw meet an early demise they're only about $50 as I remember.

Branch

 

[blurrybill]

Branch,

I think you need to look at overall cost. For my application, the durability aspects outweighed the initial cost. By the way, the oiler on my Echo (and I believe the Stihl) power pruner is automatic and works very well.

Bill

 

[Branch]

I would agree that if I had to go out and by a generator just to use the saw I would've spent around $500. I had the generator so it actually was a plus to have a reason to fire up the generator once in awhile.

But I still think I'm ahead. If I go back down to Home depot I can buy:

Pole Saw $79.00

Coleman generator 3750 watt $399.00

Spare 14" electric saw $39.00

total $517.00

Now I have a way of cutting the limbs from the trees.
Cutting up the limbs once they're on the ground.
And powering my boom box to listen to rap music while I cut wood. It's a great deal.

Branch

 

[blurrybill]

It all sounded great until you mentioned the rap "music." /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Oh, well different strokes 'er beat 'er tunes; well, you know..../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bill

 

[Branch]

It was a joke.
Branch

 

[njrqs]

Hey my tractor makes it's own rap music......

doof doof doof doof doof doof

 

[blurrybill]

So I figured, but I am relieved just in case! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill