Rope, pole saw/high limb

[Diggin It]

Save a life, use your chain saw and rent a man lift. You can rent them by the day on a trailer cheaper than a pole saw.

Where? My pole saws ran between $25 and $100 each and I have them at my disposal whenever I get the whim to use them. Man lift runs $260/day plus delivery and has to be scheduled usually at least a week in advance.

 

[ededic]

I’m not talking about a manual pole saw and also not standing under the limb. Maybe should have included Dr bills in the equation. Anytime you can be at level or above limb the better.

 

[newbury]

To the OP -
Obviously you are a frugal person (I'm called a cheap b#strd).
I've a 17' or 20' manual pole saw which is a good cutter but VERY TIRING to use at max distance. And generally, several years after the first trimming I've got to go back and trim again.
And I've LOTS of trees that need trimming. Tress that brush up against buildings, trees dangling over my lanes etc. Some are way out there, some are not.

To add to my manual pole saw I bought an Echo PPt280 with 4/ extension, it reaches out.
Thread here.
Here's a pic of my son using it WITHOUT the extension.


WITH extension it is a beast to handle (try holding a 2 gallon jug out at the end of a 15' pole). But what I've done is sort of walk it up the tree, rest it on the limb to be cut, then give it the gas.
Note that echo usually offers 20% discounts at their dealers ONCE a year and cycle the sale through different dealers geographically.
Chainsaws, Trimmers, Blowers, Edgers and Outdoor Power Equipment | ECHO USA

And then to add to my arsenal I bought the HF Lynxx battery operated. This is wonderful for my "lane trimming", I just sit on my M4700, drive down the lane a bit, trim a tree, move on. Feel like a knight with a jousting lance. I think a good DIY'er could add in a long extension and make it a 15' pruner.

Save a life, use your chain saw and rent a man lift. You can rent them by the day on a trailer cheaper than a pole saw.

It's your money, you do it that way. For me to rent a man lift it's 4 hours of driving, don't think they deliver, and I'm at their whim and the weather's. I like to be able to look out and see it's good weather for pruning and get er' done.

Where? My pole saws ran between $25 and $100 each and I have them at my disposal whenever I get the whim to use them. Man lift runs $260/day plus delivery and has to be scheduled usually at least a week in advance.

Yup.

I知 not talking about a manual pole saw and also not standing under the limb. Maybe should have included Dr bills in the equation. Anytime you can be at level or above limb the better.

Gee, I'm glad you mentioned not standing under the limb. We are all too stupid too think of that.
Just make sure you don't get hit.

And note that a GOOD manual pole saw may cost a lot. A silky or Jameson can run well over $300.

 

[newbury]

I use an Oregon 18 volt pole saw from a makeshift two story basket that goes on the forks.

Problem is, the higher the limb is, the more likely it is to jam up your saw. Then what? It would be nice if one could angle the bar so you can come straight down.

There are a couple of saws that the head is angled and I think at least one it is adjustable..

 

[ededic]

To the OP -
Obviously you are a frugal person (I'm called a cheap b#strd).
I've a 17' or 20' manual pole saw which is a good cutter but VERY TIRING to use at max distance. And generally, several years after the first trimming I've got to go back and trim again.
And I've LOTS of trees that need trimming. Tress that brush up against buildings, trees dangling over my lanes etc. Some are way out there, some are not.

To add to my manual pole saw I bought an Echo PPt280 with 4/ extension, it reaches out.
Thread here.
Here's a pic of my son using it WITHOUT the extension.
View attachment 566846

WITH extension it is a beast to handle (try holding a 2 gallon jug out at the end of a 15' pole). But what I've done is sort of walk it up the tree, rest it on the limb to be cut, then give it the gas.
Note that echo usually offers 20% discounts at their dealers ONCE a year and cycle the sale through different dealers geographically.
Chainsaws, Trimmers, Blowers, Edgers and Outdoor Power Equipment | ECHO USA

And then to add to my arsenal I bought the HF Lynxx battery operated. This is wonderful for my "lane trimming", I just sit on my M4700, drive down the lane a bit, trim a tree, move on. Feel like a knight with a jousting lance. I think a good DIY'er could add in a long extension and make it a 15' pruner.


It's your money, you do it that way. For me to rent a man lift it's 4 hours of driving, don't think they deliver, and I'm at their whim and the weather's. I like to be able to look out and see it's good weather for pruning and get er' done.


Yup.


Gee, I'm glad you mentioned not standing under the limb. We are all too stupid too think of that.
Just make sure you don't get hit.

And note that a GOOD manual pole saw may cost a lot. A silky or Jameson can run well over $300.

Never meant imply anyone was stupid here. I learn a lot from this list and have never done anything but talk about the things I have already done that are related to OP topics.

I rented a trailer man-lift for $182 per day to build my house, less by the week. The reach can keep you out of harms way especially with unwieldy branches.

Everyone has there own way, this is just another option.

 

[Wakey]

How can you cut a wedge with the tip of the saw? I love that saw and even like using it just to walk around cutting stuff at ground level, but it does not have a lot of power and will stall easily if you don't have control over the agressiveness.

As long as you can give it a score of some sort it will help. I DO use ladders as I've said. Try wriggling your wrist too (hope that makes sense). It makes a slightly wider cut than the bar and chain usually make when cutting.

 

[ultrarunner]

Didn't have a camera yesterday but saw two guys with a TLB and pallet forks... and about 12 pallets to make a platform with one guy up on top with a chain saw and the forks raised up as high as possible.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'm really pleased with the Remington electric pole saw. I cut some great big limbs easily. It's heavy but that's an advantage cutting through and it detaches to make an electric chainsaw.
I also ordered a rope saw, Amazon.

 

[Coyote machine]

One doesn't really need a wedge as an undercut. Depending on the distance, angle of the saw to the branch, etc., one can flip the saw over and do a single undercut from the ground, close to the tree trunk, but not too close. The chain will tend to push the saw back toward you when running upside down, but with proper footing one can be prepared.
A single undercut will allow the branch to fall to the cut and not strip bark off the tree as it falls. Another method is to cut the branch away from the trunk, regular cut, saw bar right side up, and then make a second final cut(s) closer to the trunk with the branch/leader already on the ground.
I wouldn't suggest using the bar/chain tip area to make undercuts. A few inches back from the bar tip is better to maintain control of the saw and cut.
I have a couple of manual pole saws, Fiskars and other brands, and a couple of Echo split boom pole saws with 10" bar/chains. All my saw saws are Stihl...see list below.