Which pole saw??

[hunt4570]

Looking to buy (maybe) a pole saw. Gas, probably adjustable length, $500-$600 ish price range I guess. Brand names I'm thinking are Stihl, Echo, and Husqvarna in that order probably as those are the ones I'm familiar with. I've 2 Stihl chainsaws, and one Echo. Never owned a Husqvarna but I've read some good things about them. Definitely open to others as well
I'm early in my search and would love to hear what you have and how you like it. All ears right now..

 

[jeff9366]

I have a 30' Stihl PP800 manual, aluminum pole saw. I have used gas powered pole saws with chain cutters. The PP800 is easier to use and it has much more 'reach'.

PP800 is an entirely different tool from fiberglass handled pole saws with thin, flexing blades, sold by Loews and Home Depot.

About $260, plus tax.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbeRPu5MIA

STIHL LINK: PROFESSIONAL POLE SAWS ------ Read the consumer reviews.

 

[murphy1244]

That guy grew a beard by the time he cut that branch off.

 

[747driver]

Whether you’re pruning low-hanging branches or trimming up high, cutting performance is key. The gasoline-powered STIHL HT 101 allows you to quickly adjust between 7’6” and 11’6” shaft lengths to bring down those hard-to-reach branches. Even at full extension, this pruner is easy to control and feels well-balanced in hand. If your job demands height versatility, this pruner delivers a great price-to-performance ratio. And if you have a great deal of pruning to do, take a look at our HT Carrier System, designed to transfer the weight from your arms to your shoulders.

Great saw....paid $500 2 yrs. ago. Very easy to use and maintain and well balanced.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

This past spring I did my comparison. I went with a Stihl HT-101. I looked at the brands you listed. Would repeat the purchase.
The HT-131 is the same machine with larger displacement. But it's a 12" bar and safety chain so I have never found torque or HP to be a limiting factor (this is what I had read in reviews). Basically the 131 is more expensive and heavier without any benifit.

 

[murphy1244]

This past spring I did my comparison. I went with a Stihl HT-101. I looked at the brands you listed. Would repeat the purchase.
The HT-131 is the same machine with larger displacement. But it's a 12" bar and safety chain so I have never found torque or HP to be a limiting factor (this is what I had read in reviews). Basically the 131 is more expensive and heavier without any benifit.

How much does that one weigh?

 

[Coyote machine]

16.3 pounds, with cutting attachment. 17.2 for the HT 131.

Object moved

They're pretty heavy, but they're designed for heavy duty use, like from pro arborists, etc.

I have an Echo pole pruner with both a 10" and 12" bar. The 10" is the standard setup. It is on a 'multi tool' engine/split shaft, so it is not just a pole pruner. It is considerably lighter than the Stihls, (12-15 pound range, I'd guess), and in this situation the lighter unit works for me for several reasons: it's lighter and less fatiguing, it is for multiple uses, it costs less overall being able to have a hedge trimmer, weed eater, pole pruner and tiller in one tool. YMMV.
Echo are good tools, as are Stihl. I own both for different reasons/uses.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Typically you hang it on a shoulder sling or harness and the drive unit balances much of the weight of the pole. But weight is an issue eventuality.
Ive previously used big box store gas power pole pruners and the 101 is not in the same class.

 

[jerrybob]

Not sure what you're going to be using your saw for but......a few years ago......I bought a Remington electric pole saw to do some light trimming around my shop. I have a couple of Stihl chain saws for wood cutting but needed something I could use while standing on a 26 ft. ladder. Over the years......that Remington has trimmed thousands of branches. I have used it down the driveway with a small camping generator. The cord is annoying but for under a hundred bucks......that little saw has held up well. If it broke tomorrow.......I'd toss it and buy another. Good luck.

Remington RM1025SPS 10 in. 8-Amp 2-in-1 Electric Chainsaw-Ranger - The Home Depot

 

[EddieWalker]

I have both Stihl and Echo chainsaws. My dealer sells both and at first, I went there to buy Stihl because I thought they where the best ones out there. I had Husqvarna and when it was new, it was fine, but it dies rather quickly and I hated trying to get it started before it finally quit completely. I first learned about Echo from my Stihl dealer when I was looking for a new weed eater. He had several Stihl's to choose from and when I asked him about which was better, he told me that for the same money, I could get an Echo with a bigger motor and gear box. Or for less money, the same sized motor and a bigger gear box. Having read good things about Echo, I gave it a try and loved it!!! When I went back to buy a pole saw, I was already leaning towards the Echo brand because you get more power and stronger gears for the same money as Stihl. And that is exactly what I did. I never had a Stihl pole saw, so all I can compare it to is my Stihl chainsaws. It starts easier!!!!! It has plenty of power, but you really have to wear the strap to support the weigh because it gets heavy after awhile. You will especially notice it on your forearms!!!

Oil mixture is different between Stihl and Echo, so if you already have one brand, it might be worthwhile sticking with that brand just to avoid having to have two fuel cans. I wrote on my with a magic marker to tell them apart. One gallon gas cans are cheap, so it's not that big of a deal. It just gets confusing if I have them all out, plus two gas cans take up twice as much space on my shelf.