Pole saw recommendations?

[KFC911]

Ya know what sucks about late winter ice storms? Clearing the damage in 85 degree weather when I should be fishing instead Spent most of the day yesterday clearing trees and limbs off some propertiy. I have actually been doing it for weeks on other props...this one was just last in line. I've just been looking for an excuse to get a "good" pole saw to add to my chainsaw aresnal and am gonna visit a couple of places later. I'm partial to Stihls and Husqvarna, but Echo don't suck either imo. It won't get used a LOT, but when I need to use it, I want a tool that'll get the job done. Looking for feedback from the braintrust...thanks!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

duct taping a circular saw to a hockey stick works well.

[Seahawk]

I have two Stil's, a fixed eight foot and an extendable to over twelve feet.

The fixed pole saw is almost twenty years old and runs perfectly. I use it at least 25 hours a year.

I can't recommend the large, extendable pole saw...it is heavy and a bear to use, and I am pretty strong. It is exhausting, frankly.

We always opt for the fixed pole saw unless the job demands it.

As with any chain saw, it is all about the chain so I have probably ten sets. Easy on and off both saws.

[VincentVega]

I picked up one of these recently and love it.
HAYAUCHI 390 21-Feet | Silky Saws

Very sharp and long enough without being too awkward to use.

[island911]

Chainsaw on a stick? ... I've been happy with the electric Remington branch wizard pro -~$90 on Amazon.

I have two. One as original, and a second I fab'd a right-angle mount (better when limbing from up in a tree ...as in, when I don't want the limb cut close to the trunk.)

[KFC911]

Thanks all! I should have been more specific...electric and manual just ain't gonna happen . Paul, your post was the opposite of what I was thinkin'...I figured "longer is better", so that's why I asked here. I'm sure it'll get used a lot more than I think once I add one to the arsenal. One good thing happened yesterday....I hadn't been working too long when my uncle came driving up on a brand spanking new John Deer tractor. After sawing his way out of the storm, he bit the bullet...that beast made the clearing process a LOT mo' better

[scottmandue]

Don't you have a Shotgun?

[Seahawk]

KC,

The extender is great, don't get me wrong. If I had to have only one saw, it would be the extender model. It is a beast.

My days of hopping in the bucket loader and getting airborne are over

Originally Posted by KC911

Thanks all! I should have been more specific...electric and manual just ain't gonna happen . Paul, your post was the opposite of what I was thinkin'...I figured "longer is better", so that's why I asked here. I'm sure it'll get used a lot more than I think once I add one to the arsenal. One good thing happened yesterday....I hadn't been working too long when my uncle came driving up on a brand spanking new John Deer tractor. After sawing his way out of the storm, he bit the bullet...that beast made the clearing process a LOT mo' better

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Don't you have a Shotgun?

Of course I do....but I prefer .44 mag for dropping limbs...

I do NOT have a hockey stick however

Originally Posted by Seahawk

KC,

The extender is great, don't get me wrong. If I had to have only one saw, it would be the extender model. It is a beast.
...

I hear ya! I've always opted for the smallest saw necessary for a given task at hand. Between me and my uncle yesterday, we had 12, 14, 16 and 20" (no BIG trees were involved this time) saws at our disposal. I'll probably start off with an extender (first)...thanks! Time to go shopping

[T77911S]

i got one of those manual saws on a 14' pole from home depot. $40. i think it works better than one on a saw. this one REALLY cuts. does not take much to go thru a 4 or 5 inch limb. it also has a cutter on there for small stuff. this thing it the BOMB!
they have 2, get the one with the wicked looking teeth on the blade

[island911]

Yeah, I think he's looking more for the Tim Allen approach.

Here ya go Kieth Amazon.com: Husqvarna 327PT5S 24.5cc 2-Stroke Gas Powered 13-Foot Telescopic Pole Saw: Patio, Lawn & Garden $600

They have a ridiculously long (but informative) video on ethanol fuels there. ...fwiw.

[KFC911]

Dropped by a local place that caters to professionals....they had a couple of "extender" Stihls and an 8' Echo on hand. I see what ya mean about the "beasts" Paul....wouldn't want to heft those Stihls around when the vast majority of what I'll use it for would be more suited to an 8'. It was pouring down rain at the time and I had other stops to make so that Echo didn't hop in the back of my truck. I'm gonna drop by another place that caters to pros too a bit later this afternoon...just to check out their selection. Stihl/Husky/Echo....brand doesn't matter to me as I've used 'em all a bunch over the years, and any of them would suit my needs just fine. Thanks again guys!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by island911

Yeah, I think he's looking more for the Tim Allen approach.....


.They have a ridiculously long (but informative) video on ethanol fuels there. ...fwiw.

Thanks...yep Tim Allen approach at work here

Didn't watch the ethanol video, 'cause I know ALL about the evils of that crap. Fortunately, I've been able to source 87 non-ethanol for all of my two cycle "toys" and they've never been exposed to that crap. The great news is, I can now find 93 non-E that my Carrera and bass boat require. I had to feed them the crappy stuff for a couple of years...didn't like it one bit.

[KFC911]

I'm having a serious case of "buyer's remorse" right now. Went by the second place, and they had a couple of Stihl "extenders" (also an Echo extender) that I didn't even really look at since I was focused on their two "fixed" Stihls. So I bought one (profesional HT 100 model), and brought it home. Haven't even fired it up yet, just put the "strap" on, holding it, and am messing around a bit, and it turns out it's only 7' too. I'm not sure I'm gaining much over just reaching up with a chainsaw at this point. I realize you can lift it up and reach, but never having used one, that just feels a bit awkward and the power head is then under my arm pit that way. Being left handed, the exhaust is also blowing into my body, not away in that fashion. I'm now thinking that I should have gone with an extender (didn't even try one on using the strap for support when looking earlier). Paul, how do you use yours...with a strap? Like most tools designed for "righties", I just adapt to them, but I'm having doubts about adapting to this. Even though the extenders are absolutely heavier, I'm thinking that with a strap, and for what I'll use it for and how often, it would be a better choice and I could absolutely see me taking advantage of the extension more often than not. I'm gonna think about it some more....

[scottmandue]

How about hiring a pole dancer with a hand saw?

Slackers!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

How about hiring a pole dancer with a hand saw?
....

Would lead to even MORE buyer's remorse