Pole Trimming Saws

Traditional Farmer · Jun 14, 2015

Whats a good pole or trimming saw? Looking at a Stihl Model 131 and an Echo Model 265 both are around $600,Anyone have experience with these or know of something as good or better?

VADAVE · Jun 14, 2015

I have the Stihl and find it meets my needs. I will say be careful it is very easy to cut a branch that is a little high and have you almost under the branch. The branch is going to come right on you. Stihl instructions are to cut the under side first then cut from the top, for good reason. If you only cut from the top when you cut through the branch it is going to slide down the pole and the saw is heading for the ground. You are holding the branch and trying to stop the saw's fall.
I've taken to leaving a driveway around the field and trimming closer to the ends of the branches.

Texasmark1 · Jun 14, 2015

I got a little $100 10" elcheapo, from either HD or TSC,with a Remington motor whereby the saw can easily be detached from the rod if you just want to hand prune. Works great. Only thing to consider in a pole saw is how much does it weigh as when extended to full length for any length of time it sure gets heavy.

Other thing is that they are light and the blade speed isn't all that fast and there is essentially no down pressure to speak of on the blade.......in short it will bounce around unlike the normal gas hand held of larger capacity. But it cuts just fine.

Mark

neverfear · Jun 14, 2015

I bought a $100.00 Remington from Menards a few years back for purely occasional homeowner use. It has performed adequately for that. Also it is handy that the powerhead detatches from the pole and can be used as a small chainsaw for the cabin rather than packing a gasser to bring on vacation for a little firewood.
I would not recommend it if you plan on getting more than 3 years (hard) use.

Kent Hawks · Jun 14, 2015

I've had an echo for fifteen years, very reliable. Only had to change the squeeze ball.

MarkB_MI · Jun 14, 2015

I have the Stihl and I've been happy with it. Since Stihl and Echo were about the same price, I went with Stihl. The Stihl is a four stroke while the Echo is two stroke. I don't think anyone else makes something comparable to the Stihl and Echo pole trimmers.

D beatty · Jun 14, 2015

I would lean towards the Stihl. Both saws are good but Stihl has a better network of dealers than Echo (anyway in this area). I have found that around here Echo dealer have a small inventory of parts compaired to Stihl.

Indiana Ken · Jun 14, 2015

I bough a Husqvarna 327-P4 last year and have been happy with it. It starts easy and runs good. I looked at Stihl however they cost more and the two dealers I went to made such a big deal about using their special oil and fuel in the quart cans to insure the warrenty was honored. The Husky is a two stroke and gets along fine on the same fuel/oil as my other two strokes.

D beatty · Jun 14, 2015

Mark Husqvarna makes a pole saw to but we don't see them around here very much since the big box stores started selling Husqvarna the dealers have closed up.

Prawn Farmer · Jun 14, 2015

Just as with a regular chain saw, you want to cut the compression side first and then the tension side to keep the wood from pinching the saw's bar - which is a real challenge since, as you said, the user is generally standing on the ground and below the branch. I have a Stihl HT-100 so it is limited to small stuff.

JMOR · Jun 14, 2015

Don't remember the model, but it was Stihl's top of the line 4 years ago. Works fine as long as care taken not to pinch bar & it does take a lot! Biggest drawback is weight!!! Those newer 4 stroke & Stihl's "4-mix" are just heavier than the old 2 strokes. Shoulder strap is a must & it still kills me after a very short use. Don't know if anyone else makes anything decent that is lighter or not, but somebody should!
Good saw to buy for the hired help to use!
P.S. One other complaint (common to every Sthil I have ever had) ...left to set a few days & all the chain oil runs out all over the floor!!!

DoubleR · Jun 14, 2015

I got a Remington also from Northern Tool for 100 bucks and free shipping. Nothing fancy but works for me the few times I will use it plus its one less engine to worry about. When needed, I just throw my small Honda generator in the loader bucket and go to the job site. I'm getting too old to climb the tree or work from the loader bucket.
My Landscaping son has a Stihl and is happy with that. He uses his all the time so its worth the extra cost.

Dean · Jun 14, 2015

I considered a gasoline powered pole saw for a couple of years but could not justify spending $600+ for a good one that I might use once per year.

Eventually I bought an inexpensive, Mexican made "Remington" electric saw for $100 delived when on sale at Northern Tool.

I then bought a portable generator from Harbor Freight (on sale and with coupon) to power it in remote areas.

Result: Both saw and 7000W (running) generator for little more than the Stihl gasoline powered saw and much more versatility.

Of course, the electric saw is also much lighter than is a gasoline saw.

Dean

Fatjay · Jun 14, 2015

I bought a husqvarna 455 rancher with 20" bar for $175 remanufacturered. It drinks oil and gas like the irish drink beer, but I have 36" rounds that I cut regularly and as long as I have sharp blades, it is like a hot knife through butter. The bucking teeth are metal and dig in nicely. I have close to a hundred hours on it after 3 years and have been extremely happy with it. I've cut everything with it. I even shelved my stihl 170 for smaller jobs, because the rancher starts easy, has a cylinder decompression button for easy starting.

Fatjay · Jun 14, 2015

Here's where I bought mine. off sale they're a bit more pricy. Still not bad compared to new. There was a black magic marker R on the body when I got it, since worn off. The bar was new, chain was new.

http://www.vminnovations.com/Product_6171/HUSQVARNA-455R-Rancher-20-Inch-56cc-Gas-Powered-Chainsaw-Refurbished-.html?sdtid=5330970

Had it not been for the "R" I don't think I would have known it was a refurb.

Billy NY · Jun 14, 2015

Another reason is because the bark will tear and the branch will hinge and swing in towards the trunk, though I believe you are supposed to leave a short stub to heal over, vs flat up against the trunk, that undercut will prevent this from happening.

JerryS · Jun 14, 2015

Sounds like the perfect solution. With the generator, you have the option for numerous other electrical tools. I also have the Remington electric saw which serves all my needs within the range of my 100-foot extension cord. I rarely have a need for it away from the house anyway.

MARK ROBKE · Jun 14, 2015

I too am looking for a pole saw-but it will be a Stihl..I have a 1984 028 saw that I've had since new that I've only used Stihl mix oil in the gas and only Stihl bar oil and it runs as good ever.Only parts replaced are the bar and several chains;also have a '93 weed eater,and 5(?)yr old leaf blower=same deal- they run like new.Mark

red.green · Jun 14, 2015

We have the Stihl 131 it is a great saw.

Prawn Farmer · Jun 14, 2015

JMOR, you sure got that right - it is both heavy and messy. I put a plastic grocery bag around the bar and oil reservoir when it is stored. Works fairly good when storing horizontally but not vertically. My wife considers me the "hired help" so not so sure about that part, though! lol

bradley martin · Jun 14, 2015

I bought the Echo 2 years ago and am quite pleased with it. It does give a person's arms quite a workout, particularly if the pole is extended to full length. It is also great for cutting buckthorn and hawthorn trees/shrubs as you can reach in and make the cut without getting your body parts into the thorns! I have likely put 50 or 60 hours on the saw since new and other than sharpening, have had no issues.

mj · Jun 14, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:26:08 06/14/15) Another reason is because the bark will tear and the branch will hinge and swing in towards the trunk, though I believe you are supposed to leave a short stub to heal over, vs flat up against the trunk, that undercut will prevent this from happening.

I've got a Remington & a Coleman generator; like them both

JML755 · Jun 14, 2015

I've got the Echo and like it. It CAN get heavy if you're doing a lot of trimming. Looked at Echo AND Stihl. Main reason I bought the Echo was that I had over $300 in HD gift cards to use. It's a good saw for what it does. I use it to keep the branches above 8' around trees so I can get the brush hog close without branches smacking me in the face.

Pair-a-dice farm · Jun 14, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:27:16 06/14/15) Whats a good pole or trimming saw? Looking at a Stihl Model 131 and an Echo Model 265 both are around $600,Anyone have experience with these or know of something as good or better?

I have a Shindiawa weed eater and pole saw, both are about 13-14 years old and have been used a lot, I gave over $500 for each at that time but they are the professional model. The pole saw can be removed and a weedeater attachment can be put on, I use it for both. One thing I've noticed is that they aren't as temperamental about ethanol blend gas.
I went last year to buy a small chainsaw and was going to get a Shindiawa but my dealer said Echo bought them out. I don't know if they are the same as mine.
I've used a Stihl pole saw that had a telescopic pole and it was nice but it also was also pretty heavy

onefarmer · Jun 14, 2015

In a pinch I took a Remington saw and mounted it on a pole. My adapter kept the switch pushed on the saw and I put another switch on the bottom of the pole for the switching action. Not quite OSHA approved but it got me by.

Cooter143 · Jun 14, 2015

I have the Stihl 131. I paid a good bit for it, brought it home and 20 minutes into cutting dropped a big limb on it and bent the shaft. Nearly $200 dollars later I was back to where I started. I've gotten a lot of good use out of it since, but had to learn the hard way on how to use it. I recommend the proper PPE, at least until you get used to it.

Dean · Jun 14, 2015

That's why I did it, Jerry.

The generator can be used on the occassions when I need power away from the buildings and fits nicely into the carryall box that is always on the three point of my 52 8N that serves as my quad (It has a Sherman Combo and will move at over 20 MPH if need be).

I bought the 8750W (7000W running) 14HP model even though it is much larger and heavier than needed to operate the pole saw because it was a better deal. I could have bought either of the two smaller models for less money and either would have been adequate to operate the pole saw and easier to load/unload but I'm a sucker for a good deal.

Dean

JOCCO · Jun 14, 2015

Most major brands are good and you can pick up a used one sometimes as many times they do not get used a lot. Stay away from the el chepo no dealer support ones. Also many have a split in two shaft that lets you use other implements. some call it a combi unit.

VicS · Jun 14, 2015

I bought a Craftsman pole saw about 3 years ago. About 385 and is a weed eater too. 4 stroke and is heavy. But always starts. You can use a battery drill. With a adapter. Use it to get combine into fields and down some roads. Would buy another.

2x4 · Jun 15, 2015

found the Echo hard to start at first & difficult to keep running. Wish i'da bought a Stihl.

MichiganMike · Jun 15, 2015

I have the 131 stihl am very happy with it. do not get tied in to the polan junk. it is a major tear down to fix a broken recoil rope. terrible enginering design/fault. MTP...

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