Top 5 Best Pole Saws for Tree Pruning – The Unbiased Reviews
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Having a garden is a real privilege. Just imagine – your own piece of paradise, located right in your backyard. Need to spend some time in the nature to recharge your batteries? Just step outside the house. Alas, maintaining a garden is not that easy of a task, especially once you move the things off the ground. Take high branches for instance – cutting them properly requires a lot of time and effort. Well, not unless you have a proper pole saw that would make this job considerably faster. That is why we made this short guide that should help you to find the perfect saw for your backyard paradise.
Why Buying a Pole Saw?
But, why buying a pole saw you might ask? Well, as we mentioned above, pole saws are not only good at cutting the high branches, they are very good at cutting the time you lose each time you need to get off the ladders and reposition them.
But that’s only a part of the story. Standing with two feet firmly on the ground gives you much better control and allows more precision than you’d get if you were standing on the ladder. The very saws are light and their weight is balanced, which makes them incredibly easy to control. You’ll hardly find an alternative that will allow you the same level of precision. So, if you ever wanted to raise your pruning game onto the next level, this is the logic option.
All of the above makes pole saws very safe as well. And to be quite honest, wielding the heavy piece of equipment while holding onto the ladder never seemed like a particularly sound idea. And finally, there is the issue of eco-friendliness and fuel-efficiency. Since they are operated by much smaller engines than their chainsaw siblings, you get far cleaner and more efficient experience for the money you invest.
Pole Saws are Very Good at Cutting High Branches
But, it is very important to remember that not all pole saws are made the same. Some of them excel in one area, some of them excel in another, and some of them are plain and simply useless.
Here, we gathered the five products that, fortunately, don’t befall into the last category and gathered extensive user feedback to see how they fare against each other. So, let’s take a look.
Meet the Best Pole Saws
The Good: A powerful and versatile product that doubles down on functionality. The small detachable saw serves as a very compelling product even on its own.
The Bad: A bit pricey and definitely amongst the lightest products on the market.
The Bottom Line: Although it’s not that cheap, Ranger represents a very welcome addition to any newly found tool collection.
The Good: The adjustable head makes this product very appealing to newcomers and experienced users as well. Auto oiling mechanism only improves the impression.
The Bad: Unfortunately, the oil tends to leak from time to time, and the chain is not all that reliable.
The Bottom Line: A very compelling product spoiled only by a couple of minor issues. The adjustable head still performs great, though.
The Good: The weight of only 6 pounds. Pack that with very solid cutting power, and you’ll get a very capable entry-level product.
The Bad: The battery takes forever to charge and the saw doesn’t have a self-oiling mechanism.
The Bottom Line: The saw offers very solid performance, but only in short bursts. Good choice for casual users who use the saw only a couple of times a year.
The Good: A very capable hedge trimmer that can even be used as an electric scythe or even take care of some smaller branches.
The Bad: However, that’s not the product’s primary purpose. Misusing it can cause damage.
The Bottom Line: The saw offers very solid performance, but only in short bursts. Good choice for casual users who use the saw only a couple of times a year.
The Good: An interesting add-on that, when combined with the proper trimmer, can produce a stellar performance.
The Bad: You need to make that additional investment, though. Also, the product requires a bit of tinkering.
The Bottom Line: The saw offers very solid performance, but only in short bursts. Good choice for casual users who use the saw only a couple of times a year.
Of course, these were only the short summaries. If you want to dwell into more details, check bellow.
All of the Factors Considered
Much like any other saws, the pole saws are gardening tools that operate on a fairly simple logic. However, don’t let this seeming simplicity deceive you. Pole saws pack enough different properties to make the buying process very challenging. If you are not careful enough, this challenge can become overwhelming. Here are a couple of most important pole saw properties we took into consideration while ranking these products.
- Reach: When they use the term operative height or the reach, some of the manufacturers aren’t exactly thinking about the length of the very pole, or even the length of the whole fully deployed tool coupled with bar. They are talking about the reach you can achieve by wielding the tool with your arm. To avoid this confusion, we simply took into consideration the length of the pole. Usually, the poles score the length between 7 and 15 feet.
- Bar Length: The bar is the steel plate that the chain spins around. Its length doesn’t only affect the overall length of the tool. It also determines the variety of branches you’ll be able to deal with. Namely, the general rule of the thumb is, longer the bar, the better are the chances you’ll be able to cut through those gnarled branches nearer to the trunk. Anything between 6 and 12 inches should perform this job more than efficiently.
- Weight: Although with the average weight of fewer than ten pounds, pole saws weigh a lot less than traditional chainsaws, keep them raised for a while, and you’ll see they can put quite a strain on your hands. So, basically, we are looking for the product that will offer the least weight without compromising the performance or engine power.
- Safety Features: Using pole saws may be safer than using other similar heavy tools, but take into consideration that, when it jams in the wood, blade produces a very unpleasant kick-back and you’ll see that these tools are no joke either. That is why any kind of feature that improves the handling and thus improves the safety (e.g. handle grip or the blade that absorbs the kickback) is considered a plus.
- Special Features: Or in other words, anything that could enhance the saw’s ability to efficiently cut through wood or even expand its set of functionalities. Such features include adjustable saw head, easily replaceable bars, self-oiling mechanisms, detachable chainsaws, etc. Although all of the mentioned features sound like gimmicks, they can, actually, add a lot of the value to the product.
- Cutting Power: The cutting power is largely determined by the saw’s motor power and efficiency. Why is it so important? Well, the strong cutting power ensures safe and jerk-less performance and makes sure that the blades cut through the wood more smoothly thus prolonging their lifespan and making the maintenance much easier.
- Maintenance: Like any other tools meant for outdoor using, pole saws require regular maintenance to stay fit. That being said, it is in your best interest to cut the necessary maintenance to a bare minimum. Corded saws have an advantage here. The only thing you need to worry are the blades.
So, here’s how we ranked the popular pole saws based on the requirements we sat above.
Full Reviews of 5 Pole Saws
Key Features
High-quality and Lightweight Build
The materials used for building the saw are very durable and that’s important. The overall weight of the tool is mere 11.5 pounds. Take into consideration that you’ll spend a lot of time keeping the tool raised above your head, and you’ll see why this combination is such an important issue.
Detachable Chainsaw
Easily the product’s biggest selling point. The very process of detaching the saw takes no more than 3 seconds. Once you are done, you can continue cutting fallen branches into more manageable pieces. It’s also worth mentioning that detachable saw makes storage that much easier.
Snappy 8-amp Motor
Although it’s range is limited mostly to pruning, trimming and cutting small logs and branches, the 8-amp motor that runs the saw performs these duties more than satisfactory. Just press the button and it’s already going.
Low-kickback 10-inch Bar
Designed for smooth performance devoid of kickbacks, the blade and the chain do their job extraordinary The length of 10 inches does a good job at extending the overall reach of the tool.
The Adjustable Poles
The upper and lower aluminum poles can be adjusted to provide the maximal reach of 15 feet, which should be suitable for most types of backyard trees. The grip is not the best one you can find on the market, but it does its job more than fine.
Customer Reviews
The combination of fiberglass and aluminum gives the saw very sturdy build and the motor supplies the tool with plenty of power. The saw itself can be easily detached and used as a small chainsaw on the ground. I used it to trim the branches last weekend, and it held up quite well.
To sum it all up, the quality is fine, and the delivery is fine. Some people claim that you need to use the special bar oil, but that's not the case. I simply use the regular chainsaw bar oil, and it works more than well. Oh yeah, one more thing – if you're planning to use the saw for an extended period of time I would recommend using the 12-gauge extension cord.
Who Should Buy This Product
Gardening newcomers and casual users who don’t mind dealing with cords and could find a good use of a small, auxiliary saw capable of performing limited, but very versatile set of duties. A product that is designed to tackle a couple of different duties at once usually don’t excel in any of them. That’s not the case with this product. A very welcome addition to any newly found collection of gardening tools.
What to Watch Out For
An excellent option for all first-time users who are looking for the versatile tool capable of tackling a couple of different duties at once. The build quality is great, the reach you can squeeze out of the tool is suited for all backyard trees that come to our mind, and the package packs a lot of value for the money. All of that makes the Remington RM1025SPS Ranger a very lucrative product you should definitely give some attention to.
The Conclusion
An excellent option for all first-time users who are looking for the versatile tool capable of tackling a couple of different duties at once. The build quality is great, the reach you can squeeze out of the tool is suited for all backyard trees that come to our mind, and the package packs a lot of value for the money. All of that makes the Remington RM1025SPS Ranger a very lucrative product you should definitely give some attention to.
Key Features
Design
This pole saw is extremely well-made. The standout feature, however, is the non-slip grip that allows a pretty good control over the tool. Also, there’s cord restraint hook that prevents dragging and potential accidents. The oil cap is very well positioned, and the collar makes adjusting the pole’s length very easy.
Snappy performance
The 6.5-amp motor may not sound like too much, but the overall impression is very snappy, and the corded power supply ensures a very consistent performance. As long as you use a 14-inch gauge and don’t try to cut anything thicker than 7.5 inches you will be very pleased with the outcome.
Chain Oiling System
What this system effectively does is that it kills the need to release oil to the chain manually. The hole through which you are filling the tool with the oil may be small, but, as we mentioned, it’s very good placed, and once you get past this small issue you should get approximately 20 minutes of carefree performance.
Safety Features
Sun Joe SWJ802E is a product that was designed with safety in mind. Some of the prominent safety features include safety lock, low kickback chain, and the bumper spikes that are meant to improve cutting stability.
Adjustable Head
The head can be easily adjusted to cut at 0, 15 or 30 angles which make the entire affair that much easier. What this variety does is that it gives you the option to attack difficult branches from the angle that may suit you better.
Customer Reviews
After that, we continued working on the other trees. The only issue we faced along the way was entirely my husband's fault. Namely, the blade got stuck in a 9'' diameter limb. But, we eventually brought the ladder and worked the things out. That doesn't neglect the fact that we've got a lot of value at an amazing price.
Who Should Buy This Product
Inexperienced gardeners that appreciate usability and comfortability over the actual performance should aim for this one. The product may be somewhat underpowered, but it’s very lightweight, easy to set up, and what’s even more important, easy to use. A good match for any three that doesn’t have thick branches.
What to Watch Out For
Although it’s obvious that this product doesn’t have any major drawbacks, there are a couple of smaller issues you should definitely pay attention to. First, there’s the leakage problem that’s not only annoying but can also become a safety issue after the extended use. Second, there’s the not so powerful 6.5-amp motor. It performs well in its league, but don’t try anything more challenging, or the saw will get stuck.
The Conclusion
A very affordable and well-rounded product that is obviously aimed at beginners and less challenging customers. Quality build, affordable price, light weight and adjustable head only reinforce this impression. The main drawback of this product doesn’t lie in its flaws as much as in its limitations. If there were more interesting features to play with and compensate for the lack of power, you would really get the bang for the buck.
Key Features
Powerful Battery
Powered by the 20-volt MAX Lithium battery, BLACK+DECKER LPP120 is capable of making up to 100 cuts through branches that are up to 6 inches in diameter. It’s also good to know that this type of battery has a very long lifespan and nearly five times better charge retention than regular NiCad batteries.
Great Extension Capabilities
The very saw can extend up to 10 feet which is one of the best extensions you’ll ever get in the cordless pole saw category. Taking that into account, you will be able to achieve the maximum reach of up to 14 feet. Of course, if you don’t need such lengths, the saw can retract to more compact 6 ½ feet of length.
Ease of Operation
This saw is As a matter of fact, it weighs only 6 pounds, which is almost half the weight of the other pole saws from this category. Such weight amounts to incredible ease of operation and more than compensates for the lack of some of the advanced features such as adjustable head or detachable saw.
Low Maintenance
The saw is very easy to disassemble and clean after the cutting which makes maintenance a breeze. As long as you recharge the battery immediately after it’s drained, you can hope for a pretty good charge retention in years to come. The product would benefit from the self-oiling mechanism, though.
Customer Reviews
As for the actual performance, it works very well. The saw cuts through 1-2’’ branches without any slowdown or hick-ups. And I used it for more than 45 minutes. I haven’t tested it yet with the full-sized log-like branches, but I’m sure that with enough time it would do the job fine. The storage bag you get in the package is simply awesome.
Who Should Buy This Product
Customers that need the saw that is light and extremely easy to operate will be really satisfied with LPP120. That doesn’t mean that BLACK+DECKER LPP120 is without other merits that should make it appealing to more demanding gardeners. However, more demanding customers can find more powerful and versatile products. BLACK+DECKER LPP120 is obviously aimed at people who look at gardening as a pleasant part-time hobby.
What to Watch Out For
The battery; although it juices the saw with enough power to handle even the moderately sized branches, the battery simply isn’t capable enough to keep it alive in the long run. If you intend to use the saw only in short bursts and have enough time to recharge it afterward, this is the product for you. Otherwise, you should buy a spare battery or even go for a corded alternative.
The Conclusion
A very capable and reasonably powerful product that will offer solid performance, but only in short bursts. That’s very unfortunate because the saw is very light and it feels like it can be effortlessly used for hours upon hours. Of course, this issue can be easily addressed by buying a spare battery, but that means spending even more money on the already pricey package.
Key Features
Powerful Battery
On the paper, a 40-Volt battery may look lackluster, especially compared to the previous product, but remember, we are talking about the trimmer and not the full-blown saw. With the things as they are, the battery is more than capable of providing at least 50 minutes of powerful and consistent performance.
Solid Build Quality
GreenWorks 22272 G-MAX is extremely well built, and it looks like it can last for ages. That takes a toll on its weight and, in turn, overall ease of use, but you are at least getting a product that can withstand a lot of abuse. The quality 20-inch blade with a 5/8 inch cutting capacity only adds to the already good impression.
Adjustable Blade
The head of the trimmer can be pivoted in three pre-determined positions. This allows much better versatility than you’d get with the clunky pole-saw even if it has the same capabilities. This way, you will be able to take care of any type of hedge you may have in your backyard.
Versatility
If you are fond of the GreenWorks brand you will be happy to know that this battery can be used on more than 25 of its other products.
Customer Reviews
But the weight is not the only issue. I was expecting the battery to last at least two or three hours but it died after only 40 minutes of cutting. As for the swiveling head – it's a nice feature.
Who Should Buy This Product
People who are dealing with hedges and bushes rather than branches and lumps will enjoy GreenWorks 22272. The pole saws are excellent and versatile products, but sometimes they can come off as an overkill. This is definitely one of such cases. The smaller dimensions and different kind of blade give you much better control over the tool and allow you to shape your hedges more precisely.
What to Watch Out
Nothing particularly. This is an excellent trimmer, but it is what it is. You can try to use it to cut the lumps and branches, but only in the cases of emergency and at your risk. Another issue we would like to point out is the product’s weight. Although the customer reviews don’t indicate that the product’s heaviness is deal breaking, a lot of users have been reporting that using the trimmer over the extended period of time becomes very tiresome.
The Conclusion
A great product that has only one major flaw. It’s competing outside its league. If you are looking for a tool that will help you to deal with the hedges, you are at the right place. If you are, on the other hand, looking for a versatile tool that will be capable of successfully tackling more than one duty, you should look elsewhere on this list.
Key Features
Versatility
Since we are talking about the attachment, it should be obvious that TrimmerPlus PS720 offers a lot of versatility and options to play with. When you pair it with a capable string trimmer like Remington’s TB514CS or TB575 (both of them powered by a 4-stroke 29cc engine), you’ll have no problem cutting even through 6-inch branches.
Ease of Use
Attaching the saw to the trimmer is really a breeze. You only need to put the coupler in place, turn the knob, and you are ready to go. It’s also good to know that the saw includes the automatic oiler, so you won’t need to this manually.
The Maximum Extension
The reach of the very attachment measures approximately 8 feet. When you attach it to the trimmer, you can expect the maximal reach of 12 to 13 feet, which is more than enough to deal with most of the trees than can be found in a regular backyard.
Low Maintenance
The upkeep on this tool is more than simple. You only need to keep the oiler tank full, keep the pole clean, and check the chain for the damage from time to time. And that’s about it.
Customer Reviews
A definite recommendation. The product is light, large enough to deal with decent sized trees, and, what’s most important – it cuts well. I just wish I had a slightly more powerful weed whacker. This way I have to be very careful about the pressure I apply.
Who Should Buy This Product
People who already own capable trimmers and want to expand their arsenal of gardening products will find the most suitable product in this one. Owning such attachment gives you a lot of options to play with, and if you are a passionate gardener, you’ll enjoy trying out different trimmers and playing with different settings. However, if you are still alien to this world, you should better stay away.
What to Watch Out For
This saw requires minimal maintenance, but, judging by the customer reviews, it is a pain in the neck to set up properly. And finding the right way to set up the tool is the key to keeping it healthy and operational in years to come. Also, you have to remember that the performance of this product largely depends on the quality of the trimmer it’s attached to. Mismatching the products only means they’ll both underperform.
The Conclusion
Ths is an attachment that was obviously aimed at professionals that already own a lot of gardening equipment and simply want to expand their collection. However, the question still remains how much value such professionals would find in the product that has some concerning flaws, and requires a lot of patience even to be properly set up. If you are able to deal with these issues, you can expect more than a decent performance, though.
The Best Pick – Remington RM1025SPS Ranger
As we can see, pole saw/trimmer market offers enough diversity and different kinds of products to satisfy a wide variety of needs. Should you, then, look for a product that excels in one of the niches or goes for the wide appeal and score points in more than one category. The short answer is – it depends. It depends on the quality of the products, and it depends on how well the product manages the duties you put ahead of it.
That is the reason why choosing the best of the products that were reviewed above is not that easy of a task. All of them excel in some area or another. However, here is one pole saw that isn’t afraid to go out of its comfort zone and do something different. As you can guess, we are talking about Remington RM1025SPS Ranger that features very capable detachable chainsaw. Since we are talking about the range of products aimed primarily at first-time users, this addition comes off as a real blessing.
Consumer Video Review
The Conclusion
Finally, we have to point out that our final verdict doesn’t undermine the value of the other reviewed products. Ranger’s detachable saw simply offers first-time buyers an excellent chance to expand their gardening tool collection without compromising the performance. The other products offer a great deal of quality but simply don’t feature the same level of versatility or offer the same value for the money.
Homyden
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