Pole pruner: most useful acreage tool?

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a big red and white fiberglass model I got at Sears quite a few years ago. I don't use it often, but when I do nothing could take it's place. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[njrqs]

Very handy for pruning the spiky date Palms I had.

Note HAD.

I got sick of the above mentioned pruning and disposal of spiky branches so I got rid of the lot.

Boy I'd hate to be the dump guy chucking them into the mulcher !!!

 

[fishman]

Anybody used any of the electric pole pruners that are available? A generator on a 3-point carryall could supply the power if the pruner was up to the task. Many TBN members have generators and carryalls, and $100 sounds better than $500!

 

[Branch]

I've avoided putting in my two cents but yes, I bought a Remington from Home Depot for $79 and it's been great.
I started out renting a Stihl, for $60 a day. Like a lot of rental tools it sucked and I got my money refunded after about 3hrs of screwing around. I wanted to just by one but I felt it was to hard to justify for me.
I ran across a McCulloch at Costco for $89 dollars, bought it and I was amazed at how great it worked. I took it back the next day because the oiler was cheesy and bought the Remington. I found out the Remington is identical to the McCulloch, I think they both come out of the same plant. The oiler just looked a little different between them. To me the oiler is the worst part of these saws because they are not automatic. You have to manually pump a bulb. That wouldn't be a big deal if it were hand held but being on the end of a pole makes it a little awkward.
Anyway I put the generator in my FEL and use a 50' cord (you can use up to 100' of 16 guage). It has a 10" bar, chains are cheap and it has done an outstanding job. Unlike the gas saws that are purpose built, the electrics are 10" electric saws that clamp on the end of a pole. Should the saw meet an early demise they're only about $50 as I remember.

Branch

 

[blurrybill]

Branch,

I think you need to look at overall cost. For my application, the durability aspects outweighed the initial cost. By the way, the oiler on my Echo (and I believe the Stihl) power pruner is automatic and works very well.

Bill

 

[Branch]

I would agree that if I had to go out and by a generator just to use the saw I would've spent around $500. I had the generator so it actually was a plus to have a reason to fire up the generator once in awhile.

But I still think I'm ahead. If I go back down to Home depot I can buy:

Pole Saw $79.00

Coleman generator 3750 watt $399.00

Spare 14" electric saw $39.00

total $517.00

Now I have a way of cutting the limbs from the trees.
Cutting up the limbs once they're on the ground.
And powering my boom box to listen to rap music while I cut wood. It's a great deal.

Branch

 

[blurrybill]

It all sounded great until you mentioned the rap "music." /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Oh, well different strokes 'er beat 'er tunes; well, you know..../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bill

 

[Branch]

It was a joke.
Branch

 

[njrqs]

Hey my tractor makes it's own rap music......

doof doof doof doof doof doof

 

[blurrybill]

So I figured, but I am relieved just in case! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill