Pole saws

Robert_in_NY · Aug 31, 2005

I am thinking of getting a pole saw to help maintain tree limbs along my fields. TSC has a Poulan for $140 but I have no idea if they make a decent saw. I have friends who sell Huskvana (sp?), Sthil and Echo and so far I have only talked to the one who sells Huskvana and his cheapest saw is $450. Does anyone have any idea if the Poulan saw is any good? I can get 3 of them for the cost of just one of the others but if they only last a year or if I always have to fight with it then it isn't worth it. Any recommendations of a good pole saw?

BB_TX · Aug 31, 2005

Can't speak for the other brands, but I have an Echo. Yes, a little pricey, but works great. Have had it about 3 years with no problems.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 31, 2005

I have a Tananka, which is similar to the Poulon. My buddy has the poulon. We both kept wanting pole saws, but not to the tune of the Stihl/Echo's. We both got to use both the echo and Stihl. For the price we are both happy with what we got.

1bush2hog · Aug 31, 2005

How much do the Poulans weigh compared to Stihl/Husky/Echo?

I would think with a pole saw that Less weight = more $$

Wouldn't matter much if you look like Arnold /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hobbyfarm · Aug 31, 2005

The ECHO should easily last 20 years with minimal maintainance. ECHO also has lots of online manuals etc. IF parts are ever needed.

Great stuff.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 1, 2005

A little more on my original reply.

The echo/Stihl units are great. They are designed for commercial duty and other than being heavy will do it all.

But I need to cut limbs up to 10' high on LOTS of trees. I seldom need to go higher. My unit and my buddy's Poulon have held up well to that, and we have them. We kept putting off buying a $500+ unit.

Echo and Stihl both offer smaller units, but they aren't much cheaper than their big ones.

You can turn the Poul;on into a weed cutter, so if you later upgraded, you still have a weedeater.

I think it is a good buy for under $200 for regular property owners. Commercial buyers maybe not.

slowrev · Sep 1, 2005

I just bought a poulan pole saw at TSC about 2 months ago on sale for $99. It is a good little saw and came with a dual line string trimmer head as well.

Ben

frank_f15 · Sep 1, 2005

Robert: how heavy a work load will you be giving this saw? I have a regular poulan chain saw, don't use it very much but it has been fine for me. I also was thinking of getting a pole saw and for what i would use it for i would try the POULAN. BUT THAT IS ME, YOUR NEEDS MIGHT VERY WELL BE DIFFERENT.

Panache · Sep 1, 2005

Several of the weedeater brands have a polesaw and a recip saw attachment for their machines. most are interchangable between brands. Lowes carries the Troybuilt. I have a Ryobi with a recip saw. It is good just slow. I also have a Stihl extendable pole saw. Both have their place. It is nice to reach up about 16' to cut limbs back at the trunk like they should be rather than just cutting as far up as you can reach.

hbarski · Sep 1, 2005

I bought the TSC Poulan pole saw and would highly recommend it. The best bang for the smallest buck. Get your self a 5/32 file and just keep it sharp and oiled and you will not regret the purchase.