Which Stihl pole saw?

[Ford850]

Not sure which model my dad has, but it is an extendable model. The blades on these things are fine, and expensive for their size. Take care to keep them clean and well oiled, and they last long. He only uses Stihl mix and bar oils, and they work well. The Stihl mix oils have stabilizer in them. You will definitely, 100% guaranty, want the long reach. Learn to let the saw do the work, and it makes cutting much easier. Get it hoisted in place quickly and rev just as it hits its mark and then let it slice through will you relax your arms. When I first used that saw, I hated it, but after learning how to handle it I love it.

 

[phiferpharm]

I recommend the Echo. I have a Stihl non-extendable pole saw and the Echo 20" chain saw. Between having the Stihl in the dealer for repairs numerous times ( keeps eating the gear the chain attaches to) and the short chain life, I'm very sorry I purchased it. The repair guy says it's normal to go through them frequently and it's really only intended for use cutting small branches, not limbs (whatever that means).

In the meantime, the Echo has been faultless...

 

[coobie]

I recommend the Echo. I have a Stihl non-extendable pole saw and the Echo 20" chain saw. Between having the Stihl in the dealer for repairs numerous times ( keeps eating the gear the chain attaches to) and the short chain life, I'm very sorry I purchased it. The repair guy says it's normal to go through them frequently and it's really only intended for use cutting small branches, not limbs (whatever that means).

In the meantime, the Echo has been faultless...

I could not agree more on the Echo saws.The 2 that I own have been very dependable.My stihl pole saw has been good also.I don,t like the funky fill holes for the gas and oil on the stihl saw.

 

[Sodo]

I have the Stihl HT 131.It cuts great but having it fully extended wears your arms out if you doing a lot of cutting.

A polesaw might be a little heavier than a chainsaw, but maneuvering the weight on the end of the pole, and positioning it carefully at the cut location is ALL arm strength, strenuous work, and there's no rhythm to it. Would be good for someone who maintains arms like Popeye, certainly more productive than the gym! I like physical work in the woods though usually don't have enough time so prefer faster methods (the skilsaw blade, my favorite tool! )

Polesaw is easier, faster and safer (than working with a chainsaw on a ladder) but not "easy". I am really glad I got the powerhead & attachment configuration because I can tell (having other methods,,,,,) the polesaw itself will not get a lot of use. But when it's needed it is handy! I wish it had some blade angle (or adjustable).

Agreed on the (new) Stihl oil & gas filler caps they are way too complicated, can be inserted wrong, and often cause dirt & crap to fall in the hole. Unless I'm doing it wrong,,,,

 

[lilranch2001]

I am in the market for one as well, and I was leaning on one of the Stihl models, but I have picked them up and they seem so unwieldy
And I am a 6 foot 3 250 pound guy and I was worried about using it

 

[DHD]

I am in the market for one as well, and I was leaning on one of the Stihl models, but I have picked them up and they seem so unwieldy
And I am a 6 foot 3 250 pound guy and I was worried about using it

The Echo PAS 230 I have, I also have the pole saw attachment, and the optional 3 ft. long extension pole. As I mentioned earlier, with the extension it can be ungainly to use, so I don't use the 3 ft. extension too often, but it's still is a valuable option to have in certain situations. Without the 3 ft. extension, it's fairly easy to use, even my 5'2" wife uses it without too much trouble.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

I am in the market for one as well, and I was leaning on one of the Stihl models, but I have picked them up and they seem so unwieldy
And I am a 6 foot 3 250 pound guy and I was worried about using it

I'm 5' 10" @ 155 lbs. and the HT-131 is a workout to use, especially when it's fully extended. But I bought it for pruning branches way up up high, trying to make clearance for semi tractor trailers coming down my driveway. It'll easily take out a 12" limb 16' off the ground and still leave my feet firmly planted so I can get out of the way quickly. It's worked out great for that, but I'm pretty tuckered out, especially my arms, shoulders, and neck, after about an hour's use. That's OK though, because I need the exercise. Besides, after an hour there's so much wood on the ground it takes most of the rest of the day to clean it all up. Yes, it was expensive, but I've already done enough work with it to pay for several visits by a pro tree crew.

Durability wise, I've probably pruned three or four dozen oaks so far with it, and only had to sharpen the chain once. I've not done anything else to it other than add pre-mix and bar oil, and wipe it down at the end of the day.

If I can get to a limb from the ground, I'd prefer to use my MS-192. But for anything higher than my head and I'll get out the HT-131.

If all you need to do is prune 2"-6" branches a little over head height, one of the shorter trimmers would be lighter and more handy. The HT-131 will do that work, too, and with the saw retracted, takes much less effort to use. In the end it's all about what you'll be doing with the saw, and if you can afford more than one to cover all the bases.:2cents:

After all, a golfer's got more than one club! :laughing:

 

[Richard]

I appreciate all the commentary, thank you.

I've got loads and loads and loads of branches that are overhanging the fields. This is something that were I to work on the farm over the entire summer, I wonder if I could get everything cut. (doesn't matter if I can't and no prize if I do)

One nice thing....although I anticipate taking the trimmings to the burn pile, I can also just take the loader bucket and push everything back into the woods a bit and let it rot over time.

So the real effort will simply be the cutting process. Cleanup doesn't have to be hard if I don't want it to be hard.

 

[DrRod]

I have a Husqvarna pole saw [sorry, don't remember the model number] with a 12-foot pole. Simple geometry, the longer the pole, the further away from the falling branch you will stand. Its human nature that you want to reach a little higher so you end up standing under the branch which can be unpleasant.

I noticed that the pitch of the chain is much smaller, less aggressive than that of a chain saw. It looks like its designed for landscapers -- cleaner cut but not as fast. I also use it for cutting down Christmas trees because you can reach under the branches easier and keep a safer distance from the saw. Still, takes a bit more time.

I bought it at the local hardware store and they gave me a really good price because "it had been there a long time." Shortly found out that some of the seals had dried out. Then the bar oil pump quit. Then I can't remember what all but suffice to say its in the shop every other year for something. I want to be fair given it was a bit shop-worn but I just don't think it was built for hard use.

 

[japody]

I have the Echo telescoping with the 12" chain. Most of the limbs around the edges of my property seem to start high and grow downward to get more light, so get the longest you can get. Also a tip , cut from the bottom a bit then go to the top to finish. This prevents stripping bark from the tree trunk, and from getting the saw chain pinched as you cut.

+1. I have the same Echo saw. It works great for clearing around fields and paths through the woods to different fields. Just this past November, I had to clear limbs that were hanging over the roads to get lime trucks to the fields. I was able to reach up and clear limbs that were 12 - 15 feet up. Would not have been able to do that with a split shaft model. Note that you need to make an undercut first as amaxwell stated above.