New toy on the way

I got tired of not being able to walk under the branches of the trees in the front yard so I did some homework and just ordered an Echo PPF-225 pruner. I didn't like the reviews I found for the Remington or the other cheap pruners and didn't like the price of the pro models from Echo, Stihl or Husqvarna. The 225 comes with a 10 inch bar and an almost 8 foot long pole (plus engine and cutting head length) A separate 3 foot extension is available if I decide I want some added reach. It is due to arrive Friday.

 

Congratulations
I put an extra handle on my pole saw setup, boy that thing can get heavy real fast

 

Yes they can get heavy real fast. I have one of the Poulan pole saws that is 10 feet long and you get it out there horizontal and I am putting on the strain.

Congrats on your saw old man I think the 8 foot is a good choice.

 

Pole saws dont have the true addictive qualities of a chainsaw, but they are damm useful sometimes. A great way to avoid crawling up on a ladder with a regular chainsaw and risking falling and busting your azz.

 

A chain saw was never even a thought for me. I do have an old Corona manual pole saw that I have used for small jobs.

 

I have a Remington because I got it for free. I finally used it Saturday. For a 99 dollar tool it's no slouch. The biggest drawback is its electric and you have to plug it in.

Side note. Pole saws can get dangerous quickly. I suggest throwing a line and have someone pull the branch or limb away from you.

 

great addition Oldman47 I got stihl power head combination system. power head runs weed Wacker.. pole saw.. cultivator etc... love it.. prunes fruit tree perfectly.. raises branches to mow under...

 

I was just using an echo pole saw a couple weeks ago. I don't own one, but my employer has an equipment rental that has one. I have a really heavy leaner that I was going to try to take down in pieces from the tip, but the saw was still 8' short to get to the uppermost branches. I did use it to cut everything off the tree that I could reach trying to reduce the weight. I still need to drop that sucker. Going to try the wedge face, plunge cut method. I don't usually mess with these types of trees. It reaches just as far out as it does in height and will threaten utility lines in another year or two so it's gotta go.

The guys over in the Rental keep the rakers ground really low...like, I was questioning them low, but it actually cut very nice once I ran a file over the cutters. I don't know if this is a common practice or not?

 

Th Remington I was looking at was $169 at Home Despot and had a 25cc engine. Electric would be like manual to me. I have way too many trees out of reach of a power cord.

 

This is the one I have. I really want the one for my stihl kombi unit but I don't have enough to trim to justify it yet.

 

In the 2+ yrs I've had my 25 cc Tanaka polesaw, it's made itself indispensible. Using it most lately with 14" bar and Granberg "Clip-N-Trim" bolt-on thingie for whacking large clusters of invasives: multiflora rose/privet/euonymus and the odd barberry. Wishing I'd put that combo together months back. Light weight and toughness are real pluses. (That polesaw happens to work fine with 18" bar fully engaged in N. red oak.)

Polesaws are amazing tools. Just don't let yours act like a zipline.

When I hear "chainsaw" and "ladder" in the same sentence, I cringe.

 

Yeah but with that ladder you could get that one last branch....

 

They are a useful tool but a tankful of gas in my Kombi and I am ready for a break. Use a lot of undercuts-the last thing you want is a pinched bar 15' in the air!

 

I have one from Craftman's. It is an add on to a multi tool head, like the hedge trimmer and the weed wacker. It has done all I want. My son is using it now. I can't stand and hold the saw up without falling over.

 

That's exactly what appeals to me about the Tanaka polesaw- light weight, partly due to aluminum tube. Really noticeable compared to some "creamsicles"- lets me go for many hours with it- sometimes 5+ a day. Great fuel endurance too. Quiet- you can hear the chain spin.

 

X2

 

I'm going to put my stihl pruner up for sale. Me no uses it these days.

 

I have a PPT 280...Don't use it often, but it's nice having it when I do need it. Think I got it 3 or 4 years ago, starts right up, haven't had any problems with it.

 

It arrived early today. When I came home from eating supper out it was on my front door step. Tomorrow I will unbox it and try to remember to take some before and after pictures of the trees in my front yard.