New Toy (I Mean Tool!).

Yesterday broke down and bought a new pole saw for a tree removal project I have had since January.

Earlier this year I posted about how I lost a beautiful tree to an ice storm.  Although the tree still somewhat stands, the trunk is split to the ground.  I took down what I could earlier, but my older pole saw smoked (Kobalt) and the soft ground prevented me bringing in my tractor to finish the rest.

I recently saw a Milwaukee Pole saw on sale at a local farm store and to boot, buying one got be a free 6 AH battery (though I still had to buy a charger).  I jumped on it!  My old pole saw was heavy and awkward and I took the chance that the new one would be easier to use.  On top of that, I have always liked Milwaukee tools and this gives me a chance to get into that line!

I am going to test out the pole saw later today and report back.

And like I said, new toys (tools)!


Eric

In case you are not familiar, follow the steps below to keep your saw from binding. You don't have to worry about it if you are trimming branches a couple inches in diameter. Any larger, this method works great.

Congratulations on the new toy aka tool!

A pole saw might be one of the handiest tools on a homestead, unless the homestead has no trees.

We have two, a battery operated one and a manual one.

Congratulations Eric! You play safe - hear me!!!

It's Hubby's job to use "the chain saw on a stick", as I just don't have the mass/shoulder strength to manage it, but he got a battery one a year or 2 back and he loves it.

I'm sticking to my manual version, but I use it for many more situations than many people would, as it allows me to push/pull with both hands and my whole body, so I don't tire as quickly using it, compared to a manual hand pruning saw. Not to diss the hand one either - it's a folding one, so much easier/safer to carry than the stick one.

Nothing like having lots of tools in ones' tool box... which reminds me, there's a big branch behind the house that's on my hit-list! Spring is springing and that branch needs to go to give light to a baby grape vine.

Anne, Jay,

Thanks for the cautionary note.  Just to put your mind at ease, I have used a pole saw plenty of times in the past.  In fact, it was this last attempt at use where my motor burned up!!  And I am always cautious when using these.

I was just informed that we will be hiking today, so I might have to wait until tomorrow to see how the saw works.

On a slightly different note, I went on Amazon and found a little Ridgid to Milwaukee adapter so that I can use my old Ridgid batteries in Milwaukee tools.  I do still plan on buying a pair of generic Milwaukee 6 AH batteries (about $50 for the pair) just to always have a couple ready and waiting when I might need one.

I will report soon!!

Eric

Josh,

Thanks for the diagram.  That is basically the way I trim when I am cutting limbs.

Eric

I did it!!  I trimmed up all the extra branches that needed to be cut before the main trunk comes down.

The new saw was much lighter and easier to control than the old Kobalt pole saw.  It’s 10” blade effortlessly cut through the remaining wood.  I have used a similar DeWalt pole saw and it may have been even lighter still, but I have no regrets as I am buying into a battery platform and there are other tools that I may (well, almost certainly will) acquire down the road.  And as I said, it is noticeably better in all regards over the Kobalt saw.

I should also add that I started this project with a fully charged, brand new Milwaukee XC 6 AH Battery.  The project drained one bar out of four on the battery meter.

I attached a picture down below to show the after effects.  I might have to dig up an old picture of the “before” effects.


I consider it a win!


Eric