Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Gas powered pole saws

Been doing contract work around summer homes eliminating wildfire hazards. Been kicking around the idea of a gas operated pole saw. Looked at the larger Husky which I liked because I am familiar with the 525 power head. Any one have experience with any of the professional model pole saws?

I have the Husqvarna. It’s a good one.

The Stihl with the extendable shaft is a really good one and gives you more flexibility and safe reach.

If I had it to do over I’d get the Stihl for the extension factor.

My uncle who I borrow and lend stuff to has a Stihl. Its a good machine but once you get to "professional" models they probably all are.

They are mighty handy to have around. When hurricane Matthew hit awhile back, one of the roads to our hunting property was blocked by a really big oak tree that the storm blew over. The bulk of the trunk was back off the road, and mostly the top was blocking it. Guys in the lease were talking about bringing in heavy equipment to remove it but I got to looking at it and decided that it could be safely dismantled piece by piece with a pole saw. It worked out that a guy could stand in the bed of a truck and reach the top limbs with the saw extended all the way out. We took turns cutting and in about an hour and a half the road was clear.

I have this Its pretty damn amazing. I was going to buy the stihl polesaw to go with my combi system but I took a gamble on this it is great. I have done 8" limbs with it

I've been looking at them recently. The one I've been looking at is the Echo. However, one thing that put me off is the weight. I've never been a battery-powered advocate of yard tools. However, the DeWalt was much lighter than the Echo gas trimmer. The only reason I'm considering it is that holding something over your head is already going to wear you out. Why make it heavier.

I have a Stihl 133 and it's been great.

I'm thinking of one of the electrics. Batteries are getting efficient enough that they make sense and are easier to work with than gas. It's a lot easier for me to plug a battery into the charger than it is to drive ten miles to buy gas and oil. Either way, my plan is to quit whittling off big limbs with a pruning saw. GD

I have a Stihl Kombi tool with several different attachments including a shaft extension. If you can't do it with one of those, it can't be done.

I have the Makita 36 volt with extensions, it is a beast

I bought a sunjoe electric saw for clearing branches works well, it is not cordless. I paid right at 100 bucks for it.

Have had a stihl 131 for several years. Terrific saw.

I’ve used a friends Stihl quite a bit. Can’t remember if it’s the HT131 or 133. Either way, they’re heavy bastards but will definitely get the job done. Also, my chainsaw and trimmer are Stihl so don’t need to worry about keeping different gas mixes around

I have a stihl HT 56

Since you want a commercial review, my input is almost useless


Barely gets used 2-3 times a month here on the farm. Starts easy and doesn’t make a fuss and it’s 4 yrs old.


Also Great for making shooting lanes around deer stands in pre season.


Seems ‘heavy’ to me, but that my be my ‘bad shoulder’ showing itself... has a neck\shoulder strap harness that seems be a pain in the butt. So I just carry it around.

We have two..........a gas operated Poulan that I've had for years, and really worked good for 10 years or so. Lately it's been acting all pizzy, and doesn't want to run. The other pole saw is a battery Dewalt, and it's a cutting fool.

I had borrowed my neighbors Oregon 40V pole saw enough that he finally said, why don't you buy it from me? I was more than game and he sold it to me for dang near nothing.

I wear out before that battery ever does. I'm certainly not running it in a commercial fashion. Shooting lanes, farm road trimming, duck blind brushing and some annual work around the home.

I have a Stihl, too. It is a beast. Like slum, I don't use the harness. It's a pita. Easier to just carry.

Extremely pleased with my recent purchase of an Echo. Works the crap out of an young man. Weight is a killer on an old Fart. GW

The Husky I looked at is 9 foot collapsed and has a 16 foot reach. The local Stihl dealer has nothing in stock to look at, mostly homeowner type stuff. Have reservations about the collapsed length of the Husky, thats why I would like to check out the stihl. Want to stick with pro model as thats what I have always purchased as far as chainsaws. Usually burn up close to a couple gallons of fuel in a day. My saws get used hard.