Powered pole pruners make it possible to cut high-up limbs, branches, and vines that you’d otherwise need a ladder to reach. Pole saws are a useful tool, but only if you learn how to use them safely before you start cutting with them for the first time.
First, choose a pole saw that is comfortable for you to use. You need something powerful enough to cut the limbs you’re taking down, but light-weight enough that it won’t tire you out. Cutting when you’re tired increases the risk of injury. Brands like Stihl and Echo offer several styles so you can find the one that works just right for you.
Safety Gear
Always wear eye protection when operating a pole saw. You’ll need to look up at the cutting head and limb to see what you’re doing, and you don’t want sawdust and wood chips falling into your eyes. GreenIndustryPros.com lists the following as essential personal protective equipment for operating a pole saw:
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
- Helmet
- Non-slip work gloves
- Non-slip work shoes (steel-toed boots advised)
- Long pants (leg chaps also advised)
It’s also strongly recommended that you wear sturdy, snug-fitting clothing. Avoid wearing any loose clothes or items like scarfs and jewelry that could snag on the equipment.
Pre-Cutting Prep
Choose a day that is not windy or rainy for cutting. Wind and wet working conditions make tree trimming more dangerous, especially when using a pole pruner. Don’t forget to check out the tree as well. You’ll need to work more carefully if the tree has dead and/or rotting branches and loose bark. Those could change the way the saw cuts, making it operate faster, slower, or resulting in more kick-back.
Clear away anything under the tree that could be damaged when the cut limbs fall, and remove any trip-hazards before cutting. Make sure the saw stays well clear of things such as power lines and damageable property. Let people know where you’ll be cutting limbs before you start. You want someone within calling distance just in case you need help, but keep others out of the way, especially children.
Cutting Safely
Stand off to one side of the branch you’re cutting (not directly underneath it) with both feet planted firmly on the ground. If you’re cutting on a slope, stand up-hill from the branch so it will roll away from you when it falls. Keep both hands on the saw handle the whole time it is running.
Start the saw at low throttle before cutting. Once a groove has started in the branch, throttle up. If the saw jams, turn everything off and wait for all moving parts to stop before working the cutting head free. Kick-back can happen when the tip of the guide bar hits something or the cutting chain is pinched. A sturdy grip will help you control the saw during kick back. If kick-back is a persistent problem, throttle back a bit. For more detailed cutting guides, check out Echo’s Pole Pruner Safety Manuel.
