Best way for poor people to get a pole saw?

[FlyingDutchman]

Have a Stihl FS90R. I've used the heck out of this thing, and who knows how much longer it will last but it continues to work. Could really use a pole saw for landscaping and brush clearing I do on the side, don't usually need a ton of height and don't need it too often. I keep balking at the price tag on the Kombi with the goodies I need/want.

I noticed you can buy just the saw head separate from Stihl, remove the trimmer head and that would get me a fat 80% of the jobs I need it for. Also... Noticed that Farmertec has versions of this saw head as well might be a good option for temporary.... Has anyone tried the stihl or Farmertec on the end of their trimmer? https://www.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-pole...543869?hash=item1f1489887d:g:9eQAAOSwAOdfLyJ2

Can you outfit the end of a regular trimmer shaft with a Kombi thumb screw adapter to then use Kombi extensions?

 

[HarleyT]

I use kombi attachments on my fs90, just bolt them on and go. I use the chainsaw head a lot!!

 

[SteveSr]

I use kombi attachments on my fs90, just bolt them on and go. I use the chainsaw head a lot!!

... Just take the cutting tool off of the Kombi shaft. The cutting tool may also be cheaper to buy this way.

 

[cranman1951]

In 1972 I bought a pole saw that had a curved saw blade on the tip that you pulled to cut...works really well and never runs out of gas

 

[Justin Taylor]

I have a km 130 I would let go for $150 it’s ugly but runs perfect

 

[Huskybill]

don’t buy a refurbished anything. I’ve had lemon pole saw and chain saws from northern.

 

[CentaurG2]

Here you go. A little elbow grease is required but they are far more cost effective then a power pruner.



https://www.bartlettman.com/BARTLETT-4-PC-ROUND-COMBINATION-SETbrBrass-Connectors_p_1086.html

 

[Huskybill]

$200 was my limit. I got the Poulan pro. I wish my Poulan had another extention for lower hanging branches that are higher up.

Here’s a deal? https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200592441_200592441

 

[FlyingDutchman]

The person who I'm going to do one of the jobs for had a "manual" pole saw and it broke. That's what happened to my parent's manual pole saw as well, neither was repairable,. I personally haven't broken one but just don't have an interest in a manual one. Dad has held on to his broken pole saw for 20 years, though. If that helps.
Most of the work I do is only slightly above my head. Need to clear low hanging branches to let a truck, atv or a horseback rider pass through. Using a saw overhead is not safe. The FS90-goes with me everywhere anyways.

Most ideal scenario would be that I could put the Kombi adapter on my FS90 and use Kombi attachments off the end of that. Pretty sure that won't work, though.

 

[svk]

don’t buy a refurbished anything. I’ve had lemon pole saw and chain saws from northern.

Why were they lemons? How many did you buy that were lemons?

Depending on the warranty and return policy I would not hesitate to buy refurbished equipment if the price was right. Often these are brand new display models that had cosmetic issues.

 

[Huskybill]

The Poulan pro chain saw was a refurb missing the bar adjuster. The Poulan pro pole saw was stalling after it warmed up no spark, a rrefurb from northern. I’ll never buy another refurb.

 

[Huskybill]

Checkout pawn shops and sears craftsman outlets online for deals. Look for discounts and free shipping.

 

[Okie]

Here you go. A little elbow grease is required but they are far more cost effective then a power pruner.



https://www.bartlettman.com/BARTLETT-4-PC-ROUND-COMBINATION-SETbrBrass-Connectors_p_1086.html

I've use one of them saw blades for several years bolted to the end of one inch Rigid aluminum conduit, can use 10 ft section or 20 ft section.
You will be surprised how big of a limb you can cut and cut fast.
Easy to handle no gas to mix, easy to carry through the woods.

 

[svk]

I've use one of them saw blades for several years bolted to the end of one inch Rigid aluminum conduit, can use 10 ft section or 20 ft section.
You will be surprised how big of a limb you can cut and cut fast.
Easy to handle no gas to mix, easy to carry through the woods.

I did our road with one of those, after a mile and a half the blade was significantly more dull but it did a great job.

 

[Okie]

I did our road with one of those, after a mile and a half the blade was significantly more dull but it did a great job.

I forgot to mention with the rigid Aluminum electrical conduit you can select sizes that will slip fit and telescope. Can easily reach 20 ft plus your reach height and it stay light weight. I have a manual wooden pole type but seldom use it due to the more user friendly homemade aluminum pole type.
My long curved blade cuts on the pull stoke and cuts fast.
You can also rig a handheld folding saw onto the pole.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Slammed a couple beers and went and bought the KM131, with the saw head and one extension. Ran it for about half a tank. What a great machine. Added bonus no bend-overs while limbing up brush. Sometimes the right tool isn't cheap but you just need it.

 

[svk]

Slammed a couple beers and went and bought the KM131

This is awesome. Did the beer tell you that you needed it?

 

[Woodanhor]

Slammed a couple beers and went and bought the KM131, with the saw head and one extension. Ran it for about half a tank. What a great machine. Added bonus no bend-overs while limbing up brush. Sometimes the right tool isn't cheap but you just need it.

I also like a pole saw for limbing the trunk
Its also safer to cut up fallen trees under tension keeps you at a distance

 

[FlyingDutchman]

I've gone into the dealership at least 8 times and not pulled the trigger. A little buzz and a few more questions to the owner of the dealership and I was ready for the "big pinch"

 

[jp233]

I think the post title should remove "poor people"..... a new KM131 seems to be incongruent with that If someone already has Kombi attachments that's part of the allure, and if it will be used Pro or Semi-Pro, I get it...

I have a 30-34cc (I forget, but it's a Craftsman and it starts 2nd pull everytime) 4choke trimmer head with a pole saw attachment (and brush cutter, edger, blower) and it works great. I think the trimmer was $160 new but this was probably 5 years ago or more. We've made a lot of good chooting lanes for deer hunting with that rig, and I cut a lot of big oak and hickory limbs down south with it over the years. Let some neighbors up the street borrow it once, they ran it out of bar oil............