I am looking at buying a gas pole saw. Probably Stihl, Husqvarna or Echo.

I want to make sure I get one that can do the job but I don't want one that is so heavy that I am done after cutting a few limbs. I looked at some Stihl models yesterday. The commercial grade model has an extendable shaft( sure wish I did! ) but dang it is heavy. I wonder if the shoulder strap helps a good bit with that?

Any advice on what to buy would be appreciated.

We have an Echo that extends. That sucker will wear you out fast. We had one problem with it there is a plastic fitting at the head that connects the shaft inside that broke but it was pretty easy to fix. I find it easier to run without the strap.

I have a battery powered one that is very light. I thought that the battery would only last for a few limbs, I was wrong. The battery lasts longer than I do. So unless you are using it very frequently, I would recommend looking into those.

I have the stihl and it is the best thing I have for cutting shooting lanes and trails. That 3 foot extension will wear you out.

We run a stihl HT 100 on the job everyday. Use it for trimming trash out of loads and opening up roads when we move on new jobs. Non extendable but tops of loads are 13'6" and I can get real close to the tops. Not too heavy and cuts some fairly sized wood when sharp. They last us 4 years or so before they are completely worn out. They are worked really hard and hauled in the back of a truck though.

I've had several.

First piece of advice... buy the commercial grade model whichever route you go. Anything else is just throw away and won't last.

If you need a pole saw and only a pole saw for commerical work where you need the length... then get that. But the length and weight makes it an overhead pruner.

Best setup I've found is the Kombi 130R with the Pole Saw attachment (also with the optional extension) is just a better setup in my opinion for general maintenance. You can run it without the extra length and it is flat out awesome for cutting brush, etc. I carry that and a 28" saw and I don't need something in between. The 130R will run the fool out of that cutter. It is a nice setup and breaks down so you can put in the back of a side-by-side.

The other benefit you can put the long blade hedge trimmer head on it and limb roads so fast you'll be amazed and wonder how much time you've wasted all these years. It works real good as well.

I have a husqvarna, been using it for years just like my chainsaws. Ain't ever had a problem with them and they've been through pure hell.

Stihl Kombi is what I have and the versatility is just what the hunting club needed.

I have a cheap Poulan Pro that's been through 2 bars and about 4 or 5 chains. Used it HARD for the past 2 years on a project...it's been in and out of the shop several times, but so have my Shindaiwa, Stihl, and Husqvarna chainsaws. No major problems, and I'm fairly certain it's been used way harder than it was ever designed to be!

+1 on the Stihl HT100......I had the longer one for a week and it was to big to keep lugging around. Anything I can't reach from the ground, I have a man basket for the front of the tractor. I keep a pistol on my side when I'm up in the basket to insure my son drives easy.

you might be surprised by how effective is the Fisker manual saw/pinch-trimmer. very light and a pull of the rope easily takes care of most branches at least up to an inch or so in diameter. the manual saw blade rips through 3 inches of branch easy. last time i cleared hunting lanes we carried a stihl pole saw which worked great but 8 out of 10 times we used the fisker b/c it's light and effective.

I've had a Stihl 130r combi for a few years and it's pretty dang strong, I really like it. The other one I would recommend is a shindaiwa, been running those for years, they are very reliable and it will eat that Stihl alive.

This thing is the bomb...but I agree...the extension is a bear.

I would not take anything for my Stihl, BUT you will get a workout if you use it all day.

stihl ht100. you wont regret it. I've been thru at least 7 or 8 bars and no telling how many chains. It'll flat out cut. No problems in 10 yrs. Make sure when you buy it to get a commercial chain and not the "safety non-kick" chain they come with. The commercial will cut 200% better.

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the HT 101. I'll ask about the chain.

This is where I get chain and supplies. http://www.baileysonline.com/Chainsaw-Chain/

HT101 from stihl