Pole saw, what we know, is a saw with a long pole for assisting you in making long-distance vertical cuts.
In the pole saw the world, you will find different types of them. If you do not have a basic idea about them, you will be lost in this many pole saw types. If you also forget about which brand to choose, you won’t be able to find which one you actually need. You will be trapped in an infinite number of choices surrounding you.
The ultimate solution to this to get out of this loop is to start with gaining basic knowledge about different types of pole saws.
10 Types of Pole Saws
Mainly you will find two classes of pole saws. These are the two main categories of pole saws that exist. And all the specialized pole saws are members of these two mother classes.
Here you will get a detailed explanation of both categories, including brief information about their subtypes.
So, first, the two main categories of pole saws that we have are:
- Manual pole saw
- Powered pole saw
1. Manual Pole Saw
Manual pole saw, as the name suggests, is a pole saw that requires physical labor to function. You have to operate such pole saws with your own strength. This type of saw remains very simple in structure and mechanism.
Light body and long blade are the main criteria for a manual pole saw. Handling such pole saw is the easiest thing to do. Anybody can use them without having any prior experience. Maintenance and servicing are not a big deal too.
Moreover, they come at a much more affordable price than their counterparts. These pole saws’ attractive attributes make them famous among most arborists.
Under this category of manual pole saws, we can find some prime saws to be mentioned. These are:
- Normal manual pole saw
- Tree pruner
2. Normal Manual Pole Saw
We find these general manual pole saws in the market when asking for a manual pole saw. Such pole saws typically remain very long in length. Their pole can be extended to a far distance to reach higher branches of the tree.
You can reach an average height from 10 to a shocking 20 feet high standing on the ground. This might sound insane but manual pole saws are indeed very capable.
Besides the long pole, they also include a long, slightly curved blade. The blade normally has a big number of teeth on it. The teeth arrangement is not ordinary but a tri-edged teeth arrangement for effective cuts in every stroke. Its large number and sharp edges ensure you do not have any strokes without a cut.
3. Tree Pruner
A tree or hand pruner is used for pruning small twigs and vines. Many trees cover itself with small limbs, which make it very dense and ruin its look. For such small cleaning jobs, you do not need the extremely long pole saw. that’s when the tree pruner is used.
Like other pole saws, tree pruners consist of a long pole and a cutting head. The long pole is adjustable. You can adjust its length as per your requirements based on the tree length. Though the tree pruners match the basic concept of the pole saws, there is a twist. The tree pruners have a very different structural design and mechanism than a normal pole saw.
The difference is in their cutting head. The cutting head of the tree pruners is completely different than usual. They consist of a sharp small cutter on their head which is operated using pulleys. The cutting head includes two pulleys on the upper and lower part. Its mechanism includes a rope that has to be operated manually for cutting.
4. Powered Pole Saw
Powered pole saws are the ones that function automatically once you power them. They are powered using an external energy source. These pole saws eliminate the fuss of manual labor and do the work mechanically.
The structure of such saws includes a long pole and a cutting head like a typical pole saw. The difference comes with the power source that they include.
Powered pole saws can be again classified into two groups based on the powering medium, the wire. Such as:
- Corded pole saw
- Cordless pole saw
5. Corded Pole Saw
The pole saws which include cords to be powered for functioning are the corded pole saws. They remain tied to the power source with a cord. Normally the cord remains connected to a specialized long extension cord for assisting in working far distances from the power source.
Ideal examples of such pole saws are:
- Electric pole saw
- Hydraulic pole saw
6. Electric Pole Saw
Electric pole saws are powered saws that function utilizing electric energy. Such pole saws deliver uninterrupted power nonstop. Only electric failure may result in a break in work. The body of the electric pole saws remains very light in weight as they do not include any powering element on their body. They are extremely manoeuvrable.
7. Hydraulic Pole Saw
The hydraulic pole saws are heavy-duty performance-ensuring corded pole saws. Professionals mainly use them. They are used for clearing street trees, forest trees, or for cleaning big trees. The structure of such pole saws is somewhat different from the normal ones. They are very light to carry and easy to manage.
8. Cordless Pole Saw
The cordless pole saws are the ones that include no wiring system. They are completely free from wires. Their power source remains attached to their body. These completely eliminate the distance constraint. You can move freely with your machine and travel anywhere you want. The cordless pole saws are ideal for long-distance cleaning projects.
A wide number of cordless pole saws are found in the market. I have included a short description for you after naming some.
- Gas pole saw
- Battery-powered pole saw
9. Gas pole saw
You need heavy-duty performance then, there is no alternative to gas pole saws. They are the mighty pole saws capable of cutting bulky tree branches. They are vastly used for forest cleaning and big tree trimming projects.
The strength of gas pole saws has no match. Though such saws have the drawback of creating fume and loud noise, for accentuated jobs, gas pole saws are a must.
10. Battery-powered Pole Saw
Battery-powered pole saws are the most advanced form of pole saws to be used nowadays. Such pole saws typically use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. These use clean energy and are thus environmentally friendly. They pose no harm to the environment and human health.
Battery-powered pole saws tend to create much less noise compared to the rest. They are very flexible to use and do not weigh too much. You can easily carry them around and do your job.
Final Words
All pruning tasks are not similar. Big projects need heavy-duty ones, whereas your small garden can fit well with the normal ones. Each type of pole saw is specialized in its own task. All you have to do is know which one is used for what.
All of them have their reason behind their making. None of them is made thoughtlessly. Each has its own capabilities and attributes.
Knowing which is suitable for your work can make your job much easier. That’s why it is important to know different types of pole saws without skipping any.
