issue with pole trimmer

skankpile

Got a nice stihl pole trimmer... and I've noticed a strange issue. On some normal cuts with the pole saw.. say on wood 2"-5" when cutting with the bottom of the bar it will chatter or vibrate...I liken it to chatter where the tip will visibly chatter about 0.5" across the cut, but if I do the same cut with the top of the bar its very smooth. Do I have improper chain tension, under power, dull chain, wrong speed... any ideas?

newguy18

That is called,skateing,as long as the chain is at proper tension don't worry about it.

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old schooler

OutofMytree

I have experienced similar vibration. If possible change the angle of your cut. If the saw is new the chain and bar should be fine. If you are not sure about that have the store you bought it from check it out.

I don't have a better answer than this. I am also keen to hear if anyone has more information.

skankpile

I figure as much, but I wanted to know from those in the know. Once it gets in the cut its fine. I just never had it happen with my stihl 25 I use around the house.

Eric Frei

If the wood is not dragged into the sprocket end of the bar where the equivalent of the dogs are the branch might chatter.

It could also be the rakers (depth gauges) filed down too much.

It could be you not revving it flat out then cutting.

What chain are you using, that Stihl .040" micro crap? I swapped that off for 0.050" picco 12" ms200T bar and chain, it can handle it and less bar flex and gay cutting.

PS: both are 3/8" chains so no sprocket swap required, just bolt up a ms200T 12" bar and Bob's ya Uncle.

Raker depths are critical, dont have too much bite and always ... flat out revs!

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newguy18

Your right on them both being 3/8 picco chain Ekka,however a sprocket change is nessecary due to the gauge being differnt.

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old schooler

Eric Frei

Sprocket change on the HT75 not required, the chain pitch is the same and the thickness is only 0.007" more. The sprocket is a lot wider than that and handles it fine.... I did put a new sprocket on as the old was worn and that would not be good for a wider chain to try to run in the narrower railway tracks of the worn sprocket.

Micro chain is 0.043" thick in the guide bar, picco is 0.050" ... both are 3/8 pitch.

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skankpile

Damn I love that pole saw.. I cut down an 8" limb last weekend and stuck that sucker proper so I had to cut it out. After the saw and limb fell to the ground, I picked up the saw and reset the chain... it worked like a champ.

I do change the angle of cut if I get a little vibration and it seems to help...I'm not really concerned about it after seeing how tough this thing is... I mean I was flexing it so hard in the tree it looked like it was made of spring steel.

luckily, I had my silky pole saw to cut it out... but I'll brag about it elsewhere

MTS247

Be carefull the stihl polesaws are a little fragile, and once they are bent they will start to vibrate, then eventualy they will wreck the inner shaft. so go easy on it.

OutofMytree

I can second that having replaced a shaft once already. Cost me close to $500 aus for that stuff up. They are most vulnerable when extended full length in my "expensive" experience.

Easily the best value for money saw I have ever purchased. I reckon I make more money out of the polesaw than almost any other saw, even the 200t.

treevet

I absolutely could not live without a polechainsaw. I am partial to the Echo Power Pruner. Think it has more chain speed and torque. Used them both. I own 3 Power Pruners now.

newguy18

I had a hand pole saw,never liked the gas or electric pole saws for pruning maybe on some risky removals.

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old schooler

OutofMytree

Dude, cross over to the dark side. There is so much more POWERRRRRRRRR

newguy18

I used my uncle's ht 75 once,didn't like it,i couldn't keep it from skating.I'd rather climb the tree anyway,unless its a palm.

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old schooler

MrDiesel

Hey TreeVet,

How long have you had the echo pruners? I have an echo blower and found it ultra reliable and easy to start. Im hearing a lot of good things about echo and thinking i might invest in a pole saw when my ht75 dies. In Australia you get a 5 year warranty! They must be pretty confident with their equipment

bill24

What length is the shaft on the Echo?

ie, what reach can you get?

Graeme

According to the Echo Brochure, the model PPT265ES which is the 25cc variant is 2760-3720mm plus there is an optional 1.5m extension available. Never tried one, we use a Stihl HT 75 and a HT 101 at work, but am pretty happy so far with my Echo top handle saw.

Cheers
Graeme

bill24

Thanks Graeme.

treevet

I have used them since they were invented being the dinosaur that I am. Echo/Powerpruner are the best IMO. Also owned one of the first Echo chainsaws on the market and was quite happy until, conversely, I found Stihl chainsaws (used Macs and Homelites and Poulans before that)

Don't mind me, just playing with the multi quote. Takes me a while to figger this stuff out.

treevet

[QUOTE=OutofMytree;42534] You get em stuck in a cut and yank and that ain't a good thing.


Polechainsaw is a huge moneymaker and energy saver IMO

aldo

Hi there, new to the forum.

I purchased an Echo PPT265ES pole pruner about 2 to 3 months ago. It comes out on most jobs due to it's versatility. I tossed up between the Stihl 101 and the Echo. The Echo has about 6 to 8 inches less reach than the Stihl. Probably a bit less too due to the handle system on the Echo, it can be a bit cumbersome to get used, but I have and I'm very happy. I spent a good two days mulling over both machines and one thing I didn't like about the Echo was a slightly flimsy looking chain tensioner adjustment. I'm pretty carefull with all my gear so i know for me it won't be an issue,

My offsider doesn't play with the gear. If it was being passed between a group of workers I would be worried.

It has plenty of grunt for the jobs I have done so far, branches off gums, malealucas, leopards, shrubbing lillypillies and palm fronds have all been too easy.

It couldn't be any easier to start. Virtually first pull with the choke and it doesn't stall and I flick the choke off and it continues, small warm up and we're away.

The oiler is adjustable and in max mode throws plenty around to be easily visible with a small rev away from the cut so you know what's happening.

It's a good thing and made in Japan. None of my Jap gear has let me down yet.

treevet

Echo (Power Pruner) is the better of the 2 IMO also. It'll last forever if taken care of. I have 3 of them. Just try to not let them get stuck in cuts.

"Offsider"? Gotta be a ground man in our vernacular?

Willard Holmen

I retired my Stihl HT75 a few years ago with its second bent shaft. It gave me years of good service and the engine still runs fine. Since then I have been using a hand powered Silky Hayauchi with Jameson 8 and 4 foot poles. I'm on my second blade now and I don't miss the old Stihl HT75. The Silky cuts fast and offers longer reach plus alot lighter, no maintaintence, easy to store and no need for oil\fuel, just a good breakfast in the morning.
Willard.