If you’ve large trees with thick branches at your place, it’s better to trim or prune them at regular intervals. Most of these branches are above the ground and out of our reach. You can use a ladder, or spend some bucks by calling a professional at your place. But a DIYer like me would never do that because we’ve got a better solution to this problem, known as Pole saw.
Pole Saw is a power tool where a chainsaw is attached at one end of the pole. This tool helps in cutting branches and trees. Pole saws are available in different varieties based on the power source, such as manual, electric, and gas-powered. You can also find cordless pole saws in the market. Buyers can opt for any variation as per their choice and convenience.
Using a pole saw isn’t an easy job for beginners. You need some experience to make the cutting flawless and smooth. But, learning how to use a pole saw is not a complicated job that will take months of practice. You only need to follow a few simple guidelines for mastering the job.
How to Use a Pole Saw
Safety First
We’ll know how to use a pole saw, but your safety comes first. Generally, pole saws are the most reliable type of saws. Still, we always recommend users to use all the necessary safety gear to avoid any life-changing injury. This includes a pair of goggles that prevent dust and debris from going directly into your eyes. Besides this, you can also use a solid hat or helmet to prevent your head from falling branches. Keep your body covered, use full-sleeve shirts and pants, and avoid wearing open-toe shoes.
Clean the Surroundings and Work Area
Before you begin, make sure there is no crowd or pets around. Working with a pole saw means dealing with falling branches, so clear the work area. We recommend you to restrict the work area with a radius of around 40-50 feet. Make sure there are no hazards around the work area, such as holes, exposed roots, thorns, prickles, and fallen branches. Always work on an open area such that you can run away if any mishap occurs.
Prepare Before Cutting
We don’t want you to regret your actions, and thereby, you should first look for the branches where you need to make cuts. Now, based on the height, decide which branch you should cut first. If you’ve to cut a long branch, you first need to make some preliminary cuts before making the final cut. We recommend users to make horizontal cuts.
Get Your Tool Ready
To get started, you first need to extend the pole saw or combine different pole segments. With the help of the built-in locking mechanism, lock down the tool in the extended position to the required height. Make sure you hold the tool with both hands. Take the saw to the vertical position and try to balance the weight. Once you’re confident about the position, take the saw to the spot you planned to cut.
It’s time to position yourself. Avoid standing under the branch; make sure you stand side to the branch. Moreover, always hold the end of the saw at your chest level. At this point, you are all set for the action.
Start Working
Once you’re ready with an appropriate pole length, you’re in a better position to make cuts. Always begin cutting from the bottom of the limb as it is an easier approach. By doing this, you can easily switch to different angles and movements as per the requirement. Later on, you can now step ahead for cutting higher, larger branches. Once you do this, you’ll get a better idea of what to do next and where the branch will fall. But, stay alert and make sure you don’t stand over the slippery surface.
Cut the Branches
Run the pole at the maximum speed and cut-off the branches. Make three-to-four cuts while cutting a branch. When you’re using a pole saw, it generates a kickback, so handle it carefully. To slow down the branch falling speed, we recommend you to use the ropes. If you’ve to cut a broken tree branch, then you should follow the same steps. However, if you’ve to make custom cuts, you need to seek help from a professional.
Clean Up
In the end, make your yard clean and make the after process easier. We recommend you to cut the fallen branches into small pieces so that they can be easily transported. Don’t leave the wood pieces in the yard. Repeat the same steps before making a new cut to avoid any accident.
Conclusion
A pole saw is an incredible tool to maintain your woodworking projects. It is designed with so many fascinating features that make pruning and trimming jobs easier for the users. There’s a lot to know about pole saws, but here we’ve discussed explicitly on how to use a pole saw and get started with woodworking as a beginner.
One crucial point that we’ll mention again is your security. Pruning tree branches is a risky job that may involve beginners in an unexpected mishap. Thereby, we suggest our readers use all the safety gear before working with the pole saw. It’s time to wrap up our discussion, so take care and keep trimming.
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