Ratcheting Pole Pruner with Saw

I am VERY disappointed in the quality of this tool. There is a plastic locking closure near the cords that is so poorly designed that it is impossible for it to function properly during usage. I bought this to replace a similar tool I have been using for the past 20+ years — which STILL works better than this junky version. I am forced to withdraw the tool from the tree after each cut to manually reset the blades to the open/ready position, because the poor design of the tool prevents the ropes from doing this automatically (through spring tension). This is a considerable drawback if you plan to cut more than just a few small branches. After less than a month of sporadic use, the cords are already fraying!!!! It amazes me to see that ropes on the similar tool I have which has seen hard use for decades still has ropes which are not frayed, at all!!!It all boils down to amazingly poor design and cheap materials.

The Better Hose Ratcheting Pole Pruner with Saw markedly reduces the pulling force needed to cut through branches. Although it is stated that it can cut branches up to 1 1/2 inches, I have found that 1 inch is about the practical limit; requiring four pulls of considerable pull force to cut. These are oak branches that would be virtually impossible to cut with the Fiskars Pruning Stik which has no ratcheting mechanism. Interestingly, for smaller branches the Better Home Ratcheting Pole Pruner cuts through in a single pull.The fiberglass pole is of good construction but a little too flexible at full extension for my liking. The ratcheting pruner attaches to the pole with a clever twist lock mechanism. With the pruner attached it is perceptively heaver that the Fiskars Pruning Stik and more awkward to use. Where the system falls down is a plastic locking tab that secures the lever arm to the pole. This piece deforms easily and does not lock securely. When it pops open, the pruner does not function. I have not tried the saw attachment but doubt that is any different from other pruning saws I have used with minimal success.

I really do love this. If I could have I would have given it 4.75 stars as I would like to see a few additions to it. It makes trimming things so much easier and I don't have to build new muscles thanks to the ratchet doing the hard work for me. It even makes it easy for the branches real high up. I never have to fight it to get the pruner to cut the branch like I had to with my old pruner. I would like to see a couple small additions. A clip at the end of the main outside pole to put the cord into. I tend to forget about the cord when I am concentrating on getting the pruner in the right location to cut and then once I am ready to pull the cord I have to stop and look around to see where it dangled to after I let go of it. I did a simple quick fix but it isn't ideal. I just put a thick rubber band at the bottom of the main pole and ran the cord under it. Once I extended it to get some really high up branches, I had to get a second rubber band to hold the cord down lower. I am sure it is not a problem everyone would have, but It would be nice to not have to hang on to the cord while trying to position the blade. I would also like to see a light weight guard around the strings that thread through the top pully system. If I am not careful and there are alot of branches close together, it is easy for me (the unprofessional that I am)to get the strings caught in the branches around where I am trying to cut. Although even that is avoidable if you just put some effort into it. Still, when I have got it caught, it is easy to get it uncaught without messing up the pruner so don't be afraid of messing it up. It seems to spring back to where it belongs all by itself. I don't use the saw. I am strickly a pully pruner kind of lady, ha. This pruner really is a breeze to cut with. When I would use my old one I actually ended up with bruises trying to get it to cut. This one is like cutting butter when you use it the right way. I used it fully extended too and I was comfortable managing the long length. I am a 58 year old 5'3" out of shape lady too. If I can use it easily, imagine what you could do.

This is a great pole saw. I'm a deer hunting guide, and it is great tool for me when I'm trying to get tree-stand sets ready, and I'm working by myself. The pulley system is AWESOME! It doesn't take near as much force to cut stuff. The pole system is relatively light, and has great extension. After I purchased this pole saw, I got a different saw blade that has the curved in, which makes it even easier to get those branches that are almost out of reach with your pole saw. I would buy this saw again.

This tool works very well. I have owned 3 other similar products, but this one is the best. The rope doesn't cut you like other will because of the pulley system this uses. It is made very well and should last me the rest of my life.

Works great but could have used more directions. Can’t figure out how to connect the saw blade.

I have a regular tree pruner, and over the years, every year I would hurt my shoulder by pulling on the cord to cut half inch branches, with the ratchet tree pruner, no more hurting shoulder, it cuts in three strokes easily.

Okay, my wife and I bought this pole pruner, the lopper, and the hand pruner at a better homes and garden show about 5 years ago. My wife loves the pruner and the lopper because she can cut even larger limbs her self where before she could not. I use the pole pruner to shape a holly tree in my yard and other limbs as needed. Using the saw is something I learned to do over time. The blade is very sharp and if you "saw" long enough it will cut a limb, works for small limbs, but would hate to have to try to take down a large limb. In fairness this would be true of any pole saw/pruner