I work for a utility company and have a good variety of Milwaukee stuff at work, including their M18 pole saw with an extension. I have to say the thing works great when it can be used. The reality is it seems like many times some branches are still just too far out of reach and the tool can get bit a heavy. My advice to home owners would be this - if you have smaller or medium branches to trim, stuff thats higher up in trees, don’t underestimate the simplicity and advantages of a GOOD manual pole saw with lightweight fiberglass extension poles like from Jameson or similar. A good manual pole saw blade cuts extremely fast and usually just on the back stroke. They will go through smaller branches with ease, are much lighter, and much easier/quicker to carry around. The cordless pole saws shine on thicker, lower branches. If you can only buy one type - I’d definitely say go with a manual pole saw. Aside from being cheaper, lighter, longer, having 3 extension poles also allows you to not stay UNDER the branches youre cutting when they fall - unlike the cordless where you always wind up right under those branches trying to reach as high as you can. The only real downside with a manual pole saw is thicker branches can wear you out pretty quickly, especially when they are really high and youre using all 3 extensions to reach it, but you wouldn’t even be able to reach them with the cordless and just one middle extension. I have both types, and use both of them. When I can grab the cordless and use it for something quick and close, i will - but the manual pole saw works on everything. If i have to go walking through peoples back yards, (thankfully thats not too often) trimming branches along the way and carrying a bunch of other stuff with me from place to place / or I’m trying to trim stuff up high and stay ahead of / make room for someone already working in a bucket truck while I’m on the ground - that cordless pole saw stays in the truck. The cordless is great WHEN you can use it, but you cant always use it.

I bought the Harbor Freight electric pole saw, the first one got stuck in a tree and I tried to cut it out with my Polan electic 16" 3 1/2 hp chain saw, well that didn't work, the tree fell on it! So I had the warranty and took it back and got another one and bought another warranty with it to! I cut probably 1/8 acre of small tree with it to clear a section out for the septic system lines for my mother! Love that little saw!

I got the Portland for $60 and can't say enough good things about it. The bar and chain even impressed me. I've always got a place to plug it in and I can spend the money I saved on a 6 pack after my work is done.

I have the Portland and I think the “poor balance” is a benefit being tool end heavy pulls the saw into the cut.

$60 plug in from Harbor Freight is a winner. I love mine.

I bought the HF pole saw over a year ago and have yet used it, lol. It was on sale then for $64.99. I'm glad to see Frankie liked it the best! 👍👍

Screw dealing with a cord. If you're on a limited budget, I get it. But you can get a multi-tool combo that will last for years with no annual carb/fuel/spark issues. I have the Milwaukee full quik-lok system and haven't used a gas powered trimmer, blower, chainsaw, edger, or hedge trimmer in 2 seasons now. And I don't miss them a bit. Are they as powerful as the top of the line gas equipment? No. But do you need top of the line power for each tool? I don't. But I was amazed how powerful these brushless motors are. I also have Makita saws. The key to happiness with a cordless chainsaw(and most cordless tools for that matter) is to keep the rpms up and don't force the tool. You will get much more runtime, more cuts per charge, and no cutouts if you follow the "let the tool do the work" mantra. Keep up the great work!

I love these videos because you have a good balance between the tools for a homeowner and for commercial use. I have found that many tools at harbour freight are just fine for home use as we rarely use them. How ever they may not be appropriate for continuous use in a commercial setting. Considering the price you can often by 3 or 4 of the harbord tools for the cost of one commercial version. I have had the electric Pole saw for over 10 years and it still works just fine. The electric chainsaw is also just fine for home use. In fact I've not had to use my gas chainsaw at home for over 15 years. I am not sure feel leaving start.

Ryobi has a 40v battery and multiple 2 cycle power heads that share over a dozen attachments, and they use the more common square coupler that other brands use, for more accessory options. Not sure when they started the battery head, but the expand-it line is almost 25 years old.

I have that same Harbor Freight pole saw. I have been using it around the house for 2 years, it works just fine. It is a homeowner model only though. it works really good up to about a 3" diameter branch, it struggles with anything much larger. Thanks, Russ

Should do a "in the garage with Frankie" series.

Thanks for yet another great video stan! Keep up the great work! I always run to harbor freight when I need something in a pinch. Especially generator's. It doesnt surprise me that the Portland came out on top. Just dont expect it to last forever.

Thanks , great review .

I still have the Harbor Freight plug on pole saw, from 2015. It's helped me prune to oak trees in my front yard. It definitely needed special attention while cutting, and you had to periodically tighten the chain, so it wouldn't pop of, but amazingly enough, it did the job for cheap. I just bought a collection of Milwaukee tools, including their pole saw that comes with the 6.0 HO battery and extension, but I didn't throw away my Harbor Freight pole saw. I use it to cut up the branches I just cut with the Milwaukee. My trees are close enough to my house that it wasn't an issue to use a couple of extension cords to get power. It's amazing how well that "cheap" saw did the job, for years.

The bigger batteries give you more power when running high demand tools. It’s not just run time

I saw Milwaukee shrine in the garage and expected a fanboy hatchet video but I was pleasantly surprised. You let the saws do the talking! Helped me make up my mind to do the corded Harbor Freight paired with my Honda inverter generator. Thanks guys!

Left my HF pole saw out all winter int the snow & rain. Still works.

I IMMEDIATELY replaced the Milwaukee pole saw .043 gauge chain with a .050 gauge 3/8" low pro. And replaced the OEM Milwaukee (Oregon) bar with a better beefer spindled Oregon bar and chain. Helps a lot.

Stihl, Ryobi, Craftsman, Troybilt, and many more have 4 stroke and battery multi tool heads. I think Ryobi was the first.

Used cheap combi tools when I first started self employed, they definitely do a job and pay for themselves in a couple of jobs! I use a pole pruner on my Husky 535LK pro combi, though not telescopic, extension poles are available and with 2.2 HP it has enough power to do the most demanding of jobs! Electric is great for homeowners but I use mine at least twice a week and it's been invaluable!

Really liking your channel. I am a new sub, been watching lots of your very informative videos. The Milwaukee stuff is outstanding. I have the PVC cutter-amazing. Thx for these videos.

Fantastic music... Great video and I definitely need to make a playlist of music now! I love Makita tools so this should be interesting!

Thanks for saving us the time comparing them.

Battery saw challenge? Be sure to include Greenworks 40V. I love mine, though the aftermarket 5 AMP hr battery makes such a difference.

“minor changes” ... great song

I've got the same HF pole saw, have had it for over 2 yrs and still works like it was brand new. Love HF tools. Used to get made fun of for using their tools when I worked on a farm. Saved massive cash so I wasn't worried. Well done Stan, cruising for a HF sponsorship? 😜

I have the HF pole saw and have put hundreds of hours on it. I'm happy with it although its a pain when you need to use it out in the woods I run it off my 2000w generator and it works great other than the hassle of bringing the geny.

I just got a DeWalt electric pole saw for the V20 Max system. I would have bought the Milwaulkee, but it was much more expensive, and I didn't know how well these things would work. But, I have to say, this thing is awesome! It's become my favorite outdoor tool! I'm surprised at the power and battery life. And, it's great for all branches, but also to reach down and cut off thorn bushes, and honeysuckle, etc.

Damn.... you have a milwaukee tool empire!

I really hope your letting frankie know how many people in the comments look up to his skills and calm professionalism!!

finally someone who lets the tool speak for itself and doesn't just crap all over harbor freight

Echo PAS 280 is my multi tool, the power pruner and and 2 extension get about 14 ft with around 3 years 45 hrs of use, and the string trimmer head 21560056 I use .155 gator with great results about 2 to 3 house... edger & mini tiller attachments..

I'd like to see it using that broom attachment. I have one on my Stihl and it is ridiculously heavy. But I love it in the spring for getting gravel back in the driveways from all the snow plowing. I haven't found a better way yet.

To put chain lube in your chain saw, use a squeeze bottle with a spout, like you would have on your table with ketchup and mustard. You will have more control and probably NO spillage.

Imo i have 70% of the m12 line and 60% of the dewalt 20v/60v line and i love every tool. Its about quantity, size for access, and runtime demand. Also portability. I think Milwaukee is #1 in there 12v line with so many offerings in everyday use tools that pack smaller for climbing with and getting different access points for your work. As far as cordless bigger tools including cordless sds max dewalt takes it in power and affordability over an entire system. There is only 3 tools that milwaukee offers that would make me want to ad m18 platform to use but they're not inside my normal need... i just like tools.

I’ll stay with my Ryobi. Great trimmer, rotors in flower beds, my 40 v snowblower. All batteries are interchangeable, & I have the chargers. @ 76, they all suck! But emergencies need to be taken care of. I always accept help, because of the pain! Need tools to get help. I have Milwaukee & Dewalt, Flex, & Ryobi brand tools. Like them all, but hate the pain! Very good video, thanks!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The Makita and the TTI/Milwaukee are the only 2 of the regular power tool companies that make a really industrial pole saw, IMHO. The Makita is 13ft long, dual 18v lxt batteries and I have used the Sony engineered Makita Lithium Charger and 18v Lxt Battery system for 15 yrs now and I am heavily invested in it. But I always look at the others like now before I buy. The B&D/DeWalt is a 8ft 3 pc much smaller lighter 18v tool. I came here to see how the milwaukee compares. I have plenty of 5.0AH 18vt batteries and chargers so I only need a tool. The ONLY one I would consider besides the Makita is the Milwaukee because I have acreage and a lot of trees. (The 8ft Dewalt would be not much use. )

I am impressed with the Bauer from harbor freight. Light weight, 3 amp battery and has cut everything I have needed to cut outside needing a chainsaw for. I have cut down 3 and 4 inch diameter trees with it. It breaks down for hauling and storage. Battery doesnt do well for long jobs but for a once or twice a year thing I wouldnt buy a different one. We have been clearing to prepare our building site with this saw just works phenomenally.

Does anyone know if this gets too wobbly if you add more than one extension?

Who cares about the pole saw? That Milwaukee wall was breathtaking. Seriously, I will be getting the Milwaukee pole saw for the orchard.

I set up my set of scaffold to trim trees when they overhand them house … 22ft. I’m looking at the makita 15ft dedicated telescopic pole saw - looks amazing

Stihl and some of the other saws have an angled attachment to angle the saw over the real high branches, so you're not directly below the branch you're cutting.

I bought an extension type pole saw. From home depot 10 years ago, its in the garage over extended I got sick of messing with it and its blade got dull the bar bent I gave up on it. I bought the Milwaukee last fall I have been using it to cut down 3" dia trees insted of grabing my 20" chainsaw filling it with true fule and using it. The pole saw is silent no cord to pull starts right up and does the job faster then an axe.

Lithiums dont like extreme cold or extreme heat. It rapidly shortens the battery life. Many manufacturers have protection circuitry to stop you from using them if either happens FWIW. I really was impressed by that Milwaukee tho. I might get a portland if it came with a 4 acre cord . Naaa I have too much Makita :)

I have a Harbor Freight electric polesaw, love it.

I bought my dad the Harbor Freight Special, I used it a few times and I'm impressed! If I wanted to buy a cordless pole saw, I think I would go with the Makita, overall better design except that button to turn on lol!

Story. Contractor grabbed my charger and my Milwaukee Electric 48-11-1890 M18 18VDC Red Lithium-Ion High Demand 9.0 Ah Battery Pack by mistake. I bought this battery just for the 7-1/4" chop saw. So I grabbed one of my small 18v batteries and stuck it in the saw and it was fully charged. The chop saw would stall cutting into a 2x4. So really there is a huge difference in batteries. With the 9.0 ah battery I can run the saw all day long cutting trim. So the amp output is much better with the 9.0ah. I am with you 100% yes Milwaukee is awesome. They need better designers on some of there stuff or more testing in real use for making the tool easier to use. Example their vacuum they have the power switch behind your hand so you cant hold vac with one hand and turn it on and off. The vac is really great with the said flaw and I would buy it again.

A suggestion from a tree industry vet when pouring bar oil and gas its best to pour it over rocks or dirt so it wont destroy surrounding vegetation and such.

How many extension can the milwaukee pole saw handle?

what you think of the new chainsaws from milwaukee and dewalt? Battery ones?

A chainsaw from Aldi's? I'm dialed. I can do my grocery shopping & my tool shopping in a one stop shop. You guys are hilarious. So real. Yeah, I sold tools as my career choice for 30 years. What a career, talk about a blast. Great video. Just bought a Rigid 1/2" revers drill/driver at HD. My DeWalt batteries from 2004 just crashed on me. Not buying no off brand batteries that won't hold a charge. The Ridgid is ok. My DeWalt professional from my company back in the day has such a solid feel compared to any drills I've tested. Old DeWalt was a 3/8" chuck and has more weight than the the 1/2" .Got the 3/8" 'cause I'm tiny. Anywho, great video. Pretty cool pole saws. Can't believe he likes the HF over the others but to each his own. I always worry they're gonna burn up on me and I'll freak out. The Makita had a smooth sounding motor. Wonderin' about the batteries. Like your channel.

You guys should make another video and compare and review the Harbor Freight Atlas 40 V Pole saw with the Harbor Freight Bauer 20 V pole saw!

I got the Portland sometime ago and it still works like a top.

I have to show this to my wife. Someone who has more tools in his home garage than I do.

It's funny that you had mentioned you bought a chainsaw from aldis. About 15- 16 years ago I purchased a tent that sleeps 8 for under $60 at Aldi's. I still can't believe I bought a tent and a grocery store that lasted this long. If purchased at any of the bigger stores you get hunting and fishing and camping equipment at it would have been well over $350 to $400. You got to love that place.love the videos keep them coming God bless and have a great Easter weekend

The eltric chain saw vs battery saw would be a great video

As a research engineer with 3 engineering degrees, including a master's degree from Stanford University, I think I might be able to help you with the technical terms... The power is defined by the voltage times the current. And the power is in Watts. The voltage alone does not tell you all you need to know regarding the power as the current is just as important. The energy is the power times the time. Since the device has a constant voltage of say 18 or 20 or 24 V, we often define the energy as "amp hours" as the voltage is a "given". However, the proper term would be "Watt Hours" for the energy. Since most of these DC motors operate at about the same current, we typically obtain an increase in power by increasing the voltage. To increase the longevity or duration, you need to increase the energy of the battery. Remember that voltage alone does not tell the entire story because the current is just as important. In the past Makita was given kind of a raw deal because their DC motors operated at a much higher current level; therefore, their drills provided much more power at the same voltage as their competitors. So you need to know both the voltage and the current to determine how much power a battery-driven device will have. If you have the amp hour rating of the battery and multiply it times the voltage, this will give you the actual energy available. One of the big issues is the price of batteries because this varies tremendously. This is where harbour freight is able to deliver devices for far less money that perform quite well. I purchased their Bauer line about 2 years ago and bought a drill, a hedge trimmer, and a circle saw. They've all performed extremely well especially the hedge trimmer. It is magnificent! The drill has tremendous torque, but because of the type of mos fet that's used, it has issues if you run it for a very, very long period of time under load. ( I only have a problem one time when I was using it with a wire pressure attachment to take paint off of a metal object. After it sat for a few minutes, it worked just fine, and I finished the job. ) With the high capacity battery, both the hedge trimmer and the circle saw are superb. Now of course I much prefer Milwaukee, but you will pay 5 times the price or more. I can't justify that for home use. I paid $40 for the drill and one battery and charger and $25 for the circle saw and less than $30 for the hedge trimmer. Additional batteries were $20 for regular capacity in $30 for high capacity. You just can't beat that for home use. I still have a NiCAD-based drill that I bought for $15 about 7 years ago( Including a light) at it still works just fine for low power applications such as driving such as driving pilot holes in wood. As the owner of a security system company I fully realise that everyone makes fun of harbour freight and I certainly would not use their tools for my commercial applications. However the tools work just fine for home applications. A few of their products are really terrific and are good enough for commercial applications; yet, some of them are pure garbage and not even useful for home applications. There is a slight risk, but you just need to know what your buying and what you want. I was the scout master and used harbour freight for many of the tools for scouting. The price was terrific and we are extremely happy with most of our purchases. By the way Trier lint is an extremely good fire starter and we always taught our young scouts how to use it properly. Your video on fire avoidance in the home was lacking in a few areas. Far extinguishers are rated A, B & C, and you need to study what each of those mean. The very best fire extinguishers use inert gas called "halon". All of the supercomputers use it for their fire extinguishers because it does no damage to the equipment and people can breathe the air without any ill effects. Their difficult to get today because the organisation that rates them has a bunch of incompetent fools running it. Hey long is problematic above 3000 to 5000 degrees. Hence you don't use it if you have a magnesium or lithium fire. The only reason they stop using it was because the military had a fire at an aircraft Carrier where the magnesium became involved in the fire and the hailon combining to form a toxic gas. However it is virtually impossible for the homeowner to obtain such a temperature. For the homeowner halon is perfect because there are no ill effects whatsoever and you don't have corrosive powder destroying what was destroyed by the fire! I hope that this helps. I'd be happy to help you with any technical information. I am retired from Sandia National Laboratories. 1abqdad@gmail.com

I’ve done extensive research on pole saws, Portland all day. Good power!

I can't believe you guys are still getting snow, we haven't seen any in new Jersey for a little over a month

Great Video.. The HF pole saw corded was ok for about 8 hrs, then the motor went out cheap plastic gears that's why..

An overall price comparison would have been nice even with adding $100 to the HF for the battery difference. I'm with Frankie, for $60 to $80 (depending on sale) you can't beat the HF unit for around the home use.

The wall of millwaukee tools awesome

Plug in has more amps. Where the battery has more volts so will spin faster but less power due to less amps

I am thinking of going with the Makita power head just because I want the power sweep because I live in MN too and it would be killer for the sidewalk, Can you show that in action??? Please please please ???? Butt I have more Milwaukee batterys so I dont know!!!

Ha Ha ! You guys are great! Just like hanging with my buddy! Heres some info for you. The Makita and many Bosch tools use a feedback circuit that is why their tools start slow and ramp up to power. Most of their tools maintain the same speed under Full Load or No Load. The feedback circuit reads the speed and adjusts and that is why these tools start up and ramp up the speed. At its core Makita is an electric motor company. they are famous for their electric motor designs. Makita were the first to make a brushless battery impact for example. Makita's motors are smoother and smaller than others while making the same or more power. Milwaukee makes some great tools too fwiw.

Stihl has the: KMA 130 R . Electric head for the multitool. So there are two in the industry.

Francky should have his channel, i would love to know more about him, he is such a good person !

Am i the only one that thinks its easier to use the old manual pole saws vs the power ones? They weigh next to nothing and cut through a couple inches of branch in like a minute. no dealing with charging or starting a 2 stroke or dragging a cord around or waving some heavy saw up a pole around in the air.

How many years since the old Polaris ran under the REDMAX chain saw?

8:53 for milwaukee mulit tool .. information..

Don't think you could go wrong with any of those the longer extension always better but for the money and you got enough extension cord I'm with Frankie and a $28 chainsaw from Aldi's that does not surprise me LOL they have sold Furniture to chainsaws that's funny but hey you guys stay safe up there have a good one and we'll see you around it's always good seeing your videos of brother you never let us down bro thanks a ton for all you do man Dear Frankie big knuckle bump for me Frank he's a cool dude man👊👊👊👊💪💪💪👍👍👍👍👍👍

I have one of those cheap Portland’s saws and it is good for the price sure you have to run a cable but if you don’t have to go far it’s well worth the 70$

Try spinning the motor to get cable in a different position so it aligns correctly with the attachment.

Is it still cold in Minnesota? Spring finally started here.

Thanks for the good video, HF is a good tool place for many folks, I hope one day people will stop saying cheap Chinese stuff as if you didn’t get a good value product.

I still think that even though the 5ah, 9ah, and 12ah batteries are 18 volt the 5ah is just a standard battery and the 12ah is a high output. The 12ah has to put slightly more power out. You can not efficiently use the 5ah battery on the table saw because it does not have enough power, because you have to use a high demand 9ah or a 12ah high output. Just my thoughts from experience. Great vid.

Cordless are nice for portability, but there is a lot to be said for getting an extension cord plugging it in and go. Full power all the time.

Menards has the orange and black worxs gt I believe is the name, and it is a plug in saw that can attach to a pole, I bought it for my mother for 60$( both pole and saw included) cause she would not be able to start a gas powered one, but it handles good and is comparable to gas power..... she really enjoys it and is always looking for another tree to cut lol, the only draw back is the dang cord, but on the plus side there is no smelly gas chain saw that is being stubborn and throwing fits

You should do a video on why you use grandstands and what you like

Since i have a pretty handy and small predator generator i use when i need to use a grinder or a air compressor when i am not next to a outlet, i would get the cord saw as well and save myself 100 bucks.

Frankie sounds like Tommy Chong lol

Milwaukee is doing amazing things with 20v. However, they're either not pursuing or aren't there yet on higher voltage. You can only do so much with 20v and other brands (especially makita and DeWalt) are proving this. DeWalt's 60v miter saw is a marvel of technology. Same thing with their table saw, Milwaukee just can't compete. I really like Milwaukee I just wish as a consumer they'd bring their great quality to new lines of higher throughput tools.

Kool man 👍

The lynxx 40v pole saw is no joke. Great battery life. I'm 5 ftn6 and can reach 12 ft with it. I just now cut a 12 inch diameter horizontal ash limb off the tree after working my way back from the end..... 30 feet out in my yard. That was after 3 hours of cutting smaller maple limbs. It's a great pole saw. 5ah and 9ah seem completely overkill to Me. I'm Using the heck out of this saw and I am worn Out before the battery dies.

Ideas for future equipment

I love my electric chainsaw! Small job is all I ever have anyway! Love it!

🤤 over your team red tools & the great organization of them all......it’s like I’m in heaven😍

I have the ryboi 40 volt. Still have my 2cyl head. But electric is so much better. If you keep the chain sharp. It's cuts much better.

They make this tool for liquid transfer, and with a garage that stocked with tools Id be surprised if you didn't have one. But never fear harbor freight has them for about 1.99. Its called this funny name FUNNEL. It helps make tight holes larger.

That's a very interesting chainsaw.

I worked with a guy that did tile work. He told me a story. He went to work at a jobsite. He found that a power tool that he needed, had been left at home. He went to the local Harbor Freight, spent $23 and got a tool (to substitute for the $100 tool) that only needed to last the day.

Stanley and the public, I am commenting to correct Stan as Makita is not the only brand who has a battery or four stroke power head. Ryobi also has this in their expand-it system. The battery is a higher voltage as well. Go to homedepot.com and search ryobi 40 volt.

The 12 amp hour batteries in the m18 line, do provide a little more power

Here we go boys 😎

You didn't list the name of the tune in the artist

Hey Stan why don’t you look at any ryobi cordless tools they use the same battery in every tool they have over 100 tools

One more thing LOL... The harbor freight 17 ft multi ladder is a game changer.

Ryobi also has gas or electric power head

I would say the type of battery is more like the type of fuel you use. Different fuels can get you more power or less power out of your tool. Different volt batteries have potential to get you more or less power. Then engine is more comparable to the motor in the electric tool. Bigger motor= bigger engine

5:25 in video should have yezzy-put on intro for richey