Greenworks 40V 8" Pole Saw + Pole Hedge, 2.0Ah Battery (Gen 1)

I have an electric chain saw to trim trees in our yard but really needed a pole saw to get to some higher branches. After considering an electric pole saw I felt a more versatile one would be cordless, and after considering several other brands I elected to order this Greenworks 40V pole saw. It arrived very well packaged against shipping damage. The pole saw is assembled with 2 or 3 basic components. The saw itself is preassembled with the chain installed and tensioned. It's a simple matter to screw the poles together, and I found most of my trimming could be done with just two pole segments. A third, shorter, pole is included so the reach of the pole saw can be extended further. The saw does get a little heavy even with the two segments I used, but it was not so heavy that it prevented me from doing the job I needed to get done. The housing for the chain saw and power module are made of plastic which, while it surely saves weight, does give the saw a somewhat fragile feel to it. This is not a tool that will hold up to abuse, I'm sure. The kit I ordered included the charger and 40 volt G-max battery, but the pole saw is also available for purchase without the charger and battery for less money. Charging the battery is easy and did not seem to take longer than a couple of hours. Unlike what other reviewers have mentioned I had no difficulty at all removing the battery from either the charger or the pole saw handle. The battery has a release lever that has to be pressed before it can be removed, and it does make me wonder if people simply weren't pressing the lever while trying to remove their battery. There was ample battery life for me to do a lot of trimming on our property, and there was still plenty of charge left when I was done. For the average homeowner this battery should provide plenty of power for a trimming chore. The saw is easy to fill with chain oil, although the opening is small, and I had to use a funnel to keep from spilling oil while filling it. It fills quickly, so it does not hold a lot of oil, but the indicator window on the side is really handy to see when it's either full or needs more oil. While running, the saw did a nice job of keeping the chain oiled. Greenworks warns that it is normal for some oil to leak if the saw is stored with oil kept in it, and they recommend dumping out any remaining oil and running the saw for 1 minute after usage to prevent leakage. Using the pole saw is easy, and I found the saw cut through branches 2 or 3 inches thick with no difficulty. It does get quite heavy if you are having to extend your arms very far while using the saw. My arm strength is not as good as it was when I was younger, so younger adults used to lifting heavy loads may not experience this. Nonetheless, this pole saw was definitely handy for trimming on my property, and I'm really happy I purchased it. In summary, this Greenworks 40V cordless pole saw is affordable and great for trimming trees in a non-commercial setting. It's largely plastic construction raises a question about durability, and it is definitely not a tool for commercial usage, but I think with reasonable care it should hold up pretty well for use around the home. The 40 volt G-max battery works with other Greenworks yard tools, and I have already ordered their cordless pole hedge trimmer to use with my existing battery and charger. If you are a homeowner looking for an easy and safe way to trim trees or bushes with thick branches this pole saw is versatile, affordable, and does a great job.

I purchased this saw a couple weeks ago and have been using it as long as the snow doesn't fly. Right out of the box it was easy to assemble. After charging the battery for about an hour or so as it had a partial charge already, it went to work.. Filled it with bar oil I already had and I went out to try it out. There is a learning curve on using the tool. For instance, be prepared for the tool to stop. This is the battery needing to reset. Just let go of the trigger and restart. The saw goes right back to work. Also check your battery charge level to be sure you still have charge. If using for a long cut, it may stop. If you have sufficient charge the battery may just need to reset. Be careful of overhead work. As with any saw, there are wood chips flying out the underside of the tool. Use eye protection! Also when cutting overhead make sure of your footing. Absolutely know how your branch is going to fall and don't be under it! Another rule is to be sure the oil tank always has oil in it. Some bar oil now is colored red which shows nicely. Always keep the saw and covers clean. Taking it apart when done to clear the chips and any other debris collected under the cover is a good idea especially at the end of the day. When using the extension pole, be sure the connections are tight and be sure the branch is not right above your head. These are simple rules of using a chainsaw but so many haven't been brought up with one that this could all be news. You must know how to adjust the saw chain. I apparently did not tighten the chain cover enough as the chain came off the side of the bar. In my case the bar adjustment was not in properly from a prior adjustment. Lesson learned was to make sure all adjustments are tight when done. On my saw the grey cover took some damage but is still usable. I have cut apple wood, black locust, box alder, pine, honeysuckle, black cherry, and willow wood and this saw just cuts through the wood. The harder woods go slower than the softer woods. I have also cut thru larger branches and a few trunks that are larger than the 8 inch blade. Working from both sides took time, but the cut was thru and done in less time than a gas powered saw might have. All in all, this is a great tool for me to work on our 13 1/2 acres to clear storm damage, dead wood and invasive brush. About the only thing I need to do is to get another battery to carry with me and to be sure to take some bar oil with me. I will absolutely replace this saw with another just like it when the time comes!! Excellent value for the money!!

Works well cutting limbs seems sturdy enough.

We had an abundance of thick branches and shrubbery in our back yard, and considered hiring a professional gardener to take care of this for us. But as most people know, cutting or pruning a tree can cost you an arm and a leg when it comes to hiring professional help, so we decided to take things into our own hands, literally, by purchasing the GreenWorks G-Max 40V pole saw. We had considered purchasing one from one of the store brands at a home improvement center (rhymes with bowls...) but the unit looked heavy and was more expensive than the GreenWorks. We were struggling to make the decision between a battery operated one and one that plugged into an electrical outlet with an extension cord. After using the GreenWorks battery powered model, we feel that this is the only way to go. But if you do select a battery operated pole saw, be sure that it is at least a 40V unit, as the lesser units may not give you enough power or run time. This was our first experience with this type of equipment, and to tell you the truth, we were a bit apprehensive about using such a powerful tool. We read the instructions thoroughly, and assembled the thing in less than 5-minutes. After checking that all the fittings were secure, we went out to the backyard to attack the dead branches and trees. To our surprise, the GreenWorks saw was very easy to use and provided more than enough power to cut three to four diameter branches with ease. We'll be tackling the 6-inch dead tree trunk later this week. When we assembled the pole saw, we attached all the segments ( three of them) together and it was very long and a bit unbalanced because of all the top weight on the pole saw end. But the battery at the other end helps to even out the weight a little. What we didn't know, after reading further in the manual, is that you can shorten the overall length dramatically by just attaching two of the segments instead of all three. The manual writers could have saved everyone some trouble if they had pointed this fact out in the beginning of the instructions before they tell you to assemble the entire thing with the three sections. After about 35 minutes of pruning, cutting, and trimming, the battery power only went down by 25 percent--pretty amazing. The 40v battery also provided more than enough power to drive the pole saw to allow it to cut through the thick branches. The chain stretches a bit when using it for the first time, but adjusting the tension on the chain was extremely easy to do. This was one of our concerns about operating a pole saw, but the process was problem free and any future adjustments should be just as smooth. Adding chain oil to the reservoir was also easy. The little translucent window on the side of the saw lets you know when to add more oil. After the first session of use, we used about 25% of the total amount. One tip that I was made aware of is to have the saw running before you start cutting, and not to start it while it is resting on a branch or tree trunk. Doing the latter can jerk the saw out of your hands as the teeth of the saw pull away from you due to the friction between the teeth and the wood. The saw is powerful, so always maintain a good grip, and wear eye protection when using it. In thirty-five minutes of use, the GreenWorks pole saw literally paid for itself many times over by us not having to hire a professional gardener. It's convenient to use, and we no longer have to depend on someone else to address our more serious backyard/garden needs. We're pretty happy with this pole saw and would recommend it to those with similar needs like ours.

This a great tool. I've owned mine for over a year now and love it. I've used it to maintain my property as well as my mother in law's. Between the two, it's gotten plenty of use. The tool cuts limbs with ease. I've also used it to cut saplings up to 6" or so. It's so good at what it does, you're tempted to cut bigger items than what it was designed for. The batteries last a long time, probably upwards of an hour or so of continuous use. I have two so I always leave one on charge while using the other. I never run out of juice, well from the batteries anyway. Many times I personally run out of juice but that's another story. And the battery recharges is a reasonable time too. Again probably 45 minutes or so from a complete discharge. There are a couple of things that could be improved though. One is the battery is hard to disengage from the charger or tool with a gloved hand. So you have to remove your gloves, depress the battery's clip,and then pull it out of the tool or charger. It would be nice to do this with gloves on. The second item is to make the saws length adjustment continuous. As it is now, you have to add a ~2' insert. This becomes a hassle if you're cutting limbs from low to high. You have to stop to add the extension or take it out. If you try to cut the lower limbs with the extension in, the tool becomes heavy to handle as you basically have a heave weight on the end of a fulcrum that you're trying to control from the other end. The last improvement item would be to have the chain driven by a shaft so the battery and motor are on the end near the operator, thus making it easier to handle/control. But I'm sure these modifications would add to the cost. Overall, this is a great tool with long lasting and fast recharging batteries at a reasonable cost. I would definitely purchase it again.

I am impressed so far, I am a Stihl guy but my girlfriend and I have several greenworks products now in the 40v lineup. 16 inch Mower, 14 inch Weed Wacker, 3/4 Hedge Trimmer which are all great and now this Pole Saw. I would say like most people when I read bad reviews it makes me worry but then I also wonder if those people are expecting to much out of a certain product or not using it as intended. So let me just make this simple You don't need to put a ton of forward pressure on this to get it to cut. If it isn't cutting like you'd expect then make sure your chain is sharp and that you have plenty of chain lube in the tank. Make sure the chain is tightened properly and not to loose or TO tight. OH and don't expect it to cut through an 8 inch + oak branch or tree in a few seconds. Keeping those things in mind it does exactly what it should do and it does it very well. Treat it like it should be treated and you will be very happy with this Pole Saw. Remember when you start cutting with a new chain remember it will stretch, so stop after every 4 to 5 cuts and check the chain tension. There should be no excuse for a chain jumping off the bar unless it is user error. To loose and it will jump off. I will post an update if there are any problems with it in the future but for now I'd say forget the negative reviews and go for it. Especially if you already own some greenworks 40v products, Already having batteries and getting this for $82 after tax is so worth it. It costs around $300 to rent a lift for a day to do the kind of jobs this can do...and you don't have to return this saw the same day. At full extent it can be a bit heavy, it is pretty easy to use and with a 4ah battery I got through several 5 inch diameter pine and cherry wood branches quite fast. I was impressed how quickly it cut through them. Battery only lost 1 bar in 30 minutes after about 20 cuts, some smaller branches and probably 10 of those were 5 inch diameter. the other were around 3 to 4 inches. I had to readjust the chain tension once during that time, remember, new chains stretch, so adjust as needed.. All in all this 40v Pole Saw is worth every penny.

I really bought this for very limited use. I had to have something to trim down a giant (overgrown) burning bush. Both tools worked really well and I was especially pleased with the chainsaw attachment. I dislike chainsaws. Messy. Don't last long. After 50 years of putting up with them, this little thing was a pleasant surprise. Of course it isn't going to work on a tree, so.... But my tree downing days are over anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or buy it again.

I spent a lot of time researching pole trimmers and saws. To my dismay the one thing they all have in common is maneuverability or I should say lack there of. If you have ever tried to push a rope through the woods you know what it like to handle this beast. It is heavy and unwieldy. The shoulder strap they send does not seem to have a logical place to connect it. The connection loop they have mounted does a great job of balancing the unit but my arms are about a foot to short to reach the trigger. I must have that wrong but can find no instructions as where the manufacturer intends it to be mounted. Now what my whining is over I will add that this thing does a great job of trimming. My first task was a series of way overgrown cedar shrubs. I quickly trimmed them back from their 14 foot height to 10 feet and reduced their girth considerably. They are once again attractive cone shaped shrubs. Once the height was reduced I removed the extension rod and trimmed the sides which was a much easier task. The battery charge lasted longer than I did. Plenty of power and plenty of juice. I also fired up the chain saw trimmer. Wow! fast much easier to handle. Nice tool for my arsenal even though it may wear me to a nub when trimming at height.