ECHO 12 in. 25.4 cc Gas 2-Stroke X Series Telescoping Power Pole Saw with Loop Handle and Shaft Extending to 12.1 ft. PPT-2620

This is a manly piece of equipment but it really cuts . Almost nine feet long when not extended so make sure you have a place to store it . Very well made .

It’s a bit heavy but it is very powerful. The weight is an advantage when it’s full extended.

Packaging is adequate, but I was concerned something could have made it out of the box. The central shaft had broken through one end of the packaging. But nothing was damaged, and all the loose parts were in a bag, which was not damaged.Assembly is easy for anyone without the instructions and with a tiny but of mechanical knowhow, you can't stick the wrong bits in the ends of the shaft and they are keyed for alignment. Just make sure the business end, where the chainsaw bar and chain are, is completely seated before you tighten the bolt that engages the hole in the shaft.Starting is easy, I tried with the choke first, but it turns out that on a 50F day it didn't need choke. First start resulted in a nice idle. I am using Echo bar and chain oil, and Echo Red Armor two stroke oil. Good luck finding ethanol free gas, the only sources in NH either sell horrifically overpriced pre-mixed gas, or leaded racing fuel, which will result in you breathing in lead and the engine eventually clogging up with lead deposits. So just empty it and run it dry of 2-stroke mix after use.Initially it needed a few seconds to get up to speed. I checked and the chain was certainly oily, so the chain oiler is working. The first few cuts loosened the chain and I had to adjust it twice. Since then it has stayed pretty well adjusted.With the extension fully extended the balance point is out of reach to me, so I either carry it upright, or my left arm gets tired. The reach is way more than the electric pole saw we used before, and I don't need to carry a generator up the drive to power it.I know battery saws are becoming popular, but I don't see much advantage. This starts so easily, and it is economical, at least for my use, and fast. A comparable battery pole saw would have limited me to the Makita, for the same sort of reach, and that would have cost me 25% more. Add a spare battery, so you can keep working after the first one goes flat, and that's more like 75% more. I know Milwaukee have great customer reviews, but the expert reviews aren't quite as glowing, and the reach is much less. Husqvarna have similar pole saws, but they either weren't available, or didn't have the reach. Unless you already have some battery powered kit I think this is a better buy. I already have Stihl and Husqvarna 2-stroke equipment, so for me this was the obvious choice.I use a Husqvarna helmet, for safety from falling wood. That also has hearing protection, but that wasn't as useful as the face shield it also includes. Cutting down branches also involves a lot of dragging them around, and little twigs keep whipping around and finding your face if you don't have protection. So I recommend a helmet with face shield.All in all very pleased. Unless someone invents some sort of drone I don't think I'll need anything else for quite a few years.

shipping issue, but resolved quickly.

This saw is very well made and easy to assemble but very difficult to use due to it's weight. I'm 6' 235 lbs and it's a struggle to use this saw specially when extended at full length. It's easy to start and cuts through even thicker branches easily. I gave it only 3 stars because of the weight. I do recommend it but if you're a small person or have medical ailment with shoulders, arms or back this saw may not be for you.

My son's home was full of trees that need pruning and using a chainsaw cut those limbs was out of the question. I saw this tree pruner that could be extended on Amazon, pricey but man does it get the job done. First, it's heavy and I wished they had a better design for the shoulder strap that's thinly padded. The nice thing is you just lay the blade on the limb and keep in place this beast will cut it with ease. I cut limb 6 inch and larger without missing a beat and to boot it is very very fuel efficient. One tankfull will get through several trees but you need to eat you wheaties to handle this big boy. If you they could redisign the shoulder to use the long reach with the weigh of the engine this pruner would be the best addition to my garage.

This saw is awesome. Powerful and works amazingly

Trimming tree limbs