In order to keep your yard looking good, then proper yard maintenance is needed, and since there is no “one tool does all,” you will need to have a variety of different tools at hand. When it comes to trimming those limbs and pruning shrubs, a pole saw would be a great idea. However, not just any pole saw will do the trick – if you don’t want the saw to break on you, then you need to make sure you buy one that you know you can count on.
Before you go out and buy a pole saw, there are numerous factors you will need to keep in mind:
Yard Size: How much shrubs does your yard have? The larger your yard is, the more powerful the saw will need to be.
Know how to use a pole saw: As with any piece of equipment, you will want to do your research before you make the purchase. For example, the best pole saw for cutting tree branches may be different than the best one for pruning bushes.
Frequency of Use: How often do you plan on using the saw? If you plan on using it every single day, then a gas-powered version may be best for you. However, if you plan on using it to routinely prune your yard, say every other week, then a cordless saw will be more than enough.
Type of Features: Are you the type of person that doesn’t mind hands-on projects, such as having to self-oil a chain? Or are you the type that prefers to keep your work down to the minimum and would like a self-oiling chain? Knowing the features you need will help you narrow down those options.
For those of you that are looking for a good cordless electric pole saw, I have just the right saw for you – the Kobalt Max Lithium Ion cordless pole saw. This pole saw has some pretty interesting features that I believe you should know about.
My Introduction to the Kobalt Pole Saw
The Kobalt Max Lithium Ion is an 8-in cordless electric pole saw that will give you a big helping hand when it comes to pruning and trimming your backyard. The pole can extend so that you can reach 10.75 feet into the air, which will save you from having to stand on a ladder to reach limbs that are too high. Yes, this is a pole saw, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to lack when it comes to performance.
Is the Kobalt cordless electric pole saw what you need in your yard? Continue reading what I have to say about it to find out …
Impressive Features
Starting out, I must admit, the Kobalt electric pole saw has some pretty impressive features that really caught my eyes. If you’re familiar with the Kobalt brand, you probably already know that their equipment always has impressive features.
Runs Smoothly
If you’re looking for a pole saw that runs smoothly without any problems, then this is definitely one of the pole saws you should look into.
Automatic Oiler
When looking for this type of power equipment, I always try to find one that has an automatic oiler because I don’t like having to stop and manually oil something. In this case, the automatic oiler is what helps the pole saw run smoothly. This means that it automatically releases oil, so the chain remains safe and effective. Automatic oilers will also help the chain last for a longer period of time.
Translucent Tank
Along with there being an automatic oiler, there is also a translucent tank that will make it easy for you to determine when it’s time to change your oil. Just as you would routinely change the oil on your vehicle to keep it running smoothly, you should do the same for your saw.
Sharpening the Cutters is Easy
With the Kobal pole saw, sharpening the cutters is super easy. Even if you have never sharpened cutters before, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Powerful
If you’re looking for a saw that is powerful, then this one right here would be suitable for you. Not only is it powerful, but it is also smooth.
Battery Life
The battery life on the Kobalt is decent. You should be able to run the saw between 45 to 60 minutes depending on what you’re doing. If you want to use the saw for a longer period of time, then you could always have a second battery to use when it runs out.
When you have a full charge on the battery, you will be able to quickly cut through those limbs. To give you an idea, fully charged, it will peak up to 40 volts.
To give you an idea of the battery life, with this saw, you can get up to a total of 140 cuts of 4×2 treated lumber when the lithium ion battery is fully charged.
Easy to Start
Gone are the days when you had to sit there and hassle with a piece of equipment just to get it started. Now, with the invention of “push-button engines,” things have become a whole lot easier. With the Kobalt pole saw, to get the saw up and running, all you will have to do is push the button and you will be ready to go.
Bar
The bar on this saw is 8 inches, so you should be able to easily cut through those tree limbs with confidence.
Pros and Cons
Now, it is time to take a look at the pros and cons of this saw and really learn if it’s worth it.
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Powerful
- Battery life is good
- Long-lasting
Cons
- The chain has a tendency to fall off, but in my experience with saws, this is something to be expected, and to me, this isn’t really all that big of a deal.
How Do You Tighten a Chain on a Kobalt Pole Saw?
Before you start your yard work, you should always check the chain tension before cutting. If the chain is hanging out of the bar groove, then it needs to be adjusted. I feel the need to mention that you need to make sure the saw is turned off and you’re wearing gloves during this. Yes, I know, this is pretty obvious, but at some point in time, this wasn’t obvious to someone.
Just as new shoes need to be broken in a bit, so will chains. Make sure you adjust the chain within the first five cuts.
To adjust the chain, loosen the bar retaining nuts, but don’t remove them. Hold the guide bar tip up, and rotate the tension screw clockwise using a screwdriver. The right tension will depend on the chain temperature. If you have not used it to cut yet, then the chain should fit snug against the guide bar. If the saw has been warmed up, then the chain should hang about 1/16″ from the guide bar groove, or 1.3 mm if we’re metrically speaking.
After you have made your adjustments, lift the tip of the guide bar up and check the tension. If it is still too loose, release the tip of the guide bar and turn the tensioning screw a half-turn clockwise and repeat until you get there. If the chain is too tight, then it’s not going to rotate at all, and if this is the case, you will want to turn the tensioning screw a quarter-turn counterclockwise. You should be able to turn the chain by hand, without binding.
When you have finally reached the right tension, hold the tip of the guide bar up and tighten the retaining nuts back up.
Additional Tip: Once the chain has cooled down after use, the chain will tighten up. If you have just tightened it before you have cut, then it can damage the equipment. This is why it is a good idea to loosen it after you have used it. After you have a good amount of wood, the bottom of the bar will have a fair amount of wear and tear, so flip it ever so often when you tighten it – by doing this, you will prolong the lifespan of the bar.
Conclusion
I hope you have enjoyed this Kobalt Pole saw review and it has better informed you on your buying choice.
Would I recommend the Kobalt pole saw to my family and friends? Of course, I would, or I wouldn’t be here recommending it to you today. With Kobalt’s state-of-the-art technology, you can count on having more speed combined with more torque. For those of you that are looking for a good pole saw that isn’t going to let you down, and you plan on using it for routine maintenance around your yard, then you can count on this one. In fact, I like this pole saw so much that I could easily label it one of the best out there.