Anyone who says that gardening is easy and dull has clearly never spent time taking care of their backyard. Making your garden look ravishing takes time, effort, and skill. What’s more, it can even get a little dangerous, especially when using a pole saw.
Designed for trimming, clearing, and pruning tree branches, pole saws can be challenging to operate and can be tricky in use for an inexperienced gardener. If that’s the case with you, don’t worry. With a little effort, you’ll become a pole saw master in no time.
But before you get your equipment and take care of your branches to let your garden see more light, you need to make sure you know how to use a pole saw adequately. And, more importantly, how to use it safely.
Safety Measures
As mentioned before, trimming branches can be dangerous. To make sure you won’t endanger yourself and other people, you need to learn a few simple safety measures. Apply them before and during your work. What should you do?
Read the Manual
First of all, read the manual. It’s the most straightforward, yet most important thing you have to do before using your pole saw. You should find all the technical aspects, safety precautions, and other essential things you need to learn about your equipment.
Inspect the box for any additional information, and make sure you read the manual carefully. A pole saw is a dangerous tool, and you shouldn’t use it without basic knowledge.
Wear Proper Gear
The second safety measure you need to take is wearing proper gear. You can’t merely put on your flip flops and go trimming branches. You should wear a helmet, safety goggles, ear muffs, a mask, non-slip work gloves, thick-long pants, and boots with a good grip. You will need to clean your pole saw after use to prevent rusting and maintain its sharpness. When handling chemical cleaning solutions, wear a pair of utility-grade disposable gloves that fit well to allow ease of movement and protect your hands from stain and splatters.
It seems like a lot, but it’s crucial if you want to say safe. Without wearing proper gear, you’ll expose yourself to flying debris, a broken saw part, and dust going into your eyes.
Clear Your Work Area
After you read the manual and suit up, it’s time to prepare your work area. Clear anything that may get into your way while working. Keep your pets, children, and other family members as far away from as possible to ensure no one gets hurt.
Check whether there aren’t any power lines you may unintentionally cut, or whether there aren’t any nests on the branches you intend to cut. It’s also a good idea to check the weather conditions. You can’t operate a pole saw during rain or wind.
Oh, and don’t forget to inspect the tree you want to trim. Rotten branches or loosened bark can pose a danger to you.
Check the Pole Saw Before Usage
Everything is prepared, and you’re ready to go? There’s one more thing left to do before you start working. You need to inspect the pole saw to make sure it will work properly. Check whether it’s oiled and if it’s not missing any teeth, or if they’re not worn out.
Try running it slowly before using it on the branch to see and hear how it works. If you notice anything odd, inspect it more thoroughly and contact a specialist if needed. Using a broken saw is not only ineffective but also dangerous.
How to Use a Pole Saw
Now that you’ve taken all the necessary precautions, you can get to work. Well, as long as you remember about a few simple rules you need to implement when using your pole saw. Here’s what you need to have in mind when working with a pole saw:
- Plan every cut carefully
- If the branch is too heavy, start trimming it closer to the tip, and slowly move your way to the primary cutting point
- Don’t cut the branch that is directly over your head and maintain a safe distance
- Make sure to keep a sharp and tight grip, with both feet standing firmly on the ground
- Create a groove on the branch that will guide your cut
- Increase your cutting speed slowly and keep checking the condition of the branch
Apply these simple pole saw safety rules to ensure your work will be secure and efficient.
Summary
As you can see, using a pole saw for the first time is not as challenging as it may seem. All you need to do is apply a few simple safety measures and cutting techniques that will allow you to cut every branch securely and effectively.
Ensure you get the right equipment and that you have a general idea of how to use it. Keep in mind that pole saws come in various types and sizes. It means that even though you’ve already used one before, it doesn’t have to mean another will work the same way.
Apply all the necessary precautions and be careful. Pole saws are not toys, and they can cause severe injuries if not used correctly.
