Novice: top or rear handle 18v Makita for occasional use?

[EdGreen]

Hello folks, I have five extremely large leylandii trees out back, which have never been cut back since being planted around 40 years ago. You can imagine how overgrown they are! Neighbours are complaining light is being blocked, so I need to sort it. I've recently been made redundant, so cannot afford the services of a professional. I am in my late 30s, fit and healthy, not afraid of heights.

 

I already have Makita kit for DIY, so it makes sense to buy one of their electric saws. 

 

Question is do I go for a top handle model or a rear handle model? I read the advantages and disadvantages of both, but wonder what's more relevant in the real world.

 

(A) = rear handle model https://makitauk.com/product/duc305z

• 1,100 watts
• 5.3kg weight with 2 batts
• 30cm bar

 

(B) = top handle model 

• 800 watts
• 4.7kg weight with 2 batts
• 30 cm bar

 

I have a commercial 7.5m ladder with a stabiliser T bar at the bottom, which I will rope to the tree. 

 

Plan is to go up the ladder, cutting off various branches on the way up (have watched various YouTube safety videos and the dangers of branches springing back, not wearing the right PPE etc. so not going into this totally blind), once I get as I high as I can I will see if I can top it off.

 

Once I get down, whatever I have cut off will need to be cut into pieces to take down to the tip.

 

With the task in mind, which of these two is the better option for me?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Ed

Edited May 5, 2022 by EdGreen

[Steve Bullman]

2 minutes ago, EdGreen said:

not afraid of heights

A fear of heights is healthy, it keeps you alive.

 

Aside from that, you shouldn't be able to buy a top handled saw if you haven't completed the appropriate training, although i've never been asked to produce my certificate. Top handled chainsaws handle a little different to rear handled chainsaws, and offer the temptation of using the chainsaw one handed where it isn't always necessary. In an inexperienced user this could prove pretty dangerous.

 

In an ideal world you'd have a pro in, but its pretty clear you're keen to tackle this yourself, and I understand that. If you have to do it from a ladder though you should be secured to the tree yourself also.

[Paul in the woods]

If you've got time on your hands I'd use a decent hand saw. 

[Mick Dempsey]

1 minute ago, Paul in the woods said:

If you've got time on your hands I'd use a decent hand saw. 

Not the worst idea I’ve heard.

Good shout.

[Mark Bolam]

The fuel cost of taking 4 40year old leylandii to the tip will probably outweigh the costs of getting the pros in.

[EdGreen]

I did ask a firm, they quoted £1,300 or so to top them off. Unfortunately I can't afford that from a financial point of view at the moment. I don't know if that is a good or bad price, but I live near horrid London, and usually if you're in or near London, a premium seems to apply to everything.

 

As far as chainsaws go, I was under the impression that the benefits of the top handle saw is that it can be used one handed when up a tree, but should not be used one handed when on the ground (should use a rear handle saw when on the ground ideally)?

 

In terms of tying the ladder, I plan to use heavy duty cam buckles with a break strength of 400kg (made in UK, great quality).

 

Any suggestions on how to tie myself to the tree, welcome!

 

[dumper]

You will be astounded how much branch volume comes out of the trees and how little you can get into your car!

[EdGreen]

Hi Dumper, I thought about that, so have borrowed a Bosch branch shredder, I appreciate it won't do much to anything over about 2" in diameter though, will have to cut that up manually.....I guess I need to go for the rear handle saw after all?

[Mark Bolam]

If they are untouched and 40 years old you won’t even get near half way with a 7.5m ladder.

 

Good luck, you will need it.

[Hodge]

This post is a joke.......that will end up with a visit to the hospital..... of your lucky......for all our training, insurance and investment, all the years of learning a trade and this guy comes along......