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

[slim reaper]

On 05/05/2022 at 08:29, Stere said:

This 18v makita topper is good

 

 

But be aware of the H&S issues as others have said.

 

 

 

You could  get a samurai hand saw (be careful with a hand saw also )   a budget petrol chainsaw to use on ground and make sure you  do get PPE:  chainsaw trousers and helmet.

 

 

Dealing with  all the tree after you have cut in down may be the biggest hassle as the volume is always  5 times more than you think when the trees still up.

 

 

 

If thats the 18v Duc254 Ive found its a joke for serious work. A 5ah battery lasts as many minutes and if you keep banging fresh ones in , after several it overheats

 

 

 

[Stere]

For stuff that is a loads of cuts  2inch diameter  or less etc...  it works ok. With 4 5ah batteries it lasts awhile.

Edited May 22, 2022 by Stere

[Dan Maynard]

54 minutes ago, Stere said:

For stuff that is a loads of cuts  2inch diameter  or less etc...  it works ok. With 4 5ah batteries it lasts awhile.

It's great for reductions, and I've done a fair bit of hedge work with mine. Anything heavier get the 36v one out.

[john87]

Not that i am an expert, but NO WAY would i try cutting trees from a ladder.

 

A quick seach for idiots with chainsaws quickly shows that 99.9% of the accidents are caused by people that cannot climb the tree, so use a ladder.

 

Needless to say, they cannot get high enough to top the thing, so despite the fact the ladder might be tied to the tree, the resultant "top" is longer than the distance they are themselves from the ground. So rather predictably, the top falls off, tip hits the ground..... and the butt then hits them off the ladder.. What did they think was going to happen>>

 

john..

[Steven P]

Aww, I was hoping for an update from the OP on this, seeing where he has got with it, whether he did this or has paused the project to save and get someone in to finish the job.. always worth finishing the story off for anyone in the future thinking to do the same they can learn from the experience

[Will C]

On 04/05/2022 at 19:59, EdGreen said:

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

Are you still at it? or are you sat in the corner sobbing quietly whilst rocking back n forth looking at a sea of brash, squashed sheds and a bike suit?

[doobin]

OP's widow- if you're reading this, can I have his motorbike?

 

@EdGreen

 

[Doug Tait]

1 hour ago, doobin said:

OP's widow- if you're reading this, can I have his motorbike?

 

@EdGreen

 

Don't forget to get that cordura motorcycle suit from the car boot sale too, essential.