Greenworks 40V 8" Pole Saw, 2.0Ah Battery (Gen 1)

I have an electric chain saw to trim trees in our yard but really needed a pole saw to get to some higher branches. After considering an electric pole saw I felt a more versatile one would be cordless, and after considering several other brands I elected to order this Greenworks 40V pole saw. It arrived very well packaged against shipping damage. The pole saw is assembled with 2 or 3 basic components. The saw itself is preassembled with the chain installed and tensioned. It's a simple matter to screw the poles together, and I found most of my trimming could be done with just two pole segments. A third, shorter, pole is included so the reach of the pole saw can be extended further. The saw does get a little heavy even with the two segments I used, but it was not so heavy that it prevented me from doing the job I needed to get done. The housing for the chain saw and power module are made of plastic which, while it surely saves weight, does give the saw a somewhat fragile feel to it. This is not a tool that will hold up to abuse, I'm sure.The kit I ordered included the charger and 40 volt G-max battery, but the pole saw is also available for purchase without the charger and battery for less money. Charging the battery is easy and did not seem to take longer than a couple of hours. Unlike what other reviewers have mentioned I had no difficulty at all removing the battery from either the charger or the pole saw handle. The battery has a release lever that has to be pressed before it can be removed, and it does make me wonder if people simply weren't pressing the lever while trying to remove their battery. There was ample battery life for me to do a lot of trimming on our property, and there was still plenty of charge left when I was done. For the average homeowner this battery should provide plenty of power for a trimming chore.The saw is easy to fill with chain oil, although the opening is small, and I had to use a funnel to keep from spilling oil while filling it. It fills quickly, so it does not hold a lot of oil, but the indicator window on the side is really handy to see when it's either full or needs more oil. While running, the saw did a nice job of keeping the chain oiled. Greenworks warns that it is normal for some oil to leak if the saw is stored with oil kept in it, and they recommend dumping out any remaining oil and running the saw for 1 minute after usage to prevent leakage.Using the pole saw is easy, and I found the saw cut through branches 2 or 3 inches thick with no difficulty. It does get quite heavy if you are having to extend your arms very far while using the saw. My arm strength is not as good as it was when I was younger, so younger adults used to lifting heavy loads may not experience this. Nonetheless, this pole saw was definitely handy for trimming on my property, and I'm really happy I purchased it.In summary, this Greenworks 40V cordless pole saw is affordable and great for trimming trees in a non-commercial setting. It's largely plastic construction raises a question about durability, and it is definitely not a tool for commercial usage, but I think with reasonable care it should hold up pretty well for use around the home. The 40 volt G-max battery works with other Greenworks yard tools, and I have already ordered their cordless pole hedge trimmer to use with my existing battery and charger. If you are a homeowner looking for an easy and safe way to trim trees or bushes with thick branches this pole saw is versatile, affordable, and does a great job.

I purchased this saw a couple weeks ago and have been using it as long as the snow doesn't fly. Right out of the box it was easy to assemble. After charging the battery for about an hour or so as it had a partial charge already, it went to work.. Filled it with bar oil I already had and I went out to try it out. There is a learning curve on using the tool. For instance, be prepared for the tool to stop. This is the battery needing to reset. Just let go of the trigger and restart. The saw goes right back to work. Also check your battery charge level to be sure you still have charge. If using for a long cut, it may stop. If you have sufficient charge the battery may just need to reset.Be careful of overhead work. As with any saw, there are wood chips flying out the underside of the tool. Use eye protection! Also when cutting overhead make sure of your footing. Absolutely know how your branch is going to fall and don't be under it! Another rule is to be sure the oil tank always has oil in it. Some bar oil now is colored red which shows nicely. Always keep the saw and covers clean. Taking it apart when done to clear the chips and any other debris collected under the cover is a good idea especially at the end of the day. When using the extension pole, be sure the connections are tight and be sure the branch is not right above your head. These are simple rules of using a chainsaw but so many haven't been brought up with one that this could all be news.You must know how to adjust the saw chain. I apparently did not tighten the chain cover enough as the chain came off the side of the bar. In my case the bar adjustment was not in properly from a prior adjustment. Lesson learned was to make sure all adjustments are tight when done. On my saw the grey cover took some damage but is still usable.I have cut apple wood, black locust, box alder, pine, honeysuckle, black cherry, and willow wood and this saw just cuts through the wood. The harder woods go slower than the softer woods. I have also cut thru larger branches and a few trunks that are larger than the 8 inch blade. Working from both sides took time, but the cut was thru and done in less time than a gas powered saw might have.All in all, this is a great tool for me to work on our 13 1/2 acres to clear storm damage, dead wood and invasive brush. About the only thing I need to do is to get another battery to carry with me and to be sure to take some bar oil with me. I will absolutely replace this saw with another just like it when the time comes!! Excellent value for the money!!