[TowerTalk] Hanging Wires/Cutting branches

[Ian White GM3SEK]

Roy Thistle wrote:
>Jim:
>For cutting branches that are in the way of a dipole I use a saw I mounted
>on a 10 ft. section of steel mast.
>
>The saw is special. It is a blade for a pruning saw: the kind used by
>professional arborists/"tree cutters". Its made from stainless steel, is
>scimitar shaped, with the teeth on the concave side, and most
>importantly...it cuts on the downward stroke only...so the saw dosn't get
>jammed into the branch...and you can use your body weight to help in the
>cutting. The stainless steel makes it very tough and flexible.
>
>The success of branch cutting, from the end of a pole, depends I found, on
>the quality of the saw. The last thing you want is the saw jammed into the
>branch. Another problem is that the pole has to be fairly stiff. If you
>can figure out how to join wooden sections together, then that might work
>too.
>
>For higher branches, I extend the mast with more sections of the same type
>of mast, and pin them together...by drilling a hole and using a steel
>pin/nail.
>
>I have gone up to about 35 ft (3 sections and my body height), but this is
>not too safe. I recommend that you have another person to help you
>balance. At 20 feet, the rig is quite useable.
>
>You can use this in combination with a ladder; but, the ladder complicates
>everything.
>
>I know everyone mentions this; but, watch out for electrical wires. And if
>anyone is helping you, make sure they know what to do if you have to let
>the rig fall.

As the person who originally asked the question: thank you, Roy.

 From everybody's recommendations, I also found a few more web pages on 
pole saws and pole pruners:

Jameson Corp. (US manufacturers): http://tinyurl.com/7d9f8

Abbey Pro (UK importers):
http://www.abbeypro.co.uk/subprod/pole-saws-0001142.aspx

http://www.tooled-up.com also has a wide range.

Thanks again to everyone who responded.


-- 
73 from Ian GM3SEK