Fiskars PowerGear X Telescopic Tree Pruner UPX86, Non-stick Coated, Steel Blade/Aluminium Handle, Length 2.4 - 4 m, Black/Orange, 1023624

Product Information

Since long reach tree pruning can be a physically demanding task, it’s crucial to consider the weight and ergonomics of the pruner. Look for lightweight models that won’t strain your arms and shoulders during prolonged use. Ergonomic features such as cushioned grips and adjustable handles can significantly enhance comfort and reduce fatigue. Testing the pruner’s balance and maneuverability before purchasing is advisable to ensure it suits your physical capabilities. Blade Quality and Maintenance This product carries a product lifetime manufacturers warranty covering both faulty materials and faulty workmanship for the expected life of the product as defined by the manufacturer, it does not cover general wear and tear or damage, batteries, blades, bulbs and other consumables. In the unlikely event of a fault the item returned is subject to fair wear & tear and must not have been used beyond the scope of it's design.

The orange handle midway along the shaft activates the blade, pulling down on the handle slides it down the shaft, closes the blade and makes the cut. The Fiskars UPX86 PowerGear X Telescopic Tree Pruner is a versatile tool designed to make maintaining trees an easy task. Here’s the completed tree, pruned down to around 2m (6’) high, a much more manageable and very productive height for home garden fruit trees. Branches up to approx 40mm diameter then a long reach pruner / telescopic lopper is fine. Anything larger then I would suggest a long reach saw. Both the Fiskars UPX86 and the Wolf Garten poles can also be fitted with a saw attachment for a bigger cut. The reason for choosing this particular product to review is that I’ve owned and used the really long Fiskars UP86 Universal Telescopic Tree Pruner Model # 115560 for somewhere close to ten years now, so it’s a quality brand that I trust, but a 2.4m (8’) long pole pruning tool is not ideal for smaller jobs or for use in restricted spaces, so I was keen to try the shorter, non-extending Fiskars pole pruners for that kind of work, and I wanted to see what design improvements they made on an already excellent product.

For shorter trees and bushes, look for telescopic tree pruners with a maximum extension length of around 2m, and a shorter setting closer to 1m . These heights will provide sufficient versatility without requiring the use of a ladder. The blade is made from alloy steel and has sharp, solid serrations. There’s 4 cutting angles to choose from depending on what you are cutting and at what height. There’s no bypass mechanism. Instead, the branch is held in place while the two-way blade produces a smooth and clean cut. One small criticism would be with the number of plastic components on the pruners. Both the extender mechanism, and the cutting head angle adjuster, are plastic, which seems less durable than if all the important parts were made from metal. If also a good practice to sterilise pruning tools between different trees to avoid spreading diseases, and I use a water-alcohol mix and a paper kitchen towel for the purpose. The blades wiped clean effortlessly, returning them to their pristine, new appearance.

It’s a good quality machine, and comes in three separate pieces to allow the length to be adjusted. The handle attaches to the end of one section, the saw to the end of the other, and then there is an additional extension piece. This pruner can be used without the extension, and will measure approximately 1.8 m, or with the extension, measuring 2.7 m. Having tried different brands of extendable tree pruners iver a number of years, these Fiskars powergear ones are definitely the best. Long reach, light weight, sturdy mechanism. Recommend this product. The internal rope pully system is what assists with closing the blades and causes them to cut. Instead of a squeeze handle, which is what many other tree pruners have, this method is easier on the hands. It’s quite a revolutionary way of cutting, and sets the Fiskars pruners apart from others on the market. Some telescopic/extendable pruners are manually powered. They have a ‘squeeze’ handle that causes the blades at the top to close and cut. As long as the blades are sharp enough, this shouldn’t be too hard on the hands. These manual pruners are usually best suited to cutting fresh, live stems/branches as opposed to woodier ones. They’ll work best on bushes, hedges and small, young trees.The handle is ergonomically shaped for comfortable holding, and has a durable,orange soft-grip coating that has an almost slightly rubbery grip. The extending handle is made from aluminium making it lighter than other models to use. The blades are super strong and sharp and can easily cut through branches and growth up to 30mm in diameter. The angled head makes light work of cutting hard to get to branches and vertical growth.

Any durable tool with a long life can be repaired to extend its serviceable life, and that’s possible with spare parts. One other issue is that the cord isn’t quite long enough when the handle is at full extension, so you may need to lengthen it if you’re regularly pruning at full extension. Nevertheless, it’s a powerful tool and can be invaluable whilst pruning bigger branches – it’s just a case of making sure you can control it properly. The lightweight yet robust construction of the aluminum shaft, coupled with the ergonomic SoftGrip™ handle, provides comfort, control, and a non-slip grip whilst using the tool.The quality of the pruner’s blades directly affects its cutting performance and longevity. Opt for long reach tree pruners with high-quality, sharp blades made from durable materials such as carbon steel or hardened stainless steel. Additionally, consider the ease of blade maintenance. Some pruners feature replaceable blades or blade sharpening systems, which can prolong the lifespan of the tool and reduce long-term costs. Extension Mechanism With a blade that cuts and holds whatever gets pruned, the ARS 160ZP Long Reach Pruner is great for dead-heading, manicuring and harvesting. Instead of instantly dropping the pruned material on the spot, where it will never be found again, the blades allow you to have more control over where it will be placed.