Up to now, the Milwaukee Quik-Lok system was the only pole saw running on the M18 battery platform. That’s changing with the announcement of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw (3013). After putting it to the test, I can confidently say there are some compelling reasons to get your hands on one.
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding cutting power and speed
- Well-built, durable design
- 13-foot maximum length (~16-foot reach)
- Excellent sightline to the cut
- Beefy branch hook
- Full high-end gas replacement
- Inline design fits inside a 6-inch diameter conduit carrier
Consider Another Model If You…
- You plan to work away from a power source for long periods of time
Editor’s Note: Check out our best pole saws article to see our top picks.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw Performance
My Bride and I took the opportunity to use this pole saw to clear some of the horse trails we use up in Georgia. While chainsaws are the go-to for everything at ground level, we use a pole saw to clear out some of the higher branches that can get in the way of a rider on a horse along with general tree maintenance.
The Milwaukee PowerState brushless motor uses a single M18 High Output battery. It produces 2.35 horsepower with 1.9Nm of peak torque and claims to outperform competing gas models. According to Milwaukee’s data, the power and 25m/s chain speed lets you cut up to 50% faster than you can with leading gas tools. Plus, it cranks up to full speed in less than 1 second. Based on our experience, those claims are most certainly valid.
Once you make your cut with the 10-inch bar and chain, there’s a good, strong metal branch hook to help you pull it down if it gets hung up.
For reach, the saw telescopes in length between 9 and 13 feet. Depending on your height, that’s a working reach of roughly 12 to 16 feet. The adjustment collar may seem large compared to other models, but its size makes it easier to grasp and twist. I had no problems getting it freed up or tightened—even after several weeks of use.
When you first grab hold of the pole saw, you’ll notice that the shaft feels different. That’s because it’s not round like most models. The overall shape is triangular with rounded corners. It makes for a more comfortable hold and improves control.
Thanks to an inline profile, you have an excellent sightline to your cut. The saw can also fit inside a standard 6-inch diameter PVC pipe for transport on a truck or trailer.
Like all Milwaukee M18 and M18 Fuel tools, you can use any M18 RedLithium battery to power it. However, the pole saw is designed to work best with High Output packs. Despite its size and weight, the 12.0Ah battery is your best bet for getting the most power and runtime for those heavy-duty cutting jobs.
If you’re looking to get the absolute best performance out of this saw, I’d suggest stepping up to one of Milwaukee’s new M18 Forge batteries. These batteries offer superior power output and cooling capabilities, allowing you to work longer and charge faster than you could with an M18 High Output battery. Plus, they’re fully backwards compatible and work with any M18 or M18 Fuel tool.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw Design Notes
With some of Milwaukee’s new lawn care and landscaping tools coming out in a dual-battery design, there was some question as to whether the pole saw would as well. In fact, it uses a single battery, and that saves some weight.
Still, it’s a pole saw with a fully extended length of 13 feet! You have a full 16 pounds of weight before you even add the battery. However, a magnesium cutting head helps keep the weight on that end manageable and more balanced.
The Milwaukee 3013, while it may come across as heavy compared to other consumer-level battery-powered tools, targets professional users. The working weight of this saw is right on par with what you get from models such as the Stihl HT 135 gas pole saw or the HTA 135 on the battery side.
Managing the Weight
Milwaukee includes a shoulder strap to help manage the additional strain of working with a tool this long. By adjusting the strap so that the trigger is at my hip, I found that it took significant weight out of my hands while letting me control the throttle and manage the cut.
Chain adjustments follow a standard Pro-level design. There’s a single bar stud with a captured nut (thank you!) to secure it. Slightly loosen that nut with a scrench and then flip it around to use the slotted screwdriver side to adjust the tension up or down. As a surprise bonus, the included scrench stores securely on board the tool in the battery bay!
As you would expect from a Pro-grade pole saw, there’s an automatic chain oiler with a translucent reservoir to help you keep an eye on your oil levels.
Finally, there’s a protective extension under the battery port. Even with a 12.0Ah battery, it extends beyond the pack’s housing, offering some additional durability if you set the pole saw down or happen to drop it.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw Price
You can get the Milwaukee 3013 as a kit with a 12.0Ah battery and charger for $799. There’s also a bare tool option for $599. Milwaukee backs the saw with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
Prior to this model, your only option for cutting at height with a Milwaukee pole saw was to use the Quik-Lok model with an extension or two. That’s fine for folks who only have occasional jobs to take care of with a pole saw.
For those of you using them more frequently, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw’s outstanding cutting performance and ability to quickly adjust lengths to fit the job make owning the dedicated model a better option to keep your productivity high and frustration low.
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