The SawPod

The SawPod is a chainsaw holder for climbing arborists that gives a top-handle saw a secure place to sit while you work aloft. Instead of letting the saw hang off a lanyard and bang against your legs, you set it in the SawPod and pick it back up when you are ready to cut.

The problem it solves

Every climber who runs a top-handle saw knows the routine. You make your cut, shut the saw off or set the brake, and let it drop onto the saw lanyard. Then it swings. It bumps your thigh, it twists your lanyard, it hangs in the way of your climbing line and it catches on branches when you move. On a big removal you might do that a hundred times in a day.

The SawPod gives the saw a home. Set the saw in it while you tie off the next piece, re-anchor or move across the canopy, then pick it back up when you are ready to cut. The saw stays still, your hands are free, and the bar is not swinging near your rope.

On a big removal, you might set the saw down and pick it up dozens of times an hour. Cutting out a little swinging each time adds up to less fatigue and less wear on your lanyard and clothing by the end of the day.

How climbers use it

Most use it when they need both hands for a while: tying a rigging knot, setting a redirect, limb walking or working a pole saw. It is also useful when you are dealing with a hung piece and want the saw parked somewhere predictable rather than hanging below you.

Keep your saw lanyard connected at all times. The SawPod is a convenience for where the saw sits, not a replacement for a proper saw lanyard or saw strap. Set the chain brake every time you park the saw, and never park a running saw unless the manufacturer and your company's procedures allow it.

It also helps when you have to talk to the ground crew. Parking the saw means you are not holding it while you signal or adjust a rigging line.

Choosing a top-handle saw setup

Top-handle saws are made for use aloft by trained arborists. If you are building out your climbing saw kit, consider the whole system: the saw, a saw lanyard with a breakaway or swivel, a scabbard for the bar, and a place to park it. Browse other aloft accessories in other climbing gear.

Check that the SawPod fits your saw's handle and that it sits where you can reach it without twisting. A little practice on the ground makes the motion automatic.

Think about where it sits on your setup. A position that is easy to reach without looking makes the habit stick, and that is what makes the tool worth carrying.

Safety and care

Follow ANSI Z133 for chainsaw use aloft, including one-handed operation limits, and only run a top-handle saw if you are trained to do so. Keep the SawPod clean of chips and bar oil and check it for cracks or wear where the saw sits. Replace it if it no longer holds the saw securely.

Because it is not part of your climbing system, never clip it into life-support gear or use it as an anchor.

If it gets damaged, replace it rather than repairing it with tape or wire, which can catch the chain.