Husqvarna MadSaw Gas-Powered Dielectric Pole Saw

The Husqvarna MadSaw is a gas-powered dielectric pole saw that puts a cutting head on an insulated fiberglass shaft for reaching limbs from the ground or a bucket. It is aimed at crews doing high pruning and clearance work who need reach without carrying a saw up the tree.

Reach without climbing

A pole saw lets you take deadwood, clear limbs over roofs and roads, and reduce branch ends without tying in. A gas-powered head on a long dielectric shaft gives you real cutting power at reach, and the fiberglass shaft adds insulation compared with a metal pole. It is a common tool for right-of-way and clearance work from the ground or an aerial lift.

Plan cuts so limbs fall clear of you, the shaft, and anything below. Long cuts at reach are tiring, so take smaller pieces and let gravity work.

Keep the head clean and the chain sharp so you are not forcing cuts at the end of a long pole. Watch for limbs that can swing back toward the shaft or roll off a wire, and keep a spotter on the ground when working near traffic or people.

Electrical hazard cautions

A dielectric shaft is not a license to work near power lines. Only qualified line-clearance arborists may work within the minimum approach distances set by OSHA and ANSI Z133, and a dielectric tool must be kept clean, dry, and tested on schedule to keep its rating. Dirt, sap, and moisture on the shaft can conduct.

Wear a helmet, eye and hearing protection, and gloves, and follow Husqvarna's manual and your employer's procedures. More saws are in chainsaws.