Redback 120V Battery Polesaw

[Philbert]

I ordered a Redback 120V, battery-powered pole saw at a seasonal clearance price. I already have the chainsaw, and this one with a battery and charger was actually cheaper than buying just a spare battery by itself, so it was a 'good deal' (note: price has varied on line).
https://redbackpowerusa.com





The polesaw telescopes 17 inches, from 78 inches to a maximum of 95 inches (tip to tip). With the battery and guide bar removed, it collapses down to 71 inches for transport or storage. Shaft length is adjusted with a twist lock (at first I was confused by the sliding, shoulder strap mount which adjusts with a cam lock).



The '8 inch' (nominal) bar measures 7-1/4 inch, and runs 3/8 low-profile, narrow-kerf, chain. It was supplied with TriLink, semi-chisel, low-kickback, skip-tooth chain. The bar is angled downward at a fixed, (approximately) 15° angle. It has a tool-less chain tensioner, which was quite stiff initially, but may loosen up with use.



Bar oil is added via a real 'flippy cap': a hinged flap, almost like a detergent bottle. Innovative.



Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Weight was about 11-1/2 pounds with the battery and strap. There is also some type of strap support / case that holds the saw from the battery end, but use of this was not described in the manual.



Trigger was easy to operate, with just a simple, palm-operated safety. This may not be enough to prevent unintentional activation, if the saw is transported in a car, for example, with the battery installed. I drilled a very small hole in the trigger to insert a 'blanket pin' (large safety pin), to prevent accidental operation.




Now I need to go find some stuff to cut! Hope to do some late season pruning as soon as the frost hits.

Philbert

 

[Grjfer]

Weight was about 11-1/2 pounds with the battery and strap. There is also some type of strap support / case that holds the saw from the battery end, but use of this was not described in the manual.

View attachment 202598

Trigger was easy to operate, with just a simple, palm-operated safety. This may not be enough to prevent unintentional activation, if the saw is transported in a car, for example, with the battery installed. I drilled a very small hole in the trigger to insert a 'blanket pin' (large safety pin), to prevent accidental operation.

View attachment 202599
View attachment 202600

Now I need to go find some stuff to cut! Hope to do some late season pruning as soon as the frost hits.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Thanks! That's helpful!

Now, is that you?

Philbert

 

[Grjfer]

No, I just followed your link because I have been looking for a poll saw.

 

[Philbert]

Redback 120V Chainsaw

link to related thread: http://opeforum.com/threads/redback-18-120v-lithium-cordless-battery-chainsaw.7730/

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Finally got a chance to really use it today! Been a while, but as I noted above, was a good investment for me, even for just the battery.




Cleaning up some local storm damage with volunteers; this was green maple. Passed it around for several people to try (the photo shows it being used where a conventional saw would work, just to try the pole saw, but reaching into a tangled mess is a good application).

They were impressed with how well it cut (new chain, Tri-Link, 3/8 low profile / narrow kerf), and how easy it is to operate, compared to starting up a gas saw. Also, how much lighter it is than the STIHL HT131 that they normally use.

Really convenient for homeowner / 'pro-sumer' use. Could also be a good choice for landscaping, etc. use, due to the convenience, light weight, and lower price, compared to a 'pro' pole saw.

Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

I wish I could get my hands on a set of 120Volt Redback tools.

 

[Wilhelm]

Lucky are those who took advantage of the current sale (sold out).
99$ for the pole saw complete with B&C, 2.0Ah battery and 1.0Ah charger - plus free shipping within the US.

I envy You guys so much . . .

 

[Philbert]

Hopefully, they will be ‘back’!

Philbert

 

[Ulsaint]

Weight was about 11-1/2 pounds with the battery and strap. There is also some type of strap support / case that holds the saw from the battery end, but use of this was not described in the manual.

View attachment 202598

Trigger was easy to operate, with just a simple, palm-operated safety. This may not be enough to prevent unintentional activation, if the saw is transported in a car, for example, with the battery installed. I drilled a very small hole in the trigger to insert a 'blanket pin' (large safety pin), to prevent accidental operation.

View attachment 202599
View attachment 202600

Now I need to go find some stuff to cut! Hope to do some late season pruning as soon as the frost hits.

Philbert

Earlier this year I ordered the pole saw and it’s never worked. It makes a high pitch whine when it’s on and can’t even cut a very thin branch.

unfortunately it looks like redback is no longer in business. Anyone with ideas with what could be wrong with it and how I could fix it?

Right now it’s just taking up space.

 

[Philbert]

Welcome to OPE Forum!

Since it sounds like it is getting power, all I can suggest is opening up the saw head portion and looking to see if anything appears to be miss-assembled, stripped, missing, etc.

I don’t recall receiving an exploded parts diagram with mine, but some parts might be possible to obtain or make if needed.

Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

Earlier this year I ordered the pole saw and it’s never worked. It makes a high pitch whine when it’s on and can’t even cut a very thin branch.

Does the chain turn or not?

If the chain turns but stops under load with the motor still making turning sounds, it may be some sort of stripped transmission issue.

 

[Ulsaint]

Does the chain turn or not?

If the chain turns but stops under load with the motor still making turning sounds, it may be some sort of stripped transmission issue.

chain turns but stops when it’s on a branch. It has a loud high pitch sound when running that doesn’t sound normal

 

[Wilhelm]

It sounds like something is stripped or slipping, an OPE mechanic should be able trouble shoot that unit for You.

 

[Ulsaint]

The sprocket makes noise when I manually rotate it. I tried this on my other chainsaw and this doesn’t happen. If that helps

 

[Philbert]

The sprocket makes noise when I manually rotate it. I tried this on my other chainsaw and this doesn’t happen. If that helps

I tried turning the chain on mine by hand (no battery installed!); it was very difficult, but moved. There were some normal sounds, like parts moving. I think that you will have to take your cover off to see. Looks like a few Phillips screws and a few hex ones at the pole.

Philbert

 

[Ulsaint]

Well now it doesn’t even spin. This thing is junk haha

 

[Philbert]

Nothing to lose by doing an ‘autopsy’. That’s what I usually do. Just empty the oil tank first! Best case, you will find something that is easily fixed or replaced.

Philbert

 

[Ulsaint]

Nothing to lose by doing an ‘autopsy’. That’s what I usually do. Just empty the oil tank first! Best case, you will find something that is easily fixed or replaced.

Philbert

I can’t even get the head open. I took out all the screws and the two hex screws and it still has something keeping it from opening in the middle like a screw I can’t see.