Battery-powered gear is evolving fast in the tree care industry, and Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel (trademarked FUEL) Telescoping Pole Saw has shown some clear innovations. From the very first cut, it’s obvious this saw was designed with working arborists in mind. It’s clean, compact, powerful and, most important, incredibly easy to use. Whether you’re transitioning away from gas or just looking to add an awesome battery pole saw to your lineup, this one is a game changer.

If you’re not sure about battery-powered OPE, check out my previous article making the case for the gas-to-battery transition, “Is It Time to Start the Transition to Battery Chain Saws?” in the November 2023 issue of TCI Magazine.

M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw specs that matter

• Weight: 21.5 pounds with Milwaukee’s Forge (trademarked FORGE) 8.0 battery
• Length: 9–13 feet (telescoping)
• Motor: 2.35 HP (≈38cc gas equivalent)
• Bar/chain: 10 inch, .325 LP, .043 gauge
• Chain speed: 25 m/s
• Best battery: Forge 8.0 (ground), Forge 6.0 (in-air)

With its weight, horsepower and great overall balance and power, the M18 Fuel stacks up well against other pro-grade battery models, taking the edge in power-to-weight ratio, ease of use and versatility.

What else we like about it

We love the onboard scrench. It’s always there and never loose, and it eliminates the need to carry a separate tool. Simple, smart and long overdue.

• Zero fuss, instant-on power: Gas saws need choke settings, warm-up time and multiple pulls – especially when cold. With the M18, you just grab it and pull the trigger. That’s it. No idling. No hassle. For short, quick cuts or in-and-out pruning, it’s a total timesaver.
• Cross-platform compatibility: If you already run M18 tools on your truck, this fits right in. No new chargers, no weird adapters, no surprise incompatibilities. Just charge, click and cut.
• Great battery match: M18 Forge 8.0: This is the battery we recommend for most jobs. It delivers serious power and great runtime, and balances well with the tool. If you’re in the air and want to shave a little weight, the Forge 6.0 is a great alternative without sacrificing noticeable performance.
• Unmatched power in the battery world: With a brushless motor outputting 2.35 horsepower, Milwaukee claims gas equivalent to a 38cc engine. We agree. It rips through 8- to 10-inch hardwood with speed and control.

Gas vs. battery: The real story

We’ve run numerous gas-powered pole saws on job sites for years. While solid tools, they come with headaches: pull cords, tuneups and warm-ups. This battery saw skips all that.

Feature	Milwaukee M18	Gas Pole Saws
Startup	Instant	Manual pull start
Maintenance	Minimal	Carb, spark plug, fuel mix
Idle	None	Loud and constant
Emissions	None	Fumes
Power	~38cc equiv.	25-36cc typical
Storage	Fits ladder box, 6-inch conduit	Long, bulky, leaks

 

In daily use, it’s just faster and easier.

Finally, a pole saw that stores like a pro tool should

If you’ve ever run gas pole saws, you know they just don’t fit in a ladder box. Between the bulky motor head and overall length, storage is always a compromise – usually involving bungee cords, exposed gear or wasting valuable truck space.

That’s where this pole saw really shines. Thanks to its compact motor design and telescoping shaft, the saw collapses short enough and narrow enough to:

• Slide into a 6-inch conduit tube (ideal for custom roof or bed racks)
• Fit cleanly inside the ladder box of a chip or forestry truck

This kind of secure, tucked-away storage not only keeps your tools protected and organized, it also elevates your crew’s professional appearance and helps guard against theft by keeping valuable gear out of sight.

A couple of things to keep in mind

No tool is perfect, and while we absolutely love the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to mention.

• Because it doesn’t require gas, it can be easy to forget about checking and refilling bar oil regularly. Maintaining proper lubrication is vital to keep the chain running smoothly and to extend the life of the tool.
• Another common challenge with battery-powered saws, including this one, is that the area around the sprocket under the cover tends to get clogged with grime and debris faster than on gas saws. This is likely because battery saws run at lower temperatures, which means residue and buildup aren’t burned off as quickly during use. Regular cleaning here will help avoid issues.

Widely available and easy to source

Another huge plus for the Milwaukee M18 Fuel system is how widely available it is. You can find this professional-grade pole saw through:

• Traditional online tree care equipment retailers.
• Both brick-and-mortar and online tool retailers.
• Big box stores like Home Depot, ACE Hardware and Northern Tool.

This availability means no hunting around or waiting weeks for specialized parts or batteries – an important consideration for busy professionals who need reliable, fast service.

Final verdict

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Telescoping Pole Saw is not just a good battery saw – it’s an excellent pole saw, period. It’s quiet, clean, incredibly powerful and easy to use. The cross-compatibility with the M18 platform, instant-on convenience and clever features like the onboard scrench make it a tool we actually look forward to using.

Even if you’re not ready to go fully battery, this one tool is worth buying as a standalone necessity.

Andy Jones, CTSP, is an ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ, production climber and co-founder of Rooted Arbor Care, a TCIA member company based in St. Louis, Missouri. He is also a member of TCI Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Committee.

This review reflects the thoughts and opinions of the reviewers as users and does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the product referenced, nor is it an endorsement of any specific company, product or service. Every entity or individual should review and test all products for applicability, safety and efficacy in their particular operation.

TCI Magazine product reviews are available to TCIA corporate members as a benefit of their membership. Certain limitations apply. Contact advertising@tcia.org for more information.