My Makita pole saw review gives the XAU02ZB a buy for owners of two 18V LXT batteries and a charger, and a skip for everyone else, because it is a bare tool. I prune the apricot and plum rows of my orchard from the ground, so I look for length that locks, weight at the hands and a chain with an electric brake. The saw telescopes from 9 to 13 ft according to Makita, runs on 36V from those two batteries and carries a 10 in bar. Below I cover how it handles, what it weighs and where it stops.
Makita Pole Saw Review: My Quick Verdict
Buy the Makita XAU02ZB 36V (18V x2) 10 in Telescoping Pole Saw, Tool Only if you already run Makita 18V LXT batteries and want a long telescoping battery saw for pruning from the ground. It gives you a 10 in bar, a shaft that adjusts from 9 to 13 ft according to Makita and a Torque Boost mode for hard wood, with no fuel to mix. Skip it if you have no LXT batteries, because the listing is the tool only and two batteries plus a charger sit on top of a premium-tier tool price. If you are still choosing, my ranking of top pole saws compares nine battery, corded and gas models.
- Who it is for: owners of two 18V LXT batteries who prune from firm ground.
- What it does best: reaches high with no fuel, with Torque Boost for hard wood.
- Main trade-off: 18.1 lb with batteries according to Makita, heavier at full extension.
Makita XAU02ZB Specs and What Is in the Box
Two rows decide this saw for most buyers: the power source, because the batteries are not in the box, and the weight, because it sets how long you can hold the pole up.
| Spec | Makita XAU02ZB |
|---|---|
| Power source | 36V from two 18V LXT batteries, not in the box |
| In the box | Saw, 10 in bar and chain, harness, chain cover |
| Bar | 10 in bar, 9-1/2 in cutting length |
| Chain, per manual | 3/8 in LP pitch, 0.050 in gauge, 40 drive links |
| Tool length without bar, manual | 99-1/2 in to 148 in (Makita page: 9 ft to 13 ft overall) |
| Weight, Makita page | 15.3 lb without battery, 18.1 lb with batteries |
| Oiler | Automatic, 5.4 fl oz tank, adjustable |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Makita also sells a kit under the number XAU02PTB and a fixed 8 ft saw, the XAU01ZB.
How the Makita XAU02ZB Performs in Real Work
I work with this saw the way I prune the orchard: from firm, level ground, one limb at a time. Four traits decide how it feels, and I take them in the order I meet them.
Telescoping Shaft and Lock Ring
On a Makita telescoping pole saw the lock ring matters most: turn it counterclockwise to loosen, slide to length, turn it clockwise to tighten. I check the lock ring before every lift, with the saw stopped and both batteries out as the care section shows, because a shaft is only as stiff as its weakest collar.
At full length the pole flexed and the cut wandered when I pushed, so I let the chain do the work with light pressure. Makita lists 9 to 13 ft overall, which I read as the length of the tool. How high I can cut also depends on my own height and arm length. My roundup of telescoping pole saws ranks other adjustable-length models for pruning from the ground.
Switch Order, Torque Boost and Harness
I start with the chain clear of everything. I press the main power switch until the lamp lights green, press the lock-off lever, then pull the trigger, and I let the chain reach full speed before it touches wood.
Torque Boost is for thick or hard wood. With the tool off, you hold the main power switch for a few seconds until the mode indicator lights green. The mode runs for up to 60 seconds, then falls back to normal, and it may be unavailable right after cutting or on a battery that needs charging.
A shoulder harness is in the box, and the manual says to use it. The harness took some of the weight on longer stretches, and I still stopped for the 10 to 20 minute rest Makita asks for every hour.
Cutting Method, Angle and Falling Branches
For a branch within the saw’s job the manual gives the order: a shallow undercut first, then the finish cut from the top. Cutting from the bottom only can pinch the chain. On small plum limbs I can reach easily from the ground I make the manual’s shallow undercut first, since cutting from the top without it can splinter the wood. Makita says never to start a cut with the tip of the bar and never to make a plunge or bore cut. Keep control of the head as the branch separates so it does not drop, and release the trigger as soon as the cut is done. I rank saws for this kind of orchard work in my roundup of pole saws for fruit trees.
Angle and Height
Hold the saw with both hands, keep the pole at 60 degrees or less to the ground (the limit in the EGO, Ryobi, DeWalt, Greenworks and Milwaukee manuals; follow your own manual if it is stricter), keep your hands below shoulder height, and never overreach.
I stand to the side of the limb, never under it, and watch the cut piece come down. A New Jersey investigation of a fatal case found a ground worker was killed by a 38-pound cut branch, and it advised clearly marking the drop zone and keeping people out of it (1).
Falling Branches
Never stand under the branch you are cutting. Before you cut, look for loose, dead or hung branches above you and clear trip hazards from the ground; stand to the side, out of the branch’s path, plan where it will fall and keep a clear way back, and remember that a cut branch can bounce toward you when it lands. Cut long branches in sections, lower branches first. If a branch falls or swings unexpectedly, get clear at once.
Loose, dead, broken or hung branches above you or above your way back are a job for a certified arborist, and I do not cut beneath them. On a clean limb I look up before the cut and again during it, and I keep an escape route clear, as the manual asks.
Power Lines
Power Lines
Before you start, look for every overhead wire, including wires hidden in leaves. Keep yourself, the saw, the pole and any branch you cut or that could fall or swing at least 50 feet (15 m) from every overhead line, the distance the EGO, Ryobi, DeWalt, Greenworks, Milwaukee, Remington and Echo manuals give, or farther if your own manual asks for more. The saw is not insulated, and electricity can jump through the air and travel through branches, especially wet ones. Treat every wire, including service drops and communication lines, and anything touching one, as live. If you cannot keep that distance the whole time, stop: a branch near or touching a line is a job for the utility and its qualified line-clearance crews, not for you and not for a general arborist.
Makita’s manual asks for the same 15 m (50 ft) from electric lines and communication cables. A NIOSH case report describes a landscaper on a raised work platform who was electrocuted when the top section of his pole saw touched overhead lines (2), and another describes a tree-care worker on an aluminum ladder electrocuted when his extendable pole saw touched a 7,200-volt line (3).
Chain, Oil and Tension
The chain is a low-kickback 3/8 in LP chain on a 10 in sprocket-nose bar, and Makita says never to cut with the tip. Use only the chain and bar the manual approves, and check pitch, gauge and link count before you buy a Makita pole saw chain. The oiler is automatic, and Makita says to use botanical oil when pruning trees, because mineral oil may harm them.
Tension is set from the side with one stud: loosen the nut a little, lift the bar tip, turn the adjusting screw counterclockwise to tighten, then tighten the nut. The chain may loosen after many hours, so I check tension before each session, using the stop-and-battery-out order in the care section.
Batteries, Weight and Tool Length
Weight and batteries decide whether the XAU02ZB suits you. If you are looking for a Makita 18V pole saw, this is the one that takes 18V LXT batteries, two at a time, for 36V.
Makita lists 15.3 lb without battery and 18.1 lb with batteries, and does not say which battery size sits behind the second figure. That is the weight of the whole tool, carried on a pole up to 13 ft long, and the manual warns you not to lose your balance “due to the weight of the tool head”.
The pole felt much heavier after a stretch at full reach than at the first cut. In a small lab study of 18 workers, neck and shoulder muscles worked harder when an overhead task sat 20 cm above head height than 10 cm above it (4). I keep sessions short.
Makita claims up to 140 cuts in 4×4 cedar with two 18V LXT 5.0Ah batteries, and the claim covers those two batteries only.
On a cold morning I keep the spare batteries indoors until I need them. The tool stops by itself on overload, overheat or over-discharge.
Care, Chain and Oil
Care follows two orders: one for work on the saw and one for carrying it.
Maintenance and adjustment. This order applies before I touch the chain, clear a jam, adjust tension, fill oil, sharpen, change the bar or chain, clean the saw, change the pole length or join or separate pole sections. I release the trigger, switch the motor off and wait until the chain has stopped completely (the chain keeps moving for a moment after the switch is off). Then I take both batteries out, lay the saw on a flat surface and put on gloves before touching the chain. I check every lock and coupling before power goes back on.
Carrying and storage. I stop as above, take both batteries out, collapse the pole, fit the chain cover and carry the saw by the handle or at the balance point with the bar pointing behind me. It is stored indoors and dry, out of children’s reach, with the oil tank emptied as Makita says.
Battery Care
Use only the maker’s battery and charger for your saw, charge and store them within the temperatures your manual gives and never in rain or wet places, never use or charge a damaged, swollen or leaking pack, and keep loose batteries away from metal objects that could short the terminals.
Who Should Buy the Makita XAU02ZB and Who Should Skip It
The saw suits a narrow group well.
- Buy it if you already own two Makita 18V LXT batteries and a charger.
- Buy it if you prune from firm ground and want length with no fuel and no cord.
- Skip it if you own no LXT batteries and do not want to buy two and a charger.
- Skip it if you want a light pole or a stated maximum branch size.
- Skip it if the limb is thick, hung up, over a house or beyond your reach from the ground: that is a job for a certified arborist.
Anything near a power line goes to the utility and its qualified line-clearance crews.
Drawbacks and Limits
These are the limits to know before ordering, each with what it means in use.
- Tool only: the batteries and charger are extra.
- Weight at full reach: 18.1 lb with batteries is a lot on a 13 ft pole, so use the harness and take the rest Makita asks for.
- No branch size: Makita gives no maximum branch diameter, unlike the EGO with its 8 in limit, so I keep to small limbs I can reach from the ground. My roundup of pole saws for thick branches lists the branch limits makers state.
- Wet weather: the manual says “Don’t Use In Rain”.
It is much quieter than a gas tool, and I still wear ear and eye protection from the first cut. Makita says lower noise than gas and gives no decibel figure.
How the Makita XAU02ZB Compares With Alternatives
One battery saw and one gas saw make a fair comparison. Each figure in the table is on the basis its maker gives, and the bases differ in places.
| Spec | Makita XAU02ZB | EGO PS1001 | ECHO PPT-2620 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 36V, two 18V LXT batteries, not included | 56V, 2.5Ah battery and charger included | Gas, 25.4 cc, 50:1 mix |
| Bar | 10 in | 10 in | 12 in |
| Weight | 15.3 lb without battery | 9.37 lb without battery | 17.4 lb dry, without bar and chain |
| Tensioning | Screw, single stud | Tool-free knob | Screw, tools needed |
| Warranty | 3-year limited | 5-year tool, 3-year battery | 5-year consumer |
The two weights marked without battery share a basis, so the EGO is lighter than the Makita. The ECHO weight is dry and without bar and chain, so I do not set it against the others.
EGO PS1001
The EGO Power+ PS1001 56V Telescoping Pole Saw Kit is a battery saw with a 10 in bar and a manual that states an 8 in limb limit. I set the two head to head in my comparison of the EGO and Makita pole saws.
Pick the EGO if you want a kit with battery and charger in the box and a lighter saw. Stay with the Makita if you already own LXT batteries and want more tool length.
ECHO PPT-2620
The ECHO PPT-2620 25.4cc Gas Telescoping Pole Saw is a gas saw with a 12 in bar and a 50:1 fuel mix.
Pick the ECHO if you want gas and a longer bar and accept fuel mixing. Stay with the Makita if you want no fuel and an electric brake on the chain.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Most problems with this saw come from a few causes, and the manual covers each one.
- The tool stops mid-cut: it stops by itself on overload, overheat or over-discharge. Let the tool and battery cool, or charge the battery.
- Oil does not reach the chain: the oil discharge hole can clog with dust. Clean it as the manual describes, using the maintenance order above.
My Final Verdict on the Makita XAU02ZB
The XAU02ZB is a long, capable Makita cordless pole saw for people who already live on Makita 18V LXT batteries. It gives you a 10 in bar, a shaft that reaches 13 ft overall according to Makita, an adjustable oiler, a harness and Torque Boost, with no fuel to mix. It is heavy at full reach. That is where my Makita pole saw review lands: buy the XAU02ZB if you already own the batteries, and skip it if you need a light pole or a stated branch size. I compare nine cordless options for pruning high branches from the ground in my roundup of battery pole saws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Makita XAU02ZB pole saw come with a battery and charger?
The Makita XAU02ZB pole saw comes as a tool only, with no battery and no charger in the box. You need two 18V LXT batteries and a compatible charger, bought separately, and the box holds only the saw, the 10 in bar and chain, the harness and the chain cover.
What batteries does the Makita 36V pole saw use?
The Makita 36V pole saw uses two 18V LXT batteries at the same time, which together make 36V. The manual lists the BL1820B, BL1830, BL1830B, BL1840B, BL1850B and BL1860B as compatible, and Makita’s claim of up to 140 cuts in 4×4 cedar applies to two 5.0Ah batteries only, not to smaller packs.
Is the Makita XAU02ZB pole saw the same as the XAU01ZB?
The Makita XAU02ZB is not the same saw as the XAU01ZB, although both are tool-only 36V LXT saws with a 10 in bar. The XAU02ZB telescopes from 9 to 13 ft, while the XAU01ZB is Makita’s fixed 8 ft saw, and according to Makita the XAU02ZB is heavier at 18.1 lb with batteries against 14.5 lb, battery size not stated.
What chain does the Makita XAU02ZB pole saw use?
The Makita XAU02ZB pole saw uses a 10 in low-kickback chain with 3/8 in LP pitch, 0.050 in gauge and 40 drive links. Use only the chain and bar the manual approves, such as the E-12740 chain and E-12734 bar that ship with the saw, and check pitch, gauge and link count before you order a replacement.
Can you use a Makita pole saw in the rain?
You cannot use the Makita XAU02ZB pole saw in the rain, because the manual says not to use the tool in rain or in damp or wet locations. The same goes for charging: do not charge the batteries outdoors or in rain, and cut only in good light and weather with no risk of lightning.
References
- New Jersey Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Twenty-seven-year-old tree-care worker killed by falling branch. NIOSH FACE report 12NJ019. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2013.
- Massachusetts Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Landscaper working from a raised portable work platform was electrocuted when a pole saw contacts overhead power line – Massachusetts. NIOSH FACE report 13MA019. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2015.
- New Jersey Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Tree-care worker electrocuted while trimming branch near power line. NIOSH FACE report 13NJ074. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2016.
- Shin SJ, Yoo WG. Effects of overhead work involving different heights and distances on neck and shoulder muscle activity. Work. 2015;51(2):321-326.
Safety Note: Only an adult who has read the manual and understands the controls should use a pole saw, never a child or anyone tired or impaired; practise first on small, low branches you can reach easily from the ground. A pole saw is made for cutting branches from the ground, never for felling trees, and never from a ladder, a roof, a tree or any unstable support. Power lines can kill. Before you start, look for every overhead wire, including wires hidden in leaves, and keep yourself, the saw, the pole and any branch you cut or that could fall or swing at least 50 feet (15 m) from every line, the distance many pole saw manuals give, or farther if your manual asks for more. The saw is not insulated, and electricity can jump through the air and travel through branches, especially wet ones. Treat every wire, and anything touching one, as live. A branch near or touching a line is a job for the utility and its qualified line-clearance crews, not for you and not for a general arborist. If the saw or a branch touches a wire, do not go to the saw or touch the saw, the branch or the wire, keep everyone away and call the utility, and 911 if anyone is hurt. Before you cut, look for loose, dead or hung branches above you and clear trip hazards from the ground. Never stand under the branch you are cutting: stand to the side, out of its path, plan where it will fall and keep a clear way back, because a cut branch can bounce toward you when it lands. Cut long branches in sections, and if a branch falls or swings unexpectedly, get clear at once. Hold the saw with both hands, keep the pole at 60 degrees or less to the ground, the limit several makers set, keep your hands below shoulder height, and never overreach. Let the chain reach full speed before it touches wood, and never start a cut with the tip of the bar. If the bar tip touches anything, the saw can kick up and back toward you, and wood pinching or binding the chain can push it back or pull it forward: keep the tip clear and use only the reduced-kickback chain and bar your manual approves. Wear safety glasses with side shields marked Z87.1 (and a face shield over them where your manual asks for one), a hard hat or safety helmet rated for falling objects, hearing protection, work gloves, close-fitting long pants and long sleeves with no loose clothing or jewelry, and non-slip boots, and tie long hair up. Keep people and pets, helpers included, at least 50 feet (15 m) away, or farther if your manual asks, and out of the whole area where the branch can fall and bounce; stop cutting if anyone comes closer. Never cut in rain, high wind, a storm or when lightning is possible, or in light too poor to see the branch, the wires and your footing. Before each use, check the chain, its tension and the oil, the telescoping locks and the switch as your manual describes, and do not use a saw that fails a check. Before you touch the chain, clear a jam, adjust the tension, fill the oil or change the pole length or head angle: release the trigger, switch the saw off and wait until the chain has stopped, then take the battery out, unplug a corded saw by the plug, or on a gas saw let the engine cool and pull the spark plug cap off; wear gloves. To carry or store the saw, release the trigger, switch it off and wait until the chain has stopped, then take out the battery or unplug it, collapse the pole and fit the chain cover. Use only the maker’s battery and charger, charge and store them within the temperatures your manual gives and never in the wet, never use or charge a damaged, swollen or leaking pack, and keep loose batteries away from metal objects that could short the terminals. Use a corded saw only with an outdoor-rated extension cord of the gauge your manual gives, plugged into GFCI-protected power, and never in rain or wet conditions: GFCI protection does not make that safe. Start a gas pole saw on the ground with the chain clear of everything, at least 10 feet from where you fuelled it; refuel outdoors with the engine off and cool, with no smoking, flames or sparks nearby, and never run it indoors or in a garage or shed, because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. A branch thicker than your manual allows, a limb under tension or hung up after a storm, a large limb over a house, car or road, or anything you cannot reach from the ground is a job for a certified arborist. Stop when you are tired.