Hand Powered Chainsaw: Chop Trees, Keep Fit

Lopping branches is no fun. First you have to climb the tree and then you have to balance or dangle while wielding the whirling dervish that is a chainsaw. Better to stay on the ground and do the job from there. The High Limb Tree Saw lets you do just that.

A specially designed 48 inch bimatic chain blade cuts in both directions, and 50 feet of rope is attached to a weight which you toss over the branch (see it in action below). Designed for branches of 5 inch diameter or smaller, the saw will rip through the limb (not yours) in a few minutes. Great for the shoulders and pecs, too. Available in home (24 inch blade) and pro (48 inch blade) versions, for $30 and $50 respectively.

UPDATE: Boing Boing picked up on this story and received this note from reader Dan:

I have had one of those 'new' chain-on-a-rope saws for almost twenty years. Exactly the same as pictured - yellow rope, red throwing bag, metal plate hanging off one end of the chain. It works, but it is by no means 'effortless'. This is especially true if the limb sags in such a way as to pinch the chain. If that happens, you've got to climb the tree or a ladder to finish cutting with another saw. The simplest way to make sure the cut doesn't pinch the chain is to stand under the limb as you pull the ropes, so the chain is always cutting straight down. That's not usually a good idea.

Product page [Tyke Coveralls via Make and The Hardware Aisle]