You've seen the guy. The neighbor who spends three hours on a shaky ladder with a manual saw, swearing at a stubborn oak limb. Don't be that guy. Honestly, ladders and landscaping are a recipe for a twisted ankle or worse. That’s why everyone is obsessed with the DeWalt pole saw and hedge trimmer attachments lately. It’s not just about the brand loyalty to that iconic yellow and black; it’s about the fact that you can reach 15 feet in the air while keeping both feet firmly on the grass.
It works.
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If you’re already in the 20V MAX or 60V FlexVolt ecosystem, adding these tools feels like a no-brainer. But there’s a lot of nuance to how these tools actually handle under pressure. It isn’t all sunshine and easy pruning. You have to deal with the weight distribution, the chain oiling quirks, and the reality of battery drain when you're chewing through thick privet hedges.
The Reality of the DeWalt Pole Saw (DCPS620)
Most people pick up the DCPS620 20V MAX* XR Pole Saw and expect it to feel like a toy. It’s surprisingly beefy. DeWalt went with a brushless motor here, which is the right move because brushed motors in a pole saw tend to overheat when you’re mid-cut on a 6-inch maple branch.
The reach is the selling point. They advertise a "15-foot reach," but let’s be real about the math. The pole itself is about 7 feet long. To hit 15 feet, they’re assuming you are roughly 6 feet tall and have your arms extended. If you’re shorter, or working at an awkward angle, you’re realistically looking at a 10-to-12-foot comfort zone.
One thing that trips people up is the bar and chain. It uses an 8-inch bar. Small? Sure. But it’s nimble. I’ve seen people try to use this for major felling—don't do that. It’s designed for "limbing." Think of it as a precision instrument for thinning out a canopy or clearing away the branches that are scraping against your gutters during a thunderstorm.
That Annoying Oil Leak
We have to talk about the oil. If you scroll through any forum or talk to a pro landscaper like those over at Arborist-101, you’ll hear the same complaint: the reservoir leaks. This isn't just a DeWalt thing; almost all auto-oiling pole saws do it. The gravity-fed system is simple, but if you store the saw horizontally with oil in the tank, you’re going to wake up to a sticky puddle on your garage floor.
The fix? It’s annoying but simple. Drain the bar oil before you hang it up. Or, store it head-down. It's a small price to pay for a saw that actually keeps the chain lubricated during a heavy work session.
Switching to the Hedge Trimmer Attachment
Now, the "combo" aspect usually refers to the universal power head system or the standalone 20V Max Pole Hedge Trimmer (DCPH820). If you go with the dedicated pole hedge trimmer, you’re getting a 22-inch blade with a 1-inch cutting capacity.
This thing is a beast for tall hedges.
Imagine trying to trim a 10-foot tall privacy wall of Arborvitae. Usually, you’re up on a stepladder, leaning out over the edge, hoping the wind doesn't blow. With the DeWalt pole saw and hedge trimmer setup, you just angle the head. That’s the magic. The head articulates. You can click it into a 180-degree position to flat-top a hedge while standing on the ground. It feels like cheating.
The 2800 strokes per minute (SPM) is fast enough that the blades don't "chew" the leaves. You get a clean, surgical cut. This matters for the health of the plant. A ragged cut from a dull or slow trimmer leaves the plant vulnerable to fungi and pests. DeWalt’s blades are hardened steel and they stay sharp for a surprisingly long time, even if you accidentally clip a chain-link fence once or twice.
Power Management: 20V vs 60V FlexVolt
There is a massive debate about whether the 20V platform is "enough" for these tools.
Here is the truth: For 90% of homeowners, 20V is plenty. If you pop a 5.0Ah battery into the pole saw, you can get about 96 cuts through 4x4 pressure-treated pine. That’s a lot of branches. You'll likely tire out before the battery does.
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However, if you are a pro or you have a massive property with 50+ trees, you want the FlexVolt. The FlexVolt batteries are heavier, which actually helps balance the tool if you’re using the long extension, but they also provide a "draw" that prevents the motor from bogging down in sap-heavy wood.
Weight and Ergonomics
Let's be honest: holding a 10-pound weight at the end of a 7-foot stick is a workout. Your shoulders will feel it.
DeWalt tried to mitigate this with the mid-handle grip, but the physics of leverage are what they are. To make it easier, use a shoulder strap. A lot of the kit versions don't include a premium strap, which is a mistake. Buying a generic padded harness will save your lower back. You want the weight of the DeWalt pole saw and hedge trimmer to sit on your core, not just your biceps.
What Most People Get Wrong About Maintenance
You can't just throw these in the shed and forget them.
First, the chain tension on the pole saw. New chains stretch. Within the first ten minutes of use, that chain is going to sag. If it jumps the track, you risk damaging the drive sprocket. Keep the included wrench (the "scrench") in your pocket. Check the tension every 15 minutes of active cutting.
Second, the hedge trimmer blades. They get gummed up with sap. If you leave that sap to dry, it turns into a literal glue that makes the motor work twice as hard. A quick spray of resin remover or even a light WD-40 wipe-down after use keeps the blades sliding smoothly.
Comparing the DeWalt to Milwaukee and Ryobi
You’ve got choices.
Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL Quik-Lok system is arguably more powerful, but it’s also significantly more expensive and heavier. Ryobi is cheaper and offers more attachments (like a blower and a snow shovel), but the build quality feels... well, like a consumer tool.
DeWalt sits in that "Goldilocks" zone. It’s tough enough for a job site but priced for a homeowner who values their Saturday afternoons. The construction uses glass-filled nylon, which handles drops better than the brittle plastics found on budget brands.
Real-World Performance Limits
Don't expect the pole saw to replace a 20-inch gas chainsaw. If you’re trying to cut through a 10-inch diameter oak limb, you’re pushing the tool past its limit. It’ll do it, eventually, but you’ll probably trigger the thermal overload protection. This is a safety feature that shuts the tool down to prevent the motor from melting. If it stops, don't freak out. Give it five minutes to cool down, check your chain sharpness, and go again.
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Actionable Steps for Better Landscaping
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a DeWalt pole saw and hedge trimmer, do it strategically to save money and frustration.
- Check your existing batteries. If you only have the small 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah batteries that came with your drill, they won't cut it. You need at least a 4.0Ah battery to get the necessary runtime and balance.
- Buy the bar oil immediately. The saw usually comes with a tiny "starter" bottle that lasts about ten minutes. Grab a gallon of high-tack bar and chain oil.
- Safety gear is non-negotiable. Because you’re cutting above your head, sawdust and wood chips will fall directly into your face. You need wrap-around safety glasses or a face shield. A hard hat isn't a bad idea either; dead branches (widow-makers) can drop unexpectedly when you start vibrating the tree with a saw.
- Learn the "three-cut" method. Don't just saw straight down through a limb. Cut a notch on the bottom first, then a few inches out, then the final cut. This prevents the bark from stripping down the side of the tree, which can kill the limb or invite rot.
- Storage matters. If you have the space, hang the pole saw vertically with the motor head up and the blade down (with a cover). This prevents the oil from leaking into the motor housing.
The beauty of this system is the independence it gives you. You don't have to wait for a landscaping crew to show up and charge you $500 for a "cleanup" that takes an hour. You can walk out on a Tuesday evening, snip back the overgrown hedge, drop that annoying branch, and be back on the couch before the sun goes down. It's about taking control of the property without the headache of gas, pull-cords, or ladders.