DeWalt Pole saw attachment for string trimmer

Why I reached for this attachment

I keep a few mature maples and a stubborn line of scrub oak in check around my place. Most pruning jobs are too tall for loppers and too small to justify dragging out a dedicated pole saw. That’s where DeWalt’s pole saw attachment earns its keep. Snap it onto an attachment-capable power head and you’ve got a compact, ready-to-go limb trimmer with an 8-inch bar, an automatic oiler, and a handy branch hook. It’s designed for the same multi-head system as DeWalt’s brush cutter and string trimmer, so it packs up neatly on the wall and shares a power source with tools I already own.

I tested it primarily on a DeWalt 60V attachment-capable power head (the DCST972) and also tried it on the brush-cutter head (DCED472). No adapters, no fuss—the coupler and drive lined up cleanly on both.

Setup and compatibility

Out of the box, the attachment includes the saw head, an extension pole, bar-and-chain pre-installed, bar oil, sheath, shoulder strap, and a combination wrench for chain tensioning. Assembly took minutes: top off the oil, check chain tension, click it into the power head, and you’re effectively working. The 50-inch pole gives you a useful reach from the ground, and the included extension adds enough length to work most small-to-medium landscape trees without a ladder.

On the compatibility front, it’s built for DeWalt’s attachment-capable heads. “Universal” in this context means compatible with attachment-ready systems—always confirm coupler size and drive type if you’re planning to use a non‑DeWalt head. With DeWalt’s own power heads, it’s plug-and-play.

Cutting performance

The 8-inch bar is a smart match for residential pruning. In hardwoods, I found it happiest on limbs up to about 5–6 inches in diameter; it’ll take larger, but you’ll be working the cut more slowly and it’s easier to bind the chain. Chain speed is dictated by the power head you mate it with, but even on a moderately loaded cut, it stayed lively and tracked straight as long as the chain was correctly tensioned and sharp.

The auto oiler fed consistently and kept the bar cool during repeated cuts. The branch hook is more than a gimmick—it’s genuinely helpful for flicking loose stubs and coaxing hung branches to the ground without having to reposition. If you do a lot of thinning, the ability to pull and park brush safely is a surprisingly big time saver.

One technique note: when the extension pole is installed, let the saw do the work and avoid forcing it into the cut. There’s expected flex in a long pole—pushing hard adds side load, which can cause a bind or throw the chain.

Oiling and maintenance

The automatic oiler is on the liberal side, which is preferable during cutting, but it does mean you should think about storage. I noticed oil weeping when the saw sat between sessions—normal for many chain-driven tools, but more pronounced here. My routine now:

• Top off oil only when I’m about to work.
• Store the attachment level with the cap up, or set it on a drip tray.
• Wipe the bar and sprocket tip before it goes back on the rack.

None of that affects performance in use, and it’s a fair trade for a system that reliably keeps the chain lubricated mid-cut. Just plan for a rag under it in the shop. DeWalt includes enough bar oil to get started; I stick with a quality bar and chain oil and avoid thin substitutes.

Chain tension requires the usual attention. Check tension warm and again after the first few cuts of the day—especially with a brand-new chain, which stretches quickly. Keep the rakers set and touch up the cutters with a file; this small saw rewards a sharp chain with clean, fast cuts and less battery draw.

Ergonomics and handling

With the saw head on, balance shifts forward. The included shoulder strap makes a difference, but I wasn’t thrilled with the adjustment hardware—it holds until you start moving around and then tends to slip. An aftermarket strap or a full harness is a worthwhile upgrade if you’ll use this frequently, particularly when the extension is installed. A harness also keeps your arms fresher and steadies the bar at full reach, which reduces chatter and improves cut quality.

Vibration is well controlled with the power heads I used, and noise is modest compared to gas pole saws. At full reach, you’ll still feel it in the shoulders after a long session, which is unavoidable with any front-heavy pruning setup. Breaks help, and so does cutting from the waist with the pole slightly angled versus fully overhead.

Durability and build quality

The gear head is housed in plastic with metal where it matters—sprocket, bar mount, and internal gearing. That combination keeps weight reasonable without feeling flimsy. I did not baby it: bark, grit, and the occasional bump against a trunk are part of real use. After several pruning sessions, the bar and drive train still run true.

Two cautions from my time with it:
- If you side-load the bar by prying a branch mid-cut, you increase the chance of derailing the chain. Make the cut, then use the hook to pull brush—don’t pry with the bar.
- Keep debris out of the chain cover and clutch area. I make it a habit to pop the cover and brush out packed chips at the end of the day; it takes a minute and keeps the chain running reliably.

As with any pole saw, long-term life hinges on sharpening, tension, lubrication, and not asking an 8-inch bar to act like a felling saw.

Safety notes

Pruning overhead introduces risks. I wear eye and head protection, gloves, and hearing protection. Stand well clear of the fall line, and don’t cut directly above your head if you can avoid it. Make an undercut to prevent bark tearing, then finish from the top. If a branch binds, back out and re‑approach; don’t twist the saw to free it.

Value and the system angle

The value proposition makes the most sense if you’re already in DeWalt’s attachment-capable ecosystem. You get a capable pole saw without buying a redundant motor and battery, and it stores in less space than a dedicated unit. The inclusion of the extension pole, sheath, wrench, oil, and a shoulder strap means you can work right away, and the 3-year limited warranty and 90-day return window add confidence.

If you’re pruning professionally every day or tackling large-diameter hardwood regularly, a pro-grade dedicated pole saw will be faster and more durable under constant abuse. For homeowners and property managers who prune several times a season, this attachment hits a sweet spot of performance, convenience, and cost.

Pros

• Cuts cleanly and quickly on branches up to about 6 inches
• Automatic oiler is effective during use
• Extension pole and branch hook meaningfully increase versatility
• Quick, secure connection to DeWalt attachment-capable power heads
• Includes sheath, strap, oil, and tensioning tool; backed by a 3-year warranty

Cons

• Noticeable oil seepage during storage—plan for drips
• Stock shoulder strap’s adjuster slips under load
• Plastic housing is efficient but benefits from mindful use and regular cleanout
• Forward-heavy with the extension installed; expect fatigue without a better harness

Final recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt pole saw attachment to homeowners and light-duty users who already own an attachment-capable DeWalt power head. It’s quick to deploy, trims with confidence, and the branch hook and extension pole add real-world utility. You’ll want to upgrade the strap and be mindful of oil weeping in storage, but those are manageable trade-offs for a capable, compact pruning solution that integrates cleanly into a multi-head system. If you need a daily, heavy-duty pole saw, look at a dedicated model; for seasonal pruning and storm cleanup, this attachment is a smart, efficient choice.