DeWalt 60V MAX 10 in. 140 in. Telescoping Pole Saw Kit

Why I reached for this 60V pole saw

I don’t like ladders around tree limbs, and I like pull-start cords even less. That’s what led me to the DeWalt 60V telescoping pole saw. It promises long reach, real cutting speed, and gas-like power without the noise and fumes. After multiple pruning days on mature hardwoods and some storm cleanup, I have a clear sense of where it shines—and where you’ll feel it in your shoulders.

Design and build

This pole saw is built around a brushless 60V system with a 10-inch bar and a telescoping shaft that extends to 140 inches. In practical terms, that puts many 6–8 inch limbs within cutting distance from the ground, depending on your height and footing. The head is compact for a 10-inch saw, and the foot mount at the battery end is more than a kickstand—it protects the pack and motor when you set the tool down and helps keep debris off the battery terminals.

The overall construction feels robust. The metal branch hook is not decorative; it bites. I used it to catch and control cut limbs, and to tug hangers from the canopy without babying it. The telescoping collar is glove-friendly and locks cleanly with a quarter turn. There’s a bit of pole flex at full extension (there always is on long sticks), but it’s controlled and predictable.

DeWalt includes practical accessories in the kit: a shoulder strap and clip, a scrench, a file, the bar and chain, a charger, and a FLEXVOLT battery. Having the strap in the box matters; this is not a featherweight tool, and the strap meaningfully reduces fatigue.

Setup and adjustments

Out of the box, it’s straightforward: mount the bar and chain, top up the bar oil, set tension with the scrench, and go. The tensioner is easy to access, and the chain settled in after a few cuts as expected. Adjustable oiling is a welcome touch. I set it a hair above the midpoint for hardwood and bumped it up for longer continuous cuts. Keep an eye on the oil reservoir; at this chain speed, you don’t want to run dry.

The telescoping mechanism is quick to use, and it holds position without creeping. Extending and retracting under load felt secure, and the pole doesn’t spin in your hands when locked.

Performance

DeWalt states 1.7 peak horsepower and a 15.6 m/s chain speed. Specs aside, what matters is how it cuts. With a sharp chain, it rips through 4–6 inch limbs cleanly and without bogging. On 8-inch cuts, the saw stays in the throttle with a steady feed and throws chips like a small ground saw. I didn’t have to nurse it through knots, and it handled crotch cuts where fibers toughen up. The torque feels on par with light gas pole saws I’ve used, minus the two-stroke chatter and fumes.

The 10-inch bar is the right call here. It keeps the head compact and maneuverable, but still gives you the bar length to slice through larger branches from one side when you have good access, or finish with a back cut when needed. For the cleanest results, I used standard pruning technique: an undercut to prevent tear-out, then a top cut. The saw modulates well; you can set chain speed precisely without the tool feeling jerky at partial trigger.

DeWalt also touts power and speed advantages over a 28cc gas pole saw when paired with a DCB609 battery. I didn’t run scientific comparisons, but I can say that in hardwood, the cut speed feels honestly fast for a cordless pole saw, and recovery between cuts is immediate.

Ergonomics and balance

Here’s the trade-off: it’s powerful and long-reaching, and you will feel the weight. With the shaft collapsed, balance is comfortable and you can work at chest or shoulder height for quite a while. Fully extended, gravity has a say. The motor and bar are out front, the battery is aft, and the moment arm gets real at 140 inches. The strap helps a lot, especially if you shorten it to take weight off your arms and let your core carry the tool.

If you have a large-capacity FLEXVOLT pack, you’ll get more run time, but you’ll also add mass. For extended overhead sessions, I preferred a mid-size pack to keep the rear end from feeling too heavy. The foot mount’s flat base is helpful when you want to rest the tool upright between cuts without leaning it into the dirt.

Vibration is well managed for this class, and noise is far lower than gas. You can hear the chain and wood, which makes it easier to sense when you’re binding or pushing too hard.

Battery life

Runtime will depend on limb diameter, wood species, and how aggressive you are with the feed. With the included FLEXVOLT battery, I was able to complete typical pruning sessions on a single charge, pausing for oil checks and chain touch-ups. Continuous cutting of thicker limbs will draw the pack down faster, as expected. The benefit here is the FLEXVOLT ecosystem: if you already run DeWalt 60V tools, you can share batteries, and charging time is predictable with the packaged charger.

Maintenance

This saw rewards basic habits. Keep the chain sharp, tensioned, and oiled, and it stays smooth and consistent. The adjustable oiler allows you to fine-tune for winter or dusty conditions. Debris clearing is easy—there aren’t odd pockets that pack with chips—and the foot mount does a good job keeping the battery area cleaner when you set the tool down on rough ground.

The inclusion of a file and scrench is appreciated; I touched up the chain mid-session and went right back to clean cuts. There’s no complex maintenance beyond that—no carb, no spark plug, no fuel issues.

Safety and controls

The trigger has a safety interlock that must be engaged before the tool will run. It’s effective and, at first, a bit fussy with gloves until the motion becomes muscle memory. I’d rather have it than not on a tool that spins a chain above head height, but expect a short learning curve. As with any pole saw, PPE is non-negotiable: helmet with face shield, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy footing.

The branch hook is genuinely useful. I used it to position the bar on a target limb and to pull small hangers free. It’s strong, but remember to avoid overleveraging the pole; the hook is a tool, not a pry bar.

What I’d improve

• Weight at full extension: The power and reach are excellent, but long overhead sessions are tiring. A slightly lighter head or alternative battery placement would help balance.
• Trigger interlock feel: It works, but the ergonomics could be smoother for gloved hands.
• Head articulation: The fixed head works fine, though an adjustable angle option would add precision for awkward cuts.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re areas where this already-capable saw could become even better.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with mature trees who want serious reach and cutting speed without gas.
• Property managers and grounds crews who need a reliable, cordless limb saw with minimal maintenance.
• Pros who already run DeWalt FLEXVOLT tools and want a pole saw that keeps pace with the rest of their 60V lineup.

If you only trim thin ornamentals a couple times a year, this is more tool than you need. But if you regularly manage sizable limbs and want to stay off ladders, it hits the mark.

Warranty and value

The kit includes the battery and charger, plus practical accessories to get started. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. For a tool that will see seasonal but high-consequence use, that coverage provides some peace of mind.

Bottom line

The DeWalt 60V pole saw pairs real cutting performance with meaningful reach and a feature set that’s clearly tuned for actual yard work: adjustable oiling, a strong branch hook, a protective foot mount, and a solid telescoping lock. It is heavy, especially at full extension and with larger batteries, and the trigger safety takes a little practice. But the trade-off is power you can trust in hardwood, the simplicity of cordless operation, and compatibility with a broad 60V ecosystem.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to anyone who needs a high-performance, long-reach cordless pole saw and can manage the weight. It cuts quickly and cleanly, feels durable, and replaces a small gas pole saw without the hassle. If you’re sensitive to overhead weight or only make light trims, a shorter, lighter model might suit you better. For serious pruning from the ground, this one earns a spot in the truck.