Husqvarna 122LKP Gas Pole Saw, Multi-Purpose Tool with Pole Saw Attachment, Equipped with X-CUT Chain, 12-foot Reach Cuts Limbs up to 8 Inches Thick, 21.7CC

The first branch I cut with the 122LKP told me most of what I needed to know: this is a homeowner-focused gas pole saw that favors clean cuts and straightforward operation over bells and whistles. After several weekends pruning storm-damaged limbs and yearly growth, I’ve got a solid read on where it excels, where it asks a bit of patience, and who it’s best for.

Setup and first cuts

Out of the box, setup was uncomplicated: mount the bar and X-CUT chain, fill the bar-oil reservoir, add premixed 50:1 fuel, and go. Smart Start really does drop the effort. Cold starts were consistent with a simple prime-and-choke routine, and warm restarts took a gentle pull. During my first couple sessions, I had occasional stalls when I snapped the throttle immediately after startup. Easing into the trigger for the first few seconds solved it, and after a short break-in the behavior disappeared.

One small but important note: check all fasteners after your first hour. I tracked down a mild head rattle to a not-quite-snug fastener where the head meets the shaft. A quick tighten cured it. From then on, nothing drifted loose.

Reach and cutting capacity

The spec sheet touts a 12-foot reach. In practice, that’s a realistic “working height” that assumes you’re holding the tool overhead. The pole and head themselves are shorter. With my arms extended, I could comfortably cut branches around the 11–12 foot mark; anything higher asked for a ladder or a professional-grade telescoping setup. If you’re expecting a true 12-foot pole, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re expecting to prune the lower canopy from ground level, you’ll be pleased.

Husqvarna rates this for up to 8-inch limbs. That’s accurate as a ceiling, but you need to cut smart. On 6–8 inch hardwoods, the saw has enough muscle if you let the chain work, keep it sharp, and avoid binding. I learned quickly to make a clean undercut to prevent tear-out, then a top cut—especially on limbs with tension. Bind the bar and you can make even a high-powered saw feel weak.

Power and cutting performance

The 21.7cc engine sits in a sweet spot for homeowners: light, responsive, and capable of proper pruning without the fatigue of a larger powerhead. The X-CUT chain impressed me. It out-of-the-box tracked straight, threw chips, and held its edge longer than budget chains I’ve used on other trimmers and saws. I checked tension at each refuel and did one touch-up sharpen after a day that included several sandy, storm-fallen branches. With automatic oiling, the bar never ran dry, and I didn’t need to fiddle with any oiler adjustments.

Noise is what you’d expect from a small two-stroke—sharp, but not obnoxious. Wear hearing protection. Vibration at the hands is well controlled for a gas pole saw. After a couple hours, I felt shoulder and back fatigue more than hand buzz, which speaks to the balance rather than any vibration problem.

Ergonomics and handling

Weight-wise, this is not a featherweight, but it’s manageable with the included shoulder strap. Learn to use that strap early; a properly adjusted strap shifts the load from your arms to your torso and makes precise placement much easier. Balance is slightly head-heavy (as most pole saws are), which is helpful for initiating cuts on higher branches but asks for controlled movements to avoid over-committing the bar at the start of the cut.

The throttle trigger and safety are predictable, and the stop switch is easy to slap when a cut goes sideways. The detachable shaft locks up solidly after you tighten the collar—again, a good reminder to check fasteners during your first session. I appreciated the slim head profile for sneaking into tangled growth, and the chain brake engaged and released positively.

Fuel, runtime, and maintenance

The fuel tank is on the small side. I consistently got about 35–40 minutes of intermittent, real-world pruning per fill. On marathon cleanup days, that meant refueling every half hour or so. For occasional use, it’s a minor inconvenience; for all-day clearing, the stops add up. Bar oil consumption tracked a bit lower than fuel, so I didn’t need to top it up every fill, but I did check it each time out of habit.

For fuel, I had the best results with high-quality premixed canned fuel. It stores well, starts reliably, and avoids the carb varnish headaches that ethanol blends can bring, especially if the saw sits between seasons. Routine maintenance is straightforward: clean the air filter, check/retension the chain as it warms, keep the bar groove and oiling port free of chips, and store the tool drained or on stabilized fuel. Chain swaps are standard fare, and the clutch cover is easy to remove without fighting the chain brake.

Attachment capability

The 122LKP’s detachable shaft accepts a range of click-on attachments like a hedge trimmer or edger. It’s a genuinely useful feature if you want one powerhead to cover multiple seasonal jobs. Swapping attachments takes a minute or two. I wouldn’t buy this strictly as an attachment platform—its core competency is the pole saw—but if you value a modular tool rack, the flexibility is there and the coupler feels robust.

Cutting technique tips

A few habits that made this saw shine:

• Let the chain cut. Keep steady, light pressure. If you push, you’ll bog and bind.
• Pre-cut an undercut to prevent bark tear-out on larger or tensioned limbs.
• Work from the outside in. Clear small branches to create clean access to thicker cuts.
• Keep your stance wide and your path clear. The moment a limb releases, the work area changes.
• Tighten the bar and head fasteners before each session, and check chain tension after the first warm-up cut.

Build quality and reliability

Overall fit and finish are very good for a homeowner-class gas pole saw. Plastics line up, the shaft is straight and stiff, and the head casting inspires confidence. I didn’t run into oiling issues, fuel leaks, or random shutdowns after the initial break-in quirks. The chain brake and throttle interlock behaved consistently. I would not call this a professional, all-day forestry tool, but it’s a cut above the bargain-bin offerings and feels like it will last with basic care.

What I’d change

• A larger fuel tank would reduce stops during long sessions.
• A bit more pole length—or a telescoping option—would extend its usefulness for taller trees without a ladder.
• A clearer reach description would set expectations better; marketing “working height” can be confusing if you haven’t used pole saws before.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting depending on your yard and workflow.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and acreage owners who want the freedom of gas power and regular, seasonal pruning.
• Users with mixed-tree properties where 3–6 inch limbs are common and the occasional 7–8 inch cut is on the menu.
• Anyone who appreciates a modular powerhead that can accept other yard-care attachments over time.

Who should look elsewhere:

• Pros or frequent heavy users who need all-day runtime, longer reach, and a larger displacement engine.
• Anyone doing most cuts over 8 inches or working high canopies where a dedicated, longer, telescoping pro pole saw is the safer, faster choice.

Safety reminders

Gas pole saws are serious tools. Use the strap, wear eye/ear protection, a helmet if you’re under canopy, and cut with two hands. Respect kickback zones, and approach every cut assuming the limb can move unpredictably the moment the kerf opens.

Recommendation

I recommend the 122LKP for homeowners who want a dependable, gas-powered pole saw with clean cutting performance, easy starting, and the flexibility to run attachments. It’s built well, the X-CUT chain elevates the cut quality, and automatic oiling reduces fuss. You trade a bit of runtime to a small tank and you won’t reach the very tops of taller ornamentals without a ladder, but for routine pruning and storm cleanup in the 3–8 inch range, it hits a very practical sweet spot. If you need professional reach and all-day cutting, step up to a larger, telescoping model. For most yards, this one gets the job done with minimal drama and a tidy finish.