Ryobi ZRP4361 Cordless Pole Saw Review
The Ryobi ZRP4361 is one of the top cordless pole saw on our list. It’s suitable as a tool for pruning tree branches in your garden.
Let’s look at some of the details of this pole saw that can help you decide if this is the pole saw for your needs.
Ryobi ZRP4361 Cordless Pole Saw Review
- Item Package Weight - 12.20038157908 Pounds
- Item Package Dimension - 40.399999958792L x 10.299999989494W x 3.899999996022H inches
- Item Package Quantity - 1
Last update on 2024-04-25 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
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What is the cutting capacity?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 cordless pole saw comes with an 18V Lithium-Ion battery. The guide bar and chain is 8-inch which gives a cutting capacity of 6-inches.
This means you can trim branches up to 6 inches thick with this pole pruner.
The included quick charger helps charge the 1.3 Ah battery quickly. The battery can be fully charged in about 30 minutes. And gives you about 15-25 minutes of heavy cutting.
What is the pole reach?
The pole can be used at 6.5 feet and 9.5 feet to give a pole reach of about 12 feet. The pole is not telescopic but can be extended.
How good is the durability?
The Ryobi pole saw has a good build quality that makes it durable and should last for a long time.
How are the bar and chain?
The bar and chain is 8-inch which means you can trim tree limbs up to 6-inches thick.
The chain has a 0.43-inch gauge, 33 drive links, and a ⅜-inch pitch.
Is the design good?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 has a good ergonomic design. However, it’s a top-heavy unit that makes it hard to balance.
You’ll need to use the shoulder strap if you want to trim a lot of branches in your garden.
You should find the handle comfortable to grip. The pole is sturdy and can be extended from 6.5 feet to 9.5 feet in length.
The in-line motor design helps to get some precision pruning. And the angled cutting head gives you good control.
This pole pruner has a tool-less chain tensioning system that can be adjusted with a hex key. So you don’t need to struggle with a tool like a wrench.
The automatic oiling system helps keep the bar and chain well-oiled. This helps to improve the pruning performance and extend the life of the chain.
Is the pole saw lightweight?
The Ryobi cordless pole pruner weighs about 8 lbs including the battery. This makes it one of the lightest cordless pole saws.
The design does make it top-heavy which means you need to be careful when balancing it overhead. The shoulder strap does make things easy when you’re carrying it around for pruning.
Does it have an automatic oiling system?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 does have an automatic oiling system. This helps keep the bar and chain well-oiled during cuts. There’s no need for manually oiling the bar and chain.
You just need to keep the oil reservoir filled with chain oil before you start the pruning.
The oiled bar and chain give you a good performance and improves the life of the pole saw.
Does it come with a detachable head?
No. The Ryobi does not come with a detachable head.
What are the noise levels?
The benefit of Ryobi being a battery powered pole pruner is that it’s quiet. You won’t have noise problems like a gas one.
However, it’s always good to use ear protection when using such tools.
Does it need a lot of maintenance?
The benefit of using a cordless pole saw is that it needs less maintenance than something like a gas one. That’s because of the fewer moving parts.
That makes the maintenance of the Ryobi pole pruner simple as well. You just need the occasional maintenance to keep it clean, sharp and in working condition.
The automatic oiler keeps the bar and chain in maintained condition for a long time.
Keep the chain tension well-adjusted before using the pole pruner. This ensures the blade remains in great condition for some time.
After using the pole saw for a while, the chain will need to be sharpened. You need to use a chain sharpener or get professional help when that time comes.
What are the safety features?
There’s no guard cover on the bar and chain so you need to be careful when using this.
The design helps lower kickback that can occur when the tip of the saw touches a branch. This can cause you to lose balance and suffer an injury.
This tool is lightweight but the design makes it top-heavy. So be careful to keep the pole pruner in balance. You should use the provided shoulder strap so you don’t drop it and risk injury.
How much is the warranty?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 new one comes with a limited three-year warranty and the reconditioned one comes with a limited one-year warranty.
What is the price?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 18-volt is an inexpensive option when you’re considering a cordless pole saw.
The reconditioned one can be purchased at an even lower price.
It’s a good tool to use for your regular tree pruning in the yard. So if you’re looking for something inexpensive, you can consider this one.
What do users think about this?
The Ryobi ZRP4361 cordless has good reviews from most customers who use it for regular pruning of tree branches.
Users like that it’s easy to assemble and use. The battery charges up fast and lasts for a decent pruning time in the garden.
The cutting performance is good as the chain is sharp.
Users do feel that this pole saw is top-heavy which makes it difficult to hold for a long time. The provided shoulder strap does help a lot to keep it balanced.
Users like the automatic oiling system and the auto-tensioning system that comes with this.
Some users have noted that it consumes oil fast and some of it may leak when in use.
Should you buy the Ryobi ZRP4361 Cordless Pole Saw?
This is one of the best pole saw if you’re looking to prune a few tree branches in your garden.
It’s inexpensive and gives a good performance. The battery charges up fast and is sufficient for regular pruning needs.
The pole can be extended to 9.5 feet to give an overhead reach of about 12 feet.
The pole pruner is lightweight but a bit top-heavy. But with the shoulder strap, this should not be a problem to use.
If you’re looking for more good cordless pole saw options, check our reviews at gardeningmentor.com/battery-pole-saw/.
Ryobi ZRP4361 vs Black + Decker LPP120
- BLACK+DECKER electric lawn and garden equipment including electric pole saw releases zero emissions in your yard, helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
- 20V MAX* Lithium Ion battery of the electric pole saw has a long lifespan and retains its charge 5 times more than similar Nicd batteries while idle.
- 20V MAX* Lithium Ion battery of the tree trimmer pole saw provides up to 100 cuts of 1 1/2-inch pine branches per charge.
Last update on 2024-04-25 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Black + Decker LPP120 has a bigger 20V battery while the Ryobi pole saw has an 18V one. However, the battery performance is not that different.
The Black + Decker is slightly heavier at 10.4 lbs but it has a better balance than the Ryobi pole pruner.
They both have the automatic oiler which makes the bar and chain durable and gives good cutting performance.
Both these pole saws are similar when it comes to their pricing. Though you can get a reconditioned Ryobi pole chainsaw that costs a bit less.
Ryobi ZRP4361 vs Greenworks 20672
- 40V POLESAW – this polesaw allows you to keep your trees trimmed and healthy, enhancing your curb appeal
- 8” BAR AND CHAIN – for easy trimming of branches
- EASY ADJUST TRIMMING – for quick and easy tightening of the chain
Last update on 2024-04-25 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Greenworks 20672 has a much larger 40V battery than the Ryobi ZRP4361. This gives better performance and battery life.
But this comes at a heavier weight because of the battery. The Greenworks weighs about 13.5 lbs including the battery.
Both the pole saws are a bit tricky to carry around because they’re top-heavy. A shoulder strap is recommended when using such tools.
Both of these electric pole saws have the automatic oiling system that keeps the cutting head well-oiled.
They also have an easy tool-less chain tensioning system so you can keep it well-adjusted without needing a wrench.
There’s not much difference in the price of these two pole pruners. So if you’re looking for one with a bigger battery, the Greenworks is something to consider.
Ryobi ZRP4361 vs Poulan Pro PPB40PS
- Featuring an 8 in. Bar and Chain that has a self tension mechanism which adjusts the tension in the cutting chain so that it neither binds on nor comes loose from the guide bar
- Extends up to 8 ft. giving you the extra reach without having to use a ladder
- Automatic Oiler keeps your chain lubricated at all times. Easily monitor the oil level with the Oiler Level Indicator window
Last update on 2024-04-25 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Poulan Pro PPB40PS has a bigger 40V battery than the Ryobi pole electric chainsaw. This means it can last longer on battery power.
The weight is 11.6 lbs which is higher than the Ryobi due to the battery. But the weight distribution is much better than the Ryobi which helps carry it around without fatigue.
The Poulan Pro may have a higher price than the Ryobi one but it does have a bigger battery.
But it’s quite suitable if you’re looking for a regular pole pruner for pruning high branches in your garden.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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