Makita Expands 18V LXT OPE Lineup with its First Articulating Pole Saw
If you’re on Makita’s 18V LXT battery platform, you have plenty of options for at-height trimming. However, as a first in the brand’s battery-powered offerings, the Makita 18V LXT XAU03 Articulating Pole Saw offers a more versatile design. So, does its performance and design earn it a spot in your lawn care loadout? Let’s cut to the chase.
Note: Check out our picks for the best pole saws and pruners!
Makita 18V Articulating Pole Saw Performance
- Model: Makita XAU03
- Max chain speed: 1,320 FPM
- Pitch: .325-inch
- Gauge: .043-inch
- Bar length: 8 inches
- Cut capacity: 6 inches
- 120° articulating head
- 9 angle settings
- Runtime: 500 cuts in 2×2 (w/ 5.0Ah battery)
- Brushless motor
The XAU03 is Makita’s first dedicated pole saw on the 18V platform, and the first articulating pole saw of any kind they’ve launched. It features a brushless motor powered by a single 18V LXT battery. I’m specifying a single battery here because Makita has a couple of 36V pole saws, which run on two LXT batteries to operate at 36V.
This model reaches chain speeds of up to 1,320 FPM at the top end, and its 8-inch bar lets you cut through branches up to 6 inches in diameter. Makita estimates up to 500 cuts in 2×2 cedar using a 5.0Ah LXT battery.
Articulating Head
An obvious advantage of an articulating design, opposed to traditional pole saws, is that you can angle the head in a variety of positions for cutting at different angles. The XAU03 provides a total working range of 120°, and you can adjust the angle using the button on the head joint.
There are 9 angle settings, enabling easy cuts in hard-to-reach areas both at height and close to the ground.
Makita 18V Articulating Pole Saw Design
- Weight: 7.6 lbs (with battery)
- Expands from 6 ft to 9 ft
- 14-foot reach
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- Branch hook
- Auto-oiler
This pole saw weighs 7.6 pounds with a 5.0Ah LXT battery. Using the included extension pole, you can extend the length from 6 feet to 9 feet, for a total reach of up to 14 feet, depending on your height.
Being the first articulating pole saw on the 18V LXT platform, the XAU03 benefits from a lighter design than Makita’s 36V and 40V offerings. For instance, Makita’s 40V GAU02 10-inch pole saw weighs a whopping 18.3 pounds with the battery. While larger models do offer higher performance, Makita’s 18V pole saw is targeting users who prioritize a lightweight form rather than top-line power.
Additionally, this pole saw is equipped with comfort features we like to see, like tool-free chain tensioning and an automatic oiler. A branch hook also helps clear trimmed branches from your work area.
Makita 18V Articulating Pole Saw Price
This tool retails for $199 as a bare tool. There are currently no kit options, so be sure to pick up a Makita 18V battery and charger if you’re not already on the LXT system. Makita backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.
Should You Buy It?
While Makita has offered pole saws on both the 40V platform and the 18V LXT system in the form of Couple Shaft attachments, the XAU03 is their first foray into articulating pole saw territory. It has a couple of benefits not seen in Makita’s other cordless solutions, shaving off some working weight and offering a variety of angles thanks to its articulating head.
However, this model’s lightweight design has some performance trade-offs, so if you’re looking for the highest power and speed, stick to one of Makita’s 18V X2 (36V) pole saws or jump up to the 40V max XGT line.
