What are the parts of a pole lopper?

29th February 2020

What are the parts of a pole lopper?


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		Pole lopper blade
		Pole loppers can incorporate either a straight or curved blade, which is pushed upward against the anvil when the rope is pulled down and the lever lowered. When a branch is positioned between the blade and the anvil, the blade slices upward through the branch.

		Pole lopper anvil
		The anvil on a pole lopper is static (doesn’t move) and sits above the blade. It is called the anvil because it provides a wide, flat surface for the blade to press branches against during cutting, in the same way that a blacksmith’s anvil provides a flat surface on which to strike metal workpieces.

		The anvil provides resistance against the upward force exerted by the blade; this increases the overall force applied to the branch, making cutting easier.

		Pole lopper spring
		The purpose of the spring on a pole lopper is to return the blade to its open position when the rope is released.

		Pole lopper lever
		The lever is the part of the pole lopper which is manipulated by the system of pulleys activated when the rope is pulled.

		When force is applied by pulling on the rope, the lever is pulled downward and activates the gear mechanism, which is attached to its base. This extends the spring and causes the blade to press upward.

		When the rope is released, the lever returns to its resting position, turning the gears in the opposite direction as it does so and allowing the spring to return to its resting position.

		Pole lopper rope
		The rope which the user pulls to operate a pole lopper is usually double braided for strength, and is usually the same length as the pole lopper it is paired with at its longest extension. It is fed through a system of up to four pulleys.

		Pole lopper pulleys
		A pole lopper may incorporate up to four pulleys: the uppermost pulley, in the lever, which pulls the lever downward when the rope is pulled, a pulley attached to the mounting ferrule, and two smaller pulleys, which clip onto the pole attachment when the pole lopper is assembled.

		Pole lopper pulley clips
		Pulley clips are used to prevent the rope from ‘straying’; escaping the pulley or moving around during use. Two pulley clips are featured on some pole loppers, clipping onto the pole attachment when the pole lopper is assembled.

		Pole lopper gear mechanism
		The gear mechanism on a pole lopper is incorporated at the base (or load point) of the lever, which turns the first gear when pulled down.

		This forces a second gear (hidden from view) to turn in the opposite direction, closing the blade and extending the spring.

		Pole lopper mounting ferrule
		The mounting ferrule on a pole lopper is inserted into the hollow pole attachment during assembly, as far as the ‘lip’ at the top of the ferrule. The uppermost clip on the pole attachment then clips onto the lip, securing the ferrule within the pole.

		Pole lopper mounting clip
		The mounting clip is attached to the ferrule, and is closed around the upper shaft of the pole attachment during assembly.

		Pole lopper handle
		The rope on a pole lopper is pulled by holding onto the handle and tugging down. The incorporation of a handle prevents rope burn and allows more force to be applied more comfortably.

		What is the pole attachment?
		The pole attachment, an extendable pole handle of 1.8m (6ft) unextended and up to 5m (16ft) extended, is sometimes purchased separately to the pole lopper. This is the part which is held by the user to position the lopper at height, while the rope is pulled to operate the blade.