Makita EY403MP Pole Saw Attachment Review: A Worthwhile Upgrade for Makita Power Head Owners

Introduction

The Makita EY403MP is a pole saw attachment built for Makita’s multi-function power heads, and it covers a lot of ground for a single accessory. It works with the 18V, the 18Vx2 (36V), and the 40V power head units, so if you already own any of those, this attachment turns your existing tool into a capable pruning saw without buying a separate machine.

In this region the EY403MP comes with a 300mm (12-inch) bar, though the 401 and 402 variants sold in the United States use a shorter 10-inch (250mm) bar, and bar lengths can vary by market. The attachment itself measures around 1,200mm (roughly four feet) in overall length, with a usable length of about 1,130mm. Once mounted to a power head, the distance from the tip of the bar to your trigger finger is around 1,700mm, and an extension pole is available if you need more reach.

Who This Attachment Is For

This is aimed squarely at gardeners and property owners who already have a Makita power head and want to trim overhead branches without climbing a ladder with a chainsaw. For a couple of cuts in the garden, it is a convenient way to reach mid-height limbs safely from the ground.

It is also a sensible alternative to a dedicated petrol pole saw for anyone already invested in Makita batteries, since there is no new engine to maintain, fuel to mix, or pull cord to fight with.

Build Quality and Cutting Hardware

The business end of the attachment is an Oregon bar running a 3/8 chain, which is a reassuring name in the cutting world. There is a captive nut on the chain cover, so you are less likely to lose the fastener while swapping or adjusting the chain, plus a separate screw for chain tensioning.

The chain oil reservoir has a captive, fairly flat lid with a small button to flick it open. Around the head there is also a metal hook for pulling down branches that have caught up in the top of a tree, and a small rubber chip deflector to keep debris off you. Notably, there are no bucking spikes on the front, though with a pole saw this is not really missed.

Performance Across the Three Power Heads

To compare how the attachment feels on each power head, a 50mm by 50mm (two-inch by two-inch) pine branch was used as a consistent test, since real branches rarely come in the same diameter or at the same angle. All units ran freshly charged 5Ah batteries: one on the 18V, one on the 40V, and two on the 36V (18Vx2).

The 40V power head clearly delivers the best experience. It cuts noticeably faster and can be pushed much harder than the others. The 18Vx2 is an interesting case: many assume it would match the 40V because the numbers seem similar, but newer technology wins out and the 40V is distinctly better. The plain 18V is usable if you take it easy, but it is slower and cannot be pushed as hard.

Compared with a rival Milwaukee setup, the Makita attachment is reported to be much nicer to use overall, with the competitor’s chain popping off frequently.

The Oil Leak Problem

The biggest drawback is the automatic oiler. There is no screw or adjustment of any kind, so the oiler runs constantly whenever the tool is in use. Worse, the oil does not stay put in storage: if you hang the attachment up with oil in the reservoir, it will drip out over time whether the bar points up or down.

In practice that means either emptying the oil out after every use, or storing the attachment angled so oil drains toward the bar rather than leaking into your shed. Neither is particularly convenient if you just want a couple of quick cuts, and it is the one area where the design genuinely feels like a corner was cut.

Buying Advice

If you already run a Makita power head, the EY403MP is a good little unit and easy to recommend, with the oil storage issue being the main thing to plan around. Pair it with the 40V power head if you have the choice, since it makes the attachment feel far more capable. If you want extra reach, there is a dedicated extension pole available, sold separately.

Conclusion

The Makita EY403MP is a well-built pole saw attachment with quality Oregon cutting hardware, a handy pull-down hook, and compatibility across three of Makita’s battery platforms. Its only real flaw, the unadjustable oiler that leaks in storage, is annoying but manageable once you know about it. For Makita power head owners, it is an easy way to add overhead pruning to your tool set.