An apparatus designed for climbing poles, trees and other such columnar objects. The apparatus is a remote-controlled work station that provides a scaffold for mounting semi-robotic articulated arms and video cameras. The articulated arm has a quick-release coupler on an end thereof that is able to repeatedly and releasably couple attachments thereto, such as saws, blades, and other pruning objects. The device includes an expandable frame that may be opened and closed to fit around the vertical structure to be climbed. The frame has horizontal and vertical supports, drive system compression supports, and wheels. A drive system is mounted to each of the drive system compression supports. The drive system includes motorized tracked-climbers that are maintained in contact with the vertical structure to be climbed via adjustable independent suspension. The suspension uses adjustable spring shocks and drive system slide rails to connect the frame to the drive system.
