A pneumatically powered pole saw is provided, the pole saw having gas actuated main valves configured for movement between first positions and second positions wherein the gas actuated main valves are located in a main valves assembly fluidly coupled to the piston chamber and a first pilot valve is configured to send actuating gas through a conduit to the main valves assembly and a second pilot valve is configured to send actuating gas through a conduit to the main valves assembly wherein the cutting blade moves in opposite directions in response to the actuating gas of the first and second pilot valves.