Poulan Chainsaws, any good???

[that-guy]

I'm in the market for a new chainsaw and have seen the name Poulan thrown around a lot lately...look like decent units, but don't know enough about them. anybody here ever use one and care to chime in?

 

[thebeekeeper1]

They are worse than the worst junk found at Harbor Freight. Completely disposable, but you may get a use or two out of one.

 

[that-guy]

They are worse than the worst junk found at Harbor Freight. Completely disposable, but you may get a use or two out of one.

is this based on experience? I don't want the typical comments from people all because it isn't their brand

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

Hell no! You'll get Popeye arms from trying to crank it up! They WERE good back in the "good 'ol days", but they **** *** now! Get a Stihl or a Husky (however your spell it) and don't look back!

 

[jakemac]

Junk. The biggest problem with them is the carburetor. A child's cap gun would do better. The one I had needed a new carb after one use (which cost me almost what I paid for it), and then it never ran again.

For the money, you'd probably have better luck with something from HF. BUT - I'd suggest that if you only need a light duty chainsaw for occasional use, spend a little more money and get one of Husqvarna's Rancher series saws.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Poulans are not bad. There is a reason they have most of the market for low end consumer chainsaws. If you get a 42 cc one, be sure to muffler mod it to open up the power. You'll get a good 10-20% more out of it if you do that. There are pages on the 'net on how to do that. They have to be tuned right on the carb settings. Pages on the net to do that too. They are not pro-grade saws, so life will not be the same as a pro-grade saw. That should be understood. But they are 3-4x cheaper than a similar size pro-grade saw. I used a 42 cc for light chain saw MILLING last year. Could handle that. I recently got a cs-590 Echo 60 cc for big jobs and bigger milling now, which is a good 2x better than the smaller Poulan. But considering I paid $25 for the Poulan at a yard sale, and the Echo was around $300 on deep sale from Zoro, the Poulan ain't too bad. Can handle 20" dia trees easily. Use a sharp chain, true of any saw. The Poulans come with consumer grade low kickback chains for safety. Put a real chain on it and it will cut well. The carbs sometimes need work and the Poulans don't like to idle well often and can sometimes have troubles starting easily. Follow directions, use the right gas/oil mix ratio, clean carb if needed, and not too bad. A great cheap homeowner saw, good for a few trees a year no problem, or 100 hours a year max for maybe 10 years of life. - Paul

 

[pauls_workshop]

Also the 50 cc Poulan IS made by Husqvarna and IS very very similar to that "better" Rancher mentioned above! It isn't really "better". Pay 2x or more for the Husqy label on it. - Paul

 

[jlmoss]

My experience, they work ok for a short while, then not so good. Buy a Stihl, Echo or Husky from a dealer. Great service and they will help if you have a problem.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Never had one but I remember a friend having one and said, "You know why they named it Poulan?" "It's because you pull and pull and pull and pull.... to start it!"

 

[hangfirew8]

They tend to come tuned lean from the factory... and recent models have eliminated the mixture adjustments on the carbs. As a result, a lot of people have been unhappy with them. Hard to start and seizures.

Fueled with an engineered pre-mix 2-stroke fuel like TruFuel, or e-free gasoline and a quality 2-stroke oil like Stihl Platinum, they usually run fine. Then we get into some real user issues. Many people assemble the bar and tighten the chain until it's snug. Actually chainsaw chains need a bit of looseness to the chain in order to cut and clear chips properly. A rule of the thumb is you should be able to pull the chain away from the middle of the bar and have a little light between the drive tooth and the bar track.

More user issues, chains stretch a lot the first few hours of operation, so some people wail away until the chain comes off and think it's cheap or worn out. Expect to tighten the chain (not too much) every 10 minutes or so of cutting until its broken in.

Another issue is the factory chain comes only semi-sharp. If the user managed to get past starting lean on Ethanol gas and chain tightness and adjustment issues, by the time they get through the first couple of hours of cutting the chain is already overdue for its first sharpening.

I pick up Poulans cheap at yard sales and fix them up, parts are cheap and aftermarket parts even cheaper (fuel filters, fuel lines, priming bulbs). If they're not lean seized (or sometimes even if they are,) I can usually get them running and they do good service for me. Typically if they sit for a few years the priming bulb has a vacuum leak.

I sharpen with hand files and a simple angle guide, on a new chain the cutting performance improvement is amazing.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

is this based on experience? I don't want the typical comments from people all because it isn't their brand

No experience, as I know better--based upon research. Please buy it so you can gain experience.

 

[stikman56]

They are worse than the worst junk found at Harbor Freight. Completely disposable, but you may get a use or two out of one.

This^^^^^. I made the mistake of trading my money for one. Biggest POS yard tool I've ever owned.

 

[stikman56]

No experience, as I know better--based upon research. Please buy it so you can gain experience.

 

[Danguitarman]

****. My uncle has two of them that we tried to get to run reliably for a whole day. Didn't happen, and one of them was essentially brand new.

 

[pauls_workshop]

My experience, they work ok for a short while, then not so good. Buy a Stihl, Echo or Husky from a dealer. Great service and they will help if you have a problem.

After running the 42 cc hard for an hour or so and they heat up, when you shut them off for awhile, can be hard to restart until cool again. But if you come back in a few hours or next day, they run hard and strong again. They tend to behave that way. Use a cooler spark plug instead of the hot plug they come with and this tendency lessons. My ported 42 cc just sings and sounds like a Harley. But I don't run it more than an hour at a time, then a few hours break. I need a break then anyway!

Also, screws can come loose on them. Use some locktite on the important ones and tighten them down better. It is a consumer grade saw. - Paul

 

[Ponchoguy]

Also the 50 cc Poulan IS made by Husqvarna and IS very very similar to that "better" Rancher mentioned above! It isn't really "better". Pay 2x or more for the Husqy label on it. - Paul

You can also add Craftsman in the mix there because if it has a model # starting with "358", Poulan/Allegretti/Poulan-Baird/EHP/Electrolux/AYP/Weedeater or whatever they call themselves now made it for Sears.

 

[03protege]

My father got one after Katrina to clear downed trees around the house. It still runs fine but we are certainly not depending on it for income or any heavy use. Knowing my father this is probably the least powerful model.

 

[pauls_workshop]

They tend to come tuned lean from the factory... and recent models have eliminated the mixture adjustments on the carbs. As a result, a lot of people have been unhappy with them. Hard to start and seizures.

Fueled with an engineered pre-mix 2-stroke fuel like TruFuel, or e-free gasoline and a quality 2-stroke oil like Stihl Platinum, they usually run fine. Then we get into some real user issues. Many people assemble the bar and tighten the chain until it's snug. Actually chainsaw chains need a bit of looseness to the chain in order to cut and clear chips properly. A rule of the thumb is you should be able to pull the chain away from the middle of the bar and have a little light between the drive tooth and the bar track.

More user issues, chains stretch a lot the first few hours of operation, so some people wail away until the chain comes off and think it's cheap or worn out. Expect to tighten the chain (not too much) every 10 minutes or so of cutting until its broken in.

Another issue is the factory chain comes only semi-sharp. If the user managed to get past starting lean on Ethanol gas and chain tightness and adjustment issues, by the time they get through the first couple of hours of cutting the chain is already overdue for its first sharpening.

I pick up Poulans cheap at yard sales and fix them up, parts are cheap and aftermarket parts even cheaper (fuel filters, fuel lines, priming bulbs). If they're not lean seized (or sometimes even if they are,) I can usually get them running and they do good service for me. Typically if they sit for a few years the priming bulb has a vacuum leak.

I sharpen with hand files and a simple angle guide, on a new chain the cutting performance improvement is amazing.

Agree with above 100%. Poulans are not the easiest no-brainer saws to use. But if you know their quirks, you can get them to work well and they are easy and relatively cheap to work on, as parts are out there. For work delivered/$$ cost, can't really be beat. But they are a bit quirkly. Less troubles but more cost would be Echoes, Stihl, Husqvarna, or Dolmars.

Problems I've seen:

1. Screws can loosen, if around combustion chamber, results in an air leak and loss of compression. Easily fixed with loctite, but probably responsible for a good 20% of the "Poulans work once then never again" complaints.

2. Gas cap or primer bulbs can leak, resulting in carb problems. Must have good parts there.

3. Carbs can get dirty or fuel lines can crack. Lines that come with them aren't very good. Replace them every few years. If you don't know how to clean the carb proper, buy a new one for less than $25.

4. Ignition can come loose or need adjustment over time. Make sure gap is set right every 20 hours of use.

5. Exhaust is restricted. Port the muffler easily and get 10-20% more power.

6. Older models with the carb adjustment screws are much preferred. If you do port the muffler, you need to adjust the carb a little richer fuel/air ratio (turn screws counterclockwise to richen fuel, clockwise to reduce fuel/increase air). Just very slight changes, like 30-60 degrees.

7. Replace anti-kickback chain with real chain (but know how to use a saw if you do that.)

8. Change out spark plug with cooler running plug as Poulans get hot riunning.

9. Be sure to use the right oil/gas mix ratio. They are pretty sensitive to this actually. Any carb "tuning" is for one gas/fuel mix, not a broad spectrum of ratio or they won't run good or start good.

10. There are some in the chainsaw milling community that have played with the 42 cc Poulans and souped them up and love them! Not just junk! But need some love to work good.

11. In general, always use safety chaps on legs and a face shield/helmet when using any chainsaw. Accidents happen. If they do, you want the chaps or face shield to protect your body from a moving chain or kickback event. It is worth it. - Paul

 

[Davefr]

Poulans don't get much respect but a lot of that is probably because they're a consumer/homeowner saw and probably don't get appropriate care. Chainsaws are very unforgiving to neglect.

Poulans are actually made by Husquvarna and the same as the lower end Husky saws.

I'd choose Echo for a consumer saw and Stihl for a pro saw.

 

[MattN03]

About 10 years ago, I bought a Poulon chainsaw at Lowes. It was always hard to start, even new. I finally got rid of it. About 6 years ago, I bought a Stihl Farmboss 290. This has been a heck of a saw. Always starts, good power, has cut up 42" diameter white oak tree! Stihl products all the way for me!

 

[pepi]

I'm in the market for a new chainsaw and have seen the name Poulan thrown around a lot lately...look like decent units, but don't know enough about them. anybody here ever use one and care to chime in?

Ask yourself, What do the people use to make a living with , that's a good place to start.

If cheap is your point of reference then it should work fine and work as it was built.

 

[trainer]

They have goofball starting instructions but it will start every time if you follow them to the letter. I have a woodshark model that is a total POS. It runs hot and is down on power compared to anything else that size.
Steer clear and buy a huskvarna, stihl, or jonsered

 

[back2class]

I have a 14" bar one. It *****. Chain constantly slips off. Hard to start. Only idles for 3-5 seconds after laying off the gas...then stalls. Did I say hard to start? But, for the once every few years I need a chainsaw I will just suffer with it. Would not buy one again if starting over.

 

[Moose97]

I bought a Poulan a few years ago. Worked really well for the first two years. Started right up on cranking. Then the third year I pull it out of the box, fill it up and again starts right up. I start doing some cutting and then all of a sudden every time I touch it to wood, it dies. Now I can't get it to crank at all. Don't know what the problem is. Now I start reading and talking to others and am hearing the same story over and over. Will cost almost as much to repair it as it costs new. I would say stay away! I'm buying a STIHL.

 

[Banshee365]

The 2nd post saying Poulan is worse than HF stuff is ridiculous. I'm not sure how they are these day's but I've got a 16" Craftsman made by Poulan from about 13 years ago and I cannot kill it. I use it for farm use, not professional. I've had to replace the fuel lines, that's it. It's been a very durable saw. I wouldn't look at the normal Poulan's, the Poulan Pro's are pretty decent I bet though. I also run a Stihl MS290 with a 20" bar and it's an animal, definitely a pro saw. I run both so I don't have a skewed opinion. I think Husky ***** anymore except for the XP saw's. If you want the best saw you can get go for either a Stihl or Echo. I'm a HUGE Echo fan with blowers, line trimmers, edgers, pole saws, etc... Their saw's are very underrated and really run like crazy and last forever. The Echo CS590 Timberwolf is the best value on the market period.

If you want an occasional use saw for your home and what not, Poulan will work fine. Being that you're a member here I assume you're pretty handy and can do little repairs here and there through the years to it.

 

[Alchymist]

The Poulan PP4620AVX *****, and Husquavarna support ***** even worse.

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f26/husquavarnss-response-my-complaint-poulan-saw-83377/

http://www.saferproducts.gov/Search/Result.aspx?dm=0&q=20150116-CAE91-2147436401&srt=0

Just my humble opinion, YMMV!

 

[RiverRider]

I had a decent little Craftsman saw until I loaned it to a neighbor who filled it with rusty gas. The next time I needed a saw I had to have it RIGHT NOW so we bought a Poulan. I dunno, I just never liked that saw...it just felt like it didn't wanna run and work. Recently I bought an Echo CS-590 and used it to take care of a couple of downed trees in my backyard. That thing is a hoss!

 

[hangfirew8]

I bought a Poulan a few years ago. Worked really well for the first two years. Started right up on cranking. Then the third year I pull it out of the box, fill it up and again starts right up. I start doing some cutting and then all of a sudden every time I touch it to wood, it dies. Now I can't get it to crank at all. Don't know what the problem is. Now I start reading and talking to others and am hearing the same story over and over. Will cost almost as much to repair it as it costs new. I would say stay away! I'm buying a STIHL.

Sounds like a vacuum leak. See previous post.

 

[hangfirew8]

I had a decent little Craftsman saw until I loaned it to a neighbor who filled it with rusty gas. The next time I needed a saw I had to have it RIGHT NOW so we bought a Poulan. I dunno, I just never liked that saw...it just felt like it didn't wanna run and work. Recently I bought an Echo CS-590 and used it to take care of a couple of downed trees in my backyard. That thing is a hoss!

Echo makes nice, reliable low vibration chainsaws. They tend to be a bit heavy and have a lower power to weight ratio than even a 290 farm boss, but if you don't mind that they really run well.

 

[INSP380]

Just killed my Poulan made blower....2 years old. Zero compression. I have used it on my residential property and never more than 10-15 min. **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ...It's Echo time!

Steve

 

[upgrading]

Hey you got HF on my Poulan.

Hey you got Poulan on my HF.

Now 2 greats go together.
And remember your 20% off coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/42cc-18-in-gas-chain-saw-60729.html

 

[Alchymist]

Hey you got HF on my Poulan.

Hey you got Poulan on my HF.

Now 2 greats go together.
And remember your 20% off coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/42cc-18-in-gas-chain-saw-60729.html

At least that one doesn't have the stupid quick chain adjust mechanism!

 

[G_P]

I have a 42cc Poulan I got for free as a 5 gallon bucket of parts. PO took it completely apart because the oil pump failed and could not figure out how it went together.
I put it back together, replaced the brittle fuel lines, and its been running fine. I use it a few times a year.
Just used it to cut up a birch tree that fell down during the winter. It had been sitting for months in an unheated shed, but I put some gas in and it fired on the 3rd pull.

 

[covert]

I bought one, used, in an auction last summer.

It was clearly used, and was a bit dirty, and had a dull chain, but after replacing the chain, and giving it a thorough clean, it's run fine since.

It's obviously not for anything other than light duty, but I have used it to cut down a few trees in our backyard, as well as taking out about 30 hedge stumps. Like has been previously posted, do the mods, start it exactly as described, and it should be fine. If you're using it more than a couple times a year, you'd probably be better served getting a more serious chainsaw.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Every one I've ever seen (OK, not counting ones from the old days when they were half reputable) has been hot garbage.

My dad and one of his cousins each bought one years ago. Both did the same thing- chrome peeled off the piston & killed the compression within an hour of runtime, with plenty of oil. They're not even worth fixing, even if it's just a carb.

And I wouldn't put any stock in "Husqvarna" building them. Their lower end is 10x worse than Stihl's... and I'm no fan of Stihl's homeowner line. I'd say it's more like Poulan building cheap Huskies than t'other way around.

 

[mikegt4]

I picked up a Poulan cheap at a swap meet a few years ago after I got tired of running an extension cord for the very old Craftsman (Remington) electric chainsaw that I inherited from my Dad (it lives on at my son's house). Once I got the carb clean and adjusted it has been reliable. My chainsaw needs are basically residential which suits a Poulan. I pulled it out of the shed last week were it has been since last fall, started on the second pull.

I would not buy one new, put up some extra money towards a real quality saw.

 

[rgood44]

Totally ****. My dad bought one new for a very good deal. He gave it to me still in the box. It started once and never again. I have a Stihl and it is great saw.

 

[wafrederick]

The Husqvarna model 36 chainsaw is made by Poulan.You don't buy the Husqvarna chainsaws from Lowes and Home Depot and it is for warranty reasons.You don't get it fixed right away,on the bottom of the list for warranty work done by the dealer.Bought from the dealer,in right away.

 

[wantacoe]

I bought one a few years ago, I think they are ok for my use. I live in town and just have to cut up a few branches once in a while. Probably not the best for extended use.

 

[burnedzr2]

Poulin chainsaws make great boat anchors! enough said!