Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Poulan => Topic started by: maxmag on February 11, 2014, 09:24:05 pm

Title: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on February 11, 2014, 09:24:05 pm
When I read reviews on late model Poulan& poulan pro's, many of them are very negative. I have a 1998 2150 woodsman that has been a great little saw. Has quality dropped off, or just people that don't take care of their equipment.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Eccentric on February 11, 2014, 09:47:22 pm
When I read reviews on late model Poulan& poulan pro's, many of them are very negative. I have a 1998 2150 woodsman that has been a great little saw. Has quality dropped off, or just people that don't take care of their equipment.

It's mostly the latter.  Gotta consider the source when reading those reviews.  Only thing somewhat low quality on the newer Poulans is the fuel line.  Don't know if that's improved, but for a long time the fuel line they put on the saws and sold as replacements) was crap.  Replace the lines (and put on some non-consumer chain), and you have a good saw for the $$$.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: farmboy on February 11, 2014, 11:07:25 pm
+1 That has been the case for me too. O maintenance cuss it for being crap saw.
Shep
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on February 12, 2014, 09:45:52 am
I have a one-owner 3000 from the 80s that was just used but little by the previous owner. Replaced the lines and it has been a great saw! I am with Shep, if it belonged o a home owner assume that it was never maintained. IMHO lack of maintenance is the ruin of any tool no matter the cost!
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: rayvil01 on February 12, 2014, 10:58:12 am
I have a Poulan Farm Pro 375 that I bought not long after they introduced the Pro line.  1993?   It's been solid.  Basic maintenance only it has been no trouble.  I ran a lot of fuel through it.   I run a tank of gas or two through it a year for old times sake.  The power to weight ratio isn't very good and it's pre chain brake.  But it's willing.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: fordfairlane78 on February 12, 2014, 11:29:39 am
Most problems I have are the small supply line. Replace it & usually about 1/4 out on the L , adjust the idle and they make great little homeowner saws....
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on February 12, 2014, 12:15:17 pm
I have a 40 cc Poulan wild thing that was given to me because the cylinder and piston was scored.     It gave me the opportunity to see first hand how they are made.    Other than it has no Antivibe it seems to be made as well as some of the older small Poulans I have.
    There is a large group of people that buys these saws and really know nothing about chainsaws in general.    You will see things like clutch covers that have been cooked from running the saw with the chain brake engaged.  The bars are so plugged up that oil would never get to it for oiling.   Letting old gas sit in the saw and then trying to run the saw with bad gas.   Chains on backwards, and so dull you would do better with your butter knife.   Rakers not at the correct height.  Sprockets that are grooved badly and should have been replaced.   Bars that are uneven and have hugh burrs on the sides from leaning on it to get it to cut.    Large areas of excessive heat discoloration on the bars from lack of oil.   I could go on and on.    But I do not think it is as likely to find these types of examples on pro saws because of the people that use them.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 660magnum on February 12, 2014, 01:49:04 pm
There couldn't be a better chainsaw for those people that don't take care of them.

I was snickering to myself while looking at a friend's Wild Thing with the Chinese tri-link 3/8 LP skip chain etc. Then I made a couple firewood cuts with it and noticed he had a bank barn full of firewood cut with that chainsaw. I didn't snicker to myself anymore.

He also had one of those MTD splitters than break apart at the trunnions. It had probably split two barns full of wood and nothing had ever happened to it. Looked brand new.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on February 12, 2014, 07:27:56 pm
Same here, but yet I have always wanted a Wild Thing or one of there 42cc pro's for a trail saw.Might just end up with one yet!!
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on February 12, 2014, 07:35:35 pm
Same here, but yet I have always wanted a Wild Thing or one of there 42cc pro's for a trail saw.Might just end up with one yet!!

The Poulan 295 is 46cc and is actually lighter then the wild thing or the 260.  Put a 16"bar on it and you would have a good trail saw.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on February 12, 2014, 07:50:30 pm
I'll remember that if I run across one, thanks.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Eccentric on February 13, 2014, 12:32:12 am
I agree.  Also, a Poulan Pro 4620 is the current version of the Poulan Pro 295 that Roger mentioned.  Good saws, especially if you get one of the non 'tooless' bar clamp/adjuster versions (or convert a 'tooless' version to non-tooless).
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on February 13, 2014, 07:34:06 pm
just wondering, about what model year did the 295 become the 4620?
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Eccentric on February 13, 2014, 07:41:21 pm
just wondering, about what model year did the 295 become the 4620?

Somewhere around 2007 IIRC. 
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: AmericanPsycho on February 22, 2014, 09:43:23 am
I might get flamed for this but I don't believe that the newer Poulans are close to being the same quality as the old ones like mine.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on February 22, 2014, 11:06:06 am
No flaming those were cool little saws.   Yours looks like it is in nice shape.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: AmericanPsycho on February 22, 2014, 11:14:15 am
It is in good shape. Even has a bucking spike ;D
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Eccentric on February 22, 2014, 11:44:49 am
No flaming here.  They're great saws.  I have several XXV series saws, including three S25-CVA's.  My favorite small saw.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: AmericanPsycho on February 22, 2014, 11:56:55 am
No flaming here.  They're great saws.  I have several XXV series saws, including three S25-CVA's.  My favorite small saw.

She's a little screamer for sure. The Stihlheads don't like it when I prove Pedo-Killer can keep up with their 200Ts.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Eccentric on February 22, 2014, 12:14:51 pm
No flaming here.  They're great saws.  I have several XXV series saws, including three S25-CVA's.  My favorite small saw.

She's a little screamer for sure. The Stihlheads don't like it when I prove Pedo-Killer can keep up with their 200Ts.

Yep.  Put a loop of Stihl 63PS chain on it (most guys have never heard of that chain) and you'll really surprise the Stihlheads.  Only aspect where the 200T really has anything on a good running S25-CVA is weight.  If I had to climb trees for a living I'd want a lighter tophandle saw.  My non-AV XXV series saws are a bit lighter than the CVA's too.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: AmericanPsycho on February 22, 2014, 04:06:11 pm
No flaming here.  They're great saws.  I have several XXV series saws, including three S25-CVA's.  My favorite small saw.

She's a little screamer for sure. The Stihlheads don't like it when I prove Pedo-Killer can keep up with their 200Ts.

Yep.  Put a loop of Stihl 63PS chain on it (most guys have never heard of that chain) and you'll really surprise the Stihlheads.  Only aspect where the 200T really has anything on a good running S25-CVA is weight.  If I had to climb trees for a living I'd want a lighter tophandle saw.  My non-AV XXV series saws are a bit lighter than the CVA's too.

Maybe when the current chain is worn out.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: aclarke on February 22, 2014, 10:59:37 pm
Used the poulan for years when I first started climbing. Great saws!
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on March 02, 2014, 06:03:09 pm
Couldn't help myself !!  Menards had Wild Things on sale, so I bought one. I will put a 16" bar on it then we'll see what we see I guess.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 660magnum on March 02, 2014, 06:15:52 pm
I used a Wild Thing a couple years ago for a few cuts. Surprisingly it performed well as a home owner occasional chainsaw. 18" Tri-Link skip chain and all. Couldn't complain about it. Owner was not a chainsaw person. It was as it came out of the box. He had a dozen of those Tri-Link chains on the wall that he had made dull with it.

I was there to show him how to sharpen his own chains.

And away he went. . . . .

I suppose it was the perfect chainsaw for this guy?
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on March 02, 2014, 06:37:52 pm
What are your thoughts on running my normal Husqvarna XP synthetic 50:1 mix and not the 40:1 poulan asks for?I do in all of my 2-sroke things , but this being new?
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 660magnum on March 02, 2014, 06:59:31 pm
I would run the same mix in all my two strokes
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on March 02, 2014, 07:34:26 pm
I'm going with that, Thanks.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on March 02, 2014, 07:46:21 pm
What are your thoughts on running my normal Husqvarna XP synthetic 50:1 mix and not the 40:1 poulan asks for?I do in all of my 2-sroke things , but this being new?

Those saws do have a tendency to be tuned on the lean side so make sure you can hear it 4 stroking at WOT when not in wood.  We do not want to have your new saw burn up.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: Cut4fun . on March 02, 2014, 08:37:34 pm
Very lean from factory for sure on what I seen in the past.

Should have said something if wanting a wild thing. I had the older 42cc non strato with throttle lock 2375. 1 owner trade in, not use to much from the looks.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on March 03, 2014, 08:13:04 pm
Thanks for the heads-up. Sure is nice to have all this experience with just a few clicks on the buttons!!!!
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: rms61moparman on March 07, 2014, 09:54:30 pm


One other thing I see constantly with these new Poulan saws, people buy a $99.00 40cc homeowner saw and expect it to work act and last like a $600.00, 60cc saw.

I just ask them if they would buy a Toyota Tacoma to pull a semi trailer cross country!!!
That usually gets me a LONG dumb look from the respondent.

I'll be happy to take a 40cc Poulan apart alongside a Stihl 180 and show them just how much "better" the Stihl is.



Mike
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: jcsmith on March 23, 2014, 06:07:06 pm
I bought a Craftsman 42cc/18" ( 2375LE, I think) back in '04 not knowing much about saws. It ran OK out of the box for a while, but when I learned how to adjust the carb and  modify the muffler , I couldn't believe it was the same saw. As has been noted, the fuel line was the only problem.

  Also was given a low hour '82 3700 ( thin rings ), love that saw. Still had the original bar and chain. It has the plastic clutch cover tho. One day I'll get a metal cover. Were they magnesium or aluminum ?

  Trying to convince the wife I need another saw. Y'all know I do for sure. I want a Dolmar 6400 that I can build up after warranty. Now I want the 6100 also. That looks like a nice saw. 

                                         Chris
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 660magnum on March 23, 2014, 06:42:20 pm
I bought a Craftsman 42cc/18" ( 2375LE, I think) back in '04 not knowing much about saws. It ran OK out of the box for a while, but when I learned how to adjust the carb and  modify the muffler , I couldn't believe it was the same saw. As has been noted, the fuel line was the only problem.

  Also was given a low hour '82 3700 ( thin rings ), love that saw. Still had the original bar and chain. It has the plastic clutch cover tho. One day I'll get a metal cover. Were they magnesium or aluminum ?

  Trying to convince the wife I need another saw. Y'all know I do for sure. I want a Dolmar 6400 that I can build up after warranty. Now I want the 6100 also. That looks like a nice saw.
                                         Chris
10-4 on the dolmars
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: fossil on March 23, 2014, 08:22:02 pm
Also was given a low hour '82 3700 ( thin rings ), love that saw. Still had the original bar and chain. It has the plastic clutch cover tho. One day I'll get a metal cover. Were they magnesium or aluminum ?

I wouldn't get too hung up on a mag side cover for your 3700. They break easily if people don't get the chain tension adjuster in the bar hole and then  tighten down the cover. That may be one reason aside from cost that they went to a plastic cover which works just fine.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on March 23, 2014, 08:47:15 pm
I agree with Tim here.   The 3800 which is very close to your 3700 came with plastic covers they work great.  If you are a purest with your saws then the mag cover would be more original.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: nyquil junkie on March 23, 2014, 11:02:15 pm
I had a wild thing, the only thing that killed it was the tree that fell on it. The second one needed the car rebuilt and it ran fine till someone stole it. I have a 2050 I have only has t rebuild the Carb and new lines/primer bulb on that, it still runs fine. I have a plan pro too it runs fine.  They all needed a little tweak with the special cash screwdriver now and then.

Most of them I pick up that don't run, that people have tossed out or sold for pennies at yard sales simply needed the Carb screws reset right.

I haven't had to actually crack one open and fix the guts on any of them. Ever.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: maxmag on March 24, 2014, 09:00:38 pm
I put a 16" bar on my new w.t. and some woodland pro 30lp chain. This thing rips now! What worries me the most right now is the starter system, really rough. I do a lot of volunteer mountain bike trail work and this saw will save some on my good saws I hope. Just hope it will be as dependable as my old 2150.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: jcsmith on March 25, 2014, 10:53:50 am
Thanks for the heads up on the mag side cover fellas. My plastic cover works fine, just thought metal might hold up better.  Now I know better.   Chris

    I probably should have mentioned my 3700 is actually a craftsman 3.7/18". I presume they came with a plastic cover. Currently I have a 20" b&c. Do y'all think it would pull a 22 or 24 inch b&c? Thanks again.  Chris
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on March 25, 2014, 06:56:01 pm
Thanks for the heads up on the mag side cover fellas. My plastic cover works fine, just thought metal might hold up better.  Now I know better.   Chris

    I probably should have mentioned my 3700 is actually a craftsman 3.7/18". I presume they came with a plastic cover. Currently I have a 20" b&c. Do y'all think it would pull a 22 or 24 inch b&c? Thanks again.  Chris

Yes if you have a craftsman then the plastic cover is original.   I have several just like the one you have with plastic side cover.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: jcsmith on March 26, 2014, 10:43:51 am
3000FPS, have you run any bars longer than 20" on your 3.7 saws? If so , what do you suggest?

                                                                                                                                                        Chris
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: AmericanPsycho on March 26, 2014, 10:54:04 am
Going by Acres' website, the 3700 was supplied with bars ranging from 16in to 30in.
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: 3000 FPS on March 26, 2014, 02:05:10 pm
3000FPS, have you run any bars longer than 20" on your 3.7 saws? If so , what do you suggest?

                                                                                                                                                        Chris

I always run 20 or 18" bars on those saws.    I have one green 3700 that bumped up the compression and modified the ports on that could handle a 24" bar but I like it best with a 20".
Title: Re: Poulan quality
Post by: jcsmith on March 26, 2014, 04:11:01 pm
Thanks fellas, I probably should stick with the 20" b&c. Guess I need another saw.   Chris