Poulan chainsaws?

B

Buck268

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Nov 5, 2006
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Was wondering what everybody thinks of Poulan brand chainsaws... I've used Stilh extensively and of course thats #1 pick... but #1 in price as well ;)

I used a Poulan once and it worked very well, but it was only on 1 job so I don't know about the long term. Also, are they as easy to repair and maintain as Stihl?
 
I've been using one for the past 2 yrs to cut about 10-12 cords of firewood each year.I've had no trouble with mine other than having to take the screen out of the exhaust,I had to do that on the last Stihl that I had also.If you get the one with the quick adjust chain,the chain and bar are pretty expensive.I've had no complaints and I've always been a Homelite guy.
 
I have heard many people complain about Poulan saws. My 16" saw has never given me any trouble. It has been used hard, especially after hurricanes. However I have taken very good care of it. I have only used the Poulan bar oil. It is very thick and works well. It is never put up dirty and the chain is kept sharp and tight. I learned a long time ago that 2 cycle engines (weed eaters, chain saws) work better if run at full throttle when in use. I don't even like to let them sit and idle. The Poulan will work well but it must be maintained well. The Stihl saw on the other hand is a very tough, durable saw. I have never owned one but have seen tree service people abuse the hell out of them. Once saw a guy get one stuck and bent into a C shape. It took a backhoe to pick up the tree limb to get it loose. The saw popped out with no damage, chain still intact. He fired it up and kept cutting like it was a normal occurrence. IMO they are worth the money. They seem to be the type of saw that you can abuse and put up dirty and still work every time.
 
Stihl is definately worth the money, I learned first hand a few years back when I was in the tree removal sector. But I just want a decent saw for personal use and (with any luck) some light side work ;)
 
I must admit that I've never used any Poulan products, but from what I know about chainsaws in general, I would stick with Stihl, Husqvarna, or Echo. With the first two being preferred. I used to do tree work myself. Good luck. -DT
 
I'm doing a LOT of tree work - I use Stihl exclusivly. Husquarna and Dolmar are equally good, everything else is not even worth considering. Just my opinion of course, YMMV.
ilten
 
I have heard that Husqvarna makes Poulan. I'm not sure whether that's good or bad. They also produce WeedEater and I've had nothing but trouble with that brand.
link to corporate site

I usually look at what the folks that depend on saws for a living use. I never see a Poulan on a truck or in use by a tree trimmer. I threw my Homelite weed trimmer in the woods and purchased a Stihl when I couldn't get parts for it. My dad had the same experience with his chainsaw, He now has a Stihl. Noticing a trend yet?:D




Stick with Stihl!!
 
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Back in '04 myself and a coworker agreed to cut up a 60 ft water oak, that fell during a hurricane, for another female coworker. The real tree service guys were quoting about $500 with a month wait.

Anyway I show up with my vintage (read heavy) 1970s Homelite XL-12 bow saw. My bud shows up with a Poulan Wild Thang (18"). Damned if the Poulan didn't hang in there with my Homelite. It ran like a champ. I remember thinking that for the average home owner who's not going to be doing really heavy work, that's a pretty good saw. And its price is pretty reasonable.
 
I've had two Poulans, one "Wild Thang" that wouldn't hold chain tension for more than 10 minutes and another I bought at some Big Box that burned out in 18 months, blew a hole in the piston! Those were my last two Poulans, I now have a Stihl Farm Boss.

J-
 
Went to check out the poulan this evening... Same guy had a Huqvarna for a bit more than a wanted to spend, but still a good price.






Bought the Husqvarna.
 
I think you made the right call by buying the Husky. I've had one for nearly 6 years and aside from keeping the chain sharp, all I've had to do is use it. Stihl is a great saw as well. I'd put Husky & Stihl in the same category performance and reliability wise.

Razz
 
Mine has been good but my use is as a suburban home owner with some property is limited. I've had my Wild Thing over five - six years and it runs like clockwork. Mostly cutting up downed trees from storms, clearing debris from the river property and clearing shooting lanes for hunting. If I spent a lot more time on the farm or at the river, I'd probably get a Stihl. But for my purposes, the Poulan has served me well.

Of course now that a neighbor wants a stump cut out...I hope I didn't jinx myself...
 
good call on the Husky...i have a 35 year old Husky that is still felling timber and bucking firewood.
 
I bought my first saw at age 15- Stihl 028, then moved to an 044. Used a MS441 for a bit. I bought a 2.0 Poulan Woodsman for a disposa saw for a job I was doing where I had to climb some years ago. It has far outperformed and outlasted my expectations. 100.00 saw that has cut a boatload of wood.
I have recently switched to Husqvarna 257 and 359. More so than brand name- look to the intended use of each model, I stay with commercial use saws for there durability.

2Door
 
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