| Heavy-duty chain saw can tackle the big jobs. 2.8 cu. in. DuraChrome extended life engine has Super Clean air filter system, dual counterweight crankshaft. Features 20in. long bar, gear-driven automatic chain oiler, quick-adjust chain tensioning system, anti-vibe handle. Includes carrying case. U.S.A. Chain Saw Type: Gas, Bar Length (in.): 20, Cylinder Displacement (cc): 46, Oil Pump Flow: Automatic, Low Vibration Handle: Yes, Tool-Less Chain Tensioning: Yes, Case Included: Yes |
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 poor chain tension design |
| Review Date: May 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: David Ervin, Michigan |
| I have never written a review before but after using this piece of junk I felt compelled to do so. I own a smaller Poulan saw and liked it enough to buy the bigger one. The 46cc starts and runs great, no problem with the engine at all. It's the chain tensioning device that makes this saw really frustrating to use. Someone decided to "improve" the time tested method of tightening the chain by turning a screw, to this new plastic adjustment dial thing that you don't need tools for. It doesn't work! The adjustment never holds and I have to retighten the chain about every 15 minutes! I thought it was because the chain was new and needed to stretch but I have been using it for sometime now and the problem is getting worse. On more than one occasion this device has allowed the chain to come off during operation, a dangerous and anoying situation that caused damage to the chain and the saw housing. I spend more time fixing this saw than using it. I was a big fan but now I will not buy another Poulon. I wish they would have stuck with the old design which worked just fine and this would be a great saw. I guess Poulon never heard the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it". |
Great saw for the money
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| Review Date: February 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Big D, Fayetteville, AR USA |
This has been a great saw and have had no problems with the chain tensioning system. The first time I used the saw I had to tighten the chain a couple of times but since then it has held perfect. In fact it's worked much better than the old style I have always used in the past. I'm not sure why so many seem to not like this feature and the biggest names in the business are using an almost identical toolless chain adjustment system. A week spot is the plastic adjustment wheel (it's plastic on the Husqvarna and Stihl also from what I can tell) but it can be purchased online for under $2.00 not including shipping. Another week spot in my opinion is the cheep air filter. The saw does a great job of keeping dirt and debris away from the filter but it would be a good idea to order a replacement or two which can be had under $3.00 from poulan. After cutting a dead rotten 20" tree some dirt and grime did make it's way somehow through the filter though most trees won't be so nasty to cut through.
Now to the bright points the saw runs like a top and always starts first pull once started the first time and even a cold first start has never take more than 5 pulls minus the couple of times I forgot to turn the ignition on first. The saw also has plenty of power for felling trees or cutting firewood. If you use on a very regular basis I'd recommend a Stihl or Husqvarna and if this was a comparison to them I'd give it a 3 and them a 5 but for what it is meant to be I give this saw a 5 because it has performed flawlessly in the ice storm cleanup in my area. Replacement parts are cheap so if you do tear something up it's not going to cost a fortune to fix.
To keep this thing running always use fresh gas or at least make sure the gas has stabilizer in it and even then should never be older than 12 months. Make sure the air filter is in good shape and I'd go ahead and order a couple extra and also get the plastic adjustment gear part #545090501 it will add almost nothing to your order and could save lot of cursing if you accidentally put too much force on it and strip the gears. It takes a screwdriver and a couple of minutes to replace it. I will admit that part should be metal but at the same time the force required to tighten the chain should be well within the limits of the plastic part just don't over tighten or force it.
Most people don't know that these saws also have a forged crank and connecting rod, Husqvarna inspired clean air system to keep saw dust out of the (cheep) air filter, and the durachrome cylinder. The engine on this saw is strong and revs easily without hesitation and have not had problems with it bogging down at all. Yes I'd rather have a more expensive saw but this one is more than I need and can't justify spending more. |
Designed by Dilbert Marketing Department
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| Review Date: December 19, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Percy Smogg, Tulsa, OK USA |
No primer bulb, so it took a lot of pulling to get gas into carburetor when new; and by a lot of pulling, I mean sweating and cussing lot of pulling. After that, it starts with a few full-choke pulls followed by a half-choke pull.
The no-tool chain adjustment is bad, very bad. You have a plastic knob (which is, no doubt, destined to break) to tighten a single bolt to hold the bar. It isn't enough to hold the bar, so the chain is constantly coming off the bar. I removed the plastic knob and replaced it with a regular nut. The stud for a second nut is there underneath the plastic cover; so I chiseled and drilled away the plastic to allow the use of the second nut. Much better now.
It is interesting that the plastic housing covers the spark plug and wire (something you might want to get to), but the muffler is fully exposed for you to burn yourself (probably while fiddling with the chain).
The anti-vibration system is some springs that are between the handles and the motor. The problem is that if you are pushing down at the end of a cut, the springs do their spring thing and flip the bar into the dirt, thus dulling the chain ... at least we hope it is the dirt and not your leg.
On the positive side, the motor has reasonable power for a non-commercial saw. Oil and fuel use are modest, and the fill holes are easily accessible. |
Good saw but one major negative
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| Review Date: June 20, 2008 |
| Reviewer: F. Waidelich, Victor, NY United States |
| Just bought this saw today am returning it tomorrow. After several hours of cutting I've decided that it is a nice saw for someone cutting a few branches on occasion but for someone who cuts logs into firewood length on a consistent basis it has one major problem. The chain adjustment device just does not work. Over about 4 hours I had to tighten the chain over 20 times and the chain jumped off the bar 3 times. Very dangerous!!! I've had many chainsaws over the last 30 years and this is absolutely the worst chain tensioning system I've ever used. No matter how tight you turn the big knob it goes out of adjustment quickly.I also noticed that for a 46cc engine it seems to be light on power for a 20 inch saw. It does the job but when cutting a log 16-18 inches in dia. it bogs down alot. |
Works great.... NO problems!
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| Review Date: September 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Kent Roorda, Denver, CO United States |
| I just read the review before this one and am surprised. I have owned this chain saw for nearly two years now and it has worked very well. I have given my saw a LOT of use as well. By reading the previous review, it sounds like David (the reviewer) forgot to put oil in the oil tank. Without oil, the chain will stretch and need constant adjustment - on ANY chain saw. With proper maintenance and operation, ANY chain saw will work quite well. However, if you don't operate it properly and follow instructions, you won't get the desired results. Many of my neighbors have watched me using my Poulan chain saw and have gone right out and purchased one for themselves. And, after purchasing Poulans for themselves, virtually all (5) of them are VERY happy. The Poulan isn't a Stihl (which is probably the best saw around). However, for the money, it's one of the best saws you can get your hands on. By the way, both the bar and the chain it comes with are made by "Oregon Chains" - the leader in bar and chain technology! I run my saw at an altitude of 8800 feet, in Colorado, and it runs well despite the altitude. The only thing that they could improve on is the High and Low jet adjustments. They pretty much make it so that, if the jets need any adjustment, then you should take it to a dealer. If you know how to make the adjustments, then it's normally an easy thing to do. However, you need a fairly special tool (rather than a small screwdriver) to do it on this chainsaw. If you aren't in to making such adjustments yourself, then this shouldn't be a matter of concern for you. The saw does run VERY clean, and without smoke. It starts right up every time it's used, and I've never experienced any vapor locking (which is pretty common on 2-cycle engines). The anti-vibration handles are also very nice and makes using the saw and cutting wood a lot more pleasureable. The saw also works as well cutting horizontally as it does if you are cutting vertically. |
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