Time to pitch the poulan

3 years ago I bought a poulan pro 50cc 20" from Lowes thinking I was getting a good saw for the Price, 200 bucks. It ran good for 2 years off and on, tuned it up this year, ran for a day and kicked the bucket. Being the cheapskate that I am, took it for repair. 2 weeks and no progress. The shop I took it to told me it is junk and only charged me 20 bucks for a fuel filter, spark plug wire, metering diaphragm and chain sharpening. Catch was I had to buy a Stihl off him. Well, needless to say a MS 271 farmboss followed me home. I ran it through some logs yesterday, and couldn't be happier. I wish I spent the extra 200 bucks in the first place.

 

My father works at a hardware store and feels compelled to buy stuff out of that store. He did the same thing with a Pouland and the saw was junk within 6 months. He then bought a Husqvarna and was happy with it, but too old to run a saw, he gave it to me, but I promptly ran it over with my bulldozer last year, not doing it a lot of good.

 

Pricey106 I think that you made the right decision in the long run! Good choice!

 

I bought the same saw (Poulen Pro 50 cc) about 5 years ago. It was in the shop more than I used it. Got it back from the shop once (it wouldn't start) fired it up and it seized before I even put it to wood! Luckily the box store honered the 2 yr warrentee and I got my money back. Went and baught a Stihl 391 then CAD took over and I've accumulated 4 more Stihl Pro saws from CL. Couldn't be more happy with my Stihl pro saws!

 

I've been into a few 5020 Poulan Pro's. The reality is they are likely the best saw for that price range. They are made by Electolux/Husqvarna. All the parts are stamped with the Husky slug.

Many folks either toss them or attempt to flog them cheap when they fail to run properly. They often don't run well right out of the box. Waaaay lean. But, homeowners are the target audience and most don't/won't be able to set them up properly.

The fuel line is a notoriously bad material. It is lined. The thin lining can "peel" away internally, choking off the fuel delivery. On the outside it looks fine. Ethanol blends accelerate the process. Haven't seen one with a line that runs E10 that didn't swallow it's guts. New lines, a proper tuning and they cut pretty darn well for the $'s. You would pay more for the same saw if Electrolux decided to change the colour to their Husky orange.

 

I like some Polans, wish I could find a 25A at a local yard sale or farm auction.

. Al

 

My 5020 has been a good investment. Proper tuning at the start made it start/run correctly. Clean the filter, adjust and sharpen the chain and go. Not a top end quality unit, but it has cut a tremendous amount for me. I have Stihl saws as well. Still enjoy squeezing as much mileage out of the 5020 as possible!

 

I, unfortunately take quite some time to learn my lesson. I, apparently, subscribe to the "insanity" moniker as I have gone three times thinking I will get a better result. Sadly, no better results, as I have bought three Poulans over the years (since ice rain storm of '98) and all have gone ####-up within a few years of purchasing. I don't use a saw very much so I think that the saws just fell apart due to inaction. Actually I really don't think I ran more than a couple gallons of gas through any of them.

Three years ago, I got a really good deal on a new (two year old stock) model of Husqvarna 455 and have used the canned gas (mostly, unless I actually am going to use the saw for more than a dozen cuts or so, then I use mixed gas with the Husky brand 2 cycle oil) and it's reassuring to know that it will start when cold, hot, or some temp in between. Yes, some "saw gourmets" will turn their noses up at the venerable Rancher but it never fails to start and runs well, not to mention it actually cuts.

So yes, the old Poulans are kind of like a BIC lighter and when they no longer function, you throw them out. However, there are those who get a lot of use out of them and will readily recommend them to others. I,unfortunately, am not one of those.

 

Collin.p

Buddy of mine has used a 455 Rancher for years as his primary saw. Heated his house 24/7 with the wood cut by that saw. Definitely a good saw. I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of guys are using far more saw than actually required! Nothing wrong with that I might add

 

My BIL asked me to look at a Poulan he had bought that was running lean last year. I did not do a thorough inspection on it. Gave the H & L about 1/2 turn out each, new fuel filter, and it seemed to straighten up. Advised him up front that the saw was not worth spending much time/money on. He told me that his expectations weren't too high for the price. I cannot understand why he did not buy a higher quality saw...he makes about 3x on the hour more than I do? He does not do a lot of cutting, but does supplement his heat with a fireplace. Buy once, cry once is the saying I fall back on.

 

Yes absolutely, but some of us just have to learn the hard way, must be my Irish block headedness? I bought a 2-cycle screw driver adjustment set from Amazon soon after buying my Husky and did back the screws out a tad. Now runs perfectly and has just the slightest "burble" wide open with the added benefit of helping to keep the mosquitos at bay.

 

I may have the same set. I had bought a husky tool off of ebay prior to do adjustments. It seems odd to me that EPA regs dictate selling equipment that is very lean from the factory and prone to failures (my 2166 sounded like it had an air leak when I first got it, now it keeps the skeeters at bay), requiring more resources to manufacture and ship more saws that may fail? Doesn't seem very environmentally conscious?

I have to admit that my autotune saw is spoiling me not having to manually adjust.

 

Exactly what I have experienced with this saw.

Once the fuel lines collapse and are replaced, the only recurring issue I have had is that I occasionally need to revisit the carb adjustments. I have two of them, and paid less than $300 total for the two. You can find them cheaper still. It is a lot of bang for the buck.

 

I'm using far more saw and far to many saws than I actually need

 

Chainsaws are like firewood: Better to have too much than too little.

 

This is good advice, always

 

My experience also. ^ ^ ^
I am still using my original 5020...at least 8 YO now...cut lots o wood she has...very little attention needed...have a second one now too...and a whole pile of 4218's...my original 4218 is a part donor saw now, but she cut a mountain of wood first! I started out with these things because the deal was right, and just kept buying them as deals came along because I realized they were such a great bang for the buck and I really didn't have any major trouble with them (mainly fuel lines) Probably don't have $400 in the whole pile of 'em...and that's 6-7 saws (dunno, lost track of 'em)
And yes, I have run plenty of pro/commercial grade saws, while they do feel a little "better", my lil Poulans work just fine for me...my 2 pennys...

 

No trouble with my 5020 referb $110, I use E free gas with sta-bil in it , some grease to seal the air filter and of course I tuned it right out of the box

 

there is good in bad in all brands. you take care of them and don't let friends borrow them they will last.

 

I have a Poulan/Craftsman 4218 that doesn't get much use but it does a decent job after I got the carb right. I have a pro 220 Poulan that was my favorite limbing saw I muff modded it and with a 14" bar it screams and has been trouble free. It sits a lot now because I'm using a MS 250 16" for small stuff that I bought as a project and it weighs about the same as the 220 and has more power.