When you are considering a chainsaw, the Poulan brand is one of the more popular options. However, do their products match up to giants in the industry such as Dewalt? Are the affordable chainsaws worth your money, or would it be a waste of hard-earned cash? I’ve delved deep into Poulan chainsaws, and I’m eager to share my insights with you.
Reviews of the Best Poulan Chainsaws
1. Poulan Pro PR4218 18 in. 42cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw with Case
The Poulan Pro PR4218 comes with its own carrying case, an extra chain, 2-stroke oil and more. The 18-inch bar is excellent for medium-sized jobs without sacrificing power in the long run thanks to the SuperClean air filter system. The system allows the chainsaw to reduce fuel consumption as well.
Poulan has its own patented OxyPower technology in the chainsaw motors that not only requires less gas to operate but also reduces emissions by up to 70%!
The PR4218 has an automatic oiler outfitted to keep the bar optimized and in peak condition. Sufficient lubrication will also decrease the maintenance needed for your chainsaw.
What I Like
- It's geared with OxyPower motor that suits demanding tasks
- Lower fuel consumption
- It produces less emissions during usage
- 2-stroke engine for lasting operations
- Comes with convenient accessories upon purchase
- Automatic oiler for less maintenance
- Easy pull start (EPS)
- Ergonomic design
What I Don’t Like
- Small skip tooth chain
- The startup can take some time
2. Poulan Pro 20 in. 50cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
The next option featured on our Poulan Chainsaws review is the PR5020 chainsaw. It’s a slightly bigger chainsaw than the PR4218, but it can get a lot more done with the extra 2 inches. The 50cc gas chainsaw is also equipped with the OxyPower engine featured in other Poulan products.
The ESP, or effortless pull start system of Poulan Pro PR5020 Gas Chainsaw makes the chainsaw startup much easier than other models. There will be no engine flooding due to the combined choke and stop control and there is even a combination tool embedded into the handle grip so you can always have easy access.
What I Like
- Outfitted with the OxyPower engine
- Easy ESP start compared to other power tools
- Choke and stop control for safety operations
- Combination tool in the handle
- Lower fuel consumption
- Ergonomic handle that reduces the risks of accidents
- Lower emission levels
- Larger bar that I find handy for bigger tasks
What I Don’t Like
- It only has soft tension
- Some parts may not be covered in the warranty
3. Poulan PL3816 16 in. 33cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
From my experience testing compact gas chainsaws, I’ve found that the PL3816 from Poulan is an excellent choice for those in need of something smaller. Powered by a 33cc 2-cycle gas engine with OxyPower, it’s a neat little powerhouse. And let me tell you, the SuperClean filtering system genuinely does wonders for the air filter’s efficiency. I’ve been impressed with its performance.
To keep the bar in tip-top shape, the Poulan PL3816 has an automatic gear-driven oiler that will maintain the lubrication [1] of the bar to reduce the maintenance required.
Chainsaws can produce quite a bit of vibration when tearing through dense material, but the handle will minimize and dampen the tremors as you work.
What I Like
- It has a gradual starting system
- Small and handy size
- Equipped with high-performance OxyPower engine
- Automatic gear-driven oiler to extend tool life
- Low maintenance
- Fewer emissions during usage
- Vibration dampening handle for better results and added safety
- The inclusion of primer bulb provide better visibility
What I Don’t Like
- Runs smoother at full throttle
- Can be tough to start
4. Poulan Pro PR4016, 16 in. 40cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
The Poulan Pro PR4016 is also a small gas chainsaw with a 16-inch bar but a larger capacity at 40cc. It’s suited for small to medium projects and packs enough power to tear through any material.
Having worked with the PR4016, I can personally vouch for its standout features. It showcases what you’d expect from a Poulan chainsaw, especially that OxyPower engine which I’ve noticed genuinely reduces emissions and sips less fuel. The SuperClean air filter system is efficient, and I’ve got to give a nod to its automatic oiler – the bar always stays smoothly lubricated during operation.
There is also an onboard scrench that is an integrated storage compartment for easy access for chain tensioning.
(To test out other brands, here are the most powerful Stihl chainsaws we reviewed)
What I Like
- Small bar size but it can handle a large capacity
- It's engineered with cost-efficient OxyPower engine
- SuperClean air filter system for better chainsaw performance
- Integrated storage for accessories and tools
- Easy EPS starting system
- Automatic oiler that provides smooth operations
- Anti-vibration system
- Onboard storage
What I Don’t Like
- Poor packaging
- Some parts may not be covered in the warranty
Poulan Chainsaw Buyer’s Guide
After extensively exploring Poulan chainsaws, I’ve had a lot of positive things to say. But determining whether they’re the right fit for you involves considering the features I’ll discuss below. My experience might shed some light on what you’re looking for.
Power and Size
The power and size of the chainsaw are contingent on the type of tasks you undertake. If you often fell trees and cut through firewood, then you will need a chainsaw of significant size. Our experts remind you that the measurements refer to the size of the bar and not the entire chainsaw.
How much power you need will also depend on the material you work with. For big projects and tough jobs, look for a more powerful chainsaw.
For hard to reach branches and areas, getting the best pole saw listed here is an excellent choice.
Bar Chain
The chain should be heavy duty but low maintenance. The bar chain should be strong enough to tear through thick material with little effort and no sticking. Many of the Poulan chainsaws our team recommended feature an automatic oiler that keeps the chain lubricated with a good quality 2-stroke chain oiler.
Motor
Most Poulan chainsaws have a 2-stroke engine, which can run at higher RPMs. This type of motor is the best for power and simple design that makes replacement and fixing easier.
Automatic Oiling
From my time working closely with these tools, I can confirm what our team often points out: Poulan chainsaws come equipped with an automatic oiling system. This nifty feature keeps the bar and chain consistently lubricated, which in my experience, translates to reduced maintenance and a longer-lasting tool. You should properly lubricate it to avoid incident where your Poulan chainsaw stops running.
Safety Features
Poulan products are known for their effortless startup, which helps prevent sudden bursts of speed and kickback often seen in other models. Additionally, the choke and stop switch feature ensures that the blade stops immediately if it gets stuck, prioritizing your safety.
Poulan Technology
The OxyPower engine, undoubtedly one of Poulan’s standout technologies, has caught my attention during my hands-on experience. Poulan has patented this innovative engine, and it truly lives up to the hype. It’s designed to lower emissions and, in my experience, significantly reduce fuel consumption.
Price Range
Poulan products are affordable options but still provide users with plenty of power and versatility. Plus, the Poulan chainsaws our experts listed all come with accessories to make your purchase even more worth it.
If you are still considering other chainsaw brands, we also listed the best Echo chainsaw here.
FAQ
Are Poulan chainsaws any good?
Yes, Poulan chainsaws are good. In fact, one of its models, the Poulan 306A Chainsaw, was the chainsaw used by Leatherface in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. Poulan has different bar sizes and motor capacities to suit any task at hand. Poulan chainsaws also feature patented technology such as the OxyPower engine, which guarantees lower fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
Are Poulan chainsaws made by Husqvarna?
No, Poulan chainsaws are not made by Husqvarna. They are owned by Husqvarna and may share technologies in some of their products, but they are still considered two separate brands.
Our Top Pick For a Poulan Chainsaw: Poulan Pro PR4218
Our team’s top choice for our Poulan chainsaw review winner is the Poulan Pro PR4218. The 42cc chainsaw with an 18-inch bar size makes the PR4218 the best balance between size and power. Your purchase will include a carrying case and other accessories, and the PR4218 features the OxyPower engine for fewer emissions and lower consumption.
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