Poulan Pro Chainsaw Defect

tinner666

I had a learning experience last week.
I was using a Poulan Pro 20" chainsaw. As I was cutting the tops out of downed trees, I made 2 cuts, and was contemplating where to and how to set myself for the next cut. I was firmly on the ground and the saw was steady in my hands. I blipped it a few times and as I watched it, the bar, independantly of the handles, dropped an inch or 2" and into my leg.
Luckily, the bone kept it from cutting too deeply.

Further inspection revealed that a screw had come out of the vibration damper and allowed the 2 halves of the saw to move independantly.

It was bad enough I couldn't patch the leg myself and had to go get it stitched together.

The excavator driver said it was common with Poulans. I'm probably switching to Stihl. First I'd ever heard of this issue.

( maybe it shouldn't have been in striking distance of my leg, but it sure shouldn't have done what it did all by itself!)

__________________
Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

rombo

Thats sucks, I would never go any other saw than a sthil. I have a summer saw, a winter saw and ice saw and alove them all

neolitic

Sorry to hear that Frank.
Hope you heal fast.

My first saw was a Polan/Sears
and fortunately it destroyed
itself before it got me.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

MALCO.New.York

No such thing as a Pro Poulan.

Poulan is consumer shmaltz.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

joasis

When I finally broke down and bought a Stihl, I never knew how great a chainsaw could be. I would absolutely hate to run it into my leg....might be a good idea to get some chaps, the ones that foul the chain before it gets into your legs.

__________________

john5mt

yup once you buy a stihl you will refuse to use any of the other brands

__________________
1st Gen tradesman
My summer job in college became my profession

threaderman

Sorry to hear about your leg,hope you heal quickly,
that's really a bummer.
I bought a 18" Husqvarna 3 or 4 months back,it's pretty smooth.
Has anyone had problems with them.I usually have to adjust the chain before each use but I figure that is normal.

__________________
Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

22rifle

Stihl? Yeah. But there is a ton of options between the quality of a Stihl and the pure crap of a Poulan. Doesn't take much to improve over a Poulan. In fact, I am not aware of any name brand saw that is crappier.

MALCO.New.York

I just purchased a Husqvarna from Blowes because my local Arborist Supply only had a $1200.00 Stihl in stock. A bit more than I needed.

I am ABSOLUTELY impressed and overjoyed with this $400.00 saw!!!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

hughjazz

Back in the old days as an arborist I used stihl and husky saws.

both are very good quality.

rombo

the huskys are good but i have been hearing they are getting more and more expensive to fix

MALCO.New.York

I have always knows that the Huskys were a good saw.(Hell!!! I used to ride the damn things!!!). I just did not think that I could get a quality version from Blowes!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

Firewood

Frank, sorry about the cut, hope it heals quickly!

As far as poulan pro saws go, a little history, poulan bought out the old pioner line of saws some years back. Pioner did build really good industrial/commercial saws, but they were all big and heavy saws. Poulan bought them out and put there name on them, hence started the poulan pro line. But these saws started at like the 405 pro line model 455 and up. Poulan to my knowledge just used there old houshold verison saws and put poulan pro on some of the lighter weight saws, I am sure they used some design changes, but probably not much. Maybe the old pioner gas tanks that are hard to open. lol Just so You know, the hard opening is mostly from the vaccum lock that occurs, and the bigger the engine, the harder to open. Personally, I like that feature, I agree on some of the smaller saws with the smaller gas tanks that could be a real challange.

I am sorry the saw You had came apart, but as a old logger once told me, when I first started cutting, if one stays in the buisness and cuts long enough, one will get cut. It's the nature of the beast, accidents happen. I have been cutting some professioanlly for 35 years now, and knock on wood, I have not been cut yet, but I do expect it to happen every time I pick up the saw, I know it's just a matter of time, if I choose to keep doing it. The trick is to walk away before it happens, and since we have no crystal ball, that probably won't happen. I have had so many close calls it's really scary when one thinks about it.

I know You are aware more than anyone at this point, but we should always give our saws no matter what make they are, a through inspection before each day of use. I have known people who have been cut from every saw maker out there. Some who are no longer with us, some who will never handle a saw again. It's a dangerous business, and one that we must be on the top of our game at all times, and then still expect that someday, it will get us.

Glad Your cut wasn't worse than it was. Be safe!

CCCo.

Hope you heal fast, as the others said, it sux when a injury gets you down.

I too used to own a poulan, thought it was good, until.

I had an opportunity to buy a echo, man night an day difference.

I felt like it was the cadillac of saws compared to poulan.

If you invest in a better saw, you'll be happy with the results.

__________________
Crow Contracting Company l Remodeling Contractor Indianapolis, IN l Indiana Remodeling Contractor
Facebook l Facebook Reviews l Youtube l Merchant Circle l Contact Us

shanekw1

2 yo thread but what the H.

Buy a Dolmar.

__________________

CCCo.

Never even checked the date. I'm sure he healed by now.

__________________
Crow Contracting Company l Remodeling Contractor Indianapolis, IN l Indiana Remodeling Contractor
Facebook l Facebook Reviews l Youtube l Merchant Circle l Contact Us

CookeCarpentry

Actually, no one has heard from him since he wrote this thread.....

shanekw1

Been here 2 1/2 years and I still forget to check dates sometimes.

__________________

A. Spruce

Some things are worth reviving.

I second the vote for Echo. I've had a 14" for years with not one problem from it. By far the best saw I've ever owned, including a Stihl and Skil, though those two saws were big saws, not limbers.

CCCo.

No doubt, Echo is a damn good company.

This is the model I have, it can use a 16", 18", or 20" bar and chain, your choice.
Has all the info on the top of it for the interchange.

I always run the 20" and never had any problems with power, or reliability.

I have replaced the outer clutch bell once in five years, thats it other than a good cleaning, here and there.

+ YouTube Video

__________________
Crow Contracting Company l Remodeling Contractor Indianapolis, IN l Indiana Remodeling Contractor
Facebook l Facebook Reviews l Youtube l Merchant Circle l Contact Us