Nik's Poulan Thread

[cowroy]

I am happy to see the interest in this thread and the history of Poulan chainsaws. I am the grandson of Claude Poulan. I noticed a post about the Poulan name pronunciation on google which led me to it. The correct pronunciation is Pou (like so) and lan (like gun). (It is my middle name).

It is neat to see the interest in the history of such things as I have always been very proud of my grandads accomplishments. As many of you may know, he invented the first one man operated chainsaw, the "bow guide", while working with German prisoners in Texas during World War II. A little known fact is that prior to starting up the plant with his brothers in Shreveport he actually started making chainsaws with my grandmother, Gertrude, in their garage in Texas. They were very good people and I think that most folks would agree!

While I did enjoy learning about how the business was started and progressed, as a young man I regret that I never really appreciated or absorbed all of the valuable things that my Grandad tried to share with me about mechanical things. For this I do regret, but more importantly I did learn much about life from him and he will always be remembered fondly.

Best to you all,

Ty

If you have any old pics or memorabilia, im sure i speak for the masses when i say we'd love to see and hear more opcorn:

 

[dboyd351]

Which Poulan is this?

Can someone tell me which Poulan this Craftsman is a clone of? Says 2.3 cu in, 18 inch bar, Model number 358.352380View attachment 298394View attachment 298395

 

[67 Mustang]

Can someone tell me which Poulan this Craftsman is a clone of? Says 2.3 cu in, 18 inch bar, Model number 358.352380View attachment 298394View attachment 298395

Poulan 2400

 

[barneyrb]

I am happy to see the interest in this thread and the history of Poulan chainsaws. I am the grandson of Claude Poulan. I noticed a post about the Poulan name pronunciation on google which led me to it. The correct pronunciation is Pou (like so) and lan (like gun). (It is my middle name).

It is neat to see the interest in the history of such things as I have always been very proud of my grandads accomplishments. As many of you may know, he invented the first one man operated chainsaw, the "bow guide", while working with German prisoners in Texas during World War II. A little known fact is that prior to starting up the plant with his brothers in Shreveport he actually started making chainsaws with my grandmother, Gertrude, in their garage in Texas. They were very good people and I think that most folks would agree!

While I did enjoy learning about how the business was started and progressed, as a young man I regret that I never really appreciated or absorbed all of the valuable things that my Grandad tried to share with me about mechanical things. For this I do regret, but more importantly I did learn much about life from him and he will always be remembered fondly.

Best to you all,

Ty

Wow, thanks for stopping in and don't be a stranger. Yes, we do support the saws and this thread is just that, a support group if you will.

I am from Northeast Louisiana and at one time met your grandfather (very briefly) and also worked with your uncle Henry in the electrical industry.

Please stop in and share any information on the history and any insight you may offer. Again thanks....

 

[Chris J.]

Can someone tell me which Poulan this Craftsman is a clone of? Says 2.3 cu in, 18 inch bar, Model number 358.352380View attachment 298394View attachment 298395

The OM, which includes the IPL, is available on-line.

Poulan 2400

Yes.


Basically a rear handle version of the 2300CVA. I see a lot of those RH saws rebadged as Craftsman (I have two), but have never seen one IRL as a Poulan saw. IIRC some phtos of the Poulan models were recently posted in this thread :cool2:.

 

[Chris J.]

I am happy to see the interest in this thread and the history of Poulan chainsaws. I am the grandson of Claude Poulan. I noticed a post about the Poulan name pronunciation on google which led me to it. The correct pronunciation is Pou (like so) and lan (like gun). (It is my middle name).

It is neat to see the interest in the history of such things as I have always been very proud of my grandads accomplishments. As many of you may know, he invented the first one man operated chainsaw, the "bow guide", while working with German prisoners in Texas during World War II. A little known fact is that prior to starting up the plant with his brothers in Shreveport he actually started making chainsaws with my grandmother, Gertrude, in their garage in Texas. They were very good people and I think that most folks would agree!

While I did enjoy learning about how the business was started and progressed, as a young man I regret that I never really appreciated or absorbed all of the valuable things that my Grandad tried to share with me about mechanical things. For this I do regret, but more importantly I did learn much about life from him and he will always be remembered fondly.

Best to you all,

Ty

Ty, thank you for taking the time to register & post. If we could only back in time knowing what we know now.

I'm curious to know where in Texas your granfolks started making chainsaws.

 

[Modifiedmark]

The OM, which includes the IPL, is available on-line.



Yes.


Basically a rear handle version of the 2300CVA. I see a lot of those RH saws rebadged as Craftsman (I have two), but have never seen one IRL as a Poulan saw. IIRC some phtos of the Poulan models were recently posted in this thread :cool2:.

I have the IPL for the 2400.

 

[Chris J.]

An update to the eBay 4400 (poorly packed saw crammed into a barely-big-enough box, no padding at all, bottom the box was oil soaked--single piece of tape was starting to come off , bar tore through the side of the box lost in shipping, seller offered full refund including return shipping).

I sent a message to the seller via eBay (want all communications to be documented with eBay) saying that I wanted to keep the saw, but would like a replacement bar or a partial refund, & I included my cell phone #. The seller called me to verify the chainsaw model, and is going to order & send a new Oregon Powermatch bar. I'll post another update when the bar arrives.

Out of curiosity I checked eBay for other items from the seller and there were none, which was kind of strange given their high number of sales. It turns out they're a hardware store, McFarlanes', and they had a major fire on 05-20-13 that completely destroyed their main store.

 

[dboyd351]

I have the IPL for the 2400.

Mark,
I'll take a copy of the IPL if you have one to spare. I just bought that saw off eBay and I don't think it is coming with any documentation. Have you ever seen one in Poulan colors? Chris J said all he has seen were wearing Craftsman grey.

David

 

[Chris J.]

Mark,
I'll take a copy of the IPL if you have one to spare. I just bought that saw off eBay and I don't think it is coming with any documentation. Have you ever seen one in Poulan colors? Chris J said all he has seen were wearing Craftsman grey.

David

Let me clarify--In person I've never seen a Poulan rear-handle version of the 2300CVA, but I have seen a few (very few) on eBay, & some photos posted by AS members. The Craftsman versions seem to be most common.

David, I put three links in the PM reply.

 

[OhioGregg]

are those cold or warmed up after starting. I am not sure if it makes a difference but I think slightly warm with the rings lubed by the mix is going to give the actual running conditions. I have been dissecting compression testers lately to see how they work. I find that I need to pull the larger saws over at least 15 times to get the max readings. Anything less than that and they are a couple pounds short of a full reading.
I checked my 4200 a couple years ago cold and got 180. I used the same gage a couple days ago and got about 185 but the saw was warm and I pulled it 15 times. My brand new earthquakes are only pumping 145 and my Homelite C-72 is blowing around 135 but it runs great. You may need to get some hours on the 5200. My Dolmar 7900 is only pumping around 160.

Stephen, My saws are/were all cold, just been sitting. I checked a few more this morning, just cause I'm curious to know...LOL

My older 5200 & 4200 both had 165 lbs. My 245A had 145 lbs. I checked all 4 of my 4000's. Three of them had 150 & one had 140 lbs.

One that shocked me, and now I know why it wants to snatch the handle from my fingers if not careful, was my PP Super 380. That sucker has a tick over 170 lbs.

I'll ck a few more, like some 3400's 3700's just to see how they compare to the 4000's. They are what they are, as long as they run and cut wood, I'm happy.


Gregg,

 

[67L36Driver]

An update to the eBay 4400 (poorly packed saw crammed into a barely-big-enough box, no padding at all, bottom the box was oil soaked--single piece of tape was starting to come off , bar tore through the side of the box lost in shipping, seller offered full refund including return shipping).

I sent a message to the seller via eBay (want all communications to be documented with eBay) saying that I wanted to keep the saw, but would like a replacement bar or a partial refund, & I included my cell phone #. The seller called me to verify the chainsaw model, and is going to order & send a new Oregon Powermatch bar. I'll post another update when the bar arrives.

Out of curiosity I checked eBay for other items from the seller and there were none, which was kind of strange given their high number of sales. It turns out they're a hardware store, McFarlanes', and they had a major fire on 05-20-13 that completely destroyed their main store.

That's a real stand up seller in my opinion.

 

[LegDeLimber]

Curious what the 3700s pump to. Few weeks back I caught a nice looking 3.7 from C'list.
The Re-seller picked up at estate sale, said the owner told him he just quit running it and shelved it.
Had a nice clean case with it and even had the owners manual.

Reseller said he had ethered it and it would pop over (cringe!!)
No more "fueling and pulling" now that I'm in possession of it.
I dumped the bar oil & that foul smelling E-gas, blew the debris off, gave it a look over and put it aside until I'm up for a proper checkout.

Can already see that the crunchy fuel line went away in the breeze and I'll need a refresher
on the vents and stuff, when I start to do something with it.
...just gotta reload the piggybank and the leaf blower matter reeeaaallllly ought to covered first.

 

[Eccentric]

I might have got more done on the 72 today except I went and found this over in Teds back yard! :msp_wink: Actually closer to Chris's back yard but what the heck.

Things in nice shape and I got it cheap enough but might offer it up to someone who might want it to set with his other Skil...

Sweet score Mark! Jon1212 has a Skil branded 3400 that looks as nice as that rebranded S25-CVA. Bet he'd be interested in it (if you don't keep it or send it to Andre or someone else). I'll tell him to talk to you...

That's the first S25-CVA (of any flavor) that I've seen with round rear handle AV buffers. Every S25-CVA (and 25-CVA) variant that I've seen has the 'pyramid' shaped square base buffers. Interesting...

 

[fossil]

Craftsman 306A

The ad for this saw went up and down three times. I don't think the seller (in their 80's) knew they could bump it up.

This is the cleanest saw I have ever purchased. It's in nice shape as well.

All the fasteners are original and the only things I can see that are not is the spark plug wire, the chain and maybe the starter handle (Pioneer?).
I haven't tried to start it yet as I want to go through it.
The man I bought it from was not very talkative but he was the original owner. I think it may be a late model as the owner's manual had a date of 2/79 on it.

Kostas,
This is a surprisingly lightweight saw as you said and your mailbox is full.

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[Modifiedmark]

The ad for this saw went up and down three times. I don't think the seller (in their 80's) knew they could bump it up.

This is the cleanest saw I have ever purchased. It's in nice shape as well.

All the fasteners are original and the only things I can see that are not is the spark plug wire, the chain and maybe the starter handle (Pioneer?).
I haven't tried to start it yet as I want to go through it.
The man I bought it from was not very talkative but he was the original owner. I think it may be a late model as the owner's manual had a date of 2/79 on it.

Kostas,
This is a surprisingly lightweight saw as you said and your mailbox is full.

Tim your correct about that being a dandy!

That is the correct starter handle on it though.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Mark,
I'll take a copy of the IPL if you have one to spare. I just bought that saw off eBay and I don't think it is coming with any documentation. Have you ever seen one in Poulan colors? Chris J said all he has seen were wearing Craftsman grey.

David

Send me a email address....

 

[dboyd351]

Yours may not have been broke in yet with zero wear on the sprocket.opcorn:

Got that right. That spur sprocket looks like it hasn't cut more than a tank or two.

 

[OhioGregg]

I'm done testing saw compression for a while. After about six of them, the fun wore off. :msp_wink: I didn't do all of them, but wanted to get an idea. Stephen, yours saws are really putting out compared to mine.

5200 -- 160 lbs. PP 375 -- 140 lbs. PP Super 380 --- 170 lbs.
5200 -- 165 lbs. 3700 --- 130 lbs. 245A ----------- 140 lbs.
4200 -- 165 lbs. 3700 --- 140 lbs. 306A ----------- 135 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 130 lbs. 306A ----------- 90 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 125 lbs. S25DA --------- 135 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 120 lbs. 385XP ---------- 150 lbs.
4000 -- 140 lbs.
4000 -- 135 lbs.


Gregg,

 

[rms61moparman]

I'm done testing saw compression for a while. After about six of them, the fun wore off. :msp_wink: I didn't do all of them, but wanted to get an idea. Stephen, yours saws are really putting out compared to mine.

5200 -- 160 lbs. PP 375 -- 140 lbs. PP Super 380 --- 170 lbs.
5200 -- 165 lbs. 3700 --- 130 lbs. 245A ----------- 140 lbs.
4200 -- 165 lbs. 3700 --- 140 lbs. 306A ----------- 135 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 130 lbs. 306A ----------- 90 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 125 lbs. S25DA --------- 135 lbs.
4000 -- 150 lbs. 3400 --- 120 lbs. 385XP ---------- 150 lbs.
4000 -- 140 lbs.
4000 -- 135 lbs.


Gregg,

That's a hell of a lot of work for a stoved up old fart!!!LOL


Mike