Bought a new Poulan Pro 5020 to see what there about

[SawTroll]

Sorry to say, this saw looks like it is what the price indicates - and the price is low....

 

[CTYank]

I am pretty sure you are right about it being closer to 19" than to 20", since it takes only 70dl.

Too much on that saw anyway, 16" and .325 sounds much better! :msp_wink:

Dunno about that. It handles stock bar with 3/8" chipper chain buried in red oak quite nicely. Cutting up one such stem recently, it partly filled my right front pocket with big chips. (Said stem was fortuitously suspended about shoulder ht.)

Got so many 3/8" pitch chains from old saws about, not interested in .325" pitch for some time. :msp_sleep:

 

[Chris-PA]

Sorry to say, this saw looks like it is what the price indicates - and the price is low....

Yeah, a perfectly functional saw for the homeowner or firewood cutter at a reasonable price. An alternative to overpriced European saws.

 

[SawTroll]

Dunno about that. It handles stock bar with 3/8" chipper chain buried in red oak quite nicely. Cutting up one such stem recently, it partly filled my right front pocket with big chips. (Said stem was fortuitously suspended about shoulder ht.)

Got so many 3/8" pitch chains from old saws about, not interested in .325" pitch for some time. :msp_sleep:

That chain must be really old, if it really is chipper, and not semi-chisel!

 

[Eccentric]

I agree but if you seen, getting a .325 drive spocket for one seems to be the big problem. Nice it has the K095 bar mount and the saw run really well with a 16" 3/8s setup so its not really that big a deal.

70DL on a 20" has been standard on a Poulan forever.

Yep.........also standard on Homelites, McCullochs, Remingtons...

Has more to do with the placement of the bar pad in relation to the crankshaft than the length of the bar. Then there 'exceptions'. A 20" bar on a Stihl takes 72DL of 3/8, which is the same as a Husky, and two more DL than these other saws. Go to a 28" bar and the Stihl takes 91DL, while the Homelite/Poulan/McCulloch saws take 92DL, and the Husky takes 93DL. A 16" bar on all of these saws takes 60DL (although 59DL sometimes works better on some Homelites).

 

[Vibes]

.
There's an eBay seller, taddwholesale, that regularily lists the Craftsman version of the Poulan Pro 5020. They're used, basically untested, usually come with the case, and tend to go for $70-$90 with about $30.00 shipping. They also currently have a PP5020 listed.

Their eBay listings don't give a lot of info, so you would need to check the photos, ask questions, and make a judgement call.

Note--One their Craftsman/Poulan 5020s recently went for $130.00 + shipping .

Have you got one from TADD wholesale? I've watched them and some of the nicer looking ones go for a little higher. I think that place just buys and resells piles of returned merchandise. Of course the Sears loaner program would be a good opportunity to get a deal on a once used saw, but it could be a crapshoot. Was that returned saw straight gased or was it used to saw up a limb and returned when the job was done? I

like the warraunty with a new one for $200. May be try and get some coupon somehow and get one new from Amazon or something like that. I'm getting a gift card with my Discover Cash Back bonus awards and hoping I can use it on one of these saws .

 

[Chris J.]

Have you got one from TADD wholesale? I've watched them and some of the nicer looking ones go for a little higher. I think that place just buys and resells piles of returned merchandise. Of course the Sears loaner program would be a good opportunity to get a deal on a once used saw, but it could be a crapshoot. Was that returned saw straight gased or was it used to saw up a limb and returned when the job was done? I

like the warraunty with a new one for $200. May be try and get some coupon somehow and get one new from Amazon or something like that. I'm getting a gift card with my Discover Cash Back bonus awards and hoping I can use it on one of these saws .

Sorry, but no I haven't purchased anything from TW, I'm pretty well set with 50cc saws, and I'm also cheap & broke . I mentioned taddwholesale here in case anyone wanted to take a chance and save a few bucks (you're right, the bids have been going higher). I'm pretty sure that none of our site sponsors sell used Craftsman chainsaws.

 

[A.E. Metal Werx]

Limiting coil

Has anyone found out if this saw comes with a rev limiting coil?

 

[Modifiedmark]

Has anyone found out if this saw comes with a rev limiting coil?

I tested it quite a bit when tuning it and found nothing to believe it is a limited coil.

 

[Applehead]

I am thinking with this saw, plus the reports you really can run them with the stock settings, and the muff is already open, and a strato design that apparently meets all EPA regs without having a closed cat can, etc, is leading me to believe Poulan might have turned a corner and is on the way back to making competitive saws.

I mean, who knows? Maybe a coupla years ago they were sitting around poulan intergalactic headquarters and some dude piped up "You know guys, this building saws really ain't rocket surgery, there's no law says we *have* to build crap saws. Let's try one a little better quality like in the olden days, price it well below big orange brother here


I think you're on to something here Zogger. I just found out over the weekend that the Jonsered handheld blower that I bought 2 seasons ago is in fact a Poulan. I never read the tags with my glasses on to see what factory it came from, my Mower guy saw it in my truck the other day and told me, (yelled at me) that that what it is. I demoed the Echo blower that he sold, and did the same with the Jonsered, and I thought the Johny was better. I thought it worked better and deffinately felt better in my hands. I have carpal tunnel problems so fealing better is important.

He's also a Jonsered dealer and at the time didn't stock the blower that I bought. He doesn't like selling them because'' its only an EPA rated 50 hour motor.'' Well I didn't want to tell him that the thing should be dead then cause I've run it through its paces. I use it to dry my motorcycle, and dry the critters that I trap before I skin them. Kinda like an industial strength hair dryer, along with a little landscaping work now and then. My reveiw is an A+ FOR SURE! I've never touched the carb settings, and its run great since new. It starts easy but does take 20 seconds to warm up when cold started. My only disappointment now will be if I find out that the yellow Poulan model could've been bought for less dough. I think I payed $139 for it new.I got a discount cause it was the dealer demo at that time. May be Poulan is turning the corner on there product. I'm wondering what there string trimmers are like. I'm in the market for a back-up

Hmmm,.. interesting. I am in need of a new blower , had a look at the yellow n black poo model @ TSW last week, seemed like a nice little unit. Especially for a 100$ , but I passed because of the recent junk , I might have to take a closer look. The stihl blower I was looking at was pricey @ $280 here. I want to check the Shindy dealer too.

 

[Vibes]

Hmmm,.. interesting. I am in need of a new blower , had a look at the yellow n black poo model @ TSW last week, seemed like a nice little unit. Especially for a 100$ , but I passed because of the recent junk , I might have to take a closer look. The stihl blower I was looking at was pricey @ $280 here. I want to check the Shindy dealer too.

Mines a Jonsered B 2126. Funny I just put that blower in the shed 10 minutes ago. I haven't looked at any of the Poulan units except the Wal Mart model so I don't know if there is a yellow one just like mine. The Wal Mart poulan blower had the recoil burried inside the housing. I'll never buy anything like that again. Everytime the rope or paws break, its a major teardown to get at the recoil. I have 2 of those green Weedeater trimmers that only need a rope, but I just can't make the time to fix them.That should be a 20 minute repair.

 

[Chris J.]

I saw a CL ad for Craftsman blowers, trimmers, & chainsaws for $75.00 each. They're close to me, so I dropped in to see if they had the 50cc Craftsman/Poulan. They had plenty of 42cc & 36cc saws in boxes, but I could only find one empty box for the 50cc model, so I started checking some of the cases spread around the warehouse.

Well, what do you know, I found the saw, a Craftsman 358.35098. It had been used, bar oil had leaked into the case (cap might be leaking?), the chain was on backwards, but it was very clean. I gave it the let-it-drop compression test, and was concerned when there was little resistance. A bell ringing in my brain told me these saws had some type of easy-start system (which is mentioned in this thread), & it might even be written on the recoil cover. The guy working there didn't know if they had any more, said I would need to look around (I had already looked everywhere). He also said all of the Craftsman 2-cycle equip was $55.00, not $75.00.

I took a chance and bought it, a hair under $60.00 total. I haven't had a chance to start it, or have a look at the p&c through the exhaust. The guy said if it doesn't run bring it back, & they're expecting another shipment later in the week. More info & photos to follow.

 

[yamawho]

Hi all, 1st post here.

I purchased one these this weekend but I did not try it out yet.

I do have a few questions ....

The manual states 40:1 mixture ... I am always being told 40:1 is the old way it's 50:1 now. Would't 40:1 be better during break in ?

My saw came with a Oregon chain and has 72 stamped on the links. I guess it's .325 x .050", is this the only chain I can use on this bar?

 

[Andyshine77]

Hi all, 1st post here.

I purchased one these this weekend but I did not try it out yet.

I do have a few questions ....

The manual states 40:1 mixture ... I am always being told 40:1 is the old way it's 50:1 now. Would't 40:1 be better during break in ?

My saw came with a Oregon chain and has 72 stamped on the links. I guess it's .325 x .050", is this the only chain I can use on this bar?

Welcome aboard.

The chain will be 3/8 x .050

You can run 32:1, 40:1 or 50:1 with a properly tuned carb, but if you're worried about the warranty you probably should run 40:1.

 

[seneinsun]

hierarchical

 

[yamawho]

Welcome aboard.

The chain will be 3/8 x .050

You can run 32:1, 40:1 or 50:1 with a properly tuned carb, but if you're worried about the warranty you probably should run 40:1.

3/8 x .050 ... do I just count the links and buy a Oregon chain local or should I get a Poulan as a 2nd chain?

BTW, I found this parts list some where ...

 

[zogger]

3/8 x .050 ... do I just count the links and buy a Oregon chain local or should I get a Poulan as a 2nd chain?

BTW, I found this parts list some where ...

As long as the pitch and gauge and drive link count are the same, you can get any brand you want. Tons of threads here, and opinions, on "what chain" you might want to use. And how to sharpen.

Have fun with your new saw, cut safely and wear your protective gear!

 

[Chris J.]

Hi all, 1st post here.

I purchased one these this weekend but I did not try it out yet.

I do have a few questions ....

The manual states 40:1 mixture ... I am always being told 40:1 is the old way it's 50:1 now. Would't 40:1 be better during break in ?

My saw came with a Oregon chain and has 72 stamped on the links. I guess it's .325 x .050", is this the only chain I can use on this bar?

Welcome to AS! Be sure to post your thought once you've done some cutting with the 5020.

 

[yamawho]

I found this review ...
Review: Poulan Pro PP5020AV 20" Bar 50cc Engine - by Dallas @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

In it he talks about the chain that came with it vs the one he replaced it with ...

This chain is called a “Vanguard” (72LGX070G), chain and while it’s great for things under 16”, it’s almost worthless for aggressive cutting through a 40” log with a 20” bar.

I immediately found a replacement chain, the 72LPX070G which is round chisel chain, and not low kick back.

I went from 3 minutes and change through a log about 36” thick to 1 minute 45 seconds. Or there abouts.

I'm trying to follow along reading this but so far I'm still lost ...
http://www.oregoncuttinggear.com/pdfs/ms_manual.pdf

This one does not refer to Vanguard in the description, am I missing something here?
Oregon 72LGX070G SUPER GUARD® CHISEL CHAIN 3/8"

This is the 2nd one he is referring to.
Oregon 72LPX070G SUPER 70 CHISEL CHAIN 3/8"

 

[rms61moparman]

I found this review ...
Review: Poulan Pro PP5020AV 20" Bar 50cc Engine - by Dallas @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

In it he talks about the chain that came with it vs the one he replaced it with ...

This chain is called a “Vanguard” (72LGX070G), chain and while it’s great for things under 16”, it’s almost worthless for aggressive cutting through a 40” log with a 20” bar.

I immediately found a replacement chain, the 72LPX070G which is round chisel chain, and not low kick back.

I went from 3 minutes and change through a log about 36” thick to 1 minute 45 seconds. Or there abouts.

I'm trying to follow along reading this but so far I'm still lost ...
http://www.oregoncuttinggear.com/pdfs/ms_manual.pdf

This one does not refer to Vanguard in the description, am I missing something here?
Oregon 72LGX070G SUPER GUARD® CHISEL CHAIN 3/8"

This is the 2nd one he is referring to.
Oregon 72LPX070G SUPER 70 CHISEL CHAIN 3/8"

Whoever wrote that original review is less than a whole step above a full blown idiot!!!
1) I would sure love to see his 5020 and a 26" bar cut for a day!
2) A new Vanguard chain isn't that slow at all unless you are running the nose radius in the uncut wood (buried with a bar that isn't big enough)
3) I really wonder how many times he sharpened the chain during the original "10 hours" and I also wonder if he has a clue about lowering the rakers...especially on a Vanguard chain.
4) He obviously has NO stinking CLUE what an "OLD POULAN" really is.

I'm just not impressed!


Mike