Nik's Poulan Thread

[dboyd351]

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,

Does that 306A with 90 lbs run OK?
I've been going by a general rule of thumb it needs 100 psi. to run.

 

[OhioGregg]

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


Mike

You got that right!! Bout wore me out just typing all them numbers.



Gregg,

 

[OhioGregg]

Does that 306A with 90 lbs run OK?
I've been going by a general rule of thumb it needs 100 psi. to run.

LOL, As I remember, it ran. Just not real well.

Gregg.

 

[zogger]

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,

man, a 245A at around 180 to 200 would be medium awesome!

 

[LegDeLimber]

?? has anyone ever pulled up a page of site like this
and said to another family member

.....see, see, look right here, I'm not the only owns a spare parts saw/trimmer/mower...etc.

- - -
Couple more cluster pics from that 3.7.
Model #358.354830 ser#120 12299 plastics look to be mold marked 1982
How does a fellow decide if it's a plated cylinder or plated piston model?

looks like a light carbon scritch on the piston but otherwise great shape.
surprised that I forgot a shot of the rings, believe that they're thin looking ones.

Judging from the overall condition, chain condition & amount sharpened off, piney looking dust that was all over it and a few stringy bits of debris,
It sort of looks like the owner just took out a few dead yard trees and put it away.

Edit: and thanks to everyone who took all that extra life off their recoils
and plug hole threads
in the name of data basing!

 

[fossil]

?? has anyone ever pulled up a page of site like this
and said to another family member

.....see, see, look right here, I'm not the only owns a spare parts saw/trimmer/mower...etc.

- - -
Couple more cluster pics from that 3.7.
Model #358.354830 ser#120 12299 plastics look to be mold marked 1982
How does a fellow decide if it's a plated cylinder or plated piston model?

looks like a light carbon scritch on the piston but otherwise great shape.
surprised that I forgot a shot of the rings, believe that they're thin looking ones.

Judging from the overall condition, chain condition & amount sharpened off, piney looking dust that was all over it and a few stringy bits of debris,
It sort of looks like the owner just took out a few dead yard trees and put it away.

Edit: and thanks to everyone who took all that extra life off their recoils
and plug hole threads
in the name of data basing!

Look at post # 18528. http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw-stickies/98495-1236.htm

There are two pistons, one with think rings and one with thin. The thin ring pistons are bare aluminum with plated cylinders, The thick are chrome plated pistons with unplated cylinders

 

[fossil]

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,

The Ohio saw man, the one with arms like Hulk Hogan. Let's see, 20 saws, minimum 6 pulls each, 120 pulls, yep, Hulk Hogan or Mr. Tendonitis.

It would be interesting to see how much variation there is between compression gauges. Perhaps we could send them all to you Gregg (or not).

 

[OhioGregg]

The Ohio saw man, the one with arms like Hulk Hogan. Let's see, 20 saws, minimum 6 pulls each, 120 pulls, yep, Hulk Hogan or Mr. Tendonitis.

It would be interesting to see how much variation there is between compression gauges. Perhaps we could send them all to you Gregg (or not).

Not hardly Tim. I'll probably pay for it tomorrow. I tried to pull 8 good ones each time.
Testing with different gauges would be interesting. But not interesting enough for me to do it..:msp_ohmy: I learned all I needed to know today.


Gregg,

 

[leecopland]

New to me 3400

Finally got a bit of time to post some photos of my new 3400. I've never seen so much sawcake! Anyway finally found the spark after digging out a bunch of cake, it even popped when I put some fuel in the plug hole. One odd thing, the two long screws that hold on the recoil now don't seem to catch on anything despite being fully into the holes. Excuse the 3314 but I needed a couple of parts and this was the cheapest way to get them. Piston burned up running too lean!

So both saws for $10.00 each, not bad! The 3400 has a banana bar that is pretty much pooched, I guess you couldn't turn those bars over to even the wear. chain is OK the usual Oregon 72

View attachment 298505View attachment 298506View attachment 298507View attachment 298508

I'm going back to this seller as he has a Homelite 35 (350/360) with chain brake for another $10.00. I don't know why I didn't snag it while I was there.

Regards,

Lee

 

[fossil]

I just got back from testing my wild things, trying to get them to pop so I could testy them lubed up they haven't been messed with in a couple of years....probably 25 pulls to get them to fire.....15 more with the comp tester in place, 145 on the first one. Same for the second one. Then the 3rd one about 100 pulls trying to get it to fire. pulled it 20 times to get it to 120. never did fire. Only got to around 100 first 10 pulls 6 would get it to 70-75. Sweating like crazy...skeeters got to me before I could get to the 330. I knew one of these was junk just couldn't remember which one.

You and Gregg will have to arm wrestle at the GTG.

 

[zogger]

Finally got a bit of time to post some photos of my new 3400. I've never seen so much sawcake! Anyway finally found the spark after digging out a bunch of cake, it even popped when I put some fuel in the plug hole. One odd thing, the two long screws that hold on the recoil now don't seem to catch on anything despite being fully into the holes. Excuse the 3314 but I needed a couple of parts and this was the cheapest way to get them. Piston burned up running too lean!

So both saws for $10.00 each, not bad! The 3400 has a banana bar that is pretty much pooched, I guess you couldn't turn those bars over to even the wear. chain is OK the usual Oregon 72

View attachment 298505View attachment 298506View attachment 298507View attachment 298508

I'm going back to this seller as he has a Homelite 35 (350/360) with chain brake for another $10.00. I don't know why I didn't snag it while I was there.

Regards,

Lee

You have to go *perfectly* straight down with those two longer screws to catch the holes. Saw real flat on its side and level makes it easier. Also make sure that vent tube is tucked outta the way so it doesn't deflect the screw on the way down.

Besides that, the easiest saws I ever touched to work on.

 

[fossil]

Finally got a bit of time to post some photos of my new 3400. I've never seen so much sawcake! Anyway finally found the spark after digging out a bunch of cake, it even popped when I put some fuel in the plug hole. One odd thing, the two long screws that hold on the recoil now don't seem to catch on anything despite being fully into the holes. Excuse the 3314 but I needed a couple of parts and this was the cheapest way to get them. Piston burned up running too lean!

So both saws for $10.00 each, not bad! The 3400 has a banana bar that is pretty much pooched, I guess you couldn't turn those bars over to even the wear. chain is OK the usual Oregon 72

View attachment 298505View attachment 298506View attachment 298507View attachment 298508

I'm going back to this seller as he has a Homelite 35 (350/360) with chain brake for another $10.00. I don't know why I didn't snag it while I was there.

Regards,

Lee

Those long screws need a straight feed to their pockets but, they are there. Just keep fishing for them. The tank vent line sometimes gets in the way of the top screw.
Nice score on that 3400. Canadian Tire sold a very large quantity of those saws.

 

[3000 FPS]

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 is interesting, I may have to check a few myself.

The 4400 I have checked at 160 psi.
A couple of the 4000's seem alittle low to me.
The 3700's also seem alittle on the low side.
The 3400's look normal to me.
The others I do not recall.

 

[OhioGregg]

That is interesting, I may have to check a few myself.

The 4400 I have checked at 160 psi.
A couple of the 4000's seem alittle low to me.
The 3700's also seem alittle on the low side.
The 3400's look normal to me.
The others I do not recall.

Did Ya make the move to Wyoming Roger? Yea, its funny. The saws you would think might be low, and just the opposite with others. The 4000 with 135 lbs. runs very well! The p/c in that saw, I bought from Angry Beavers. Been some time ago. He had cleaned it up and bead blasted it, and it looked great. So I put it in one of better looking saws. Saved the P/C I took out of it as a backup. LOL
Ended up using that P/C in the 4000 that I cobbled up from parts for a friend of mine. That cobbled up saw tested 150 LBS. Looks like I should have left it alone. Maybe a new set of rings would help it some. Sometimes you think your taking a step forward, and end up going two steps backward.


Gregg,

 

[OhioGregg]

going to have to do it left handed.....on second thought...I concede...he wins...:msp_biggrin:
I went out and played with the 330 as soon as I cooled down....that thing has turned into a beast with a little use....is it possible for a saw to gain 19 pounds of compression after break in?

I say we just call it a draw!!! Stephen. No sense both of us having a heart attack! :msp_biggrin:

I can believe it with the 330. I put a new cyl. & rings in my 380 when I got it. Used the old piston.
I use the saw quite a bit. It tested the highest of ALL my saws. 170 LBS. :msp_w00t: Maybe thats why it runs and cuts so good.


Gregg,

 

[3000 FPS]

Did Ya make the move to Wyoming Roger? Yea, its funny. The saws you would think might be low, and just the opposite with others. The 4000 with 135 lbs. runs very well! The p/c in that saw, I bought from Angry Beavers. Been some time ago. He had cleaned it up and bead blasted it, and it looked great. So I put it in one of better looking saws. Saved the P/C I took out of it as a backup. LOL
Ended up using that P/C in the 4000 that I cobbled up from parts for a friend of mine. That cobbled up saw tested 150 LBS. Looks like I should have left it alone. Maybe a new set of rings would help it some. Sometimes you think your taking a step forward, and end up going two steps backward.


Gregg,

I am sitting in a hotel room right now. I am on my way back to California to get one more load and then it is back to Wyoming for good.

 

[LegDeLimber]

Fossil: appreciate the pointer to the piston ring info.
Leecopland: can't remember if it's typical of them but the banana bars
that I've seen of late do not have an oiler hole in the "bottom" groove.

The parts donor 3.7 (for the nice one) was run with the bar flipped.
Seems to have been just getting the rundown effect for chain lube
so looks like the oiler was working at least.
Check the carnage in this pic.
The donor saw is gonna be an interesting tear down,
quite the contrast to the nice one I posted about.

once I'm past the DR work on the knees I'm hoping to have the coins
for getting started on some projects.

 

[OhioGregg]

Fossil: appreciate the pointer to the piston ring info.
Leecopland: can't remember if it's typical of them but the banana bars
that I've seen of late do not have an oiler hole in the "bottom" groove.

The parts donor 3.7 (for the nice one) was run with the bar flipped.
Seems to have been just getting the rundown effect for chain lube
so looks like the oiler was working at least.
Check the carnage in this pic.
The donor saw is gonna be an interesting tear down,
quite the contrast to the nice one I posted about.

once I'm past the DR work on the knees I'm hoping to have the coins
for getting started on some projects.

Yep, Them original Poulan (banana bars) weren't meant to be flipped over. Only oiler hole on top.
My 3400 I bought new in 1986 had one. Used for some time, then just started buying Oregon bars you CAN flip over. I have a couple of them, a 16" & a 20". But I don't use them for work, just for original looks..

Gregg,

 

[tyrol]

Claude Poulan

I wish I had a lot to offer you guys but I really don't have a lot of technical or substantive things to offer. I mostly have just good memories of the folks that they were. I know that my grandfather was a very modest genious. As I said, I know that I regret not being very receptive as a yound man to his attempts to share his technical knowledge with me.

Both of my grandparents gave a lot to others and especially to the church, which they believed in strongly. They never wanted others to know. Their faith got them through a lot though.

I always did listen and asked questions about the history of the company and the saws. I found it interesting and historically significant. I found it interesting how Claude worked with the German prisoners cutting wood. He spoke very positive about his experience with them. He also said that they took and active role and interest in developing and improving the bow guide, which was initially shaped out of a truck fender. I got the feeling that they got along well. After that I know that Claude and Gertrude worked hard building the first bow guides in their garage (I think it was in Tyler, Texas) while Claude worked elsewhere during the day.

From there the company found it's roots in Shreveport with Claude and his brothers and some primary engineers. They began to develop and sell their own models from the ground up. In the early 60's Claude sold the business to Charles Beaird and the factory remained in Shreveport for quite sometime until Electrolux bought it years later.

After selling the company Claude began to develop and manufacture one of the first self-propelled lawn mowers. I believe that the company was called "Pro". They had a beautiful home on Cross Lake in Shreveport where they raised horses and cattle. The last time I visited the property the old boathouse was still there. My Grandad loved to fish and we also spent many weekends on their camp on Toledo Bend on the Texas, Louisiana border. That love for fishing has carried on through me to my son.

In the mid-1970's My grandpartents followed us to San Diego, CA. (A world away from Shreveport), and that's where they stayed. My grandmother died in the mid-1980's and Grandad died in 1995. He donated his body to medical research.

I wish I had more to offer that you guys were interested in but I really don't know much about chainsaws. I do have one kind of funny story though. When I was around 14 or 15 my Grandad taught me to use a chainsaw and turned me loose in their yard. I was told to cut down certain trees in the yard but I was having fun and went a little overboard. When they came out to see my work they were a bit miffed that I had cut down some of their favorite trees. (I guess I can relate through that to the enjoyment you all get handling the saws more than I realized). Anyhow, they were cool about it, it's the kind of people that they were and will always be to me.

I do know that my Uncle Harry's son Key Poulan, has some good knowledge of the early history of the company and an excellent Poulan collection. You may want to contact him for further information. Here's a copy from a forum he contributed to and his email address (below)

Best,

Ty

Thank you Michael for letting me know about this forum. I collect old Poulan saws 1946-1960 from when my grandfather (Harry) and his brother (Claude) owned the company. The company was actually divided into 2 parts: Poulan Saw Company (Harry Poulan - President, Claude Poulan - VP) and the Poulan Manufacturing Company (Claude Poulan - President, Harry Poulan VP). It was my great-uncle Claude that invented the bow saw which was created by using the fender off an old truck so the back side of the chain wouldn't bind. Since I was born in 1962, I never was around to see anything affiliated with the family owned company. My father worked in the shop in Shreveport when he was a teenager and actually hand stamped the serial numbers on all of the name plates.

Here is a list of what is in my current collection. I have many other things (newer items) that are not listed but I usually stick with the old stuff unless it's unique or interesting.

24 - (2 Man Saw) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
42 (Model 0142) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
44 - (2 Man Saw) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
44 - (2 Man Saw) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
A900 Boat Motor Poulan Saw Company <--- ULTRA RARE... ONE PROTOTYPE KNOWN.
F 200W Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
F100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
F100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
F200W Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
FD100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
FD100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
FD100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
H100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
H200 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 (Bow) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 (Bow) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 (Fully Restored) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 (Parts) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
K100 (Parts) Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
KD100 Chain Saw Poulan Saw Company
31 Chain Saw Beaird-Poulan Incorporated
41 Chain Saw Beaird-Poulan Incorporated
43 Chain Saw Beaird-Poulan Incorporated
61 Chain Saw Beaird-Poulan Incorporated
61 Chain Saw Beaird-Poulan Incorporated

If you have anything that you think would look good in my collection, please let me know!

Key Poulan
[email protected]
Fresno, CA

 

[Nardoo]

Thankyou Ty for taking the time to reminisce with us. Great memories and information.