Nik's Poulan Thread

[rms61moparman]

So after a full year of not owning a 3400-4000 series counter vibe, I found myself buying two off eBay, both runners with misc issues. I couldn't pass the deals I'm seeing on these saws!!! Less than $50.00 for each to the door with Bar and chains.
Ones a 3700 craftsman, one is a 3400???? we'll see.
I like these saws alot and parts seem to be REALLY cheap compared to most stuff.
I made more money with a Craftsman 3700 than any tool I ever bought! In 2008 I contracted to supply 11 cords of 16" firewood to a company who delivered and sold CAMP FIRE WOOD BUNDLES to local parks. It was changed to 24 cords by the 4th of July. I cut and split 36 cords that summer! All with a Craftsman 3700, My investment? $39.95 saw from pawn shop, $8.00 rings, $7.00 air filter. Sold the saw last year for $120.00 (shoulda kept it) Even used the saw on 100+ degree day, and total cords must have been at least 45.
Question? is this normal for these saws, I ran a OLD school 24" oregon and skip tooth on Alder, Does anyone think these are worth $100.00 after fixing stuff on them. I have better saws but my track record with these puts them in the "MOST" reliable pile so far.
Is it worth dumping up to $50.00 more into each of these saws for dust collectors or firewood use (just to be different)

Any good running, reliable chainsaw in that size should have a "use value" of $150.00.
If you can't get $150.00 worth of work out of it (around here that is just over 3 ricks of wood) you have no business owning a saw.



Mike

 

[Nardoo]

You guys sure sound like you had a fat old time at Gregg's. What a celebration of old US magnesium. Sure makes me feel lonely down here where nobody likes green saws. Well I cheered myself up a little picking up this pair. Have never seen one with this kind of chainbrake and I found two in a week.
With some serious cleaning they might both be goers.

Al.

 

[timberdollars]

Counter vibes rule?

Nice saws Nardoo, nice to find two of the same color and era, I see mufflers are different years but those brakes set them apart, those Ozzy regs sure through a curve ball into some, I have seen that kit for sale before on ebay a few times.
I love Mag saws, I'll deal with the ignitions and lower power anyday compared to plastic, I dont know about down there but parts seem to be easy to get right now and cheap compared to most saws. IMO

And don't feel bad, no one really likes them here in Wa. either

 

[timberdollars]

counter vibe 3400 3700

Any good running, reliable chainsaw in that size should have a "use value" of $150.00.
If you can't get $150.00 worth of work out of it (around here that is just over 3 ricks of wood) you have no business owning a saw.



Mike

Well thats my feeling too, Wish I can get the other half to see that!!!
I guess I have no reason to even worry about $100.00 saws As its a tool/investment If I use it or not, its value should only increase stored in the shop and maintained, or at least I'll have them if needed.
Saws and PEOPLE in general aren't worth much here, unless the saws a newer plastic model, and as for people well! Some work, most don't, some steal, some don't, some complain, some don't, ( correction we all complain)

 

[Modifiedmark]

At your service my beloved saw builder extraordinaire!!!!
What damage did you suffer......................other than the emotional distress of being seen riding (and even driving) in a Chevrolet.......with a V-6............and a funky dash??????

By the way Mark MY old rattle trap Dodge got 15.8 for the trip.........how did that Ford do?????LOL


Mike

Well, 15.8 is pretty good and no I got nowhere near that.

I would venture to say though if you would have tied 9000lb's of wind break behind that Dodge that you would not have gotten near that 15.8 either. If you could have gotten it into high gear with it tied to it would be another question.LOL.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

So after a full year of not owning a 3400-4000 series counter vibe, I found myself buying two off eBay, both runners with misc issues. I couldn't pass the deals I'm seeing on these saws!!! Less than $50.00 for each to the door with Bar and chains.
Ones a 3700 craftsman, one is a 3400???? we'll see.
I like these saws alot and parts seem to be REALLY cheap compared to most stuff.
I made more money with a Craftsman 3700 than any tool I ever bought! In 2008 I contracted to supply 11 cords of 16" firewood to a company who delivered and sold CAMP FIRE WOOD BUNDLES to local parks. It was changed to 24 cords by the 4th of July. I cut and split 36 cords that summer! All with a Craftsman 3700, My investment? $39.95 saw from pawn shop, $8.00 rings, $7.00 air filter. Sold the saw last year for $120.00 (shoulda kept it) Even used the saw on 100+ degree day, and total cords must have been at least 45.
Question? is this normal for these saws, I ran a OLD school 24" oregon and skip tooth on Alder, Does anyone think these are worth $100.00 after fixing stuff on them. I have better saws but my track record with these puts them in the "MOST" reliable pile so far.
Is it worth dumping up to $50.00 more into each of these saws for dust collectors or firewood use (just to be different)

That's one reason I don't put too many Poulans on ebay...people confuse about all the Poulans for the saws they make today which seem to have a bad rep for some reason.
Some of the Poulans from a few years back were some of the best saws ever made, but to some it's a secret.

 

[rms61moparman]

Well, 15.8 is pretty good and no I got nowhere near that.

I would venture to say though if you would have tied 9000lb's of wind break behind that Dodge that you would not have gotten near that 15.8 either. If you could have gotten it into high gear with it tied to it would be another question.LOL.

My trailer doesn't weigh near 9000 but I'll bet it is a lot heavier than you think.
Plus, it has the aerodynamics of a concrete block!


Mike

 

[timberdollars]

Oh NO the secret!!! I forgot

That's one reason I don't put too many Poulans on ebay...people confuse about all the Poulans for the saws they make today which seem to have a bad rep for some reason.
Some of the Poulans from a few years back were some of the best saws ever made, but to some it's a secret.

Well we'll just keep the secret to us for now, I though my Partners were a cheap investment and an old school secret too!!! boy did that change. I'll just pickup up cheap, and keep them, Well at least there MADE IN THE USA!!! I steer way clear of ANYTHING made chicom!!!! which includes some Stihl/Husky saws.
I still think 3400's have the cheapest air filter ever less than $8.00, I know its not real good but my last Stihl filters were three times that.

 

[dave76]

That's one reason I don't put too many Poulans on ebay...people confuse about all the Poulans for the saws they make today which seem to have a bad rep for some reason.
Some of the Poulans from a few years back were some of the best saws ever made, but to some it's a secret.

You know what, I just got that 3314, and beside the fact that, yes it's mostly all plastic and outta the box it was bear to start and would stall like crazy, but after some tuning, that saw started on two pulls cold, and seemed to run pretty well. If it weren't for that stupid super safety chain these saws would cut quite well for any homeowner. In stock form tuned properly this saw hang with any Husky or Stihl consumer saw, and it only costs around $100 new. If only the masses knew to take these saws to a good saw shop to be tuned properly and throw away the garbage 91VJ chain, they would never have the starting and stalling problems these saws seem to be associated with and would cut effortlessly. Heck even a 91VG chain will cut better.

 

[dave76]

Well we'll just keep the secret to us for now, I though my Partners were a cheap investment and an old school secret too!!! boy did that change. I'll just pickup up cheap, and keep them, Well at least there MADE IN THE USA!!! I steer way clear of ANYTHING made chicom!!!! which includes some Stihl/Husky saws.
I still think 3400's have the cheapest air filter ever less than $8.00, I know its not real good but my last Stihl filters were three times that.

The 4000s had the best A/Fs and covers, however the 3700 did use a modified version of the 3400 cover with the slits cut in them, Yes the flocked wire screen was a bit of a joke, but it seemed to worked as a testement to all the 3400 and Craftsman 3.7s still around. The 3.7 I got still has the red over spray on the A/F, lol the PO never changed the filter in 30 years.

 

[rms61moparman]

The 4000s had the best A/Fs and covers, however the 3700 did use a modified version of the 3400 cover with the slits cut in them, Yes the flocked wire screen was a bit of a joke, but it seemed to worked as a testement to all the 3400 and Craftsman 3.7s still around. The 3.7 I got still has the red over spray on the A/F, lol the PO never changed the filter in 30 years.

That's the exact reason that I don't get overly twisted about a few "fines" inside an air filter.
How many aluminum bore 3400s are still cutting wood with either NO filter, or one that the flocking is completely gone from???


Mike

 

[FATGUY]

the only picture I have in focus : )

 

[FATGUY]

That's the exact reason that I don't get overly twisted about a few "fines" inside an air filter.
How many aluminum bore 3400s are still cutting wood with either NO filter, or one that the flocking is completely gone from???


Mike

blows the mind doesn't it? took the filter of my 4000, SAWDUST everywhere! Honeybadger don't give a ####!

 

[blsnelling]

blows the mind doesn't it? took the filter of my 4000, SAWDUST everywhere! Honeybadger don't give a ####!

You ain't seen nuttin' until you look in the carb box of my S25CVA!! I'm not talking dust, I'm talking a log worth of chips, lol.

 

[Modifiedmark]

That's one reason I don't put too many Poulans on ebay...people confuse about all the Poulans for the saws they make today which seem to have a bad rep for some reason.

I dont understand that either. I mean there a cheap saw to buy no if ands or butts about it but they get no respect because they really need a muffler mod and carb tune to run right.

On the other hand they will give $600-800 for a Sthil 361 and not blink a eye and tell you that they really need a muffler mod and carb tune to run like they should.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me.

 

[blsnelling]

I've been after this PP655 for several months, and finally made the deal tonight. I have a couple questions and need a few bits for it. First of all, the P&C look perfect, but compression is only 130 PSI, cold. What's up with that? This has to be a low hour saw, so I can't see the rings being worn out. The rings are free in the piston too. Also, I'd like to find a new fuel cap, as well as the extension piece that bolts onto the right side of the rear handle. Are there supposed to be any decals on the filter cover? The only other decal I want to replace is on the clutch cover. I'm headed over to SC Supply to see what he's got now.

 

[Modifiedmark]

My trailer doesn't weigh near 9000 but I'll bet it is a lot heavier than you think.
Plus, it has the aerodynamics of a concrete block!


Mike

Any time you want to hook up to my trailer to find out for yourself, just give it a try.

Night and day different. You would be lucky to get 10-11.....

 

[FATGUY]

Any time you want to hook up to my trailer to find out for yourself, just give it a try.

Night and day different. You would be lucky to get 10-11.....

careful Mark, that ####en cummins will surprise you....

 

[Modifiedmark]

careful Mark, that ####en cummins will surprise you....

Your right of course, it surprised me already that it made it to Jenera and back.

 

[kev1n]

I've been after this PP655 for several months, and finally made the deal tonight. I have a couple questions and need a few bits for it. First of all, the P&C look perfect, but compression is only 130 PSI, cold. What's up with that? This has to be a low hour saw, so I can't see the rings being worn out. The rings are free in the piston too. Also, I'd like to find a new fuel cap, as well as the extension piece that bolts onto the right side of the rear handle. Are there supposed to be any decals on the filter cover? The only other decal I want to replace is on the clutch cover. I'm headed over to SC Supply to see what he's got now.


Brad, screw the decals. your top cover should look like this. :msp_lol: