Summary:
Poulan had a great saw that they ruined using the plastic part to tighten the chain. Hats off to Sears

Strengths:
This is a good saw with good power, with that being said it has a serious problem.

Weaknesses:
The chain tensioner screw is made of plastic, the sprockets that attack to it are metal...the sprocket stripped with in 10 hours of use and I had it less than a month. My father had the earlier version that you had to use the tool to adjust the tension, it is a great saw for the money. This new model is not, I called Poulan and they said that the sprocket is normal wear and not covered under warranty, less than a month old! This is a problem that needs to be looked at and I have a hard time believing that no one else has had the same problem. Hand up to Sears, where I bought the saw, they took it back and gave me my money back. Bought a Husqvarna from Sears, just cost a bit more but less trouble.

Summary:
Not worth the money

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
hard to start won't run when hot

Summary:
Plastic adjustment wheel should be replaced by Poulan with a metal version. I haven't heard if they will fix the problem or not. Until this part is redesigned avoid this saw.

Strengths:
Would have been a nice saw except for the plastic parts as mentioned in the prior review.

Weaknesses:
Plastic adjustment wheel stripped within a few hours of use.

Summary:
Great Saw, replacement part (plastic gear)costs about $2.50 at your local repair shop or Sears part direct.

Strengths:
Saw is a good value for a homeowner that doesn't need to make a living with this tool.

Weaknesses:
I agree that Poulan should consider revising this saw because of the (1) plastic gear that is in contact with a metal gear, poor engineering.

Summary:
I cut 15 to 20 chords per year. I bought a Sears "IncrediPull 55cc that hasnt cut a cord in 2 years because I can't keep it running long enough. I have this Poulan and a 14 inch Poulan that both run like bears and are ready to go when I am. Poulan makes a great saw for the money. Are there better ones? Yes, but not for $120 and $200. Bye the way, my wife grabbed the PP4620 at a Home Depot clearance for $129. Love that woman.

Strengths:
Runs great. Starts reliably. 20" bar allows good versatiliy. Is light weight and can be used for trimming without breaking you back.

Weaknesses:
Handle has a tension spring which is flimsy and loosens often. Gas tank is small. (that may be a plus depending on how your back feels.)

Summary:
After converting the adjustment system,this has become the best saw I've ever owned for the money! Poulan is completely made in the U.S.A.,and they back their products 100%!

Strengths:
Good running engine with plenty of power.Oregon chain and bar.Light weight and user friendly.

Weaknesses:
Adjustment system. However,by contacting Poulan directly,you CAN obtain EVERYTHING you need to convert it back to the old style....FREE of charge!

Summary:
IVE HAD IT 1 YEAR OR LESS IVE USED IT LESS THAN 16 HRS IVE WORKED MORE TRYING TO KEEP THE CHAIN ON MORE THAN I USED IT. I USE MY OLD POULAN IF YOU CAN GET IT STARTED IT WILL RUN ALL DAY

Strengths:
MOTOR RUNS GOOD AFTER IT STARTS PLENTY OF POWER .NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE OLD POULAN SAW

Weaknesses:
WHO EVER DESIGNED THIS STUPID SAW HAS NEVER CUT A STICK OF WOOD IN THEIR LIFE CHAIN KEEPS COMING OFF CHAIN BAR HELD ON BY A PLASTIC NUT ALREADY BOUGHT 2 CHAINS AND NOW IT NEEDS A SPROCKET IT WORE OUT LESS THAN 16 HRS OF WORK I SPEND MORE TIME PUTTING CHAINS BACK ON ABOUT EVER THREE BLOCKS OF WOOD THIS SAW IS A POOR DESIGN A DISGRACE TO POULAN NAME.IVE NOT TAKEN IT BACK YET BUT I WILL.

Summary:
Poulan should be ashamed. I WAS a Poulan man.

Strengths:
It cranks.

Weaknesses:
Slings chain off if you look at it cross-eyed. The chain ajuster nut is plastic, last about two pickup loads of wood.

Summary:
You can change it back to the old style chain adjusting system by ordering part #530054819(Cover with chain break, about $21.00+shipping), and two of #530015917(Nuts). The nuts and studs are metric 8mm by the way. You can get them at a hardware store a lot cheaper than ordering them. I did this and now my saw works great. (Check your bar oil frequently. Mine ran out way before the gas was gone & I smoked my first chain)

Strengths:
Starts easy, chain and bar combo is reasonably priced, plenty of power.

Weaknesses:
Bad chain adjustment.

Summary:
I WAS DISSAPOINTED WITH POULANS RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO ORDER THE CONVERSION KIT IF I WASN'T SATISFIED WITH THE CHAIN TIGHTENING SYSTEM. IT WASN'T THAT I WASN'T SATISFIED...IT BROKE. SOMETIMES THINGS SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE.

Strengths:
I think the saw cuts very well. The carburator needed adjusting to get the saw to cut best. It always has started exceptionally well. Pull he choke out.. give a couple pulls, push the choke in and it starts. (every time)

Weaknesses:
THE CHAIN TIGHTENING SYSTEM IS JOKE. CHANGE IT BACK POULAN. I BOUGHT THE CONVERSION KIT.

Summary:
As another post said.... I used to be a 'Poulan man.' No more. With this type of product, It makes one wonder what Poulan is thinking. I called customer support and the suggestion was to take it to a repair shop. If a chain saw needs to visit a repair shop for chain tension, then there is a problem. I asked the customer help tech if this was a known problem. the Response was, "Not to their knowledge" Now I know this is a lie. All this time I thought it was just me who was having problems! Then I stumble across this website and see Others are having this problem too. Good Bye Poulan. It's too bad, but I guess that the three Poulan saws I have bought mean nothing to Poulan. But the fact I will buy NO more may get their attention.

Strengths:
good power. starts on a ladder, or in a tree.

Weaknesses:
chain falls off every time you use it.

Summary:
Like a few of the others have mentioned, Poulan used to make a pretty good saw for the money. It seems that I have had nothing but problems with this saw. I cut about 2 to 3 cord a year, and this saw has a hard time cutting 10 to 12 inch diameter oaks and maples (which seams to be what my logger buddy always brings me). If I can't get this one repaired, I am going to break down and spend the money and buy a STIHL... Have one from 1965 (040 Farm Boss) that will cut anything (it is just a heavy beast).

Strengths:
Light weight and it easy to handle and it does start quite easy. That is about where the strengths end.

Weaknesses:
Small fuel capacity, the chain tensioner (only made it about 4 to 5 hours for me), the drive sprocket has worn so bad that the chain just slips, not a very powerful saw, cannot put a more agressive chain on. I even returned it to Lowes (they were great and replaced it) because the darn thing seized up in the middle of a cut. Very disapointed with this saw

Summary:
Have had about thirty days and felled/cut up six large (20-30" diameter) pine trees. No complaints until plastic adjusting wheel stripped out. KUDOS to Poulan on their response to my customer service call. When I asked about the plastic wheel they said they were aware of the problem. They said they were shipping me a conversion kit to the old style adjustment mechanism.

Strengths:
Ease of starting, cost.

Weaknesses:
Plastic Adjusting Wheel.

Summary:
I love the saw. Then again, I maintain my equipment too. Laugh all you want to, but I'd put my saw against anyone elses brand any day of the week and twice on Sunday. 42"+ Live Oaks (Louisiana) and this saw never gave me one bit of problem.

Strengths:
Has cut everything I've ever needed it to- from 8" Pecan trees to 42" Live oaks. Starts extremely easy right out of the box, and stays that way. I too needed to adjust the carb slightly. When it got good and hot it would die after making a cut. Small adjustment and never had problem since. As said above though, watch the bar oil!! It eats it quick.

Weaknesses:
I've actually had no issues with it, and have owned it for just over a year now. The only part I had to replace on it, believe it or not, was the METAL piece with the nub that goes into the bar itself. The plastic piece has been just fine for me. Just dont absolutely torque the sh!t out of it like you would a husky, and it will give you no problems.

Summary:
what good is a chain saw that won't keep the chain on?

Strengths:
good engine system

Weaknesses:
chain adjuster is a total disappointment!!! lasted about 2 chords of wood before the adjusting pin broke off. I had to constantly retighten the chain every fourth or fifth cut . will not replace with original parts . will seek conversion to older model, two nut design. What really pisses me off is that research and development had to know this tensioner design was crap. This must have been a marketing decision to stimulate new purchases. Well it has stimulated me not to buy poulan ever again!!!

Summary:
Poulan sucks!! BUY A STIHL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strengths:
poulan sucks!!

Weaknesses:
Poulan sucks!!

Summary:
There are lots of reviews pointing out the chain adjuster problem, so if you want to live with or fix the problem its a good buy.

Strengths:
Lots of saw for closeout/clearance price.

Weaknesses:
chain adjustment system sucks, replace the big plastic nut with a standard one, then drill out the second hole over the hidden stud and put another nut on it and your problem is gone. to adjust chain looosen the nuts, then use the wheel to tighten the chain. Also had to buy a special tool to adjust carb. which was set too rich, tool also works on weedeater string trimmer

Summary:
When it comes to relatively complex tools that have to work hard to perform a task, Don't scimp up front by buying a discount tool at a big box discount store. You will pay for it in the end.

Strengths:
Low initial cost

Weaknesses:
High actual cost when you factor in: Part failures, Lack of places to do warranty work, Lack of places locally to get parts, No local area dealer support, Added maintanance & repair.

Summary:
wouldn't buy again

Strengths:
price

Weaknesses:
I have the same problem with the plastic chain tention adjustment gear wearing our after only a few hours. The engine runs fine so far but all of the cheap plastic parts no longer fit together neetly after short period of use.

Summary:
Chainsaw is usless while I wait for a $3 part to arrive in the mail.

Strengths:
Works well when chain bar tension is set!

Weaknesses:
STUPID PLASTIC BAR ADJUSTER WHEEL! WHAT THE HECK IS POULAN THINKING! THEY SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST THAT!

Summary:
Was a great saw for half an hour. After reading posts here I contacted Poulan and a free retro kit will be here in 3 - 5 days. Sure hope it works. Off to a bad start but saw has potential.

Strengths:
Inexpensive,runs well, slices thru 15" seasoned red oak. Will move on to larger chunks when replacement tension adjusting kit arrives.

Weaknesses:
Chain came off in first 30' of use, requires constant and futile tension adjustment.Scary to use a tool I don't trust. Will return to Lowe's if kit does'nt solve problem.

Summary:
Overall, don't waste your money. Even though my unit was New In The Box, Poulan would NOT honor the two year warranty. Yes, I had owned it less than a week and used it only 5 hours. However, because it was purchased from a non-Poulan retailer and was 2 weeks past the two year the manufacturer date, Poulan would not honor the warranty. I wasted $110. Don't buy Poulan.

Strengths:
Good enough design (even though plastic tool-less adjuster is more of a hassle than the old style)

Weaknesses:
I used it for 5 hours before it stopped running and wouldn't restart. Over the course of 24 hours, I tried everything, letting it sit & dry out, filter change, carb & choke cleaner past the butterfly valve, etc. I even hooked up an electric drill to try to start it because my arm was hurting from pulling the cord (yes, I reversed the drill's direction to mimic the pull cord direction).

Summary:
Why has no one mentioned the crap chain. I bought a 3/16 chain from a local husky dealer,(right off the spool) this saw will cut with a real cutting chain on it. I think they come with ultra low kickback chains so yupps dont cut there foot off.

Strengths:
price is right, plenty of engine displacement, it Always starts

Weaknesses:
factory chain sucks, "safty or training chain" it has more depth rakers than needed.

Summary:
GREAT !!!

Strengths:
Good running engine, had the same problem with chain coming off, I call poulan and they sent me a new cover with 2 nuts. PROBLEM SOLVED

Weaknesses:
Small gas tank !!!

Summary:
Junk, I'm going to return and buy a 14" stihl and do more work in less time for the same money.

Strengths:
It starts!!!

Weaknesses:
Chain falls off, Weak power compared to a Stihl Anti-Vibration spring, vibrated off. Plastic chain tensioner Chain bar tension isn't held by the one nut design if you can keep the chain on.

Summary:
Good saw.Except for the plastic tensioner.

Strengths:
Has enough power to cut small or big wood.

Weaknesses:
The plastic bar tensioner is no good,will wear and strip.Poulan needs to go back to the two bar nut adjustment.

Summary:
Great for homeowner use or as a backup saw, but not what I would chose as a tool to make a paycheck.

Strengths:
Price was right when I needed a saw right away. Starts and runs great. Cut over 30 cords of wood in the last 2 years with no real problems.

Weaknesses:
Severely underpowered!!! Don't bother trying a more aggressive chain than what it comes with. Even after dropping down to a 16 inch bar the saw does not have enough power for a 5/16 much less a 3/8 chain.

Summary:
One or all parts of my 4620AVX are for sale as parts -- saw has only 5 hours on it. Everything is good except the cylinder. Let me know what parts you need at Jim7738937 at yahoo com My saw has 5 hours on it before it lost all compression (yes I used the correct oil/gas mixture). I'm just trying to recoup some of my purchase price. Thanks, Jim

Strengths:
Walbro carburator

Weaknesses:
Bad cylinder walls

Summary:
ehhhhhh?...it's a tool for homeowners and it works well for same.

Strengths:
Price is great..even after the inevitable conversion kit for the tensioner.

Weaknesses:
As stated...By everyone! It is inevitable that you WILL have to replace the tensioner with retro one. Buy the saw, call Poulan before you even take it out of the box...it will save you frustration.

Summary:
Great saw for the money. I retuned mine and changed the chain tensioner back to the old style. great all around saw with the right chain. This saw was not designed to work as hard as a stihl guys. thats why its sold at home depot not a real saw shop. I use a ms441 for almost any job. but lets face it there will always be a time when you need a lighter saw that you can pack into a tree and not feel bad if it falls.

Strengths:
awesome price 120 clearance at home depot. nice bang for the buck.always fires up.great power once tuned properly

Weaknesses:
chain tensioner. Factory carb settings make machine run poorly,and hinder performance

Summary:
With all of that being said I also lost the original chain tensioner within a few hours of use. I was lucky and still had an older Poulan and I switched the covers with the standard adjustment screw . After this the saw has never let me down in the woods. It starts it runs and it cuts a lot of wood. For sure the only thing that has let me down in the woods is myself.

Strengths:
Great Power. No Problems with chain slinging. Little sluggish when cold but letting it idle for a few minutes helps a lot.

Weaknesses:
WOW !! let me guess the engineer of the chain tensioner let his 4 year old design this. If we designed cars like this then we would have very little pollution because no vehicle would run for more than 30 seconds.

Summary:
very happy with cost and performance. have run about 4 gallons of fuel through it and found no problems or complaints yet

Strengths:
I guess I must have the updated version--never had a chain come off (they won't if installed/adjusted properly) and have the normal tensioner setup, but after a minor carb adjustment after it was broken in, have had very good experience with anything up to and including white oak 35-38" diameter

Weaknesses:
none yet

Summary:
I wanted a cheap saw to pack while quadding, and this saw has met my expectations. I only paid $150 cdn so I don't feel ripped off by having to purchase $40 in parts.

Strengths:
Runs strong and starts easily. After an hour of fiddling with the carb it runs much better than expected. It's pretty light considering it's size. It doesn't tire me like other saws I have used of similar size.

Weaknesses:
As everyone has mentioned the tensioner blows. A bar should not flop up and down when you shake the saw. But thanks to part numbers posted here, I will be converting it. I also busted the choke lever, but that was my fault. A shoelace has been working great. lol

Summary:
It's hard to trust the workmanship of products that are being made today and companies don't like standing behind what they produce but they expect you to spend you hard earned money and as they keep getting richer you keep spending more for a product that should last for at least 15 or twenty years when you take good care of it. my wife bought me a Mcculloch 32cc 16" bar off the internet about 10 years which was refurbished and I've put a lot of hours on that saw and I've only had this Poulan lest than 3 years. Since I can't get my Poulan started i went out and cranked my Mcculloch which has not been cranked since buying the Poulan and it cranked after just a few pulls. I like the Poulan but I can't deal with all these problems when i need to cut woods. Disappointed.

Strengths:
It's a good cutting saw once you get it cranked, at 46cc's, it has the power for those tough jobs.

Weaknesses:
As i said in the strength section, once you get it started it runs good. since i burn wood 24/7, I'm cutting wood once a week and in the winter it take about 15-20 minutes to get it started. I'm not one to run a take a product back to the store when i fist encounter a problem because sometimes the product has to be broken in, but i should have taken this one back after the fifteenth time it wouldn't start and the tenth time the chain loosened up and the fifth time the chain jumped off. Also it doesn't oil the chain properly. most of the oil finds its way to the base of the saw and not the chain. you can call me a fool for keeping it and not taking it back of you can call me a patient man. last but not least it will not crank at all.

Summary:
Actually, I never used this saw to cut anything because as soon as I took it out of box and got it running. Tried idle adjust procedure,the chain wouldn't stop running without killing the engine. This pointed to the clutch being bad. I contact number on manual, several weeks later because I got busy with work during their operation hours or just forget. Turns out it just a part order service and they refer me to Husqvarna who is manufacturer (they also do Weed Eater, and McCulloch) at this point don't know where receipt is so I begin to bite the bullet and looked up service centers on the poulan website, called closest one that less than 10 miles away. Get nice gentleman who informs me that he supposed to be removed 2 years ago and had even stopped servicing them long before that. Found receipt and told since i was about 20 days out of the 30 day warranty there is nothing that could be done. Constantly moving chain on a chainsaw is extremely dangerous. Their customer care doesn't care told me i should have tested it as soon as i got it which was true but really especially something that is refurbished should be heavily tested as it was returned for a reason. Lucky, retailer took it back as defective because it was clear no wear was present after explaining situation. Good since the manufacturer tried to send me to the place that already told me they aren't a service center. DO NOT BUY THIS OR ANY OTHER POULAN PRODUCT, as they can't keep list of current service centers and don't care about customers.

Strengths:
I honestly like the weird screw down thing instead of the two nuts, it was handy.

Weaknesses:
I did not like the tension system. It was too difficult to get aligned the first time. Bought "refurbished" - the clutch was bad, customer support was even worse.

Summary:
20 inches of pure CRAP!!

Strengths:
Starts quick and runs great. It would be a good saw for Halloween since it sounds like a real chain saw.

Weaknesses:
Can keep a chain on it because the chain tensioner is a POS. I will take a wrench adjuster over this plastic POS any day. Today I was cutting a tree and the tensioner sheared off. Thank GOD the tree is leaning away from my house. I am very tempted to go set the saw in the path of the tree in case it falls just so I don't have to be bothered by the POS anymore. Happy Father's Day. Yippee!