If you’re looking for a high quality gas powered chainsaw, then it’s likely that Poulan Pro PP5020AV has been one of the names to come up in your research.
Highly respected by professionals and home users, Poulan is a name that represents quality and durability.
This particular example is a 50cc 2 Stroke model, and offers some compelling features that could make it your ideal next purchase.
Let’s take a look at the in depth Poulan Pro PP5020AV review and see if this is an ideal chain saw for you.
Product Showcase
Who Is This Chainsaw Intended For And What Are Its Uses?
For the price, this saw is aimed squarely at home users, or professionals who need a backup saw or a saw for smaller jobs.
This will easily cut through moderately sized trees, firewood, and other wood stock that you need to break up around the home. It can be used to trim damaged trees (particularly useful after a storm), and would also be a great clearing tool if you have a large property, or even some farm land.
With the bar and chain that comes with this saw, it wouldn’t be recommended as a main saw for professionals, however, that should already be clear from the price at which this saw is being offered.
How Frequently Can You Use It?
You could run this saw all day if you needed to, providing you have enough fuel mix and lubricant to get all of your work done.
One of the biggest advantages of a gas powered chainsaw over a cordless electric saw, is that you won’t need to worry about recharging any battery packs.
By the nature of the device being a gas powered tool, you will be able to run it for as long as you need to, providing it is well maintained and you have enough fuel mix.
How Portable Is It?
At just 10 lb., the Poulan Pro PP5020AV chainsaw itself is easily portable, and is a similar weight to other chainsaws in its class.
However, when fully fueled and oiled, the saw can weigh up to 20 lb.
This is important if you’re going to be carrying the saw some distance from your home or shed, and you’ll also need to factor in the weight of any additional fuel or tools that you’re carrying.
This is by no means detrimental to the product or what it has to offer, but it is important to note, particularly if you’re coming from a lighter electric chainsaw, or even a smaller gas powered saw.
What Is Its Power Source?
The Poulan Pro PP5020AV gets its power from a 2 Stroke 50cc gas engine.
It needs to be operated using 40:1/50:1 general purpose 2 strike fuel mix, which combines both the oil and fuel in a single canister.
Performance And Cutting Speed
With the 20 inch guide bar and chain, this saw is able to perform well on larger trees and virtually any firewood material that most homeowners would work with.
There’s plenty of power and torque, something that is inherent to a gas engine, which means that it will work through hardwoods and even some damper green wood, with ease.
Cutting speed can be increased by purchasing a compatible smaller guide bar, but this could limit flexibility when it comes to tree felling.
As it comes out of the box, this saw will satisfy all of the demands of a homeowner or rural land owner that needs a powerful saw for clearing, trimming, and firewood cutting.
How Well Can You Handle It?
If you are comfortable with the length of the guide bar (see more on this in the next section), then you are going to find a well-balanced saw with great handling.
Many of the user reviews reflect this, particularly with homeowners who are using the Poulan Pro PP5020AV to clear damaged and dead trees.
While the weight can creep up when the saw is fully fueled, the average operator will be able to make good and easy use of this saw.
The low vibration handle is one of the most important features that aids in handling ease.
Here’s a nice video I discovered on youtube to help you see how well you can handle it
Guide Bar Length
The guide bar on this saw is a fairly hefty 20 inches, which means that this saw is going to be able to cut through larger trees, logs, and other wood materials.
20 inches is a fair amount longer than most homeowner chainsaws, which could be a good or bad feature, depending on what you’re looking for in a chainsaw.
Some gas powered chainsaws have shorter 16 inch guide bars, allowing for easier maneuverability, especially for first time users. When this saw is fully fueled and oiled, it’s going to have a significant amount of weight (almost 20 lb.), but it will still remain well balanced.
The extra length of the bar is something that you need to be aware of, particularly if you haven’t worked with a chainsaw of this size before.
What Are Its Safety Features?
Chainsaws are inherently dangerous, so they require attentive operators and adherence to operating procedures.
With that being said, there are still some safety elements that manufacturers incorporate into their units, and this Poulan Pro PP5020AV is no exception.
It features a handle that reduces vibrations for the operator, which also reduces fatigue and can make it safer to use the saw for long periods of time.
It also has low profile chain to reduce kickback, along with an inertia chain brake.
With any chainsaw, your best safety features will be your skill at operating the saw, so it is important that you seek advice or training if this will be your first time using a powerful gas chainsaw.
Poulan Pro PP5020AV Maintenance Requirements
Let’s face it; a gas powered chainsaw is always going to have higher maintenance requirements when compared to any electric power tool.
You’ll need to regularly top up the unit with a fuel and oil mix, and you’ll also need to ensure that the blade is kept oiled. Basic maintenance can also include keeping the unit clean, and you may need to use compressed air to blow away saw dust and other debris when you have finished a session with the saw.
Overall, maintenance is what you could expect from a saw of this size, and is relatively simple, even for first time users. Maintenance requirements are on par with competing models from Husqvarna.
The included manual outlines all maintenance and adjustment procedures, and direct replacement Poulan Pro PP5020AV parts are widely available.
How Easy Is It To Use?
For experienced chainsaw users, this Poulan Pro chainsaw is going to feel instantly familiar, particularly for anyone that has used a Husqvarna chainsaw in the past.
Many of the design elements are similar to Husqvarna saws, which is a reflection of the parent company’s influence on Poulan Pro.
The biggest learning curve will be the weight and maintenance, particularly for an operator that hasn’t used a gas powered saw before. Due to the extra power provided by the 50cc motor there may also be a learning curve and a change in cutting style needed to get used to the speed and torque.
Overall, considering that this is a device intended for homeowners, it will be relatively easy to use, and will make wood cutting and tree clearing duties a breeze.
If you choose this as your next purchase, it will be essential to familiarize yourself with the user manual and all of the functions of the saw, particularly the starting procedure, fueling, and maintenance.
General Construction Quality
Overall construction quality is good, and it should be noted that Poulan Pro is owned by Husqvarna.
Some original Husqvarna parts have made it into the build of this saw, which will provide confidence for anybody who is interested in purchasing this.
Everything used on the saw is fitting to the price, even if there are some plastic parts used with the steel components. User reviews have been positive regarding fitting and overall assembly, which reflects the overall quality of this product.
What Are The Accessories That Come In The Package?
The saw comes packaged with everything that you need to get started, excluding fuel mix and lubricant.
The bar and blade are adequate for home jobs, and there’s even a carrying case included in the package.
The case is one of the advantages of this package, especially considering that even some more expensive saws don’t come with a case included.
Documentation
The user manual is key to getting the most out of this chainsaw, so it’s reassuring to see that a comprehensive instruction manual has been provided.
The guide covers everything from safety and operating instructions, and also includes a Poulan Pro PP5020AV parts breakdown. As far as documentation goes, there can be no complaints made.
Useful Tips
Maintenance is key to the smooth operation of any chainsaw, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with the user manual before operating the saw.
Ensure that you purchase high quality fuel mix for good operation, particularly for smooth idling and general running.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Consumer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with a few (often expected) negative reviews for operational problems.
It can be difficult to gauge the performance of a chainsaw from consumer reviews, especially when some reviews are provided by inexperienced operators.
Positive reviews have made mention of the excellent cutting power, continuous use, and durability, whereas some negative reviews have commented on the heavy weight and some consistency problems with the quality of construction.
How Much Does It Cost?
This item is currently priced in the $100 – $200 price range, depending on the seller and any ongoing promotions.
Recommended Extra Accessories
Poulan Pro PP5020AV parts are widely available, whether you want to make upgrades, or simply buy spares or replacement parts.
Poulan also produces a branded fuel mix that is recommended for this saw. The complete Poulan Pro 5020AV parts list is available online at the manufacturer’s website.
If you want to get the best from the saw, consider replacing the bar and blade. Although this will add to the overall cost of the unit, it will allow for better cutting and overall performance.
Here are two Poulan Pro PP5020AV parts that I would recommend you look into:
Shipping & Packing
The product is adequately packed with foam and cardboard packaging, and there have been no consumer complaints regarding damage in transit or insufficient packaging.
Manufacturer Support & Warranty
Support is available on a nationwide hotline (1-800-849-1247) or through an extensive network of dealers and authorized service centers.
A standard warranty of two years is better than the 12 months offered by some companies, and it’s possible to extend the warranty to three years, or even four years with some online retailers.
Main Specifications
- Cylinder Displacement 50cc
- Engine Type 2 Stroke pas powered
- Starter Pull start
- Chain Brake Type Inertia
- Oil Pump System Automatically lubricating
- Bar Length 20”
- Tensioner Screw type
- Assembly Fully Assembled
- Weight When Unfueled 10 lb.
Where Is The Poulan Pro PP5020AV Made?
This item is made in the USA from local and imported components.
Dimensions
Shipping dimensions are 20 x 15.8 x 22.3 Inches
Our Poulan Pro PP5020AV ChainSaw Review Final Thoughts
This is one of the best value for money chainsaws currently on the market, and is a good alternative for someone who might be interested in a cordless electric model like the Black & Decker LCS1240.
While it is in a similar price range to the Black & Decker, it will be able to provide a longer lifetime with better cutting power, and a much larger guide bar.
Construction quality is good, and it appears from the majority of consumer reviews that the quality is mostly consistent. This saw is easy to recommend in its price range, and it gets even better with an upgrade of the bar and chain.
Poulan Pro PP5020AV Chainsaw Summary Review
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | PROS & CONS |
|---|---|
| -10 lb. Unit Weight -20” Guide Bar -Carrying Case Included -Automatic chain lubricating system -Special engine and air filter design to extend operating life -Low resistance pull-start mechanism | PROS -Excellent price point for a quality chainsaw -Guide bar size exceeds what you might expect for a homeowner saw -Easy to start -Reduced vibrations when operating -Carrying case is included -Some components made by Husqvarna -Tool-less access to the air filter and spark plug CONS -Bar and chain blade quality are average, and will require an upgrade for peak performance -Advertised weight is much heavier when fully fueled -Can use bar oil at an unusually high rate -Reports of difficulty contacting customer support |