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Poulan problem/question

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Poulan problem/question

#1

Poulan problem/question

Terry Quiram

>I have a new Poulan Ranch Hand that I have used for no more than 10 hours. My saw is equipped with a 20" bar. The problem is the saw has no guts. It doesn't seem to be running at max rpm. Just before it runs out of fuel the last 2 or 3 seconds the saw speeds up and runs like I think it should. It takes me forever to crosscut through a log (with sharp chains) not alone the time to prep a bowl blank a.k.a. the Grumbine method. I notice "collars" on the carb adjustment screws that do not allow me to adjust. I am very quickly wishing I had bought something else. Any suggestions

Re: Poulan problem/question

#2

Re: Poulan problem/question

Tom Sweeney - Coatesville PA

>Terry,

I bought a poulan "wild thing" last year. The 3rd time I tried to use the saw it would cut out after running for less than a minute. Since then I have not been able to get it started. I don't think we are the only ones having unacceptable problems with a poulan. I have not had time to really check mine out yet however the fact that yours speeds up & sounds better right before running out of fuel indicates that maybe the saw is running too rich. I assume you are using the correct fuel/oil mix so the problem must be carburator related unless the air filter is possibly clogged up. Just WAG's but I'll never buy a poulan again. Good Luck!

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#3

Sell them to Bubba, he likes them

TDaniel

>

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#4

Re: Poulan problem/question

Gary Bills in NC

>I bought a Stihl saw and the dealer told me they set them rich when new to break them in. He told me to bring it back when I went through my first chain and he would lean it down so it would run better (faster), which I did. It then ran faster.

Re: Poulan problem/question

#5

Correct

TDaniel

>All chainsaws should be run in using a rich setting. This keeps the piston cooler until it is broken in. Once broken in the mix can be leaned for higher rpm. If leaned too much you will burn the piston.

Re: Poulan problem/question

#6

Re: Poulan problem/question

Mel Wright

>I resolved my problem with poulan by buying a Huskie. Works great, Looks even better.

Re: Poulan problem/question

#7

Re: Poulan problem/question

Kevin Gersty

>Terry, the reason the saw speeds up and goes like it should right before it runs out of gas is because it is leaning out at that point. Actually, it is not a good idea to run any 2 cycle Engine completely out of fuel. When they run out of fuel at high RPM's, they are starving for lubrication, which will shortnen the life span of the Engine. It the limiters on the High and Low Speed adjustment screws on the Carb. are Plastic, you can sometimes just pry them off. Some manufacturers install these to keep folks from messing with the fuel mixture, and leaning it out too far, and blowing it up. Somewhere in the manual, it may tell you the starting point for adjusting the carb from scratch. If not, I would be that if you can remove the limiters, then GENTLY seat the high and low speed screws on the Carb, and then back them both out 1 1/4 turns, that will give you a place to start tuning the carb from. Most saw carbs are pretty much the same in this regard. If that doesn't do the trick, I would return it to the place of purchase and let them service the thing to your satisfaction. If they see that you have messed with it at a later date under warranty, they may give you some grief over it. I have only owned Stihl Saws, so I am not real familiar with the new Poulan Saws, but I have worked on many of them for friends. Clean the Air Filter, stick in a new Plug, see what you can do with the Carb, and as a last resort, take it in for service. (One other thing I have found over the years is that Champion Spark Plugs are junk for Chainsaws.........get a NGK or Bosch Plug for it, they are MUCH better for Chainsaws.) Let me know what you find Terry............there is nothing worse than a persnickity Chainsaw!

Re: Poulan problem/question

#8

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Peter Teubel

>Check/clean the air filter. My Poulan 295 would act the same when the very efficient (sometime TOO efficient) filter needed cleaning.

Re: Poulan problem/question

#9

Re: Poulan problem/question

Terry Quiram

>The saw is new and purchased from Lowes, so no service center. I made sure the filter was clean. Sounds like I need to take Kevin's advice and see if I can remove the limiters. Thanks everyone for all your help.

Terry

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#10

My POO-lan is never...

BubbaBob

>...persnikity...it works better than all those orange ones...

BubbaBob

Re: Poulan problem/question

#11

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quartlow

>I would never buy a saw from Lowes or any other box store. you bought a home owners model. Sinc'e it's new. Take it back, find a reputable saw shop and buy a saw there. I just bought my 3rd saw an echo 500 with a 16 inch bar. got it for 90 bucks. I'll put it up against any poulan in it's class any day.

The other 2 saws are a 750 echo with a 24 inch bar and a Stihl 075 with a 38 inch bar running skip tooth chain

Buy a good quality saw, granted your going to spend more but with a little care it outlast any of the home owner saws by years and years.

Re: Poulan problem/question

#12

Re: Poulan problem/question

Michael Marxer, St. Louis, MO

>Terry,

Go to Poulans website and you can find a local warrany service center. There should be several near you. (most lawn equip centers). I would do this first, before tampering with it too much, unless it's out of warranty (one year). They can give you advice on keeping it tuned also. Mike

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#13

Re: Poulan problem/question

Jeff Jilg

>I've had great luck with my Poulan 2150 16" saw. Make sure the air filter is clean. Also make sure you have the right oil/fuel mixture. I run mine a bit rich to ensure there's plenty of oil getting used. You may want to play with the mixture screws as Kevin suggested.

Mine has over 200 hours on it and it starts on 2 pulls; and it has produced over 400 bowls/vases, etc. I just took down a medium sized oak tree last weekend and processed into blanks. Now I'm processing those into bowls, etc. Stihl, Husky, and Echo may be better but so far my Poulan hasn't let me down, so I'll stick with it. I just put on a new bar and chain last week!!

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