Poulan Pro PP4218A Review

Big jobs require big chainsaws; there's no denying that. Still, without safety and comfort features, trees won't be the only things dropping. The POULAN PRO CHAINSAW is equipped for felling trees, but the vibration makes it hard to hold for long periods. This saw doesn’t have any shock absorbing features, so with a 40 cc two-cycle engine, you may feel exhausted after a long, tough job. We recommend the Poulan Pro for post-storm cleaning like clearing fallen trees and branches, but we also recommend wearing gloves as a modest substitute for anti-vibration features.

This gas chainsaw did not choke or flood during our tests, but it did take 10 startup attempts to get it running. It had slower cutting times than the average chainsaw in our cutting tests. At a little over one second per inch of wood, the Poulan Pro managed to slice our test log in under six seconds. At its best, this saw took 5.46 seconds to cut through the log. Still, with its 18-inch bar this chainsaw can cut through some serious branches. This saw hums at only 91 dB while cutting, which is below average for a powerful 42 cc, two-cycle engine. However, it is still loud and we recommend hearing protection, especially for long jobs. If you need a quiter saw, consider the Black & Decker LCS1020.

The PP4218A did not stand out during our testing, but it comes with almost everything you need to use it. For example, it is one of the few saws that comes with a spare chain. This is especially beneficial because with most top-brand saws you have to order special chains through manufacturer-licensed dealers. Even on large powerful saws, chains wear down quickly after multiple uses, so this saves you a trip to the store.

The chainsaw also comes with an abundance of extra accessories. In the packaging, there is engine oil, a sharpening guide file to keep your chains maintained and a scrench for adjusting chain tension. The Poulan Pro and all of its accessories come in a hard-shell carrying case for safe storage and transport.

The Poulan Pro PP4218A is a good chainsaw that performed relatively well in our tests. Weighing a little over 13 pounds, this is no delicate tool, and its size is indicative of its power. However, there are no shock absorbing features, making it hard to handle because of the vibration from the engine.