Yeah, they have those at my local ranch store for 130...I bought two, and both were bad still...I will buy another soon and hopefully the third time is a charm.
Bought a new Poulan Pro 5020 to see what there about
- Thread starter Modifiedmark
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
palmrose2
ArboristSite Operative
It's not my saw. I talked my buddy into buying one because I couldn't stand the idea of him using another 40cc saw to cut 6 cords of wood a year. What I'm most interested in is link count for a 16" bar. I'm pretty sure 60 links of 3/8ths will do the job, and that is what I told him. I am the guy responsible for him buying the saw, so I feel like I'm obligated to give him the right dope.
7sleeper
Addicted to ArboristSite
Stay with 325, you both will be happier. Or are you talking about 3/8 low pro / picco chain? That would of course make you both smile! Regular 3/8 is for me only on a very stronge 50cc saw (stihl 261, dolmar 5100) or better beginning with 60 cc an option.
7
7
ncpete
ordained Dude
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 1,070
ohhhh Man! I have had my 5020 for about a year and a half now, having made some money with it last year. I put it away after my last job, telling myself that I needed to buy a new chain because of some brick I hit, cutting out an UGLY very overgrow juniper. Still haven't bought that new chain, and I am not good enough at sharpening to make it cut straight again - so right now it's limited to limbing and knocking down a half acre of bamboo in my mother-in-laws backyard. As I have some bigger stuff to cut this weekend, I have ordered up some new loops of 72V - 70DL to have spares on hand. I will dig more in the other threads for chain options, but running what I know and feel comfortable with now
Hoping to have my Poulan carb tool on hand by then, too - It doesn't like starting or idling when cold. Really a little shocking to see how many of my tools require the splined tool, that I never paid attention to before coming here. Lots of pics are broken links on this thread, which is disappointing as I want to get an idea of what was done for the muffler mod.
If my new chain doesn't arrive, I can survive with the 36cc craftsman.... but I find myself considering smaller bars for it - that's for a later time. my first free saw, and its a runner!
Hoping to have my Poulan carb tool on hand by then, too - It doesn't like starting or idling when cold. Really a little shocking to see how many of my tools require the splined tool, that I never paid attention to before coming here. Lots of pics are broken links on this thread, which is disappointing as I want to get an idea of what was done for the muffler mod.
If my new chain doesn't arrive, I can survive with the 36cc craftsman.... but I find myself considering smaller bars for it - that's for a later time. my first free saw, and its a runner!
cobey
Addicted to ArboristSite
They come with 3/8'
My 5020 came with 20" (nominal) 3/8" pitch b&c. Works just fine, buried in hickory. I've a 16" bar for it, for when I don't need longer. When I can make good use of the OEM 20" bar, on it goes, and the chips fly. Yet more of that coming on Thurs. with the OEM "vanguard" chain, even. 'Bout time to use that up, slowly.
I've only seen full-ht 3/8" pitch chains on 5020s, never lo-pro or .325". No need.
My only rigid rule is to have no rigid rules.
I tested 325 and 3/8 on the 5020. I put it back to oem 3/8 set up. It is strong enough for 3/8 even though I dont do 20" on 50cc saws. I went to 16".
WDG
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm still wading through this thread, so please forgive me if this has already been answered here...
1) Given the same price, is there any reason to choose the Sears version over the Poulan version of this saw (or vice-versa?)
2) I notice Walmart currently has these new for $219 (other places for $199,) but the factory refurbished units are $159. Is there any reason to shy away from getting a refurb over new? (My thinking is that the refurb might actually have been looked over more thoroughly than a new saw, but I may be mistaken.)
I'd very much like to thank Modifiedmark for starting this thread, and all the rest who have contributed to it.
As a home renter, this saw would fit my needs perfectly. We have some trees, and I have one trash tree to take down, but would mostly need to use this for storm damage cleanup, both at the house, and around the neighborhood. I'd love something expensive like a Stihl, but it really would make no financial sense to tie up that much money in such a purchase. It simply would not be used enough to justify it.
1) Given the same price, is there any reason to choose the Sears version over the Poulan version of this saw (or vice-versa?)
2) I notice Walmart currently has these new for $219 (other places for $199,) but the factory refurbished units are $159. Is there any reason to shy away from getting a refurb over new? (My thinking is that the refurb might actually have been looked over more thoroughly than a new saw, but I may be mistaken.)
I'd very much like to thank Modifiedmark for starting this thread, and all the rest who have contributed to it.
As a home renter, this saw would fit my needs perfectly. We have some trees, and I have one trash tree to take down, but would mostly need to use this for storm damage cleanup, both at the house, and around the neighborhood. I'd love something expensive like a Stihl, but it really would make no financial sense to tie up that much money in such a purchase. It simply would not be used enough to justify it.
I bought mine NEW online shipped to door for around $165 or so. Make sure you know how to adjust a saws carb out of the box. You would have thrown the one I got if not. Little tuning and it was the easiest saw to start I have ever had. ( oem spline epa tool needed or a redneck chainsaw repair method).
Another quibbly thing that could need attention on this saw: the two carb mounting nuts. These nuts clamp the plastic filter body to the carb and cyl. No lock-washer, and apparently not tightened very tight at assembly, which makes sense.
Mine worked loose. So I took a Torx-25 (not 27) wrench and removed two black plastic cover around the carb. A drop of LocTite blue or equivalent on each of the studs. We'll see how that holds things.
Mine worked loose. So I took a Torx-25 (not 27) wrench and removed two black plastic cover around the carb. A drop of LocTite blue or equivalent on each of the studs. We'll see how that holds things.
ncpete
ordained Dude
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 1,070
Walmart has enough money, buy it through your local Ace Hardware for the $199, or wherever else you like for less. I love mine, it is a lot of saw for the money.
I have the Sears colored 5020, the only advantage I can see is ease of parts availability if you have a Sears store near you, just order parts for mod # 358.350981, these are same as Poulan, so even if you have the yellow saw you can get your parts from Sears.
John
John
WDG
ArboristSite Lurker
I must have something set wrong, as I see absolutely no pics from LegDeLimber, but clearly, the rest of y'all can. I do see the pics JeremiahJohnson has posted, so I'm not sure what might be the cause.
LegDeLimber
Addicted to ArboristSite
WDG
ArboristSite Lurker
Cool. Thought I was just me.
WDG
ArboristSite Lurker
BTW, someone had mentioned the PP4818A, and when I found pics of the boxes on google, it certainly looks exactly the same as the 5020. Has anyone checked the EPA tag to confirm if it's the same CC? After reading through all this, I was thinking an 18" bar might be the best compromise length, and if it actually is the same power head, the 4818 might be the ideal choice. Lower price, plus not needing to buy a bar & chain.
I don't think that's the same saw.
John
John
Chris-PA
Where the Wild Things Are
Last time I looked at it they did appear to be the same saw. I don't really get that combination though, because if I wanted an 18" bar I'd rather have lo pro chain, so I'd get a PP4218 instead. Then again, the PP4818/5020 has an outboard clutch and a metal clutch cover, which I like.
cobey
Addicted to ArboristSite
lo pro really rips on a 50cc saw
You need to look at the pictures a little closer, look at the muffler, that pp4818 looks like an overgrown wildthing, I have a 5020 and a wildthing and the wildthing ain't fit to ride in the same truck as a 5020.
John
John
