We had a nice outing yesterday, first of the season, and it provided a good opportunity to test our newly aquired Poulan 330. This was actually the second one, as the first one had some running issues that we couldn't correct.
Anyhow, I took 5 saws to the woods, with no intention of timed cut testing, we all know how that goes if one doesn't spend the time and funds to make sure all the saws tested have EXACTLY the same bar length/chain set-up, etc. Basically, I just wanted to get some time on the Poulan and see how it does in the field? I took along my Husqvarna 435, 55 and 262XP, and the little Echo CS-360T for light work.
I started out with the 435, in an good size Ash log, on the small end. When I reached the larger portion of the log I fired up the Poulan 330 and went to work. It did a decent job, but wasn't overly impressive anyplace. Half of the tree was still standing as it was snapped off in a recent storm, so I took the rest down and finished it up. I'd hit the ground enough times that the chain was in need of touching up, so out comes the Husqvarna 55.
I moved on at this point to another top, cleaned up some more limbs, and then to a old Oak log that was hard as stone. The 55 is just a nicer saw to operate all the way around compared to the Poulan. Smoother, faster and more comfortable. The smoothness and being faster may be in part due to the shorter 18" bar and .325" chain set-up, compared to the 3/8" full chisel 22" bar the Poulan is trying to run? In any case, the folded over raker 22" chain used on the 330 just isn't as good a deal, and I've never been fond of those chains anyhow. More ideal chain set-up or not, the little 55 is just a nicer saw to run, period.
Timed cuts were out of the question, as the Poulan has no chance at all against the Husqvarna without swapping to a shorter bar and .325" chain set-up. In any case, I ran the 55 for a while, then switched to the Husqvarna 262XP when the 55 ran out of fuel.
Folks, I strongly recomend NOT doing this. Just about the time you think a Poulan is doing a decent job of cutting, you grab a Husqvarna XP and realize why they have such a good following. Ya, I know, the 262XP has a bigger engine, blah, blah, blah , and all that, but it goes a LOT further than just having more power. The 262XP pound for pound is a superior unit in every respect. Faster, smoother, handles better, etc. I didn't weigh them either, but I'm betting the 262XP isn't any heavier than the Poulan 330.
The 330 is just an OK saw, nothing impressive about it anyplace. Owning a 55 and 262XP, it's not going to see much use here, so I gave it to my son to add to his newly started collection.
So here's the bottom line. In small material, the 330 is no better, if as good as the Husqvarna 435, and a LOT heavier. In 15-18" material, does OK, but my 55 would smoke it easily with it's shorter bar and .325 chain set-up. In big material, it woln't hold a candle to a 262XP. So what we have is a decent running saw for $200, that really needs another $60 or so thrown at it with a shorter bar, .325" sprocket and .325" chain set-up.
I would also add, that although it never cut out or died, the engine seemed to change it's tune at idle whenever it felt like it (reminded my of running a Sears/Poulan). One minute it would speed up slightly and idle smooth, the next minute it would settle down and act OK. This is why the first unit was returned, but it did it more often and would stall out during these episodes. Doesn't matter where you set the "L" screw, it changes tune continuously if left idling for more than a few seconds between cuts.
OK, I've rambled on long enough. Bottom line, it's an OK deal at $200, nothing to get overly excited about, and it certainly needs more money thrown at it to really start showing it's colors.
Also, keep in mind when you read this, I'm just trying to be objective, and I specifically carried along the 435, 55, and 262XP as they cover a broad cc range smaller and slightly larger in displacement than the 330, and are all completely "stock", no muffler mods, just precisely tuned running new or almost new sharp chains.......Cliff
Anyhow, I took 5 saws to the woods, with no intention of timed cut testing, we all know how that goes if one doesn't spend the time and funds to make sure all the saws tested have EXACTLY the same bar length/chain set-up, etc. Basically, I just wanted to get some time on the Poulan and see how it does in the field? I took along my Husqvarna 435, 55 and 262XP, and the little Echo CS-360T for light work.
I started out with the 435, in an good size Ash log, on the small end. When I reached the larger portion of the log I fired up the Poulan 330 and went to work. It did a decent job, but wasn't overly impressive anyplace. Half of the tree was still standing as it was snapped off in a recent storm, so I took the rest down and finished it up. I'd hit the ground enough times that the chain was in need of touching up, so out comes the Husqvarna 55.
I moved on at this point to another top, cleaned up some more limbs, and then to a old Oak log that was hard as stone. The 55 is just a nicer saw to operate all the way around compared to the Poulan. Smoother, faster and more comfortable. The smoothness and being faster may be in part due to the shorter 18" bar and .325" chain set-up, compared to the 3/8" full chisel 22" bar the Poulan is trying to run? In any case, the folded over raker 22" chain used on the 330 just isn't as good a deal, and I've never been fond of those chains anyhow. More ideal chain set-up or not, the little 55 is just a nicer saw to run, period.
Timed cuts were out of the question, as the Poulan has no chance at all against the Husqvarna without swapping to a shorter bar and .325" chain set-up. In any case, I ran the 55 for a while, then switched to the Husqvarna 262XP when the 55 ran out of fuel.
Folks, I strongly recomend NOT doing this. Just about the time you think a Poulan is doing a decent job of cutting, you grab a Husqvarna XP and realize why they have such a good following. Ya, I know, the 262XP has a bigger engine, blah, blah, blah , and all that, but it goes a LOT further than just having more power. The 262XP pound for pound is a superior unit in every respect. Faster, smoother, handles better, etc. I didn't weigh them either, but I'm betting the 262XP isn't any heavier than the Poulan 330.
The 330 is just an OK saw, nothing impressive about it anyplace. Owning a 55 and 262XP, it's not going to see much use here, so I gave it to my son to add to his newly started collection.
So here's the bottom line. In small material, the 330 is no better, if as good as the Husqvarna 435, and a LOT heavier. In 15-18" material, does OK, but my 55 would smoke it easily with it's shorter bar and .325 chain set-up. In big material, it woln't hold a candle to a 262XP. So what we have is a decent running saw for $200, that really needs another $60 or so thrown at it with a shorter bar, .325" sprocket and .325" chain set-up.
I would also add, that although it never cut out or died, the engine seemed to change it's tune at idle whenever it felt like it (reminded my of running a Sears/Poulan). One minute it would speed up slightly and idle smooth, the next minute it would settle down and act OK. This is why the first unit was returned, but it did it more often and would stall out during these episodes. Doesn't matter where you set the "L" screw, it changes tune continuously if left idling for more than a few seconds between cuts.
OK, I've rambled on long enough. Bottom line, it's an OK deal at $200, nothing to get overly excited about, and it certainly needs more money thrown at it to really start showing it's colors.
Also, keep in mind when you read this, I'm just trying to be objective, and I specifically carried along the 435, 55, and 262XP as they cover a broad cc range smaller and slightly larger in displacement than the 330, and are all completely "stock", no muffler mods, just precisely tuned running new or almost new sharp chains.......Cliff
