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42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw

Ratings & Reviews for Poulan Pro 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw

2.8
411
Review
 2.8 out of 5
412 Reviews


47% Recommend this product

Ratings may include incentivized customer reviews.

What Customers Are Saying

The Poulan Pro 42cc 18" gas chainsaw has mixed reviews. Some users report it performs well for occasional light-duty tasks, cutting through small to medium-sized trees and branches without issue. However, many others experienced significant problems, including difficulty starting and keeping the engine running, especially when hot, and the chain frequently coming off the bar and requiring constant tightening. The build quality is also criticized, with plastic parts prone to breaking, and several users had the saw completely fail after just a few uses. Overall, this chainsaw may be suitable for light-duty tasks, but is not recommended for heavy or frequent use.

Customer review summary generated by AI, including incentivized reviews.
412 Customer Reviews

O.K. for home use ?

Would Recommend

Just purchased on 6/26/16. I have a 16" Poulan Pro but needed a longer bar. I have 16 Ash trees that were killed by the Emerald green beetle. The main complaint I have with my new purchase is, that the saw stops when it goes to idle. Once I set the idle up I hope it will do the job. This is defenetly not for heavy duty work as indicated on the packaging. You get what you pay for. It is a decent economy chain saw.

June 26, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Used 4 or 5 times it's done

Would Not Recommend

Used this saw a few times it sat up for 3 months now the carborator is not functioning properly the cost to repair is more than the saw itself. Spend an extra 100 get a quality product.

June 25, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Response from Husqvarna Product Expert

Thank you for recent review. Your feedback is important to us, and will help us improve our products. We recommend that you take your Chainsaw to one... Read More

Husqvarna Product ExpertJuly 11, 2016

Don't waste your time

Would Not Recommend

First I'll detail the design flaws, the foot area where you are supposed to put your foot on during start up is in reverse, what I mean is the foot area is on the other side, so you have to have your heel on it to stabilize the saw instead of your toes, this gives you less leverage and the saw moves around on the ground due to the awkward stance. Secondly, why put the gas/oil mix on the side ? again makes for an awkward fill up, same with the bar/chain oil. Now to the "performance" or lack there...

June 23, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Response from Husqvarna Product Expert

Thank you for your review and feedback. We’re disappointed to hear about the issues you’ve experienced with your Chainsaw, but we certainly appreciat... Read More

Husqvarna Product ExpertJune 27, 2016

poulan chain saws

Would Recommend

I purchased a poulan chain saw 25 years ago. and it ran hard all that time. It really worked hard during Hurrican Ike clean up. It's one of the smaller ones and we had a big storm memorial weekend. The saw said, nope time for a tune up.. So since it has been a great saw I took it in for a tune up. And I then purchased a 20" poulan saw, it was easy to start but the chain jumped off a couple times. Got a new chain for it and no more problems. Maybe the factory chain was bad..Don't know.. But if it...

June 9, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Response from Husqvarna Product Expert

Thanks Keesa, for taking time to review our Poulan Pro products. We’re so happy that you’ve had a great experience with your [insert product]. Thanks... Read More

Husqvarna Product ExpertJune 13, 2016

For the price, it's great

Would Recommend

This is a fairly cheap chainsaw so don't expect something awesome. It's paid for itself several times over though. You have a good chain on it and it'll make fairly quick work. I've gotten about 3 years of moderate to heavy use out of it. You have to let it do the work and not force it. Can take a while to start it sometimes. Will die on you fairly easy. For the price though this chainsaw is a great deal. I'd imagine for someone that only needs to cut a tree down and section it every now and the...

May 25, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Did not last through the afternoon!

Would Not Recommend

I needed a chain saw to cut up a tree that pushed through my wood fence, so off to lowes and picked up this poulan chain saw. took it home and got it running using the quickstart guide in no time, but that was the high point of owing this model. I didn't get more than three limbs cut down and into smaller pieces before it started having trouble idling, I could re-start but it died again and again. So, I managed just three limbs during a long afternoon of re-starting, going up and down the ladder...

May 15, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Excellent, Low-cost Purchase

Would Recommend

I needed a low-cost chain saw after my 20in/46cc craftsman broke to finish a 30 foot, mid-weight cedar tree project in my front lawn. The Poulan Pro 18 in was easy to setup. Within minutes, I was cutting a 36" dia tree without a hitch. I finished the job without any problems. It was a great purchase for my project. A case, extra chain, and 2-cycle oil was included with a 1 year warranty.

May 9, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Good price for poor quality

Would Not Recommend

I have used this new poulan chainsaw twice. The first use, the chain kept kept coming off. The second time would not stay running. I already need a new chain. Not sure it will tackle an actual tree branch.

May 1, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified PurchaserVerified Pro
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not to bad

Would Recommend

Pretty good chain saw it is a shame that over the years the quality has gone down. First thing I had to do was get the chain sharpened. It barely would cut. Gentleman sharpening the chain said now days it seems you buy a chain saw any make and first thing you have to do is get the chain sharpened!

April 30, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified Purchaser
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Good tool

Would Recommend

We purchased this saw to replace one which had hard starting and idle trouble. This saw comes with its own carrying case and a spare chain...really handy! It starts easily and cuts well. It is rugged enough to stand-up to our needs, clearing and trimming overgrown trees and bushes. We did find out it is finicky about fuel. It prefers very low or no ethanol gas. The ethanol gas caused plug fouling and hard starting with poor idling. Over all, we like this saw.

April 27, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified Purchaser
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first chainsaw purchase

Would Recommend

I bought this chainsaw (my first chainsaw) to remove quite a few heavy 20 year overgrown shubs and a few medium sized trees. Chainsaw works wonderfully and I completed all tasks within about three hours operating time. This will also come in handy in case there are anymore ice storms or heavy storms. If this is your first chainsaw, make sure you read instruction manually thoroughly. Buy bar oil, none is included. Buy a 1 gallon container to mix gasoline with 34 oz 2 cycle oil with (40:1 ratio, 3...

April 17, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Very good cost effective solution

Would Recommend

I've only used the chainsaw once so far, so take my review with a grain of salt. So far, however, it was about the best deal I could have gotten considering I didn't want to spend much, but wanted a "real" saw. It started up relatively easy and had plenty of power to cut up a couple downed trees. The wood was soft, but it did a great job

April 17, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified Purchaser
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Poulan Pro 18" Chainsaw

Would Recommend

I purchased this saw to replace one that had been "lifted" from my garage some time back. It is the same size as the one I had earlier, as I found this comfortable for my needs. As expected the saw once filled with proper fuel/oil it started right up and ran just fine. The reason for the 4 stars amounts to the fact that Poulan has decided not to continue the "tool less blade adjustment" which means I now have to carry a wrench along with me, which I will probably lose somewhere in the brush. Oth...

March 20, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified Purchaser
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saw only last 2 hours

Would Not Recommend

This is my second in a mater of 2 month. The first one died after two to three hours and now the second one has done the same thing.I will not ever buy another one of these.

March 19, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Poulan 18" Pro Chainsaw

Would Recommend

Once I got use to extra weight going from a smaller one, it worked great. Easy to start. The only problem I had was the chain that came on it. It kept coming off bar and had to replace with extra one that came with the chainsaw. It has a couple of burrs in a spot. Overall it works great.

March 15, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw Verified Purchaser
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Never buy Poulan again!

Would Not Recommend

Thought it was a good price but if it doesn't run, NOT WORTH IT. I had used this maybe twice before it started acting up. It has been to two mechanics, new carb, new gas lines, new gas, new plug, etc.!!!! Gas filler cap was hard to screw in, poor design. Hard to start, with choke or without. If it did start for three seconds, dies! Something leaks, oil found in (free) case after sitting. My Grandfather had one from 60's, I put in gas & it fired right up. The only thing I didn't like is no blad...

March 5, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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Best chainsaw for the price

Would Recommend

Great chainsaw for the price. No problems running it for the first week. Cut up two oak trees that were both 22 inch diameter at the base. I did have to put on the included second chain just to complete the last cuts on the base of the second tree. I thought from other reviews that I might have to adjust the mixture to have it run or start correctly, but I never had to touch the settings. It started fine whether hot or cold. I don't see any reason to buy any other, more expensive, chainsaw.

March 2, 2016
From 42-cc 2-cycle 18-in Gas Chainsaw
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