Poulan Pro PR5020 Gas Powered Chainsaw

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Poulan Pro PR5020: What is it?

The Poulan Pro is a good budget chainsaw for the newbie who wants a good introduction to gas-powered saws. It might also be useful to note that Poulan is owned by Husqvarna.

It offers a simple, reliable starting set up and good power for most small to medium suburban jobs. It’s easy to clean too. It does take time to warm up, otherwise it can stall which is frustrating. It’s also a no-frills chainsaw, so expect it to be heavy with minimal comfort features.

Poulan Pro PR5020: Price

At just $199.98 on Amazon.com and a flat $199 at Walmart, this is a relatively complete chainsaw for under $200.

Poulan Pro PR5020: Features

The two main reasons you will buy this chainsaw are for the power and the length of the bar for under $200. Make no mistake, this is a big saw with a lot of grunt that will make light work of medium-sized domestic jobs.

The Poulan Pro boasts a 50cc DuraLife engine with chromium plated cylinders to make it hard wearing. It also has an easy start system which means you won’t have to pull away at the cord just to get going. It will need to idle if cold - otherwise it is prone to stalling. Although it doesn’t have some of the advanced safety features of other chainsaws, it does have an inertia driven chain brake to minimize kickback issues.

Although it has an auto-oil feature, this is a saw that requires a bit of maintenance, but it comes with tools to assist. Pay particular attention to the tension on the chain, especially in the early days. There is an easy open cover for the air filter, as this will require a lot of attention to keep this chainsaw running efficiently. The OxyPower engine design also makes this a more environmentally friendly model, with 70% lower emissions than similar gas saws.

It is heavy, at 15.5lbs, and it is also loud – 102db – so ear protection is essential.

This model comes with a protective case for storage, which is a nice touch.

Poulan Pro PR5020: Performance

Sawedfish notes that Poulan machines now contain many Husqvarna branded parts, which gives them the edge over similar chainsaws in the same price bracket. They are very well built and durable. In spite of the easy start system advertised, some customers have had trouble getting this machine started. Stalling when cold is also a reoccurring problem.

Backyard Boss reviewed this saw and felt it could handle most jobs, even larger logging work. It did note the bar is quite flexible, which isn't ideal, but determined that was easy to tweak with limited skill.

Poulan Pro PR5020: User reviews

While the professional reviewers seem to be sold, actual user experience is quite varied. Only 40% of reviews give this chainsaw 5 stars on Amazon; 29% are reserved for just 1-star ratings, with a good scattering in between. Most complaints seem to be related to stalling, while 5-star reviewers note you should read the manual and use it exactly as the manufacturer tells you to. There is no wiggle room in terms of how to use this product. There are many experienced chainsaw users out there who are very happy with this product for the amount of money they spent on it.

Should you buy the Poulan Pro PR5020?

If you are looking for a large powerful saw on a budget, the Poulan Pro PR5020 offers everything you would need at a good price. It doesn’t offer anything more though, so if you’d like some added extras you may want to look at a higher price bracket.

Alternatives to the Poulan Pro PR5020

Is the Poulan Pro PR5020 not quite what you were looking for? We've got a comprehensive list of options for you to browse on our best chainsaws guide. Or if you're in a hurry, here are the top three alternatives.