Poulan P4018 18-Inch 40cc 2-Cycle Gas-Powered Easy Start Chain Saw with Case

I bought this saw for general use around my yard. For the money, its a great saw. I used it all day yesterday and it ran great. The only flaw I found was a cheap pull-cord setup that you need to be careful with. The pullcord housing and fly-wheel is all made of plastic...so I can tell Ill have to replace that at some point. Other than that, the saw runs great, and does a great job. FYI the saw does NOT come ready to go. Make sure you tighten the bar support bolts and add all the fluids. Great saw just to have at the house for occasional use.

I bought this saw online because we had a state record ice storm with lots of tree damage here in Oklahoma in December 2007 and all the local stores were sold out of saws.

I've owned a wild thing before and used it for 3 years on an occasional basis, cutting about 3 ricks of red oak wood per season. So far, I've got about 20 hours on this saw and it still works like a champ. I'm using it to limb and cut some 12" to 15" trees completely down into firewood.

A tip for those who wrote bad reviews - if this saw ( or any other ) is hard to start, try this: Choke full on - pull one time. If it doesn't start put choke half on - pull one time - if it doesn't start choke all the way in and pull one time. This has never failed for me. When the weather is really cold, after it starts let it warm up a bit.

Bottom line - decent saw for the money. If you cut wood for a living or want a saw that is more forgiving of those who don't have the apptitude for...Read more

(My review is for the yellow Poulan Pro version that seems to have been discontinued, but upon inspection I believe it to be essentially the same saw.)

I purchased this saw in the spring from one of the big-box stores and have used it several times. I've taken out two fairly large (14"+ diameter) trees on my property along with several small ones. Like one of the other reviewers, I found that the chain needs constant adjustment. I realize that a new saw needs this more than one that's broken in, but it's still too much. Also, the starter pulley kept sticking on me, leaving the cord hanging out, and it's a huge pain to fix (the pulley is cheap plastic).

When it works, the saw cuts fine. It starts reasonably easily and has plenty of power. The saw is fairly easy to handle and has decent ergonomics for occasional use, even light firewood-cutting. However, it's cheaply made and evidently cannot stand up to even moderate use. Sure, it's less expensive...Read more