Customer Reviews

Poulan Pro PP446ET 17-Inch 31cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered Curved Shaft String Trimmer With Split Shaft And 12-Foot 8-Inch Pole Saw Pruner Attachment

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

(Helpful? Not? Please vote, so I know someone is reading these :^) First of all, this is *not* a professional grade tool. It is neither as powerful nor as rugged as the truly industrial-strength brands. It's basically a Poulan Weedeater (think Wal-Mart) with a saw attachment (think Lowes/HD). Professional grade tools come from Outdoor Power and your local saw shop or your local mower shop. This is for you and me to use a few times per year, so's we don't fall off a ladder with our regular chain saws, not for tree-trimmers who would use it every day.

Secondly, you MUST keep your saw sharp, and you MUST know how to execute cuts to keep from binding your saw. It's this simple. No amount of complaining or money spent on more expensive models will save you from yourself. For this, I am very sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Now, here's the good news ... there are websites out there that will show you the way to make the most common cuts. How to under cut first, where to watch the limb/tree to know to retract *before* you're in a bind. Secondly, Oregon Saws offers a free document on their website on how to sharpen a chain saw.

This little guy can neither be set up too "hungry" nor can you let it get too dull, and expect any sort of good results. This tool is meant for a very specific job, and not really anything else. If you're using it to make even small firewood, you're testing it's limits, though, I'm confident I could make a little firewood with it if I had to. It would be slow-going compared to my traditional saws. Likewise, blazing or limbing or pruning trees with my traditional chainsaws is no fun when compared to the extended reach of this little guy. There's a tool for every job, and most importantly, there's a way to properly use, service and maintain every tool. It's not rocket ... uh ... surgery ... or anything, but it will take about 30 minutes of your "hobby-time" to read up on what it takes to make a saw cut, and then confidently execute a cut well. There is nothing wrong with this tool ... much like there is nothing wrong with my golf clubs ... :-)

I bought this item new. The engine would not start until I used a shot of starting ether in the air intake. After that it ran fine. The saw end runs OK, but the chain really needs to be a bit longer and I sure wish the head would articulate. It is really easy to get the cutting head pinched by a branch that is at or near the design limit. It cuts, but not quickly - it just doesn't have quite enough power. They include a plastic cap to go over the attachment end that allows you to hang it up, but they only give you one of them (and it comes with two attachments). I thought they were joking, but they give you a plastic bag style sleeve to cover the chain when not in use. I am still laughing about that one. There is no easy way to store the engine end of the machine and no dust cover for the end of the shaft. The engine housing is plastic and it is quite brittle, i.e. it doesn't take much to crack it. Getting parts is proving to be difficult and local stores do not carry the optional attachments. Overall, it is more of a help than a hindrance.

It is a professional tool, without doubt. It is a workout to weild this saw for even a brief period, though. If you are an exercise buff and are in great shape, you may not have any problems. It is quality made. Engine starts/runs fine. If you have to use this frequently, you might be able to cancel your membership to Gold's Gym !

The Poulan Pole trimmer was delivered on time. After unpacking and assembling the trimmer I found that it would not run at full RPM. I called the Poulan 800 number and was given the location of a Poulan service center in my area. I took the trimmer to the service center and was advised that they would not service the trimmer because Poulan would not reimburse than for their service. How nice!! After talking with the customer service rep. they sold me the tool to adjust the RPM on the trimmer.

John

I really like this pole pruner. It looks well made, with a free edge trimming attachment, and the engine starts very easily. I have a lot of trees on my property, and it has made possible pruning jobs that I could not do before.

The only problem I have is the engine occasionally stalling when you raise the pole to vertical. But if you rev to high speed before raising the pole, it works well.

Ordered friday evening and received on the next monday. Item was hard to start at first, but once I read the directions I've had no problems. Push the primer bulb six times, turn on the choke, and pull the start rope. It has started every time. At first, the engine would hesitate and want to die at different angles, but after the first ten minutes it will run at any angle now and never dies. I dragged it up my extension ladder to the top of a tree while it was idling and used it for 10 minutes and never died. It has plenty of power and did everything I wanted. I am very pleased for the price. The pole saw is not a commercial unit, but is well worth the money for any homeowner.

I am very satisfied with Amazon's prices and shipping.

I just received my Poulan pole saw with string attachment. It is very easy to assemble, started right away and did the trimming of limbs that needed to be done. It is very quiet, starts on first pull, absolutely delighted.

I find this product does what I wanted. The only fault is the pole is a little weak and appears to want to bend in the joint area. This product is a good value.

The first time I started the engine it was a bit balky,all other starts since have been very easy whether hot or cold.It runs well in any position.Burns very little fuel and the chain oiler works well.The clamp knob that secures the shaft extension for the pole trimmer works loose quite often and is the only defect that is obvious.A bit of thread locker fixes that.
I am pleased overall with the tool and would buy another.Shipping was very prompt.The price was very reasonable.

Saw works well, but you better be at least six foot tall if you want a chance at even getting an twelve foot reach.