Some info on chainsaws

Question

How come a Poulan chainsaw with a 20" cut costs $200.00 and a Husquavara with a 20" cut costs $400 .00 I priced them at both Menards and Lowe's.

Is there a difference in quality, workmanship or what?

Answer 1

You get what you pay for, but you have to decide if you will use it offen enough to justify the Husqu.

Stil and Husqu are top of the line.  I think the ones at Lowe's are a little lighter duty than the ones at an outdoor equipment shop.

Answer 2

Husqvarna is usually considered pro/commercial grade and Poulan is heavy-duty home consumer grade.  However, the difference between the Husqvarna 455 Rancher and the Poulan Pro 20" saws seems to be mainly in name.

The  Husqvarna, 455 Rancher, comes with a 20" cut and costs over $400 and has a lot of plastic parts.  It does have a larger engine than the Poulan Pro 20".  Husqvarna classifies it as "an ideal saw for landowners and part-time users", which makes me wonder if maybe they have cut some corners to sell it cheaper than their more expensive pro line.  I have read complaints from people saying that it's not worth the small savings over the Husqvarna pro models like the 359.

On the other hand, the Poulan Pro 20-Inch is billed as being "value oriented" so one might expect it to be less powerful and more plastic.  For instance, I have read about problems with the plastic, tool-less chain adjuster on it.

If you are only a "weekend woodcutter" then the Poulan would probably be fine.  

You should wait to buy it until you have a good amount of cutting to do then use it as much as you can in the first 30 days.  After the first 30 days it becomes harder to get issues resolved because you usually have to go to some authorized repair center or send it to the manufacturer rather than just return it to the store where you bought it.