Poulan Pro 46cc, 20" bar chainsaw

[Metalhead Matt]

Anybody have one of these half-assed saws? I'm having a helluva time keeping bars and clutch bells on it. It doesn't seem to oil very well. I thought about drilling the oil hole out a little. I've been using 30wt since the weather changed. While I'm using it, I take regular looks under it and there's always oil getting to the chain. I've even been squirting oil from a quart onto it mid cut. I don't know. Told the old man to get a Stihl... Any ideas would be great.

 

[Rolex]

A chain that's not sharp, or not sharpened properly, creates a LOT of heat and also puts an additional load on the clutch.
That's ABSOLUTE key. Good chain, good saw.
Start by taking it out to have it properly sharpened. The rakes also need to be trimmed each time, so I recommend you take it to a shop, or buy a new chain.
The rakes are between the teeth and move the chips out. If they are not ground correctly, the teeth can't cut properly, and everything else keeps getting worse...hotter and hotter, till the temper gives out and the clutch burns out.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Right on Rolex. Even with a new chain, I was having the problem. I noticed you can't get poulan chains out here; only oregon. So I picked up an oregon bar, and that fixed the problem. The slot in the bar was .05" bigger on the oregon bar, even compared to a new poulan bar. All of the chains I have are oregon, so I couldn't do a comparison on the chains. I used to service Stihls, and that included chain maintenance. I figured I had a handle on things, but I was starting to wonder! Thanks for the reply, as always.

 

[Rolex]

Glad it all worked out. I always liked Stihl. I found them to be a 'cut' above all the rest.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Couldn't agree with ya more. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Rolex]

I appreciate your info on this. Oddly enough, I would NOT have thought to check the track width vs. the chain guides if you hadn't mentioned it. I'd be pulling my hair out.