When looking at chainsaws, there are a million different options with electric and gas-powered chainsaws leading the way. However, you might find yourself running across the same brand names and wondering how they stack up against each other. Does Poulan Pro vs. Husqvarna really stand a chance? Let’s find out!
In this article, we’ll take a look at two popular names out there: Poulan Pro and Husqvarna. Both are well-known tool companies in the U.S. and both make chainsaws that can get a job done quickly. However, there are some key quality differences between the two.
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Poulan Pro vs. Husqvarna: Brief Company Histories
Husqvarna is a Swedish company that was founded in 1689 as a weapons factory. Over the years it has evolved with time and it no longer make the military weapons that they did at the start. Instead, it is now the world’s largest producer of outdoor power products and makes everything from robotic lawnmowers to heavy-duty chainsaws.
Husqvarna has a global reputation for extremely durable products and has developed a loyal following amongst loggers. Its chainsaws are designed with some of the toughest conditions in mind and the company’s Swedish logging background is obvious in the power and quality that it provides.
One way that Husqvarna has grown and evolved over the years is through acquisitions of smaller companies. Today, the Husqvarna Group owns many smaller power tool brands, one of which is actually Poulan Pro.
Poulan Pro dates back to 1946 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Founded by Claude Poulan, a former lumberjack, it quickly became a reputable name as it developed easy-to-use one-person saws in an era where two-person saws were the norm. It was acquired by Electrolux in 1986 and when Electrolux established the spin-off Husqvarna Group in 2006, Poulan changed hands as well.
As a result, today Husqvarna actually owns Poulan Pro, even though they are two separate brands that have different quality levels and designs. There is, however, a good amount of technology-sharing between the two, so many of the best features of a Husqvarna chainsaw are also found in a Poulan Pro.
The Poulan Pro PP5020 and the Husq 455 Rancher are both 20-inch chainsaws that are designed with versatility in mind.
This blade length is one of the best out there for homeowners because while it’s hefty enough for storm cleanup and firewood cutting, it’s also maneuverable enough for trimming and pruning. Anything longer is in the range of professional loggers and anything shorter doesn’t have the stamina for some bigger at-home jobs.
Poulan Pro PP5020
The Poulan Pro chainsaw is an inexpensive saw that will help you get almost any project done. This gas-powered machine is easy to start, has proprietary technology to increase power, and even handy storage for tensioning tools.
Husqvarna 455 Rancher
With a 20-inch blade and a reputation for quality and durability, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher is going to be one of the best options out there. It is more expensive than the Poulan Pro, but in this case—you get what you pay for. Husqvarna’s proprietary technology is some of the best in the industry and the performance shows.
Head to Head
Despite the fact that they are both 20-inch bars and are technically part of the same global company, the Poulan Pro and the Husqvarna have some major differences when it comes to quality and abilities.
We’ve gone through and looked at a few of the important considerations that you should be thinking of when you’re considering buying a chainsaw: convenience of use, safety, and durability.
In some cases, the two are very similar, but in others, there are some glaring contrasts.
The general trend between these two machines is that the Husqvarna model is simply an upgraded version of the Poulan Pro.
This makes sense, since they are both technically Husqvarna pieces just different brands, and Husqvarna obviously has an interested in maintaining their brand as the best option.
Convenience of Use
When it comes to the specifications of each of these machines and how easy they are to use, the technology sharing that trickles down from Husqvarna is evident.
The two machines are very similar in what they offer and how they present it, in many cases using essentially the same technology just with a different name.
Some examples of this are the spring-assisted starting technology, proprietary fuel efficiency engines, the air filtration system, and the overall design of the machine.
One example of this is in the easy starting technology that each uses. In the Husqvarna, it is called the “Smart Start®” system, but in the Poulan Pro, it’s named “Effortless Pull Starting (EPS).
Another example is the fuel-efficient engines, with the Husqvarna’s X-TORQ® system and the Poulan Pro’s OxyPower engine. Both of these claim to reduce emissions by up to 60-70% compared to other options on the market.
Finally, the overall design of the system is eerily similar between the two.
Both have similar sized engines that provide roughly 50–55 cubic centimeters of displacement and they also have an easy-access tension adjustment on the side.
The Poulan Pro model does have an in-handle storage option for the tensioning tools, which is a bonus, but other than that in terms of usability, both of these machines are essentially the same.
Safety
Chainsaws are arguably one of the more dangerous power tools out there, so safety is definitely something that you should consider.
Both of these chainsaws have all of the basic safety features that you need, including reliability performance, vibration and noise dampeners and an automatic chain brake.
The Husqvarna model does have a proprietary LowVib® dampener which might reduce the overall vibrations a little bit better and last a little bit longer than the Poulan Pro’s technology.
Durability
Durability is the area where the two chainsaws differ the most. It’s fairly obvious that the Poulan Pro is made more cheaply than the Husqvarna, and that quality difference will affect the longevity of the machine.
Both systems have an air filtration system that prevents large pieces of debris from getting into the air filter, allowing you to go for longer without changing it.
This prolongs the life of the machine, in general, and means that you have to stop less often to change the filter.
The Husqvarna also has an adjustable oil pump that allows you to control the oil flow onto the chain.
This helps protect the bar overall and reduces corrosion and buildup along the piece, increasing the lifespan overall.
This lubrication is also important for making sure that the cuts are smooth and safe, resulting in a nicer product overall.
Final Thoughts
Both chainsaws are great options, but the Husqvarna does pack a little bit more power and a longer history of quality.
The main difference between these two is their price point: the Poulan Pro is listed at roughly $250 cheaper than the Husqvarna.
In the end, you’ll get what you pay for. The Poulan Pro is a good option if your price range is around $200, but it might not last as long as the Husqvarna.
We would recommend investing in the higher-priced option to ensure a quality piece for the long-term.
I own a chainsaw and riding lawn mower. I am sold on the products. I have no problems with either one. I read a lot of reviews and many of them said they were not any good, but I use mine all the time and no problems what so ever.