A Quality Entry Level Chainsaw

Poulan manufactures a variety of backyard appliances, including tractors, lawn mowers, trimmers, and of course, chainsaws. The P3314 represents their entry-level model, designed to offer reliability and performance at an affordable price.

While there are certainly bigger and better performers on the market, anyone considering the P3314 should be well aware of the potential trade-offs associated with an entry-level model and this model specifically. For a quality entry level chainsaw the Poulan P3314 does what it promises to do. Here are some of my thoughts on the Poulan P3314.

(Note: If you are interested in learning more about the Poulan products, or to compare the P3314 to some of the higher-end models, spend a few minutes on their web-site: http://www.poulan.com.)

• Key Features. The P3314 is equipped with a 33cc 2-cycle engine (meaning, it runs on a pre-mixed combination of oil and gas). It has a 14 inch steel bar, an automatic chain oiler, an air-filter system, and a primer bulb. I really appreciated the fact that the saw was shipped fully assembled, and included the 2-cycle engine oil needed for the fuel-oil mixture.
• Pros. The saw makes light work of small-scale cutting jobs. It cut effortlessly through small branches and smaller logs. The manual is clear and easy to understand. Also included are tips on correct cutting procedures (a helpful addition for those who may not be familiar with the technical aspects of cutting wood). The saw is also easy to handle
• Cons. While the chainsaw was, at times, very hard to start (even after carefully following the directions printed on the saw). Often it took 15 to 20 pulls alternating the position of the choke before I could get it running. Further, I found that if I had been cutting for long periods of time that the chainsaw would occasionally sputter to a halt in the middle of light cutting. The result is that I found myself spending more time trying to get the chainsaw to start than I spent actually cutting wood. My only other complaints are the missing vibration-dampening handlebar often found on higher-end models (it didn't take long before my hands were numb) and the lack of a visible fuel-gauge so I could tell when it was nearing empty.
• Overall Summary. As long as you only plan to use the chainsaw for light yard work, you may find P3314 to be a good value for the money. However, I don't believe it is dependable enough for use in the woods.