Poulan Pro PP338PT Gas Pole Saw Review

Power

POULAN PRO POLE SAW are known for their power and high speed. The PP338T has a 33cc engine which puts out about 1 hp. This puts it in between Troy-Bilt and Husqvarna for power.

When talking about a saw having a lot of power, this has two main benefits: 1) cutting thicker limbs and 2) faster cutting. The PP338T has an 8” bar just as Troy-Bilt does. This is a good size for cutting branches up to about 7”. This is very good for what I’d consider a consumer-grade saw. Only once you step up to a commercial-grade Husqvarna will you be able to cut even thicker limbs.

As far a cutting speed, this saw cuts more quickly than electrics. Small branches in the 2” diameter range are cut through in just a few seconds. This will make quick work of your pruning job if you’re mostly cutting smaller branches.
Ease of Use

Since this is a gas saw, it’s not quite as simple to operate as an electric. You’ll need to combine gasoline and 2-stroke oil, prime the engine with the bulb, and pull-start it.

Once it’s running, it’s pretty easy to operate. A good deal of the total 15 pound weight is in the engine, which is held close to you. This helps balance the saw better than many electric models. A harness is also included to take some of the weight off your arms.
Maintenance and Reliability

This saw picks up dust more than an electric due to the exhaust, so you’ll need to put a little more effort into keeping it clean. Maintenance is pretty easy, and it’s mostly limited to keeping the automatic oiler reservoir filled and keeping the chain sharp and free of damage.

In terms of reliability, the engine on this Poulan is a little more finicky than a Husqvarna. If it’s been a long while since you’ve started it, you might have some problems getting the engine started or keeping it idling. Be sure to check the fuel line, filter, spark plug, and idle speed adjustment if it still won’t start and idle properly.

HAIBIKE SDURO Full Review

When releasing the Haibike SDURO, Haibike wanted to reach out mainly to young, sporty riders. For the new season the Haibike SDURO AllMtn has been given a new Yamaha PW-X-motor and a slightly more aggressive geometry, featuring a longer frame and shorter chainstays. A small, stem-integrated screen displays all of the settings and crucial info. With a more than reasonable price, the SDURO AllMtn 7.0 offers pretty much everything we could ask from a modern E-Mountainbike. Chunky Schwalbe Nobby Nic Plus tires with reinforced Apex sidewalls provide a great amount of traction and the FOX Performance suspension combo delivers impeccable control and top riding comfort.

One light touch on the cranks and the new Yamaha PW-X-motor fires up in all its majesty. The Zero Cadence-setting provides loads of power from the first pulse on the pedal. There are a total of five support-levels to choose from, of which the lower two feel rather weak. We ended up sticking to support-level 3 most of the time, which encouraged the bike to climb eagerly. The sitting position is centred and the elevated ground clearance allows mastery of even the mosttechnical sections without breaking a sweat. One clear drawback is the 2 speed-drive, which struggles to shift into the little cog when under load. The bike feels nicely balanced and refreshingly stable in corners, but somehow still a little clumsy and lazy despite the short chainstays. The high bottom bracket makes you feel as though you are standing on top of the bike rather than in the bike. The manufacturer justifies this choice with one rather relevant safety measure– crank clearance- a good reason to compromise handling qualities a little, at least in their opinion. The rear-end feels relatively linear and likes digging deep into its travel. This translates into a comfortable ride, maybe a tad too tame for more aggressive riders.



The Haibike SDURO AllMtn 7.0 in detail

Fork FOX 34 FLOAT Performance 150 mm
Rear shock FOX FLOAT DPS 150 mm
Motor / Battery Yamaha PW-X / 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5/MT4
Drivetrain Shimano XT/SLX
Seatpost XLC AllMtn Remote
Stem Haibike Components The STEM 50 mm
Handlebar Haibike Components The Bar 780 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo
Rims / Hubs Rodi TR40 / XLC Evo Disc



Conclusion

The Haibike SDURO AllMtn 7.0 is rightly one of the most popular bikes in the line-up of the Schweinfurt-based manufacturer. A combination of great handling, outstanding riding comfort and a powerful motor make it a very desirable bike, now with increased downhill fun-factor thanks to the newly revised geometry. The 2 speed-motor might be a good selling point on the sales floor, but in practice it does not work properly, making it rather pointless.

Strengths

– Powerful motor
– Good price-performance ratio
– Very comfortable

Weaknesses

– The 2-speed is rather pointless
– A little clumsy in corners
– Noisy cable routing