A Poulan Pro 42cc chainsaw typically costs about $100-$250 used or $180-$300 for old, unused inventory, with condition, bar length, included accessories, and local availability driving the price. Because many 42cc Poulan Pro models are discontinued, listings can vary widely and a low advertised price may not include a chain, case, or working-condition guarantee.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used saw in running condition | $60 | $125 | $200 | Often an 18-inch model; condition and service history matter |
| Clean used saw with accessories | $100 | $165 | $250 | May include case, spare chain, or recent service |
| Unused old stock | $180 | $235 | $300 | Availability is limited; verify warranty coverage |
| Common setup or repair | $25 | $85 | $180 | Chain, tune-up, or minor repair; major engine work costs more |
Assumptions: U.S. consumer listings, common 18-inch bar configuration, standard condition, and no unusual shipping charge.
What Does a Poulan Pro 42cc Chainsaw Cost?
For a used Poulan Pro 42cc chainsaw, a practical budget is $80-$180 for a functioning saw with ordinary cosmetic wear. Around $125 is a reasonable midpoint when the engine starts, idles, and cuts properly, and the bar and chain are usable. Exceptional condition or included accessories can push asking prices beyond $200.
Old, unused inventory may list for $180-$300. A new-in-box listing is not automatically equivalent to a currently supported product: a seller may offer no manufacturer warranty, and fuel-system parts can age during long storage. Shipping can add $20-$60 depending on seller, distance, and marketplace rules. Confirm whether the price includes a bar, chain, scabbard, and manual.
For most buyers, a tested used saw around $100-$150 is the realistic value target. That estimate assumes the saw has no compression, carburetor, clutch, or chain-brake problems. A nonrunning unit priced under $75 may be a parts purchase rather than a bargain if repairs are needed.
Poulan Pro sold multiple 42cc configurations, so the exact model number matters. A common 18-inch setup is not necessarily the only version, and listings sometimes use “42cc” loosely. Check the model label on the saw and compare its bar length and replacement-part compatibility before treating prices as directly comparable.
How Bar, Chain, and Repair Charges Shape the Quote
A chainsaw’s asking price is only part of the expense when it needs a new chain, bar, or service. Chains are generally sold by pitch, gauge, and drive-link count, so the correct fit must be confirmed from the existing bar or owner’s manual. The ranges below are typical U.S. retail or independent-shop estimates, not a guaranteed quote for a particular model.
| Cost item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement chain | $15-$35 | Per chain | Length, pitch, gauge, and brand |
| Replacement bar | $25-$55 | Per bar | Bar length and compatible mount |
| Basic sharpening | $10-$25 | Per chain | Damage, chain condition, and shop minimum |
| Carburetor cleaning or adjustment | $50-$110 | Per service | Access, parts, and fuel-system condition |
| General tune-up | $65-$140 | Per service | Inspection, filter, plug, and adjustment scope |
| Engine or clutch repair | $120-$250+ | Per repair | Parts availability and internal damage |
A saw needing both a bar and basic service can add $90-$195 to its purchase price. A shop’s labor rate commonly falls around $75-$125 per hour, with minimum diagnostic charges of roughly $25-$60. Some shops credit the diagnostic fee toward approved work; others charge it separately.
Example: 1.5 hours at $90 per hour equals $135 in labor, before parts or shop fees.
Replacement-part availability is particularly important for an older model. A shop may be able to sharpen or fit a compatible chain easily but have difficulty sourcing a model-specific plastic cover, fuel line, carburetor component, or safety part. Ask for the complete repair estimate before authorizing work, including parts, labor, and any nonrefundable inspection fee.
Which 42cc Specs and Saw Conditions Raise the Price?
Model identity and bar setup can explain price differences among listings that appear to describe the same saw. A working 18-inch configuration with a sharp, correctly matched chain usually commands more than a bare powerhead or a saw with an unusable bar. Longer bars can increase replacement cost and may be less appropriate for a buyer who only needs occasional limbing or firewood cutting.
Mechanical condition matters more than a small difference in listed displacement or cosmetic wear. Ask the seller to demonstrate a cold start, warm idle, throttle response, chain brake, and oil delivery. A saw that starts only after repeated attempts, stalls when warm, or leaks fuel may need more than a low-cost adjustment.
Compression is another useful screening point. A seller or repair shop can test it, but a reading should be interpreted against the specific model’s service information rather than a universal cutoff. Weak compression, scoring, or a damaged cylinder can make an inexpensive used saw uneconomical to restore, especially if parts are scarce.
Accessories affect value, but only when they are useful and in sound condition. A fitted case may add roughly $15-$40 to a private-sale package, while an extra compatible chain can add $10-$25. A dull spare chain or a generic case with no practical value should not justify a large premium. Confirm that any included chain matches the saw’s bar specifications.
Geography and seller type also matter. Local private sales may be cheaper because there is no shipping, while a dealer or small-engine shop may charge more but provide a start-up check or limited service guarantee. Marketplace shipping, tax, and return terms can erase an apparent $20-$40 price advantage on a remote listing.
How Can Buyers Lower the Chainsaw Purchase Price?
Set a ceiling based on the saw’s working condition, not the seller’s original retail price. For a used unit, subtract likely expenses for a chain, bar, carburetor work, and missing safety equipment from the price of a comparable tested saw. If the repair allowance approaches $100-$150, compare that total against another running used saw before buying.
Ask for a live demonstration before paying extra for claims such as “runs great” or “recently tuned.” A cold start is more informative than watching a seller restart an already warm engine. Check that the chain stops when the brake is engaged, the oiler works, the chain tensioner adjusts, and the unit does not leak fuel or bar oil.
Comparing two or three local listings can establish a fair range without relying on outdated new-retail prices. Compare the exact model, bar length, running status, chain condition, accessories, and seller return terms. For a private sale, ask whether the price changes if the saw fails a basic demonstration; avoid paying a premium for repairs that cannot be verified.
Choose a suitable bar and avoid buying extras that do not fit. A correctly specified replacement chain is less expensive than replacing an entire bar-and-chain package unnecessarily. If the saw only needs sharpening, local sharpening at $10-$25 may be more economical than purchasing a new chain. Do not run a damaged chain or bypass safety equipment to save money.
Timing can help modestly. Private listings may be more negotiable outside peak storm cleanup and firewood seasons, when demand for cutting equipment rises. However, waiting is not worthwhile if an urgent job requires a dependable saw. A professional rental or local service may cost less than buying and repairing a neglected machine for a single short project.
How Do Used, New-Old-Stock, and Similar Saws Compare?
A used Poulan Pro 42cc usually offers the lowest entry price, but its value depends on a successful operating test and reasonable parts support. A clean, running example around $100-$150 can make sense for occasional property maintenance. Buyers should price in safety gear, fuel, chain maintenance, and possible service rather than comparing only the saw’s sale price.
New-old-stock can cost more while providing less certainty than a current-production model. At $180-$300, an unused unit may appeal to someone seeking an unrun saw, but old fuel lines, carburetor diaphragms, or warranty limitations are possible concerns. Ask the seller for the manufacture or purchase date, return policy, and written warranty details.
Comparable consumer gas chainsaws from other brands often sell in a broad $180-$350 range when current models include a warranty and local parts support. Specifications and included features differ, so compare engine class, bar length, weight, chain-brake design, service access, and warranty rather than displacement alone. A current model at a modest premium may have a lower ownership risk if the older Poulan needs immediate repairs.
For occasional light cutting, a lower-cost electric or battery chainsaw may reduce fuel and tune-up expenses, but battery and charger costs can raise the initial total. Such substitutes may not match a 42cc gas saw’s runtime or suitability for heavier work. The right comparison depends on the diameter and amount of wood, access to power, and whether the saw will be used regularly.
What Do Realistic Poulan Pro 42cc Purchase Totals Look Like?
Consider a private-sale 18-inch saw priced at $110. If it starts, cuts, and passes a safety check but needs sharpening, a $15 shop service brings the immediate total to about $125. This is a sensible budget only if the bar and chain are compatible and no repair is due.
Accessories and repairs can change the effective price more than a seller’s discount. A second example is a $150 saw with a worn chain and a cracked bar. A $25 chain and $40 bar raise the pre-tax total to $215, before any labor or shipping. At that point, a tested unit listed near $180 may be the better buy.
A third example is a $70 nonrunning saw that needs an estimated $90 carburetor service and $25 in replacement parts. The expected total reaches $185, excluding diagnostic fees and the risk of additional engine damage. Unless the model is confirmed to have a straightforward repair and the buyer can do the work, that is a high-risk purchase.
| Example | Saw price | Added expense | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running saw, sharpen chain | $110 | $15 | $125 |
| Worn bar and chain | $150 | $65 | $215 |
| Nonrunning, estimated repair | $70 | $115 | $185 |
These examples exclude sales tax and assume parts are available; actual repair quotes depend on inspection and local labor rates.
How Much Does a Shop Charge to Diagnose or Repair One?
Small-engine shops commonly charge $25-$60 to inspect a chainsaw, while a complete tune-up often falls around $65-$140. A simple chain sharpening or adjustment is usually much less, but a clogged carburetor, fuel-line replacement, or ignition issue can move the bill toward $100-$180. Request an estimate before the shop proceeds beyond diagnosis.
Major engine repairs can exceed the value of an average used 42cc saw. Cylinder, piston, clutch, or crankcase work may reach $200-$400 or more when parts and labor are combined. The exact amount depends on diagnosis and parts supply. For a unit valued at roughly $100-$180 in running condition, replacement may be more economical than a major rebuild.
Before dropping off the saw, describe the symptoms: cold-start difficulty, stalling after warm-up, loss of power, chain movement at idle, or failure to oil. Bring the bar and chain if they are part of the problem. A precise symptom report may reduce diagnostic time, but it does not replace a mechanical inspection.
Do not estimate repair labor solely from the price of a replacement part. Shop minimums, setup time, testing, and disposal of old fuel can apply. For work beyond a basic tune-up, compare the written repair estimate with the price of a verified running replacement and ask whether the shop guarantees its repair.
Is a $100 Used Poulan Pro 42cc Saw a Good Buy?
A $100 asking price can be fair for a clean, running saw with a serviceable bar and chain, but it is not automatically a bargain. The most useful test is whether the seller can show it starting cold, idling without the chain moving, accelerating smoothly, and stopping the chain brake. Also inspect the chain catcher, throttle lockout, and visible fuel or oil leaks.
Budget for at least $25-$60 in immediate upkeep if maintenance history is unknown. That allowance may cover sharpening, a spark plug, air-filter cleaning or replacement, and basic consumables, but it will not cover a major engine fault. A saw that needs only a chain can still be economical; one with weak compression and unavailable parts may not be.
Check the exact model number and bar markings before buying replacement parts. Listings may omit the model or describe the bar length incorrectly, and incompatible chains can create wasted expense or unsafe operation. Verify that the chain brake and other safety features work; do not buy a saw with missing or defeated safety equipment for regular use.
For a nonrunning listing, value it as a repair project or parts source, not as a ready-to-use chainsaw. A low price makes sense only when the cause of failure is understood and the buyer accepts the possibility of additional costs. If the total after parts, labor, and transport is close to $180-$220, compare it with other running used saws or current alternatives.