Introduced in 1979 as part of Poulan’s new CounterVibe lineup, the Poulan 3400 was a robust mid-weight chainsaw aimed at serious homeowners and semi-pros.
It packed a 3.4 cu in (56 cc) two-stroke engine into a die-cast magnesium body, complete with vibration-damping mounts (“CounterVibe” handlebars) to reduce fatigue. Finished in Poulan’s signature lime-green color, the 3400 looked and felt like a professional tool.
As one owner put it, the 3400 “is not a cheap $100 saw – it’s a 56 cc [saw] with plenty of guts.” With features like an automatic chain oiler and centrifugal clutch built in from the factory, the 3400 offered real power at a mid-range price.
The saw pictured here was listed on eBay in June 2025 by seller ‘stihlsawing’ and sold for US $150.
Poulan 3400
The listing description on this saw:
Poulan 3400 Vintage Chainsaw Runs!! (Video) For Parts or Repair
Saw is listed as parts or not working. Runs just fine, but is an older saw, and has been sitting, therefor selling as parts or repair.
One of the bar studs looks like its rounded over, might be fine but figured I would take a picture of it. Someone put a bolt for the choke lever, not sure why, but it functions as it should. Gives the saw character!! I might have a used one laying about I can throw in if necessary.
Powerhead only. Observe all pictures. More pictures upon request. Absolutely no returns.
Poulan 3400 history
Poulan (Beaird-Poulan) built the 3400 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
By the late 1970s, Poulan was expanding beyond basic homeowner saws into higher-end models. The 3400 joined its bigger siblings (models 3700, 3800, 4000) that shared a common crankcase and professional-grade design.
Marketing material from the era proudly touted the 3400 as bringing “many of the features of a professional saw at a greatly reduced cost.” In practice, that meant heavy-duty construction and options (for example, optional long bars up to 30″) but without the pro-level dealer support or price tag.
WHY MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL BE MOVING UP TO A NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT THEY CAN’T EVEN PRONOUNCE.
Lots of guys are ready for a bigger saw. And the new Poulan 3400 CounterVibe is the one they’ll be moving up to. How come? Because, feature for feature, dollar for dollar, there’s never been a chain saw like it. With solid state ignition, all‑position carburetor, 100% needle bearing construction, a powerful 56CC engine, an extra‑quiet, spark‑arresting muffler, a kickback‑reducing sprocket nose bar—
And while it’s got everything it takes to make cutting easier, it’s also large diameter, padded grab bar. A five‑point fail‑safe CounterVibe anti‑vibration system that reduces cutting vibration by up to 78%. And a precision balanced crankshaft. So there’s less noise, less vibration, less cutting fatigue and more comfort.
Of course, with the Poulan 3400 CounterVibe, you may have a harder time saying the name. But you’ve never had an easier time cutting.
The New Poulan 3400 CounterVibe.
(At bottom in small type):
Beaird‑Poulan Division, Emerson Electric Co., Shreveport, Louisiana. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Saws” for your nearest Poulan Dealer.
After Poulan was sold to Electrolux (Elu) in the early 1980s, a later “3400 XP” version appeared (built in Nashville, Arkansas) with a slightly larger 61 cc engine (introduced in 1986). Regardless, the original 3400’s heyday was the 1980–mid-80s period, when it helped Poulan bridge consumer and pro markets.
Specs and features
The Poulan 3400’s main specs read like a throwback to the era of metal-bodied saws.
Highlights include:
Engine: 56 cc (3.4 cu in) two-stroke single-cylinder. The cylinder is aluminum with a chrome-plated bore, piston-ported intake, and a fixed ignition timing.
Weight: 13 lb 8 oz (powerhead only). Fully loaded with a 20″ bar, fuel and oil, one user measured about 17.5 lb on the scales – quite heavy for its class. Modern comparisons: a 48.7 cc Stihl 026 (similar era) weighed only ~10.4 lb (without bar/chain).
Construction: Die-cast magnesium body and clutch cover (light and rigid) with a one-man (top-handle) configuration. A five-point anti-vibration handle system (CounterVibe) isolated the bars from the engine.
Bar & Chain: 3/8″ pitch Oregon chain. Stock bars ranged from 16″ up to 30″ long, so the saw could take on big logs if geared up.
Clutch/Drive: Centrifugal clutch (3 shoes) driving the bar directly. Chain brake is a manual mechanical type.
Oiler & Fuel: Automatic oil pump (to lubricate the chain). Fuel tank ~19 oz (562 ml) with a 40:1 gas/oil mix ratio (Poulan specified lean 40:1 mix).
Ignition/Starter: Phelon electronic ignition (no points) and an automatic rewind starter – nice for the era. Air is cleaned by a simple flocked wire screen filter.
Carburetor: Walbro carburetor (common OEM choice).
Miscellaneous: Spark plug was Champion CJ8Y, with heavy-duty needle-roller crankshaft bearings. The bright Poulan lime-green finish and the distinctive “3400 CounterVibe” decals helped it stand out.
Many of these specs underscore why the 3400 was called a “pro” saw. Die-cast magnesium bodies and automatic oilers were usually found on higher-end models, not entry-level saws. Poulan’s build quality was solid, even if ergonomics lagged behind later designs.
How it compares today
By modern standards, the Poulan 3400 is big and heavy. Its rugged build and simple carburetor make it robust, but also chunky.
A contemporary STIHL or Husqvarna of similar power would be much lighter, easier to handle, and more refined. For example, the 48.7 cc STIHL 026 has a powerhead weight of just 10.4 lb, whereas the 3400 is about 3 lb heavier for roughly the same displacement.
Modern saws also offer features the old Poulan lacked: fuel injection or fuel pumps on some high-end models, advanced anti-kickback chain designs, ergonomic grips, and high-performance mufflers. Dealer service networks and parts availability (especially after Poulan’s factory closed) also favor newer brands.
In short, for daily professional use, a modern STIHL or Husqvarna would outclass the 3400 in convenience and reliability. As one user bluntly put it, “Stihl spanks Poulan. Old or new” – reflecting the pro-market bias towards the German/Swedish brands.
That said, the Poulan 3400 still delivers when you lean on it. It was tuned for torque and heavy cutting. Many owners note that while a STIHL might feel quicker in light cutting, the 3400 will outwork it on tough jobs. One enthusiast quipped that if you “bury the 20-inch bar, the Poulan easily leaves [the Stihl] in the chips.”
In practical terms, the 3400 could keep chopping big logs consistently once it was warmed up. So, although it lacks modern refinements (and it will kick back firmly if you’re not careful with chain management), its performance per se is still respectable for a 56 cc saw – especially if you aren’t milking every last RPM.
Poulan 3400 collectability
Today the Poulan 3400 enjoys a cult following among vintage chainsaw aficionados. Its bold lime-green look and solid steel frame give it an undeniable retro appeal. Collectors and hobbyists appreciate it as a symbol of late-70s saw technology – before plastics took over.
Thankfully, keeping one running isn’t too difficult: parts (gaskets, rings, filters, etc.) are available through aftermarket kits, and many common components (spark plug, clutch, chain) are generic. Even specialized tune-up kits are sold for the Poulan Pro series (3400/3700/3800), which speaks to ongoing demand in the DIY market.
A well-maintained 3400 is often used for vintage saw shows or just backyard nostalgia. Prices for a working 3400 are modest (forum chatter suggests intact saws might be valued around $30–$50), but it’s not the price that attracts owners so much as the character.
There’s satisfaction in firing up an old two-stroke marvel and hearing its distinctive bark. As one owner mused, after rebuilding the carb and replacing rings, the saw “runs great” despite its age. For collectors, it represents a milestone in Poulan’s history (the CounterVibe era) and stands out among other 1970s saws.
While its value as a work tool has been eclipsed by modern engines, as a piece of chainsaw heritage the Poulan 3400 remains beloved: an honest, all-mechanical machine that still cuts wood for fun and reminds us of a time when chainsaws were built like tanks and painted bright green.
Check out these other saws that have been listed by by seller ‘stihlsawing’:
