I'm looking for a limber, 14-16" bar light saw

[MossflowerWoods]

... But if I know ahead of time I have to do a lot of limbing -- say storm cleanup -- I grab my smaller saw. There's nothing like a free revving smaller saw for quick limbing, especially if you're "wading" into the downed tree to thin it out for cleanup and making lots of left/right cut where the saw is constantly getting flipped and moved to different angles. I can make multiple cuts with the small saw in the time it would take to do one with the bigger 261.

I am mostly a Stihl man, but I think Echo makes a better saw when going 45cc and smaller. All of the Stihls in that size range are homeowner saws (I am not counting top handle pro saws here, of course) and just aren't made as well as the mid-grade and pro-grade Stihls or the Echos. I got an Echo CS-400, and it's been great for limbing. The saw is usually sold with an 18" bar, which would be fine to extend your reach for limbing, but I would not cut 18" logs with it like I would with the 261. I put a 16" bar on my CS-400, and it's a great size all around.

Excellent post! You summarize exactly what I am asking for very well.

So... Where did you get your Echo?

Thanks,
David

 

[stihlman]

If you want a light Stihl take a look at the MS211. I really like mine, especially after I opened the muffler up. They have the new designed stratified engine similar to the 441. I think they make a really good lightweight limbing saw

Steve

 

[xyz123]

Here is a test of small saws with 16" 3/8 7T and some with 325 7T and one with 8T for comparison in 12" hardwood 1 cut times. Wish I had a MS261 for the test but one wasnt available.

What I knew was fact was how the 3/8 is a quicker cut then 325 with new chains. As long as the saw has the guts to pull 3/8 good. If it dont run 325 JMO.

stock husky NE 346xp 50cc, 325 7T 10.0 10.4, 3/8 7T 5.63 5.62

stock dolmar 5105 with 5100 muffler, 3/8 7T 5.59 5.50

stock partner 5000 , 3/8 7T 5.47 5.84

ported 026 with stock 026 carb with H L, 325 7T 6.97 (7.94 hit knot), 325 8T 8.65 8.61, 3/8 7T 7.63 7.69

ported redmax 5000, 3/8 7T 3.68 3.97

ported 346 OE 45cc #1 357 carb, 3/8 7T 3.66 3.78

ported OE 346 45cc #2 346 carb, 3/8 7T 4.75 5.22

stock 357xp, 3/8 7T 4.29 4.34

 

[Freakingstang]

I guess its all perspective... I have about 15 saws..

My go to combo is a 7900 with a 24" bar for most general work and my 5100 with a 13" bar for limbing. both have mild port cleanup and both muffler modded. I don't like to screw around. lol

 

[s219]

Excellent post! You summarize exactly what I am asking for very well.

So... Where did you get your Echo?

Thanks,
David

I got mine at a local Echo dealer in Toano, but some Echos are also sold at Home Depot. Generally, TSC, Lowes, and HD are not selling great saws (for instance, many of the Huskys at Lowes and TSC are el-cheapo models even though that's a good brand), so you have to be careful shopping there. But HD does carry the Echo CS-400 for $300 with the 18" bar/chain. You can order a 16" bar/chain online for $25-30 if desired. Bailey's (Husqvarna Chainsaws, Outdoor Power Equipment and Tree Care Supplies from Bailey's) sells ArborMax bars/chains for the CS-400 that are a good value for the money, and you can get a chain without safety rakers if desired.

There are a couple smaller Echo models, but I think the CS-400 is a good size/weight for the money, and would complement your 290 quite well. It's definitely a good pair-up with my 261.

I will say this -- even though I love my Stihl, the Echo is consistently easier starting and better behaved. That has always impressed me. It's very user friendly.

 

[RobertN]

I am a big fan of the 024/026/260 series Stihl. I have tried others, but I just really like the balance and feel of that Stihl series.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have a MS250 that I use as my limbing saw. 16" bar for me. I love this little saw and I think it has a great power to weight ratio.

I also have a MS250 w/16" bar for my limb/trim saw and haven't had any issues with it.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Have an Echo CS360T top handle saw for small limbing work, and it is very responsive and cuts well for what it is. For the bigger stuff, out comes the Stihl 391 or the old Echo CS-510EVL.

 

[dex3361]

Have an Echo CS360T top handle saw for small limbing work, and it is very responsive and cuts well for what it is. For the bigger stuff, out comes the Stihl 391 or the old Echo CS-510EVL.

Thats the saw that I just bought a few weeks ago and I am working breaking it in. It seems like its going to be a good addition to my other saws. I got the Echo CS360T for limbing of firewood trees and pruning of apple trees. I have a Shindawa 488 as my larger saw and a small Stihl 009 as a back up. I look to get a Dolmar saw as my large saw sometime in the future or maybe a large CC Echo.

 

[LD1]

Did MossFlowerWoods (David) ever get a saw yet??? Or test out any of the models mentioned to give some feedback?