Homeowner chainsaw rec.

[4570Man]

If you put the factory recommended chain on the 50 cc it would narrow the difference. Is there a substantial difference? Yes. But the difference between the speed of a 50 and a 70cc class saw on a little 18 log is not a factor of 2 or 3 all else being equal. It just is not.

If course it would, but then it’s not interchangeable sharpening equipment. I’ve never tried but the bars and chains are probably interchangeable. It definitely is a factor. 6” is closer to where I’d consider it doesn’t make a difference.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 50cc Stihl and a 55 CC Echo, both from 1990 and 1998. Both run pretty good but they weren't fast enough because of their .325 chains. I can remember taking almost a tank of gas going through a 36" oak with either of these saws. It was painful.

I just bought a 60 CC Echo higher end saw with 3/8" chain last year. The Echo will chew threw a 18" log approx. in 20 seconds where the other ones will take a minute plus for the same cut. It may not sound like much time and it may not be, but it is 45 seconds less wrestling with a pokey saw. It just makes life a lot easier.

I wonder how many people who swear by Stihl have actually run anything else? Especially an Echo? I've never run a Dolmer, but I do have both Stihl and Echo chainsaws. Echo is better for less money. There isn't anything wrong with Stihl, but it's just not as easy to start as an Echo. And for less money for the same HP, why would anybody buy Stihl over Echo unless it's just emotions?

Recommend what you have, but be honest. Have you owner other brands? It's like the tractor debate of which is best. Whatever somebody bought is the best one, even though they have never owned another brand.

 

[4570Man]

I wonder how many people who swear by Stihl have actually run anything else? Especially an Echo? I've never run a Dolmer, but I do have both Stihl and Echo chainsaws. Echo is better for less money. There isn't anything wrong with Stihl, but it's just not as easy to start as an Echo. And for less money for the same HP, why would anybody buy Stihl over Echo unless it's just emotions?

Recommend what you have, but be honest. Have you owner other brands? It's like the tractor debate of which is best. Whatever somebody bought is the best one, even though they have never owned another brand.

Very few. If they have it likely wasn’t a fair comparison. Otherwise they’d realise that they likely paid more for less. Stihl looses the power-weight-price ratio nearly every time.

 

[Creamer]

I have a 50cc Stihl and a 55 CC Echo, both from 1990 and 1998. Both run pretty good but they weren't fast enough because of their .325 chains. I can remember taking almost a tank of gas going through a 36" oak with either of these saws. It was painful.

I just bought a 60 CC Echo higher end saw with 3/8" chain last year. The Echo will chew threw a 18" log approx. in 20 seconds where the other ones will take a minute plus for the same cut. It may not sound like much time and it may not be, but it is 45 seconds less wrestling with a pokey saw. It just makes life a lot easier.

Not sure what Stihl you have but my 029 would go through almost any 18" log in 20 seconds. It also produces chips and not sawdust. I have done it in hard elm, oak, cherry and ash. Just went through a 26" cherry today (had to cut it from both sides) and it was done in under a minute.

 

[goeduck]

I wonder how many people who swear by Stihl have actually run anything else? Especially an Echo? I've never run a Dolmer, but I do have both Stihl and Echo chainsaws. Echo is better for less money. There isn't anything wrong with Stihl, but it's just not as easy to start as an Echo. And for less money for the same HP, why would anybody buy Stihl over Echo unless it's just emotions?

Recommend what you have, but be honest. Have you owner other brands? It's like the tractor debate of which is best. Whatever somebody bought is the best one, even though they have never owned another brand.

I have run the other brands (except Makita/ Dolmar) but prefer Stihl and I have never badmouthed the other brands. There are lots of good brands out there, lots of choices. In my opinion there is little difference between the big brands in quality and capability. And if there is in a particular brand/class, the next model out by that brand often leapfrogs the completion. Kind of like tractors as you mention, lots of good brands out there and they leapfrog each other in features and capabilities. No sense getting into the brand debate. As far as cost goes, having all those Stihl dealers to compete on service is a good thing and that network is worth something to me. Within 10 miles I have 4 Stihl dealers. 0 Dolmar. 2 Echo (both Home Depot, no service). 1 Husky*.

* Husky dealer locator does not list HD as a dealer.

 

[4570Man]

Pointing out the fact that Stihl nearly always cost more to buy a equal power and weight saw isn’t exactly bad mouthing them. And people ( not accusing you) can’t blindly praise a product without offering proof or getting some negative feedback. Before we go down the road of quality how many people have worn out a $500 plus saw that was actually worn out and not a product of misuse.

 

[Deere Dude]

Duplicate

 

[Deere Dude]

I wonder how many people who swear by Stihl have actually run anything else? Especially an Echo? I've never run a Dolmer, but I do have both Stihl and Echo chainsaws. Echo is better for less money. There isn't anything wrong with Stihl, but it's just not as easy to start as an Echo. And for less money for the same HP, why would anybody buy Stihl over Echo unless it's just emotions?

Recommend what you have, but be honest. Have you owner other brands? It's like the tractor debate of which is best. Whatever somebody bought is the best one, even though they have never owned another brand.

I own an older 55 EV JD branded Echo from 1988 or so but crushed it with a tree so I got a new 50cc Stihl 026 in 1998 about. The 026 is a nicer saw but smaller. I eventually put new parts on my Echo/Deere so I would trade off running both of them, whenever the spirit moved me. I still like both, but always felt they were too slow cutting. When I got the 026 I just chopped down 3 trees and were across the driveway so I had to just go and buy one quickly and that was the one the dealer recommended. I should have went up to a 55cc or a 60cc but it was to late after I started cutting. Even new it cuts good but in the bigger stuff I wasn't happy with it. Maybe I am too impatient.

Then last year a guy had a 30"+ oak cut down and I could have it. I could have cut it up with my existing saws but I skipped a vacation to get a bigger saw. I wanted a Stihl 362 but was $700? In our little town we have a good Stihl dealership and a fair Echo dealership. Even though I am good friends with the Stihl dealer I had to go with the Echo for what I thought was price point, durability, looks, feel, internet and forum recommendations, 5 year warranty etc. After getting it I do not regret it as it starts and cuts like a dream and doesn't take much fuel.

But a close friend bought a new 40cc Echo and he hates it, so go figure. I think it is running to lean and they put limiters on them to make them tamper proof. If you take the limiters off that voids the 5 year warranty. If you let it run lean and score a piston, that also voids the warranty. I told him I would look at it for him but he is apprehensive about that and he doesn't know what to do with it. He took it back to the dealer and he said it is within specifications and charged him $25 for the look. But from dealing with this dealer, he is something to be desired.

 

[goeduck]

But a close friend bought a new 40cc Echo and he hates it, so go figure. I think it is running to lean and they put limiters on them to make them tamper proof. If you take the limiters off that voids the 5 year warranty. If you let it run lean and score a piston, that also voids the warranty. I told him I would look at it for him but he is apprehensive about that and he doesn't know what to do with it. He took it back to the dealer and he said it is within specifications and charged him $25 for the look. But from dealing with this dealer, he is something to be desired.

I have a hard time thinking Echo would have a bad saw out in the 40 cc class. Too good of a brand for that to be the case. Are there other Echo dealers close enough that he could take it to? Sounds like a warranty call, I do not think he should have been charged.

 

[coobie]

The beach does nothing for you? Man, you don't know what you're missing....

View attachment 537583

Me to.UP of Michigan say Yah to Da UP

 

[Turbys_1700]

Back in the day my dad sold Homelites. The XL 12 was touted as a 12# saw which when it came out in the 60's was quite a feat, When the little EZ was introduced it was lighter and had a lot of power for it's size. Pop told me that as he got older that little EZ was easier to handle than the heavier XL. That was good advice.

If money is no object get the highest HP to weight saw on the market with the best support. If money is an object get a refurbished Poulan with the best HP to weight ratio. A sharp full chisel chain and a light weight saw will cut a lot of wood even if it is a small saw. The saw will wear me out before I wear out the saw.

 

[Creamer]

Back in the day my dad sold Homelites. The XL 12 was touted as a 12# saw which when it came out in the 60's was quite a feat, When the little EZ was introduced it was lighter and had a lot of power for it's size. Pop told me that as he got older that little EZ was easier to handle than the heavier XL. That was good advice.

If money is no object get the highest HP to weight saw on the market with the best support. If money is an object get a refurbished Poulan with the best HP to weight ratio. A sharp full chisel chain and a light weight saw will cut a lot of wood even if it is a small saw. The saw will wear me out before I wear out the saw.

That is a valid point. I was borrowing a saw from a friend before I bought my Stihl. He didn't take very good care of his saw and so i wa always repairing it before I could use so I finally bought my own. I could not believe the difference in fatigue - I could cut a lot more wood and a lot longer with the Stihl due to the lack of vibration and the balance of the saw. i was just amazed at the difference. that was 25 years ago though and I am sure the others have improved but vibration is as big a factor as cutting power when you are talking about how much wood you can cut in a day.

 

[RandyT]

But a close friend bought a new 40cc Echo and he hates it, so go figure. I think it is running to lean and they put limiters on them to make them tamper proof. If you take the limiters off that voids the 5 year warranty. If you let it run lean and score a piston, that also voids the warranty. I told him I would look at it for him but he is apprehensive about that and he doesn't know what to do with it. He took it back to the dealer and he said it is within specifications and charged him $25 for the look. But from dealing with this dealer, he is something to be desired.

If my choices were between voiding the warranty by removing the limiter caps, or voiding the warranty because of scored cylinder, the limiter caps would be gone. I am actually surprised it has limiter caps, most of the newer stuff requires a special dealer only adjustment tool. And if you look into that 5 year warranty I think you will find it is kind of prorated, certain things are only covered for certain years, with the last year being the ignition module, or parts only if I remember correctly. I could be wrong so don't believe me but check for yourself.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have a hard time thinking Echo would have a bad saw out in the 40 cc class. Too good of a brand for that to be the case. Are there other Echo dealers close enough that he could take it to? Sounds like a warranty call, I do not think he should have been charged.

Totally agree. I don't think it is a bad saw but Echo sets them up lean, generally. Conversing with a big well respected Echo guy on another forum said that every time he comes across a new Echo he needs to redo the limiters caps and make them run a little richer in order to run well. But I didn't touch my new Echo and seems fine, so it is not across the board.

Just how the dealer thinks; I was shopping Echo saws and he had a 60 cc in the store room. I looked at it and eventually said I wanted a different model with more HP etc but cost $150+ more. He said they are the same engine so I should just get the cheap one. The cheaper one was advertise to pull a 18-20" bar. The more expensive one was advertised to pull a 20-24 or 25?" bar. I told him the motors can't be the same if there is that big of a difference.. CCs ,might be the same but construction, porting , exhaust etc has to be different. I couldn't win that argument with him.

Eventually I told him I wanted to order the bigger, more pro model. he said fine, he will order it. This was in April and I asked for a delivery date. He said February. That took me by surprise as I thought he was mixed up, so I asked for clarification. Then I asked how a saw takes so long to get. He said he usually orders all his stuff, garden tractors, mowers, saws, blowers etc once a year and that is December or January. Thanks but no thanks.

So I just got on line and ordered and got one in 2-3 days from half a country away and $150 cheaper. He could have ordered from the same place as I did, marked it up $50 and sold it to me and I wouldn't have known the difference, but I do now.

That is the dealership we have so I can see how he wouldn't adjust my friends saw. I was going to tell my friend I will take it off it hands for cheap because he was about ready to throw it away but I thought that would be mean.

 

[MossRoad]

Me to.UP of Michigan say Yah to Da UP

Been there many times, too! YAH!! :thumbsup:

Whitefish bay, the falls, the locks, pictured rocks, porcupine mountains, lake of the clouds, palms book... we did the lake michigan circle tour twice, once in each direction. Superior is COLD in August!! :laughing: