Can I get some thoughts and opinions regarding Echo chainsaw?

[TCowner]

Had to buy a new echo this past weekend. Another cs400. My wife's old cs400 bar oil pump went out. For $320 and all we have had to do to it lately, cheaper to buy new and I got a parts saw.

10 years with the old one and she used it all the time, about 3-4 times a week. I feel I got my monies worth out of it.

 

[TCowner]

I've had a CS400 for nearly ten years now. It's been trouble free, starts easy and has plenty of power for a 40cc chainsaw. My nest saw is going to be either the Echo CS-590 Timberwolf or the or the CS-620. As I man in my later 60s the CS-800P is getting too big and heavy.

 

[tradosaurus]

I won't be felling any trees more than 8 inches or so in diameter; I will mostly be de-limbing, and cutting up brush.

Anything larger I'll bring in someone with more knowledge.

I have two Echo CS-490. I use the can fuel since I don't utilize the saws that much and the fuel seems to keep well.

I did buy an electric saw that I used for de-limbing and 4" or smaller trees. If I was using it a lot I would have a spare battery.

The gas saws are good when cutting larger trees or cutting quite a few trees at a time.

 

[tradosaurus]

Prefer Stihl but have no quarrel with Echo. Definitely NO ETHANOL.

I do have two Echo's but if I did all over again I would have bought the Stihl.
I had a guy that cuts trees for a living and he likes the Stihl and the price doesn't seem to be that much more.
If I was using my chainsaw weekly I would use non-ethanol gas but since I use my so infrequently I utilize the can gas.

 

[kenmbz]

I do have two Echo's but if I did all over again I would have bought the Stihl.
I had a guy that cuts trees for a living and he likes the Stihl and the price doesn't seem to be that much more.
If I was using my chainsaw weekly I would use non-ethanol gas but since I use my so infrequently I utilize the can gas.

When shopping for my 620p the Husky was about 50% more and the Stihl was about double for the same class. So the Echo was a no brainer and it has run great can done a lot of work for me and it well balanced in the cut. A bit heavy to do walk about so I usually cart or tractor it to where I need it.

 

[2manyrocks]

I am amazed that Echo still makes their equipment in Japan. I'm still evaluating the difference between my Husqvarna and my Echo chainsaws. They feel a bit different from each other, but that's about all I would say at the moment.

When it comes to pole saws, however, there's a radical difference in quality and performance between the Echo PPF-225 gas pole saw and the inexpensive gas pole saw attachments I have been using.

 

[jjeff]

I'm an echo fan my dad still has the old echo saw I learned on, its heavy and has a 16" bar null of most modern safety features but it's 40 yrs old and still has ok compression. If I get around to it I'll rebuild the carb and use it again. I own a cs 400 18" bar has ok power to weight ratio always starts, however if you wear gloves when cutting you will probably unintentionally engage the chain brake (or I have a few times). Imo echo is a great brand at a fair price for decent quality for the overly motivated diy homeowner/ hobby "farmer".

 

[Joel/ak]

I've had a CS400 for nearly ten years now. It's been trouble free, starts easy and has plenty of power for a 40cc chainsaw. My nest saw is going to be either the Echo CS-590 Timberwolf or the or the CS-620. As I man in my later 60s the CS-800P is getting too big and heavy.

That 800 will beat you up. I don't use our 36" 800 too often but when I need too it's good to have. I feel it the next day though and I'm only 50

 

[ning]

I've had a CS400 for nearly ten years now. It's been trouble free, starts easy and has plenty of power for a 40cc chainsaw. My nest saw is going to be either the Echo CS-590 Timberwolf or the or the CS-620. As I man in my later 60s the CS-800P is getting too big and heavy.

I'm impressed with how the 590 pulls (though to be honest I've never used another big/bigger saw) but I will say, that thing is heavy enough, I definitely just pull it out for the bigger trees on my land.

 

[tradosaurus]

When shopping for my 620p the Husky was about 50% more and the Stihl was about double for the same class. So the Echo was a no brainer and it has run great can done a lot of work for me and it well balanced in the cut. A bit heavy to do walk about so I usually cart or tractor it to where I need it.

I know an engineer that worked for Husqvarna and he said he would only buy the products actually made in Sweden.

 

[jjeff]

For any echo non believers out there, Here's my dad's 40 yr old echo survived my wannabe timber butcher learning curve still has ok compression needs a carb rebuild though. Definitely feels like a 40 yr old saw and not safe for the ignorantly overconfident or inexperienced lol.

 

[Beaverplt]

You can't go wrong with an Echo or a Stihl. I am a small engine tech and have worked on most brands. The only issue I have with Echo saws were the cheap fuel lines they used. I often would just immediately replace them. Carburetors on small two cycle engines are also notoriously hard to clean. With that in mind, it's worth it to buy the Trufuel mixed fuel instead of mixing your own. It obviously costs a lot more, but you are not likely to have fuel related problems.
Battery operated saws have come a long way since their introduction. If you are an infrequent user (once or twice a year) that would be my choice. I'm actually considering one to supplement my Stihl.

 

[jjeff]

I've replaced so many older two stroke cheap fuel lines with tygon. (Polyurethane I believe) that stuff works great, seems to last forever, and stays somewhat flexible in bitter cold.

 

[5030]

Not an issue with syn fuel (fuel lines). I will say that the Echo's are about 1/2 the cost of a Stihl today.

Wife wants an electric chainsaw and I'm discouraging it.

She can use my CS top handle instead. Even a mouse can start it with the I30 low effort starter.

 

[5030]

With that in mind, it's worth it to buy the Trufuel mixed fuel instead of mixing your own

If you buy it by the case (like I do), it's really not that much more. The Echo Red Armor 50-1 and the Tru-Fuel look and smell the same and in case quantity cost about the same (20 bucks a gallon give or take). Nice thing about syn fuel is the almost unlimited shelf life if unopened.

 

[5030]

The one saw I'll never part with is my 45 year old Stihl 028 AV. Bought it new, way back when (has the heated hand grip as well) and pulls a 20" bar with 325 chisel no issue and runs like a top, even today.