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