Echo Chainsaw?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

deeter16317

Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Messages
1,339
Location
SE, PA
Got a question...how are the new Echo chainsaws? I'm looking for one to cut around six to eight cords of firewood a year, looking at probably a 16" or 18" bar. Looking at their 400 or 400C.

My dad's always been a Stihl guy, but he also cuts a lot more wood than I intend to, and he's also not impressed with his newest Stihl he bought last year. I had experience with a FarmBoss, it wasn't a bad saw.

Thoughts on the Echo?
 
We have one that is 25 years old and runs like a champ. Not that kind of use though...
 
For your purposes, it would be more than sufficient.

There will be fan-boys out there who will tell you to buy Stihl or Husqvarna in preference to Echo for whatever reasons. However, I have had extensive exposure to Stihl, Husky, Jonsereds, Echo and a few of the lesser brands. My most recent chainsaw acquisition is an Echo CS346 which I needed for light cutting jobs, clearing brush and limbing. I am thoroughly impressed with that saw. I'm not saying it's better than the other leading brands however, it's certainly not inferior to them either. Echo saws are right up there with the best of them.

If I were you, I'd probably go with something a bit larger for bucking big wood. Especially large diameter hard woods like 14 or more inches across. Probably in the 50cc range. Another tip... a smaller saw with a sharp chain will cut wood faster than a bigger saw with a dull chain. Happiness is a properly sharpened chain.
 
Go to arboristsite.com and do a little surfing. They'll probably tell you to get a bigger saw, something in the 45-50cc range. I've got a pair of Solo chainsaws (645 and 650) I got cheap and they run like champs.
 
I think your saw choice is pretty dependent on what size of wood you will get into. 8 cords of 20" hardwood isn't really going to be fun with a 40cc saw IMHO. Its dreamy though with my 372. But 8 cords of 8" logs isn't going to be fun with a big saw though either...
I'd get a 50cc saw as a minimum for average size firewood in that volume, and I think an echo would be fine. I get the impression even that their homeowner and mid range saw are atleast the equal of Stihl and Husky as well.
That said I don't know of anyone that has regretted getting more saw than they really need and I do know of a couple that wish they spent a little more on a saw, something like a 361 would be very very fun too. I don't normally need my 372, I only do about 3 cords a year but this year I have two 40"+ ash's to tackle so it will be earning its keep this winter.
 
The Echo 450 is the model I prefer.Bolt on a 16 inch bar to increase cutting speed and it becomes a fast cutting saw
 
Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
The Echo 450 is the model I prefer.Bolt on a 16 inch bar to increase cutting speed and it becomes a fast cutting saw


Just curious. How does bar length increase saw speed?

Unless you mean the shorter bar will utilize the engine power more effectively.
 
I can recall an example of this.....husqvarna 346xp is a very high reving saw designed to run a 16in bar/chain, put a 13in onit and 9/10 times it would throw the chain off, i doubt an echo is capable of that speed tho
 
Not sure if the CS400 has a catalyst, but it probably does, and if the OP want's to increase saw speed, he can do what I did.

Drill out the catalyst to free up the exhaust. Then remove the carb adjustment caps and adjust to match the new air flow. It was a bit of work but the results were obvious.

There is an noticeable difference in saw rpms and cutting speed. The nice thing with the CS346 is that it has an automatic spark advance system that adjusts the advance to saw speed and load which is much better than static advance setting.

Due to the addition performance of the saw, I run it with a richer mix of oil rather than the recommended 50:1. I use around 32:1, which I also run in my other saws.
 
If they are as nice as the Echo leaf blower I've got, I'd be thrilled with one. I see some new 400 series on eBay for ~$245 shipped to the door. FWIW, I've got a little Tanaka chainsaw. Love it, but it's just a little guy I use for trimming and clean-up.

Joel
 
My 1st choice in chainsaws would be Stihl, 2nd would be Echo, 3rd would be Husky.
I have a Stihl MS290 "Farm Boss" now and love it, I have an 18" bar, It would be perfect for the amount of wood you are talking about. If you prefer the Echo, just get one about 50cc capable of an 18" bar.
My uncle used to own a tree care service in Florida, he had 2 smaller Echo saws they used in the bucket truck for trimming palm trees. They ran practically all day, just stopping to move from tree to tree. They held up well and gave him very little trouble.
 
Originally Posted By: JTK
If they are as nice as the Echo leaf blower I've got, I'd be thrilled with one. I see some new 400 series on eBay for ~$245 shipped to the door. FWIW, I've got a little Tanaka chainsaw. Love it, but it's just a little guy I use for trimming and clean-up.

Joel


The saws are actually built stronger than the trimmers and blowers. They pretty much have to be considering the environment they'll be working in.

I've got one of each, all Echos and everything is top notch. The Shred N' Vac blower sees more use than the other two pieces because it gets used year round. I really like it for blowing light snow off of the steps and deck.

I own just about every premium brand of equipment. Stih, Husky, Jonsereds, Shindaiwa, etc. All good equipment but I'll tell you this, for the money, it's tough to beat Echo products. That's why my three latest OPE purchases of new OPE were Echo!

I've never owned any Tanaka products but I know their power ice augers are excellent. I've had the chance to use one and it's a much more pleasant machine to use than my 3.5 h.p. Tecumseh two stroke powered auger.
 
Never owned their saw, but I have had an Echo weed wacker for 10 years and it is very good. The only repairs has been the fuel line replaced.
 
Thanks for the replies...I'm not ruling out Stihl or Huskavarna, just exploring my options. I noticed that Stihl has multiple "grades" now, and the MS290 "Farm Boss" would probably fit the bill as well. I'm not cutting anything really big...probably nothing over 12 inches since that's more valuable as timber than firewood.

The two big things my father doesn't like about his new Stihl is the tool-less chain tensioner and the carbon-fowled muffler. His issues are what also sort of turned me off from Stihl. His 028 was bought new in 1985, and has never failed to start. It has cut between eight and twelve cords of firewood every year since then.

I can get an Echo or Huskavarna from Lowes/HomeDepot, but I'm not convinced they are the same grade as that you would find at a dealer?
 
Go to the Echo web site and check out the ratings for the models. Some show for homeowner use others for commercial. The CS346 I bought is a commercial grade saw and I got it at Home Depot.
 
On husqvarna saws, stay away from saws with a model # that starts out 1, for example 136, theyre orange poulans
 
Well, another twist...came across an older Stihl 021 (or 024?) that needs rebuilt. The price is right...free. So I may rebuild it (about $50 from what I can tell) and buy a slightly bigger (new) saw than I initially anticipated.

One way or the other, I'll be buying a new saw!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
Chainsaw Purchase
2 3 4
Replies
73
Views
3K
D1dad
N
Will this piston still work ? ( husqvarna 445 x-torq chainsaw )
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Zaedock
Ausfahrt
Has anyone added aftermarket exhaust to a chainsaw?
2
Replies
33
Views
8K
burbguy82
T
Chainsaws Echo vs. Husqvarna
2 3
Replies
42
Views
30K
jeepman3071
E
Got thinking about chainsaws and?
Replies
16
Views
990
BrianF
Back
Top Bottom