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Best top handle saw?

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Gavorosalini, Apr 16, 2020.

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  1. Gavorosalini

    Gavorosalini

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    Looking for a top handle saw for pruning and delimbing on the ground. I am not a climber. The idea of a7 lb chainsaw really intrigues me. Ive been looking at the Makita 18v 10" top handle and the stihl ms150tce. Anyone have and experience? Thank you.
     
    Gavorosalini, Apr 16, 2020
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  2. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    :popcorn:
     
    Sandhillbilly, Apr 17, 2020
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  3. buzz-saw

    buzz-saw

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    Just a thought but if not climbing then a top handle saw might not be your best choice , sure they are light and compact but are also a dangerous saw compared to a standard saw due to the handle location being right over the top of the saw.

    Not saying you can't handle one but just something to keep in mind. Also they are pricey compared to a standard saw.
    Not selling any brand but Stihl has the MS170 on sale now for I believe $159 , this is a great little saw for the money and works great for limbing.

    Just my .02 $
     
    buzz-saw, Apr 17, 2020
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  4. Fifelaker

    Fifelaker

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    I have had an Echo cs3400 for years and has been dead on reliabile.
     
    Fifelaker, Apr 17, 2020
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  5. JDU

    JDU

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    I have an Echo CS-271T. Very reliable, works well.
     
    JDU, Apr 17, 2020
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  6. Unclefish

    Unclefish

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    Man what I have been hearing about the Echo 2511T it would be very hard not to buy 1. Watch some of the YouTube videos.
    Probably be my next saw purchase.
     
    Unclefish, Apr 17, 2020
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  7. oldspark

    oldspark

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    That echo is a neat little saw to say the least. Thinking about one for my key chain. LOL
     
    oldspark, Apr 18, 2020
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  8. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    I have 3 echo top handles and all have been totally reliable. They can be nasty little chits though so be careful as you don't have much leverage using just 1 hand.
     
    Screwloose, Apr 18, 2020
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  9. 74buc

    74buc

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    I picked up a echo 271t 2 years ago and just love it. Wanted the 2511 but it was a bit pricey at the time. I believe I got for $270 on sale in April.
     
    74buc, Apr 19, 2020
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  10. Stoveaclaus

    Stoveaclaus

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    271t is a sweet running machine.
     
    Stoveaclaus, Apr 21, 2020
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  11. JRHAWK9

    JRHAWK9

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    JRHAWK9, Apr 21, 2020
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  12. Dakota Hoarder

    Dakota Hoarder

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    I really like my 271t thanks to J. Dirt
    Very handy around the house, or in a bucket. Is the best top handle I doubt it, but for the money it really does the job!
     
    Dakota Hoarder, Apr 21, 2020
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  13. J. Dirt

    J. Dirt

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    G
    Glad it’s serving you well! I’ve been happy with the top handles from echo. Had five at one point now down to 3 :picard:
     
    J. Dirt, Apr 22, 2020
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  14. J. Dirt

    J. Dirt

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    Late to the party I am!!
    The top handle saws like someone said above can be a bit more dangerous while ground cutting with the lack of the rear handle for extra stability. Also, you might find yourself starting to go into samurai mode swing it all over since they are so light and maneuverable. I can say guilty as charged myself. Or doing the real “ no no” of one handing and using the other hand to hold branches. We can see where that’s going.....:confused:

    Rant over......

    Now for the saws.... To me echo has it when it comes to price vs quality. The Stihls are nice, but the price seems high for what you get in any top handle under a 200t/201t. Those saws are top dogs in the top handle world, but probably overkill. As far as the echo goes it depends on what you are looking to get out of it. I’ve got an older 330t which has been great. 355t which is their biggest top handle and in the running with a 200t Stihl. Last but definitely not least I’ve got the elusive 2511t! Sweet little I mean little! Saw! F5C35885-B8F3-4AE5-80F0-805ACD131F0C.jpeg
    2511t 14” bar FB68718A-914B-4650-9E76-1D9FD77D8898.jpeg 355t 16” bar BFF2BBC6-0F55-4B65-966B-497C3883477F.jpeg
    left to right 330t 2511t 355t 911EA4ED-E6D2-407B-BE5C-D4FD38B6ADAE.jpeg

    I’ve also owned a 200t Stihl, Dolmar 3410t a second 2511t and also the 271t that Dakota Hoarder now has.
     

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    J. Dirt, Apr 22, 2020
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  15. J. Dirt

    J. Dirt

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    On the note of the Makita battery saw. We tried these at work. If you have the tools that run on those batteries already that is a plus! It all comes down to which model you pick and what you are planning to use it for. To us they seemed heavy and some what awkward. On the other hand for a battery saw they had good power and if you are not going to use it much it might be a good pick so you don’t have to worry about stale gas troubles.
     
    J. Dirt, Apr 22, 2020
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  16. Smokinpiney

    Smokinpiney

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    That little 2511 looks sweet! I have a pile of cs3000's that just sit on the shelf because they usually give me more trouble than they're worth. Also have a few old dinosaur 009's that are starting to have their own problems (oil pumps, crankcase gaskets, and carb problems). I might have to pick up one of these new 2511's
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2020
    Smokinpiney, Apr 22, 2020
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  17. J. Dirt

    J. Dirt

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    The 2511t’s run around $349 I think around here anyway.
    I’m partial to a 14” bar on them. A lot will come with a 12”, either way they are standard with 3/8 lp .050 chain. I tried doing a 1/4” pitch conversion on mine and it makes it like a hot knife through butter! Super set for pruning work. I changed back to 3/8lp .043 to get a bit of both worlds.
     
    J. Dirt, Apr 22, 2020
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  18. J. Dirt

    J. Dirt

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    Forgot I had this... all of them running 3/8lp .050
    2511 first, 330, 355.
    Notice the 2511t chatter
     
    J. Dirt, Apr 22, 2020
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  19. JRHAWK9

    JRHAWK9

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    I heard converting to the 1/4" setup eliminates the chatter on the 2511t. However I read it actually slows the saw down a bit, surprisingly. You saw the opposite result?
     
    JRHAWK9, Apr 22, 2020
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  20. Spencer

    Spencer

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    I have a 192 Stihl that i have used for the last 8 years. Dont know if what has replaced them is any good, but the 192 has been great.
     
    Spencer, Apr 22, 2020
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