Thoughts on Echo Chainsaws?

Wondering about their reliability and longevity. (My husky rancher 61 has lasted almost 40 years now)

 

I bought an Echo at Home Depot a few years ago. Filled with mix and bc oil. Wouldn't rev. Returned. I'm sure this was an exception but I'm not into running back and forth to Home Depot.

 

I have had zero issues with my 2511t, it’s probably 3 years old. Several folks on the OPE Forum really like them, I am sure there are some Echo users here also.

 

I got a cs-680 in 09, have used it to clear a lot for a cabin and my firewood needs since then. It’s kinda heavy and and there are faster saws out there. However, it has not had any issues I feel like it will last a while. I recently got a cs- 520(ish?) my dad decided he wasn’t going to use anymore, it dosnt feel as stout But starts and runs well. Since getting the 680 I bought a string trimmer and back pack blower have not had any issues with either.

 

We have one for the fire department but it gets little use. I think it's a 590?

If I were to buy a new saw right now I would buy an echo, good warranty better than others. I'm a Stihl guy but those prices have gotten out of control. Like I said if I were to buy new. I would probably buy a used Stihl if I were to buy a saw, but that's not in the plans.

I have an echo string trimmer that I bought off a friend who ran a commercial landscape crew. Not sure how many years they ran it. But it got where it would need to warm up before it would run well. I paid $50 for it ran it that way 10+ years or so and it got to where it wouldn't run at all. Bought a $15 china carb on it and it has run better than it ever did for me. I'm not weed Wacker lover and don't use one many times a year but it's been my primary one for 14 years or so . I would say it's close to 20 years old with probably the first 5 years or so of it's life in commercial service.

Echo makes good products.

I believe Pallet Pete has run them for many years at this point.

 

I'll bite...

Ive had / have 5 Echo saws, two vintage and three new, two echo leaf blowers bought new, and a couple trimmers bought used. All the new ones have been fabulously reliable. As far as longevity goes I can show you examples of my oldest blower taken today. This unit has north of 30 gallons of mix through it. I get 5.5 - 6 hours a gallon at WOT. It was purchased new in 2016. Obviously oil, ratio and maintenance play a role in this as well but I think they will last as long as anything else if taken care of. Side note, this blower these pictures are from is not one of their professional models. Just a $150 unit. I used a CS310 chainsaw with just a muffler mod for years before I found out I was doing it wrong and needed ported pro saws lol. Never an issue with it either.

 

I really liked my T as well but sold it and bought the 2511P as I don't climb.

 

Pete gave me an echo trimmer at Denny's GTG this spring. Been used hard and it runs great. I'm doing non destructive oil tests with it.

 

And to be clear, I'm not an "Echo guy". I'm a “if I like it and it works for my purpose and does so without much trouble, I use it” kind of guy. I also have Stihls, Dolmar, Homelite, mcculloch ect.

 

nice question!
In a half arse effort I’m trying to understand both Echo and Poulin.
Both seems to have break point where they went from pro to commercial, or maybe they’re still building two separate levels, although I doubt poulin is.

 

I believe anything with the X or P designation is the professional grade equipment. Like the 2511 T and P.

 

To muddy the waters, all echo engines meet the EPA rules for a professional grade engine based on the 300 hour emissions standard, as I understand.

That doesn't mean they are selling only professional grade equipment as far as what a logger, tree service or lawn care business would normally use. The X and P models fit that usage requirements. The rest appear to be somewhere from homeowner to mid level usage types. That said, that $199 cs310 home owner type saw was / is far better than most homeowner grade saws I've used. It just always started and ran well.

 

Just thinking out loud here, if your last one last that long, why not stick with a good thing? IMO, get a 3 or 5 series replacement.

 

I liked them better in gray.

 

I like my echo saws pretty well.
Echo saws I have are; cs620p, cs400, cs3510, and cs2511t.

The 620p cuts right with the 562xp, and is only a few ounces heavier, the handling isn't quite as good as the husky though. I haven't had it long enough to break it down, it's probably had around 15-20 gallons of gas through it now, cutting firewood and logging.

The cs400 is a good 40cc saw and has a great reputation, it compares pretty equally with a husky 440, I'd say. I've had it for a year and a half and not had any issues.

The cs3510 is lighter than a Stihl ms180 and has pretty similar power. I'm on my second one of these, the first one quit for unknown causes (carb maybe) and was replaced under warranty by HD.

The cs2512t top handle saw is incredibly light, and has pretty decent power for it's size.
I ran this little guy over with my tractor and had to replace a few exterior pieces, but it's been going fine ever since. I don't use it much, so it's probably going to get sold sooner than later.

All my echo saws start at least as easy as any Stihl or husky saws I've owned, they are also generally simpler to work on than the new Stihls/huskies.

As far as reliability/longevity I'd say the cs620p would probably last at least was well as a husky 61, the echo is a very solidly built toy.

I think that if unless a person needs a Stihl or husky saw for self image purposes, then they'd be very happy with an echo.

All just my opinion, ymmv.

 

I can't really say much as I have only owned two. A top handle and a little cs400. Love both of them, other than the top handle gets too hot to let hang near your hip if you are in a tree. If they made a 5 cube saw I'd give it a go.

 

So I have a 355t, 160t, cs3000, cs680, 2 cs8000's, one on a rule winch, cut off saw, pole saw, brush cutter, weed eater, hedge clipper and 2 blowers. All top quality stuff some of it from the 90's with just normal maintenance.
If any parts are needed you can buy anything on line with no dealer needed.

 

Im a Stihl guy, but would buy an Echo before a Husqvarna. I have owned several Echo handheld leaf blowers and they have given me zero issues other than falling off the roof.