Thoughts on Echo Chainsaws?

I've been watching them myself, sure would love to cut with one.

 

I've run one a couple of times at past GTG's The Echo cs1201 is a very modern saw, lots of power 113cc and great vibration isolation.

That seller maybe Dave at CCC?

 

Trailer load got cut



The new saw only went along for the ride. Didn't cut anything that the little cs490 couldn't easily handle and it's a sweet limber.
Soon enough

 

I guess I'm in the minority here. I don't think that Echo is on the same level as Stihl or Husky. My dad had a CS590 and it was not nearly as good as my 362, and it wasn't close. I realize this is sample size 1.

 

I've had 5 echo saws. Currently own one. Very reliable and well built but definitely not in the same league power wise as Stihl and Husqvarna out of the box. They really wake up from a muffler mod and tuning after carb limiters are defeated. Some require carb modifications because they have governed high jets that prevent leaning them out.

 

I can't say that I'd directly compare the Echo to the other 2 in performance and weight. But it's every bit as reliable, equal quality and definitely can be considered in the same "league".
This said I've never owned a Husqvarna, Stihl never gave me a reason to.
All of my saws are faster than I am these days and quality and reliability are a primary factor for me. Saving a good 3rd of the price is also not a minor detail either.
lukem from what I've gathered is the difference between the 590 and the 620 is the 620 is ported, slightly bigger carb, rim drive sprocket, compression release, magnesium sprocket cover instead of plastic, an adjustable bar oiler, aluminum handle that available in a "wrap" (620pw) but I think that's (cs590) around a $500 saw.
Now if I was in my 30's or 40's and made my living with my saws, it probably would be different.

 

590 runs more like an 036 stock for stock. I picked mine up cause it was $300 cheaper then a 362. Im just cutting firewood so cheaper with the same or better quality will win for me every time.

 

The 590 is not going to give a 362 a run for it's money. More like a 290 or 455 rancher level

 

Nope, but I bet he's getting them from robin wood over on AS.
I think his price is something like $1500 delivered, but not sure.

 

It would run with the original standard carb 362s but not the newer mtronic saws.

 

My echo 620p out cut my husky 562xp...by a slight margin.
I switched the bar and chain between the 2 saws to make it as fair as possible.
Both saws were pretty much new at the time of the test.
I've never ran a 590......but I think it is very reasonable to compare the 620p to the Stihl or huskies 60cc pro saws.

 

Now that price sounds interesting!

 

Doing great, I've been retired for 7 years but got bored so I went to work for a local tree company two years ago making wood chips.
We cut a lot of big trees so this Echo 1201 would be a good thing.

 

I must print a retraction here on my last line of the above statement after talking to huskihl about saw carbs. I had it completely backwards on the high jet situation I reverenced above. I was told incorrectly at one point and believed it to be so. They aren't governed. Carry on gentleman.

 

I have a 455 and a 460, as well as two 590s, one muffler moded and one not yet. I don't think those husky saws are in the same class of performance,

 

I have owned a CS490 with a 20" bar and a CS352 with a 16" bar for three or so years. Never an issue with either in probably 120 hours of use on each. They start and run reliably. Have never had to tweak carburetor settings. Very satisfied with these saws' performance and reliability, having cut lots of hardwood trees, up to 30" diameter with the 490 --cutting from two sides, of course.

As with any saw, keeping your chains sharp is key to helping them last.

 

How do you like those tires on your tractor? I've had turfs, industrial and now ags the last two tractors. I much prefer the ags for traction but they have that downside of tearing the yard up if I need to be on it. Those tires on yours look like a good compromise.

 

They are fine in the graveley soil's that I've got here and ride very nice on the road. I plow snow in the winter and the snow traction is better and they should last much longer than standard ag tires. They'd clog up quickly in damp clay based soils, but any tire will eventually.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have black muck and yellow sand on our property so I'm thinking they would work excellent. I'll probably never wear mine out but it's good to get feedback anyway.