Does anyone have a 501 ? How do you like it ? How is it for cutting speed , longevity , torque ? I saw on Echo's website that they make the 501 with heated handles , anyone have that model ? How do the 590 and 620 compare for power , speed and torque ? Thanks in advance !!
After using my lightly modified 4910 (muffler mod and tabs cut off of tuning screw limiters to allow full tuning) a few times, my brother recently went and bought a 501. Like me, he was looking for a mid-range utility saw to keep on the truck and tractor. It's hard to beat the combination of lighter weight and good power on the 4910/501. He likes his saw, and says he thinks it cuts "maybe a little better than mine but it's hard to tell". His is bone stock. I do like the metal handles on the 501 versus the 4910's plastic, but have never used any saw with a heated handle. I've only had my 4910 about a year, but no maintenance or durability complaints. I've had a 590 for a number of years, and last year bought a 620 when I found one at a screaming price, mainly because I was curious if it was "that much better". Using them side by side you can tell a difference, but if you didn't cut with them both at the same time I think it would be hard to tell them apart. The 590 is a great value for a 60cc homeowner/farm saw; the 620 may be enough better to make a difference to a pro cutter - not just in cutting "power", but in the other features like metal handles, dual dogs, magnesium clutch cover, etc. If you have the money, I'd buy the 620; if the budget is tight, the 590 really is almost as good, with fewer features. The 590 also doesn't have captive bar nuts, which is a plus for me - I HATE those things! LOL Regarding your questions about speed and torque - it is my subjective opinion/perception that the Echos tend to have more bottom-end torque than many saws, maybe at the sacrifice of a little power at top-end chain speed. I don't know how to measure or document this, but I will say it does suit the way I cut better than a high-revving saw with no guts. I grew up with the old, slow McCullochs, Lombards, and Homelites. They weren't fast but they had guts! I typically use saws several times a week, often daily once the weather cools, and I'm cutting anything from fence posts and boards to standing white pine to fallen monster red oaks. I've always adjusted saw throttle to what I'm cutting, and unless I'm felling or bucking big stuff I'm seldom at full throttle for long. This is not what most saw manufacturers advise or what most saw users do these days, but it suits the style I developed as a young teenager and suits my needs - I'm old, what can I say? My point is, I think the Echo chainsaws I've used do run differently and have a different power curve than the Stihl and Husqvarna saws I've used, but I think that's why I like them so well. I'm sorry I got long-winded, but I hope this helps.
The CS-501SXH is not available here in the states. I had at one time explored converting mine via EU parts stores but the cost made it prohibitive.
I agree with this 100%. I ran a 590 for around 7 years before finding a lightly used 620pw on FB marketplace a couple years ago. I paid $380 for it. After cleaning out the old fuel, new 24" bar and chain, it runs great. The 590 is my backup saw now. Or used to cut stumps low because that obviously can't be done with a full wrap handle. The 620 just feels stronger to me, it is my go-to. But I never had a problem with the 590. Always fires right up and cuts. The 620 is louder, only the muffler deflectors are trimmed the same on both saws.
Regarding the 620p, I love mine. Out of the box, it ripped many board feet for me. Changing tasks to falling/bucking, I gave it a moderate muff mod and fine tuned the carb. Recently added an 8 tooth sprocket, now it really screams. With the oiler all the way up, it runs a 28in bar no problem. It usually wears a 20in full comp, eats anything I throw at it, albeit slower than a 500i.
