Starting climbing a little. Looking at getting a small top handle. Anybody run the little 33cc Top Handle Tanaka? Don't want to waste money, nut at under $250, seems enticing.
I was running the 40cc Tanaka TCS40EA, but I had some trouble with her recently, partly my fault. She started up every time though ran nice but I overdid it with her.
On the lower end of the budget spectrum the echo 355t and 2511t are great units. I have no personal experience with the Tanaka saws, but I've heard they are not quite the same quality as echo, stihl, husky. Having said that, I did a lot of my early climbing with a simple stihl 021. Whatever gets the job done and within your budget.
I've owned many different tophandle saws over the years, from old Stihl 015's, to Dolmar 3410's Stihl 192's, 019's, 020's, MS200, and out of all of those saws, my little Echo CS355T, dollar for dollar, is my favorite climbing saw. Inexpensive, light, plenty of power in the canopy and a fuel-miser, it's neary perfect in every aspect. I've owned this saw for almost 4 years, and I climb with it several times a week, and it's never even needed a tune-up yet.....
I bought my Echo CS355T at a local dealer, out the door for 4 bills. I think it can be had cheaper on places over the Internet, shop around.
I’ll second the motion to the Echos! I’ve got a 330t (14” 3/8 lp set up) that I’ve used quite a bit and have been wanting a 355 since they came out a few years ago. Finally struck gold on a very lightly used one (16” 3/8 lp set up) a few weeks ago for $240. Like Scotty Overkill said the dealer here will get you set for under 4 bigun’s I think he was running them at $329 for a bit. I’ll say the 355 is a sweet running machine and seems pretty well made, definitely an improvement over the 330. For me the only two things I don’t like about the 355 are the kill switch and the lanyard ring, or should I say wire. I guess it will come down to how much and for what you plan to use it for. That little 2511t that Barcroftb was talking about is a little ripper too! As far as the Tanaka I don’t think I’d bother. I’ve run a few of the gas drills they made and wasn’t really impressed. Not to mention not sure where you’d get parts or service.
I might know a guy or guys that have some or all of the above mentioned equipment...Echo CS-355t muffler mod and review
Thanks guys. I was looking ok’ing at the Echos as well, nut was intrigued by the price of the Tanaka. Sounds like it’s time to start shopping Echo.
Not likely LOL. They get stupid money for a decent one around here anyway. I too would be looking at the Echo. Welcome BTW.
