Chainsaw recommendations

Yep. 56.5 cc. They had better power than the ms290 though.

MasterMech I wasn't meaning the power to weight of my 029 super. I was talking about newer saws, as well as anything I go on to research and possibly buy. The echo 4910 is the lightest 50 cc saw out there at 10.4 lbs is intriguing. It's pretty much the same saw as the 501p but $100 less. If you want the aluminum handle of the 501p, it adds .2 lbs. Now the power of the 4910 and 501p, I haven't found it listed anywhere except that they have 22% moar powr than the old 490. The 261 is 4 hp.

 

Great info there MM! I cant say a bad thing about my 290. Always started cold or hot. I cut a lot of wood with just a 16" bar. I later bought a 20"bar and was disappointed. The only issue i had was the needle bearing went, but an easy fix. Bought in 2010. Sold it in 2020 for $200. Kinda miss it in a way.

 

Echo is down on power compared to the other 2.

 

Interesting, but inconclusive. I have a hard time believing that a healthy 501p is down that much. I have a feeling that particular saw is an outlier.
Edit, other sites show it as about a half hp less than the Stihl 261 or 550 MK2. Apparently the mufflers on the echo are pretty restricting. 1 full HP less is definitely an outlier.

 

I had the same results when I did a 50cc saw comparison about six or so years ago, timing cuts in hardwood. Echo's are fantastic saws, but they're very restricted stock, I have found this across the board with Echo saws. Sure it's always possible to get an outlier in either direction, but generally not to this extent.

I've been through this over the past 18 years now, and some will never be happy with the the results, especially if the brand they like or own, doesn't come out on top. The results are what the are. I always reiterate speed isn't everything.

 

I had a 029 super that got flattened by a falling tree ; long story but the short version is do not lend your saws out.
Bought a new 290 to replace it and it is a turd compared to the 029. I have used it a lot and cut a ton of wood with it but there is no comparison. Still one of my go-to saws and don't know why but it is even though I have other saws that are a better choice.

 

Very cool! I bet that tickles ya.

 

I sold the cs490 and missed that saw so much I bought the cs501 to replace it. Cs490, cs501, and cs4910 the muffler mod is the same and super easy! I outline the muffler mod here in this thread:

Echo 490

rock solid outstanding saws!

 

Muffler mods are easy on the echos it seems, also sounds like they are set really lean on the carbs from stock. Gotta be some power in there with those 2 things fixed.

 

I heard/ read that the porting on the 029super was better that the ms290. In addition to the muffler being restrictive on both. Also early 029s's were better than the later ones, power wise. Probably those early ones had the better porting?