I wanted to try out a couple of recently purchased preowned chainsaws on the Douglas Fir the neighbor dropped off for me yesterday. First up was an Echo 490 and I’ve got to admit it is painful to watch. After I finished cutting I spent some time with the chain on the grinder and when I tried it again it had no problem buzzing through one of the 16-18” logs. So the video is a poor representation of what it will do. Might do even better with an 18” bar.
Seems to not be alot of love for the 490. However they are a dependable saw. I used mine to cut up 2 dumptruck loads of 8 to 12 foot pine logs, the largest were 22 inch diameter. Like any Echo they cry out for a carb retune. Very nice saw to carry on a tractor or SXS. For the price of one MS261 you can get two 490's. Just in case your BIL needs something to destroy.
Ya , they both need some attention . A good filing of the chains #1 . I've done a good bit of cutting with the 460s Open up the muffler some , put a floating rim sprocket on them and a real sharp chain and they cut fairly well. I've never owned an Echo so I can't say . But guaranteed the chain was too tight and it was Dull . Shouldn't need to hardly ever dog in when buckin fir that size . Good video !
