Anyone run Shindaiwa saws? I'm looking at either a 360 or 488 as a lightweight saw for my dad, but I'm slightly concerned about getting parts for them. Does anyone have experience working on these? Or are they like a Honda or Toyota and won't EVER break down, lol!
IIRC some models are available in Echo colors. But I'm not an expert in the Shindy/Echo relationship. Cut4fun may know more.
I believe Echo bought out Shindiawa a year or so ago. I've got service manuals for Shin. saws and trimmers up to about 2013 if anyone needs it. Might be able to get the newer info as well. Parts supply has always been good here.
I have a couple of 757's and a 488, it appears the 488 has lost spark. Also had a Power Broom that Dex has now.
I've had a 360 for 15 years or so. Nice little saw, good power to weight. I've never had to source replacement parts so I cant speak to that. The one problem with mine is that it leaks out oil like a sieve. It needs to be kept on a piece of cardboard when not in use. It also is a reliable starter. It will always start no matter what, but its on the 13th pull that it will kick.
I once worked for a small time landscraper in NY, and he had Shin weed eater.... That thing stayed on the back of the truck rain or shine, ductaped bits, epoxy/JB weld, stick tied to the recoil starter rope for a handle.... ATE WEEDS LIKE NOBODIES BIDNESS! Of course- that was 20+ years ago, but that motor was bulletproof.... My non-chainsaw related $.02
488 is a sweet sweet saw. They are basically bullet proof but parts are an issue. If I bought one I would want a parts saw like Guido has as well. But I personally would want it to have a good coil, but that is mostly because I have a 450 here that would be a runner except for the lack of a good coil. Echo has owned Shindaiwa longer than a year. They merged in 2007. They stopped selling Shindaiwa branded chainsaws in the US, but that is about to change and the name is coming back to chainsaws. But they are going to just be rebadged 590's, 600's and so on. Shindaiwa Products > Professional + Commercial Outdoor Power Equipment | Shindaiwa-USA.com
Reabadged was my understanding as well after looking at both Mfg. Sites.... didn't know enough to proclaim that bUT it sure looked that way.
Josh (four paws) said both are great saws, and he seemed to think parts availability shouldnt be an issue. So there ya go!
So I went and looked at both the Shindaiwa's last night, I ended up getting the 360. It's amazingly light and high revving! It'll be a great companion to my dad's Stihl 310. It was tempting to keep it for myself and put a 13" bar on it and then get the 488 for my dad since both were priced pretty good, but I think he'll appreciate the much lighter weight of the 360 (it's like 8.5 lbs). With the 488, he'd basically have 2 duplicate saws and would probably never touch that 310. Here's the obligatory pics.
I've never had issue finding parts for the newer Shindaiwa saws. Some parts for the older saws are no longer available.
Good to know! Dad seemed pretty happy with the 360. I put a new 14" bar on it and when he saw it he even said he'd been looking for something with a 14" bar. So I'm glad I didn't buy the Shinny 488 that the seller also had (although he offered it to me for $180!!!).
I've put some time on the 488’s. Good saws with an 18" or 20" bar. For the smaller stuff the 345, 360, or 377 are the go to saws.
