Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Echo => Topic started by: Ducksnuff870 on September 14, 2014, 07:43:32 am

Title: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Ducksnuff870 on September 14, 2014, 07:43:32 am
A friend of mine wants to buy a new saw. He is wanting something that will pull an 18" bar and last for awhile.His last saw was a craftsman.He doesnt cut much. He thought he could buy a new Stihl for $250 I laughed at him. He said he looked at dolmars and echos. His thoughts were Dolmar is too expensive. I guess the Echos come with a 5 yr warranty.He is leaning toward an Echo. Any input?
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 660magnum on September 14, 2014, 12:08:16 pm
In Ohio, Echo and Dolmar are distributed by the same company (Central Power) from Columbus
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: RoyM on September 14, 2014, 01:03:37 pm
Echo has had a good reputation for many years. He would do best buying from a service dealer, not H-D, who can properly set it up and service it. Most come set lean out of the box to meet emission requirements.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: leec on September 14, 2014, 02:06:48 pm
+1
I've found Echos to be excellent saws.  A muff mod really gets them going.

Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Cut4fun . on September 14, 2014, 04:29:11 pm
Duck have him come try my echo 6700 67cc out with 18".  I will get him in that for the cost he is looking at. The new 680 replacement of the 6700 670 is over $600.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: mbrogz3000 on September 15, 2014, 06:15:09 pm
Even with the issue I had with the CP-600P (search further down for my posts from last summer), I'd still recommend one. For the money, you are getting a powerful saw with excellent build quality. My only gripe is the carb mounting threads, which are plastic instead of proper metal inserts. Not sure if this carrys over into all Echo saw designs. There is nothing they really cheaped out on except for this aspect. As already mentioned, purchase it from a dealer unless you have experience tuning small engines.  Its temptingly convenient to go to Home Depot for browsing and no-pressure purchasing, but find an elite class or sterling level (whatever the designation) dealer to establish a relationship and purchase from.

I have an 5 year old Echo SRM-230 trimmer which I tore down this summer to inspect and replaced the carb (from improper/uninformed fuel maintenance on my part), and the bore and piston was as smooth/unworn as can be. Their engines are really really good.

I ended up getting the discontinued and discounted CS-360T as brand new early in the summer for limbing and rapid branch clearing and its just as useful as its big brother. 
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 7sleeper on September 17, 2014, 03:11:45 am
Usually the problem lies not with the brand name but with the person using it. The words "pride of ownership" have a lot to do with it. If you believe that a brand is of lesser quality you will treat it that way and get the results you were expecting. The quality in the gadings "homeowner-, farmer- and pro class" are across the brands very very similar.

7
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 1manband on September 17, 2014, 07:24:23 am
A friend of mine wants to buy a new saw. He is wanting something that will pull an 18" bar and last for awhile.His last saw was a craftsman.He doesnt cut much. He thought he could buy a new Stihl for $250 I laughed at him. He said he looked at dolmars and echos. His thoughts were Dolmar is too expensive. I guess the Echos come with a 5 yr warranty.He is leaning toward an Echo. Any input?

what kind of wood is your friend cutting?  an 18" bar is available options for countless different cc size saws.

if he doesn't cut much, maybe a good used saw (insert your favorite brand here) would be an option.  savings could be used for canned fuel/extra chains/chaps/sharpening equipment.

can say i have 2 echo products and am satisfied with their build quality.

-joe



Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 660magnum on September 17, 2014, 11:46:03 am
I have a complement of Echo weed whackers, Blowers, hedge trimmers, and roto tillers and never had any trouble with them except carb kits and fuel lines. Some of these are 15 years old.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Cut4fun . on September 17, 2014, 02:07:57 pm
IMO a firewood guy looking at a pro built style saw in 60cc.  Echo would be really really hard to overlook and would pull the trigger on one. The echo 590 can be had for under $400. Comparable saws in husky 555 562 $600 and up and stihl 362 $700 and up. 

If I am wrong correct me.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: sharkey on September 17, 2014, 04:55:17 pm
Ive had good luck with Echo saws.  Theyre built well and fun to modify, give good gains.       
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 660magnum on September 17, 2014, 06:15:27 pm
There's old Echos in this area. They still run good. Goes to show you that they last well.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: 1manband on September 17, 2014, 07:36:46 pm
IMO a firewood guy looking at a pro built style saw in 60cc.  Echo would be really really hard to overlook and would pull the trigger on one. The echo 590 can be had for under $400. Comparable saws in husky 555 562 $600 and up and stihl 362 $700 and up. 

If I am wrong correct me.

dealer locally, let a 590 out the door to me at three fifty three.  includes tax.  if you don't live in one of the highest taxed counties in the country me take about 31 pesos off of that.

bought it because of the 8 or 9? year good results (nothing but fuel and string) i've had with one of their weed chompers.

Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Ducksnuff870 on September 17, 2014, 07:44:27 pm
thanks for all the replies. I dont get on here much. I leave the house when its dark and get home at dark.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Ducksnuff870 on September 17, 2014, 07:47:49 pm
Kevin I will tell him.Would you be interested in a craftsman?   It hasn't been used much. Its just been neglected.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Cut4fun . on September 17, 2014, 08:06:25 pm
I take anything in.  Bring it, test some saws, work out a deal. All we can do.

Like bang bang stuff on saw trades too.  ;)

6700 with updated 670 side  tensioner clutch cover, replaced with newer muffler with slight mod under oem deflector, 18".  NLA

http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1119.0;attach=5656;image
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Ducksnuff870 on September 17, 2014, 08:33:45 pm
Sounds good. I just talked to him. He's a railroader. He is gonna be gone for a couple days. We''ll be in touch in the next few days.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: mikehonda on August 16, 2016, 12:57:11 am
Of the newer saws the echos are holding up better than the respective class stihl and husqvarna saws have been from all the servicing dealers around here. We all cut lots of wood here and the best of the newer breeds in their respective classes seem to be the dolmar made and the echo made stuff. Dolmar/makita/maruyama are dolmar made. the echo/shindiawa are the echo stuff. nearly all of the modern smaller sthls are cheap chinese poopoo, and with husqvarna its either commercial or cheaply built garbage. With stihl if it is not the commercial grade, its junk. No an ms290 is not a commercial grade chainsaw it is a pos.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: mountainlake on August 16, 2016, 04:44:58 pm
  You are not wrong, best buy out there for a good 60 cc saw that cuts right with or real  close to Husky and Stihls best but need the muff opened up a little. Build quality is excellent, starts and runs great, handles good, could lose 1/2#  . I got one shipped to my home for $302 from Zoro when the had a 30% off sale.  Steve
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: sharkey on August 28, 2016, 07:49:06 am
Hows them Echo's running?  My 600p just keeps on cutting, just like the energizer bunny. 

With all the Husky 550/562 problems I see HVA is offering a 7day money back guarantee.  At least this way if you get a lemon you can get your cash back.  http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: mountainlake on September 02, 2016, 04:33:11 pm
 
 My CS600p is running great, I should tune it a little leaner in this hot weather as I have to lean on it to make it quit 4 stroking but now its getting cooler.  Steve
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: Cut4fun . on September 04, 2016, 09:04:35 pm
If I was to buy a new top handle saw right now it would be the echo 355.
Title: Re: are the brand new echo saws worth buying?
Post by: hseII on September 04, 2016, 09:28:57 pm
If I was to buy a new top handle saw right now it would be the echo 355.
Absolutely.