The stihl farm boss my dad's had for 10 years on many acres. Cut 100 trees. Paint is still on it. The reason paint comes off is because weight is coming back down on bar and rubbing paint
Years ago when I worked at a GM dealer as a mechanic, we used to have all sorts of customers come in and complain about their product and how dissatisfied they were. They would often brag about how their Honda only goes in for maintenance items. Years after that I worked in a little shop that did all makes. I assure you I seen every single kind of car come in with all sorts of different problems
This is the most honest video I think I have seen on You Tube in years. I have both a Stihl and Echo and use them both. I tend to lean towards the Echo for most of my cutting due to weight and ease of starting but when I need to cut some serious wood the Stihl is what I use. Great Video for both Stihl and Echo users.
Poulan do suck for anything but light homeowner use but for that they tend to work descent. Today I fired up a poulan 2300 that hadn't ran in several years and it worked well. To many of them don't want to restart once warm and I have never seen a modern echo that leaked bar oil atleast. Never seen a modern homelite or poulan that didn't leak it. Shame homelite has turned into complete junk compared to the 20 yrs and older ones. I wonder how the pneumatic ones are to use still tho. Never used a pneumatic saw yet.
Who is Hooskvarrna? I know Husqvarnas low end homeowners saws have many identical parts that poulans also do. I thought Mcculloch, Homelite, Ryobi, Poulan Pro and Craftsman chainsaw were also made by in the same factorys in China. I thought the only difference was where they were assembled. Homelite is often put together in china an Husqvarna entry level ones are assembled in Arkansaw. Don't work for any of these companies and am not above ever making a mistake its just what I have heard and seen a few that said the samething I previously was told. It gets stranger tho when the cylinder says its Mahler and German made identical to the high-end Husq, Dolmar(Makita) and Stihl chainsaws.
I own a lawn care company and started out with STIHL products. I could NOT keep all my STIHL equipment going at the same time. There was always something wrong with one of them. During that time I bought a used echo blower (6-7) years ago. I still use that blower to this date and all I have done was put gas in it!! I also, about the same time, bought used hedge trimmers. They are the same story as the back ground. So, since then, my company has majorly grown and during that growing process, I started buying shindawia. Each one has let me down at least 3 times. I knew I should have bought echo but didn't do it because in my mind..."echo isn't professionally grade enough." This year I have made the best decision to slowly transform all my handheld equipment to echo. I couldn't be happier!!!! Thanks for the honest review! I do agree with the tree company owner as far as the chainsaws go. STIHL does seem to have the market on saws from everyone I know and see. STIHL also has the best advertisement and memorabilia on the market. I.e. Truck air fresheners, clothing, suspenders the kind of junk that doesn't matter but is kinda cool. Like I said great review. Love your channel.
Never was a fan of Stihl... seemed like when we ran them on the farm they were constantly down for maintenance... dad ended up buying a Dolmar 510 and it has been very reliable... I've been running an echo CS-400 for 7 years and have only had to service it and replace the oiler once... liked it so much I bought a CS-490 a year and a half ago... great running saws.
This video validated my feelings 100%. We use all Echo equipment (blowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers etc), but when it comes to our chainsaws, all Stihl!! He said it best. "When it comes to chainsaws, they're just not there yet."
I run echo saws in my tree service. I love there small to midsize saws. Even my dealer says the echo just doesn’t have a good large saw. It’s hard to beat echo’s price and warranty.
I am a Stihl,Echo,Red-Max and Husqvarna certified technician. and my personal saw is an Echo,I also own several Stihl's too as well as other brands. I think I may own about 40 complete saws and 30 or so parts saws. I personally wouldn't want a Husqvarna as my personal saw,they are way to temperamental and hard to repair for me. I really love my Echo,the only other saw that I've liked as much in the last 6 to 7 years is the Red-Max,but of course Husqvarna phased Red-Max out. I'll stick with my Echo,oh and I have 30 years experience with chainsaws too.
hard to repair? really dude? you can tear down a husky and replace the piston with nothing more than the tools provided in the kit when you buy the saw, I've done it. (you'd need a pliers for the circlips of course) my Jonsered is fifteen years old and has never been temperamental, neither are any of my dad's Huskies, which are just as old, and he doesn't take very good care of them. and I think you're confused, they still sell Red-Max and the latest rummer is that Husqvarna is phasing out Jonsereds to give Red-Max a chance. (hope it's not true) No, and I question weather you really are a certified tech, cuz' I used to be one and have been running saws since I was six, one temperamental saw, I'll give you that, but when you have dozens of them and have issues? me thinks you know not what your doing? you ever check the crank seals? the impulse and fuel lines or intake manifolds for leaks? you one to those stupid assholes that clean carbs with welding wire? or remove welch plugs with electric drills and crack the carb when you go through? or one of those that thinks that the spark plug is supposed to be white?
I run all three, Stihl Husqvarna and Echo. I love my echo 355 top-handle saw for bucket work. My bigger saws are modified huskies and I love them. I have a 365 special with a 75 CC Big Bore modified by Wicked Work Saw. Love it.
This guy knows what he is talking about! After over 40 years of having a chainsaw in my hand I agree with the tree contractor. You know from experience.
4 years on a 355T in the trees. Love it. Wouldn't touch a new sthil or husky top handle with a 10 foot pole. 3 months on my 620PW falling trees. Love it.
Thank you for taking the time to do the evaluation. Echo makes a decent product but not an equal with Stihl and Husqvarna day in and day out usage we have found.
I live in Texas and have been Trimming and cutting down trees for over 20 years. I use Echo . I have used all the other brands . Stihl the gas and oil caps they leak. It's a great idea have gas and oil cap with out using a tool. You have to go Stihl to get parts. Ivan get parts easier for Echo and get to using the chainsaw faster. Stihl is a good I just like Echo better
I've had my 045 Super AV with a 26" bar Scince 1983. I really like it. I used those stupid Fail-Safe chains once, those things are terrible. BUT thank you for the extremely honest video.
440x, that's because you don't know how to start it. 90% of guys that complain about how a stihl starts don't know how to start them correctly. Set your pride aside and read the manual you will be amazed and you won't flood them out.
I have an Echo CS-490 and a Shindaiwa 491s which are essentially the same saw. I also have some older Stihls too, but they're heavier and are finickier to get started and keep running by comparison. The Echos seem to be quite a bit lighter and yet very capable saws, especially for the money. All that the gentleman had pointed out is for the most part true, but the older your body gets, the harder it is to toat around the heavier saws and the Stihls are not only heavier, but it can often be a pain in the rump to keep the darned things runnin'. The Echos are very reliable. It amazing their saws aren't more popular with guys that cut up trees for a living. One last thing, the oilers are adjustable so the man's complaint about oil leaking may only have been that the flow needed an adjustment. By the way, nice video. Thanks, Shawn Spencer
My dad was an echo husky and snapper dealer for many years growing husky and echo were what I was raised on my dad told me. Once they started selling in the box stores they'd be junk. You know he was right. When I switch all my equipment to stihl I never will go back to anything else I won't even put a snapper mower on my trailer ever again
I hate how expensive Stihl is, and how you are locked into dealers for servicing and ordering parts. Tanaka (Hitachi), Echo, Shindaiwa, Husqvarna, and others are all very good power equipment makers and parts are available for cheap on eBay or Amazon, for cheap. Stihl equipment and parts aren't sold online, dealer only, and in the dealer, they are extremely expensive. I can buy almost 2 pieces of equipment for every 1 stihl for the cost. Expensive!
Garrett Stevensen you get what you pay for me personally I the dealer thing. That's what makes them worth the little extra you have to pay up front when I started lawn care I used echo because I could afford it from Home Depot once I was able I made the switch
from my experience with sthil saws i wont buy one. we have 5 various size saws at work and they are always needing some kind of work done to them. usually carb problems. our sthil weedeaters also suck. carb issues just like the saws. the trimmers are used heavily but the saws aren't. i work on a golf course and when its time to trim trees or anything that requires a chainsaw i try to get out of it so i dont have to deal with all the problems. i have owned an echo saw and trimmer for about 12 years and not a single problem
Do your Stihl saws have adjustable fuel/air mixture screws? If not, your chances of operating the saws in the environment they're tuned for are slim to none. My Echo leaf blower, and Husqvarna chainsaw have mixture screws, so I can adjust for my high elevation, changes in temperature, relative humidity, and even slight changes in fuel composition. Without that, they will smoke, you will be changing spark plugs, and cleaning spark arrestor screens until the end of time. Even with regular use, I only change spark plugs and clean the spark arrestor screens a couple of times in a decade. I can set them to burn that clean. With a fuel/oil mix of 50:1, there is no visible smoke from the exhaust, and the fumes don't choke me out.
I opened my tree service in 2015 and bought an entire fleet of brand new Stihl saws. The only one I still own is a 201T because of all the issues I had. I've converted to Dolmar for my bigger saws but own an Echo 8000 36" as well, doesn't have the power of a 7910 Dolmar but it starts every time and always gets the job done. My best overall performers are my Husq 550XP and 562XP. Groundsmen all use Echo 450s and 590s never had a single breakdown as with my backpack blowers and trimmers. I would advise anyone to give Echo a try. Also check out the Dolmar 7310 and 7910 they are absolute ANIMALS.
I have the 7310 and the 7910 as well, your right they are really nice saws. I still reach for the old CS8000 when I'm pile cutting. Sort of like a well broke in pair of gloves.
Echo needs to take a serious look at why Stihl & Husky are the top performers for professional chainsaws. As Scott was saying the fuel caps, the switch, etc things like that make them less desirable for professional arborists like myself. I've exclusively run all Stihl saws for our companies pruning department if Echo could make a saw similar to the Stihl MS200t they might be on to something. Echo needs to follow Husky and Stihl, replicate what makes their saws great and design it into the echo.
James Rosa Dolmar will crush stihl any day. yea they are twice as much but I could drop a Dolmar out of the tree and it would start. stihl would probably explode into a mushroom cloud.
You're entitled to your own opinion, Mike. Respectfully I've been in the tree care industry for 11 years now and I've seen saws get dropped before, I dropped a 200t (in cutting off a limb) 40 feet onto an asphalt drive and it started right up after the ground guy picked it up. There is a dam good reason Stihl is at the top versus dolmar which nobody around here uses.
People don't use dolmars because they have no idea what they are,if they did sthil would be in trouble. I equate it to this-every dumb bitch knows what a porche is by looking at it because it almost ubiquitous like a sthil,but ask the same girl what she's looking at when seeing a Ferrari and she may have no idea. That is my comparison, a sthil is a good yet somewhat overrated saw because it's well known,though the dolmar is almost an unknown quantity. unless you're a logger on the west coast where some of the biggest trees are, then you will not know what a dolmar is. I'll leave the sthils for you gardeners and tree surgeons and take my dolmars into the woods to log TIMMBER!
I've been kicking around the thought of a new chainsaw for a year or so. I really like my echo trimmer, but was leaning toward Stihl for the saw purchase. This reinforces my gut feeling. Thanks for posting!
I've ran echo hedge trimmer( standard size), stihl hedge trimmer (long version), echo blowers, edgers and weed eaters.I enjoy using echo products and they work great for me. Great vid, i respect echo having the gonads to go for this tryout.
We run echo blowers commercially every single day, 6 days per week, for hundreds of commercial properties throughout the bay area. We don't do anything to the echo blowers except changing spark plugs and air filters once a year, if we remember. Their reliability is legendary and we are filling our coffers full of cash by never going to the mechanic. I look at some of my friend's repair bills on stihl equipment (stihl parts and servicing is dealer only), and man! What a sticker shock! We save thousands each year using Tanaka (hitachi), Husqvarna, and Echo.
Parts may be dealer only, but I can certainly fix my own Stihl equipment. Actually pretty rare that the dealer touches my Stihl stuff after the initial buy.
Never seen a serious faller in an import... with a trunk. Every one of his concerns with the Echo are valid, but for the price it beats stihl hands down. My Echo 590 starts 1st pull 99% of the time, unless I'm at high elevation and the only maintenance I've ever done was tuning the carb and knocking the air filter out, besides normal bar flipping and sharpening/replacing the chain
What that guy was saying is so bang on. I would say the same thing. Oil leaks, tight caps, heavier, etc. I love my Echo & Shindiawa (same company) trimmers & blowers, totally awesome machines! But my Echo top handle saw was a big disappointment. Less than half the price of Stihl & does the few little jobs I need it for, but if I needed a saw for all day work as an arborist does, Stihl is where it's at. (well at least the old ones anyway, haven't used the new ones yet) Never had more than a few little easy to fix probs with my Stihl saws over the years. As for Husqvarna saws, well didn't see them much, they were always in the shop getting fixed. They are what you call a mechanics saw. Shame, they where ok saws 20 years ago, before they went to China.
Tree removal experts and while i appreciate their critic. They don't even mention how it cuts?... until kyle at the very end.. Can't decide if Porsche comment means he's a brand snob or doesn't know much about cars.
The second this guy said you can get a shock off the ignition switch I stopped listening. 4:00 . I may not be a tree expert but I have electrical engineering experience and many small engine units. The electrical switch is on the primary side of the coil and it runs at 12V. its impossible to get a shock off of it. He used the term "zapped" maybe he meant to accidentally hit it... Im not sure.
My thoughts exactly, Patrick! I thought we would see some footage of product failure on the jobsite. No, we get the estimator pulling the saws from his trunk saying they are no Porsche.......WTF?
I own both saw brands MS271 Stihl Farm Boss (20 inch bar) & Echo CS440 (16 inch bar) I have no complaints with either brand. I use the Echo for the small light work, and the Stihl for the heavy. I do this in-order to keep the hours low on the Farm Boss. For me its a good saw tandem.
Exactly the response I was expecting from the tree company, I have an old echo backpack blower and weed wacker that have not had any problems whatsoever and they are around 10 years old
i just bought an Echo CS-590 timberwolf 24". This thing is a beast. Took care of a 5' diameter red oak trunk with no issues. Never bogged down once. I'm not a professional who will use this every day for 4-6-hours of use. Just a homeowner that likes to cut up his own firewood. If i were a professional, i may have gone a different route. Point is, Echo chainsaws may not be there yet for the professional, but for the average homeowner who may use it a dozen times a year, you can't beat it. Why pay more for a husky or stihl where the Echo line hold its own.
I've ran some echo alongside my stihl pro saws, and they're not bad, but not on the same level as others. The one thing that echo really has going for them is price point, but to get to that level with stihl, husqvarna, and dolmar, the saws are going to go up in price. Just have to decide if they want to make a competitive product, or stay in the minor league.
I agree: Echo is more comparable to Homelite, than Husqvarna, or Stihl. Don't get me wrong: Back in the day, Homelite and Echo made pretty good saws, for the money. (I don't know if Homelite even exists anymore)
I do landscaping and minor tree work in the Raleigh area. All my Chainsaws are stihl. Ms 193 / Farm Boss 271 and a 026. My MS193 fell out of my truck one day going down the road and skidded across the pavement. Picked it up went to the side of the road, first pull started right up. My weed eaters and blowers and hedge trimmers are echo. I love both brands but Stihl owns the chainsaw game hands down 🤠
Stihl has the same caps that you need your chainsaw wrench to open if there on too tight, not sure why you guys think that's an echo thing when stihl had them first.
I recently purchased the Echo CS490 as the lightest 50cc saw and enjoy using it. My backup is a Stihl 038 Super if I need something bigger. Most of my use is tree removal/trim on my own property in Texas. I don't heat with wood, so it's just occasional use.
The owner says the says they leak oil, (most saws do leak bar oil,) have small filler caps, (on the small climbing saws,) and the switch will shock you (give me a break, I have 40 year old pieces of equipment with original metal switches, never been shocked.) The guy using the ground saw at about 6:28, says, it has alot of power, and he likes it alot. And even when asked what he is used to using he doesn't really show favoritism for any particular brand didn't seem to really care. This is kind of like asking a seasoned mechanic what his favorite wrench is. Your younger guys will always say what brand makes the heart jump is their favorite wrench and does the best job with his long time of five years experience. The seasoned mechanic will use anything that will get the job done. Cause it is the USER not the tool that gets the work done, plain and simple. These are ALL good products with their selling points, and if a person can't detect this video as a hack, you have your Stihl glasses on. Which is OK to an extent, they are a good product...
The guy on the ground said he used an 028 or 029. The 028 came out in 1977. The 029 came out in early 90's or late 80's. So it is not a direct comparison comparing older saws to newer saws.
I understand what you're saying, and you're right. But it makes no difference as to the point I was making. The guy neither praised or bashed none of the saws really more than the other. The business owner to me was a joke. I was a lawn/tree care professional/business owner up until my weary joints couldn't do it anymore. And all saws are gonna ooze a little residual oil off the bar, those metal switches were never a problem, else you would be reading about it all over the internet, and if you over tighten a filler cap, it is gonna be hard to get off, and unless you're carrying around fuel and oil everywhere you go, you're gonna refill close to the truck, were you probably have a tool to remove an over tightened filler cap. The guy's complaints were futile for the most part. He complained of a choke lever that "should be broken off," but lo and behold, it wasn't. Like I said in my previous post, ALL those products in the video are good products and capable of professional tree care. Believe me, I have owned more name brands than merely in this video alone.
mrpotatoheadracing I totally agree with your opinion that it's the user and not the tool that gets the job done. But going as far as saying the owner was a joke is a bit of an exaggeration. The guy was asked about his honest opinion to which he responded and addressed some legitimate concerns. They might've been some relatively minor issues but nonetheless it's issues that the competitors sorted out years ago. (The oil and fuel caps and those annoying switches) When it comes to the oil leaking issue, I have a relatively new Stihl MS 241 which leaks oil like there's no tomorrow, so I agree with you that really any brand does this.
The owner was a joke, cause the guy using the saw had no complaints. And he stated that those switches are known to "shock people." Really? How much has that been an issue? Where is the universal complaint? And "needing a tool to remove the filler caps." Once again, where is the universal complaint? If you overtighten a fuel cap, most of them will need pliers or a screwdriver or something to get off. If the guy's complaints are nothing more than this, then he is a joke in my opinion. Now if it was something of the sorts of the starter mechanism kept slipping, or the chain won't stay adjusted, or something constructive, I would open my ears.
Stihl topping saws,Jonesred felling and ground saws,huskys for back up. Echo makes good backpack blowers. I m an arborist on Cape Cod. The movement is e- battery saws for green initiative out here. Great video though. I like that both sides are open and honest.
Glad I found an almost new Echo 8000 with 32 inch bar in the pawn shop , for $400.00,( new about $850.00. )Was waiting on a simple clutch bearing for my stihl ms880( saw was $2000.00 new), still waiting on the John Deere place to call me, been 6 weeks now. a couple weeks ago ordered one from another shop , had it in a few days. The big Echo had to take the place of the big Stihl through a few big jobs, big trees,it did pretty darn good. The 8000 Echo is about the power level between stihl 460 and 660 . I'll hang on to and recommend this big Echo. Been climbing 27 yrs, I'll stay with Echo climbing saws , very few problems compared to Stihl. Most of my buddies in the business with Husky top handles went back to Echo. Even got a mid sized Echo a yr and a half ago, been flawless.
there you go a season pro with honest input.I`m a young pup compared to dad his is 83 years old he has a monster stihl saw i have used before heavy beast with a 24" bar and it does a good job but he used 2 small echo 302 saws for 30 years and they still run and the echo`s today are just as good been running a 370 now for 4 years no problems other then i had to adjust my low idle mix a simple fix that anyone that uses a saw should be able to do.echo saws are tough mean machines and damn fine saws .
I like how he gave the blunt truth he didn't under play it at all. Echo does build pretty damn good equipment. But I like how he gave it his honest opinion keep up the good videos
I run a few echo's here in the UK and like for like machine the stihl's won't compete with the ones I have. My 620sx, 360tes and 2511tes run rings around the equivalent stihl 362, 201t and 150t. faster cutting, more torque and better balanced...what more could you want
I've always run husqvarna. I've got over 400 documented cords of wood that I've cut over 10 years with my x-torque 460. That's not including all the trees and brush for customers. I had to replace the trigger and the plastic handle/ guard. 12" pine landed on it, no other damage. Other than that just routine maintenance, never been rebuilt . I got very lucky with this saw.
Stihl just has so much more thought put into their professional saws. Echo has a powerful engine and good inner components, but their design is subpar and inconvenient compared to stihl's. No simple halftwist fuel and oil caps Ignition controls, while simple, require you to use both of your hands to operate. Side cover has no captive nuts, so they can get lost if one doesnt pay attention. The start cord has a spring in the handle so you dont hurt your hand if you start on a compression stroke, etc. Every saw can have a powerful engine and shred wood like it's nothing, but few will have that simplicity and ease of operation that will make all the difference.
When i was a cedar chopper, Stihl was all i would use. But now i prefer the echo saw as a non professional. I also use Echo weed eater and Echo pole saw. I find them quite hearty and well made. If i was back in the cedar break, i would use a Stihl.
Thanks for the review - I did a stretch as a sawyer in NW Montana back in the 80s, saw logs, posts/poles and big cedar for shakes. Husky and Stihl were about the only saws around, maybe a Poulan here and there for those who didn't know better. I still have my 036 pole saw and 044 deck and saw log saw, use them for firewood and helping out neighbors who might have trees they need cleared. I have used the newer ones, and frankly, other than lighter weight I wouldn't trade either of mine for one. My old 044 will pull a 36" bar and square cut chain surprisingly well, but happier with 28"-30". I ran both skip-tooth and chisel chains on old and new, seems like my old ones feel nicer and rarely bog if my sharpening/raker height job is good. If you're using a young guy's muscle, a bit heavier weight is an advantage on the landing - you want that heavier swing weight to rip those long swings down the limbing line on the log. Now almost all of that work is done by stroke delimbers and processors, so a moot point.
Excellent video! I run Husky and now Husky only. I have run Stihl, Echo and Dolmar. The Subtle differences in saws weer not a deciding factor the DEALER was the deciding factor. I can go to my dealer has has the parts I need right there and if they can I take to the shop and the either fix it wile I wait or get on it right away! I'm just a homeowner who cuts a ton of wood. The Husky I chose were for my reasons. But, my dealer takes awesome care of me and I only go to my dealer. He treats my like a king and I return the favor. Every time I can I recommend my dealer to people Jacks Small Engine. Shameless plug I know but hey they treat me right!! Oh BTW the Echo blowers and trimmers are a good product but the saws feel time toys. They need to do something to their plastics to make them feel more skookem' and, dial up their engines the make them chooch better
I gotta give it to ya. You have a broad band or variety of useful information on your cannel. I have been a contractor for over 16 years and I have learned a good bit from your videos. Also, I recently purchased a ECHO PPT 266 Pole Saw and love it. Plus it starts every time I need it.
The only person bad mouthing ECHO was the owner who wasn’t using the chainsaw and all his dislikes were jokes with nothing substantial. You should be wearing gloves so that some nonexistent shock is not a concern, everyone carries a tool with them to adjust the chain and would have it for the gas caps. I have a Stihl and the gas cap is small and always requires a tool to take off. If you can’t hit that oil and fuel holes your hands are too unsteady for using a chainsaw. The one actual user said he liked the ECHO. I own a Poulan Pro, Stihl, Husqvarna and an ECHO. The Poulan Pro is dangerous and had every problem one could imagine and should be taken off the market for safety reasons. The Stihl has starting problems. It stops when you idle down and has to be started with the throttle pulled and you can’t let it idle down. Other than that, it is a good saw and I like it. The Husqvarna has overheated several times and when hot it has trouble starting and requires opening the throttle up fully. The oiler plug came out of the oiler reservoir and had to be replaced. I like it better than the Stihl because I can idle it down. My ECHO has not given me any problems at all. It is heavier than the Husqvarna but is also a bigger saw (60 cc vs 50 cc). It starts with no problems and cuts just fine. If I had trouble with the oiler I could adjust the amount of oil going to the chain (someone should have told Boss man that). The ECHO is my favorite saw. I think the Boss may have been worried that someone would think his crew likes a Japanese chainsaw over an American Chainsaw and that Stihl is considered professional while ECHO is not and this could be bad for his business, therefore show favoritism for Stihl and make up nonsense about the ECHO.
TheDadPenfield, man I couldn't have said it better myself. I've just started in the tree care industry, and so far my only saw is an Echo 355, I bought it because of price. I work from time to time with my uncle, also in the industry, and his Stihl 201, hands down my Echo is better. other crews we work with, most the guys are all in with Echo. I'm not sure if they were at one point in time below quality standards, but whatever they're doing now, they are doing it right.
Nah Stihl is way better. You both are just Echo fanboys. Stihl has lots more power. But if you're going to buy a Chainsaw. Do yourself a favor and get a Husquavarna
yes but they're talking about pro chainsaws. professional stihls have quick release gas caps. theres also a lot more wear and tear in commercial tree lopping so breaking of the choke is a very frustrating thing.
I'm just a homeowner and not a professional but i bought a Echo CS 590 Timberwolf and the thing is a beast , cut down some huge trees with no issue. Seems as good or better then some of the husqys and stihl's i've tried. Also cheaper and 5 year warranty so i'm happy with the saw!
Got the same saw and it is a BEAST! Tho ours ended up with a leak at the compression valve, it really screwed it up! So they gave us a brand new one off the shelf (2yrs old at the time)
lol. sad thing is, I own both and my echo works better. you dont need a tool to remove caps unless you are incompetent. also I have NEVER hit the toggle by mistake, so I deffinetly wouldnt expect a pro to either. Echo is a Japenese saw and deserves a better review then this. My sthil comes in second place, sorry, bit this is deffinetly a paid review.
I was gunna say the fuel caps seeding a tool is be hed obvious never ran older stihl even My new Ms 180 has the oil caps you use your tool on and you dont need to be cranking it down if the saw runs well and lasts that's what matters in my opinion
watch it again. This guy said "zapped" and "electrical charge". The second this guy said you can get a shock off the ignition switch I stopped listening. 4:00 . I may not be a tree expert but I have electrical engineering experience and many small engine units. The electrical switch is on the primary side of the coil and it runs at 12V. its impossible to get a shock off of it.
this is good I haveworked in logging for 15 years. I use a husky and love it because it's rugged. I have looked at the echo a d was thinking about getting one for small jobs with the landscaping business I have but I'm glad I seen this becauseI won't wast my money on one thanks.
I have both saws I have never not had a echo start. I have had sthil not start. Cs590 comes in allot cheaper then ms291 which is 5/16 chain. Echo cs590 sports 3/8. For the extra warranty echo 5 yrs. Sthil nothing!!!!
Have used Echo over the years, mostly the small climbing saw, both top and back handle. Overall they were good. But simple things like the starter cord running through plastic fittings let them down. Also have had the pleasure of using equivalent Stihl and Husqvarna saws which I would prefer if given the choice.
I've been a tree cutter for 20 years I switched from stihl to echo for my tree cutting and lawn care that guy don't know what he's talking about the only way stihl win's is with big saws 066 or 088 that the only time I use stihl tell echo keep it up there almost there they need a pro like me to give them advice on there saw line then they would dominant the market Edwards family outdoor service
Elijah Edwards agreed man I also use small echo saws for my business. For starters the price point is better, and echos are for more easy to service maintain and find parts. And cheaper to maintain too.
@@AndyGarcia-ch1ci best of the small echos is the cs400. muffler mod and some fine tuning on the carb and that thing runs like a raped ape and it costs $280.
I just purchased a 501P. The only real complaint that I have is that the clutch cover is plastic. I also think that the choke is wimpy looking and I am afraid to break it. I guess I've never been zapped by a metal switch. I've had them on old Homelite & Olympyk saws in years past. Maybe I've been lucky? So far, the Echo is the least temperamental saw that I've owned in a long time. It's the easiest to start and has never failed to start on me.
I have an Echo leaf blower, and since I live at a higher elevation, my favorite feature is the fact that I can adjust the fuel/air mixture so it doesn't run "rich" because of the higher altitude. Newer chainsaws and leaf blowers, as well as string trimmers, have fixed carburetors, which ALWAYS run rich up here at ~4,000 feet of elevation. It's almost impossible to find new 2-stroke power tools, that allow mixture adjustment. If Echo chainsaws still have that adjustment, it will be my next chainsaw! You can run those Echo engines ragged on 50:1 fuel/oil mix for a lifetime. I've only replaced the spark plug once in the last decade, because I can adjust the mixture to burn that clean. In the entire 30 years I've owned the blower, I've only cleaned the spark arrestor screen in the muffler once. It's totally absurd, to think that a "set and forget" carburetor can be built, that can compensate for changes in barometric pressure, altitude, relative humidity, temperature, or even slight differences in fuel composition. Those "EPA" carburetors are dirtier than any carburetor, that will allow you to tune it to the operating environment, unless, you run your saw at sea level, at 77°F, at ~50% relative humidity,(standard temperature and pressure) and that's if the stiffness of the diaphragm in the carburetor doesn't change with use.
Love the 590! Saw a video where it cut damn near the time frame that matched a Husky high end XP for less money. And by the way, I’m. Surprised Home Depot even sells them on the shelf in a box. The Timber Wolf is not a novice Saw. One wrong move and you’ll lose a limb. Reminds me a lot of my ol MS-440!
Great video! I liked that Echo accepted the challenge. They build some great equipment but the saws could always be better. In addition to the things mentioned, air filter fit is terrible on the 590/ 620.
I picked up my first expensive snow blower from Husqvarna, had an issue with them HORRIBLE customer service so the fact they didn't get back to you, makes perfect sense.
Well those saws weren't used 30 days. I am assuming he was giving them back to you? I'm pretty sure you don't have high voltage at the switch. I think the owner was clueless.
My wife bought me the echo cs310 it's a great saw for limbing down branches and falling small diameter trees and just bought the cs590 and alot of people I talk to say they prefer the echo series saws over a husky and stihl.
I don't know about you guys, but if I use a chainsaw for 30 days, they don''t look like the ones he pulls out of his trunk. I call BS!!
The bars look brand new not a scratch on them when I buy a new bar almost 1/4 of the paint comes of on the first day....
The stihl farm boss my dad's had for 10 years on many acres. Cut 100 trees. Paint is still on it. The reason paint comes off is because weight is coming back down on bar and rubbing paint
@@trublu3483Very true
No! You guys are off. I’m a twenty 25yr veteran climber. Bar paint does wear pretty quickly. I call BS on this guy on every level.
Homesteader here and I couldn't be happier with my Echo CS-590. Especially for the price.
I agree. If you get a better ignition and carb they are insane. You can get those usually off the 620 or 720
Never trust a man who pulls chainsaws out of the trunk of a Hyundai. Ever!! Just....No!!
Dude he actually had some really god workers there and some very good points on the saw
Only thing he ever got zapped by was a dose of ignorance
Its funny you say that. I got 2 chainsaws in the trunk in my Hyundai right now. A husky 562 and a stihl 271. Why no trust lol???
Next time remove all the Echo branding and put Stihl logos and have them test the "new Stihl" saws for 30 days :)
You can tell them apart at a glance, this wouldn't work.
The second I looked at it I would know it’s not a Stihl tool, also Stihl doesn’t make stickers!
Big differences. Won't work
Years ago when I worked at a GM dealer as a mechanic, we used to have all sorts of customers come in and complain about their product and how dissatisfied they were. They would often brag about how their Honda only goes in for maintenance items. Years after that I worked in a little shop that did all makes. I assure you I seen every single kind of car come in with all sorts of different problems
This is the most honest video I think I have seen on You Tube in years. I have both a Stihl and Echo and use them both. I tend to lean towards the Echo for most of my cutting due to weight and ease of starting but when I need to cut some serious wood the Stihl is what I use. Great Video for both Stihl and Echo users.
always ran stihl on the crews and as a homesteader now NOTHING HAS CHANGED =) good review
Thanks Doug!
Echos are much better ya fanboy
Chainsaws are like pick up trucks. It's brand loyalty. You got Ford guys and Chevy guys. They all make a good product, so use what you like to use.
Nah. Non of them makes good product any more. They arnt built to last or be fixed
@@BRWfilms Yes and no. The pro saws are still built to last.
@@WeSRT4 i was actually refering to the trucks lol
@@BRWfilms Oh, I bought a Tacoma.
Ford never field for bankruptcie remember that.
Could be worse, you could have given them poulans 😂😂😂
LOL😃
Poulan do suck for anything but light homeowner use but for that they tend to work descent. Today I fired up a poulan 2300 that hadn't ran in several years and it worked well. To many of them don't want to restart once warm and I have never seen a modern echo that leaked bar oil atleast. Never seen a modern homelite or poulan that didn't leak it. Shame homelite has turned into complete junk compared to the 20 yrs and older ones. I wonder how the pneumatic ones are to use still tho. Never used a pneumatic saw yet.
Poulan is owned by Hooskvarrna and light duty Hooskvarrna saws are made in the same factory
Who is Hooskvarrna? I know Husqvarnas low end homeowners saws have many identical parts that poulans also do. I thought Mcculloch, Homelite, Ryobi, Poulan Pro and Craftsman chainsaw were also made by in the same factorys in China. I thought the only difference was where they were assembled. Homelite is often put together in china an Husqvarna entry level ones are assembled in Arkansaw. Don't work for any of these companies and am not above ever making a mistake its just what I have heard and seen a few that said the samething I previously was told.
It gets stranger tho when the cylinder says its Mahler and German made identical to the high-end Husq, Dolmar(Makita) and Stihl chainsaws.
I have 3 16 inch Poulan Pros. Now I'm not every day timberman or a logger but it works for what I need.
I own a lawn care company and started out with STIHL products. I could NOT keep all my STIHL equipment going at the same time. There was always something wrong with one of them. During that time I bought a used echo blower (6-7) years ago. I still use that blower to this date and all I have done was put gas in it!! I also, about the same time, bought used hedge trimmers. They are the same story as the back ground. So, since then, my company has majorly grown and during that growing process, I started buying shindawia. Each one has let me down at least 3 times. I knew I should have bought echo but didn't do it because in my mind..."echo isn't professionally grade enough." This year I have made the best decision to slowly transform all my handheld equipment to echo. I couldn't be happier!!!! Thanks for the honest review! I do agree with the tree company owner as far as the chainsaws go. STIHL does seem to have the market on saws from everyone I know and see. STIHL also has the best advertisement and memorabilia on the market. I.e. Truck air fresheners, clothing, suspenders the kind of junk that doesn't matter but is kinda cool. Like I said great review. Love your channel.
Thanks Blake!
At least they tried the saws. Every professional tree service in my area all run stihl.
I wonder how Dolmar would do?
And all heavy duty foreman and logging in my area runs husqvarna.
Because Stihl is the best!!! I've logged all over the PNW for alot of years and I bet 75% of all the companies up here run Stihl
stihl is the best. i buy stihl trimmers and chainsaws i only buy stihl.
Lurkens Kanal never tried a husq heard they are great saws but i cant imagine having any troubles using a stihl to do the same job.
I love the owners attitude and how much he cares. I'm a 20yr veteran climber. Awesome video. And this guy knows what he's talking about
Never was a fan of Stihl... seemed like when we ran them on the farm they were constantly down for maintenance... dad ended up buying a Dolmar 510 and it has been very reliable... I've been running an echo CS-400 for 7 years and have only had to service it and replace the oiler once... liked it so much I bought a CS-490 a year and a half ago... great running saws.
My Echo cs 400 has worked flawlessly for almost 4 years! No leaks or any issues at all!
They had some good points regarding the Echo design.
But still love my Echo saws!
This video validated my feelings 100%. We use all Echo equipment (blowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers etc), but when it comes to our chainsaws, all Stihl!! He said it best. "When it comes to chainsaws, they're just not there yet."
I run echo saws in my tree service. I love there small to midsize saws. Even my dealer says the echo just doesn’t have a good large saw. It’s hard to beat echo’s price and warranty.
This is one of the best reviews I've seen. The guy gave his opinion and what he'd like to different about the product. Thanks for this review.
Thank you!
They don't look like they've been used professionally for 30 days IMO.
Can't beat Husky
@Anthony Walker ya dreaming son. Husky all the way 😁
I couldn't be happier with my echo chainsaws. They make very good tools.
I am a Stihl,Echo,Red-Max and Husqvarna certified technician. and my personal saw is an Echo,I also own several Stihl's too as well as other brands. I think I may own about 40 complete saws and 30 or so parts saws. I personally wouldn't want a Husqvarna as my personal saw,they are way to temperamental and hard to repair for me. I really love my Echo,the only other saw that I've liked as much in the last 6 to 7 years is the Red-Max,but of course Husqvarna phased Red-Max out. I'll stick with my Echo,oh and I have 30 years experience with chainsaws too.
When somebody mentions RedMax now I know they're talking saws those are what we have on the Elite Fleet RedMax and jonsereds
hard to repair? really dude? you can tear down a husky and replace the piston with nothing more than the tools provided in the kit when you buy the saw, I've done it. (you'd need a pliers for the circlips of course) my Jonsered is fifteen years old and has never been temperamental, neither are any of my dad's Huskies, which are just as old, and he doesn't take very good care of them. and I think you're confused, they still sell Red-Max and the latest rummer is that Husqvarna is phasing out Jonsereds to give Red-Max a chance. (hope it's not true) No, and I question weather you really are a certified tech, cuz' I used to be one and have been running saws since I was six, one temperamental saw, I'll give you that, but when you have dozens of them and have issues? me thinks you know not what your doing? you ever check the crank seals? the impulse and fuel lines or intake manifolds for leaks? you one to those stupid assholes that clean carbs with welding wire? or remove welch plugs with electric drills and crack the carb when you go through? or one of those that thinks that the spark plug is supposed to be white?
I run all three, Stihl Husqvarna and Echo. I love my echo 355 top-handle saw for bucket work. My bigger saws are modified huskies and I love them. I have a 365 special with a 75 CC Big Bore modified by Wicked Work Saw. Love it.
I respect the honesty coming from your Channel thank you sir
Thank you!
This guy knows what he is talking about! After over 40 years of having a chainsaw in my hand I agree with the tree contractor. You know from experience.
4 years on a 355T in the trees. Love it. Wouldn't touch a new sthil or husky top handle with a 10 foot pole.
3 months on my 620PW falling trees. Love it.
I have two 355t. Been running them since they hit the Shelf. Great saw!
Thank you for taking the time to do the evaluation. Echo makes a decent product but not an equal with Stihl and Husqvarna day in and day out usage we have found.
I live in Texas and have been Trimming and cutting down trees for over 20 years. I use Echo . I have used all the other brands . Stihl the gas and oil caps they leak. It's a great idea have gas and oil cap with out using a tool. You have to go Stihl to get parts. Ivan get parts easier for Echo and get to using the chainsaw faster. Stihl is a good I just like Echo better
Very cool Curtis!
What do you think about the cs590?
Now this is an excellent video. Thank u for open opinions and honesty. I heard both like and dislike from the same company. We need more of this!
Thanks Alex!
I've had my 045 Super AV with a 26" bar Scince 1983. I really like it. I used those stupid Fail-Safe chains once, those things are terrible. BUT thank you for the extremely honest video.
Thanks Bill!
Sounds to me like this guy didn’t want to like the echo all I know my experience with sthil is I spend more time pulling on the cord than cutting
440x get a husq
440x, that's because you don't know how to start it. 90% of guys that complain about how a stihl starts don't know how to start them correctly. Set your pride aside and read the manual you will be amazed and you won't flood them out.
440x then learn how to start
Learn maintenance and how to mix fuel.
He said I’m used to running Husqvarna 455, Stihl 029 😂 That’s homeowner grade saws being used on tree crew then bashing Echo pro saw 🤦🏻♂️
I was expecting him to say like...ms260 or ms360, 346xp...but a 290 and a 455rancher...lol his boss must hate him
I have an Echo CS-490 and a Shindaiwa 491s which are essentially the same saw. I also have some older Stihls too, but they're heavier and are finickier to get started and keep running by comparison. The Echos seem to be quite a bit lighter and yet very capable saws, especially for the money. All that the gentleman had pointed out is for the most part true, but the older your body gets, the harder it is to toat around the heavier saws and the Stihls are not only heavier, but it can often be a pain in the rump to keep the darned things runnin'. The Echos are very reliable. It amazing their saws aren't more popular with guys that cut up trees for a living. One last thing, the oilers are adjustable so the man's complaint about oil leaking may only have been that the flow needed an adjustment. By the way, nice video. Thanks, Shawn Spencer
My dad was an echo husky and snapper dealer for many years growing husky and echo were what I was raised on my dad told me. Once they started selling in the box stores they'd be junk. You know he was right. When I switch all my equipment to stihl I never will go back to anything else I won't even put a snapper mower on my trailer ever again
LOL- good info!👍
I hate how expensive Stihl is, and how you are locked into dealers for servicing and ordering parts. Tanaka (Hitachi), Echo, Shindaiwa, Husqvarna, and others are all very good power equipment makers and parts are available for cheap on eBay or Amazon, for cheap. Stihl equipment and parts aren't sold online, dealer only, and in the dealer, they are extremely expensive. I can buy almost 2 pieces of equipment for every 1 stihl for the cost. Expensive!
Garrett Stevensen you get what you pay for me personally I the dealer thing. That's what makes them worth the little extra you have to pay up front when I started lawn care I used echo because I could afford it from Home Depot once I was able I made the switch
So true!
I wish i could find and old snaper walk behind mower they don't make them like that no more
I respect what echo did. It is the feedback to make a bullet proof product and this video will help me be smarter on chainsaw purchase. God bless Stan
Thanks Jason!
from my experience with sthil saws i wont buy one. we have 5 various size saws at work and they are always needing some kind of work done to them. usually carb problems. our sthil weedeaters also suck. carb issues just like the saws. the trimmers are used heavily but the saws aren't. i work on a golf course and when its time to trim trees or anything that requires a chainsaw i try to get out of it so i dont have to deal with all the problems. i have owned an echo saw and trimmer for about 12 years and not a single problem
Do your Stihl saws have adjustable fuel/air mixture screws? If not, your chances of operating the saws in the environment they're tuned for are slim to none. My Echo leaf blower, and Husqvarna chainsaw have mixture screws, so I can adjust for my high elevation, changes in temperature, relative humidity, and even slight changes in fuel composition. Without that, they will smoke, you will be changing spark plugs, and cleaning spark arrestor screens until the end of time. Even with regular use, I only change spark plugs and clean the spark arrestor screens a couple of times in a decade. I can set them to burn that clean. With a fuel/oil mix of 50:1, there is no visible smoke from the exhaust, and the fumes don't choke me out.
I opened my tree service in 2015 and bought an entire fleet of brand new Stihl saws. The only one I still own is a 201T because of all the issues I had. I've converted to Dolmar for my bigger saws but own an Echo 8000 36" as well, doesn't have the power of a 7910 Dolmar but it starts every time and always gets the job done. My best overall performers are my Husq 550XP and 562XP. Groundsmen all use Echo 450s and 590s never had a single breakdown as with my backpack blowers and trimmers. I would advise anyone to give Echo a try. Also check out the Dolmar 7310 and 7910 they are absolute ANIMALS.
Thanks for the input on your experience Devan !
I have the 7310 and the 7910 as well, your right they are really nice saws. I still reach for the old CS8000 when I'm pile cutting. Sort of like a well broke in pair of gloves.
I agree that the Echo trimmers are solid, especially the older ones.
Yes sir!
I just bought my first chainsaw for my ranch. Stihl ms 260 and I'm sold on the brand . I liked your video because it's honest hood job gentleman
Echo needs to take a serious look at why Stihl & Husky are the top performers for professional chainsaws. As Scott was saying the fuel caps, the switch, etc things like that make them less desirable for professional arborists like myself. I've exclusively run all Stihl saws for our companies pruning department if Echo could make a saw similar to the Stihl MS200t they might be on to something. Echo needs to follow Husky and Stihl, replicate what makes their saws great and design it into the echo.
James Rosa Dolmar will crush stihl any day. yea they are twice as much but I could drop a Dolmar out of the tree and it would start. stihl would probably explode into a mushroom cloud.
You're entitled to your own opinion, Mike. Respectfully I've been in the tree care industry for 11 years now and I've seen saws get dropped before, I dropped a 200t (in cutting off a limb) 40 feet onto an asphalt drive and it started right up after the ground guy picked it up. There is a dam good reason Stihl is at the top versus dolmar which nobody around here uses.
Good info!!
I need to test dolmar!
People don't use dolmars because they have no idea what they are,if they did sthil would be in trouble. I equate it to this-every dumb bitch knows what a porche is by looking at it because it almost ubiquitous like a sthil,but ask the same girl what she's looking at when seeing a Ferrari and she may have no idea. That is my comparison, a sthil is a good yet somewhat overrated saw because it's well known,though the dolmar is almost an unknown quantity. unless you're a logger on the west coast where some of the biggest trees are, then you will not know what a dolmar is. I'll leave the sthils for you gardeners and tree surgeons and take my dolmars into the woods to log TIMMBER!
I've been kicking around the thought of a new chainsaw for a year or so. I really like my echo trimmer, but was leaning toward Stihl for the saw purchase. This reinforces my gut feeling. Thanks for posting!
Hope it helped!
I've ran echo hedge trimmer( standard size), stihl hedge trimmer (long version), echo blowers, edgers and weed eaters.I enjoy using echo products and they work great for me. Great vid, i respect echo having the gonads to go for this tryout.
I'm the same way I like echo.
I have had great luck with my echo equipment.
We run echo blowers commercially every single day, 6 days per week, for hundreds of commercial properties throughout the bay area. We don't do anything to the echo blowers except changing spark plugs and air filters once a year, if we remember. Their reliability is legendary and we are filling our coffers full of cash by never going to the mechanic.
I look at some of my friend's repair bills on stihl equipment (stihl parts and servicing is dealer only), and man! What a sticker shock! We save thousands each year using Tanaka (hitachi), Husqvarna, and Echo.
Parts may be dealer only, but I can certainly fix my own Stihl equipment. Actually pretty rare that the dealer touches my Stihl stuff after the initial buy.
You should also try the Shindiawa blower. just as reliable as Echo but a but less weight.
Never seen a serious faller in an import... with a trunk. Every one of his concerns with the Echo are valid, but for the price it beats stihl hands down. My Echo 590 starts 1st pull 99% of the time, unless I'm at high elevation and the only maintenance I've ever done was tuning the carb and knocking the air filter out, besides normal bar flipping and sharpening/replacing the chain
and this is why i love your channel . 100% real deal thanks for the videos brotha keep it going man
Thank you!
OneLove Lawn :
Everyone in this video was honest and very informative. This is the way do it right.
I've been using a poulan pro for the last 3 years and had no mechanical break downs. I'm not easy on it either.
What that guy was saying is so bang on. I would say the same thing. Oil leaks, tight caps, heavier, etc. I love my Echo & Shindiawa (same company) trimmers & blowers, totally awesome machines! But my Echo top handle saw was a big disappointment. Less than half the price of Stihl & does the few little jobs I need it for, but if I needed a saw for all day work as an arborist does, Stihl is where it's at. (well at least the old ones anyway, haven't used the new ones yet) Never had more than a few little easy to fix probs with my Stihl saws over the years. As for Husqvarna saws, well didn't see them much, they were always in the shop getting fixed. They are what you call a mechanics saw. Shame, they where ok saws 20 years ago, before they went to China.
I like my echoes just fine . Cs355t is awesome. That 500p is also a great saw.
I have a Sthil I bought in 1987 and it still runs like a champ.
Tree removal experts and while i appreciate their critic. They don't even mention how it cuts?... until kyle at the very end..
Can't decide if Porsche comment means he's a brand snob or doesn't know much about cars.
The second this guy said you can get a shock off the ignition switch I stopped listening. 4:00 . I may not be a tree expert but I have electrical engineering experience and many small engine units. The electrical switch is on the primary side of the coil and it runs at 12V. its impossible to get a shock off of it.
He used the term "zapped" maybe he meant to accidentally hit it... Im not sure.
I had a echo trimmer and switched to STIHL now all my yard equipment are STIHL well most of them and just love them
why did the saws looked BRAND NEW yet when he returned them?
he ran all 4 saws an hour or 2 tops
Because Mr Rogers didnt use them!!!
I guess that’s all it takes
Cuz he made up his mind before it was swapped for his Stihl.lol
My thoughts exactly, Patrick! I thought we would see some footage of product failure on the jobsite. No, we get the estimator pulling the saws from his trunk saying they are no Porsche.......WTF?
I own both saw brands MS271 Stihl Farm Boss (20 inch bar) & Echo CS440 (16 inch bar) I have no complaints with either brand. I use the Echo for the small light work, and the Stihl for the heavy. I do this in-order to keep the hours low on the Farm Boss. For me its a good saw tandem.
Feels like a stihl comercial not a real evaluation of echo
almost clicked off when I saw it was an ad, but stayed for honesty and professionalism
Hope it helped Matt!
The echo CS590 is a beast of a pro level saw for $399.
It’s not a pro level saw. The CS-620p is the pro level 59cc saw.
@@plumberjoe80 it’s the same saw with a wrap bar
And a carb and ignition
Exactly the response I was expecting from the tree company, I have an old echo backpack blower and weed wacker that have not had any problems whatsoever and they are around 10 years old
Awesome!😃
Everytime I go out with my father with my Husqvarna he's still trying to get his Stihl started I've got half the tree cut😂
he's a very smart man! It's a way to spend time together and you get to do all the work lol.....
andrew zweiger so true. I rarely see a Stihl start easy
Maybe ya should learn how to start a saw.
It’s the opposite with my step dad and I. His husky takes at least 4-5 pulls to start. My Stihl starts first pull everytime lol
My Stihl starts very easy been running it for 18 years now he needs to take his to someone that knows how to adjust a carburetor properly
i just bought an Echo CS-590 timberwolf 24". This thing is a beast. Took care of a 5' diameter red oak trunk with no issues. Never bogged down once. I'm not a professional who will use this every day for 4-6-hours of use. Just a homeowner that likes to cut up his own firewood. If i were a professional, i may have gone a different route. Point is, Echo chainsaws may not be there yet for the professional, but for the average homeowner who may use it a dozen times a year, you can't beat it. Why pay more for a husky or stihl where the Echo line hold its own.
I've ran some echo alongside my stihl pro saws, and they're not bad, but not on the same level as others. The one thing that echo really has going for them is price point, but to get to that level with stihl, husqvarna, and dolmar, the saws are going to go up in price. Just have to decide if they want to make a competitive product, or stay in the minor league.
I agree: Echo is more comparable to Homelite, than Husqvarna, or Stihl. Don't get me wrong: Back in the day, Homelite and Echo made pretty good saws, for the money. (I don't know if Homelite even exists anymore)
I do landscaping and minor tree work in the Raleigh area. All my Chainsaws are stihl. Ms 193 / Farm Boss 271 and a 026. My MS193 fell out of my truck one day going down the road and skidded across the pavement. Picked it up went to the side of the road, first pull started right up. My weed eaters and blowers and hedge trimmers are echo. I love both brands but Stihl owns the chainsaw game hands down 🤠
Thanks for the comments Jon, appreciate you watching!
Echo, for 15 plus years plus Sthil. ...I use them both. He is right about those stupid gas caps! But, they start all day long!
Cool!!
Stihl has the same caps that you need your chainsaw wrench to open if there on too tight, not sure why you guys think that's an echo thing when stihl had them first.
I recently purchased the Echo CS490 as the lightest 50cc saw and enjoy using it. My backup is a Stihl 038 Super if I need something bigger. Most of my use is tree removal/trim on my own property in Texas. I don't heat with wood, so it's just occasional use.
The owner says the says they leak oil, (most saws do leak bar oil,) have small filler caps, (on the small climbing saws,) and the switch will shock you (give me a break, I have 40 year old pieces of equipment with original metal switches, never been shocked.) The guy using the ground saw at about 6:28, says, it has alot of power, and he likes it alot. And even when asked what he is used to using he doesn't really show favoritism for any particular brand didn't seem to really care.
This is kind of like asking a seasoned mechanic what his favorite wrench is. Your younger guys will always say what brand makes the heart jump is their favorite wrench and does the best job with his long time of five years experience. The seasoned mechanic will use anything that will get the job done. Cause it is the USER not the tool that gets the work done, plain and simple. These are ALL good products with their selling points, and if a person can't detect this video as a hack, you have your Stihl glasses on. Which is OK to an extent, they are a good product...
Thats an interesting way to view this video...
The guy on the ground said he used an 028 or 029. The 028 came out in 1977. The 029 came out in early 90's or late 80's. So it is not a direct comparison comparing older saws to newer saws.
I understand what you're saying, and you're right. But it makes no difference as to the point I was making. The guy neither praised or bashed none of the saws really more than the other. The business owner to me was a joke. I was a lawn/tree care professional/business owner up until my weary joints couldn't do it anymore. And all saws are gonna ooze a little residual oil off the bar, those metal switches were never a problem, else you would be reading about it all over the internet, and if you over tighten a filler cap, it is gonna be hard to get off, and unless you're carrying around fuel and oil everywhere you go, you're gonna refill close to the truck, were you probably have a tool to remove an over tightened filler cap. The guy's complaints were futile for the most part. He complained of a choke lever that "should be broken off," but lo and behold, it wasn't.
Like I said in my previous post, ALL those products in the video are good products and capable of professional tree care. Believe me, I have owned more name brands than merely in this video alone.
mrpotatoheadracing
I totally agree with your opinion that it's the user and not the tool that gets the job done. But going as far as saying the owner was a joke is a bit of an exaggeration. The guy was asked about his honest opinion to which he responded and addressed some legitimate concerns. They might've been some relatively minor issues but nonetheless it's issues that the competitors sorted out years ago. (The oil and fuel caps and those annoying switches)
When it comes to the oil leaking issue, I have a relatively new Stihl MS 241 which leaks oil like there's no tomorrow, so I agree with you that really any brand does this.
The owner was a joke, cause the guy using the saw had no complaints. And he stated that those switches are known to "shock people." Really? How much has that been an issue? Where is the universal complaint? And "needing a tool to remove the filler caps." Once again, where is the universal complaint? If you overtighten a fuel cap, most of them will need pliers or a screwdriver or something to get off. If the guy's complaints are nothing more than this, then he is a joke in my opinion. Now if it was something of the sorts of the starter mechanism kept slipping, or the chain won't stay adjusted, or something constructive, I would open my ears.
Stihl topping saws,Jonesred felling and ground saws,huskys for back up. Echo makes good backpack blowers. I m an arborist on Cape Cod. The movement is e- battery saws for green initiative out here. Great video though. I like that both sides are open and honest.
Glad I found an almost new Echo 8000 with 32 inch bar in the pawn shop , for $400.00,( new about $850.00. )Was waiting on a simple clutch bearing for my stihl ms880( saw was $2000.00 new), still waiting on the John Deere place to call me, been 6 weeks now. a couple weeks ago ordered one from another shop , had it in a few days. The big Echo had to take the place of the big Stihl through a few big jobs, big trees,it did pretty darn good. The 8000 Echo is about the power level between stihl 460 and 660 . I'll hang on to and recommend this big Echo. Been climbing 27 yrs, I'll stay with Echo climbing saws , very few problems compared to Stihl. Most of my buddies in the business with Husky top handles went back to Echo. Even got a mid sized Echo a yr and a half ago, been flawless.
I actually really like my echo chainsaw.
I would take a 660 over an 880 any day.
Actually I would take anything over an 880.
there you go a season pro with honest input.I`m a young pup compared to dad his is 83 years old he has a monster stihl saw i have used before heavy beast with a 24" bar and it does a good job but he used 2 small echo 302 saws for 30 years and they still run and the echo`s today are just as good been running a 370 now for 4 years no problems other then i had to adjust my low idle mix a simple fix that anyone that uses a saw should be able to do.echo saws are tough mean machines and damn fine saws .
2000.00? bullshit
I like how he gave the blunt truth he didn't under play it at all. Echo does build pretty damn good equipment. But I like how he gave it his honest opinion keep up the good videos
I’m so glad that this wasn’t all bullshit and we’re actually hearing the honest results.
Bring safety gear to these work sites and always wear it in the bucket. You do good work and I would like to see you continue to be able to do it.
I run a few echo's here in the UK and like for like machine the stihl's won't compete with the ones I have. My 620sx, 360tes and 2511tes run rings around the equivalent stihl 362, 201t and 150t. faster cutting, more torque and better balanced...what more could you want
Good info! Thanks!
You are making a very tall statement I have ran Stihl and echo and the echo is a ok saw at best will never be as good as a stihl
I've always run husqvarna. I've got over 400 documented cords of wood that I've cut over 10 years with my x-torque 460. That's not including all the trees and brush for customers. I had to replace the trigger and the plastic handle/ guard. 12" pine landed on it, no other damage. Other than that just routine maintenance, never been rebuilt . I got very lucky with this saw.
Love my echo 590, but than again, I'm not a professional and just use it around my property.
Stihl just has so much more thought put into their professional saws. Echo has a powerful engine and good inner components, but their design is subpar and inconvenient compared to stihl's.
No simple halftwist fuel and oil caps
Ignition controls, while simple, require you to use both of your hands to operate.
Side cover has no captive nuts, so they can get lost if one doesnt pay attention.
The start cord has a spring in the handle so you dont hurt your hand if you start on a compression stroke, etc.
Every saw can have a powerful engine and shred wood like it's nothing, but few will have that simplicity and ease of operation that will make all the difference.
When i was a cedar chopper, Stihl was all i would use. But now i prefer the echo saw as a non professional. I also use Echo weed eater and Echo pole saw. I find them quite hearty and well made. If i was back in the cedar break, i would use a Stihl.
I'm A HUGE ECHO FAN BOY BROTHER thanks for doing this
Stihl has the best bar removal I ever seen.
Echo has to 11 mm I think nuts you gotta ratchet off to get the Chain off
👍😃
Thanks for the review - I did a stretch as a sawyer in NW Montana back in the 80s, saw logs, posts/poles and big cedar for shakes. Husky and Stihl were about the only saws around, maybe a Poulan here and there for those who didn't know better. I still have my 036 pole saw and 044 deck and saw log saw, use them for firewood and helping out neighbors who might have trees they need cleared. I have used the newer ones, and frankly, other than lighter weight I wouldn't trade either of mine for one. My old 044 will pull a 36" bar and square cut chain surprisingly well, but happier with 28"-30". I ran both skip-tooth and chisel chains on old and new, seems like my old ones feel nicer and rarely bog if my sharpening/raker height job is good. If you're using a young guy's muscle, a bit heavier weight is an advantage on the landing - you want that heavier swing weight to rip those long swings down the limbing line on the log. Now almost all of that work is done by stroke delimbers and processors, so a moot point.
Thanks Jay! Good knowledge you share.
Excellent video! I run Husky and now Husky only. I have run Stihl, Echo and Dolmar. The Subtle differences in saws weer not a deciding factor the DEALER was the deciding factor. I can go to my dealer has has the parts I need right there and if they can I take to the shop and the either fix it wile I wait or get on it right away! I'm just a homeowner who cuts a ton of wood. The Husky I chose were for my reasons. But, my dealer takes awesome care of me and I only go to my dealer. He treats my like a king and I return the favor. Every time I can I recommend my dealer to people Jacks Small Engine. Shameless plug I know but hey they treat me right!! Oh BTW the Echo blowers and trimmers are a good product but the saws feel time toys. They need to do something to their plastics to make them feel more skookem' and, dial up their engines the make them chooch better
Great info - Thanks!
I see you watch AvE as well!!! "Keep your *&@$ in a vice"
Used echo since 1980 and still my favorite
Thanks for a fair review. I thought we were going to hear how great Echo was. Echo needs to make some pro grade saws to compete with the big boys.
I gotta give it to ya. You have a broad band or variety of useful information on your cannel. I have been a contractor for over 16 years and I have learned a good bit from your videos. Also, I recently purchased a ECHO PPT 266 Pole Saw and love it. Plus it starts every time I need it.
Thanks David!
The only person bad mouthing ECHO was the owner who wasn’t using the chainsaw and all his dislikes were jokes with nothing substantial. You should be wearing gloves so that some nonexistent shock is not a concern, everyone carries a tool with them to adjust the chain and would have it for the gas caps. I have a Stihl and the gas cap is small and always requires a tool to take off. If you can’t hit that oil and fuel holes your hands are too unsteady for using a chainsaw. The one actual user said he liked the ECHO.
I own a Poulan Pro, Stihl, Husqvarna and an ECHO. The Poulan Pro is dangerous and had every problem one could imagine and should be taken off the market for safety reasons. The Stihl has starting problems. It stops when you idle down and has to be started with the throttle pulled and you can’t let it idle down. Other than that, it is a good saw and I like it. The Husqvarna has overheated several times and when hot it has trouble starting and requires opening the throttle up fully. The oiler plug came out of the oiler reservoir and had to be replaced. I like it better than the Stihl because I can idle it down. My ECHO has not given me any problems at all. It is heavier than the Husqvarna but is also a bigger saw (60 cc vs 50 cc). It starts with no problems and cuts just fine. If I had trouble with the oiler I could adjust the amount of oil going to the chain (someone should have told Boss man that). The ECHO is my favorite saw.
I think the Boss may have been worried that someone would think his crew likes a Japanese chainsaw over an American Chainsaw and that Stihl is considered professional while ECHO is not and this could be bad for his business, therefore show favoritism for Stihl and make up nonsense about the ECHO.
TheDadPenfield, man I couldn't have said it better myself. I've just started in the tree care industry, and so far my only saw is an Echo 355, I bought it because of price. I work from time to time with my uncle, also in the industry, and his Stihl 201, hands down my Echo is better. other crews we work with, most the guys are all in with Echo. I'm not sure if they were at one point in time below quality standards, but whatever they're doing now, they are doing it right.
Nah Stihl is way better. You both are just Echo fanboys. Stihl has lots more power. But if you're going to buy a Chainsaw. Do yourself a favor and get a Husquavarna
TheDadPenfield Stihl is German bro
Jonathan Garcia nah echo runs a hell of a lot better then a sthil I love sthil but echo has the better saw in my opinion
yes but they're talking about pro chainsaws. professional stihls have quick release gas caps. theres also a lot more wear and tear in commercial tree lopping so breaking of the choke is a very frustrating thing.
I'm just a homeowner and not a professional but i bought a Echo CS 590 Timberwolf and the thing is a beast , cut down some huge trees with no issue. Seems as good or better then some of the husqys and stihl's i've tried. Also cheaper and 5 year warranty so i'm happy with the saw!
Got the same saw and it is a BEAST! Tho ours ended up with a leak at the compression valve, it really screwed it up!
So they gave us a brand new one off the shelf (2yrs old at the time)
lol. sad thing is, I own both and my echo works better. you dont need a tool to remove caps unless you are incompetent. also I have NEVER hit the toggle by mistake, so I deffinetly wouldnt expect a pro to either. Echo is a Japenese saw and deserves a better review then this. My sthil comes in second place, sorry, bit this is deffinetly a paid review.
Very cool-but this isn't a paid review at all.
I was gunna say the fuel caps seeding a tool is be hed obvious never ran older stihl even My new Ms 180 has the oil caps you use your tool on and you dont need to be cranking it down if the saw runs well and lasts that's what matters in my opinion
watch it again. This guy said "zapped" and "electrical charge".
The second this guy said you can get a shock off the ignition switch I stopped listening. 4:00 . I may not be a tree expert but I have electrical engineering experience and many small engine units. The electrical switch is on the primary side of the coil and it runs at 12V. its impossible to get a shock off of it.
My new echo 2511t rocks. And the cap tool is the recoil handle. As in if you cant get the gas cap off, use the recoil handle. Read the manual.
Brian Morrison thanks for sharing this info. Ive had to grab pliers many times
this is good I haveworked in logging for 15 years. I use a husky and love it because it's rugged. I have looked at the echo a d was thinking about getting one for small jobs with the landscaping business I have but I'm glad I seen this becauseI won't wast my money on one thanks.
Hope it helped out!
I'm no professional but I cut down a lot of trees at my farms and have both Echo and Stihl and the Echo's have been amazing.
Good to hear, thanks for watching !
I have both saws I have never not had a echo start. I have had sthil not start. Cs590 comes in allot cheaper then ms291 which is 5/16 chain. Echo cs590 sports 3/8. For the extra warranty echo 5 yrs. Sthil nothing!!!!
Have used Echo over the years, mostly the small climbing saw, both top and back handle. Overall they were good. But simple things like the starter cord running through plastic fittings let them down. Also have had the pleasure of using equivalent Stihl and Husqvarna saws which I would prefer if given the choice.
Good to know! Thanks Rick!
I've been a tree cutter for 20 years I switched from stihl to echo for my tree cutting and lawn care that guy don't know what he's talking about the only way stihl win's is with big saws 066 or 088 that the only time I use stihl tell echo keep it up there almost there they need a pro like me to give them advice on there saw line then they would dominant the market Edwards family outdoor service
Elijah Edwards agreed man I also use small echo saws for my business. For starters the price point is better, and echos are for more easy to service maintain and find parts. And cheaper to maintain too.
@@AndyGarcia-ch1ci best of the small echos is the cs400. muffler mod and some fine tuning on the carb and that thing runs like a raped ape and it costs $280.
I just purchased a 501P. The only real complaint that I have is that the clutch cover is plastic. I also think that the choke is wimpy looking and I am afraid to break it. I guess I've never been zapped by a metal switch. I've had them on old Homelite & Olympyk saws in years past. Maybe I've been lucky? So far, the Echo is the least temperamental saw that I've owned in a long time. It's the easiest to start and has never failed to start on me.
guys...c'mon...stop bashing him on pronouncing names. and actually u guys r wrong. it is pronounced HOOSK-VARNA It is Swedish after all
LOL😃
No! Its not Hoosqvarna!I am sweed and it's Husqvarna! thank you
Hus - kvarna! The first part is Hus=house. Second part kvarna=mill like in windmill or water powered mill.
I love my echo equipment. Have a backpack blower, weedwacker, and 3 echo saws. Small cs300 top handle, cs400, and an oooold 660elv
I've never used an echo, they seem decent, but I will live and die by my Stihl.
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try them!! underatted saw, bought one yesterday and i like it better then my stihl
Best thing Stihl makes is their chainsaw... Redmax SHITS on them with everything else. Fact.
@@spenny9274 Redmax is Husqvarna
I have an Echo leaf blower, and since I live at a higher elevation, my favorite feature is the fact that I can adjust the fuel/air mixture so it doesn't run "rich" because of the higher altitude. Newer chainsaws and leaf blowers, as well as string trimmers, have fixed carburetors, which ALWAYS run rich up here at ~4,000 feet of elevation. It's almost impossible to find new 2-stroke power tools, that allow mixture adjustment. If Echo chainsaws still have that adjustment, it will be my next chainsaw! You can run those Echo engines ragged on 50:1 fuel/oil mix for a lifetime. I've only replaced the spark plug once in the last decade, because I can adjust the mixture to burn that clean. In the entire 30 years I've owned the blower, I've only cleaned the spark arrestor screen in the muffler once. It's totally absurd, to think that a "set and forget" carburetor can be built, that can compensate for changes in barometric pressure, altitude, relative humidity, temperature, or even slight differences in fuel composition. Those "EPA" carburetors are dirtier than any carburetor, that will allow you to tune it to the operating environment, unless, you run your saw at sea level, at 77°F, at ~50% relative humidity,(standard temperature and pressure) and that's if the stiffness of the diaphragm in the carburetor doesn't change with use.
Here in Texas ethanol free gas ⛽️ my friend
CS590 all the way love my timber wolves
I love my Timber wolf saw.
Dave Tumbleson ,That's is a Damn good saw with a good reputation, I have a Shindaiwa 358t top handle chainsaw & man I love it
Love the 590! Saw a video where it cut damn near the time frame that matched a Husky high end XP for less money. And by the way, I’m. Surprised Home Depot even sells them on the shelf in a box. The Timber Wolf is not a novice Saw. One wrong move and you’ll lose a limb. Reminds me a lot of my ol MS-440!
Great video! I liked that Echo accepted the challenge. They build some great equipment but the saws could always be better. In addition to the things mentioned, air filter fit is terrible on the 590/ 620.
Echo makes great pro chainsaws
I picked up my first expensive snow blower from Husqvarna, had an issue with them HORRIBLE customer service so the fact they didn't get back to you, makes perfect sense.
I only ran a few of them-didn't seem special to me.
Well those saws weren't used 30 days. I am assuming he was giving them back to you? I'm pretty sure you don't have high voltage at the switch. I think the owner was clueless.
My wife bought me the echo cs310 it's a great saw for limbing down branches and falling small diameter trees and just bought the cs590 and alot of people I talk to say they prefer the echo series saws over a husky and stihl.
The cs 590 is the best saw by far stihl is garbage sad to say but people are posers and do not know anything about saws echo is king
Learn to use rigging equipment and skip the crane fee.
All my stuff is Echo, including both of my chainsaws, and I love them!
Same here- I love my echo equipment
Try out the Husqvarna T-435 I've found it to be a great saw for up in the tree.
yep
I've run Echo and only Echo over the years with zero problems too. Good video.
Same here- Echo has been great!