Stihl or Echo top handle saw?

[jyoutz]

I have an Echo 355T that I got pinched in a limb. I gave it a good yank (mistake!!) to free it from the limb, and ended up ripping the handle clean off of the saw. Turns out, there is only a little molded plastic tab that connects the handle to the main body/ case. The repair involved replacing the entire case, and a few hours of my labor. Needless to say, the design was less robust than I expected. Since replacing the case, I now have and endless oil leak/ drip from that saw, requiring me to have to store it on its side.

I am planning to replace it with a Stihl 201T soon.

Good luck with your decision.

You are seeing the difference between a consumer and pro grade saw. Pro grade saws are far more sturdy and the brands we are discussing all offer pro saws. The problem with looking for a used pro saw is that loggers and arborists use them hard and don’t part with them until they are worn out. The best find is a homeowner with a lightly used pro saw, but those are very hard to find. Most homeowners don’t spend the money to buy pro saws.

 

[Hay Dude]

You are seeing the difference between a consumer and pro grade saw. Pro grade saws are far more sturdy and the brands we are discussing all offer pro saws. The problem with looking for a used pro saw is that loggers and arborists use them hard and don’t part with them until they are worn out. The best find is a homeowner with a lightly used pro saw, but those are very hard to find. Most homeowners don’t spend the money to buy pro saws.

Some do. Some homeowners buy diesel trucks, diesel zero turns, backhoes, farm tractors….you name it.
But they are much harder to find.

I could also make an argument that a real clueless homeowner could ruin a pro saw in one day. Seen it happen.

 

[5030]

Pretty hard to yank any saw out of a pinch without damaging it. Why I always have 2 saws with me just in case.

 

[5030]

You are seeing the difference between a consumer and pro grade saw. Pro grade saws are far more sturdy and the brands we are discussing all offer pro saws. The problem with looking for a used pro saw is that loggers and arborists use them hard and don’t part with them until they are worn out. The best find is a homeowner with a lightly used pro saw, but those are very hard to find. Most homeowners don’t spend the money to buy pro saws.

Curious what is your definition between a 'pro' saw and a run of the mill saw? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some do. Some homeowners buy diesel trucks, diesel zero turns, backhoes, farm tractors….you name it.
But they are much harder to find.

I could also make an argument that a real clueless homeowner could ruin a pro saw in one day. Seen it happen.

No oil in the mix and run until it stops…

Seen it twice and both times returned item to Home Depot.

 

[ultrarunner]

Curious what is your definition between a 'pro' saw and a run of the mill saw? Inquiring minds want to know.

The ones I see are less plastic and more metal.

 

[kozal01]

Im a big fan of Stihl saws but the Echo 2511T is an awesome little saw. With a couple mods it rips and its super light, I grab this more than my bigger 261 now.

 

[5030]

They all have die cast crankcases, steel cranks, alloy jugs and alloy pistons last time I checked and the little ones will have clamshell crankcases. I prefer a lighter saw over a heavy one anyway. I own some heavy saws that sit on the shelf, devoid of gas and oil and nothing I'd want to use anyway. I own a Stihl 090 with a 5 foot 2 man bar and an 075 with a 4 foot bar. Heck I cannot even start them (compression release or not) at my age. The 090 was the largest displacement saw that Stihl ever made and the 075 is next. Both of them are stupid heavy as well. Both are running 404 chipper chain.

I think about selling them but I bought them both new way back when and both have sentimental value for me so they sit on the shelf and will until I'm no longer here and then my wife can sell them.

One thing I never do is take a saw apart if I don't have to. Some people love to modify them. I don't, other than letting them breath better, that is about it.

Gonna have to take my 028 apart soon as I suspect the crank seals are starting to leak. It is, after all over 50 years old and still on the original seals and carb. I have replaced the fuel and impulse lines recently. Started out on non corn squeezed gas and then to canned gas. I never run corn gas in anything 2 stroke, never have.

 

[5030]

Im a big fan of Stihl saws but the Echo 2511T is an awesome little saw. With a couple mods it rips and its super light, I grab this more than my bigger 261 now.

View attachment 862429

That has the I30 starter system just like mine does. I actually prefer the Echo bars myself over the Stihl or Oregon. The Echo bars are much more blocky and they all have greaseable roller noses too.

 

[kozal01]

That has the I30 starter system just like mine does. I actually prefer the Echo bars myself over the Stihl or Oregon. The Echo bars are much more blocky and they all have greaseable roller noses too.

The 3/8” bar and chain that came on this saw was way too much for it. This is a very common mod that lets this thing rip. It’s a 1/4” picco bar and chain setup. Night and day difference in performance.

 

[jyoutz]

Curious what is your definition between a 'pro' saw and a run of the mill saw? Inquiring minds want to know.

The companies classify them that way. They are listed as such in their catalogs. Largely the materials that the head, piston, rings, and other components are constructed with. Pro saws also have a higher percentage of replaceable parts. Your large Stihl saws are pro saws.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Im a big fan of Stihl saws but the Echo 2511T is an awesome little saw. With a couple mods it rips and its super light, I grab this more than my bigger 261 now.

View attachment 862429

What modifications did you make? I've got a 2511P, myself.

 

[denchen]

I use a Stihl 009 on a 12 inch bar. Years old, never any problems. A bit heavy I guess by modern standards but always starts easy and works like a horse without struggling.

 

[xyz123]

I don't think Stihl wants to sell Top handle saws to homeowners. Not just because they price them so high but they specifically offer NO warranty for homeowner use. The higher prices though go a good way to discourage homeowner use but the lack of a warranty would make most back away.

Laughing at that. That isnt the reason their high. I am a homeowner. Stihl just being stihl on prices.

Read about their record profits since 2020, but yet they layoff workers.

200T 150T I owned.

IMO they just afraid of lawsuits by the stupid out there. Heck some of the dealers wont sell a guy yellow label chain.

 

[xyz123]

Both the full size PHO dry weights like oem does them.

 

[xyz123]

Ported 2511 will cut with the stock 35cc saws but weigh tad over 5lbs PHO dry to start with.

 

[xyz123]

When 2511 first came out and Mitch was looking for right porting. First trial runs before changing up.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’ll go with the quieter heavier saw. You’d be surprised at how trivial a reason a customer won’t call you back. Loud saws? Damn right. lol

I appreciate noting the differences between Stihl & Echo, but no need to turn this into Ford v. Chevy.

These are both good saws.

 

[xyz123]

 

[xyz123]

I’ll go with the quieter heavier saw. You’d be surprised at how trivial a reason a customer won’t call you back. Loud saws? Damn right. lol

Why alot of the climbers having to go to battery top handles too.