Can I get some thoughts and opinions regarding Echo chainsaw?

[2manyrocks]

On my fence clearing project, I keep both a larger CS plus the Echo top handle saw on the tractor. The Echo is quick to cut tree top stuff with a sharp chain. I'd say a sharp chain is the key, and I'd suspect that's what convinced 5030 to spend the bucks on an electric saw sharpener and wheel to get the top performance out of his saws.

 

[5030]

On my fence clearing project, I keep both a larger CS plus the Echo top handle saw on the tractor. The Echo is quick to cut tree top stuff with a sharp chain. I'd say a sharp chain is the key, and I'd suspect that's what convinced 5030 to spend the bucks on an electric saw sharpener and wheel to get the top performance out of his saws.

The difference between a saw that don't cut well and one that does, is the condition of the saw chain. Plain and simple. Just bought a second sharpener just for the Rakers, but then I seem to be sharpening loops for the arborists I sharpen chipper knives for now. Think I have about 50 presently. The difference between hand filing and machine filing (grinding) is night and day. Machine grinding is all about consistent sharpening tooth to tooth. All the same, something you cannot do by hand filing because it is just that 'by hand'.

I have at least one extra loop for each saw so when one loop is getting dull, I change out and flip the bar over at the same time. Easy to tell when a loop is getting dull too (besides the chain making sawdust instead of chips. When you start getting pitch on the top of the tooth, it's time to put on a sharp loop.

When I flip the bar, I also clean out the bar groove and the oiler holes, plus I look at the bar to see if a burr is developing on the rail surface and if it is, I'll grind it off.

 

[JJT]

I hop that chainsaw works for you ... I only cut one tree with my 25cc then I lost patience with it and went and bought a 60cc... even now I am thinking about a 70cc

Stop thinking about it and go buy the 680. I have many, many hours on mine, 100% trouble free for more than 10 years. It's a very nice felling and bucking saw. I still use my little echos for limbing work and trees under 12".

 

[Rockbadchild]

Stop thinking about it and go buy the 680. I have many, many hours on mine, 100% trouble free for more than 10 years. It's a very nice felling and bucking saw. I still use my little echos for limbing work and trees under 12".

I don't own any Echo, I own Husqvarna and that is all I will ever own nobody will convince me otherwise, I am simply talking about CC's here since I can't give any opinion on other brand since I am definitely bias towards Husqvarna. I am happy with my 60cc as far as trouble goes, it just could be more powerful that's all... In the past I have let the weight fooled me, in the store when the saw is not turning it feels heavier and more you use it lighter it become over time... as soon as I go through this engine I will go get a 70cc's for sure nothing less

 

[kenmbz]

I have an Echo 620P and it is heavy to lift, but in the cut is well balanced and with the 24" bar rips right through the large Ash.
So far it is reliable, like my CS490 has been for the last 4 years.

Neighbor has a Husky and he is just as happy with his, at much higher cost.

Neither of us does real wood processing, but we go through a lot of dead ash every year and whatever else falls down and needs cleanup.

 

[5030]

Chainsaws are ALL good for the most part except the cheapo Poulans and the ones that are prone to vapor lock because the carbs aren't sufficiently insulated from the cylinder heat. Like I've said previously, the one thing that separates a good saw from a bad one most times is how dull the loop is.

 

[DGHudson]

Echo are decent saws, STIHL are awesome saws. If you’re not going to use it very often, you can even get away with a Poulan saw. What ever you buy, when you’re done, run it dry. Makes your life easier the next time you go to use it.

 

[5030]

Echo are decent saws, STIHL are awesome saws. If you’re not going to use it very often, you can even get away with a Poulan saw. What ever you buy, when you’re done, run it dry. Makes your life easier the next time you go to use it.

Don't have to if you run synthetic fuel like I do. E gas, certainly. Far as Stihl is concerned the latest Stihl's are overpriced and every one I've had the chance to own, they all need at least a muffler mod to get to run halfway good.

I would never own a Poolan. Total vapor locking junk.

 

[5030]

Now that my CS Echo is broken in, I never touch the primer bulb and it fires on the first pull. Nice saw. That could be due to the fact that I use synthetic fuel too.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Picked up a neat 12 volt Oregon chain sharpener, I'm hoping it's as nice as it claims to be.

 

[5030]

Just bought (as I stated above) another chain grinder but this time a Chinese copy of the Oregon (Mophron). It's on Amazon and cost 106 bucks delivered and is an exact copy of the Oregon (Tecomec) grinder. This one will be for strictly Rakers. with a 30 degree CBN wheel.

Between the loops and the chipper knives, the shop is full of income stuff.

 

[Omega Woods]

Prefer Stihl but have no quarrel with Echo. Definitely NO ETHANOL.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you were buying again, would you just buy two of the Mophorns? I'd like to save $100+, but don't want to buy cheap and regret it later.

 

[5030]

If you were buying again, would you just buy two of the Mophorns? I'd like to save $100+, but don't want to buy cheap and regret it later.

I don't know actually. Like the Oregon (Tecomec) but the China copy is nice dang good as well. I read the reviews before buying and a lot of the reviewers complained that the motor shaft was bent and the grinder was at that point useless. First thing I checked was the shaft runout on the one I bought and it's fine. The aluminum die castings aren't quite as robust as the Oregon / Tecomec and the Mophron cannot be wall mounted, it has to be bench mounted because, unlike the Oregon, the head tilt is set by a knob that sticks off the back side of the grinder so that eliminates wall mounting which, is a non issue with me as mine mount to the bench or should I say my welding table.

One thing I do like about the Mophron that the Oregon don't have (unless you buy the Ultra expensive hydraulic clamping Oregon for over 400 bucks) is the Mophron has a quick access (no tools required) for a wheel change, not that I'll be changing wheels because I won't be. I'm running CBN wheels so they won't get dressed or changed for may, many loops.

Just did a review of the Mophron on Amazon (think I'm spelling it correctly...lol).

Anyway, it's quite a bargain, spins the standard diameter grinding wheels and comes with extra stone wheels as well as a dressing stone and profile gage just like the Oregon, that I'll never use anyway.

If you spring for one, I suggest the first thing you check is the motor shaft for runout and if it has runout, send it back. A wobbling shaft will not work and could cause the stone wheels to explode.

They come very well packaged in 2 nestled boxes with the grinder partially assembled and nestled in Styrofoam. Assembly is simple, all you need to do is attach the chain vise, mount it and grind away. Even comes with the useless LED light mounted to the head. I will say the Chinese are good at copying the Oregon / Tecomec, made in Italy grinder.

Just my observations, nothing more.

 

[2manyrocks]

As far as the accuracy of the clamp holding the chain teeth relative to the grinding wheel, no complaints there?

 

[5030]

As far as the accuracy of the clamp holding the chain teeth relative to the grinding wheel, no complaints there?

No and I checked the one I bought with a digital protractor. It's within a couple degrees of true. Like I said, I don't use the stone wheels anyway, only CBN wheels.

 

[tacticalturnip]

@5030 is this the one you picked up? I'm just browsing Amazon, looking at future potential needs.

https://www.amazon.com/Mophorn-Sawchaingrinder-Grinder-Chainsaw-Sharpener/dp/B01N6NWS8I/ref=sr_1_3?crid=HR4NQSNJZ2O5&keywords=mophorn+chainsaw+sharpener&qid=1683308478&sprefix=mophorn+chainsaw+sharpener+230w%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-3

 

[ning]

I've never run non-ethanol gas in any of my small engines and I've never had fuel issues with my carbs, including the 20-year-old Echo CS305 and the almost 50 year old Stihl 031AVE. Of course, it could just be that fine California gasoline we get (j/k).

In machines that I can - like the rototiller or pressure washer - I'll run them dry. Other ones, like chain saws or brush trimmer, I keep the fuel topped up; I refill fuel & oil after using them. A full fuel tank reduces moisture collection from air.

 

[Joel/ak]

Had to buy a new echo this past weekend. Another cs400. My wife's old cs400 bar oil pump went out. For $320 and all we have had to do to it lately, cheaper to buy new and I got a parts saw.

10 years with the old one and she used it all the time, about 3-4 times a week. I feel I got my monies worth out of it.

 

[mrmikey]

I like Echo's and wouldn't buy anything else . Sayng that.....does anyone find their parts overly expensive? Had to get a clutch drum for my CS370, CAN$60 and CAN$25 for the $2 bearing