"Free Chainsaw"

Sparks45 · Jul 1, 2014

There I was yesterday browsing thru TBN when an ad popped up in the right margin. Buy any Echo Bear Cat chipper/shredder and get a free Echo CS310-14 chainsaw (MSRP $199.99), but the deal ended 30 June. I check the calendar and it's the last day of June. Hmmmm...thought I. We're building on 5 acres (3.5 wooded) so I"m gonna need a chipper/shredder after we move in 3 or 4 months. Sure could use a new chainsaw - my current one is 25+ years old and hasn't been started in 20 years. I have the rebuild kit for it and just need to get a round tuit. So I go look at the chipper/shredder models on the Bear Cat website. I don't need a pro/commercial machine, just something for occasional use. Seems the CS3206 is the sweet spot for me. MSRP $1,099.99 USD. Plug in my zip code and start calling local dealers. Finally found one that had both the c/s and saw in stock. Told him I saw the free saw deal and asked if he's honoring it. He said he did so I said I'll be right over. Yeah, I paid MSRP for the chipper but the way I look at it, I got it for almost 20% off in the form of a chainsaw.
So my question(s) are: Is anyone familiar with either or both machines? How good or bad are they?
Charlie

s219 · Jul 2, 2014

Echo makes a fine chainsaw, but the 310 is a real little guy (I think it will fit on a keyring). As long as you wanted a small limbing/trimming saw, it will be great. I think the CS-400 is a better all-around saw that gives added capability to fell small/medium trees, though it's another $100.

Bearcat makes great PTO chipper/shredders, but I know nothing about their gas-powered models. Gas chippers I have used in the past were a bit wimpy, so I steered clear of them and went with a PTO model (Wallenstein) when buying my own.

Sparks45 · Jul 2, 2014

s219 said:
Echo makes a fine chainsaw, but the 310 is a real little guy (I think it will fit on a keyring). As long as you wanted a small limbing/trimming saw, it will be great. I think the CS-400 is a better all-around saw that gives added capability to fell small/medium trees, though it's another $100.

Bearcat makes great PTO chipper/shredders, but I know nothing about their gas-powered models. Gas chippers I have used in the past were a bit wimpy, so I steered clear of them and went with a PTO model (Wallenstein) when buying my own.

Thanks for the reply, s219. Sounds (reads) like both machines should be reliable. I'll only have light occasional use for them so they should meet my requirements.
Charlie