John Deere CS56 chainsaw

[Kyle_in_Tex]

When we first bought our CS40 and CS56, we went to the Stihl dealer and saw literally piles of dead Stihl products. Weedeaters, chainsaws and blowers. We were able to buy the JDs for about 70% of the comparable Stihl and we got free cases.

We are not "pro" users. However, During the 1st year, we cleared and trimmed 25 acres of post oaks. We burned piles of brush about the size of a school bus at least 5 times. I know we've burned at least 20 gallons of premix thru them and they still run like new. They start very easily. The problem mentioned above about the bar oil getting pressured and leaking out is true. I try to put them in the case with very little bar oil left. I would not hesitate to buy another one, even if it cost the same as Stihl.

 

[xyz123]

From Efco dealer I had posted in link here.

Saw has been at the distributer for 5 weeks. Saw is to be repaired under warranty ( second 156 with cracked case also).

Call this morning said to expect a wait of 3 more weeks as there are no crankcases in North America. New cases must come from Italy but are on backorder.

2 months for saw repairs is beyond reasonable.

I am dropping the Efco line of saws. Will keep an account open to service saws that are out.

The Efco saws are nice saws but they have no support system in place.

 

[jdemaris]

Are these saws any good? I see you can still find them here and there around the nation NIB

How do they stack up against Stihl's

I've got two CS56s and love them. In my opinon, Stihl does not make a saw near as good in this size-range. I wish I'd bought more when I had the chance. When Deere stopped selling them, I found a dealer selling them off for $290 each with 20" bars. I'd bought half-a-dozen had I known what nice saws these are.

If you compare the Deere/Efco CS56 to the Sthil MS290 the Sthil loses easily. CS56 has a metal bar cover, compression release, twice the warranty, better power-to-weight ratio, decompression valve, primer bulb for cold starting, etc.

Stihl has made some great and some bad saws over the years, just like many of the most popular companies. There was a time when Stihl sold some of the best saws in the USA. Not anymore. Efco and Dolmar are every bit as good, and often better with a lower price and longer warranty. They aren't new companies either. In fact, Dolmar is older then Stihl (but not by much).

I've had problems getting parts for some Sthil's once they were 20 years old - so I assume that any saw can be a problem for parts when time passes. I'm talking expensive pro-saws, not little homeowner toys. Especially my 045 Super and 056 Magnum.
I worked for one of the first Sthil dealers in the USA back in the 60s, and have been using them ever since (along with other makes).