Small Chain Saw?

[wedge40]

I'm in the market for a small, lightweight chainsaw to trim the trees I've cut down. A friend recommended an Echo CS300. But it looks like those are obsolete. Anybody have any other recommendations. I was looking at the CS341 with a 12" bar, 10" if I could get it. Anybody have a cost estimate for this saw?


Wedge

 

[czechsonofagun]

I'm in the market for a small, lightweight chainsaw to trim the trees I've cut down. A friend recommended an Echo CS300. But it looks like those are obsolete. Anybody have any other recommendations. I was looking at the CS341 with a 12" bar, 10" if I could get it. Anybody have a cost estimate for this saw?


Wedge

I would stick to saws in local specialized stores - either Husqvarna or Stihl. You can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[greenmule]

Well,echo still makes saws and just because that model is no longer made I'm sure there is another model that is being made that is very close.
Your friend gave you good advise as to brand,echo makes good stuff,and no professional/homeowner model thing going on,alls theirs are the same.

 

[Redneck in training]

I would stick to saws in local specialized stores - either Husqvarna or Stihl. You can't go wrong with either of them.

Currently I have Husky but I went to the Stihl store recently and like their saws. Friend of my swears by them.

Chain Saws - STIHL MS 192 T C-E Chain Saw - Professional Tree Service Use - STIHL USA

Here is one I want to buy for my wife. It is light and can be operated by one hand. It is pricey though close to $500 last time I checked.

For myself I would get one of those with "tool free" bar adjustment.

Chain Saws - STIHL MS 280 C-BQ Chain Saw - Mid-Range Use - STIHL USA

 

[groundcover]

I picked up a Echo cs360 a couple of years ago and love it. It replaced an older Echo one hand saw that I still have but it doesn't have a chain brake or the anti vibe handles. I have better luck with the Echos for my use as they don't mind if I leave them on the shelf for months then use the heck out of them ,the others seem to like to run everyday or I have trouble getting them started. I also have a Shindiwa 488, a bit bigger but also starts after sitting and suits my needs nicely.

 

[LBrown59]

I like my Stihl14'' easy start.

 

[Airic]

I would base your decision on how much you plan on using it. If you only anticipate a few times a year, that is probably a good choice. If you have lots of trees and/or cutting for lots of firewood I would opt for the Stihl as that is what I have and know of as a great saw. I had a Echo and it worked fine for the first year and a half but, as much cutting I was doing I wore it out. Lost two coils, broke the pull cord a few times and then somthing happened that seized motor. Thinking bent valve but not checked yet as I'm having too much fun with the my MS260. Also had a hard time finding good chains for the Echo. Got lots of Cherry and Osage Orange and they would always check the chain (bending the chain blades out). On my Stihl I have yet to need to sharpen the chain and have cut lots of wood since fall.

One thing to also consider is a pole saw. Depending upon how big of limbs you cutting they are great for de limbing. No bending over and its easy to reach into places instead of climbing through all the cut and uncut limbs.

 

[Egon]

bent valve

seized motor from bent valve???

 

[Airic]

Seized motor may not be right word. I can move the piston but it appears to only make a half a stroke like a valve is bent or broke and not allowing the piston to come all the way to the top.

 

[coobie]

I'm in the market for a small, lightweight chainsaw to trim the trees I've cut down. A friend recommended an Echo CS300. But it looks like those are obsolete. Anybody have any other recommendations. I was looking at the CS341 with a 12" bar, 10" if I could get it. Anybody have a cost estimate for this saw?


Wedge

I just bought a echo cs-530 (20 inch bar)and love it.I used to own stihl 011 and 26 models.The stihls were good saws but mine were always hard to start.Echo also has a 5 year consumer warrenty.coobie

 

[Egon]

I can move the piston but it appears to only make a half a stroke like a valve is bent or broke and not allowing the piston to come all the way to the top.

Check out the following site.


HowStuffWorks "How Two-stroke Engines Work"

 

[SPYDERLK]

Seized motor may not be right word. I can move the piston but it appears to only make a half a stroke like a valve is bent or broke and not allowing the piston to come all the way to the top.

no valves on chainsaw engines. no motors either.
larry

 

[ultrarunner]

I have the CS341... I think it's just about the only one that still has the priming bulb.

It's my go-to saw and never a problem and I've had it about 5 years... mine has the grey case.

Always starts right up and small enough to stow easily. Most of what I use it for is to cut brush, limbs or if a tree has fallen.

I did use it to take down a 34" dia pine because it's what I had with me at the time.

 

[rdln]

i LIKE MY STIHL 017. 13 years of occasional use and doing good. $200

 

[BruceWard]

I bought a Stihl MS-170 earlier this year to cut trees on a steep hill. I have access to two 028s and a 038. I have been cleaning up about 1.5 acres of bulldozer cleared land. I love the little MS-170. It is light and easy to carry around all day. Some people strap them to themselves.

I find myself preferring the little MS-170 and only using the big saws if I get the little one hung up.

 

[BruceWard]

The MS-170 was less than $200.

 

[GaryCrowell]

Go with a husquvarna or Stihl. As mentioned, a small one can be had for around $200 or so. Both are quality saws that will give you a long service life. I'm sure Echo makes a decent saw, but I don't know anywhere around here that sells them. I can buy a husky or stihl in any small town around here, and more importantly get it serviced anywhere. You can't go wrong with either the husky or stihl, and in the size you want they're pretty inexpensive.

 

[samtmc]

I have the ms-250 stihl with a 16" bar that I bought last year and it is awsome ! It starts right away (within three pulls)and runs great. My only regret is I wish I would have bought a bigger one, as I find myself cutting alot more wood than I antisipated. I would like to step up to the ms-290 (or bigger) I paid about $320.00 for mine and have 6 chains. (I cut about 10 cord last year and have already done that this year.) If anybody is interested in buying it so I can have the funds help to upgrade to a bigger one myself. I am open to any offers

 

[bjr]

What I'm not hearing in this thread is "what the replacement parts are costing?" Some of the manufacturers are making the return money on parts, Big Time. That's been a real factor in my choosing a saw. So far I've kinda been leaning towards the Echo. bjr

 

[johnnydel29]

Stihl, Echo or Husky are all excellent. for smaller saws - I prefer Echo. The main thing is to find a good dealer that carrys any of these brands that will provide you with the best service.

Even though Home Depot and Lowes carrys these brands (Husky & Echo), always buy from a reputable dealer that provides good service.