Which Chainsaw ?

[arto98607]

I also have a 14" for the echo 2511PN. Rear handle is my choice for limbing on ground and felling small stuff.

I would want it 12" and smaller though trees. Tree setting on was drooped with 50cc echo. Be slow going with 25cc. I used the 25cc to limb it out with.

Limbing in tree the top handle versions.


OEM ones are awful stuffed mufflers though. Clones good to go.
OEM needs gutted or a egan pipe or a PSS V2 cnc muffler. Top 2 in testing of aftermarket mufflers pipe.


View attachment 5178393

I was not aware Echo has 2511PN model ! How long has that been around?

It's a 5.7 lbs saw and according to Echo it is: "LIGHTEST REAR HANDLE GAS CHAINSAW IN NORTH AMERICA WITH NANO STYLE CHAIN"


It looks like a good professional model alternative to the lightweight Stihl MS150 C-E and MS201c saws.

 

[xyz123]

I was not aware Echo has 2511PN model available! How long has that been around?

It's a 5.7 lbs saw and according to Echo it is: "LIGHTEST REAR HANDLE GAS CHAINSAW IN NORTH AMERICA WITH NANO STYLE CHAIN"


It looks like a good professional model alternative to the lightweight Stihl MS150 C-E and MS201c saws.

It was out for a long time as the 2511P. That was when they had 3/8LP chain set ups.

The PN is just the oregon nano 325 they finally added as it is best set up IMHO for these.

I've had my PN for a a year and cant recall date tag on it and the P was out way before it.

The P came out in 2020.

As used both tanks full and 12" nano set up on it.

Yes both versions lighter then the 150, So prob the 151 too.

They also have their 355 TH version in the 361 rear handle 35cc like a 201 style. Bigger heavier. Then these little guys.

 

[xyz123]

In lbs and ounces. I think I put the bigger spike on over their tiny one when weighed. I cant recall anymore.
Also mine was weighed with egan pipe too.
Real close to their 5.7 = 5lbs 11.2oz

Echo 2511 rear handle PHO weight dry 2511PN

 

[EddieWalker]

I started out with a Husqvarna and loved it the first year or two, then it became harder and harder to start, and then it failed. I switched to Stihl and loved it for the first year or two, but it also became harder and harder to start. I bought another smaller one for limbing, but it had the same issues. Both went into the shop every year, and I just hated using either of them because of how much effort it took to get them to start.

A couple years ago I bought an Echo from Home Depot that has been awesome. Super easy to start, unbelievable power and super simple to maintain.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-20-in-59-8-cc-Gas-2-Stroke-Rear-Handle-Timber-Wolf-Chainsaw-CS-590-20/204221580

But to be honest, the Echo is the first chainsaw that I bought premixed gasoline for. The Husky and Stihl saws might of been easier to start and keep going if I had used premixed gas in them, so I'm not 100% negative on those brands. There are other features on the Echo that make it nicer to own, like how the chain tightens, how you can see through the plastic fuel tank to see how much you have, and all the power that it has.

I burn less than two cords of wood a year. Most of it is in the Spring and Fall when we have fires on the porch. I also clean up fallen trees on my land and I'm always clearing trees for fencing or my pastures. I cut up those trees into 12-foot lengths so I can pick them up with my grapple and take them to the burn pile.

Having a saw that starts for small jobs makes a huge difference in how quickly that project gets done, and how much I enjoy doing it or hating it. On those days I just fill up the tank and oil for the chain, and never have to fill either up again.

I buy three packs of chains from Amazon. I'll hit a chain with a file when it starts to dull, but after a few times I'll swap in a new chain. They are cheap enough that I'm not going to spend a lot of time sharpening them.

Whatever you buy, make sure to use premixed gas. I think the difference is significant and probably the most important part of starting the saw when you want to use it!!!!!

 

[Yander]

You sound like you will use your saw about as much as I do.

I have two operating gas stihl saws, and one Eggo cordless battery. 90% of the time I reach for the cordless and it's very torquey and useful.

POWER+ 16" Chain Saw (40cc)

The EGO POWER+ 16” Chain Saw features an advanced, high-efficiency brushless motor that delivers power equivalent to a 40CC gas chainsaw without the noise, fuss, or fumes

egopowerplus.com

 

[jay3534]

Thanks for the replies.
I have been using a worn out Poulan 16" for years / I can't pull it hard enough and long enough to start it.
Frankly had not thought about battery powered. Since it won't be used a lot battery may the way for me to go.
Ideas on battery power?

 

[dodge man]

Do you have any battery powered tools that the batteries would work in a saw? I’d probably go with Dewalt ot Stihl.

 

[bigtiller]

Thanks for the replies.
I have been using a worn out Poulan 16" for years / I can't pull it hard enough and long enough to start it.
Frankly had not thought about battery powered. Since it won't be used a lot battery may the way for me to go.
Ideas on battery power?

I think that would be a wise decision for someone with a bad back & bum shoulders.

What ever brand of 18 volt tools you have is the brand for you.
I like the top handle saws with one battery best, they are light weight and easier to prune with.

For storm damage or cutting down small to medium trees, shop for top handle saw with 2 batteries, they will work longer & harder.

Makita makes both 18 & 36 volt top handle saws.
I have their 18V one and it does everything for me.
It works great in combination with the pto wood chipper.

 

[airbiscuit]

Echo for the Win!

 

[rumwrks]

So I love my big old Husky.. but dollars for value it's dang hard to beat the echo's. They're mostly more simple saws than some of the newer husky/stihl stuff and there's plusses and minuses to that.

There's some trade offs with a shorter bar needing to bend over more.. but you also get a lighter saw.

On the echo side in your size range.. I have an echo cs-310 which is a 33cc saw .. and runs like a 33cc saw which is to say you can't be in a huge hurry with it and it'll run a 16" bar in soft wood but prefers a 14" bar for all around and not-to-aggressive of a chain, don't be in a huge hurry. Having said that it starts easy, is super lightweight, and works more than well enough for light trail clearing up to maybe 12" stuff (I've cut bigger but it gets tedious). It's great for limbing trees (I prefer a bigger/longer saw for limbing down logs because longer bar/less bending over).

I also have the next size up with a CS-501P which happily runs an 18-20" bar, weighs a bit more, cuts a fair bit faster.. It's more of an "on the tractor scabbard" sized saw than an "easily carried a long ways by hand" although it's still not super heavy saw by any means. I keep that one mostly on the tractor and it's kind of my "up to 18 diameter" wood cutting saw. I don't own one personally, but I've also used my buddies Stihl MS261 which is more or less competitive with the CS-501P and it's a really nice saw (nicer than the 501 really certainly faster...) but for my medium use prosumer use the 501 was a lot better value for me.

For light work the G2511 clone a couple folks mentioned is a stellar value. It's not some thing I'd use for felling or bucking much.. but for trail work and light limbing (I have a LOT of limbing to do haha) and brush work it's really nice. I'm not a climber but it'd be a decent saw for that as well. I've seen it as cheap as $57 (I paid about $90 - still a good deal). Also surprisingly easy to start.

In any case getting into the pro lines or at least the farm & ranch lines you generally get a lighter saw for the same power, you do pay for it.. but as I've gotten older I sure appreciate the weight difference . The 310 is definitely more of a homeowner saw but it's a pretty decent one in that class IMHO - I surfed a lot of arborist sites and there were numerous threads where pro's were using it as well.

I can't speak to the electric much, they more modern ones do get really good reviews though.