Echo or McCulloch chainsaw

[Chris Jones]

Should I get
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95867
or
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=CS-306&Category=CHAINSAW
The echo cost $200 at a local power equipment dealer and they said it had a 16" bar.

I"m leaning toward the echo cause it"s lighter. But I thought McCulloch was a good brand and it"s so much cheaper.

 

[Jerry Eime]

I would stronly recommend the echo over the Mac. Mac used to be great but now they are own my a china company and have gone down hill. I'm not the biggest fan of echo because there isn't that many dealers for them. If you could go with a Husqvarna, or Dolmar. If you need a saw cheap isn't always the best idea. You want something you can get parts far and will last you a very long time with little to no trouble. Harbor freight is a good place for a throw away item.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a ehco it is much better machine.I have had it for 3 years plus the warrenty is 5 years on some of them.i have very trouble out of it

 

[Anonymous-0]

Pretty close to the top of "things NOT to do in life" list is buy a new MAC. You can probably get one for free if you do a little dumpster diving at the big box stores.
I'd go with whoever is closest that services the brand they sell.

If, it was me, I'd spend a few more bucks and buy a Stihl. MS250 runs around $270 (+/- ) and has a 16" bar . You can go to the Stihl website to compare. You can also punch in your zip code to show the dealers in your area and a close price.

Good Luck,

Dave

 

[Chris Jones]

I"ve heard bad things about the new stihl chain saws. The toolless bar tensioner breaks real easy. That and the premium cost is why I"m avoiding them. I hear the Echo takes a good old fashioned wrench and screwdriver to adjust bar tension.

I have a cira 2000 Stihl backpack leaf blower that has never given a problem since I removed that screen from the exhaust port. I recently talked to the local dealer for them and he said I have one of the last good ones but the newer blowers have really gone down hill. Seems Stihl is slipping.

 

[Anonymous-0]

No comparison. Take the Echo, hands down. Tom

 

[Bob - MI]

I have a 16" Mac that I bought about 15 years ago and it's a great saw. I am told that the new ones are not the same quality and they should be avoided.

Do you have a Menard's locally? They sell the same saw and may be easier to deal with if you have to return it. Price should be about the same.

 

[Chris Jones]

We don't have Menard's in this area. We have a local Harbor Freight and they have always been really good about taking stuff back--at least within a reasonable amount of time. I'd feel less likely to be able to return the Echo to the Lawn and Garden shop that's selling it but they do service equipment and sell parts and I'd insist they start it before I took it home. If I get the Mac at Harbor Freight I'd have to take it home and if it didn't start I'm sure I could return it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you can tinker and fix things yourself, the MAC may be an option for you. May check out a pawn shop and find a used Stihl. I don't think all of the new ones have everything tooless (my MS250 is a plain Jane. I've got a MAC 3200 that I got about 10 years ago that is still going, just like my Stihl better. OTH, they can't be any worse than all the MTD stuff that's flooding the market. If you keep it clean and sharp and do what the book says, could last you a long time for homeowner use.

Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

I had a Mac Timber Bear for two days and threw it away. Get a Stihl. OR. Get whatever a good local dealer is selling. Talk to your neighbour and don't worry about a few dollars.
Good Luck

 

[Roy Suomi]

ECHO ECHo ECho Echo echo.......I bought an Echo CS-346 on Ebay..In the sealed box..Starts better than any saw I've ever owned..Didn't even have to fiddle with carburetor settings...Tickled in Ohio

 

[john18436572]

ECHO. A long time ago, McCulloch was a good American made brand. They went under, sold the rights to the brand name and are now made off-shore. Just a disposable crap saw now with no relation to the original company. Echo is a real brand, though Japanese owned, they are good quality machines.

 

[Chris Jones]

Thanks to all, I'll go with the Echo.

 

[JK-NY]

If you want a quality saw that will hold up, go for the Echo If you want a cheap saw for occasional use get the Mac. I have one of those cheap Mac-16'' saw I got about 4-5 years ago and use it for limbing and small stuff. So far it has held up better than expected , but it is a cheapy.I have 2 older echo's (one says John Deere on it) that are excellent saws and have seen alot of use.