OT Chain Saw

[Caryc]

I have some clean up to do and my 16" McCulloch chain saw went all to heck on me so I purchased a new saw.

What I purchased was an Echo CS-590-20AA. It's a 20" Timberwolf model. There is a cheaper Echo 20" saw but I guess this one is the top of their line for it's size.

I did a lot of checking around on the net and this saw and a Stihl were about the same price but I chose the Echo. Home Depot didn't have it in stock but I purchased it on the net for $399. That's with 3 day shipping right to my door. This saw has a 59.8 cc engine.

So...anybody willing to say what I can expect with this saw. It won't get a lot of use just once in a while. I think the last time I used my old one was like a year and a half ago. It's a little heavy at 13.2 lbs but like I said, it won't get that much use here.

 

[Tall T]

(quoted from post at 18:28:23 05/27/19) I have some clean up to do and my 16" McCulloch chain saw went all to heck on me so I purchased a new saw.

What I purchased was an Echo CS-590-20AA. It's a 20" Timberwolf model. There is a cheaper Echo 20" saw but I guess this one is the top of their line for it's size.

I did a lot of checking around on the net and this saw and a Stihl were about the same price but I chose the Echo. Home Depot didn't have it in stock but I purchased it on the net for $399. That's with 3 day shipping right to my door. This saw has a 59.8 cc engine.

So...anybody willing to say what I can expect with this saw. It won't get a lot of use just once in a while. I think the last time I used my old one was like a year and a half ago. It's a little heavy at 13.2 lbs but like I said, it won't get that much use here.

there are several Youtubes, like Husqvarna vs Echo Timberwolf vs Stihl that I watched and the Echo timberwolf seems to pass with flying colors . . . but up here Echo is way cheaper than Stihl or Husqvarna. Our local small engines guy is an Echo dealer (tryin' to talk me into one.)

Those bucking races and quick start video comparisons don't always count for much, but the owners own opinion and web user feedback usually gets down to specific or known issues.

There's a bit of a plastic vibe that makes me still choose Husqvarna even if $200 more. Like a guitar that doesn't just have a solid top (one thickness) and plywood back and sides, it has solid back and sides as well. (Gibsons, Martins)

T

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 20:47:40 05/27/19)

(quoted from post at 18:28:23 05/27/19) I have some clean up to do and my 16" McCulloch chain saw went all to heck on me so I purchased a new saw.

What I purchased was an Echo CS-590-20AA. It's a 20" Timberwolf model. There is a cheaper Echo 20" saw but I guess this one is the top of their line for it's size.

I did a lot of checking around on the net and this saw and a Stihl were about the same price but I chose the Echo. Home Depot didn't have it in stock but I purchased it on the net for $399. That's with 3 day shipping right to my door. This saw has a 59.8 cc engine.

So...anybody willing to say what I can expect with this saw. It won't get a lot of use just once in a while. I think the last time I used my old one was like a year and a half ago. It's a little heavy at 13.2 lbs but like I said, it won't get that much use here.

there are several Youtubes, like Husqvarna vs Echo Timberwolf vs Stihl that I watched and the Echo timberwolf seems to pass with flying colors . . . but up here Echo is way cheaper than Stihl or Husqvarna. Our local small engines guy is an Echo dealer (tryin' to talk me into one.)

Those bucking races and quick start video comparisons don't always count for much, but the owners own opinion and web user feedback usually gets down to specific or known issues.

There's a bit of a plastic vibe that makes me still choose Husqvarna even if $200 more. Like a guitar that doesn't just have a solid top (one thickness) and plywood back and sides, it has solid back and sides as well. (Gibsons, Martins)

T

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading through all the "feedback" and "questions and answers" on all the saws on the net.

 

[reomack]

More important than the brand I think, is how you use and store them. Especially if you only use them occasionally. I do this. When I am finished using the saw and I know it will be a long time before I use it again, I pour out any remaining gas in the tank and then run the saw until it quits from fuel starvation. Then I clean it up externally and put it away until the next time. This keeps deposits from clogging the carburetor, which is what screws up most small engine tools. Just sayin.

 

[Dean]

Good practice, Reomack.

I do much the same with my saws that are seldom used.

Dean

 

[doublebass73]

(quoted from post at 05:34:38 05/28/19) Good practice, Reomack.

I do much the same with my saws that are seldom used.

Dean

Same here. I have a Stihl 025 that was made in 1995 still going strong. I always run it out of gas when I'm done using it.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 04:00:17 05/28/19) More important than the brand I think, is how you use and store them. Especially if you only use them occasionally. I do this. When I am finished using the saw and I know it will be a long time before I use it again, I pour out any remaining gas in the tank and then run the saw until it quits from fuel starvation. Then I clean it up externally and put it away until the next time. This keeps deposits from clogging the carburetor, which is what screws up most small engine tools. Just sayin.

I plan on doing exactly that along with blowing it off real good with compressed air and putting it in the case which I also ordered.

Something else I've been told years ago, with any small engine you should always pull the starter cord until you feel that it's on the compression stroke, that way the cylinder is sealed.

Thanks guys for all the info.

 

[Bill Crowell]

I'm an Echo guy, too. I've had very good luck with Echos over the years. Plastic is a very good material from which to make a chainsaw case because it is light, damage-resistant and inexpensive. If they still made all chainsaws with magnesium alloy cases, like in the old days, they would be much more expensive. My most important advice would be not to over-tighten the bar retaining nuts or you'll rip the bar stud's threads out of the case. About 15 ft.-lbs is the max. Carry a torque wrench in your gas and oil box; use it and make sure you don't over-tighten. If your chain won't stay tight, don't make the mistake of tightening the bar nuts: you either haven't got the bar and clutch area clean enough before replacing the bar, or you failed to lift the tip of the bar up before tightening the bar nuts. The area under the bar cover must be scrupulously cleaned of that slippery sawdust and oil residue and de-greased in order to clamp the bar firmly. If you ever do strip the threads out of the case, it can be easily repaired with an M8 X 1.25 expanding brass insert that is available from McMaster-Carr:

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/125/3420

 

[D beatty]

I use mainly Stihl but have Husky and Echo. My Echo is an older top handle saw and is
a great saw. The only draw back to Echo is in this area is that there are very few
dealers and most don't stock many parts.