Echo CS-271T is it good as a climbing saw?

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Mike Charles

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Been trying to buy a CS-330T and can't find a new one anywhere. Not sure if it's worth buying the old used one i found at a pawn shop that leaks oil fairly badly at the base of the saw and fixing it. ($175 currently and i'm worried fixing will take it up to the cost of a new one)

Looking at the CS-271T and it seems under powered compared to the others but i see that it can be modded (just like the 330t which is why i was very interested in it) Do these mods make it sufficient as a climbing saw?
Can it pull a 14" well enough?

I've been extremely frustrated over the fact that the 330T was discontinued.

Mike
 
Honestly I think that it depends on you more than the saw. Some people seem to need everything a hot 200t can give, others can 99% of the same work done with a 150t, 271, 192, etc.
I used a stock one for a day and didn't have any reason to think I wouldn't be happy with one. It came to me with a 12" 3/8 050 bar so I spun a loop of stihl ps to suit. It went ok, but I was itching to see if I could find some more power under the hood. I didn't think I wanted a longer bar though.
 
3\8.043 or 1/4".043 is the key with 25cc T\H's. The improvement over .050 is quite noticeable indeed. Oregon has some good .043 chain with an interesting fast cutting design. Initially l wanted nothing to do with fidely .043 chain that will get mixed up with 050 that is run on bigger 200ts ect until l tried a loop on a 23cc TH. Now all polesaws and small T/H ms150t's and makita 231t's get .043 with 10" stihl light bars. Setup well they can make a 200t feel like a heavy brick. A 271tes echo is 'basically' the same saw as a makita 231t.
 
3\8.043 or 1/4".043 is the key with 25cc T\H's. The improvement over .050 is quite noticeable indeed. Oregon has some good .043 chain with an interesting fast cutting design. Initially l wanted nothing to do with fidely .043 chain that will get mixed up with 050 that is run on bigger 200ts ect until l tried a loop on a 23cc TH. Now all polesaws and small T/H ms150t's and makita 231t's get .043 with 10" stihl light bars. Setup well they can make a 200t feel like a heavy brick. A 271tes echo is 'basically' the same saw as a makita 231t.
I'm pretty stoked on the 1/4 chain on the 150t. Do you reckon the change to 3/8 043 is worth it?
 
I work my 200t pretty hard in the tree, that being said my 330t got me started climbing and while not as powerful as the 200t it did do the job. havent ran the 271t would like to would imagine it couldnt be all that bad. i do run 3/8 pitch .050 gauge full chisel chain on both climbing saws. made a big difference as well, my 330t is muffler modded as well.
 
I'm pretty stoked on the 1/4 chain on the 150t. Do you reckon the change to 3/8 043 is worth it?

The Stihl 1/4" suits the 150 perfectly, can't imagine .043 3/8p being any better, I've used the 150t on many trees instead of a 200t, even on many small removals, it is excellent with 1/4", fast and accurate, shame the chains are crazy prices but they last well in clean wood.

For my use I keep 1/4 on a 150t sized saw, 3/8 .043 or .050(if modded) on a 192t size and .050 on a 200t, our company runs 12" but that's in Aussie gum. Tried a 14" on a 200t and 201t but it didn't have any benefits for me over the 12". In softer wood it would probably be fine but it also changes the balance and feel of the saw.

I found a 150t removed my need for a 192t completely, both modded, but the 150 is proving a little fragile whereas the 192t is a lot harder to break, still sold the 192 to a guy at work though, the 150 is a keeper

Pardon the derail, don't have any useful experience with other top handles, tried a 338xp, a 540xp and an older 35cc echo amongst others and disliked every one
 
I'm pretty stoked on the 1/4 chain on the 150t. Do you reckon the change to 3/8 043 is worth it?
Well 1\4 inch chain is almost all 043 so no. What l am trying to say is there is a difference going from 3/8 050 to 3\8 043 as you get a narrow kerf and IMO big advances have been made in chain design for 043. OEM's usually get it right matching chain type to saw model and the ms150t running 1\4" is no exception. However we all somtimes break the rules and change things so that we don't need to order every chain size on the shelf and more for more flexibility. And if one wanted to run picco 3\8 on their ms150 as they already use it on polesaws ect....my advice would be 043 on sub 30cc powerheads. Another thing is l find 1\4" chain expensive and not compatable with other setups l have so l run 3\8 043 with 10"light bars.
 
Well 1\4 inch chain is almost all 043 so no. What l am trying to say is there is a difference going from 3/8 050 to 3\8 043 as you get a narrow kerf and IMO big advances have been made in chain design for 043. OEM's usually get it right matching chain type to saw model and the ms150t running 1\4" is no exception. However we all somtimes break the rules and change things so that we don't need to order every chain size on the shelf and more for more flexibility. And if one wanted to run picco 3\8 on their ms150 as they already use it on polesaws ect....my advice would be 043 on sub 30cc powerheads. Another thing is l find 1\4" chain expensive and not compatable with other setups l have so l run 3\8 043 with 10"light bars.
Thanks - that's what I figured - just easier to ask sometimes.
 
Can someone explain all the chain numbers to me please? Is 1/4 and 3/8 the thickness of the chain? What is the .5 vs .43 represent?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Can someone explain all the chain numbers to me please? Is 1/4 and 3/8 the thickness of the chain? What is the .5 vs .43 represent?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Do a search for the 'Carlton complete filing manual' and download the pdf. Read it and you will understand pitch, gauge and chain types. Understanding how to file chain will be your best assett for cutting wood.
 
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