Echo cs8000 or husky xp390 or stihl 660

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

I need a bigger saw for stumping, i am currently using a ms310, but need
something more for bigger stumps, i have been getting quite a few calls for
4ft stumps and up and the ms310 is adequate but a lot of work on my old
body LOL..

Because of the drought last year i am looking to be busy this year and
want to get ready..

The echo has the best price, then the husky and then the stihl...
I don't see much on the site on the echo so i thought i would ask for
opinions b4 i spend the bucks, good posts on the xp390 and the stihl..

Local kubota dlr has a special on echo's, and i have a great local dealer
on the stihl, don't know much about the husky's..

Any and all opinions will be appreciated as i will be making my choice on
what i learn from fellow members..

Thx..

Bob..

 

[parrisw]

If I had to choose between those 3 it would be the 390xp.

But if I was stumping 4' stumps, I'd get me a 395xp, oh wait, I already have one.

 

[MacLaren]

IMHO, I would go for the MS660 if I were you. Power to weight ratio is the best IMHO. I love mine. I also have a 390xp, havent ran her yet, but I honestly dont think she will have the grunt that the 660 does. But then again, I dont really think she could be expected to. Good luck.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

Not much feedback, i guess this comparison stuff gets old after a while LOL..

I think about a year ago on a sc252 thread, a lot of guys were talking about
the 660 or 460 for stumping, but i have senioritis and can't remember exactly..

At any rate i am going to go today and chk prices on the 390xp and ms660, i
am pretty sure the 390xp will be the cheapest, i allready know the price on the
echo 8000, it is not bad but was concerned because did not see much info on
it on a search,,allmost bought a 660 about a year ago but chicken'ed out at the
last minute, business was down due to the drought and i was leary about making
the purchase, but i expect business to be good this year and i have the funds to
go ahead, just need to decide on the saw, i have seen a few 660's on ebay but
i am kinda afraid of buying a used saw, i have never been much for used stuff..

Maybe i should have posted on the large equip thread where the stump grinders
hang out,,my bad..

Bob..

 

[Chris J.]

I can't offer advice based on experience, but I do know that most folks here at AS wouldn't consider the CS-800 to be anywhere near the 390XP or 660. If you got the 800 cheap enough, you could mod it or have a builder mod it.

Coldspring is in a nice area of Texas, especially if you like yellow pine sap :msp_thumbdn:. Years ago we had a deer lease near there, and I've also spent some time at Wolf Creek Park. I wonder how folks here remember .38 Special?

 

[funky sawman]

It all boils down to what you want to pay. the echo is the cheapist model around 800-850 usd, 390 husky will run around 1000 and a 660 will be over 1100. Get the 660, I not a stihl fan but 660's are a very strong saw. If you get the 390 have it woods ported and it will out cut any stock 660 and weight a little less.

 

[Javelin]

Quality of all three saws is good. The echo is the smallest and oldest design and maybe the most durable of the three. From the looks of things any of these should do what you are wanting to do.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

I can't offer advice based on experience, but I do know that most folks here at AS wouldn't consider the CS-800 to be anywhere near the 390XP or 660. If you got the 800 cheap enough, you could mod it or have a builder mod it.

Coldspring is in a nice area of Texas, especially if you like yellow pine sap :msp_thumbdn:. Years ago we had a deer lease near there, and I've also spent some time at Wolf Creek Park. I wonder how folks here remember .38 Special?

Thx for the advice, we live on lake livingston, i have a big mowing contract at holiday shores #1 which is right down the road from wolf creek park, a lot of dead trees due to the drought last year so looking to be busy this year that is why i am looking at a big saw....thx again for all your help,

Bob...

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

Quality of all three saws is good. The echo is the smallest and oldest design and maybe the most durable of the three. From the looks of things any of these should do what you are wanting to do.

Thxs javelin, the only reason i threw the cs8000 in the mix was it has about the same cc's as the other saws and was a lot cheaper, at my age i may not be able to do this much longer and i thought maybe if it would do the job for a year or two that would suffice, but alll the advice will help me sort the issue out..

btw my son lives in republic on boston ave, small world isn't it ???..

Thx again..

Bob..

 

[SawTroll]

I don't really understand why the Echo is considered at all, as an alternative to the others mentioned....

 

[Javelin]

The echo will not turn the rpm's of the others but it has very good torque to it. If weight is an issue find a 7900 dolmar. Good Luck in whatever direction you go.

 

[Walt41]

The Echo has a long warranty but is heavy(I have one) the Stihl is the strongest but any of them will work. What caught my eye was you said you were getting out in a couple of years, that said...you can't argue with Stihl product resale values, with their almost cult like following you should be able to get most your money back. Whatever saw you decide on I would look into aftermarket spikes, they really help when you're on your knees cutting stumps.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

The Echo has a long warranty but is heavy(I have one) the Stihl is the strongest but any of them will work. What caught my eye was you said you were getting out in a couple of years, that said...you can't argue with Stihl product resale values, with their almost cult like following you should be able to get most your money back. Whatever saw you decide on I would look into aftermarket spikes, they really help when you're on your knees cutting stumps.

Thx Walt,,,weight is important to me and good advice on the spikes, i had not thought of that..

Bob..

 

[CJ1]

If all you are going to do is stump with the saw then find a used 395,2100, or 660. If you are going to cut,buck and limb with the saw then my first pick would be the 390 then the 660. CJ

 

[jimdad07]

Not trying to hijack, but if you guys can please check this thread out: http://www.arboristsite.com/off-topic-forum/188558-23.htm#post3392218, this family could use some well wishing.

 

[DarkTimber]

I know that you might not trust a used saw off ebay but check the classifides here if they haven't sold yet there were some 660s a 385(very close to the 390) a 288 and a 395 as well if I am remembering correctly and a couple of 7900s. Just a thought.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

Well folks, here is where i'm at..

Went shopping today..

Husky xp390 with 32 in bar 1110.00
Stihl 660 with 32 in bar 1129.00...

If i get the stihl i can take 24 in bar off my 310 and use it on the 660 along with the 32, i can then put the 20 in bar back on my 310 where it belongs, so i would have 3 bar options, i also have a very old poulan 3125 with an 18 in bar for limbing, it just won't die LOL...

I talked to mike my local dealer and he will give me a 2012 at the 2011 price..

Did not chk on the echo as does not seem like its very popular but would be 300 bucks cheaper according to their website..

So as of now i am leaning toward the 660, my dealer has been great over the years and all of my other equip is stihl so that helps, will make a decision probably tomorrow..

Thx much for all your help..

Bob..

 

[jimdad07]

Well folks, here is where i'm at..

Went shopping today..

Husky xp390 with 32 in bar 1110.00
Stihl 660 with 32 in bar 1129.00...

If i get the stihl i can take 24 in bar off my 310 and use it on the 660 along with the 32, i can then put the 20 in bar back on my 310 where it belongs, so i would have 3 bar options, i also have a very old poulan 3125 with an 18 in bar for limbing, it just won't die LOL...

I talked to mike my local dealer and he will give me a 2012 at the 2011 price..

Did not chk on the echo as does not seem like its very popular but would be 300 bucks cheaper according to their website..

So as of now i am leaning toward the 660, my dealer has been great over the years and all of my other equip is stihl so that helps, will make a decision probably tomorrow..

Thx much for all your help..

Bob..

The 660 is a proven model and you got a pretty fair price for one with that b+c. Sounds like a pretty good choice to me. You might want to ask your dealers to let you run one of each model, meaning the Husky and Stihl, they are both wicked saws from what I have seen but one might feel better to you as far as operating it.

 

[TommySaw]

i own a 390xp and I love it, but for $19 more get the 660 it does have more power if you're just stumping with it. If you are considering doing anything else with this saw, then I would strongly recommend the 390

 

[timmcat]

You could probably find a Jonsered 2188 for less than 1100 easy, and its the same saw as the 390xp, just red and black.