Echo Saws

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So today I met someone that once worked on Echo Chainsaws.
They were in a class (vo-tec I think) and we're repairing returned saws for big box stores.
They complained that Echo saws came in with broken starter ropes and starter assemblies. Not to mention other abuses.
My guess is the Echos may have been Home Depot returns.
A long time ago I learned to PULL the starter rope out about a foot and hold it out when pushing a kill switch on 2 cycle engines. I NEVER lock the chain brake when killing a motor and hold the pull rope. Once in a while some 2 cycle engines will suck back and put pressure on starter ropes and assemblies. This was taught to me by a good mechanic many years ago and it's a habit. Yet, it's something many people may not be aware of. Then of course there were the horror stories of bad gas, improper mixes, even motor oil instead of two cycle oil but the BEST one HAS TO BE the guy who thought the H and L carb screws were for High Altitude and Low altitude. It took some convincing to persuad him to not readjust his carb for elevation. Now this was told to me FOR the truth.
Frankly I'm not surprised. Good saws often get a bad reputation by people that don't have a clue. Sometimes I think there should be free lessons available for first time chainsaw buyers. I've bought 4 Echo saws since 2015. Sold one of them to a friend. Still have three and love them. My only complaint is the Choke levers are cheezy. With gloves on they can be to small to hold or pull. But once the saw had been started, well they aren't needed anyway.
 
Older saws with poorly designed starter assemblies/pawl designs it was advisable to pull out some starter rope prior to shutdown. Today in 2018 this 'should' not be an issue at all from the best pro saws to the cheapest China specials bought on the Bay. Operator error is by far the biggest challenge any new saw will face. Between wives tales, advice one got from his neighbours grandad and out right stupidity there are no bounds to what the saw seeking public can do to a saw. Just when you thought you'd seen it all...
 
Up here in Canada, Echo sells most of their saws through Echo branded dealers but also through Home Depot. Husqvarna also sells through Canadian Tire, which really surprised me, but guess that speaks to how marketing has changed (I suspect Husqvarna only sells their off-shore models through Canadian Tire). In my humble opinion, anytime specialty items like saws get sold through big box stores, there are likely going to be more issues.

However, the last Echo saw I purchased (from an Echo dealer) was a shyteshow too. When I bought it I asked if it had been test run and tuned properly. He said, no need, they are good to go. I was in a rush, knew better, but ended up just assuming all was good. Got home, and the saw wouldn’t start. He ordered a new 490 for me and didn’t even want to look at the returned one. So, guess moral of the story is you could get a poor buying experience at either the big box store or at your local saw shop. :)
 
Up here in Canada, Echo sells most of their saws through Echo branded dealers but also through Home Depot. Husqvarna also sells through Canadian Tire, which really surprised me, but guess that speaks to how marketing has changed (I suspect Husqvarna only sells their off-shore models through Canadian Tire). In my humble opinion, anytime specialty items like saws get sold through big box stores, there are likely going to be more issues.

However, the last Echo saw I purchased (from an Echo dealer) was a shyteshow too. When I bought it I asked if it had been test run and tuned properly. He said, no need, they are good to go. I was in a rush, knew better, but ended up just assuming all was good. Got home, and the saw wouldn’t start. He ordered a new 490 for me and didn’t even want to look at the returned one. So, guess moral of the story is you could get a poor buying experience at either the big box store or at your local saw shop. :)
If my X wife had been Half as good to me as Echo has been I'd still be in love. My 3 different size Echo saws get the job done. I worked until almost midnight last night using a headlight. Had to buck and Split a cord of wood so I could have today off. Used my 490 had my 352 standing by but never touched it. Got in bed after 3am but 4 to 6 hours sleep is fine. Gonna have my 4 year old Granddaughter all day. I put up with a lot from X but these children and grandchildren sure make growing old cheerful. Be blessed.
 
I like my three new Echo's. Coulda had a Stihl and a half, but I like three better.

Actually bought 4 in the last year. But sold the 352 cheap to my brother when I upgraded to the lighter, more compact, and more powerful 361P that I bought on sale.
The 361 is favored for most of my use. It's taken the place of the old 009L as the everyday workhorse. It' light and fast. The short 14" bar is precise and easy to keep out of the dirt, and has been buried in elm without quitting.

The 490, which was also bought on sale, is still set up with the 20" bar. Nice wide powerband and a good value if you don't have to have the fastest saw on the block.
It's my felling and stumping saw, and occasional bucking saw.

And I got a small discount on the tiny 2511T. This thing really zips, and has proven to be hugely useful for me. It's at the head of the class for small top handles.

Suprising how much can be done with these three undersized saws.
They can really do a lot more than most here would ask of such small saws.
An extra, shorter bar and chain for the 490 would really expand its versatility.
 
......but the BEST one HAS TO BE the guy who thought the H and L carb screws were for High Altitude and Low altitude. It took some convincing to persuad him to not readjust his carb for elevation. Now this was told to me FOR the truth.....
While it is funny that they thought that is what the H and L stood for, you DO absolutely need to adjust the carb for changes in altitude (changes by the thousands of feet, not hundreds of feet...). Less oxygen means you need to lean the mix a little to also give it less fuel to maintain the oxygen:fuel ratio.
 

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