Suggestions for a light weight saw for trimming and limbing?

[IQRaceworks]

My old 40cc Poulan saw died on me today when I was out limbing, trimming up, and cutting down a bunch of small cedars. After 10 years of great service, something let lose in the motor. I ended up finishing the job with my 50cc saw....damn, it wore me out!

So I'm in the market for another small lightweight saw. The Poulan was a great saw (even though lots of people bad mouth them)......but I think this time, I'd like to go with an Echo, Stihl, or Husky. 40cc was even almost overkill for what I was using it for...so smaller might be better.

I want something small enough that I can use it all day trimming, and limbing small trees....and not kill my back. A 10" or 12" bar would be plenty big. Light weight is key, but I want it to have enough power to fell an 8" cedar if I needed too.

Looking for suggestions......

Thanks!

 

[Ozhoo]

Don't pull my thong, but the Efco blow-outs are hard to beat for the price.

Efco MT3500 on Am-a-whore

 

[buttercup]

Stihl MS180/181 is sometimes on offer at a reasonable prize here at my side of the pond.
If your wallet fills up too fast and you desperately need it to get some relief the Echo 361 rear handle is probably hard to beat if you want the light weight and maneuverable samurai alternative.

 

[Ketchup]

Echo 2511 (T or WES). Not sure if you need a top handle, but they are more maneuverable for complex trim work.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Echo 2511 (T or WES). Not sure if you need a top handle, but they are more maneuverable for complex trim work.

Or, go back a few years. The Echo CS-345 and Cs-346 were/are awfully hard to beat. Their top-handle twin was the CS-340. Just a suggestion because there are a lot of good ones out there. The list and this thread could go on forever.

 

[U&A]

Best limbing saw is a 385. I promise


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[john Kawamoto jr]

I just demo a echo cs 2511t awesome saw will be buying me one shortly . Small light weight and compact comes with 12 or 14 inch bar. Will be putting a 10 inch bar on mine for cutting limbs . saw shown here in pic closest to camera

 

[James Miller]

Echo 490 with 16" 3/8lp setup. Lite weight with the extra grunt of a 50cc saw incase you get into bigger stuff while your out.

 

[ColdNorCal]

I really like my Echo cs-352. Did a mm and tuned. Great power to weight ratio. That 361 looks nice although it costs more.

 

[IQRaceworks]

The local farm store has CS-310's and cs-352's in stock.....$200 for the 310, $250 for the 352. I went and looked at both saws....to me they look identical. Is the 352 worth the extra $50 over the 310? If so...why?

I've always had great luck with Echo equipment.

 

[ColdNorCal]

The local farm store has CS-310's and cs-352's in stock.....$200 for the 310, $250 for the 352. I went and looked at both saws....to me they look identical. Is the 352 worth the extra $50 over the 310? If so...why?

I've always had great luck with Echo equipment.

I was originally looking at the 310 and 170/180. Read several comparisons of the 352 with the 310 and the 170/180. Some have owned both the 310 and 352 and said the 352 is a lot better. More power with a more solid and better feel due to a better vibration system and a better filter.

 

[Ozhoo]

Either benefit greatly from gutting the cat muffler and retuning.

 

[North by Northwest]

If you were satisfied with a Poulan for your application , then Echo is the saw for you . You will not find any other Manufacturer to supply this quality and price point . Ensure to discuss with the Dealer exactly what a 5 yr warrantee includes !

 

[ColdNorCal]

Either benefit greatly from gutting the cat muffler and retuning.

Myself and others have reported that our 352's made in 2018, possibly other years also, do not have cats. Just a round cylinder baffle with many holes in it placed inside the muffler. I opened up the mufflers exhaust and deflector. And, removed limiters then retuned. It starts and runs A LOT better then out of the box.

 

[arto_wa]

I heard so many echo's above not sure what to say except, if I was looking for small close to professional grade saw I would also take a close look at these:

https://www.shindaiwa-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/340s.aspx

 

[dmb2613]

You can get a Stihl ms 170 for $179.99

 

[holeycow]

If you were satisfied with a Poulan for your application , then Echo is the saw for you . You will not find any other Manufacturer to supply this quality and price point . Ensure to discuss with the Dealer exactly what a 5 yr warrantee includes !

except for Dolmar/Makita, Shindaiwa, and maybe somebody else..?

 

[arto_wa]

You can get a Stihl ms 170 for $179.99

Isn't that a homeowner grade saw?

If so, as far as longevity goes it's not quite in the same league.

 

[dmb2613]

I did not know the others were pro grade saws

 

[john Kawamoto jr]

I heard so many echo's above not sure what to say except, if I was looking for small close to professional grade saw I would also take a close look at these:

https://www.shindaiwa-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/340s.aspx

Shindaiwa are awesome saws too they were bought out by echo and now are made by echo. Alot of the products looks the same just a different color.