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I appreciate that Echo still sells old school saws. Non-strato, non-computerized. Parts are reasonable and easy to find online. The saws are easy to find locally.
Stihl 180, had one years ago. Worked fine with .043 3/8lp but wouldn’t handle .050 in Osage Orange. I never attempted any mods. I sold my Stihls due to parts/pricing.
Husqvarna 135 Mark II, 10.37 lb, $300, 2.1 hp, metal clam, strato, couldn’t find this local to handle it. Bomgaars shows it online but our Orschelns is just changing over. Maybe they will have it in the future. Seemed a little low on hp on paper vs weight. Not a fan of Husky stratos.
Husqvarna 435 or 440, plastic clam, strato, 2 strikes. 9.7 lb, 2.2/2.4 hp
Makita EA4300, 10.8 lb, 3hp, $400, discontinued, pro build, could buy online but couldn’t find local to hold it. A bit pricy and heavy. Parts can be a bit pricey on Makitas.
Echo CS-3510, 2 hp?, very light, 8.2 lb, $280, cheesy plastic build. Spring iso. Pull the throttle trigger and it pushes the handle away from the chassis. I assume they did this to keep WOT when the saw flexes. Metal clam
Echo CS-361P, hp?, 8.4 lb, $370, metal clam, couldn’t find local to handle. A bit high for a clam, so didn’t pursue.
Echo CS-400, 10.1 lb, $320, metal clam, couldn’t find published hp. 2.7? Paper filter, inertia brake, cat muffler, hi/lo adjustable carb, 3/8LP, rubber iso.
Out of class (Echo CS-4910-18), 3.3 hp?, 10.4 lb, $380, pro split case with bolt on cylinder. Handled the 3510, 400, and 4910 on the shelf at Orschelns/Bomgaars. The 4910 seemed just a bit heavier/bulkier than the 400. The 4910 has spring iso vs rubber on the 400. It was set up .325 vs 3/8LP on the 400. Inboard clutch on the 4910 but still have to pull a nut to change the rim. Outboard clutch with spur on the 400. The fuel tank on the 4910 seems like a kids toy, solid on the 400.
I picked the 400 up new for $250 and the 4910 would have been $370 with tax. My 1st Echo and my 2nd new saw. I wanted 3/8LP, it just seems to stay sharp longer than .325. I have a modified Husky 55/Partner5000, so I wasn’t looking to replace that. However, with the weight and hp of the 4910, I probably would have went that way if not for $. I’ll keep my eyes open for deals on the 4910 and might pick one up in the future for fun.
Warranty. Before I even started the 400, I removed the limiter caps and modded the muffler. I bought 2nd hand new so no warranty anyway. I sacrificed lifetime warranty on the coil which does matter to me. However, you have to take the saw to dealer for diagnosis to get coil warranty replacement. By the time you pay dealer fees, might as well buy the coil yourself if it hasn’t been discontinued. I’ve already ran into that with Echo on my Mantis tiller.
Stihl 180, had one years ago. Worked fine with .043 3/8lp but wouldn’t handle .050 in Osage Orange. I never attempted any mods. I sold my Stihls due to parts/pricing.
Husqvarna 135 Mark II, 10.37 lb, $300, 2.1 hp, metal clam, strato, couldn’t find this local to handle it. Bomgaars shows it online but our Orschelns is just changing over. Maybe they will have it in the future. Seemed a little low on hp on paper vs weight. Not a fan of Husky stratos.
Husqvarna 435 or 440, plastic clam, strato, 2 strikes. 9.7 lb, 2.2/2.4 hp
Makita EA4300, 10.8 lb, 3hp, $400, discontinued, pro build, could buy online but couldn’t find local to hold it. A bit pricy and heavy. Parts can be a bit pricey on Makitas.
Echo CS-3510, 2 hp?, very light, 8.2 lb, $280, cheesy plastic build. Spring iso. Pull the throttle trigger and it pushes the handle away from the chassis. I assume they did this to keep WOT when the saw flexes. Metal clam
Echo CS-361P, hp?, 8.4 lb, $370, metal clam, couldn’t find local to handle. A bit high for a clam, so didn’t pursue.
Echo CS-400, 10.1 lb, $320, metal clam, couldn’t find published hp. 2.7? Paper filter, inertia brake, cat muffler, hi/lo adjustable carb, 3/8LP, rubber iso.
Out of class (Echo CS-4910-18), 3.3 hp?, 10.4 lb, $380, pro split case with bolt on cylinder. Handled the 3510, 400, and 4910 on the shelf at Orschelns/Bomgaars. The 4910 seemed just a bit heavier/bulkier than the 400. The 4910 has spring iso vs rubber on the 400. It was set up .325 vs 3/8LP on the 400. Inboard clutch on the 4910 but still have to pull a nut to change the rim. Outboard clutch with spur on the 400. The fuel tank on the 4910 seems like a kids toy, solid on the 400.
I picked the 400 up new for $250 and the 4910 would have been $370 with tax. My 1st Echo and my 2nd new saw. I wanted 3/8LP, it just seems to stay sharp longer than .325. I have a modified Husky 55/Partner5000, so I wasn’t looking to replace that. However, with the weight and hp of the 4910, I probably would have went that way if not for $. I’ll keep my eyes open for deals on the 4910 and might pick one up in the future for fun.
Warranty. Before I even started the 400, I removed the limiter caps and modded the muffler. I bought 2nd hand new so no warranty anyway. I sacrificed lifetime warranty on the coil which does matter to me. However, you have to take the saw to dealer for diagnosis to get coil warranty replacement. By the time you pay dealer fees, might as well buy the coil yourself if it hasn’t been discontinued. I’ve already ran into that with Echo on my Mantis tiller.