Echo 620P vs Stihl 400C opinions?

[cuttinstihl]

I’m currently running an Echo 620P for my main saw, or at least I was until an employee I was working with smoked the P&C. I really like that 590/620 chassis for the torque they pack for 60cc, a 24” full comp buried in hickory was no problem for those saws. Part of me wants to try out the Stihl 400C, but I’ve heard varying reports on if they’ve got the stones for a 24” in hardwood whereas the Echos have plenty of torque IME. Heard that the 400C doesn’t oil over a 20” well either, but I can’t confirm this because I’ve never ran one.

Should I stick with what I know or give the 400C a chance?

 

[huskihl]

Not a terrible amount of experience with either one, but from what I do know, I would say the 400 runs about like a ported 620. And I would say the oiler is similar in capacity on each

 

[Sierra_rider]

I've never run a 620, but the 400 cuts like a 70cc saw IMO. Running a 24" bar is no issue...the oiler is close to maxed out at 24". You can even run a 28", but it doesn't oil adequately in "dusty" wood. I've since done some port/machine work to mine and upgraded the oiler guts, so pulling a 28" is a breeze in soft or hard woods.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Have Kevin/ @huskihl or DynoJoe/ @Red97 port the cylinder, then rebuild your 620 top end- and have fun!

 

[Lightning Performance]

OP

The 400 is much smoother. I've never ran a ported 620. I'm currently building 50cc Echos and 59cc Shindiawa saws and the 492 falls right in there. The ported 400 should outrun just about anything in its class based on economics inside the engines. Lighter and faster reciprocal assemblies lend themselves to more grunt once lead to their full potential. Heavier is heavier with more vibes on rubber AV chassis. They both have merit and I'm betting the Echo fairs better on work trucks under daily abuse with dull chains. Just my assumption. I'd personally own the 400 over the 620 or use my ported 600SX saws. They pull a 30" in hardwoods no sweat and oil them just fine 375 050 full chisel full comp. The 400 needs oil pump work and the LW 28" bar or a 500I chassis AV kit or a custom one assembled to your liking. Plenty of options available like a 3/4 wrap also.

I've ran several stock and altered 400s

It has to be to your liking or budget driven?

 

[RollinCoal02]

Replaced a cs590 with a ms400c.the 400c runs a 25” bar like a dream. The saw is super smooth. Noticeably more power and torque over the 590.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Replaced a cs590 with a ms400c.the 400c runs a 25” bar like a dream. The saw is super smooth. Noticeably more power and torque over the 590.

While a good observation, that's probably not the most helpful comparison because the Stihl 400c is a 68cc pro saw, and the 60cc Echo 590 is a Farm/Ranch model- which itself is a detuned version of the 60cc 620p pro saw.

Based on displacement alone, the 68cc Stihl 400c should be compared to a ported 60cc 620p, or a stock Echo 73cc 7310p.

I know the OP asked about the 620p and 400c, so I'm just giving some context.

 

[sean donato]

Neighbor has a 620p, it's a turd compared to my 400. Actually it's a turd compared to the 562xp the 400 replaced. The 400 oiler is a good for 20" 24" would be border line. I swapped out to the 461r oil pump. Much better oiling.
Pretty sure when the neighbor has the money saved up he's getting a 562xp to replace his 620, he didn't want to spend the money on a 400.

 

[Stihl User]

I’m currently running an Echo 620P for my main saw, or at least I was until an employee I was working with smoked the P&C. I really like that 590/620 chassis for the torque they pack for 60cc, a 24” full comp buried in hickory was no problem for those saws. Part of me wants to try out the Stihl 400C, but I’ve heard varying reports on if they’ve got the stones for a 24” in hardwood whereas the Echos have plenty of torque IME. Heard that the 400C doesn’t oil over a 20” well either, but I can’t confirm this because I’ve never ran one.

Should I stick with what I know or give the 400C a chance?

i have both

You can just about buy two 620p for the price of one 400c

400c is not impressive for the $$$

if you want a real ripper, go for the 462

 

[sean donato]

i have both

You can just about buy two 620p for the price of one 400c

400c is not impressive for the $$$

if you want a real ripper, go for the 462

See I don't understand that, the 462 is better but not by leaps and bounds better then the 400. Not enough better that I'd want to ditch my 400 and get a 462. It would be more like jumping to a 660 or 500i would be the logical power jump. Something is not right with the 400 you have.

 

[lone wolf]

See I don't understand that, the 462 is better but not by leaps and bounds better then the 400. Not enough better that I'd want to ditch my 400 and get a 462. It would be more like jumping to a 660 or 500i would be the logical power jump. Something is not right with the 400 you have.

Well Im sure hie is going do a video after its running right so we may see. I dont understand how the Echo would catch it.

 

[huskihl]

See I don't understand that, the 462 is better but not by leaps and bounds better then the 400. Not enough better that I'd want to ditch my 400 and get a 462. It would be more like jumping to a 660 or 500i would be the logical power jump. Something is not right with the 400 you have.

Early model 462’s ran about like a half ported 70cc saw. Later ones run normal. Since 2020 or so.

The old 462 would outrun a 500i under 24” wood. The new one not so much

 

[sean donato]

Early model 462’s ran about like a half ported 70cc saw. Later ones run normal. Since 2000 or so.

The old 462 would outrun a 500i under 24” wood. The new one not so much

Never knew that. Always thought they were good runners for a 70cc saw. Oldest I ran would be something like a 17 or 18 model..

 

[huskihl]

Never knew that. Always thought they were good runners for a 70cc saw. Oldest I ran would be something like a 17 or 18 model..

Those were the hot ones but they didn’t stay together for trigger happy guys so stihl slowed them down

 

[LuDookie]

Early model 462’s ran about like a half ported 70cc saw. Later ones run normal. Since 2000 or so.

The old 462 would outrun a 500i under 24” wood. The new one not so much

We’re talking Stihl, right? Seems like the 461 was still on shelves up to about 2017/18, even some stragglers in 19. What year did the 462 come out? I didn’t see them until at least 2018 or later when I wanted one.

I thought the 461 and 462 were quite different? The 461 was quite a good saw.

 

[bwalker]

We’re talking Stihl, right? Seems like the 461 was still on shelves up to about 2017/18, even some stragglers in 19. What year did the 462 come out? I didn’t see them until at least 2018 or later when I wanted one.

I thought the 461 and 462 were quite different? The 461 was quite a good saw.

I believe Kevin ment 2020.

 

[bwalker]

There is no way any 60cc echo runs with a 400C and it won't be close.
Plus the echo saws are antique designs.

 

[LuDookie]

I wouldn’t expect a 620 to perform like a Stihl 400. It’s not meant to. But I’d bet my children it would be more durable and trouble free. The price gap isn’t representative of the performance difference. If you you want a faster, stronger saw, the 400 is the one. If you want value and a saw that mostly cuts at the same capacity, it’s the 620.

 

[cookies]

Echos have small transfers, their intake/exhaust ports have a lip at the cylinder. They greatly under perform until ported, think 30%+ improvement. fix it and ported for less than a new stihl.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Early model 462’s ran about like a half ported 70cc saw. Later ones run normal. Since 2000 or so.

The old 462 would outrun a 500i under 24” wood. The new one not so much

2000? I know that’s a typo but which year did you mean? I think mine is a 2020 model, maybe 21. I’ll look later but I know it’s M3.