Echo cs370/400

[thetruck454]

To match all my other outdoor power tools, I've narrowed my chainsaw choice to the echo cs370/400. eBay seams to be flooded with them a a decent discount, but their sold as new(other). Looks like people bought up a bunch of new stock on clearance and are reselling them. Anything to watch out for on these? I've heard I should stay away from the fast tension ones and have seen loads of threads on how to mod the muffler/cat and tune them to really make em shine.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd buy a used Husky or Stihl.

Seriously, you're going to modify the muffler to get "more power" out of a chainsaw with a 16" bar?

 

[Gummi Bear]

I have a CS360T, it’s run really well for years.

Power to weight is impressive.

It came with a 16” bar, and I run a 14” on it most of the time.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[Two Door]

I have a CS370. My first and only chainsaw, used for suburban heavy trimming. It has been dead reliable for ten years, and feels pretty perky, with no mods...

Don't let gas with ethanol sit in it over the winter of course.

 

[CR888]

I'd buy a used Husky or Stihl.

Seriously, you're going to modify the muffler to get "more power" out of a chainsaw with a 16" bar?

Perhaps, but removing the catalatic converter & slightly opening up the muffler port will allow the saw to run cooler and not retain so much heat. The little power boost & increased throttle response are a bonus...

 

[hudd1256]

I bought a CS 590 for trimming and cutting trees down on my acearage. Been a great saw I gutted the muffler and took the air baffel out of the air intake almost right away. The only trouble I’ve had is after I did that it never started as well. When I first bought it was one pull start every time even when cold. Now it’s 3 pulls and let it run in choke for about 15-30 sec. Mine is also finicky about winter to summer bar oil when the ambient temperature changes I have to adjust the Oiler for winter and summer. Other than that I’m happy.

 

[Kenskip1]

I'd buy a used Husky or Stihl.

Seriously, you're going to modify the muffler to get "more power" out of a chainsaw with a 16" bar?

GD, Have you any idea how many saws have a 16 bar? Would you like for me to make a list? More power, Husky 350,346, 353. This is just one brand.Stihl,026, 028, 025, ms 250, the list grows and grows. Now what about Makita/Dolmar,Echo.Many of these saws are available with a 16 inch bar.True some have more power and the benefit of a muffler mod is most beneficial. At times I have seen 3+ cubic inch saws running 3/8 chain on a 16 bar.
Anyway, most any saw with a proper muffler mod will have a power increase.The exact amount is just a speculated guess. However it is noticeable.

 

[Warrenator]

I have a CS-310 with a 16" bar, it is a great chainsaw. So handy. I've felled trees with it and use as my firewood and utility saw. Never thought I needed more power even though I put a bigger bar on it. (It comes as a 14".)

I also have a CS-590 (Timberwolf) and that thing is a beast. Never had any trouble with either saw. Go Echo, you won't regret it.

 

[kippieland]

To match all my other outdoor power tools, I've narrowed my chainsaw choice to the echo cs370/400. eBay seams to be flooded with them a a decent discount, but their sold as new(other). Looks like people bought up a bunch of new stock on clearance and are reselling them. Anything to watch out for on these? I've heard I should stay away from the fast tension ones and have seen loads of threads on how to mod the muffler/cat and tune them to really make em shine.

I had modified the muffler on my cs370. It made it cut like an animal, however, it ran through gas a 10 times the rate and was VERY loud. I bought an old stock muffler off of ebay and have kept it that way. Its a good saw for light, neighbourhood work, not cutting up a bunch of trees for firewood. Best with a 14inch bar IMO. If you want a fast saw....I would say buy one. I ended up with a Husqvarna 545 since I cut a LOT of wood.

 

[gloy]

I have an old echo cs452. I bought it in the late 1970's, and I still heat my house with wood. It still outperforms everything in its class except sthil. It is a wonderful, dependable tool. My only complaint is that it was discontinued in 1983, and parts for it are becoming extinct. I'll bet they don't make'm like they used to. My advice is to buy either an Echo or a Sthil and you can't go wrong.

 

[gdocktor3]

GD, Have you any idea how many saws have a 16 bar? Would you like for me to make a list? More power, Husky 350,346, 353. This is just one brand.Stihl,026, 028, 025, ms 250, the list grows and grows. Now what about Makita/Dolmar,Echo.Many of these saws are available with a 16 inch bar.True some have more power and the benefit of a muffler mod is most beneficial. At times I have seen 3+ cubic inch saws running 3/8 chain on a 16 bar.
Anyway, most any saw with a proper muffler mod will have a power increase.The exact amount is just a speculated guess. However it is noticeable.

I do have an idea and all I'm saying is for a saw of that size, I'd rather own a MS192 with a 16" bar than an Echo I have to modify, but that's just me.

 

[CJM8515]

I have the 450 pro, good saw. Only thing is echos are a bit finicky when cold.

 

[Fialaja]

I have an echo great saw with a great warranty (5yr). I’ve gotten great service out of mine.
Available at Home Depot for reasonable prices.

 

[CR888]

You really find out how great a warranty is when you need to claim on it. Many saws get sold off the back of a 5 year warranty that's hardly worth the paper its written on. At the end of the day a warranty is only as good as your dealer who will fight your case buy online or have a poor dealer...the warranty will only cause frustration should you need to use it.

 

[Kenskip1]

GD, You would rather own a MS 192? Thats a clamshell design if memory serves me properly.Are you aware that the bearings are encased in plastic, and manufactured in China? Same for the pistons and rings.I was surprised myself. Yes the saws are manufactured in USA but the parts are made in China. Look on nearly any Stihl weed eater. Someplace on the cylinder it says China. Sorry but I will never buy a Stihl saw again. Echo has them beat.Echo does not have a clamshell design.Many smaller Echo saws have adjustable oilers.The crankcase is not made of plastic.That is why I now own 2 Echos.

 

[southalabama]

I've got a Husqvarna rancher and a smaller saw. They've done everything I've asked.

I also have Echo PAS weed whackers. Had two stolen. Bought another. I love it.

Whatever you do use real gas.

 

[Fialaja]

You really find out how great a warranty is when you need to claim on it. Many saws get sold off the back of a 5 year warranty that's hardly worth the paper its written on. At the end of the day a warranty is only as good as your dealer who will fight your case buy online or have a poor dealer...the warranty will only cause frustration should you need to use it.

Echo backpack blower **** the bed after 4-5 years. The warranty worked and Echo had the repair shop give me a new one. Apparently the cheap mix I was using was the cause

 

[WWheeler]

I do have an idea and all I'm saying is for a saw of that size, I'd rather own a MS192 with a 16" bar than an Echo I have to modify, but that's just me.

I've done a muffler mod on all my saws, Stihl, Husqvarna, Shindaiwa. Might not be legal in some places like CA dunno but it's very common no matter what model saw you have. Well worth it imho.

MS192T muffler mod (pics)
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/ms192t-muffler-mod-pics.183322/

https://www.youtube.com/results?reload=9&search_query=MS192+modify+muffler&search=Search

 

[Firebrick43]

GD, You would rather own a MS 192? Thats a clamshell design if memory serves me properly.Are you aware that the bearings are encased in plastic, and manufactured in China? Same for the pistons and rings.I was surprised myself. Yes the saws are manufactured in USA but the parts are made in China. Look on nearly any Stihl weed eater. Someplace on the cylinder it says China. Sorry but I will never buy a Stihl saw again. Echo has them beat.Echo does not have a clamshell design.Many smaller Echo saws have adjustable oilers.The crankcase is not made of plastic.That is why I now own 2 Echos.

Um, you really don't have the right info.

Many echoes including the chainsaws that the op asked about are indeed clam shell design. They do however have a metal crank case. Not all stihl saws has plastic crank cases. In fact most of their farm and ranch saws and mid/pro weedeaters are similar to the echo, a clam shell with metal bottom half. Stihl pro saws are a superior design with a seperate jug(cylinder) with a full magnesium chassis/crankcase that splits vertically. Also pro saws have seperate rim sockets on the clutch instead of a spur sprocket made as part of the clutch.

As to the OP question. The echo is an ok homeowner or small fire wood saw. I have used a neighbors and cut along side of him many of times. It's been a durable saw for him and once the chain was replaced (and he was taught how to sharpen) it suited him. It's hard for me to judge performance as 12 years ago when we met I had a muffler modded ms290 midline (and chisel chain) that cut far faster. For the last 5 years I have run an pro saw ms362( that's muffler modded and ported) and it's like a light saber in comparison with less than half the vibes of the echo and uses less fuel to boot. It has well over 1hp over the 290 with no additional weight.

I don't think I could go back to a midline saw again, a small one I would get a ms241 but many home owners can't justify the coin.

 

[Notgrownup]

I bought a 370 about 12 years ago, it has never failed me. It always cranks up, as a matter of fact I bought a trimmer and blower because the Echo worked so well in the Chainsaw...I have not been disappointed in all 3 pieces.

 

[stearn786]

We bought my dad a CS400 for Christmas last year. He loves it. Got the saw from Ebay, no problems as far as I can see.

 

[CR888]

Echo are decent, they built their products with good components. I recently sold a near new echo pro saw CS550p (55cc pro saw) which was kinda over built in a way, had it had a larger displacement I'd have kept it but it was just too heavy for a 55cc saw. But it had a beautiful nikasil cylinder, walbro carb & fuel filter, Japanese bearings. It will cut a lot of firewood for the guy I sold it too. I just have too many saws in the 50-60cc range to have used it.

 

[craftsman47]

I have cut over 150 tree's with an echo cs-370
not 1 problem.
it performs excellent.

I own as cs-590. that is a baddass saw. Ill repeat that, BAD ***.

Be sure to learn how to use a chainsaw.......once you do......its just an incredible tool.

SHARP chain! the harbor freight sharpener works excellent

 

[Rarified27]

TL;DR= As a homeowner who has used it for a few emergencies, My 18" bar CS400 has been outstanding in every way.

Full story below.

Not sure if this helps or hurts, but here we go...

I bought an 18" bar CS400 at 945pm in an HD running on backup generators because a storm with sustained 70mph straight line winds had just come through our area and the only thing I had to begin removal of the 6 storm felled trees (including the one across the driveway blocking my truck and the one laying on the house we bought a month before) was a 6lb axe and a bow saw.

A hasty purchase because we had no power and there were so many trees down around us, the power company would have been at least a week away from restoration. Since half the area had been cleaning HD out of the cheapest saws they had for about 2hrs before I arrived, this was the best saw still available in the store; I didn't have time to F around, so home it went. We cut with it through the night and next day, only stopping to refuel and sharpen the chain.

After shredding those 6 whole trees, 4 of which were approx. 60ft tall, I've used it for trimming and firewood. It's never failed, not even once. I'm also obnoxious with maintenance and run it at least once a month on the same day I run the generator, both for about 15mns for no other reason than to keep the party going and the oil flowing. I do this while mowing the lawn as to limit my noise pollution ;-)

I don't know how it would hold up to the rigors of daily use by a tree service/fire dept/circus juggler, but it's been great for me and I'll likely never by a new one, regardless of how much I eye-F the stihl ones at the local dealer.

If you get one, I hope it treats you as well as mine!

 

[ddurrett896]

I got the CS490 and it's a beast! Like previous comments, don't put anything with ethanol in them. I only have Sunoco 110 in my area so that's what all my Echos get. $8/gallon still beats Tru Fuel at like $25/gallon.

Star Tron helps and I use on my 4 strokes.