Entry level Echo vs Stihl (homeowner category)?

[ducatiti]

Keeping the Echo equipment for sure now.

 

[justme-]

My point is for the same money you can buy a saw that is way better made

As for shortcomings OK

1 Engine cover one lever holds it on over time, not long really the tension gets sloppy if you don't notice the lever is down when you go to start the saw the cover flies off.

2 carburetor linkage, the linkage has a pinch connection had it pop out on regular use on two of the saws.
on a Stihl? have not seen that one yet unless it's on a top handle which is not a home saw. See it all the time on Husky family saws of all levels tho.
3 Air cleaner works about as good as a diaper.
That would be quite possibly user error either in maintenance of the filter (high pressure air to clean it) or installation either of could be the same on any brand saw. As a tech they all teach you to inspect the filter and inside the filter looking for debris that has somehow bypassed the filers then investigate the source. Stihl teaches it as part of the routine "engine check" process a tech is supposed to follow on every piece of equipment serviced for any reason. I will say I do like Husky's 1/4 turn filter style, tho almost everything out there in the past 20 years is light years ahead of what we all used to have. Remember the felted flat square with a rubber edge that was supposed to be pressed in place by the cover and never sealed right. I'm thinking specifically of Macs.
Overall fit and finish is cheap the picco chain does cut nice I will give it that.

I am using echo saws that cost the same for 5 times the amount of hours and counting so yes I am calling them junk.

Most home saws will never see 200 hours but stihl took a lot of shortcuts and they should be better than that.

I don't have brand loyalty I use what works.

....

 

[brianh]

....

I stated 170 saws, you know they do not make a top handle 170 arborist model, don't believe me look for yourself at the carburetor linkage connection.

Look if I did not like stihl products I would not have bought so many, the pro stuff is great my 660 with an Alaskan mill has cut thousands of board feet of lumber with no issues, milling is the hardest thing you can do to a saw.

The homeowners stuff is more the name than the quality

 

[ducatiti]

So I only had time to open and test out the blower. Started in two pulls out of the box. Dried my car in less than 3 minutes. Haven't done any yard work yet but totally worth it already!

Bought the Echo for $130 after coupon and all so totally worth it. Still trying to decide if I should get the pro grade hedge trimmer, HS 46.

Keeping the saw for sure though.

 

[Wizzard]

So I only had time to open and test out the blower. Started in two pulls out of the box. Dried my car in less than 3 minutes. Haven't done any yard work yet but totally worth it already!

Bought the Echo for $130 after coupon and all so totally worth it. Still trying to decide if I should get the pro grade hedge trimmer, HS 46.

Keeping the saw for sure though.

The HS46 is in the Homeowner category (categorized that way on Stihl's site also). I much prefer the Kawasaki hedge trimmers to even the pro grade Stihl hedge trimmers...the Kawasaki trimmers are better in virtually every category.

 

[firebox40dash5]

The homeowners stuff is more the name than the quality

^ This.

I swear by Stihl's pro line, they're some of the best pieces of equipment around. The homeowner line... they're better than the el cheapo **** (Poulan, etc.), but not by a whole lot, and there's better out there for the money, like the OP's Echo stuff.

My dad bought an MS170 years ago, I tried to talk him out of it, but I don't think he knew that they'd started making price-point equipment. It's been pretty much **** since day one... enough that at almost 60, he's still running his ancient 028s, despite buying the 170 so he'd have a lighter saw.

 

[ducatiti]

So definitely, I'm keeping the CS-370 and the PB-250. Now I'm thinking of returning the HC-152 (unopened) for a Stihl HS 56-CE.

Anyone here owns a HS 56?

 

[Bobcat753]

Keep your stuff all echo. I still reccomend getting the PAS system. This hedger is real nice and much more flexible than a standard hedge trimmer.
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Pro-Attachment-Series/99944200595
Also be sure to get the biggest power head being this one
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Pro-Attachment-Series/PAS-280

 

[Jhoff310]

I have both brands.
I have the ECHO CS 310 chainsaw purchased just over 5 years ago. It's my go to saw. I will use it if I'm cutting small limbs, garbage wood, roots (yes I said roots), firewood, storm cleanup etc.. I have just under 1100 hours on that saw. It has been ran in the dirt, dropped out of trees, fell off my truck etc..and still runs great. In 5 years it has been in for service 1 time. The chain oiler had a defect in it. That has been a great saw. I would have no problem buying another one when and if this one dies.
I also have 3 Stihl saws-albeit they are older. I have a 031AV, 032AVE, and 050. These saws were made in the 70's. They are screamers. Looking at some of the new stihls, and some of the technology that has gone into them; they look good. My main use on my stihls is firewood. The new stihls just dont do it for me...I guess Im a little nostalgic, and like the older stihls. They are great saws.

 

[LUKE221]

I love my Stihl weedeater. Definatley better than my old ryobi, toro, poulan which are all garbage now

 

[Always Fix'n Cars]

I have Echo weedeaters and edgers and a Stihl backpack blower and chainsaw. I bought all new and have had no problems with any of them. I bought a used hedge trimmer and had to replace the carb; no more buying used for me. Buy them new and take care of them with high octane fuel and the high quality 2 stroke oil.

 

[ducatiti]

So my CS-370 leaked a lot of bar oil. Returned it and ordered the newly released CS-490!

 

[Wakefield]

Does Stihl try to keep you dependent on the dealer for repairs?
I suspect that the ignition armature in my FS 130 has an intermittent problem.

My story about this: I bought the FS 130 about 8 years ago from a certain Stihl dealer. I paid for the unit by check O.K. Now I tried to take it back there for service and new carburetor/fuel hoses they wanted a deposit and they DON'T TAKE MY CHECK ! Even for deposit. Needless to say I won't be going back there. If Stihl doesn't want me working on my equipment then that is a strong indication to look for another brand.

 

[mikegt4]

I bought a Echo 266T trimmer today.

I have been using my Stihl FS-40 trimmer (residential grade) for 20 years. All that I ever did to it was fill it with fuel, string and clean the exhaust screen every other year. It still has the original spark plug. It always starts right up. If it didn't start after 3 pulls I check to see if I turned the ignition on. It has plenty of power with it's 30cc engine.

The only problem with it is that with the curved shaft it is difficult to get back under the low branches on my pine trees and to reach down the slope around my pond. I finally decided to get a straight shaft trimmer to help in those situations. After shopping around I finally decided on a Stihl FS90 or an Echo 225/230/266. I have a good dealer for each brand close to my house. Both are old school small family business with competent service shops.

I have kind of been turned off by the 4mix Stihl products, maybe unrealistically so but the potential extra problems make me wonder. The Echo products seemed a bit towards cheaply made. Neither brand seemed to be as well made as my 20 year old (built like a tank) Stihl FS40, the current FS40 isn't even close.

I happened to be in my local Rural King over the weekend and looked at their Echo trimmers. The had the same price as the local dealer but some machines were much lower. I found a 266T priced at under $300 ($40 off list) and grabbed it. I think that they were clearing old stock as it has a 2013 build date.

It isn't as well made as my old Stihl (neither are the new Stihls) but it runs great and has a lot of power. Starts every time with only a little effort required to pull the rope. It does seem to use much more fuel that the FS40. The old Stihl is off to a new home with my son who will probably use it for another 20 years.

 

[ducatiti]

Just a quick bump to my thread.

So to add to my Echo chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and blower. I purchased an Echo SRM-225. Again, after a long research on Stihl and Echo, I ended up with another Echo.

 

[c39er]

I have the big echo back pack blower, Large H-duty weed eater and a baby echo 12" limbing saw.

All have worked flawless...a couple for over 15 years. No carb problems on ethanol either.

Echo all the way for me!

 

[redmondjp]

Just a quick bump to my thread.

So to add to my Echo chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and blower. I purchased an Echo SRM-225. Again, after a long research on Stihl and Echo, I ended up with another Echo.

You'll be happy with that one. I maintain several Echo trimmers (for friends/neighbors) and they hold up well.

For best results with all of your equipment, go to www.pure-gas.org and find a station near you that sells alcohol-free gasoline. Use that for your fuel mix. I switched over to it a few years ago and I don't even winterize any of my equipment any longer (just leave the tanks full over the winter) - everything starts right up in the spring.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Not sure how exactly it works for 3 on one receipt - maybe your guy can sell one 6 pack and register all equipment with it. I know the unit and oil need to be on the same receipt to qualify.

My dealer will sell individual cans of their Moto Mix and count it toward extending the warranty.

OP, there are lots of stories about newer Echos having repair issues, as mentioned above. I have NO experience with them, but there is a reason Stihl is number one by a wide margin.

Unless you have a really sucky Stihl dealer (highly unlikely) I'd go Stihl and pay more to do so.

 

[kctyphoon]

ive had my echo string trimmer for like 6 years or more now.. the only thing ive done to maintain it is 1 time i changed the plug, new air fliter and fuel filter. other than that ive had no reason to do anything else, and i dont even drian the fuel out before storing it for the winter.. its NEVER not started, and is one of the most reliable things i own.

i recently went through the same thing, buying a new blower.. i ended up with a husqvarna, just because the boxes of echo in HD were beat up, and the husqvarna came with a fan tip, and free bottle of mix at the time.. same deal - either one would have been a good purchase - but ill keep wondering if the blower will give me an issue until it gets 2 or 3 years under it..

 

[redmondjp]

OP, there are lots of stories about newer Echos having repair issues, as mentioned above.

From my own experience, this is most likely due to the EPA-mandated non-adjustable carburetors combined with alcohol in the gas (which attracts moisture which then corrodes the aluminum inside the carburetor, blocking the fuel passages). And this is not just an Echo problem.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

From my own experience, this is most likely due to the EPA-mandated non-adjustable carburetors combined with alcohol in the gas (which attracts moisture which then corrodes the aluminum inside the carburetor, blocking the fuel passages). And this is not just an Echo problem.

Could be. I've been preaching the Gospel of using the quart cans of fuel available from dealers for several years. It's expensive (for gas) but MUCH cheaper in the long run. Plus, with the small amounts normally used it doesn't end up costing diddly.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Did some chainsaw milling with my new this year Echo CS-590 last weekend. What a champ. Could make a cut in 12" hardwood 8' long in about 8 minutes, which is real good for that kind of milling work. Can slice through 12" normal in about 8 seconds. What a great saw for the money, 60 cc class. - Paul

 

[BBQ&Love]

I love my Stihl Farm Boss.