is the echo CS-400 chainsaw weak?

[Hobby_Man22]

I bought this saw a few years back and this thing really doesn't have much power to it when it comes to cutting down stumps and such. Once it gets kind of pinched it slips the clutch and the chain comes to a halt. Am I really supposed to use a wedge on a 10" diameter stump that's maybe 20" tall lol It's a 20" bar

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I think it's like 43cc so I guess it's not going to compete with a larger 75cc saw. Hasn't ever given me any problems and I've gone a year or two even without starting it. lol

 

[larry_g]

In my experience of more than 50 years most any saw will stop when the blade is pinched. One thing to check is you think is has lost power is the exhaust screen, they tend to plug if your mix is off or your not running flat out.

 

[jar944]

I think it's like 43cc so I guess it's not going to compete with a larger 75cc saw. Hasn't ever given me any problems and I've gone a year or two even without starting it. lol

Stop letting the bar get pinched.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Stop letting the bar get pinched.

Guess you do need a wedge then. It worked better once I hammered it in there

 

[finn]

When did you last sharpen the chain?

I had one of those saws and it’s fine for a small yard or limbing saw.

Not an ms462 though

 

[olytdi]

There are mods for Echos that involve simply taking out the muffler restrictor which increases horsepower. Look on youtube. Also, what others have said -- don't pinch, sharp blade, tune-up, screen clean, etc...

 

[southalabama]

Also note chains sold to homeowners are different than those sold to professionals. Homeowner chains are less aggressive

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Also note chains sold to homeowners are different than those sold to professionals. Homeowner chains are less aggressive

It's just an oregon chain from home depot.

 

[southalabama]

Oregon is fine but it’s the style that I’ve found is important

Different Types of Chainsaw Chains and Bars - Replacement Bars & Chains to Fit Various Models

 

[southalabama]

The Oregon chain I get from a dealer isn’t the same as found in big box store. The devils in the details about chain type.

 

[finn]

I would never recommend anything but the standard safety chain to a novice.

Especially once struggling to understand the physics of a chain pinching during a cut.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I would never recommend anything but the standard safety chain to a novice.

Especially once struggling to understand the physics of a chain pinching during a cut.

I knew it was pinching that's why I hammered a wedge in.

 

[Mainiac Mat]

I'm in need of a new chain saw (that will be my 5th saw)...
I decided that for my needs (felling trees on my own lot and laying up up 2-4 cords of firewood at a time), I wasn't going smaller than 50 cc again.

So I just ordered an Echo 4910. I hope it's a good one.

 

[dcg9381]

I've got the ES-400. I removed the catalyst, re-welded the muffler, and tuned it to run on 100-LL (it was the only non-ethanol gas I could get at the time). It's a decent saw for moderate work and I've had no problems with it kicking back or doing anything particularly nasty. It's no pro-level saw though. Uses lots of blades.. Or the cedar trees around here do!

 

[jpaw]

It's ironic that this came up. I just recently picked up a CS-400 and am quite disappointed in it.
My Stihl MS-170 with a used chain did better than the 400 out of the box.
After a couple tanks of fuel I'll try a muffler mod/retune and give it another chance.
If it doesn't impress it will go on market place or get gifted.

 

[jpaw]

If you are running a 20" bar it is way too much for this saw. The reason I ask is the CS-400 is only offered with a 16" or 18" bar.
At 40cc I'd recommend a 16" bar.

 

[dcg9381]

Stihl, IMHO, hands down across the board. But do I need a Stihl? No. Buy the right tool for the job.
My favorite chainsaw? A battery powered Makita.... I've got under 2 acres.

 

[jpaw]

I'm in need of a new chain saw (that will be my 5th saw)...
I decided that for my needs (felling trees on my own lot and laying up up 2-4 cords of firewood at a time), I wasn't going smaller than 50 cc again.

So I just ordered an Echo 4910. I hope it's a good one.

Keep us posted on the 4910. It is supposed to be the lightest non pro saw in it's class.

 

[jpaw]

Stihl, IMHO, hands down across the board. But do I need a Stihl? No. Buy the right tool for the job.
My favorite chainsaw? A battery powered Makita.... I've got under 2 acres.

The MS-170 is Stihl's smallest saw and $200. The CS-400 is $370 at hd.

 

[southalabama]

I would never recommend anything but the standard safety chain to a novice.

Especially once struggling to understand the physics of a chain pinching during a cut.

That was my inner tim the tool man coming out. Add more horsepower. It’s the answer to everything

 

[CJM8515]

its a 40cc saw, using a homeowner chain and its a homeowner saw. plus you admit to pinching the bar.

get a real chain from a dealer or online, dont pinch the bar and it will be better

 

[govmule84]

Lot of good advice here. I run a lot of Echo saws. They respond well to tuning. That said, you might be asking a lot from that saw. One of my smaller saws is a 16" bar on a well-tuned 50cc engine and it does fine with a 10" tree. I can't imagine a 20" on a 40cc; that seems like you're not setting the saw up for success.

Not to sound poopful, but pinchies are bad and a wedge isn't the only way to skin that cat. I would think at 20" high you could use a monster Humboldt face cut; it would be virtually impossible to stick the saw.

 

[Hank11]

A sharp chain solves lots of chainsaw problems.
Most of them actually.