Echo DCS-5000

[FordGT40]

I just finished felling and bucking a 12-inch diameter, 65 foot tall dead, red oak tree using just my new DCS-5000. I already own a CS-400 and CS-600P, but I wanted to start going green. My new DCS-5000 performed just as well as my CS-400 which I would have used for a job like this in the past. A bonus is it uses the same bar and chain as the CS-400.

I give the unit only four out of five stars for two reasons. First, this is my second one. The first was returned under warranty with no hassles when the bar/chain oiler failed within minutes of the saw's first use. Second, there is effectively no sighting line mark on the handle side of the saw - the side you would be using to sight the potential direction of fall for your tree when doing your notch cuts. Interestingly, there is a very clear line on the opposite side of the saw, but that line isn't truly perpendicular to the bar edge anyways. As a result, I had to take a bit more care on my notch cut to set up the fall. Otherwise, it is a very good saw.

I used one full tank of oil with one full 5 amp battery plus about one quarter of a 2.5 amp battery on the job. The recharge was faster than I expected based on the owner's manual data. In all, I made about 70 cuts (16 inch fire logs). I was satisfied with the endurance and power and will use it for similar jobs going forward. I typically drop 6 to 8 trees a year for firewood to bring in 3 cords of wood for the season.

 

[Bubster]

Did you happen to check on the price of a replacement battery.I do a lot of fence work and sometimes just need to make a quick cut for a brace or a small limb in the way.Been thinking about a cordless saw.

 

[FordGT40]

Did you happen to check on the price of a replacement battery. I do a lot of fence work and sometimes just need to make a quick cut for a brace or a small limb in the way. Been thinking about a cordless saw.

Everyone is selling at MSRP. I got my units at local equipment shop, but Home Depot is carrying them, too. When I picked it up (also got a DPAS-2600 power head plus trimmer and brush cutter attachments) they told me the 2.5 amp batteries are $149. That jives with Home Depot's price. The 5 amp battery is $199. The saw comes standard with one 5 amp battery. Most of the trimmers come with the 2.5 amp battery unless you jump up to the DSRM-2600 which comes with the 5 amp. Note that they also have a 12" bar top handle saw, the DCS-2500T, that is $140 more and is more of a pro saw designed for climbers.

 

[FordGT40]

Follow-up thoughts after further use. I still think it is a good saw. We recently dropped an 18" dead hickory. I used the CS-400 to fall it and then the DCS to do initial bucking. The outer inch inside the bark was just rot giving about 16" useful core. With a full charged 5amp battery, I was able to buck off 22 16" lengths before the battery died. It has plenty of power to drive the 18" chain and cutting speed is solid. Just wish the battery lasted longer. I know I would have gotten further along with my CS-400 on a full tank of gas.

One thing I noted is the speed is not variable or at least I haven't managed to make it so as of yet. Seems to be full or off. If you are just tapping off little branches, you don't need max rpm all the time.

Later we dropped a 16" oak. I used the DCS to fall it. Again, I don't like the lack of an adequate sighting reference on the shell. Makes it a challenge for us home-owner firewood fetchers to get an accurate line up. I got the fall where I wanted it, but it would have been easier with the CS-400 just because of the sighting line. I'll have to make my own.

So, I see strong potential in the electric saws, but better battery endurance and some improvements with felling in mind are needed.