2nd saw: JRed 2156 or Echo CS500???

[Canuckgser]

First post, go easy now!

I have a small part time milling operation (portable, Peterson swing mill), cut firewood and look after 5 acres. I currently have one saw - a well used Husky 272xp with a 24 inch bar. I'm finding this larger and heavier then needed for limbing and most of my firewood cutting - looking to get a second saw without blowing the bank.
the two best options I've come up with are a $400 Echo CS500 50 cc, or a Jonsered 2156 (Husky 357 apparently?) for $660 - both with 18" chains, although the 2156 is 3/8th chain.
Dealer support is pretty equal, also other brands in the area.

I know these are in different classes, so not an obvious comparison.

I like the light weight of the Echo, and it is a good deal, but I'm concerned that the power will be lacking (apparently only 2.8 hp?) for cutting anything but smaller wood. Most of what I cut is 12" to 20" in diameter.

The 2156 is heavier, but still lighter then my 272, and it looks to be a higher end (more professional grade) saw. It is normally a $900 saw here, so $600 is a pretty good deal. Like that I can run a larger blade, and the cutting should be faster.

Thoughts? Opinions? better options?

Mainly, my question is about the limitations of the 50cc Echo - not sure this will be enough - does anyone have any experience cutting with this saw? Power rating seems low. I will keep the 272 for larger wood, but am tired of hefting it around for jobs where I don't need the size and power.

 

[Bluefish]

Jonsered out of those two.If you want a smaller saw get a 346 from Nmurph. Russ

 

[Arbonaut]

The 2156 is a high grade. One of the best in class. Not offered in the fall program, you might well snag it. Power to weight, it tops a stock MS362.

 

[tolman_paul]

Why not just put an 18" bar on the 272? I think you'll find that most of the weight/balance issue you're seeing between the smaller saws and your 272 is you are comparing shorter lighter bars.

You'll be many $'s ahead just going to a short bar on your 272, and you won't have to sacrifice the performance of a smaller engine. There is a much bigger difference in dropping hp than most consider because the smaller saws use most of their hp just to spin the chain around the bar.


PS, not that there is anything wrong with getting a 2nd, 3rd or 4th saw

 

[Canuckgser]

Why not just put an 18" bar on the 272?


PS, not that there is anything wrong with getting a 2nd, 3rd or 4th saw

Well, that is part of the plan here. My 272 has been a great saw, but it is getting harder to start, a bit leaky, and I like the idea of a second saw. I only need the longer blade occasionally, mainly for bucking near the mill. Most of the cutting I do would be fine with an 18 or 20" blade. but I wouldn't mind saving a bit of weight if I don't have to lose to much performance. Based on the other feedback (thanks!) I am leaning towards the 2156. At $600 it is hard to pass up for a new saw that will do most of what I need. Like the light weight on the Echo, but I'm concerned that is just will not have the power I need. good deal though...

 

[zogger]

For the same money? Neither of those. No need. Get a used cheaper saw (such as indicated above a 346, or similar..), at half those prices, and have it pro ported. You'll have lots mo saw for the same exact cash.

 

[fatboymoe]

My Masterminded Echo CS500 is a great saw. Not the cheapest way to go, but it really does a great job and is light weight. When I have smaller jobs to do, it's the one I grab most often. It really is a nice, powerfull, lightweight package.

 

[SawTroll]

Well, that is part of the plan here. My 272 has been a great saw, but it is getting harder to start, a bit leaky, and I like the idea of a second saw. I only need the longer blade occasionally, mainly for bucking near the mill. Most of the cutting I do would be fine with an 18 or 20" blade. but I wouldn't mind saving a bit of weight if I don't have to lose to much performance. Based on the other feedback (thanks!) I am leaning towards the 2156. At $600 it is hard to pass up for a new saw that will do most of what I need. Like the light weight on the Echo, but I'm concerned that is just will not have the power I need. good deal though...

At least forget the Echo! :msp_rolleyes:

 

[tallguys]

For the same money? Neither of those. No need. Get a used cheaper saw (such as indicated above a 346, or similar..), at half those prices, and have it pro ported. You'll have lots mo saw for the same exact cash.

Thats the thing, though... its not the same money. A used 346xp goes for what, about $300-$375 stateside? Add in at least $50 for shipping and you're over 4 bills.
That's not factoring any duties/taxes if he gets hit. Another $250 for woods porting and you're over $700 and no dealer support.
Remember in Canada a 346xp is about $900 otd so used here is not the same as you guys get to enjoy.

 

[Canuckgser]

For the same money? Neither of those. No need. Get a used cheaper saw (such as indicated above a 346, or similar..), at half those prices, and have it pro ported. You'll have lots mo saw for the same exact cash.

I looked into that, but for some reason the used market rarely seems to yield much value in this area - mostly bagged ex-commercial saws at the end of their life or 20 year old fire wood saws that people still think are worth what they paid for them. Case to point the local shop had a 359 for $500 'rebuilt' but obviously well used and banged up. I agree the smaller saw is probably a better fit in terms of saving weight - but it would be more expensive as well.

 

[Canuckgser]

My Masterminded Echo CS500 is a great saw. Not the cheapest way to go, but it really does a great job and is light weight. When I have smaller jobs to do, it's the one I grab most often. It really is a nice, powerfull, lightweight package.

Thanks for that feedback. The local dealer are really pushing the CS500 - it is on sale for $400, normally $550 canadian. I really like the low weight, and the easy start. It would be a great saw to teach my teenage son on! That being said, I tried one out at the dealer and I wasn't terribly impressed with how quickly it spooled up. These look like well built saws, some mixed reviews - or is that just prejudice against Echo?:msp_unsure:

Hard to beat a 5 year warrant, unless the machine just doesn't do what you need it to.

 

[zogger]

I looked into that, but for some reason the used market rarely seems to yield much value in this area - mostly bagged ex-commercial saws at the end of their life or 20 year old fire wood saws that people still think are worth what they paid for them. Case to point the local shop had a 359 for $500 'rebuilt' but obviously well used and banged up. I agree the smaller saw is probably a better fit in terms of saving weight - but it would be more expensive as well.

---well, it was just a thought. I keep forgetting how expensive stuff is in Canada.

I have a buncha small saws now. I could use any of them really as a limbing/small firewood saw. Now that I have been on this site and found out how easy it is to do the most common simple repairs, I just snag up non running cheapos for like 10 bucks or free or something.

The one I like the most (lightweight, handling, power, fuel economy, etc) is a poulan s25cva, got that for ten bucks as a junker/non runner, one carb clean and some new fuel line and filters later later, broom! Rips righteous wood, tell ya whut...16" bar, pulls it all the way in red oak just fine. Added bonus, unlike more modern saws, it has both a manual and automatic oiler.

But, if your used market sucks that bad there are no rational deals to be found, by all means grab..either of those, whichever feels the best in your hands, as the smart guys here always say. One man's great saw is another man's "this feels clunky" saw.. if it doesn't "fit" you well, you'll be disappointed all the time.

Anyway, have fun, if you stick around more than a few weeks you will have plenty of saws....

 

[rmh3481]

We have four of the echo cs-520's running 18 inch bars with .325 chain. They are always the first to go and the last to come back. They all have hundreds of hours on them and they always start and do what we need them to do. For what I have in them, you cannot beat them.

 

[Arbonaut]

Get the CS 2156

Simonizer lives in British Columbia.

 

[zogger]

Thanks for that feedback. The local dealer are really pushing the CS500 - it is on sale for $400, normally $550 canadian. I really like the low weight, and the easy start. It would be a great saw to teach my teenage son on! That being said, I tried one out at the dealer and I wasn't terribly impressed with how quickly it spooled up. These look like well built saws, some mixed reviews - or is that just prejudice against Echo?:msp_unsure:

Hard to beat a 5 year warrant, unless the machine just doesn't do what you need it to.

There are several threads on that saw here, good reading. In the US anyway, echos ship set too lean, and new saws come with restricted mufflers. You can read about it and how to deal with that for for simple but significant performance increases..and I wouldn't hold much stock with any makes "warranty". It's a crapshoot.

 

[s219]

You have to learn to ignore SawTroll on any saw that's not a Husky. He hasn't even run most of the saws he bashes.

I strongly considered the CS-500P last fall, and still would like to get one. It's a nice light and fairly strong saw for the money. It's a Shindaiwa design, one of the first Echo brought to market after the companies merged. I ended up getting a Stihl MS-261, which I liked at the time because it was beefier and cut like a monster.

 

[ford832]

I'd go for the 2156.It's got a fair bit more grunt than the echo and I find it light and handles and balances well with an 18" bar.

 

[rms61moparman]

I recently ran the Echo and a 52cc (I think) Efco at a couple of GTGs and was very impressed with both.
Then I ran a Mastermind Echo and it was unbelievable.
If you are going to replace the 272 I would suggest the J-Red.
For a limbing saw to compliment the 272, get the Echo.
JMHO


Mike

 

[Canuckgser]

Decision: Jonsered 2156

Well, I went ahead and picked up the JRed 2156 ($600 with the heated grip package). After my first day of firewood cutting, I'm very happy with the purchase. I don't think I would have been happier with much less power, particularly in the dead/ hard/ petrified arbutus that I am currently cutting in. with an 18" 3/8 full house chisel tooth it is well balanced and cuts with authority. I am keeping the 272xp with a 24" bar for larger wood, but I can tell you right now that the 2156 will be the saw I'm grabbing for 90% of my cutting. Thanks for the advise and help, I'm sure the Echo is a good saw (and a great deal) but for my purposes I don't think the power would have been satisfying.

For those like me that have not picked up a new saw in quite a few years, the improvement to vibration dampening is revolutionary. I appreciate the lighter weight, but the reduced vibration is even more of a benefit.

Now with a second saw, I can look at improving the old 272 to get back some of it's lost power!

cheers.

 

[J.Walker]

What year was your 2156cwh made?
Did you buy it off e-bay?


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