No question that the Echo & Stihl pole prunners are technologically better, longer lasting, and somewhat more powerful.
The question was, "Is it any good?".
Answer is a definate ....yes....especially for the money spent.
Is it for the true pro commercial guy? No. Unless he has abusers for a work crew. Then cost effectiveness of replacement vs repairs steps in the equation.
The engine is Poulan Pros own engine, not Ryobi.
Ryobi was sold to MTD which owns Cub Cadet, and the Troy Bilt name which now is MTD in Red disguise.
Ryobi had a four cycle that was 'design crashing', and wouldn't met emissions standards.
They cut a deal with Red Max (Komatsu) to 'fix' it.
Red Max (Komatsu) price to 'fix' it, was to be able to use some of the design, and patent to make their own super heavy duty 4 stroker. A true 4 stroker that didn't use a two cycle mix.
Red Max recently dropped making all 4 stokes because they're small cc displacement two cycle engine technology ( STRATO CHARGED) leads the world in Low Emissions (LE) performance.
They're the only company that isn't using 4 stokes, or catalytic mufflers. That's a potential can of worms.
They used to supply Stihl with the best trimmer engine they had, the FS83 so Stihl could sell two strokes in California and bank emissions points.
Red Max (Komatsu) was to get the pole saw attachment in a swap, but it never happened. So they parted ways.
