chain saw selection

[cutter300]

I am getting into moonlighting tree work. I am contemplating buying an echo CS-330T for in the tree work and a husky 350 for on the ground work. What grade are these saws? Do you recommend them? What experiences have you had with them? What are good alternatives in the same price range? Thank you.

 

[clearance]

Welcome to the site, can't help much, I only use XP Huskies and very few Stihls.

 

[Tzed250]

Oh boy...moonlighting tree work...here we go again...

 

[redprospector]

I don't know anything about the Echo's, but I have a 350. I'm not too impressed with it. I use a Husky 338 xpc, and it has about as much power as the 350. I think you should go for a little better saw personally.

Andy

 

[blis]

I don't know anything about the Echo's, but I have a 350. I'm not too impressed with it. I use a Husky 338 xpc, and it has about as much power as the 350. I think you should go for a little better saw personally.

Andy

350 is best saw in that class, but for example 346xp/353 outperforms it any given day... but for ground work id get something like 357xp maybe... depends on tree size...

 

[TDunk]

I like my huskies, but if your looking something in the 50cc class, i'd go for the Dolmar 5100. But depending on how big the trees are your taking down though, the 5100 is gonna be workin overtime. I'd prolly step it up a couple of saws and get a 361/357/362 something along that route.

 

[SawTroll]

I like my huskies, but if your looking something in the 50cc class, i'd go for the Dolmar 5100. But depending on how big the trees are your taking down though, the 5100 is gonna be workin overtime. I'd prolly step it up a couple of saws and get a 361/357/362 something along that route.

I generally agree, the choises mentioned by cutter300 seem to be a bit too much low end, even though the 350 is a very good consumer class saw......

 

[computeruser]

The Echo should be fine for in-tree work. Not as powerful as its more expensive cousins (i.e. Stihl MS200T, Husqvarna 338, Dolmar 3410 etc.) but the durability track record of Echo products is respectable.

As for the Husqvarna 350, I'd pass on that one and get up to the 60cc class. You can do almost anything, save for blocking up huge trunks, with something like a Stihl MS361 or Husqvarna 357xp. I find that I rarely, if ever, use my 50cc saws except for limbing.

If I was going to be limited to two saws for the sort of work you are contemplating, I'd at least make the jump to a 60cc pro-grade machine.

 

[cutter300]

Thanks for the help I will look into these saws.