Changes at Echo?

[lhampton]

We run several echo cs300. While we used to get a season or two out of them, now we can't seem to keep them alive for much more than three months. I've only been with this company since June, but I'm told that nothing at our end has really changed. Same gas mix, same level of maintenance (low), same hard use.

Has echo made any changes that might account for reduced dependability? Have the saws become more sensitive to abuse than what they could have handled a year ago?

Louie Hampton

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I have seen this also in my area. Seems that the quality is not what it should be. These saws, cs3000's, are relatively new.

 

[Tony Snyder]

Lets face it, ALL brands have marketed cheaper models to the point that the average consumer is completly confused. Some here know the difference, unfortunately, some do not.

It is unfortunate that we do not have the equal of the Nebraska Tractor Tests for chain saws.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Tony Snyder
Lets face it, ALL brands have marketed cheaper models to the point that the average consumer is completly confused. Some here know the difference, unfortunately, some do not.

While this is true at Husky and Stihl, Echo only has 1 line of saws!

 

[lhampton]

Why in the world would a commercial firm be using the 300 instead of the 340?

I don't know about the initial decision to go with the 300. I assume it was based on cost. This is a new company that started up about four or five years ago. Interest in short term survival over long term reliability and profitability? I can only guess.

I have some say about what saw we buy now and we have been looking closely at the ms200. At about twice the price, I want to be sure we get our dollars worth. My concern is due to the lack of care and maintenance I see. I'm told that this has always been the case, and it is only recently that reliability has been an issue. I have never thought much of echo chainsaws. Maybe unreasonably so. Is the 3400 really such a difference?

Louie Hampton

 

[lhampton]

I appreciate your advice, it sounds reasonable. We deal with a good shop who can set us up right initially. We need to work on our maintenance though. The last saw I looked at No way that thing could breath. I doubt the air filter had ever been cleaned. We run saws like my wife drives the car. Just add gas occassionally and all is well

It just doesn't make sense to me though that this has just caught up with us in the last few months. Either the lack of maintenance and abuse has increased, or something about the set up in the later models makes them more sensitive to abuse. Either way, its something we have to deal with on our end. No warranty that I know of will cover abuse, and we won't make much money on a saw with a three month life span.

Louie Hampton

 

[NeTree]

I agree with Rocky. I have a cs-300 here, (part of a package of equipment when I bought out a competitor). Complete P.O.S.... and it's seen very little use. On the other hand, my older cs-3400 (not the 340) sees brutal use daily, and has had virtually no maintainence,- and yet always gets the job done with no complaints. I'd replace it with another one without hesitation. I got my $200 worth and truckloads more.

The 020t stihl is a nice running saw, and although a bit pricey, people do seem to get their money's worth out of them. I don't care for the ergonomics one bit, though.

I recently got to use a Husky 338XPT for a bit, and was impressed, although I don't know how the long-term reliability will settle out in light of Husky's last flop of a climbing saw. I think I'll see how Tim K.'s holds up before I spend the money on one.