IQRaceworks
ArboristSite Member
Ok...so I had a couple of big (30"+ diameter) oaks fall out in my back pasture a few weeks ago. I tried making some cuts on them with my old Poulan 50cc saw with 20" bar, and it does it...but good lord is it slow. It's something like 5min just to get one cut through it.
I've been thinking about getting a bigger saw (all I have are saws that are 50cc and smaller)...and I think I can finally justify it with the job I've got to do on these big oaks. I told myself I didn't want to spend more than $1,000 on a new saw. Was thinking about a 590 or 620...but I think those will be too small for what I want to do. That being said.......
...after lots of research, and calling around to my local dealers...this is what I've come up with.
1. Pick up one of the Echo 7310 (73.5cc) saws with a 28" bar at the local dealer here in the next few weeks when they have their 15% off sale for $935.
2. OR...save some money, pick up one of the 90cc Farmertec/Neotec 660 clone saws with a 32-36" bar on it for around $450.
On one hand....that 90cc saw should hog through those oak trees, on the other hand...I've heard that the clones have some parts that wear out fast and cause issues (no surprise)...but I would be saving almost $500.
But...even though the echo is smaller, it's probably going to last me forever with the amount of use I'm going to put it through......I've heard it's a solid saw, and it's got a 5yr warranty. But.....I'm paying $500 more for a saw that's not going to get used much after it cuts up these oaks.
SO....considering what I need to do with it....would you buy a smaller 70cc saw that's better quality, with a 5yr warranty....but spend an extra $500+.........or save all that money and buy a big 90cc that might not be as reliable, might need some extra maintenance, might not last as long...but just hog through that oak tree with an even bigger bar?
I've watched a lot of videos on those clone saws....and for the most part, that seem like a pretty good deal as long as you aren't afraid of tuning the carb and doing some some basic part replacement if needed. But, there is still a change you are going to get one with issues right out of the box.
What would you do? Buy the 7310, or a 660 clone?
I've been thinking about getting a bigger saw (all I have are saws that are 50cc and smaller)...and I think I can finally justify it with the job I've got to do on these big oaks. I told myself I didn't want to spend more than $1,000 on a new saw. Was thinking about a 590 or 620...but I think those will be too small for what I want to do. That being said.......
...after lots of research, and calling around to my local dealers...this is what I've come up with.
1. Pick up one of the Echo 7310 (73.5cc) saws with a 28" bar at the local dealer here in the next few weeks when they have their 15% off sale for $935.
2. OR...save some money, pick up one of the 90cc Farmertec/Neotec 660 clone saws with a 32-36" bar on it for around $450.
On one hand....that 90cc saw should hog through those oak trees, on the other hand...I've heard that the clones have some parts that wear out fast and cause issues (no surprise)...but I would be saving almost $500.
But...even though the echo is smaller, it's probably going to last me forever with the amount of use I'm going to put it through......I've heard it's a solid saw, and it's got a 5yr warranty. But.....I'm paying $500 more for a saw that's not going to get used much after it cuts up these oaks.
SO....considering what I need to do with it....would you buy a smaller 70cc saw that's better quality, with a 5yr warranty....but spend an extra $500+.........or save all that money and buy a big 90cc that might not be as reliable, might need some extra maintenance, might not last as long...but just hog through that oak tree with an even bigger bar?
I've watched a lot of videos on those clone saws....and for the most part, that seem like a pretty good deal as long as you aren't afraid of tuning the carb and doing some some basic part replacement if needed. But, there is still a change you are going to get one with issues right out of the box.
What would you do? Buy the 7310, or a 660 clone?
