Echo 501P Questions and Is There A Shindiawa Equivalent

[leeave96]

Considering an Echo 501P for firewood cutting. Is there a Shindiawa version of this saw?

Approaching retirement, would like something new, that is 50cc-ish and lightweight.

The 501P has been out for a number of years, has it been a good chainsaw over the long term?

The 501P that I looked at - at the dealer came with a 18 inch bar. I prefer a 16 inch bar. Any recommendations, dealer didn’t carry a 16 inch bar. Is the 18 inch Echo bar a good quality bar? Should I stick with an Echo bar or something else?

Any sage info is much appreciated.

 

[esean]

If you can still find an Echo CS-4910 its basically the same saw as the 501P, and can be found with a 16" bar (and 18 and maybe 20.) It has a synthetic instead of metal handle and lacks captured bar nuts and the rubber grip on the back handle. Same frame and engine (except the coil). The Shindaiwa equivalent is the 492.

 

[JasonL37179]

The 501P is a Shindaiwa saw, rebadged as Echo. I believe it's the last of any Shindaiwa products still made in Echo's lineup, unless maybe if you count the spreaders.

Jason

 

[ihookem]

I have had a 501P for a little over 2 yrs. I like the saw very much. I was told that the 501 has a better quality bar on it that a 4910. I like it more than my 620 . The 501P is just right , it cuts 20" ash considerably slower than the 620P and much slower than my Stihl 441, however, it is very handy , light and I dont get so tired running it when I am chopping 10' long ash logs . The first thing I noticed however, is there was dirt getting into carb from the faulty ai filter. A home made O ring put a stop to it. Starts easy . It is not the easiest on gas . A Stihl 261 will be a comparable saw , but will be a $200 more. Had I did it all over again, I would not have bought the Echo saws. Not that I dont like them, but cause I already have a Stihl 034 , a Stihl 441, and a Stihl 026. The 034 just needed a $130 repair and was only the second repair in 32 yrs. The 026 never ran good until I took it to a Stihl dealer that had an old timer there and fixed it right. I did this after i bought the Echos. However, I cant say anything bad about the Echos , just didnt need them. I have 5 saws now , and like them all equally. If I ever have them stolen or something, I think I would just buy a Stihl 261 and be done with it,,, or maybe a Echo 501P. Not sure.