Echo cs 550 evl, an ok chainsaw.

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homelitejim

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A fellow brings me this Echo cs 550 evl to check out and find why it won't run right. Somehow he got a look at my McCulloch 250 that had been sitting in a pile of project saws and after a little horse trading he left with the 250 and I had this Echo and a 24 inch Stihl bar, still not to sure who got the better deal but the looks of the saw caught my eye and the 250 was just gathering dust and of course was not a Super. The Echo only needed a new clutch drum and sprocket which set me back $10 and I got it put back together today and tuned it up and cut some wood with it. First off some of the eye catching things on this saw, full wrap handle and dual dawgs, and a 24 inch bar, not sure why Echo put these on a 55cc saw, especially one with ho-hum performance, a 18 or 20 inch bar would be better. The only saws I have to compare this to are a Stihl 032, Stihl ms 260, and a McCulloch 10-10A, the Stihls I feel are both stronger saws and the 10-10 feels about equal in power but sounds way cooler, so all in all a ok saw with the high points being the full wrap handle and dual dawgs.

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I will have to make a video if the saw hangs around long enough.
 
I have a 500 evl and it's a good saw. Starts really easy and great A/V. Not real high performance, but a good enough saw.

I agree 24'' is too much for that one.
 
The TIG weld is the give away...Bob

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Echos

I have a 500 EVL just like that one. it is around zero F right now, and I went out and started it with about 4 pulls. Good saws, albeit underpowered and heavy compared to comparable Stihls and Huskys, but absolutely bulletproof and extremely well-constructed. However as maligned as the 455 Rancher is on this site, it will run rings around a 500 EVL.

Enjoy Bob Wright's comments, since he obviously had an Echo dealership about the same time I bought my first chainsaw, an echo 452vl, on a "rent to own" deal for a trail maintenance contract in 1983. After I paid it off, I traded in my "equity" for a brand new 500 EVl. I picked up my current 500 EVL at a pawn shop, and just part-traded my remaining 452 VL for a 266xp. Around 1986, I bought another brand new Echo, which I think was a 500 evl. I don't remember what happened to that one.

Good discussion.
 
echo 550evl

I was delivering firewood to this gut and he said he has this saw he would like to trade for the next time he needs firewood,I asked how much wood,he told me couple rickshaw, he showed the saw to me and said the gas in it was almost two years old.I thought that's not good,he said he was getting to old to use the saw,he was sure that it would start right up.. and it fired on 2nd or third pull. I told him when your ready ill bring you a full cord,cause you hardly see anything start like that. I replaced the banana tip with round nose,and kinda went through and cleaned her up in and out gave it a good sharpening. Starts easy and is a nice back up saw, or all round saw I must say..
 
I have an opportunity to pick up a 500 evil for $75.00. sounds like a good deal. I had a 400 evil and it was a nice enough saw. picked it up at a pawn shop, they said I could bring it back if I couldn't get it started. Had it running after about 5 pulls.
 
I pieced a 550EVL back together from a carcass. Solved the oiler problem that got it sidelined in the first place. The power was disapointing for 55cc. Heck the Jen Feng/McCulloch 55cc Craftsman I just sold had as much or more power.

All in all a good sturdy runner tho.
 
I pieced a 550EVL back together from a carcass. Solved the oiler problem that got it sidelined in the first place. The power was disapointing for 55cc. Heck the Jen Feng/McCulloch 55cc Craftsman I just sold had as much or more power.

All in all a good sturdy runner tho.
Hey 67L36Driver, what was the oiling issue and how did you fix it? I have a similar saw with oiling issues.
Thanks
 

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