Efco 132s VS Echo 280e vs Echo 3000

[nstueve]

Efco 132s/Redmax 3100 ANYONE OWN/RUN one???

So I've been idlely looking for a small top handle. Mainly to clear away the rif-raf and branches after felling a tree. Something you can operate with one hand so you can pick up and throw branches with your free hand. So looking for a mostly complete saw, light weight saw that was balanced for 1-handed use I went to my picking "honey hole." These are the options I found...

Efco 132s (complete-no idea what it needs) $25 (AKA-redmax3100t)
Power 1.6 HP - 1.2 kW/
Displacement 30.1cc
Oil tank capacity 0.13 L
fuel tank capacity 0.23L
Weight 7.5lbs

Echo 280e (needs clutch side cover and B&C) $25-$30
7.7lbs
27.9cc

Echo 3000 (complete, not sure what it needs) $??
7.1lbs
30.1cc
gas capacity 0.25L
oil capacity 0.15L

He also had a busted up 360t but not sure it was worth the time or effort to fix. Also looked very heavily used and abused...

Please let me know your opinions! Especially about the efco 132s b/c I didn't find much on it after googling AS.

 

[nstueve]

really? nobody has a 132 or 3100 and want to comment on it?

 

[Steve NW WI]

I've got a 280E around here somewhere - think it wandered over to little bro's place.

Pros: Small, light, dependable.
Cons: Small, no power, oiler puts out more oil than most big saws (messy), and if you care, no chain brake.

Can't help with the other two.

I recently picked up a Montgomery Wards branded Eager Beaver 2.1, and it's got more zip by far than the little Echo.

 

[nstueve]

guess I was hoping, "for the money" the little efco would do what i need it to... occasionally limb dead branches from trees and quick 1-handed operation so I can cut and throw branches at the same time, without having to pick up and set down my saw all the time.

Thinking the older 280e is out of contention b/c it needs a B&C and a clutch side cover... Just don't want to waste my time or money getting that efco running again if it turns out to be a POS... I'll probably only be running a 12in-14in bar max...

 

[Steve NW WI]

If you do go with the Echo, I've got a spare useable 12" bar, and a chain or two to go with it. You pay shipping, or I'll bring it to the IA gtg for free.

 

[nstueve]

seems to me like efco is the same mount as the echo so bring them to the Iowa gtg!

 

[stihl023/5]

I have a 3000 good little saw. Great in the air good on the grounduttahere2:

 

[Vibes]

That Efco isn't a Red Max. I think the new Husky top handle is a Red Max. Check the Efco, it should say made in Italy.

The only saw that I'm familiar with that you have is the Echo 3000. I found an Echo CS 3000 in the garbage once. It had a melted clutch cover. The saw looked pretty low hour so I found the piece on the Bay and bought a 10 inch Hobby Champ combo from Baileys for like $12. I got it running good and did a little limbing with it. Ran good I guess. Sold it on Ebay in the late winter and it was very good to me. Had over 20 bids and like 35 watchers.

I heard the Efco's are reliable but not real impressive performers. If your not climbing, I would just get a little rear handle saw,

 

[Vibes]

seems to me like efco is the same mount as the echo so bring them to the Iowa gtg!

I think all those saws are the same mount. Check Baileys, they have a special going on again for those Hobby Champ combo's. Thats the same as the Wild Thing bar to.

 

[stihlavarna]

really? nobody has a 132 or 3100 and want to comment on it?

I've got the 132s, I bought it brand new, it took a few tanks to break in, it's no 200T but it does the job, I have not ran the other 2 saws to compare, but for the price I'd take my chances.

 

[Mo. Jim]

really? nobody has a 132 or 3100 and want to comment on it?

Make sure the echo has fire,I have four power heads and they all need coils. That said I have one I use all the time and it's nice little saw. Agreed it's not a 200t,but I don't use it to make a living with and I only have $38.00 in it. It helps to open up the muffler, also these saws have a limited coil,you have to be aware of when tuneing.

 

[tmessenger]

Nathan I talked to the local saw shop here today (they use to be efco dealers now sell Jonsered) and they say the 132s is a good saw, won't run with a new 2139t but a good saw non the less. For $25 you can't go wrong.

Tim

 

[nstueve]

Good to have a few opinions guys thanks! I know it won't be a 200t... lets be honest unless your ready to spend $400 to get a 200t you're always going to be settling for a lesser saw.

To reply to the guy who said to get a small rear handle... check my sig... I got a 40cc 3800 Redmax. I'll still need a small 1 hander to get the limbing done once in a while and the rear handle won't cut the mustard.

Make sure the echo has fire,I have four power heads and they all need coils. That said I have one I use all the time and it's nice little saw. Agreed it's not a 200t,but I don't use it to make a living with and I only have $38.00 in it. It helps to open up the muffler, also these saws have a limited coil,you have to be aware of when tuneing.

Yeah I plan on a muffler mod and thanks for letting me know about th coil. you know where they bump at? 11K? 13K?? I'll muff mod and tune in the cut to pull the best rpm....

 

[Steve NW WI]

seems to me like efco is the same mount as the echo so bring them to the Iowa gtg!

Will do!

 

[pgg]

So I've been idly looking for a small top handle... Mainly to clear away the rif-raf and branches after felling a tree. Something you can operate with one hand so you can pick up and throw branches with your free hand. .

one handed is no good, you're lopsided, hold it with two hands and cut the branches to whatever length you want then throw them wherever you want later. p.s. you don't throw already cut-off branches with your "spare" hand coz you'll have to bend down and pick up the bit left behind heheh

 

[Great Smokies]

That Efco isn't a Red Max. I think the new Husky top handle is a Red Max.

Wrong and right- the 3100T is the 132S rebranded, made for Redmax by Emak/Efco before Husky took over and got rid of it to substitute the current Redmax climber, which is the Huksy.

Played with a 132S at the dealer one time, did great in poplar up to 10" and some 6" black gum (hard, hard stuff!) I'd look at one if I needed a top handle for sure.

 

[nstueve]

cool!

I'm sure a muff mod and carb retune will give it even more kick.

Anyone know if the 132s is a cat muffler? I'm just curious what it's going to look like. I know alot of the newer echos are all cat mufflers.

 

[stihlavarna]

cool!

I'm sure a muff mod and carb retune will give it even more kick.

Anyone know if the 132s is a cat muffler? I'm just curious what it's going to look like. I know alot of the newer echos are all cat mufflers.

mine is a cat muffler, I have not opened it up yet it's still under warranty and I can't figure out how to adjust the carb past it's limit caps, but once it runs out I'll take it apart and figure it out.

nice to see interest for that little saw on here.