Idahonative
Addicted to ArboristSite
@spike60: [Completely agree! Looking at the costs involved, both in what you spend and in what you save with wood heat, I don't understand staying at the low end of the price ladder with saws such as that Poulan Pro 5020 which i think is just garbage. First take into account the costs of the stove/chimney, a vehicle to haul the wood, maybe putting up a woodshed to store it. It's a worth while investment because you are going to save thousands of dollars every year on heating costs. That same reasoning ought to appy to the chainsaw. Don't just think about the extra $100-$200 you spend the day you buy the saw. Think about the next 10-20 years of using it. Think about the difference between, "I'm really glad I got this saw", vs. "I guess it's OK."]
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A person can stay at the low end of the price ladder with a 50cc Echo cs-490 or a 60cc Echo cs-590 and still have a saw that will give them everything you are suggesting. And most definitely give the OP what he's looking for. Most of the guys who have one would fall into the "I'm really glad I got this saw" category. There's no reason for a homeowner to spend $600-$700 on a chainsaw...unless they have the money and just want to. More so since the OP suggested he is willing to do some basic mods which the Echo's love.
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A person can stay at the low end of the price ladder with a 50cc Echo cs-490 or a 60cc Echo cs-590 and still have a saw that will give them everything you are suggesting. And most definitely give the OP what he's looking for. Most of the guys who have one would fall into the "I'm really glad I got this saw" category. There's no reason for a homeowner to spend $600-$700 on a chainsaw...unless they have the money and just want to. More so since the OP suggested he is willing to do some basic mods which the Echo's love.