My Harbor Freight chainsaw is hard to beat.

I replaced the echo bar with a stiffer forester bar with rounder nose and full chisel chain. What a difference it made. My main reason for switching bars was for plunge cuts, works great. I think much of the chain problems reside in the bar flex and side plate not being stiff enough.

I just use a thinner oil

The operator needs to take a class on , simple chainsaw maintenance. Especially on the chain.

If you feel it is under powered -- get an Echo 59cc 20-inch bar Timberwolf. Wider teeth, way more power. The Timber wolf will kick ass and take names.

Carry your chainsaw wrench with you. Tighten that chain. Your sagging chain will hurt you.

I'm sure somebody has mentioned using recreational gas which is ethanol free to mix your 2 stroke oil.

That 20v impact is SMALL! Nice! Finally switched all my 18v DeWalt over to 20v and man its been a great upgrade!

I will tell you with off brand batteries you often can't trust the listed capacity like that "8ah" battery is not 8ahs it is only 5ahs. That hedge trimmer I love it its one of my favorite dewalt tools very light very ergonomic.

14 years no problems

Not enough Bar oil

I've never had any issues with the caps, I tighten them finger tight and they don't leak, even being 20 years old, I will wipe off the caps ( fuel and oil ) before opening them, I've been through several chains and bars, but I get my money's worth out of them. I have a benchtop chain sharpener, it's a harbor freight model but it works great, the chains cut better than new, the sharpener sharpens the chisel as well as the gullet, just saying

OK, I've have the CS400s for right at 20 years and the only complaint is that it's under powered, and here's the fix, I just wish I would have known it earlier. The echo saws are set to run rich until broken in usually after the first tank. Now the fix, turn in on the high-speed jet adjustment right next to the pullstart handle, there's a H for high-speed and a L for low speed, screw in on the H about a 8th to a 1/4 of a turn, and do this while the saw running wide open, you'll hear the difference, the engine will scream. You'll notice a big difference in power and a little bit less fuel consumption. Let me know, I'm running a 18 Inch bar and now I can't hardly bog it down

Great review. I was on the fence about buying the echo or spend the extra for the Stihl. You made up my mind. You were specific about the issues you had. So many others speak in general terms. Thank you so much. Granted this review is 8 years old but the problem parts you had are still on current models. I moved onto my father’s 100acre ranch to help my parents in their old age. So many of the trails are overgrown and so many fallen trees were never removed. I have a great deal of cutting over the next year and fighting with a chain that keeps popping off will get me to cussing quick. Had a bike like that in grade school that I threw off a bridge because of the chain that would stay tight. But you get what you pay for. So to enjoy my unpleasant job ahead of me I will pony up the extra $$$. Thank you again for the time you took to make and post this video.

I just checked, and unfortunately you didn’t win an Academy Award for cinematography, but I appreciate your video anyway. After trying the serpentine belt 3 times and having the belt separate at the superglued section (not flexible and the lathe chewed them up and spit them out). Hopefully the urethane solution will work much better.

mine starts good, its a 290, its a 2004 . the low idle screw adjust will repair your idle issues.

Good review. Just bought a used one on facebook for $150. Awesome saw in all respects!

I did buy 2 new dosen't work

I put a Tungsten chain on my chainsaw and use heavy duty bar oil . Much better doesn't smoke or burn now on dry timber .😎👍

That VP fuel is some good stuff. I use VP ProMax 97 octane in my trimmers.

I think you gave a very good review for your saw. Several items you mention caused me to have concerns. I always buy Stihl chainsaws and I was thinking about the Echo for a change. I am convinced after looking at your review and others that I will stick with the Stihl.

Its not worth the tooless chain adustment.

Amazon sells an oil/gas cap combo for a reasonable price, as well as many other Echo parts.

Great review! I've had my CS-400 for around 10 years now and it's a great little saw. It's never been in the shop and it has always started easily for me. I mix regular "gas station" gas and 2 cycle oil (from a quart bottle) and that's all it has needed. For most of the time I've had it, I've used, used motor oil for the chain lubricant and its worked like a champ. It's been a great firewood saw and I use 4-5 cords a year for my wood stove. Regarding a few of the issues you mentioned: I usually use plyers to take off the oil cap. This is easy and works well. With the chain tensioner, I tighten the chain pretty tight and also tighten the bar on the chain studs securely. When I put on a brand new chain, I run it for a few minutes and retighten the tensioner if the chain stretches a little (which it usually does). In my case, this has eliminated any problems with the chain coming loose. I am still running an 18" chain and I plan to keep it until it no longer runs. :)

You mix parts ,that’s all ,are don’t with the unit specification. Te chain is no the correct one.

Wasn't happy at all with the cs590 is why I bought Sthil

On the bar looks more like maybe chain on a bit tight. Because I've had it happen on echo cs590 and it's a longer burn mark

You got a great deal Mike

Mine not hard to start. It started up great no problems. Going to try it out here in a bit. It looks likes it's throwing enough oil I let it warm up first.

I just bought one ms 291 today. Does it the automatic oiler work good? Any problems

I bought this saw 3 months ago. 18" bar and Oregon chain in the box. I love it. Let it warm up for a minute or two and keep the chain sharp. No issues.. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. I use it for clean up and fire wood. It's not big so it won't fituge a guy and the engine size is decent for the size of the saw. Perfect for my intentions.

Same issue with the bar and chain difficulty on any saw with the clutch on the outside. Worst design ever.

Probably most problems start with the fuels we have nowadays.. ethanol is just plain bad for the carb if left sitting too long.. doesn’t matter the brand of saw..

Had my 291 for two years and I've run it hard in a production setting for firewood. After 25-30 cords of wood the case plastics near the exhaust have turned brown from the heat, I recently had to replace the retainers in the clutch as well as the needle bearing cage (probably my lack of maintenance to those parts), but it's otherwise held up really well despite working in 100+ temperatures for hours on end. I've mastered sharpening full chisel chains with hand files, but now I'm getting interested in square ground chain since it seems to cut that much faster. New challenges with this great saw!

I cut 7 cord a year the oiler is junk my saw is 3 year old and on the 3rd bar last saw was a 029 and lasted 20 years and 3 bars being cutting wood for 35 years

The blueing is caused from excessive heat pressure from the chain being to tight

Ive ran stihl all my life. I do have the cs-400 i bought off a friend of mine that used it once. I ran it a bit bored out the exhaust and threw the shitty spark arrester screen out, fine tuned the carb and it runs like a raped ape. Its a great cutting saw for small trees and brush and not bad to climb with. Shit that you dont need a big ole heavy saw for. But for what you are doing i would go bigger. Firewood logs i use my 044 with a 20 inch bar.

Echo CS590 is the saw you want. I have one and abuse it. It has never let me down

Mines chain only get lose when bar oil is low or empty but neva when full

I run Echo chainsaws. From the little CS 310 590 timberwolf 7310 and the grandpa cs800p. I don't have any problems with my Echo chainsaws. I run red armor two-cycle oil and 91 octane non-ethanol fuel. I buy 10 gallons at a time. I run it in my lawn mowers I especially run it in everything 2 cycle. Non-ethanol gas is the way to go. If you can get it in your area. I'm from Piqua Ohio.

I love KZbin for videos like yours. Very helpful - overall. But I must say that I couldn't disagree more with your "gripes" with this saw. I have had mine for 10 years now and haven't experienced ANY of the issues with things breaking (and then having to try to find parts). ZERO. Changing chains is EASY! Tightening is EASY. And I am no pro. I am Just A GUY. My ONLY bitch is adding Gear Oil. The handle is over the whole where you add it and inevitable, I spill gear oil and make a nasty mess. I hope things have eased up and that you chain saw is working more reliably. - Dave Pass

What the average cost of this saw new in 2022

But the sprockets on the inside are more likely to keep the chain from jumping off the bar.

I run only Echo saws at this point. I have a few old Stihl saws and Homelites. I own the CS400. If you're having problems it needs checked out by your dealer, or it's something you're doing. I haven't had an issue with mine at all. Owned it for two years now. Starts every time, cuts strong (better than it's CC's) and I cut firewood and do a lot of side work.

Adjust your chain before you do a video. Echo makes a very quality chain saw. If your chain is loose the teeth and rakers can not let your saw work as it should.

Never had issues with mine, either at 500ft or 8000ft elevation. Usually was cutting Red Fur. Largest was 40" diameter. Also used on Willow and Oak.

🙋🏻‍♂️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I know I’m late to the party, but that bluing is how the bars come from the factory. They use induction heaters to heat the edge, then quench to make it super hard for wear resistance.

Yeah the dumbing down on the saw power is a EPA Cali-Lib thing. They get high from impeding anything that runs on fossil fuels. Also, the owners manual gives a happy little warning that when the unit needs a new gas line, you'll be fined up to $37,000 if you don't use their specialty gas line hose....(radically co$tly). Q; Where does that money go? A; Into their fake Climate Change coffers. But I'm about to demo my new cs400 now, nd worry about the epa bridges when I come to them.

I have three all wear the aftermarket 14" bar like yours. Can't beat them for the price and reliability. Dealer support in my area is great also thing oils the bar better than any other saw I own. I run full chisle chains on mine usually. Can't wait till out of warranty to start modding it. It already rips can't wait for the mods!