Echo CS 550-P

[Kenskip1]

OK so today I walked into my Echo dealer to pick up the oil strainer that had been on order. Anyway he had CS-550-P on sale for a low cost of $349. So I walked out with a new one. 20 inch BC, adjustable oilier, rimed 325 sprocket 050 gauge. This model has been discontinued and they were priced to move.So does anyone have something to say about this model? Will this saw pull a 3/8 chain on the 20 inch bar? Yes I know that I will have to get the rim for it.Anyway this is my first new saw since my 028 super back in 1985.Any information would be helpful. Ken

 

[bikemike]

Pull the limiter caps off the carb asap tune it fat and break it in with 32.1 mix work it hard but don't worry about achieving piss rev rpm until a muffler mod is do e and you have 3 tanks of fuel through it. The saw will be at its best performance about 3/4 gallon or more. It will run for ever if you don't run it lean

 

[Ronaldo]

Don't think it will like a 20 inch with regular 3/8 chain.

Sent from my Z832 using Tapatalk

 

[Kenskip1]

The dealer insisted on using 50/1 however I told him that I have been using Amsoil at 40-1 for over 20 years with no problems. I will continue with this brew.This is a 55 CC saw so I believe that it will pull a 3/8 chain.Upon start up this thing was rich as hell. I leaned it out a bit, and now it sits and idles the way that I want it. Just a tad bit on the rich side.Wow,saws have come a long way since my last chainsaw purchase. I have not pulled the muffler as of yet. Going to put some mix through it.Ken

 

[CR888]

Mine was rich too, I had to lean it out. Being frank and honest if you want opinions both good & bad, if I were you I'd take that saw back asap and swap it for a 590 timber wolf. Echo saws are not light weight and slim on a good day, the 550p is a 55cc saw in the body of the 590/600/620. It is honestly the same size or bigger than my 7900/solo 681 with a LOT less power. They are discontinuing it for a reason. Having said that its built OK and runs OK for 55cc but its not a dedicated 55cc chassis so its way big for its displacement. I would not put fuel in it and swap it for a 590. I have had mine 3 years and have not ran more than 3 tanks through it for these reasons as I'm spoilt a bit with ported ms261, 550xp, 555 and a few more. It will cut a lot of firewood and be a reliable saw but with what's on the market today this saw is a hard sell with the models surrounding it. Sorry to cann your new saw but the truth is well the truth.

 

[Kenskip1]

CR 888,Looks like it is here to stay. Did a MM on it and worked on the limiter caps.The truth is I don't have the extra $$ in my account as of now. I barely had enough to purchase this.I appreciate your honesty however,,being honest, I really do not need a bigger saw for the work that I do. I am on a limited budget and this should aid me when we get storms here in central Missouri.Send me a case of Fosters! Thanks, Ken
This saw has a crazy camshaft. Lopy idle. Must be valve overlap.

 

[CR888]

Well compared to what other good brands give you for that kind of money its money well spent. They are pro construction vertically split case with quality cylinder. That saw retails in Australia for $999au!!! It should give many years of service for you. I have a hunch its the exact same saw as the 590/600 platform & I bet you could directly bolt on a P/C from either saw. If that's the case one day down the road you may find a cheap cylinder in the post and have some fun.

 

[drf256]

Stick with .325

Echo makes a great saw. Muff mod and pull the caps. Like Mike said, should last forever.

 

[bikemike]

View attachment 73454 CR 888,Looks like it is here to stay. Did a MM on it and worked on the limiter caps.The truth is I don't have the extra $$ in my account as of now. I barely had enough to purchase this.I appreciate your honesty however,,being honest, I really do not need a bigger saw for the work that I do. I am on a limited budget and this should aid me when we get storms here in central Missouri.Send me a case of Fosters! Thanks, Ken
This saw has a crazy camshaft. Lopy idle. Must be valve overlap.

Ok we seen the pic. Now we need a vid and a vid after you have a few tanks of fuel through it. We all like vid

 

[cobey]

I got one new but the case was broken,
Changed tha case sides, and advanced the timing a hair, modded the muffler,
and pulled the limiters. It runs best
With a 3/8 16 inch, I had to elongate
The adjuster pin holes to make a small
Husky mount bar work, they have the
Big chassis of a 590 with a small mount
Of a 490. It's An odd duck for sure
I think it will get better when it breaks in.

 

[cobey]

A cs550 next to a 590

 

[Kenskip1]

Will this thing comfortably pull a 20 inch 3/8 chain? I have had 2 people mention this.Thanks, Ken

 

[bikemike]

Will this thing comfortably pull a 20 inch 3/8 chain? I have had 2 people mention this.Thanks, Ken

I think it will once it frees up. Go our today and cut a bunch of cookies and with every tank you run youl notice a bit more rpm in the cut. They are slow to break in but if it gets broke in with plenty of oil and not running to lean it will run for ever