Echo pb 2620 vs 2520

[ammoaddict]

Hey guys. I needed a lightweight handheld blower for when I didn't need to get my big backpack blower out. I was comparing the 2620 and 2520. The 2620 was $259 and 2520 was $199 and over a pound lighter with same cc engine. The only other difference I saw was the 2620 has a helper handle. Cfm and air speed very close on both. Then I saw RCPW had the 2520 on sale for $169 with free shipping and no tax. It didn't say how long the sale lasted so I made a hasty decision and ordered it. What are your thoughts? Did I make the right decision? Thanks for your input.

 

[Steve]

I went through the same dilemma Tracy. Ultimately I bought the 2520 and have no regrets. It's been trouble free for 4 years now! I would say you made an excellent choice.

 

[ammoaddict]

I went through the same dilemma Tracy. Ultimately I bought the 2520 and have no regrets. It's been trouble free for 4 years now! I would say you made an excellent choice.

Thanks, that good to know.

 

[GDonut23]

My understanding is that the filter is better and actually seals on the 2620 due to the filter being held with 2 screws. The 2520 only has clips that I've heard don't hold the best and let's dirt by. Maybe that was the early ones idk. But I've read that before. Also the handle has a rubber grip as well.

 

[Steve]

My understanding is that the filter is better and actually seals on the 2620 due to the filter being held with 2 screws. The 2520 only has clips that I've heard don't hold the best and let's dirt by. Maybe that was the early ones idk. But I've read that before. Also the handle has a rubber grip as well.

Filter is held In with a single screw in the middle just like a lot of other echo products. It seals well.

 

[EFSM]

Both are fine value machines, but the 2620 will outlast 3:1 in dusty environments. It's got a much better air filter and plating.

 

[ammoaddict]

They delivered the 2520 today. It seems like a lot cheaper feeling plastic than my old Husqvarna 125b. It needs a carb and fuel lines and just don't have the time right now. That's why I got the echo.

 

[ammoaddict]

Probably be next week before I start this thing. Has anyone removed the cat from these or done any type of muffler mod?

 

[ammoaddict]

I had a few minutes to fire this thing up. Used some canned straight fuel that I mixed with dominator at 32:1. Fired on 4th pull ran on sixth. Let it warm up a minute then went wot. Had good throttle response, used it about a minute and was 4 stroking the whole time. Shut it down and it restarted in one pull. Went wot again and still 4 stroking but started 2 stroking intermittently then after another minute it smoothed out and 2 stroking nicely. Seemed to have decent power for its size. Noticed my hand tingling after just 2 minutes. That muffler gets really HOT. You can tell it's very restricted. I wonder if it's possible to remove the cat without cutting the muffler apart. Anyone done it?

 

[Steve]

I haven't de-cat-ed (if that's a word?) any of my new echo equipment. I keep thinking I will but other things always arise. If you end up doing it I am interested to hear how it turned out.

My understanding is that the filter is better and actually seals on the 2620 due to the filter being held with 2 screws. The 2520 only has clips that I've heard don't hold the best and let's dirt by. Maybe that was the early ones idk. But I've read that before. Also the handle has a rubber grip as well.

Yup, you're correct. Mine does have the clips. I took the filter out and it's dirty on the outside and clean on the inside. So I assume I may have a filter that seals tight.

 

[Steve]

Both are fine value machines, but the 2620 will outlast 3:1 in dusty environments. It's got a much better air filter and plating.

I almost bought the 2620. Probably should have but the 2520 has been serving me well this far. Didn't know the plating is of a higher quality.

 

[ammoaddict]

I bought an Echo cs 352 several years ago. I noticed how hot the muffler got on it after the first few uses. I took it off and found a cat inside. I drilled several holes in just the cat disc and pulled out the pieces with needle nose and then opened up the outlet some. It picked up close to 1000 rpms and ran much cooler. Only negative is you have to let it warm up a minute before you hit the throttle or it will stall out, but I'm fine with that.

 

[Steve]

Yup, my 352 really woke up after I removed the cat. My cs400 really came alive when I removed the cat too.

 

[Woodslasher]

I had a few minutes to fire this thing up. Used some canned straight fuel that I mixed with dominator at 32:1. Fired on 4th pull ran on sixth. Let it warm up a minute then went wot. Had good throttle response, used it about a minute and was 4 stroking the whole time. Shut it down and it restarted in one pull. Went wot again and still 4 stroking but started 2 stroking intermittently then after another minute it smoothed out and 2 stroking nicely. Seemed to have decent power for its size. Noticed my hand tingling after just 2 minutes. That muffler gets really HOT. You can tell it's very restricted. I wonder if it's possible to remove the cat without cutting the muffler apart. Anyone done it?

The one Echo blower I worked on had a tall, skinny muff with a cat that killed it with very few hours of run time, it dumped so much heat and crap back in the cylinder it ruined the plating.

Stolen pic of a similar muffler, I drilled one corner right where the seam starts to "bubble", picked at a side until it lifted, then used a small flathead and a hammer to work the rest of the seam apart. I cut the inner baffle off right above the cat, leaving a ~4" plate down the middle of the muffler for noise reduction. I also opened up the muffler under the factory outlet before crimping it all back up and calling it good. That was ~2 years ago at least and to the best of my knowledge it's still running good.

 

[ammoaddict]

Yup, my 352 really woke up after I removed the cat. My cs400 really came alive when I removed the cat too.

I've heard good things about the 400. I would like to find a decent one.

 

[EFSM]

a tall, skinny muff with a cat that killed it with very few hours of run time, it dumped so much heat and back in the cylinder it ruined the plating.

Not to be anal, but I would blame this more on running lean than the cat, although the cat probably added enough heat to make the difference between just running lean and actually scoring. The cats are a double edged blade--a lean, hot running engine produces less unburned fuel to get burned by the cat, but an engine that is set rich can actually destroy the cat over time and produces a lot of unnecessary heat from it burning so much fuel. I've seen various cats come loose in the Echo blower mufflers, and Echo blames it on them getting torching hot from running rich. So yes, taking them out is DEFINITELY the way to go.