Stihl MS311 vs Echo CS-590

[Nutball]

I would have recommended the Stihl, if he prefers Stihl. It tends to work out better that way. The 590 could very likely end up with carb issues, but knowing what I know, I'd choose the 590.

As far as I know, only Stihl carbs compensate for a dirty air filter, at least to some extent, and their carbs seem to perform better.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I would have recommended the Stihl, if he prefers Stihl. It tends to work out better that way. The 590 could very likely end up with carb issues, but knowing what I know, I'd choose the 590.

As far as I know, only Stihl carbs compensate for a dirty air filter, at least to some extent, and their carbs seem to perform better.

Hate to say it but I’m sure the echo has a zama and so will the ms 311/391. Zama is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of Stihl and makes carbs for many brands. The carb plant in China also makes the bar oil pumps.

 

[EFSM]

Hate to say it but I’m sure the echo has a zama and so will the ms 311/391. Zama is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of Stihl and makes carbs for many brands. The carb plant in China also makes the bar oil pumps.

Echo 590/600/620 have used exclusively HDA Walbros.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Echo 590/600/620 have used exclusively HDA Walbros.

Ok guess I was wrong on that, I know that zama carbs are pretty popular on echo just apparently not that one. Isn’t the hda walbro the one homelite used to like using also?

 

[FergusonTO35]

I'm not against homeowner saws and own several of them, but I don't think any of the larger ones are worthwhile unless you get them dirt cheap. If you are doing the sort of cutting that demands a saw over 45cc or so, then do yourself a favor and go ahead and get a pro style saw. The price difference isn't that great and the build quality and features are so much better. Around here, the plastic Husky and Stihl 55-60cc saws cost the same or more than an actual proline 50cc saw from the same brand, and I seriously doubt they are more capable in any way.

My two Echo 50cc saws are a ported CS-500P and stock CS-501P, and both of them will pull the 18" bar completely buried in hardwood no sweat. Where I live there are almost no trees of the size that a good 50cc saw with decent bar and chain won't cut so I have no reason to go bigger. If I cut trees for a living I might want a bigger saw just to save time, but I'm just cutting firewood so a quality 50cc saw is as big as I need.

 

[EFSM]

Ok guess I was wrong on that, I know that zama carbs are pretty popular on echo just apparently not that one. Isn’t the hda walbro the one homelite used to like using also?

Actually Echo has historically used Zamas on a much smaller percentage of their models than Stihl. 5 years ago the only saw model that had a Zama was the 361p. They are now using them on some of the -10 and -20 models (7310, 4510, 4920). On the trimmer side, they use Zama on only their 21cc engines, the rest are Walbro.