I could see me adding one to the collection if I didn't have a 7910 and the ported 590. The echos aren't fancy but for the price they cant be beat for a firewood guy like me.
. The rest of echos are mostly smaller firewood saws or top handle arborist saws. The 680 and 800 are ancient. The 620p is kinda a hotrod yes... that competes with the 562xp and ms362. But it’s a bit small for a primary logging saw in bigger hardwoods and the proprietary bar mount is also a bit annoying imo. That hole in the lineup could be filled by this new saw.
What's the difference between a "firewood saw" and one for logging? Durability or power output? Just curious.
70cc like a 372xp is about the smallest I’ll run for a logging saw here in bigger hardwoods. The 60cc don’t quite have the power or oiler capacity to bore cut with a 24-28” bar in hardwood like hickory or oak. Really it’s about using the right tool for the job. Smaller wood/smaller saw, bigger wood/bigger saw. Simple really. Firewood is a bit different for variety of reasons. Durability doesn’t seem to be a issue with echo at all. They are just lacking in features, ergonomics and power in the segments that sell against saws like the 572, 390, 462, 461, 661 and 7900 for example.
You have learned, grasshopper lol
Well no lol. I’ve ran a 24” bar and even a 28” bar occasionally on a stock 562xp cutting firewood. It does the job bucking rounds straight through and the occasional big piece bar buried if you let it work at its own pace. Not a speed demon but good on fuel, you can be productive cutting firewood with it. Now out in the log woods, that same setup wouldn’t be as productive. Lacks power bore cutting/felling and doesn’t have the torque bumping crotches and knots. A 372 has the oiler and torque to do that. Chassis is stronger. Now in pulpwood or limbing hemlock/pine I would use the 562 if the wood was on the small side. It comes down to the same thing, using the right tool for the job.
Sure for cutting firewood 24" and smaller, I might use a very strong 50cc just for how light weight it is. It depends on how much I'm cutting. I'm talking about which of my saws I'd pick for the job, not literal trade Joe my 90cc for his 50cc, I have to keep a big saw around for big wood. Last time I cut firewood was with a ported 490, and I was really impressed with the speed (8t .325 rim and the depth gauges filed a bit on the chain), and no muscle cramps afterward.
What I was trying to say was that when I was cutting firewood I could get away with running a tad underpowered saw for the bar length as long as it wasn’t crazy and the bar isn’t fully buried all the time. When I’m logging bore cutting/felling a 1,000$ hard maple tree with the skidder chasing me, the last thing I want is a inadequate saw bar/chain combo. Comes back to using the right tool for the job. If you don’t believe me, try logging 2-3 foot hardwood with a stock 60cc saw and 24-28” bar full comp chain. Let me know how it works out.
