Upgraded chain brake handles on Echo CS-620p, 600p, 590 Timber Wolf

[EFSM]

We have had an excessive number of failures over the years with the brake handle engagement tabs on Echo CS-600p and 620p models. Echo finally agreed to reinforce the tab and they sent us a batch to try. I'm curious to see if anyone else has been having issues. Most of the failures we saw were with a forestry company who is cutting invasive species and performing timber stand improvement, so the saw is cutting a 3" tree, getting the chain brake engaged, and then disengaged a few steps away to cut another tree, hundreds of times a day. I've been installing the upgraded handles on a few saws over the past month and did it on a whole batch of theirs yesterday. The engagement tab is much stiffer--they filled in the cavity in the previous version and added an additional brace.

 

[Stem]

no issues with mine but I have a PW, wonder if its the same brake handle?

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Yep, I've had echo send me a replacement brake handle under warranty. Great to hear they've reinforced this area. I hope the replacements come with the adhesive metal tape that protects the handle from heat. My replacement did not.

 

[EFSM]

They do not come with the tape, even though I don't think that the tape does much. I should talk to them about that.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

The reflective heat shield is useful, especially considering how far back the exuahst exits the muffler. If that paper-thin sheet metal deflector cracks, or those puny deflector screws rattle loose, the exuahst punches a hole through handle very quickly.

 

[EFSM]

Yes, I've seen those bolts come out before. It'd be nice if it was easier to tighten them during routine maintenance.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Is this a recall situation where my Echo dealer will just do it for free, or is that up to the individual dealers?

 

[EFSM]

It's not a recall. We just ordered some more and the old style came again, so I'm not sure what that means.