Buy the one that has no little fuel bulb to ever replace. That would be the Stihl.

One other thing. Stihl apparently has better rubber/plastic in the fuel line. My Echo gear has had the fuel lines replaced at least one time each. Never had to do that on anything I have that’s Stihl.

Echo pole saw has been in for work maybe 3 times in the 6 or 7 years I’ve had it. The Stihl Farm Boss has been to the doctor one time in about 20 years.

I’ve replaced the primer bulb and fuel lines on my Stihl. Use the Stihl oil that has stabilizer. But it to a dozen years for the ethanol to do its damage.

I've replaced the primer bulb on my weed eater 2 times... I think this is the last time, I'm going to disconnect that sob when its time again.

I'm threatening off and on to buy a chainsaw. My 30+ year old poulan the carb died on and I cant find repair parts for it. Had a newer poulan my uncle left in my garage it sat for several years with fuel in it. I replaced all the fuel lines on it and it cranked right up but the last time I used it, it would run full throttle no matter if you were on the throttle or not... and I don't have the correct screw driver things to adjust the damn carb compliant adjustment screws

If I was to buy a new one it would probably be a sthil.

My Echo does not have the primer bulb.

I’ve also replaced the primer bulb and fuel lines on my echo weed eater. I’ve started using Stihl premix gas. I got an extra years warranty on my Stihl polesaw when I bought the gas.

I run an ECHO PAS-266 with hedger, trimmer, edger, and chainsaw attachments. I use 2-cycle oil that has ethanol treatment in it. I run my stuff pretty hard. It does get a little finicky about starting when the air filter gets dirty, might take 3-4 pulls instead of 1-2 but it has never not started. I do not drain it, it does sit during the winter for 6-12 weeks, and it still starts up just fine. This is my second head unit (the first fell off my trailer, dumbarse owner). I've had it 5-6 years now and it's still going great. I have a PB-580 blower that is four years old and runs great. It also sits over the winter. Biggest thing IMO is to store them out of the sun-don't leave them in your truck bed for weeks at a time. Also, I live in a much dryer climate than some of you. If I lived where we got 40-50" of rain I might consider draining them if they had to sit. Humidity + ethanol = bad stuff.

I’ll chime in about Stihl. About 3 years ago I bought a midsize one. BTW, I’ve been using them for over 30 years. The damn snap caps wouldn’t stY in. I wound up sending it to Stihl repair just North of Dallas on my dime. They told me it was my fault for overfilling it with gas. BS. I talked to a saw repair guy at the local hardware store that told Stihl had been having problems with the snap in caps for years. After wearing out 4 Stihls I’ll never buy another one from a companythT knows they have a problem, keeps selling it and won’t back the product.

I really appreciate it guys, I think I've decided on an echo cs590 timberwolf. For the money it's a 60cc saw and seems like it has alot of good features. Doing a little research looks like home depot will price match competitors at 110 percent. I found them locally for sale at 380. If they price match at 110 that would put it at 340. At that price I'm not sure anyone can beat it...

Those new Stihl caps on gas and bar chain oil take a bit of getting used to. I didn’t notice the new style caps till I had the saw back at the house. First time I tried to use them I was cussing, but once I figured them out, all was Ok. I’d still rather have the old style.

Anyway, I’m sure any saw mentioned in this discussion, with the possible exception of Poulan, will work just fine. We all just have our preferences. I had a Poulan, so I have the right to gripe about it.

they also have a veterans discount

Ethanol is hell on rubber/plastic. Run TruFuel in all the 2 cycle engines, and you won't have a problem.

One thing to check about the Timberwolf, if I remember correctly, is that either the chain is proprietary or it is odd-sized compared to most saws that size. I nearly bought one last fall, Echo sends out a 20% off coupon for their 'Chainsaw Week' from ~Sept 9-15. It will likely be my next saw unless I step to the 680.

You just have to make sure you match up the pitch, gauge, and drive links to the bar. Just because it is the right length for the bar doesn't mean it will work.

I threw a commercial Poulen off a 30 ft cliff and into the Sabine river one time. Ran real good till Obama gas came out.

This. Had a newer snapper motor go through 4 carbs running normal gas with stabil. Started running TruFuel about 4-5 years ago and have never had one not start when I needed it.

For those of yall around ftw, the Walmart in Weatherford has non ethanol gas at the pump. I run a husq 576xp and I was specifically looking for a pro saw when I bought it. Went to McMaster in Decatur after a stihl ms362, there was 0 support and no one had a clue about the saws. I worked in Bridgeport at the time and went into Ken's Appliance and the guys were fantastic. No pro saws in stock but many owned them and one brought his in the next day and called me to come run it. Had I known about Outdoor World where i live now, i probably would have ended up with a Stihl but I have never been disappointed in the husqvarna one bit.

Well just a follow up to this older thread. The echo ran like a spotted ape.. for about 20 minutes. Never got it started again after that. I even let some echo loving friends give it a go and they suggested I return it . so back to the store it went. Went over and bought the Ms 250 stihl. Runs like a top. Ymmv.

Being right never gets old.

I would go with either Stihl or Echo both. "Buy once, cry once"

As posted before ethanol is the devil and fortunately our local CEFCO just put in an ethanol-free pump which is the first here in a while. No more in the boat or small engines even with Sta-bil added. Here's my garage with 3 of the 5 Poulans I'm rebuilding for folks at work. Destroyed fuel lines and carbs for most. I replace everything for a few bucks and get them running just because I like to tinker with them but all in all I'd go with a Stihl if I needed a new one.

Wish you were closer to work on mine! Once mine are running again I will only use non ethanol or canned gas in them....I prefer Stihl, Echo or Husky, my 2 Husky's are the only ones running now and they just keep on going.

Like my 12 year old Husqy. Easy start, no issues.

I just recently bought an Echo chainsaw. Had the same issue, started right up the first time and ran fine. Every time after that it wouldn't start. Took it to the local Echo dealer/shop and they adjusted the carb and said I was choking it too much on cold starts.

Ever since then it pops off on the first couple pulls and runs strong. I put about 10 hours on it this weekend and had no issues.

It was a $100 cheaper than the comparable Stihl and it seems to be a solid purchase. If it holds up Echo may get some of my business over Stihl.

I was in a similar search several years back, maybe 5? After considerable research, I went with the Stihl MS250.

Yesterday, It hadn't been started for a good 6 months, even had about 1/2 tank of gas left in it from the last run. Yesterday, I filled up my 2.5 gallon gas can with fresh 93 octane gas, added Stihl oil and a couple of ounces of Sta Bil. Filled up chain oil and filled gas reservoir, put on choke, 3rd pull it promised and 4th pull fired up. Throughout the next 3+ hours of cutting stuff from less than an inch up to a green 14+ inch live oak, it didn't hiccup one time and would crank on first pull after the initial start up. Needless to say, I have been very impressed with this saw.

My dad has a Husqavarna 445 since 2011, never had any problens with it, starts on 2nd pull everytime.