A decent chainsaw is an essential part of any gardeners’ armoury, and with the right one in your hands, you’ll be able to tackle a variety of applications, from lopping, pruning and felling, through to stand-thinning, firewood preparation and DIY jobs.
To help you choose that right one, we’ve put together a rundown of a few chainsaws from a Japanese manufacturer with a global reach; Echo.
Favourites amongst horticultural, agricultural and forestry professionals, Echo chainsaws are safe, comfortable and easy-handling machines, offering powerful performance and rugged build-quality. They give years of faithful service; a fact underlined by their accompanying five-year domestic-use warranties.
First up, Echo’s entry-level petrol chainsaw.
Compact guide-bar: Echo CS-310ES Petrol Chainsaw
With a compact 30cm guide-bar, the 30.5cc Echo CS-310ES Petrol Chainsaw is ideal for cutting-back less substantial branches, as well as being a great choice if you need to chop-up logs for the hearth or woodburner. It will also excel on the building-site.
Quality features on the Echo CS-310ES include a highly efficient and clean-burning Power Boost Vortex™ engine; automatic chain-lubrication for a smooth, low-friction cut; and a quick-stop blade brake for your peace of mind when it comes to ‘kick-back’.
Next, one with a longer bar and a larger engine.
Even more power: Echo CS-420ES Petrol Chainsaw
The Echo CS-420ES Petrol Chainsaw comes equipped with a 43cm guide-bar and a 40.2cc air-cooled two-stroke engine; a combination that makes it suitable for more demanding woodcutting tasks.
Echo’s Power Boost Tornado™ technology means you’ll get maximum power with minimum emissions; while their provision of an adjustable chain-oiler makes it possible to manage woods of different densities.
Despite its sizeable motor, the Echo CS-420ES weighs-in at just 4.6kg.
Third up, Echo’s range-topping petrol chainsaw.
An X-Series machine: Echo CS-7310SX Petrol Chainsaw
Part of Echo’s X-Series line of premium machines, the CS-7310SX is a serious bit of kit aimed at loggers and foresters needing a chainsaw that won’t let them down in extreme conditions; and which is capable of felling the biggest trees.
You’ll get a six-point anti-vibration system, which makes it possible to work all day long without straining your hands and arms; and there’s an extra-sharp chain, which will take the most challenging timber-types in its stride.
The guide-bar measures 70cm; the cylinder displacement is 73.5cc.
Lastly, one of the most powerful cordless chainsaws in production.
No fumes; no hassle: Echo DCS-3500 56v Professional Chainsaw
Another X-Series model, the Echo DCS-3500 Cordless Chainsaw is rated at a huge 56 volts and will give you true petrol-equivalent performance, but with no emissions, less noise and reduced vibration. Plus, maintenance requirements are far fewer; and you won’t have to fiddle around preparing a fuel-oil mixture before you get started.
Important features include an air-filter, which prevents sawdust from clogging critical components; and an over-moulded rear handle, which ensures you’ll have a safe, positive hold on the saw at all times.
The battery – available separately – gives a lengthy 38-minute single-charge runtime and is compatible with Echo’s 56v cordless blower, hedgetrimmer, brushcutter and multi-tool.
