How do people rate the ECHO top handles?

[AHPP]

Yes. There are at least two left. Possibly two on each side even. 

Edited 13 hours ago by AHPP

[Dan Maynard]

7 minutes ago, Mark_Skyland said:

We've never stocked it, there's enough returns from people buying the wrong chain as it is without throwing another into the mix!

It would be interesting to hear feedback from someone who has converted say a 201 to this setup, I think Stihl quote something like 10% quicker cutting when using a narrow bar and chain on the 261.

 

I've just bought a narrow kerf .325 setup for my 201, just to add yet another variant. Can't get .325 sprocket for Makita though so couldn't put it on there.

[AHPP]

325 pitch chain is as unnecessary as the female orgasm. 

[kram]

4 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

I've just started running it on my 36v Makita, I really like it compared to the Oregon 1.1 3/8P semi chisel it came with. The Oregon had massive safety bumpers that I had to file off to do any kind of plunge, or cut over bar length. Stihl cuts clean and fast. As you say, easier sharpening than 1/4.

 

I basically use that for limbing out a dismantle though, I'd stick with 1/4 for pruning as cutting smaller diameters you still want a couple of teeth in contact all the time to keep the cutting smooth.

The Makita has plenty of power to run a proper 1.3mm gauge 3/8 full chisel so wouldnt bother with the 1.1's. I've been running the uc002 on the 12" bar and chain that came with the 2511 clone and works very well, tho I'd like to get a narrow nose carving style bar for it. The Echo bars are too narrow at the sprocket end and would have the chain rub the casing, which is a shame as I have another spare one.

 

The only issue with the Farmertec chains is the have excessively soft drive links. I was rashing up some hedge trimmings yesterday to fit in a bag, some got under the chain and pulled it off - and now half the drive links need deburring before they will fit back on the bar. The chains are great apart from that. The one on my 2511 and on 020T have done a lot of work without yet needing a sharpen.

Edited 13 hours ago by kram

[Mark_Skyland]

43 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

I've just bought a narrow kerf .325 setup for my 201, just to add yet another variant. Can't get .325 sprocket for Makita though so couldn't put it on there.

Is that an oregon setup with the 1.1mm gauge as I didn't think Stihl did a .325 sprocket for the 201?

[Dan Maynard]

19 minutes ago, Mark_Skyland said:

Is that an oregon setup with the 1.1mm gauge as I didn't think Stihl did a .325 sprocket for the 201?

Yes, was a kit with bar and sprocket.

[Dan Maynard]

37 minutes ago, kram said:

The Makita has plenty of power to run a proper 1.3mm gauge 3/8 full chisel so wouldnt bother with the 1.1's.

But it comes with 1.1 bar, I wouldn't bother buying a new bar. Also save power means longer battery life.

[Mark Bolam]

A 48” bar would make the battery last even longer.

[Stubby]

7 hours ago, Mark Bolam said:

A 48” bar would make the battery last even longer.

And crucially look dead cool . 🙂 

[kram]

10 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

But it comes with 1.1 bar, I wouldn't bother buying a new bar. Also save power means longer battery life.

 

Yet your talking above of wanting .325 on it and on a 201!? That'll be shite.

 

No battery life wont be any different and the 40v lasts ages with the 1.3 full chisel.