Echo

The one I saw was 15 years ago, no hope of finding it now to take a picture. The guy that bought it only did so because it was identical to his Oleo Mac, and on comparison it sure seemed to be. Its sad how so many of the saw manufacturers legged it to China, and now produce worse products than they did 30 years ago.

Efco / Emak did produce some of the older AMA model saws, I seen them. I know that saw in the image is not produced by Efco / Emak, I think as someone said it looks like a model from the Zomax brand, with an AMA badge.

Yes, I thought in the past they had their saws built by Efco / Emak, looks like they go to the cheapest supplier, can't be good for spare parts when you need them.

Looks like it, there is a local dealer and that is what the saws he keeps looks like, says they are not a good saw. He keeps Echo too.

Can anyone identify this model saw, think its re-badged and sold as AMA.

When all is said and done, it looks like batter power is doing more damage to our landscape, and costing more in the long run. The intention to make our vehicles run on battery power will eventually result in anything with batteries costing a premium, there are only so much of the materials required available and demand will be greater, its also keeping poor people poor, digging with their hands in pits, in unsafe unhealthy conditions where machines should be used. I will never buy into that.

Only my opinion, I hope what ever you chose, it works out well, without reading again I will say, good dealer support is not to be overlooked, Stihl and Husqvarna parts are more readily available too. Echo make good saws too, not so sure about the parts side, I never needed any, but good saws as long as you pick the one suited to the wood your cutting, but that goes for what ever brand your looking at. Keep safe.

I agree with the Stihl MS181 or 180 saw, with a 14 inch bar. The 180 as mentioned has no adjusters on the carb, it will be cheaper to buy, but when you need to add a new carb or update to a carb with adjustable screws / jets, these carbs are not cheap now, and you may or may not have a good experience with the china carbs. I think if you buy Husqvarna, then go for the 40 or 500 cc models, they have a larger clutch drum than the smaller ones, and will take a good bit more of a beating in wood, that would be the 440 or 450 model Husqvarnas, but avoid a long bar unless you need it more than you don't, 15 inch will cut a 28 inch log, that is a lot of log for a small saw.

Thanks Andrew

Thank you Andrew. Another dumb question if you have the time, was the 4300 /421 built on that same chassis as the 460 / 500, I even had two of them but sold them, it looked like they were, they held a good drop of fuel and oil for sure.

I think this too, had a look on Stiga website, they are now calling the old 466 a 750, which is 2kw and wears.325, they also now have a 545 model with 1.9kw wearing .325 Nk chain, that is two models really close together, anyway, as noted, until one is in the hands of someone then its uncertain what if any Dolmar / Makita influence or parts are involved.

Are the Dolmar 460 and 500 saws built on the same chassis.

After looking at the results of engine tear downs by very experienced mechanics after using different Mix Ratios, it was more than obvious 50:1 left them way to dry in the bottom end. I asked what the OP was doing with his saw, if milling, then he was just looking for trouble at 50:1. As far as am concerned, 50:1 was used to get these engines through the emission tests, and a manufacturer is very unlikely to state use 40:1 for example. Someone said earlier, that there was no way to get more oil into an engine than what you mix it at in the can, not true, run it richer, means more petrol but also means more oil going through the engine.

I doubt there will be a warranty on this saw, given you put in a piston yourself, so it looks like you will have to get a good mechanic to repair and test it. Were you milling with the saw, and what oil did you use in the mix, 50:1 I would never use, just not enough oil in my view. Do you just start the saw and immediately begin cutting.

I appreciate your input. Had I known you were a previous Stiga agent I could have asked you straight up, its always good to hear it from those with experience.