Need a 2nd Lighter Saw - Jonsered or Echo

[ColdNorCal]

I have shoulder issues and am deciding if a lighter saw for limbing and doing most of the cuts makes sense. I currently have a 46cc Craftsman 18" that has a mufler mod, the muffler was stuffed with a cat-conv, and tuned. It runs very well and cuts good for what I need. However, it weighs more then what is necessary for 95% of the cuts.

After a lot of research for a lighter saw that would compliment the 46cc I narrowed it down to the Echo CS310, Echo CS352 or Jonsered CS2240 (same as a Husky 440). The biggest bang for the buck is the Jonsered. Its 40 cc, cost the same as the 30cc CS310, and about $40 less then the 34cc CS352. But it does weigh about 1/2 pound more then the Echo's. However, it is definitely lighter then the Craftsman but at 40cc it would probably replace it rather then compliment it.

I am open to suggestions and experience from others. I could get the Jonsered and sell the Craftsman for a few dollars. But, I hate selling on craigslist. Please keep in mind that cost does matter and that I only cut a couple cords of Oak a year. These Oaks, aka scrub oaks, are wild and wooly with lots of branches, twists and turns. No need for a saw larger then 46cc and 18".

(broken link removed to https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-310)

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-352

https://www.jonsered.com/us/products/chainsaws/cs2240/965893002/

 

[duramaxman05]

Look at the dolmar 421 or the new makita 4300(I think). Very reasonable price for a pro saw build quality. And they cut with the size bigger class if that makes any since. Mine will out cut a stock stihl 029super. Its 55cc

 

[ColdNorCal]

Ended up finding a good deal on the Echo CS352. Will MM and retune. Stay tuned

 

[ColdNorCal]

This is also posted on a chainsaw forum:

I used the cs352 yesterday and was very disappointed. It stalled a lot when idling. After about every 10th-15th cut the saw would return to idle then die. And it would take 3-4 pulls to restart. It was also a bit slow, hesitant, from idle to mid to high speed. After 10 mins of this non sense I bagged it for the day and moved onto something else.

This morning I decided to take advantage of removing the limiters and tune the saw. But, before that, I took a look at the muffler and decided to do a minor mod. Their is a deflector at the output of the muffler that redirects half the exhaust at ninety degrees back into the other half of the exhaust flow. I removed that, left the spark arrestor in place, then tuned the low speed and idle. I also tuned Hi speed in the wood. The saw runs very good now and given the weight to power ratio, I really like it.

The largest branches that needed attention were not over 8 inches although clearly the saw is capable of more. And, it was actually fun to throw around this light of a saw. I should have bought a second smaller saw years ago!

 

[duramaxman05]

This is also posted on a chainsaw forum:

I used the cs352 yesterday and was very disappointed. It stalled a lot when idling. After about every 10th-15th cut the saw would return to idle then die. And it would take 3-4 pulls to restart. It was also a bit slow, hesitant, from idle to mid to high speed. After 10 mins of this non sense I bagged it for the day and moved onto something else.

This morning I decided to take advantage of removing the limiters and tune the saw. But, before that, I took a look at the muffler and decided to do a minor mod. Their is a deflector at the output of the muffler that redirects half the exhaust at ninety degrees back into the other half of the exhaust flow. I removed that, left the spark arrestor in place, then tuned the low speed and idle. I also tuned Hi speed in the wood. The saw runs very good now and given the weight to power ratio, I really like it.

The largest branches that needed attention were not over 8 inches although clearly the saw is capable of more. And, it was actually fun to throw around this light of a saw. I should have bought a second smaller saw years ago!


View attachment 245584

You can thank the fine epa for having a new saw run crappy. It's amazingehst just retuning and muffler mod will do for a saw

 

[Sppako3]

I have shoulder issues and am deciding if a lighter saw for limbing and doing most of the cuts makes sense. I currently have a 46cc Craftsman 18" that has a mufler mod, the muffler was stuffed with a cat-conv, and tuned. It runs very well and cuts good for what I need. However, it weighs more then what is necessary for 95% of the cuts.

After a lot of research for a lighter saw that would compliment the 46cc I narrowed it down to the Echo CS310, Echo CS352 or Jonsered CS2240 (same as a Husky 440). The biggest bang for the buck is the Jonsered. Its 40 cc, cost the same as the 30cc CS310, and about $40 less then the 34cc CS352. But it does weigh about 1/2 pound more then the Echo's. However, it is definitely lighter then the Craftsman but at 40cc it would probably replace it rather then compliment it.

I am open to suggestions and experience from others. I could get the Jonsered and sell the Craftsman for a few dollars. But, I hate selling on craigslist. Please keep in mind that cost does matter and that I only cut a couple cords of Oak a year. These Oaks, aka scrub oaks, are wild and wooly with lots of branches, twists and turns. No need for a saw larger then 46cc and 18".

(broken link removed to https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-310)

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-352

https://www.jonsered.com/us/products/chainsaws/cs2240/965893002/

If possible, you should consider the Echo 501P. More expensive, but nice and light weight plus a lot of power.

 

[ColdNorCal]

If possible, you should consider the Echo 501P. More expensive, but nice and light weight plus a lot of power.

That is a nice chainsaw. However, I already have a 18" 46cc with a MM. I needed a lighter saw and the cs352 is 8.8 lbs, 10 lbs 4 ounces with bar and chain.

I think for most that have property and cut their own wood, the Echo CS-400 is hard to beat with a MM and for a one saw quiver. Otherwise, something like the cs352 and a ~50cc+. I have been cutting my own Oak firewood for many years and the 18" 46cc has always gotten the job done. I tore my rotator cuff and am older now so a small light saw is very much appreciated.

 

[ColdNorCal]

You can thank the fine epa for having a new saw run crappy. It's amazingehst just retuning and muffler mod will do for a saw

As a native Californian, I am too familiar with govt intrusion and control However, the epa has improved the air quality. And I really like the efficiency of my wood stove.

I did a MM on the 46cc and it did improve it. Im going to run a few tanks of gas through the cs352 before that mufller gets gutted. Cant wait!!

 

[Sppako3]

That is a nice chainsaw. However, I already have a 18" 46cc with a MM. I needed a lighter saw and the cs352 is 8.8 lbs, 10 lbs 4 ounces with bar and chain.

I think for most that have property and cut their own wood, the Echo CS-400 is hard to beat with a MM and for a one saw quiver. Otherwise, something like the cs352 and a ~50cc+. I have been cutting my own Oak firewood for many years and the 18" 46cc has always gotten the job done. I tore my rotator cuff and am older now so a small light saw is very much appreciated.

Ah, got it! I have a little top handle also, which is super light but kind of dangerous... Believe it is 35cc. Almost wish I had a rear handle version.

 

[WiscWoody]

I just got a Husqvarna 543XP and and a JonCutter top handled Chinese saw for the really small stuff. I like the Echo pole saws I have and the pro brush cutter too. They make good equipment that can be half the price of similar Stihl products.

 

[ColdNorCal]

I just got a Husqvarna 543XP and and a JonCutter too handled Chinese saw for the really small stuff. I like the Echo pole saws I have and the pro brush cutter too. They make good equipment that can be half the price of similar Stihl product.

If the Craftsman stops working I will most likely replace it with a $80 ebay Chinese saw. Which is exactly what the Craftsman is. The cs-352 cuts so well that it will be doing 80% of the work. Used it a couple more times and am very pleased with it.