Echo CS-400 Chainsaw Review [The King of Value]
The Echo CS-400 Chainsaw
SUMMARY
The Echo CS-400-18 (40cc/18’’ chain bar) is an aggressive little chainsaw; probably the best in its class. It has metal handles with rubberized grips which makes it easy to hold. In addition, the anti-vibration rubber bushes in the saw make it really comfortable to use it. What is pleasantly surprising is that the chain bucking spikes are also made of metal. This simple change from Echo makes the CS-400-18 way more effective at slicing through wood than saws that use plastic spikes.
The CS-400-18’s easy starting system works like a charm and you really don’t have to pull the starter very hard. This chainsaw comes with a G-Force Engine Air Pre Cleaner system that flushes out most dust even before it reaches the air filter. This is a thoughtful addition that makes the filter last longer.
Moreover, the air filter and the spark plug can be accessed easily without using any tools! This single feature makes the CS-400-18 a perfect fit for daily users who would know the pain of carrying several tools around.
Although small in length, the Echo CS-400-18 is still very versatile. It can cut through different types of sturdy trees such as oaks, maple, pines, and ironwood among others. You can cut logs or trees up to 24 inches diameter with this chainsaw. It is quick too and averages about 30 seconds on a 10-inch maple log. The Echo CS-400-18 is also one of the lightest in its class weighing about 10.1 lbs. This makes it handy to wield in smaller spaces.
More details about the Echo CS-400-18 follow in the review below which will help you in your buying decision.
What Makes This Chainsaw Stands Out?
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 29 x 10.5 x 11.5 in
Weight: 10.1 lbs
Power Source: Gas
Size: 40.2cc - 18"
We have just finished testing the Echo CS-400 and the chainsaw did not disappoint us in the slightest. Initially, due to it being an inexpensive chainsaw, we didn't have any high expectations. However, after testing it, we were shocked.
We even ask some pros to test this model and their feedback was the same.They even agree that they wouldn’t think twice about using it professionally. It is possibly the best homeowner chainsaw, keeping in mind that you can get it only for 300 dollars. A chainsaw of this calibre will normally go for at least $600.
So, if you require a chainsaw to prune limbs, cut firework down to size, or even cut down trees, this might be the best chainsaw for you.
Who Makes Echo Chainsaws?
You might not have heard of this manufacturer before. And it stands to reason, a lot of people simply don’t care about chainsaw manufacturers.
However, if you did hear about them, odds are, the feedback was positive. In fact, the brand name is held in high regard by many in the industry. This is, in big part, thanks to the quality of their chainsaws.
They have been working on developing professional-tier power tools for over 4 decades. Ever since the foundation in Northbrook back in 1972 (under the name Kioritz Corporation of America).
When the company’s story began, they were just importing Japanese products. However, in 1979, they began shifting their focus to making their own products.
And today, they operate through over six thousand independent dealers in North America alone.
One of the points of pride for this company is the fact that they are the leaders of innovation. They are the ones who keep setting the new standards with new technologies.
Why get The Echo CS-400?
This chainsaw is a perfect tool for everyone who expects to put it through a lot. It can even handle the needs of professional woodcutters. And, a big part of that is the fact that it sports a 40.2cc gas engine.
The innovative design keeps the blade clean after an entire day of work. In fact, we went through over a dozen of hardwood trees without having to adjust the tension at all.
The 18-inch blade allowed us to clean up storm damage with trees up to 20 inches. With smart use, it could, of course, handle thicker, but we simply didn’t have thicker trees around to test the idea.
It is also very lightweight and comfortable to use. It starts quickly and doesn’t stop until you dull the blade completely.
The Basics
When purchasing a chainsaw, there are several things you need to consider. For starters, the dimensions and the power. Of course, if you expect to have to deal with heavy-duty cutting, you should consider the power source as well.
For example, a battery-powered chainsaw is somewhat not highly recommended for prolonged cutting. We would always recommend going with a gas saw if you intend to work for a longer period of time such as this one.
The professional-tier 2-stroke engine will provide incredible performance whenever you need it. And, the chainsaw is rather lightweight, keeping in mind that it is this powerful.
This means that you are not very likely to tire yourself out while cutting. It is 32 inches long, 12 inches tall and 11 inches wide. And it only weighs in at 10.1 pounds making it really easy to handle.
They did trade off a bit of power to get it that light. But we really couldn’t tell the difference. It went through pine like it was nothing. The first start was a bit difficult.
However, after going through the manual, it actually does tell you it will be and there is no reason to worry. After that, as long as it was warm, it could start with half of a pull.
If you are looking for other brands of chainsaw, do check out our post on the 10 Best Rated Chainsaw For Homeowners.
Features of the Echo CS400
1) Quality
Just by taking a single look at this saw, you can see that it is very solidly made.
And the balance is perfect, it doesn’t tip in either direction at all. The steel cut-off switch is also simple and reliable.
With this model, everything revolves around practicality and ease of access. If you buy this chainsaw, you know what you are getting.
2) Warranty
When you are buying a power tool you want to know that the company is standing behind their products.
And taking a look at the Echo’s web-page shows that the consumer warranty is good for 5 years.
On top of that. they also have a 2-year commercial warranty. This shows how confident they are at their products.
Of course, if you want to know more, you can always visit their website yourself. They have a special section for warranties and you can get all the info you can potentially need there.
Remember, your warranty might be void if you misuse the saw, so make sure to go through the manual.
3) Functionality
As we said, everything about this chainsaw revolves around functionality. So, while it doesn’t sport a number of fancy features, it has all the ones you actually want in a saw.
For example, the i-30 system is there to make the starting of the chainsaw easier. Thanks to that system, it takes a lot less effort to start, even cold-starting was not an issue.
The saw also comes with the adjustment for idle mode via a single screw. This allows you to make sure the chain won’t rotate unless you hold the trigger.
We would also like to mention the high and low-speed needle adjustment limiter. After you go through a couple of tanks of fuel using this saw and break in the engine, you can change the settings of your carburetor.
4) Anti Vibration System
The dampening anti-vibration system is also rather different than what we usually see. Instead of using springs, the CS-400 has a different approach.
This chainsaw uses rubber bushings that simulate the coil. This way, you won’t have to worry about the spring losing its resistance over time. We didn’t think much of the metal switch in the beginning. However, while we were testing it, a rogue log struck it with considerable force. And it didn’t even leave a dent.
The chainsaw also has a screw that will let you adjust how much oil the chain is receiving. Super useful when going through tougher wood!
The Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
Maintenance
As you can probably imagine, proper maintenance is important for all power tools. It is the only way to keep it running for years to come. So, whenever we buy a new tool, we carefully inspect the manual to see what it has to say. And Echo definitely came through with this one.
The manual has a very useful table that tells you exactly when, and what, you should do. In fact, the manual will tell you everything you need to know regarding the operation of the saw.
You should also keep in mind that there are separate engine adjustments for different altitudes. If you are about to use the saw on a mountain, you should adjust the engine. For that adjustment, go to an authorized service provider.
If you want to handle all of the maintenance yourself, you will have to get a couple of tools. However, for the most part, it is simple enough and regular tools should suffice.
What Is It Best For?
The Echo CS 400 is ideal for bucking wood, cutting down trees, and removing storm damage. We put it through some serious tests, and it did perform well. It is a lightweight saw that packs enough power for all the common requirements.
Final Verdict
Echo CS-400 Chainsaw
After using one ourselves and going through many reviews, many recommend this model as the best chainsaw available. It is definitely powerful enough to handle the needs of a professional. And it costs about half the price you would pay for a professional saw.
If you need a saw that will help you in your everyday life, you can’t go wrong with this one. Although there were some minor things we disliked, we simply love it overall and give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.
What we Liked:
What we Disliked:
