echo 355t

P

PatriotTreeCO

So I figured I would throw this post up for the folks that aren't likin' the 201T.

I too was having trouble with my 201T so a few months back I decided to order a 355t from the echo website. It sure was nice to be able to order the saw online and it came quickly. the price was much less than a new 201, so I was also happy with that.

Anyways, when I got the saw it did run kinda crappy. It was weird it would run fine for about twenty minutes then start running like crap. I was pissed.... thought I had bought a POS.

However, after about two days of messing with it, not adjusting it or anything, just running it and breaking it in it runs like a champ now.

It is my go to saw now, I pretty much use it everyday and haven't had any problems yet. I am very happy with the power and it feels great in the hand. It did take a bit to get used to the kill switch being opposite though!

So, if anyone is in the market for a new tophandle I suggest you give it a try.

-Keith
 
oh yeah... one more thing

The gas and oil fill holes are really small. I use the nospill fuel cans and it fits into the hole exact, making it tough to see the fuel level and spills more likely...... at least it's not the damn flippy caps though.
 
interesting, I use it on removals and it does just fine, I run a 16" bar on it. It is hard to say whether or not it is equivalent to a 200 but it is sure as hell better than a 192. I usually switch to a 260 or larger for wood though.

Perhaps I will run a side by side comparison 200, 201 and 355 at my woodlot and see what happens. I would be willing to bet the echo is very close if not equal to the 201.
 
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Perhaps I will run a side by side comparison 200, 201 and 355 at my woodlot and see what happens. I would be willing to bet the echo is very close if not equal to the 201.

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I would love to see that comparison. Not to see either one win, just to see how close they are.
I hate my 201, even after the so called Magnum conversion. The Husqy is still not on the shelves, so any real life video of the 355 would please me.
 
We ran our new 355t side-by with our 200T's and found it had plenty of cajones for the job. Not lacking like the old 360t or 300t.

I'd still be running my new echo if it hadn't rolled out the open gear door on the truck one day, never to be seen again.

I <u>will</u> be getting another one next summer when budget allows.
 
I just bought a 201 and would have given the 355 a go if it hadnt been for one important detail. The lanyard clip is made out of metal but it's on a plastic hinge which looks VERY flimsy. I dont like putting the lanyard on the handle as the saw won't sit in the right position during the climb.
It's very annoying that echo would think of saving on such an important detail for a saw. So far I'm not the biggest fan of the 201 though.
 
Weaver,

In the short time we had it I had the same concern on the ring but a couple of things shined through. First, it locked in place so it wasn't flapping around, just made for a tighter feeling saw.

Second, I'm somewhat prone to saw snatching so I was thinking that even if the ring did pull out it would be the ring rather than the saw body that would give. That also meant that I didn't have to worry about my lanyard or saddle taking the hit. I guess I considered it the "breakaway" safety.

I've got nothing empirical to support that just a quick assessment lent that impression.
 
Rick,
I see your point, however on my first month of working with a tree crew, when I was raking and had my eyes on the ground a saw fell from the tree and missed me by about 5'. It was an Echo and the lanyard ring had detached from the saw. These days I am the one in the tree however it's always in the back of my mind when I see the groundguys walking below me.
I think it would be an unnecessary risk. Plastic ages very quickly, especially in cold weather.
 
I know that the lanyard rings on the old 341 had a reputation for it, infact most everyone I know who used that saw would fit the lanyard around the handle instead.
 
I'd have to heartily disagree with tree weaver on the lanyard rings. The 341 was one saw out of how many different models? Perhaps the 341 was flawed in design, but that generalization across the following evolution of saws lacks merit or reason.

I've run echo climbing saws for the past 15 years and of those having rings, never once has one torn out of the plastic.

In fair comparison, almost all climbing saws with a metal lanyard ring rely on plastic to hold it, or the screws, in.

The thin wire ring on the 355t does look weak but by all accounts I expect it to hold just fine under normal circumstances. Get the saw snatched in falling big wood, that would be a different matter.

I'm still giving this saw a pretty big thumbs up all around.
 
To be fair I have never run a 200T fresh out of the box. All my 200Ts have come to me second hand but in good shape.

With that in mind, I felt the 355T was giving the 200Ts a run for their money. Enough so that I tried (during the few days we had it before we lost it)to keep it on the ground with me.

I used both the 355T and 200T on stuff on the ground and felt no appreciable difference. If anything the 355T felt better, lighter and though sounding a bit slower on the rpms, it seemed to pull the chained doggedly no matter the load on the teeth.

I haven't replaced it simply because I'm outta budget for this year. It is high on the list next summer though.

Anyhow, the 355T fresh out of the box with a brandy-new woodsman-pro chain cuts &amp; starts fast and sure.
 
Thanks for the assessment Rick. Gonna have to make a choice between the new husky and the echo. I've always loved my sthils, but not the 201! Going to shop around tomorrow.
 
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Gonna have to make a choice between the new husky and the echo. I've always loved my sthils, but not the 201! Going to shop around tomorrow.

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I don't think we really have a choice. The 355 is there to grab and the 540... Well, that's another story.
I talked to Robin on the Chainsaw collectors forum and he was willing and able to send one to Europa. I think I will contact him very soon.
 
I run this saw at work (unfortunately) and there is no comparison. My personal saw is a 200T so I run them both in a variety of situations on a regular basis. The 355 is a good bargain saw but the 200T is the superior machine (by a mile). Time will tell but I get the feeling this saw won't take abuse like a 200T either, it feels flimsy in places.
 
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