Chainsaws are some of the most versatile tools that money can buy. And, if you’re in the market for a heavy-duty one, you might be comparing what several different companies have to offer. Here’s our showdown of the best midrange chainsaws in Husqvarna vs. Echo.
In this piece, we’ll take a look at two of the biggest and baddest chainsaws available. The Husqvarna 460 Rancher and the ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf
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Husqvarna vs. Echo Company Histories
Husqvarna Company History
Husqvarna is the world’s largest producer of outdoor power products and their line is diverse. From chainsaws for loggers to a robotic lawnmower, you can find almost anything that you could possibly need from this Swedish company. The company has been in business since 1689. Chainsaws were introduced to its product line in 1959 as logging and forestry became increasingly important in Sweden.
ECHO Company History
Compared to Husqvarna, ECHO is a young company. It was originally founded in Northbrook, Illinois in 1972 as part of the Kioritz Corporation of America. However, it became ECHO just a few years later. It introduced chainsaws as part of its product line soon after it began. It has been a major part of ECHO’s product line ever since. Today it’s owned by the Yamabiko Corporation, a Japanese power tool company.
Both companies have a history of craftsmanship and durability, but Husqvarna’s reputation is hard to beat. Husqvarna chainsaws are one of the top options out there. They compete with Stihl for the most popular tool amongst loggers. They’re particularly well-known for the sturdiness of their machines and their long-lasting durability.
Husqvarna & ECHO Parent Companies
Husqvarna Group
This is the parent company of Husqvarna. They own a wide variety of brands:
- Husqvarna
- Gardena
- McCulloch
- PoulanPro
- Weed Eater
- Flymo
- Jonsered
- Klippo
- Diamant Boart
- RedMax
- HTC
- Blastrac
Yamabiko Corporation of Japan
Yamabiko Corporation of Japan is the parent company of ECHO. They own a few different brands:
- Kioritz
- Shindaiwa
- ECHO
Husqvarna vs. Echo Product Lines
Both Husqvarna and ECHO sell a wide variety of products. Below, you’ll find what each brand’s product line consists of.
Husqvarna Product Lines
Husqvarna also sells outdoor power equipment, but they have a wider variety of products available.
Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Husqvarna:
- Robotic Lawn Mowers
- Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers
- Riding Lawn Mowers
- Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers
- Push Lawn Mowers
- Stand-On Lawn Mowers
- Chainsaws
- Pole Saws
- Forestry Clearing Saws
- Axes
- Personal Protective Equipment
- String Trimmers
- Leaf Blowers
- Combi Trimmers
- Hedge Trimmers
- Lawn Edgers
- Snowblowers
- & More
ECHO Product Lines
ECHO sells a variety of outdoor power equipment.
Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from ECHO:
- Axes
- Hatchets
- Blowers
- Chainsaws
- Chippers
- Shredders
- Cut-Off Saws
- Edgers
- Generators
- Hedge Trimmers
- Mowers
- Pressure Washers
- Combo Kits
- & More
Husqvarna vs. Echo Brand Reputation & Cost of Tools
Here we’ll go over the reputations and cost of the tools of each brand.
Husqvarna Reputation and Tool Affordability
Husqvarna is one of the most reliable and durable outdoor power equipment brands on the market. Not only that, but their lawnmowers also come with plenty of sought-after features. Some of those features include pedal-operated speed, ergonomic seating, and direction control.
Most recently, Consumer Reports recognized Husqvarna as one of the most reliable lawn mower brands on the market. Consumer Reports recommends multiple Husqvarna lawn mowers also. Perhaps the only downside to this lawn mower brand is that its products typically come with a premium price tag.
ECHO Reputation and Tool Affordability
Echo tools are uniquely designed and have safety features that will really make it hard to decide between this brand and others. Many people specifically stick to Echo products because of the key features that their products have.
When it comes to price, Echo has both consumers and professionals in mind. For example, the CS-3510 petrol chainsaw is priced at about $300. While the larger chainsaws available from Echo sell for around $2200.
Husqvarna vs. Echo Tool Comparison
The Husqvarna 460 Rancher and the ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf are two heavy-duty chainsaws that are guaranteed to get the job done. These are not tools for anyone who is inexperienced. If you have never operated a chainsaw before, we wouldn’t recommend one of these as your first purchase.
The Rancher and the Timber Wolf are both suitable for activities that require a lot of power. They are professional tools that are used by loggers and landscapers across the world. They’re designed to tackle trees quickly and effectively.
While both serve the same essential purpose, there are a few major differences to highlight between the two. In this article, we focus on a few key points: safety, engine and power, and durability.
Husqvarna 460 Rancher
Husqvarna is perhaps most famous for its chainsaws, which have inspired brand loyalists around the world. And it’s easy to see why with the Rancher series. The company uses a ton of proprietary technology to make these chainsaws safe. Its 60cc engine ensures that it can get almost any job done.
ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf
Echo chainsaws are also heavy duty machines with many brand loyalists. With a 59.8cc engine it is comparable to the Husqvarna. This heavy duty piece is known for being easy to use while still retaining significant power.
Head to Head
When buying a chainsaw, there are multiple things that you should consider before pulling out your wallet. If you’re choosing between the Husqvarna Rancher and the ECHO Timberwolf, you might want to think about the following:
Safety
Chainsaws are undoubtedly one of the most dangerous tools out there. It’s understandable that safety is something you’re concerned about.
While proper lubrication and proper care are two easy ways to help reduce the number of accidents, there are a couple of other features that should come pre-installed.
The first of these is a chain brake. This automatically stops the chain when it experiences a sudden movement or impact.
So, if you drop the chainsaw or hit an unexpected hard spot on a tree, you know that the chain will stop before someone can get seriously hurt.
Both Husqvarna and ECHO have these installed, a factor that is unsurprising.
Noise and Vibration Dampers
The second safety feature that we compared was the noise and vibration dampeners.
Anti-vibration features are extremely important when it comes to using a chainsaw. Without them, the machine can get dangerous quickly, especially over a long period of use.
Constant vibration over time can seriously impact your body, leading to disorders like “vibration white finger” among others. These vibration dampeners also help reduce the amount of noise that the chainsaw produces, something that can have long-lasting effects on your health.
Anti-vibration technology also just makes the whole experience more comfortable and reduces the fatigue on your body, resulting in a significantly safer handling overall.
Both the Rancher and the Timber Wolf have vibration dampeners, but in this category, we have to hand the win to Husqvarna because of its proprietary LowVib® system.
This system gives an equivalent vibration on the front handle of 3.8 meters per second squared (m/s2) and 6.9 m/s2 on the back handle.
ECHO does not publish their vibration ratings like Husqvarna, making it a little bit more difficult to judge how effective its dampeners are.
While it’s safe to assume that ECHO’s dampeners are rated well and help protect against workplace injuries, Husqvarna’s transparency gives us peace of mind.
Power
The Husqvarna Rancher contains a 60cc two-stroke gas-oil engine, which gives it a high power-to-weight ratio.
A two-stroke engine has fewer moving parts, thus making it lighter and more efficient than the three-stroke options that are available.
Husqvarna’s engines all use their patented X-TORQ® technology to reduce exhaust emission levels and make the machine more energy efficient.
This means there will be fewer refills needed and can increase your productivity.
The ECHO Timber Wolf also has a two-stroke gas-oil engine, which, in theory, should give it a high power-to-weight ratio.
However, with a slightly smaller 59.8cc tank and a heavier body, it’s beaten by Husqvarna in that regard.
It is also not as fuel efficient as the Husqvarna, though the company does have a large commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
Durability Features
If you’re going to spend good money on a chainsaw, you want to know that it is going to last you a long time.
Luckily, there are some built-in mechanics to help ensure the longevity of your machine.
One of these features is an automatic oiling system. This not only helps keep your chain lubricated to ensure a smoother cut, but it also prevents corrosion and rust from building up on the blade.
An automatic oiler ensures an even application to the chain during the process and reduces the number of breaks that you need to take to apply the lubricant.
Another durability feature that you should be searching for is an air cleaning system. This is a simple but ingenious way of protecting your air filter.
In short, this system helps prevent large pieces of debris from even reaching your air filter in the first place, reducing the damage that’s caused to the filter as well as the frequency that you have to change it.
Both the Husqvarna Rancher and the ECHO Timber Wolf have each of these features, ensuring that your saw will last for a while.
They both have automatically adjustable oilers that allow you to choose how much oil the chain receives while also taking the work out of reapplying the lubricant.
And in addition to the air cleaning systems, they both have easy-access air filters so that when you do need to change it, you can get the job done quickly.
Husqvarna vs. Echo Warranty Comparisons
Husqvarna Warranty
The standard Husqvarna warranty lasts one year and covers any defects in workmanship or materials when the machines experience normal use. Basically, if the machine, motor, trigger system, or engine breaks, it will most likely be covered.
ECHO Warranty
Echo products include warranties anywhere from 1 year to 5 years. It all depends on the product. For chainsaws, it’s a 5-year warranty. However, I would like to note that this is on parts of the machine that are not affected by wear and tear. This means that if the ignition button breaks from normal use, it will be replaced, but broken chains will not.
Conclusion
Both Echo and Husqvarna are great options. But depending on what you’re looking for, one is better than the other. If you are looking for products that are more affordable and great for hobbyists and homeowners, Echo is the best, while professionals will find Husqvarna products can handle almost any job you throw at it.
Husqvarna vs. Echo Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECHO a good brand?
Yes, ECHO is a good brand. Lots of homeowners like them because of the high-quality products being available at reasonable prices.
How long do Husqvarna products last?
Tools need regular maintenance. Assuming you take good care of your tool, your Husqvarna products can last up to ten years.
How long do ECHO mowers last?
ECHO mowers generally last slightly less than Husqvarna products. They tend to last 6 or 7 years with repairs in between, of course. However, yours could last longer as we don’t know all the information since this comes from reviewers.
Who makes Husqvarna?
Husqvarna Group is the parent company and manufacturer of Husqvarna products.
Does Husqvarna own ECHO?
No, Husqvarna does not own ECHO.
