I need a recommendation on one or the other. I have several Stihl products, but have read good reviews on the Echo. The models I'm looking at are the Echo PPT-280 and the Stihl HT-133. The local dealer has a sale this week on Echo; I just want to base my choice on the best tool for the job. Any advice on either?

Well, my tree guy uses an HT-133. I talked to him about it. He insisted it was the only way to go. So that's what I bought.

Can't comment on the Echo. Don't know anything about it. I know my Stihl HT-133 runs like a top and cuts like a banshee

I have echo weed eater and edger and both have run great for a long time. I can't say if they're better than Stihl, but they are quality machines.

 
I got the Stihl HT-130 (non-telescoping). It reaches anything I need to, and is a bit easier to handle than one that extends way out. It starts easily and cuts, even mesquite, but that is hard on the chain.
 

I have 3 Stihl power pole pruners and they are quality tools. The Echo will probably suit your needs. I would go with the one with the better dealer and parts support.

I've got a stihl kombi with the pole saw attachment... has been awesome.

It's been a couple of years, but unless there's been a big change, I'd say Stihl hands down.

I have no complaints with my Echo extendable pole pruner. You probably can't go wrong with either.

Despite the fact that I have actually met the man, who owns the company and ridden with him in his James Bond Aston Martin ( DB5 or DB6 ?) through the streets of Stutgart, I have had problems with my Stihl products, mostly hard starting. I recently switched to an Echo weed trimmer and it starts much better.

quote:

Originally posted by NK402:
... I have had problems with my Stihl products, mostly hard starting. I recently switched to an Echo weed trimmer and it starts much better.

My Stihl 025, ±23 years old, can be hard-starting, sometimes. It's always been that way. The HT-133 power pole pruner starts right up, though. As easily as my Echo hand-held leaf blower.

Always STIHL, after working for the city over 3 summers in high school we used to intentionally beat the crap out of the tools to try and get the day off. They just kept ticking.

Isn't there a Japanese brand that is supposed to be very highly rated? They make the little folding saw, larger folding saw and also huge pole style?

I'll try to find the name.

Found it. I only remember this from when I was researching a folding hand saw this brand kept coming up as one of the top 2. I went with a cheaper option so I can't attest to this, but it looks and rates well online.

Silky pole saw

To me the Stihls aren't as well balanced as the Echo's. Stihls are probably a touch more durable than echo's, but echo's are very very durable. I have an Echo PPT 225, the non extendable one and it's a beast for the little saw it is and I love it. It just goes and goes.......

I had a stihl pole hedge trimmer and hated it because it was very motor heavy (didn't balance well), the blade end went past the mounted blade so you couldn't follow a fence line with it because the end would keep wacking it (where the fixed blade on the echo is the furthest point and can run it right along the fence), and the 4 mix motor was hard starting if you shut it off and tried to restart it within 5 minutes of shutting it off. I got an echo and never looked back.

I would have to go with Stihl just by name (no experience with either) and my uncle that logged trees in MT in the past always had Stihl saws.

For a manual pole saw, dad brought me a "Silky Hayauchi" brand this weekend and I've been slicing through limbs like butter. My arms are a little sore, because I work in a cubicle normally... but quality stuff!

I have the STIHL. Used it for 5 solid hours the first day I got it. Had some sore muscles for about a week. It never misses a beat...then again, NONE of my STIHL eqpt has failed me. Good stuff.

I picked up a Stihl HT133 today, 10% off - out the door for about $635. Time to put it to work.

In The Lair makes we wonder if this is yet another stream of lines I don't understand, or a true hobby!

Dont discount a Husqvarna professional pruner. I love Stihl chainsaws (I have two), but the Husqvarna pruner is lighter weight than the comparable Stihl (your shoulders, arms, back will thank you).

quote:

Originally posted by Fusternc:
Dont discount a Husqvarna professional pruner. I love Stihl chainsaws (I have two), but the Husqvarna pruner is lighter weight than the comparable Stihl (your shoulders, arms, back will thank you).

I think you'd have to be doing a powerful lot of pruning to make that an issue.

Heck, several weeks back, when I bought my HT-133, I'd been off my workout schedule for six weeks or better, I'm 66 years old, and I had no trouble at all trimming-off... <thinking...> a couple dozen or so limbs? Three or four of them pretty big (4-6" around at their bases), so I took multiple cuts or under-cut.

The thing's not all that heavy, IMO, and it's well-balanced.

quote:

Originally posted by Fusternc:
Dont discount a Husqvarna professional pruner. I love Stihl chainsaws (I have two), but the Husqvarna pruner is lighter weight than the comparable Stihl (your shoulders, arms, back will thank you).

I just use the included shoulder strap, clip it right to the saw, and it carries the weight 90% of the time.