A model for any job

Press, 1 July 1983, Page 19

A model for any job

Excellent quality and value for money have made Echo chainsaws the biggest selling Japanese saws on the New Zealand market. With a range of 11 saws offering a model for every purpose and in every price bracket, Echo is the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of chainsaws. Unlike many of its competitors, chainsaws make up a major part of the business of the parent company, Saeco-ADI. This has led to the company gaining a reputation as a specialist manufacturer. Another point in Echo’s favour is the extended warranty given to purchasers on both parts and labour. While some manufacturers give three months warranty or less, the Echo range carries a 12 month warranty on domestic grade saws and a six month warranty on commercial grades. The availability of parts and a willingness to provide back-up service have also led to the popularity of the Echo brand on the local market. From the user’s point of view, features such as the low noise level and lack of vibration, the balance to weight ratio, automatic oiling and easy maintenance combine with easy starting and simple operation to offer a good allround product. On a technical level, Echo chainsaws are built with a forged, counter-balanced crankshaft and one-piece forged connecting-rod assembly made of strong chromium-molybdenum steel. High silicone content reduces wear on the cylinder and piston and this provides low thermal expansion. The cylinder bores of the professional chainsaw models are porous hard chrome-plated to offer better lubricant retention and longer wear.

The crankcase assembly is mated and machined as one unit, preventing misalignment, and the interior is baked with epoxy sealer to give better fuel insulation and ensure that the crankcase is sealed. Front mounted fuel and oil filter holes mean there is no spillage of fuel or oil over the top of the saw. A feature of the Echo range is the patented place-

ment of the oil tank between the petrol tank and the crankcase. This buffers the heat transfer from crankcase to fuel tank to provide a cooler fuel system. Heat transfer from the cylinder to the petrol tank is reduced by air flow separators placed between the fuel and oil tanks and the crankcase and carburettor, and the carburettor body is cooled by a fan to minimise vapour locks.