ECHO CS-7310P Chainsaw Review
ECHO CS-7310P Gas-Powered Chainsaw
CS-7310P Chainsaw
Manufacturer: ECHO
Model number: CS-7310P
Price: $859.99
Power source: 2-Stroke Cycle Engine
Motor size: 73.5cc
Weight: 14.9 Lbs. (Dry)CS-7310P Features and Specifications
Specifications
- Engine Displacement: 73.5cc
- Bar and Chain Oil Capacity: 12.2 Fl. Ozs.
- Powerhead Weight (Dry): 14.9 Lbs.
- Carburetor: Standard/Adjustable
- Oiling System: Automatic/Adjustable
- Fuel Capacity: 27.1 Fl. Ozs.
- Available Bar Lengths: 20″, 24″, 28″, 32″
- Warranty: 1 Year Commercial / 5 Year Consumer
ECHO Professional GradeFeatures
The CS-7310P is part of ECHO’s X-Series of tools. This line is what ECHO considers their best-in-class professional-grade models. What separates a professional-grade chainsaw from a home-owner model is the materials used as well as the standard features. A professional-grade saw like the CS-7310P is designed with durability in mind to stand up to constant all-day use.
Easy to Use Controls
ECHO saws feature controls that are easy to use and understand. While some users may refer to them as “basic”, I enjoy the simplicity and almost throwback nature of them. A metal toggle on/off switch is located to the left of the rear grip. It is easy to reach with my right thumb while gripping the saw. A choke lever pulls reward to start the saw. A decompression valve is located on the top of the saw housing and makes for an easy starting saw. My sample typically starts on the first two to three pulls, depending on the temperature.
As a kid, my grandfather had an ECHO EVL series chainsaw. Using the controls on the CS-7310P reminds me of that time and learning about saws in general.
Tool-Less Cap Design
Echo describes their fuel and bar-oil tank caps as tool-less. Instead of a folding flip cap, two sturdy lugs are molded into the head of the caps. I can grab the lugs with my fingers to open or close. Or, if stuck or gummed up a screwdriver or saw scrench can be used as a lever to release them. The fuel tank is also semi-translucent allowing a visual reference for the level of fuel available.
A very cool design feature of ECHO saws is that the rubber handle for the pull-start has a molded channel in it. This channel is designed to fit between the lugs of the caps and provide leverage to open or close. This feature is invaluable when cutting in the field and losing/forgetting your scrench. While I have owned and used saws with flip caps in the past, I have come to prefer the simplicity and ruggedness of the ECHO cap design.
Factory Felling Spikes
The inner Spike of the CS-7310P with the bar removed. Pictured also is the inboard clutch which makes removing a stuck or pinched bar extremely easy.
Most saw manufacturers do not include a set of dual felling spikes or “Dogs” on a saw without a full-wrap style handle. They are a factory option that must often be ordered separately for a standard-style saw. However, the ECHO CS-7310P chainsaw comes standard with dual spikes regardless of model configuration. This is a greatly appreciated feature. In the past, I have been forced to order spikes for new saws, or modify spikes to work.
The magnesium outer clutch cover is pictured with the outer felling spike. Also pictured are the captive bar nuts.
The dual-felling spikes are important primarily for leveraging traction on large pieces of wood. The spikes bite into the wood and keep the saw locked in place when making a cut. The ECHO’s spikes protrude far enough forward and are sharp enough to really grab the wood regardless of thick layers of bark or dirt. They also keep the CS-7310P squared up to the cut and keep the bar perpendicular.
4 Stage Air Filtration System
The CS-7310P filters the engine air intake a total of four times during operation. Initially, the air is circulated by the flywheel, which spins out particulates of dust as it passes over the cylinder’s cooling fins. The inertia generated by this process helps remove the bulk of the debris. The cleaner air then passes through the sealed filter box, where it is filtered two more times. This all happens before the air reaches the large pleated air filter.
This multi-stage filtration process greatly extends the life of the air filter. A video is available on the ECHO website that explains this filtration process in greater detail. Removing and cleaning the air filter is also very easy thanks to the large wing-nut screw.
Power and Cutting Performance
OREGON Bar and Chain
I evaluated the ECHO CS-7310P chainsaw with both 24″ and 28″ bars. Regardless of bar length, ECHO includes the excellent OREGON PowerCut chain. This full chisel, 3/8″, .050 gauge chain is designed for professional woodcutting. Between the two bars, I found the 24″ to be my overall favorite. That length seemed to balance the saw out well and made for comfortable cutting, even while standing.
I cut firewood on my property as well as process tree service wood I receive from some friends in the area. The majority of it is ash, red and white oak, hard maple, hickory, and others. These are all species native to my area of Connecticut and they make excellent firewood. During the testing process, I cut primarily during the winter months, fighting freezing temperatures, as well as wood that was frozen solid.
Cutting Power
Right out of the box the saw is responsive and fast to throttle up. Ordinarily, saws take several tanks of fuel to wear in and really “open up”, however my ECHO has been smooth and powerful from the first tank. I am curious to see how the experience improves. The manually adjusting oiler also keeps up well with the saw regardless of length. With the 28″ bar, the saw typically consumed approximately 3/4 of a tank of bar oil per tank of fuel.
My current pile of tree-length wood that I am processing has logs ~30″ in diameter. With the 28″ bar, I buried the saw to the nose and made full depth cuts in frozen oak and ash. The CS-7310P chewed through this wood and spit out big flaky chips in the process. The 73.5cc engine is well suited for such a demanding task. It also felt as if there was power to spare. This kind of power is what really separates a pro-grade saw from consumer or even farm/heavy use saws. By not maxing itself out, the saw essentially prolongs its life.
Manually Adjustable Carburetor
The current trend amongst saw manufacturers is the use of computer-controlled carburetor systems. These smart carbs automatically adjust fuel and air mixtures based upon a variety of factors. I was surprised when the CS-7310P was announced that it featured a traditional manually adjusting carb. However, this decision makes sense given the other features of the ECHO, such as the manual controls. A traditional carb is faster to replace, tune, and get back to work in the event of a failure. Additionally, it keeps the price of the saw lower than other models in the same class.
Who is the CS-7310P Designed For
This is not a saw for the average homeowner. That being said, a saw of this size is ideal for anyone looking to speed up the processing of timber or firewood. Speaking with the development team at ECHO, they shared that the CS-7310P was evaluated by pro arborists and timber cutters across the country. This kind of professional pedigree means that the CS-7310P is designed with performance and durability in mind.
It makes great cookies!
The last couple of years has shown a resurgence in individuals wanting to be more self-sufficient. Examples of this are milling your own lumber to avoid paying twenty dollars for a 2×4 or cutting some firewood to reduce energy costs. A larger saw like the CS-7310P means more productivity and less effort. If you are an amateur woodcutter, there is no replacement for a big bore saw. Large trees can be processed in a fraction of the time compared to using a smaller saw. More productivity with less wear and tear on both the user and the saw.
Overall Impressions of the ECHO Cs-7310P
When ECHO first announced the CS-7310P it immediately caught my interest. Mainly because ECHO saws have always had an excellent reputation as a solid performing product at a reasonable price. With ECHO breaking into the 70+cc pro saw category for the first time in North America, I knew they must have something pretty special. Overall I was very impressed with this new saw.
The CS-7310P combines a ton of brute force cutting power with an excellent set of professionally oriented features. My only criticism is the amount of felt vibration while using the saw. The ECHO uses a series of stiff springs to help reduce the vibration transferred to the user. Overall they do a good job of reducing the vibration, however, I don’t think they are as effective as some other saws in this class. I experienced a good amount of vibration in my hands when performing a full-depth cut in some large trees. A field test of this is to place the saw on a stable surface while idling and see if it walks around or tips over. The CS-7310P does.
Overall one of the best features of this tool is the price. Currently, the CS-7310P retails for approximately $860.00 with the factory 24″ bar and chain. This is anywhere from $200-$300 cheaper than comparable-sized professional-grade saws from some of the other major manufacturers. ECHO was able to keep the price lower by using some of the more “basic” features outlined above, while still delivering a powerful and rugged saw. The ECHO CS-7310P represents an excellent value for saws in this class.
The CS-7310P is available now from ECHO dealers as well as online retailers. The Buy Now button below links to our friends at ACME Tool, who have this impressive saw in stock.
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About the author
Wes Bartosik
Wes Bartosik is a Connecticut native with strong family ties to the construction world. Wes’ father and grandfather both were builders and developers and taught Wes the values of doing things right from an early age and getting hands on experience with every facet of the construction industry. Wes apprenticed with a carpenter throughout high school and would later attend Central Connecticut State University earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management all while working for a large excavation contractor throughout. Wes would go on to work for a local heavy-highway construction company and gain further experience with all the skilled trades associated with large civil engineering and utility projects. Though working as a manager now, Wes’ true passion is working in the field alongside the tradesman and laborers on site. Wes has been involved in community based service projects throughout his life as well as emergency services. In his spare time he takes on serious DIY projects for himself, friends and family. He is a firm believer that with a quality tool in your hands and some grit, you can accomplish anything.
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Excellent review and I agree with you on mostly everything.ive got a new cs7310pw with the full wrap handle and so far I really like the saw.iprobably. Could have gotten by with the cs620pw but it’s nice to have the extra power. I have several echo saws and my biggest one before getting the cs7310 was the cs590 timberwolf and I can’t say enuf great things about the timberwolf. I’ve always wanted to try out a cs800p the80.7cc saw they no longer make. Am I wrong to assume the cs800p was more powerful than the cs7310p? I wish echo would have made this saw a 79cc or greater saw but at 73.5 I guess that’s plenty.
DJ, the CS7310P is Echo’s first 70+cc saw and their first attempt to break into the 70-75cc pro-grade saw category. I have never had a chance to run a CS800p, but I would like to one day. Given the success of the CS7310P so far, I hope Echo keeps the momentum rolling and breaks into the larger ~80cc class next.
I have the cs 800. i cant say more powerful. it has a lot of torque and pulls like a freight train but also weighs alot too. dont get me wrong its and awesome saw the cs 800p i have a 36 inch bar on mine and it does work. i have tried the 7310 with a 28 inch bar it seams to be more high rev and cuts quicker. it is also lighter that is a plus. i am looking to purchase a 7310 one day i know of a person selling one for a good deal but its still just not in the budget right now as i hardly use the bigger saws. if my 2511 cant handle the job i have a 4910 with a 20 inch bar and if not then my 590 with a 24 inch bar. i do mostly landscaping and a few trees here and there but one day ill get me a 7310