Looking at getting a bigger chainsaw to cut up to 36-inch logs and would like opinions from any owners out here of Echo, Stihl or Husqvarna that are 59 cc or better. Looking to keep it under $1000.
I am really interested in the ECHO CS-620P or the Stihl 391 but threw in the Husqvarna in case someone can convince me otherwise.
Thoughts? Reviews?

I have two echo saws, a CS-400 and a CS-590 and have been pleased with both. They run and start reliably, and are fairly easy to operate.

I haven't cut up any 36" logs with the 590 but I have cut up some 18-24" post oaks with it, and post oak is pretty hard and tough wood. Keep the chain teeth sharp and the oiler filled and it really helps.

I just replaced a couple of Stihls with a Husky 572XP with a 24" bar and a 550XP Mark II with a 16" bar. So far, the Huskys are awesome, but neither of them have 20 hours on them yet.

The Stihls were worn out and Stihl parts prices are too high. The Huskys feel like they have 3x the power of the Stihls they replaced, but those Stihls had lots of hours on them. I have 3 Stihl dealers within 10 miles and all of them specialize in businesses other than small engines. I have 1 Husky dealer within 10 miles (not counting Tractor Supply) and they are small engine specialists.

36" is pretty damn big. Id want bigger than 59CC if doing more than a handful of cuts.

Of course over budget at around $1400 but Stihl 462cm. Relatively light weight, professional grade, should last you forever.

STIHL MS 462 C-M in NAVASOTA, TX 77868 (stihldealer.net)

CS78 said:

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36" is pretty damn big. Id want bigger than 59CC if doing more than a handful of cuts.

Of course over budget at around $1400 but Stihl 462cm. Relatively light weight, professional grade, should last you forever.

STIHL MS 462 C-M in NAVASOTA, TX 77868 (stihldealer.net)

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That's what I have. Great saw.

I'm 100% Stihl guy. I have saws from the 70's that say for decades that fired right up. I've taken abandoned saws from jobs that were scrapped and gotten them running. I'm just a fan. I use mine regularly but, if the Husqy is a commercial grade saw, I think you're going to be fine. I've switched to buying commercial stuff and been far happier and had very little need for brand loyalty.

Any of those brands are going to do very well, pretty much can just pick one nad go with it IMO.

I have a brand new (at least never used other than starting it up) Stihl MS661C-M that I'm willing to part with. Seems my desire to work on projects greatly exceeds my free time to do so. I paid around $1350 but will take $1000 for it.

If interested let me know. I'm in B/CS but head to Houston and SA fairly often.

Always used Huskies, but with one of the hurricanes brewing, I bought a Stihl. Never would start the first day. Second day it started eventually, ran it about an hour. Would never start again. Put it in the shop, they got it running. I started it and used it a little. Never started again. Selling it today for $100 to one of our tenants.

Since then, back to Huskies. I know my sample size is small, and many people I know run Stihl saws, but once was enough for me. Do run Stihl trimmers and blowers with never a problem.

I have had an Echo 600P for 12 years and it has never failed me. Nor has it been to the shop. It started with a 24" bar but I use it mostly with a 20" bar.

Echo has a 5yr warranty for residential use as compared to Stihl's 1 yr, if I remember correctly.

That was one of the factors that caused me to buy a 501p last year.

Nothing but echo around my ranch. I have been down the stihl route many times. Years ago, their saws were great but now, they have fallen off. Echo easy to start and runs outstanding.

This. A lot of loggers here in the Ozarks use the hell out them.

Thanks men. I have a Stihl 271 but will be getting an Echo this time around. Have a great weekend!

I have a Husky 550XP a 20" bar and and a Husky 372XP with a 24" bar on it. The 550xp is a "speed saw" that is great for all around and light enough for limbing. The 372XP is heavy but a total workhorse that can handle anything you throw at it. Excels at bucking big logs on the ground.