My family has been selling and servicing chainsaws for almost 40 years. It goes without saying that we have started and run thousands of chainsaws over the years.
The one thing I can tell you about starting different brands of chainsaws is that different brands of chainsaws have different starting procedures.
This post will cover the starting procedure of Echo chainsaws.
There are two different starting scenarios for Echo chainsaws: starting a cold start and the other being a warm start.
For the purpose of this blog post, I will cover the cold start primarily because that is the scenario most people will experience. I will also touch on the warm start so you can understand the differences between the starting procedures with the different starting scenarios.
A cold start scenario means that the engine of the chainsaw has not been recently running; therefore the engine is cold and not primed with fuel.
The cold starting procedure for an echo chainsaw is as follows:
- Engage The Chain Brake
- Move Ignition Toggle Switch Up To Run
- Push Primer Bulb 4 to 6 Times To Fill Primer Bulb
- Pull Choke Control Lever Out To The Closed Position
- Secure Chainsaw And Pull Starter Rope Until Chainsaw Burps
- Push Choke Control Lever In To The Open Position
- Secure Chainsaw And Pull Starter Rope Until Chainsaw Starts
- Disengage The Chain Brake
Repeat the starting procedure if the chainsaw does not start after 5 to 7 pulls on the starter rope.
Operation Note: Do not increase the speed of the engine while the chain brake is engaged. Doing so can damage the chain brake system of the chainsaw.
Safety Note: Before pulling the starter rope be sure to secure the chainsaw properly. The proper way of securing a chainsaw is by placing the chainsaw on the ground and gripping the handlebar with your left hand and applying downward pressure on the handle. Then place your right foot through the rear handle and hold the saw down with your body weight. Your right hand will be free to pull the rope.
The warm starting procedure for an echo chainsaw is as follows:
- Engage The Chain Brake
- Move The Ignition Toggle Up To Run
- Secure Chainsaw And Pull Starter Rope Until Chainsaw Starts
Choke can be used during the warm starting procedure if needed. However, after the first sound of a starting engine tap the throttle trigger to return the chainsaw to idle.
If the chainsaw does not start after 5 to 7 pulls on the starter rope use the cold starting procedure.
Operation Note: Do not increase the speed of the engine while the chain brake is engaged. Doing so can damage the chain brake system of the chainsaw.
Safety Note: Before pulling the starter rope be sure to secure the chainsaw properly. The proper way of securing a chainsaw is by placing the chainsaw on the ground and gripping the handlebar with your left hand and applying downward pressure on the handle. Then place your right foot through the rear handle and hold the saw down with your body weight. Your right hand will be free to pull the rope.
8 Steps To Start An Echo Chainsaw
Step 1. Engage The Chain Brake
The first thing to do when starting an echo chainsaw, or any chainsaw, is to engage the chain brake. Engaging the chain brake will protect you from a rotating chainsaw chain during the starting process. Always engage the chain brake when starting a chainsaw.
Step 2. Move Ignition Toggle Switch Up To Run
The next step is to move the on/off toggle switch up to the run position. If this switch is not toggled to the run position the chainsaw’s spark plug will not receive spark from the ignition coil.
Step 3. Push Primer Bulb 4 to 6 Times To Fill Primer Bulb
Now that you have the chainsaw set to run, you need to prime the unit with fuel.
Priming the unit is done by pumping the primer bulb 4 to 6 times to fill the bulb with enough fuel to visually see. Once you can see fuel in the primer bulb after priming you should be good.
Operation Note: If you have not recently ran the chainsaw and the unit still has fuel in the primer you will still need to prime the unit. Just because you can see fuel in the bulb does not mean the unit does not need to be primed.
Step 4. Pull Choke Control Lever Out To The Closed Position
With the chainsaw primed with fuel you need to set the choke to closed on the chainsaw. Setting the choke of an Echo chainsaw is done by pulling the choke lever all the way out. The choke lever is located, on most echo chainsaws, to the right of the rear handle beside the primer bulb.
Step 5. Secure Chainsaw And Pull Starter Rope Until Chainsaw Burps
Now that the chainsaw is primed and choked it is time to start the chainsaw.
The proper way of starting an echo chainsaw is by placing the chainsaw on the ground and gripping the handlebar with your left hand and applying downward pressure on the handle. Then place your right foot through the rear handle and hold the saw down with your body weight. Your right hand will be free to pull the starter rope.
Pull the starter rope until the chainsaw’s engine makes a burping sound as if its trying to start.
Step 6. Push Choke Control Lever In To The Open Position
Now that the chainsaw has burped you need to reopen the choke.
Reopening the choke is done by pushing the choke control lever all the way in to it stops.
Operational Note: Once a chainsaw has burped during the choking process, the choke has to be set to open. If the choke is not set to open after the chainsaw burps the unit will flood.
Step 7. Secure Chainsaw And Pull Starter Rope Until Chainsaw Starts
Now that the chainsaw has burped and the choke is set to open, all you need to do is start the chainsaw.
Repeat the starter rope pulling procedure by placing the chainsaw on the ground and gripping the handlebar with your left hand and applying downward pressure on the handle. Then place your right foot through the rear handle and hold the saw down with your body weight. Your right hand will be free to pull the starter rope.
Pull the starter rope until the chainsaw starts.
Operational Note: If the chainsaw does not start within 5 to 7 pulls you need to repeat the starting process over from step one.
Step 8. Disengage The Chain Brake
Now that the chainsaw is started you need to disengage the chain brake.
Failing to disengage the chain break before pulling the throttle trigger can damage the chainsaw.
You did it. You started your chainsaw and now your ready to cut some wood.
Wrapping Up
Echo chainsaws are fantastic and can be easily started by almost anyone if the starting process is followed.
Remember that there are two different starting scenarios for Echo chainsaws, the first being a cold start and the second being a warm start.
Make sure you follow the starting procedure that corresponds to whether your chainsaw is in a cold or warm start situation. Following the wrong starting procedure will either leave you frustrated with a tired arm or a flooded chainsaw.
Thats pretty much all there is to starting an echo chainsaw.
Please be safe out there and happy cutting.
Steven R
