Echo PPT 261

[Cut4fun]

Same model I have. I believe. If so, you will want to nip off the choke lever down to flush with the filter cover. Raise it up to cut and when it chokes out when it brushes your hip, you'll know why I said to They changed that on the next run of the saw. Same with the adjustment coupler. Get a lock washer and wing nut for the cinch bolt. The plastic thingy they use for the wing nut cracks or wallows out toot sweet and is not worth replacing OEM. Other than that.. No problems. You will also like that it has a small break away drive shaft from the clutch to the drive coupler in case you bind the saw too often. A much cheaper fix than the whole drive shaft. I think it was under 10 bucks when it breaks.
They are heavy.. You will need to build up them muscles.

I received the pole saw from Calif today. It's broke down in a bunch of sections to be able to ship it USPS.
I downloaded the IPL etc and may need to call on you for info and how to's if it is way over my pea brain . I already see little pieces in the bottom of the box, that I see in the IPL how they go, but no clue where they go yet.

 

[SkwerI]

You can do it, Kevin. I imagine if there are pieces missing then you'll end up with a Frankensaw, but it will run!

 

[Cut4fun]

Just from a quick look see all parts are there. Just a unknown jigsaw puzzle for me to figure out at this point :what:.

Something that should take 30mins will take me days .

All will be good in the end. Dang thing is like new .

O o o o Brian wait to see my new trim saw that came with it. After this beer I might run out a take a pic.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

That is one of the beautiful things about Echo... The info like IPL is easy to come by..
Downside of Echo is that sometimes they are a pain to work on sometimes.. Maybe because I am more used to Husky and Stihl.
I guess there are models of every manufacturer that are like that though
Sometimes I just "make the dealer do it"

 

[Cut4fun]

Here is the IPL I am using. You have a better link? http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ec...escoping-shaft-parts-c-35043_35699_35817.html

My echo dealer is my dolmar dealer. His mechanic was there one day when the boss man wasnt. I ask for a updated 7900 filter cover with pre-filter and he pointed at a little echo. I had to hold in my laughter and say no like that 7900 on the shelf and showed him a 7900.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Looks all there. I seem to remember being told the shafts and housings are the tricky bit. Damn big piece of gear to be shipped. Probably pulled the shafts all apart, tubes and what nots. See what I can find. But that looks as helpful as I have seen.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Echo site was a tad more legible with their PDF on my screen...
http://www.echo-usa.com/documentation.asp?Model=PPT-260&lang=E

 

[Cut4fun]

Yep all the tubes are apart. handles off, PH off etc etc $90 in shipping with no insurance on it appears. Which is scary.

I have a $600-$700 used saw lost in the mail right now with tracking number for over 3 weeks. No insurance either, guy forgot I wanted it put on. He did say he would make right if it dont turn up.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

The handle assembly is a joy :roll:
You'll get it.. It just is one of those things that is gonna require patience. I know you just wanna get out there and play with it though

 

[Cut4fun]

Echo site was a tad more legible with their PDF on my screen...
http://www.echo-usa.com/documentation.asp?Model=PPT-260&lang=E

I looked there first but couldnt find IPL breakdown. I downloaded the owners manual already.

Am I over looking the IPL on echo site?

 

[Cut4fun]

The handle assembly is a joy :roll:
You'll get it.. It just is one of those things that is gonna require patience. I know you just wanna get out there and play with it though

What was really neat to see in the IPL was a bolt on cylinder . Not the clamshell design of others. Anyone ever woods ported a pole saw . Hey Al want to get a pole pruner class for the gtg's LOL.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Scroll down that page... Parts Catalog.. same thing. They list them by serial number ranges.

 

[Cut4fun]

Scroll down that page... Parts Catalog.. same thing. They list them by serial number ranges.

Got it, I also put 261 in. Just need to check my serial number now. lot easier IPL.. http://www.echo-usa.com/pdf/documentation/PPT261_06_022409.pdf


Thanks................... cant see through my beer goggles.

 

[Ax-Man]

If you get it together and are not satisfied with the power there are some mods that can be done. There was a current thread over at AS what one guy did to his Echo to more zip out of it. He did something to the saw head to make it a direct drive. He also took out the carrier bearing in the shaft because it really dragged the engine down. the bearing is rivited into the shaft to hold it in place. The trade off for doing this was a little more vibration when the shaft is fully extended. The last mod was two 3/8th's holes drilled into the muffler. The poster made the comment that it improved performance immensly.

This is all internet BS so I personally can't say if this would be a wise thing to do or not. I would put the thing together stock and then go from there. Sounds like if you made a mistake there is no going back to right the situation especially the part about the saw head. I used to have the orginal PP that Echo bought out and some of this sounds familiar cause I had to take mine apart a few times. I don't know if the Echo machines are similar or not.

I have done mods to our 4mix HT 101 Sthil pruner by drilling numerious small holes in the muffler. I wasn't very happy with the way it cut, way slower than our HT 75. The 4 mix engine is noted for more torgue than speed but to it was like the difference between a tortise and a hare The mods made a difference in the chainspeed and speeded up how fast it will cut through a limb and still had torque. I always felt I made mistake in doing this and might have shortened the life of the machine because it just didn't seem to run quite right. Nothing I could really put my finger on but it is stilling running strong after many years. Actually it runs better now than when I got it new, starts in two or three pulls, nice clean acceleration, and has decent speed.

I always thought the stock bars were always too short and flimsy. I always felt after the muffler mods I could get by with a bigger bar and I was right. I am running regular 3/8ths .050 gauge Picco semi-chisel chain on 16 in safety bar which has a little smaller nose than the non safety. If your into Sthil colors it is either green or yellow that tells you which bar is safety or non safety. With a sharp chain this pruner is hard to stop and I can make much biggger cuts than the standard stuff they come with.

 

[SkwerI]

A muffler mod will help the Echos a lot. I'd stick with just this until you run it a bit and get a feel for it.

 

[Cut4fun]

You are correct it will have to run right stock after it is together before I decide on anything. Stock might be fine and all I need to trim with.

Plus I am really liking quieter stuff as I get older.

 

[Cut4fun]

Brian check out the new loaner saw I got on the trade. I figure it was better then nothing at all.

35cc with cat freaking muffler. I am going to run it that way for a test then open the cat muffler or replace it with a non-epa muffler. I know the old 36cc ones could be made to run decent for a trim saw.

 

[SkwerI]

They both look like new. I'm sure you will have the mufflers worked on shortly.

 

[Al Smith]

Hey Al want to get a pole pruner class for the gtg's LOL.

[

Those things are a pain in the butt to work on let along soup up . Actually to only one I ever spent any time on was one of Toms' Ht-75's which had a set of bent shafts

I did get it better than it was then some low life stole the damned thing .

 

[CurSedVoyce]

If you look at the muffler on the echo.. there is a plate between the screen and exit hole that restricts the size of the exhaust port. Start there for a muffler mod. Also.. as everyone stated.. start out stock and get a feel for it. The 261 is actually has pretty good torque. There is also a slight learning curve with tuning the carb compared to what is on my stihls and huskys. There is also a small plug that needs to be removed prior to adjustment of the needles. Tiny little buggers.

 

[Cut4fun]

Well I got all the pics and IPL sections printed out.

First I need to sling a 3rd coat of mud on the new drywall ceiling and walls in the den and after that a mini gtg with a few guys to time some cuts.
Then maybe tackle the trimmer if I'm not froze by then . Like I said last night, going together stock first to make sure it runs right, then maybe muffler mod if I see it's needed. Really liking quite stuff now days. But that little dudes inside rip at me time to time

 

[Cut4fun]

Throw out the strap...

And get that thing together!

One word, Sweeeeeeeeeeet! The handle design is top notch IMO and I know nothing about them. Sweet purring little motor too.
Couldnt find any adjustments on the carb except for idle . but man I love it for the test cuts I did on some limbs.

Anyone know how the 4' or 5' extensions go on them? Might have to throw a $100 at it and get one.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Japanese saws.... I'm scoping out a little saw called a Shingu 351, an old one, now at the auction here. I'm currently on top at twenty something bucks. Never heard of them.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

The 5 foot extension I have not used nor would I want to. After about 5 hours on the handle end of that thing.. OUCH. Add 5 more feet .. Yikes!
Now I could see having it for the occasional hanger or limb that just needs to go on a tree I would rather not climb. I get more money for stuff I have to climb for. So anything past the reach of that thing I get out the gear
The carb adjustments are quite small and hard to find. Plus they plugged the hole and you need a tool to extract the plug, then a really, really small screwdriver to adjust them. Why I suggested taking it to an Echo dealer to "dial it in" and watch. Then you ask them to leave the plugs out.
I would take picts for you, but my camera SUX and I am being kind..
I believe one of the adjustments is on top in the middle of the throttle arm on the carb. The other is on the rear of the carb.

 

[Cut4fun]

The carb adjustments are quite small and hard to find. Plus they plugged the hole and you need a tool to extract the plug, then a really, really small screwdriver to adjust them. Why I suggested taking it to an Echo dealer to "dial it in" and watch. Then you ask them to leave the plugs out.

I just couldnt find them with my beer goggles on. But then again I learned a lesson not to put chains together when I got my beer goggles on too. I will look another day . Thanks for info.

I just want the 5' for the occasional limb and before ice storm season. Because I dont climb chit after falling out of a tree setting up a deer stand years ago. That was pain I never want to go through again.
I would call in the real (excuse my phrase I'm going to use) Tree Monkeys again when out of my reaches anymore.