Echo Chainsaw Chains and Bars
Ordering a chainsaw chain by bar length alone is the most reliable way to get the wrong one. Three numbers decide fitment and only one of them is the length: pitch, gauge and drive link count. Get any of them wrong and the chain either will not sit in the bar groove or will not tension.
The three numbers, and where to read them
| Spec | What it is | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | Distance between rivets, divided by two. Common Echo spec is 3/8 in low profile | Stamped on the drive links, and on the bar |
| Gauge | Thickness of the drive link - the part that sits in the bar groove. Commonly .050 in | Stamped on the bar, near the mount |
| Drive links | The count of links, which is what actually sets the length | Only by counting them, or from the old chain's packaging |
Bar length is a rounded marketing figure. Two 16 in bars from different makers can take different drive link counts, which is exactly why a chain sold as '16 inch' may not tension on your saw.
The Echo genuine chain
Echo's own 16 in chain is 91PX57CQ. Its spec is 3/8 in low profile pitch, .050 in gauge, with chamfer chisel cutters that have twin cutting corners, and a low-kickback design.
Echo lists it as fitting CS-303T, CS-310, CS-330MX4, CS-330T, CS-3510, CS-352, CS-353ES, CS-370, CS-370F, CS-400 and CS-400F - the bulk of the homeowner CS range.
Aftermarket chains in the same size are widely sold at 3/8 in LP and .050 in gauge but frequently in 56 drive links rather than 57. That single link is the difference between a chain that tensions and one that does not, so count the links on the chain you are replacing rather than trusting the bar badge.
Popular options on Amazon
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Chisel, semi-chisel and what to buy
Chamfer chisel, as on the Echo chain above, cuts fast in clean wood and dulls quickly if it touches dirt. It is the right choice for felling and bucking clean timber.
Semi-chisel has a rounded corner. It cuts slightly slower and holds its edge far better in dirty, frozen or muddy wood - which for most homeowners cutting storm-fallen timber is the more useful trait.
Low-kickback chains carry extra guard links between cutters. They are noticeably safer and slightly slower, and they are what most saws ship with. Removing that safety feature to gain a little speed is a poor trade for anyone not cutting professionally.
Bar oil is not optional and not the same as mix
Bar and chain oil is a separate product from two-stroke mix, and the two are not interchangeable. The bar oil reservoir feeds the chain as it runs; a saw run dry ruins the bar rails and the chain together, usually within a single tank.
Check the oiler is actually delivering: hold the running saw over a light surface and look for a line of oil thrown off the bar tip. No line means a blocked oiler port or an empty reservoir, and it is worth knowing before the chain welds itself into the groove.
Fuel for the saw is the same 50:1 Power Blend mix used across Echo's two-stroke range - see tune-up parts and oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chain fits an Echo CS-310?
How do I know how many drive links my chain has?
What do pitch and gauge mean on a chainsaw chain?
Can I use bar oil instead of two-stroke mix?
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