Echo CS-370 vs CS-400 Chainsaw (Field Test)
The CS-400 has 40.2 cc of engine displacement; the CS-370 has 36.3 cc. That 10.7% difference may help the CS-400 hold pace in demanding cuts, but it does not prove a faster cut or lower fatigue. I would compare both with the same approved 16-inch setup, sharp chain, wood, and operator before choosing.
A common myth says the larger engine is automatically the better buy. It is not that simple. Chain condition, wood, bar setup, and how you cut can change results more than the displacement difference, so a model name alone cannot tell you which saw will feel right.
I would also be wary of a “field test” that reports exact cutting times or fuel use without showing the wood, chain condition, and test method. No measured test results are provided here, so I will not invent them. Instead, this guide separates verified specifications from expected differences and gives you a fair way to compare the saws on your own work.
CS-370 vs. CS-400: what the specifications tell you
This comparison starts with the figures that can be checked: engine displacement, fuel mix, and cutting attachment fit. They help set expectations, but they do not establish cut speed, fuel use per hour, or operator fatigue. Those results depend on the saw’s condition and the work being done.
| Item | Echo CS-370 | Echo CS-400 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 36.3 cc | 40.2 cc | The CS-400 is 3.9 cc larger, or about 10.7% by displacement |
| Fuel mix | 50:1 | 50:1 | Use the oil and fuel specified in the exact operator’s manual |
| Common chain setup | 3/8-inch low-profile pitch, .050-inch gauge | 3/8-inch low-profile pitch, .050-inch gauge | Confirm the actual bar, chain, and sprocket fit before replacing parts |
| Comparison bar | 16 inches, if approved for both exact saws | 16 inches, if approved for both exact saws | A matched bar helps make a fair comparison |
Displacement is the volume swept by the piston as the engine runs. More displacement can support more power, but displacement alone does not tell you the saw’s measured power or how quickly it will cut. The CS-400’s larger engine is a reason to test it for tougher work, not proof that it will win every cut.
Both are homeowner or light-duty saws. Neither should be treated as a professional felling saw for large timber or as a replacement for trained arboricultural work. Check the model identification on the saw and use the manual and parts listing for its serial number and market. Equipment can vary by revision.
A fair field comparison: cut rate, fuel, and fatigue
A field comparison measures both saws under similar conditions. “Cut rate” means the time or pace needed to make the same cut; it is not a fixed figure for a model. Wood species, moisture, knots, grain direction, chain sharpness, and operator technique can all change the result.
For a useful comparison, use the same approved bar length, compatible sharp chain, wood type, cut style, and operator. If you use a fresh chain on one saw and a dull chain on the other, you are testing the chains as much as the engines.
| Measure | Fair way to compare | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Cut rate | Make similar cuts in comparable wood; alternate saw order | Cut time, wood type, diameter, and chain condition |
| Fuel use | Start with the same measured fuel amount and use similar work cycles | Fuel used and time spent cutting; avoid comparing unlike tasks |
| Handling | Use the same operator and approved bar length | Balance, control, and ease of placing the cut |
| Fatigue | Compare equal work periods with rest and safe technique | Operator’s reported effort, vibration discomfort, and control |
| Reliability | Inspect and run each saw as its manual directs | Starting, idle, throttle response, leaks, and any fault |
Do not force a dull chain to keep the comparison moving. It adds heat and effort and can make a healthy saw seem weak. Nor should you treat one short session as a universal result: a change in wood or chain condition can alter the outcome.
What I can and cannot conclude from the numbers
The known displacement difference is modest. It supports a reasonable expectation that the CS-400 may have more reserve in demanding cuts, but it does not establish how large that advantage is. Without controlled cut-time, fuel-use, and vibration measurements, there is no sound basis for assigning either saw a numeric advantage in those areas.
For you, the practical question is whether the CS-400’s possible extra reserve matters in your regular work. If most cuts are occasional and light, the CS-370 may be enough. If you often work in larger or denser wood within the saw’s intended limits, test both before paying more for a difference you may not need.
Equipment setup and safety prep
A fair comparison begins with safe, matching equipment. “Compatible” means the bar, chain, drive sprocket, and saw all match in pitch, gauge, and fit. A 16-inch bar is a sensible baseline only when the exact saw’s manual or parts listing approves that setup.
Before fitting a chain, check the bar stamp and the chain’s drive-link count. Pitch and gauge must match the bar and sprocket as well as the chain. Do not assume that two saws with the same bar length use the same replacement chain. A longer bar adds load and more kickback exposure; the CS-400’s larger engine alone is not a reason to fit one.
Wear a helmet, eye and face protection, hearing protection, suitable chainsaw leg protection, gloves, and protective boots. Before starting, inspect the chain brake, throttle lockout, stop switch, handles, chain catcher, bar, chain tension, and visible fuel or oil leaks. Check footing, escape routes, bystanders, tree lean, limbs, bind, wind, and overhead utilities.
Start on firm ground with the brake engaged and the bar clear. Follow the manual’s cold- or warm-start steps; never drop-start. Once positioned to cut, release the brake and check for a stable idle, good throttle response, and chain lubrication. Stop if the chain moves at idle, the engine races, or the bar is not receiving oil.
Rotational kickback happens when the upper tip area of the bar hits wood or another object, driving the bar back toward the operator. Keep the tip clear, hold the saw with both hands, and maintain a stable stance. A working chain brake reduces risk; it does not make tip contact safe.
Field scenarios: which saw fits the work?
These are decision scenarios, not reports of measured test results. They show how I would apply the known specifications to common buying questions. The right choice still depends on the exact saw condition, approved setup, and the worksite.
Scenario 1: occasional property cleanup. If your usual jobs involve limited, smaller cuts and you value a saw that meets those needs, the CS-370’s 36.3 cc engine may be adequate. Do not buy the larger model on the assumption that it guarantees faster work; compare them with the same sharp chain and wood before deciding.
Scenario 2: repeated demanding cuts within light-duty use. The CS-400’s 40.2 cc displacement gives it a plausible edge in reserve. But if you have to push either saw, or the chain stops cutting cleanly, stop and check sharpness, tension, wood conditions, and setup. A larger engine is not a fix for a dull or mismatched chain.
Scenario 3: large timber, complex felling, or overhead hazards. Neither model should be chosen as a shortcut to work beyond your skill, the saw’s intended use, or safe site conditions. There is no universal safe trunk diameter or hinge thickness. Felling needs a site-specific plan and competent technique; seek qualified help when lean, escape routes, or hazards make the job uncertain.
For arboricultural work, follow ANSI Z133 work practices. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.266 covers specified logging operations; it does not automatically apply to every landscaping job. Treat work near overhead lines as qualified line-clearance work. Do not rely on a generic clearance distance when the applicable rule depends on voltage and work classification.
Maintenance, sharpening, and tuning
Maintenance can erase the value of a larger engine if it is neglected. A sharp, correctly fitted chain helps both saws cut as intended. Follow the exact manual and chain maker’s instructions for tension, sharpening, depth gauges, lubrication, and service.
A depth gauge, also called a raker, controls how much wood each cutter takes. Its correct setting depends on the chain; do not apply one clearance to every chain. Use the chain maker’s gauge and specification, and replace damaged or excessively worn parts.
Mix fresh gasoline and Echo two-stroke oil at 50:1 for these models, using the oil grade in the operator’s manual. That equals 2.6 US fluid ounces of oil per US gallon, or about 20 mL per litre. Never run straight gasoline or an improvised mix. Incorrect oil can cause rapid engine damage; stale or contaminated fuel can also cause poor running and damage.
Do not tune by ear, change the oil pump, or use an assumed idle or maximum-rpm figure to make the comparison. Those limits and oil-delivery checks belong to the exact service procedure. If lubrication is absent or the engine runs abnormally, stop and follow the manual or use a qualified service provider.
Shutdown and storage
Good shutdown and storage habits help keep the comparison fair and the saw ready for its next use. They also make it easier to spot faults before they become a safety problem. Follow the manual for service intervals and storage steps.
After cutting, engage the brake and stop the engine. Let the saw cool before refueling or maintenance. Clean the air filter, bar groove and oil holes, sprocket area, and cooling surfaces. Check chain condition and tension, then record any starting, cutting, or lubrication problems.
Transport and store the saw with the engine off and the bar guarded. If a saw has been sitting with old fuel, use the manual’s instructions before starting it. Do not keep running a saw that races, leaks, has a chain moving at idle, or fails to lubricate the bar.
Which Echo should you buy?
The CS-400 is the more sensible candidate if your regular work may benefit from its larger 40.2 cc engine and your test shows a useful difference under matched conditions. The CS-370 is the sensible choice if it handles your usual cuts without strain and the CS-400’s extra displacement brings no clear benefit for your workload.
My recommendation is to choose by observed performance, safe approved setup, condition, and price, not displacement alone. If you cannot test both, buy from a source that can confirm the exact model, parts fit, service history, and return terms. Do not choose either saw for work beyond its intended light-duty role.
FAQ
Is the CS-400 more powerful than the CS-370?
It has more displacement: 40.2 cc versus 36.3 cc. That suggests more engine reserve, but does not by itself prove a measured power or cutting-speed advantage.
How much larger is the CS-400 engine?
It has 3.9 cc more displacement, about 10.7% more than the CS-370.
Can both saws use a 16-inch bar?
Use a 16-inch bar only if it is listed for the exact saw and matches its chain, sprocket, and parts setup. Check the manual and parts listing.
Do both saws use the same fuel mix?
The specified ratio is 50:1 for both. Use the oil grade and fuel instructions in the exact operator’s manual.
Will the CS-400 cut faster?
Not in every situation. Chain sharpness, wood, bar setup, and technique affect cut time. A controlled, matched test is needed to show whether it is faster in your work.
Which saw uses less fuel?
There is no verified comparative fuel-use figure here. Fuel use depends on the task and operating conditions, so compare measured fuel over similar work.
Is the CS-400 better for a longer bar?
Not automatically. Use only an approved bar setup. A longer bar raises load and kickback exposure; greater displacement alone does not justify it.
Are these professional felling saws?
They are homeowner or light-duty saws, not substitutes for professional equipment and training for large timber or complex felling.
What should I check if a saw cuts slowly?
Stop and inspect chain sharpness and fit, chain tension, bar lubrication, and wood conditions. Do not force a dull chain.
Can I compare their vibration by hand?
You can note comfort in a careful matched trial, but that is not an instrumented vibration measurement. Do not treat a short subjective test as a verified model-wide rating.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
