Shindaiwa 358TS vs Shindaiwa 591
Tinted cells mark the better figure on that row alone: more engine, longer bar, lighter, cheaper. A lighter weight is only a win on the same basis.
What owners like and complain about
Shindaiwa 358TS
- Mechanically the Echo CS-355T, with handle contouring climbers rate as the better of the two
- Fully mechanical carburettor with no electronics to fail or need resetting
- 8.0 lb dry powerhead with 35.8cc behind it — strong for a top-handle
- Owners praise the oiler output, chain brake and muffler cover design
- Reduced-effort starting system and auto/adjustable clutch-driven oiler as standard
- 5-year consumer warranty matching Echo's
- Owner reports conflict on starting — one long-term user says it never catches on the first pull
- The same owner reports the chain tensioner letting the chain creep loose in use
- Balance is criticised by some climbers, who find it nose-heavy against rivals
- Dealer-only distribution means no big-box parts counter and no retail review aggregate
- At $499.99-$509.99 it saves nothing over the identical Echo CS-355T
Shindaiwa 591
- 59.8cc for $469.99 — the same money as Echo's CS-590 Timber Wolf, with a decompression valve added
- Decompression valve directly addresses the extra cold-start pulls the CS-590 is known for
- Professional-grade aluminium body rather than the CS-590's plastic case
- G-Force engine air pre-cleaner and tool-less two-piece air filter stretch maintenance intervals
- Translucent fuel tank for quick level checks, and an automatic adjustable clutch-driven oiler
- Owners report buying a second one after regular firewood service on the first
- 13.2 lb powerhead gets tiring on long cutting days, as owners note directly
- Shindaiwa lists only a 20-inch bar for this model — the Echo CS-590 offers 18, 20 and 24
- Dealer-only sales and service, with no retail review aggregate to check
- No purge bulb, unlike the smaller 335S and 493
- Standard recoil starting rather than the reduced-effort system on Shindaiwa's smaller saws