G'day Matt, great review mate! My father has been selling and servicing shindaiwa for over 25 years, and loves there products, he has a hate on for sthil with there carbs and clutch setup..... 488 is his top saw with the air filter system... he owns Goodmans motorcycles in longreach QLD, if your ever in the outback stop in there! On that he's recently got in a 501sx looks a nice saw, thinking I'll buy it for myself... but they make a 601sx now also have you had a play with one of these?? Or seen one up close?? I'm Tossing up on which saw is best, 601 has a bigger chain but is a fair bit heavier is the main down fall. Out here we don't have big trees, mainly gidgee hardwood, Cheers in advance Andrew Goodman
Gday Andrew. I have used the Shindaiwa 601SX and it is amazing. I also had the opportunity to run it side by side with the current Stihl 362cm (which I own). In stock form the Stihl has a little more power and speed in the cut, but the Shindaiwa feels like it has more torque and both users agreed (at the time) that the Shindaiwa had a more "Relaxed" feel about it when you were cutting. This is probably due to the lower revs and more torque. Anyway, as for the 501sx, this is my go to saw now. I don't often grab a 60cc saw now. The lightness and power of the 501 makes it one of the best all rounders available in my opinion. Thanks for watching
I just seen a random 501 at my local hardware store it kinda through me off guard,it's rare to see these around here ,that particular hardware store is a Stihl dealer, my farmers store is a Husqvarna dealer and I have to go to the next town to echo dealer( which is my current favorites as I can get right now) I wanted to check this out , a friend recently bought a Stihl farmboss and its back at the dealer for the second time, I bought a 620 echo then a 590 when my uncle got a 572 husqy, the 572 burnt up and the 590 and 620 still ripping it up I'm very happy with them.
I think that the Shindaiwa/Echo saws are up there with Stihl and Husky. Even the 590 Timberwolf (non pro saw) have full aluminum/magnesium crank cases. This is something the big brands can not say about their non pro saws. Thanks for watching
@@ozcountryliving4751 I completely agree, In my opinion the 590 DOMINATES the farm/ranch class right now , albeit the farm boss and 455 rancher are easier on the back after a long day they do not match the power at the same cost and if my buddy's farm boss is an example it don't match the reliability either.
I might want one for a trim limb climb saw but it's a high price and really would have to get rid of my other 2 that are paid for and the Poulan has hard chrome bore and will last forever.
Thanks for making the video mate, I've been looking at getting one of these. Seems Australia is Stihl/Husky mad.. Anything else is hard to find. There isn't loads of info on this model out there. I'm looking forward to the follow up videos.
I have a Stihl 261cm and the Shindaiwa 501SX. The Stihl has the speed in the cut, but the Shindiawa has turbodiesel like torque. And this makes it easy to use. I would buy the Shindy over the Stihl anyday.
Well after a bit more looking around I found out the 451S isn't labeled a pro saw. It's however the first Shindy strato design and uses the better spring based AV system. Though they DO have a new strato based pro saw that's 42.9cc no doubt based on the 451S (looks the same) but isn't yet available here in Oz. I myself ended up with a great deal on a 390SX that I couldn't pass up in favour of its bigger brother the 501SX, lighter still and the same engine design though it has a muffler cat even in AU spec that could be deleted ..that's the only negative and the rubber AV but I'm hoping the saw's small size won't contribute to the vibes that much (still waiting to get it in for a test).
I have not used the 390 yet. Should be a great saw though. I have a 352s and a 377, both of which are amazing. If that 390 has cat, cut it open and get rid of the cat. Then retune. Should be a sweet little saw
Thanks for the video, what do you think of the 451S model vs 501SX? I know their brushcutters well but not the saws. There's about 5cc difference between them on paper but the 451 looks like a more modern design, says it's low emission. Does that mean it's not going to have that torque advantage you mention in the video? What caught my eye was the really low vibration specs of the 451 I have carpal tunnel and that feature would help my hands.
All Shindaiwa products are excellent quality mate. Their saws are better than most other brands and are equivalent to Stihl and Husky Pro Saw build quality. I personally would not buy the 451s because it is the same chassis and weight as the 501sx but it has less power. It makes sense to have as much power for the least amount of weight. Especially in the 50cc category. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe
The chain came off mine. It bent the chain. Mine is echo 501sx. We noticed the tip of bar the little sprocket was siezed. We put on new, oregan bar and chain now it brings chip of wood up to tip of bar and stops chain or running. Clogs it up. New saw. Dealers hadnt a new echo barfor it. Im going to order one. Also when cutting its like if u file rakers too much. Its agressive in big time 20 inches. Pull the saw out of your hand not quite but not smooth like stihl. How us yoyr any ideas. Our dealer not great with problem. Its only done 2hrs work. They say its my fault vhain came off even though tension was good.
Thanks for the Review. I bought the 451s about 3 weeks ago. Very Happy, though should of Spent an extra few hundred for the 501. Have been Harvesting Fire Wood already cut 9 Tone . I noticed you talked about searching for a finer Mesh size Air filter? I have noticed the Iron Bark and Red Gum Dust is fine like you said, and i can see some residue dust around the carby throat. What could i do to limit this, considering my Filter is a round spin on type. Thanks in Advance.
G'day mate. You won't be disappointed with your 451. Give it plenty of time to run in. As for your air filter, check out shindaiwa.com for options. They probably have a fine flock type as an option. I have one for my 501 now. But a lot of people still believe that the fine wood dust is normal and won't damage your saw long term. This problem is not brand specific, I have Stihls and Huskies that get that wood dust down the throat as well. Thanks for watching
thanks or the video. I'm a 757 owner but I'd like a smaller saw too. I was looking at the 501.....i think you have sold me. Do you want to port my 757? I'm in NSW 2777 id agree about the torque... I use stihl a lot (362,462,660&661). The turbo diesel analogy of the shindaiwa is perfect.
Check out this link to the first 757 i did in 2017 r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stripping-down-a-shindaiwa-757-and-possibly-destroying-the-cylinder.310957/&share_tid=310957&share_fid=16367&share_type=t&link_source=app
It is possible to mod the vibration absorber replace it to spring without mod /cut construction of chainsaw ? Springs (shock absrobers) from Husq 357xp propably will fit but and people tried witch this parts.
My 590 has both no modification needed. I don't like all the free play of the springs and the sure control and no shaky over travel is way better there is already a place to install them.
I would love to have a few of those mesh filters. The flocked ones we get in the states don't flow air nearly as well.
Shindaiwa parts website. I have one inbound for my Echo.
The switch is outdated still but, looks like a capable saw.
G'day Matt, great review mate! My father has been selling and servicing shindaiwa for over 25 years, and loves there products, he has a hate on for sthil with there carbs and clutch setup..... 488 is his top saw with the air filter system...
he owns Goodmans motorcycles in longreach QLD, if your ever in the outback stop in there!
On that he's recently got in a 501sx looks a nice saw, thinking I'll buy it for myself... but they make a 601sx now also have you had a play with one of these?? Or seen one up close??
I'm Tossing up on which saw is best, 601 has a bigger chain but is a fair bit heavier is the main down fall. Out here we don't have big trees, mainly gidgee hardwood,
Cheers in advance
Andrew Goodman
Gday Andrew.
I have used the Shindaiwa 601SX and it is amazing. I also had the opportunity to run it side by side with the current Stihl 362cm (which I own). In stock form the Stihl has a little more power and speed in the cut, but the Shindaiwa feels like it has more torque and both users agreed (at the time) that the Shindaiwa had a more "Relaxed" feel about it when you were cutting. This is probably due to the lower revs and more torque.
Anyway, as for the 501sx, this is my go to saw now. I don't often grab a 60cc saw now. The lightness and power of the 501 makes it one of the best all rounders available in my opinion.
Thanks for watching
I just seen a random 501 at my local hardware store it kinda through me off guard,it's rare to see these around here ,that particular hardware store is a Stihl dealer, my farmers store is a Husqvarna dealer and I have to go to the next town to echo dealer( which is my current favorites as I can get right now) I wanted to check this out , a friend recently bought a Stihl farmboss and its back at the dealer for the second time, I bought a 620 echo then a 590 when my uncle got a 572 husqy, the 572 burnt up and the 590 and 620 still ripping it up I'm very happy with them.
I think that the Shindaiwa/Echo saws are up there with Stihl and Husky. Even the 590 Timberwolf (non pro saw) have full aluminum/magnesium crank cases. This is something the big brands can not say about their non pro saws.
Thanks for watching
@@ozcountryliving4751 I completely agree, In my opinion the 590 DOMINATES the farm/ranch class right now , albeit the farm boss and 455 rancher are easier on the back after a long day they do not match the power at the same cost and if my buddy's farm boss is an example it don't match the reliability either.
I might want one for a trim limb climb saw but it's a high price and really would have to get rid of my other 2 that are paid for and the Poulan has hard chrome bore and will last forever.
Thanks for making the video mate, I've been looking at getting one of these. Seems Australia is Stihl/Husky mad.. Anything else is hard to find. There isn't loads of info on this model out there. I'm looking forward to the follow up videos.
I have a Stihl 261cm and the Shindaiwa 501SX.
The Stihl has the speed in the cut, but the Shindiawa has turbodiesel like torque. And this makes it easy to use. I would buy the Shindy over the Stihl anyday.
@@ozcountryliving4751 Cheers mate, thanks!
I know this was a quick video and Shindaiwa/Echo are good quality, but it was more of a commercial than a review.
Well after a bit more looking around I found out the 451S isn't labeled a pro saw. It's however the first Shindy strato design and uses the better spring based AV system. Though they DO have a new strato based pro saw that's 42.9cc no doubt based on the 451S (looks the same) but isn't yet available here in Oz. I myself ended up with a great deal on a 390SX that I couldn't pass up in favour of its bigger brother the 501SX, lighter still and the same engine design though it has a muffler cat even in AU spec that could be deleted ..that's the only negative and the rubber AV but I'm hoping the saw's small size won't contribute to the vibes that much (still waiting to get it in for a test).
I have not used the 390 yet. Should be a great saw though.
I have a 352s and a 377, both of which are amazing.
If that 390 has cat, cut it open and get rid of the cat. Then retune.
Should be a sweet little saw
Thanks for the video, what do you think of the 451S model vs 501SX? I know their brushcutters well but not the saws. There's about 5cc difference between them on paper but the 451 looks like a more modern design, says it's low emission. Does that mean it's not going to have that torque advantage you mention in the video? What caught my eye was the really low vibration specs of the 451 I have carpal tunnel and that feature would help my hands.
All Shindaiwa products are excellent quality mate. Their saws are better than most other brands and are equivalent to Stihl and Husky Pro Saw build quality. I personally would not buy the 451s because it is the same chassis and weight as the 501sx but it has less power. It makes sense to have as much power for the least amount of weight. Especially in the 50cc category.
Thanks for watching.
Please subscribe
The chain came off mine. It bent the chain. Mine is echo 501sx. We noticed the tip of bar the little sprocket was siezed. We put on new, oregan bar and chain now it brings chip of wood up to tip of bar and stops chain or running. Clogs it up. New saw. Dealers hadnt a new echo barfor it. Im going to order one. Also when cutting its like if u file rakers too much. Its agressive in big time 20 inches. Pull the saw out of your hand not quite but not smooth like stihl. How us yoyr any ideas. Our dealer not great with problem. Its only done 2hrs work. They say its my fault vhain came off even though tension was good.
Thanks for the Review. I bought the 451s about 3 weeks ago. Very Happy, though should of Spent an extra few hundred for the 501. Have been Harvesting Fire Wood already cut 9 Tone . I noticed you talked about searching for a finer Mesh size Air filter? I have noticed the Iron Bark and Red Gum Dust is fine like you said, and i can see some residue dust around the carby throat. What could i do to limit this, considering my Filter is a round spin on type. Thanks in Advance.
G'day mate. You won't be disappointed with your 451. Give it plenty of time to run in. As for your air filter, check out shindaiwa.com for options. They probably have a fine flock type as an option. I have one for my 501 now. But a lot of people still believe that the fine wood dust is normal and won't damage your saw long term. This problem is not brand specific, I have Stihls and Huskies that get that wood dust down the throat as well.
Thanks for watching
My cs310 lets fine bits in too. Try a bit of grease around the mating surace of the filter cartridge.
what was the Stihl chain you fitted? I find the ones Shindaiwa sends are too tame for work....Oregon but Chinese made = not much joy.
I just had the local Stihl store make some up for me.
thanks or the video. I'm a 757 owner but I'd like a smaller saw too.
I was looking at the 501.....i think you have sold me.
Do you want to port my 757? I'm in NSW 2777
id agree about the torque... I use stihl a lot (362,462,660&661).
The turbo diesel analogy of the shindaiwa is perfect.
I ported a 757 for a customer in Dubbo a few years back. Made a massive improvement. He still uses it regularly and loves it.
Check out this link to the first 757 i did in 2017
r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stripping-down-a-shindaiwa-757-and-possibly-destroying-the-cylinder.310957/&share_tid=310957&share_fid=16367&share_type=t&link_source=app
Hello from Piqua Ohio. USA.
Gday mate
@@ozcountryliving4751 hello Oz, you know when I hear you guys talk from Australia. Makes me want to build a big bonfire and sing slim Dusty songs.
@@bentwedgestanleybrand5818 Crikey mate, Slims been dead a while now. Still a legend though
run in?
If you want your 490 running better, sell it an start by buying a 501.
It is possible to mod the vibration absorber replace it to spring without mod /cut construction of chainsaw ? Springs (shock absrobers) from Husq 357xp propably will fit but and people tried witch this parts.
Not sure mate. I dont find that this saw vibrates excessively
My 590 has both no modification needed. I don't like all the free play of the springs and the sure control and no shaky over travel is way better there is already a place to install them.
Made in japan, not in china ! Like some stihl cheap models...
Some are assembled in china. I thing the cylingers are all jap though