pack joint is the easiest and easy way I alway get the barbs in is just lightly heat the plastic with a map torch and then quench it with water once the barb is in
Stihl or a husky I have seen a lot of quality control issues in the newer echoes, quite frankly I don't think there even test running them at the factory
I have my utv policy upset progressive for $189 (I just wrote the check this morning ironically) a year. The problem arises when you have insurance and the other person doesn't.