Husky 346XP for "the" firewood saw?

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Wow, Thank you for all the excellent replies.

My wife called this morning to tell me the power company is dropping some nice trees today, nearby my house. Early bird gets the wood (lots of people burn on my neighborhood). Suddenly I "needed" a good saw today. The 30cc craftsman was not going to cut it.

It looks like the 60cc looks like the sweet spot for an all around saw. From the posts, it sounds like the 346XP will do the job, but a 60cc saw will do it much better.

That said, I decided to get the 346XP with an 18" bar (after reading all the great posts, I ran to the Power Equipment Store at lunch time) Shiny new saw in the trunk.

What finalized the decision is a shoulder injury that is very slow in recovering. Holding the heavier saws in the shop really put stress on it. The 346XP will just be much easier to handle. I will take the hit on the reduced power for the time being for the lighter weight, and I can use it this afternoon.

Once the shoulder is better, maybe I can start work to convince the wife that a bigger saw is needed in our budget :)

If a physical ailment stops you from using a heavier saw, you are making a wise decision by buying a saw you CAN use. The 346 has a great reputation, and although it might not have the umph of a bigger saw, it should do just fine. Let's face it, a saw you can't handle won't cut anything. You'd be better off just taking a lot of time with the Craftsman.

And - you devious devil - it does give you a reason to shop for the bigger saw when your shoulder can handle it. Crafty!!! :)
 
The bottom line is that a 50cc will do the job, BUT, you will be glad you have a bigger saw if you run into a bigger log. The bigger saw may be heavier, but it is much more effortless to use on bigger logs.

I have both 50 and 60cc, use both, and like both, but as long as you are not doing much work above waist high, the bigger saw will suit you better for all-around use on a one-saw plan. If you want to cut the weight a little, use a short bar and switch to a long bar only if you need it.

Whichever way you go, you will get along fine.
 
Wow, Thank you for all the excellent replies.

My wife called this morning to tell me the power company is dropping some nice trees today, nearby my house. Early bird gets the wood (lots of people burn on my neighborhood). Suddenly I "needed" a good saw today. The 30cc craftsman was not going to cut it.

It looks like the 60cc looks like the sweet spot for an all around saw. From the posts, it sounds like the 346XP will do the job, but a 60cc saw will do it much better.

That said, I decided to get the 346XP with an 18" bar (after reading all the great posts, I ran to the Power Equipment Store at lunch time) Shiny new saw in the trunk.

What finalized the decision is a shoulder injury that is very slow in recovering. Holding the heavier saws in the shop really put stress on it. The 346XP will just be much easier to handle. I will take the hit on the reduced power for the time being for the lighter weight, and I can use it this afternoon.

Once the shoulder is better, maybe I can start work to convince the wife that a bigger saw is needed in our budget :)

Sounds like you did the most sensible thing you could do at the moment, thinking of your shoulder.

When the shoulder gets better, consider if you need a larger saw in addition!

Welcome to the site! :cheers:
 
Rep sent for your new saw. You'll love the 346xp. Don't get discouraged if the saw seems a little boggy at first. It'll need around 10 tanks for it to liven up. If it has the green cap and is an e-tech I'd reccomend getting a non-cat muffler as it's being robbed of power using the cat muffler. Happy and safe cutting!!!
 
Congrats on the shiny new saw! Admit it! It was killin you all day to get home a run that baby?!!?

I gotta 350, which is a step below the 346, and I absolutely LOVE it. So you should be prepared to have your mind blown by the 346. According to this place it's the cats pajamas!

Lettuce know how it turns out for ya.

Murf
 
Does it have a green fuel cap and say e-tech on the model label?

Important question! :)

I ask, because if it does, then it has a cat muffler. If it has a cat muffler, you'll likely be disappointed with the saw. I find them quite anemic. Once you replace the muffler with a non-cat one, and especially if you open it up some more, you'll be very impressed with the saw. It makes a HUGE difference.
 
Sounds like you did the most sensible thing you could do at the moment, thinking of your shoulder.

When the shoulder gets better, consider if you need a larger saw in addition!

Welcome to the site! :cheers:

:agree2:


Like a 372XP. :D A 372 will make you smile when you're bucking and noodling that 30" wood and it probably won't bother your shoulder as much as you think because the wood is holding most of the weight.
 
I ask, because if it does, then it has a cat muffler. If it has a cat muffler, you'll likely be disappointed with the saw. I find them quite anemic. Once you replace the muffler with a non-cat one, and especially if you open it up some more, you'll be very impressed with the saw. It makes a HUGE difference.

Not to mention the 346 with a cat muffler will practically set you on fire.

Spent some time with my cat 346 just for a comparison to my other 346, until one day my rubber glove was melting. That's the last day it had the cat muffler.
 
I ask, because if it does, then it has a cat muffler. If it has a cat muffler, you'll likely be disappointed with the saw. I find them quite anemic. Once you replace the muffler with a non-cat one, and especially if you open it up some more, you'll be very impressed with the saw. It makes a HUGE difference.

Yes.
 
A local dealer told me that the 346XP lacks the torque for bucking and it is really made for limbing, but many on the posters here think it is a screamer with lots of power. I wish I could try these saws out, but I will have to rely on others experience.

Above not completely true. Only if you're bucking 20-inch Red Oak! And even then, the 346 will surprise you. It'll do anything you want it to within it's capabilities. Perfect firewood saw I think.
 
The 346XP

I have been reading the posts at this site for months and have enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks for all the great information.

I am trying to settle on a good “one saw plan”- I burn wood as the primary source of heat and plan on cutting 6-8 cords / year, plus occasionally help family and friends with basic tree removal. Sizes may range from 10-30 inch diameter, but mostly under 20 inch hardwood. Lots of Oak and Maple. I want to buy a quality, powerful saw and run it until it is worn out. On old 30cc homeowner saw will be used to cut the good saw out of any pinches and cut pallets up for the fire pit, but the oiler clogs and the chain gets hot if it gets uses for any real cutting.

Everything I have read says that a 60cc saw is the best for all around firewood cutting, such as the MS361/MS362, and Husky 357XP as the prime candidates. While I think a 12-13lb saw is no problem for bucking, it seems that for all around, including limbing, the extra weight might not be so great to hold high up to get the branches. My Back and shoulders have seen better days, but I know I could handle a 60cc saw if that is what really makes sense.

The question is, can a Husky 346XP do the job of cutting up trees for firewood or is it just good for limbing? It seems that I lighter saw would be a lot easier to do the overall job.

How much longer would it take to buck a 60’ tree with a Husky 346XP vs an MS362? If it is only going to save 3 minutes, I would rather go for the lighter saw. If it is going to bog unless a feather touch is used, then I guess I would have my answer and go with a 60cc.

A local dealer told me that the 346XP lacks the torque for bucking and it is really made for limbing, but many on the posters here think it is a screamer with lots of power. I wish I could try these saws out, but I will have to rely on others experience.

If I could buy an MS361 new, I probably would, as the weight is at the limit I am happy with, but all the dealers around here are sold out, so I am looking at the heavier MS362. The 357XP feels pretty good, but the 346XP is really nice and light.

So, bottom line, is the 346XP good as an overall saw or is 60cc needed?

I will have to wait at least 2 years before I get another saw, so this is a big decision

Thank you for any feedback

It is a great firewood saw.....Mine with a 18 inch bar I can fall some good stuff with it,,I feel really confortable fallin a 30 incher with the 18 inch bar as long as you take your time,,and know what your doing...With a good sharp chain you wouldnt have to worry at all in a good day cuttin firewood....The weight is my issue now......I'm hittin on 48 years old......When I was in my teens,,,I could sling a Pro Mcc 55 all day long and never think I had anything in my hands,,but my age,,and yes,,I'm being true full,,,,It would probe cripple me for a fews day if I had to cut with one for a full 8 hour day....Thats why I love the 346XP.....Chainsaws came along ways since the late 1970's and early 80's....My 2 saws I use in the woods for firewood is the Stihl MS440 with the 28 inch bar,,,and the 346XP...I can fall one down without `going on the other side for a face and back cut,,,but still I been gettin lazy and just using the 346XP and takin my time and it alot easy on me.....I swear if your not lookin for speed and just for what can this saw do for me in some bigger dia. wood,,the 346xp will do you good..The speed wiil come in with stuff under 18 inches..When you dont have to ma
ke 2 cuts tru a piece,,thats where this saw will shine for you!!!!
I can carry,,sling this 346xp around all day and it's nothing......It's friggin fun to run.....Fast,,sounds like a big saw,,,I promise you just try one if you know a friend that have one,,go to a dealer that have one and ask him to let you try it,,,you will be hooked!!!!! Firewood saw,,,you damn right!!! The best in my eyes!!!!!
 
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the 357xp is not much heavier than the 346xp your going to be sorry for your one saw id go with the bigger pro model saw i had the non epa model 357xp i only used a few times and just sits im going to buy the 460 stihl thats why im selling it for what i want for it it would of been alot cheaper than that 346xp and its a non epa saw
 
I have a 16" bar on my NE346XP non-cat. It handles being buried in oak just fine, but using a larger saw in anything bigger is much faster. For the size of wood that OP is cutting, I'd say that a 346 is probably a bit small, but if you can live with an 18" bar, acceptable. Too bad they don't make 262XP's anymore, that would probably be the perfect saw for you.
 
I find nothing embarassing about my 455 it cuts with and beats most saw in its size class and price. good sharp chain and a muf mod and it's great for firewood. I have cut close to 8 cord with this since I got it 2 months ago. and I find that when I put it down to pick up my splitting mawl my 2 cutting partners always seem to find an excuse to put down there saws to run mine. one has 029 and the other ms310........

:clap::clap:

That was my point. There's lotsa firewood getting cut with saws that are heavier and slower, and most folks just don't know, and don't care..LOL!!
:cheers::cheers:



Buddy of mine has an 031 he's darn proud of. It's a great old saw.
I wont let him run the 372 that weighs about the same....:D
No point in him not talking trash about his 031 anymore, as it's gotten to be tradition LOL!!

Just for giggles, when the warranty runs out, muff mod that rancher.
Them Stihl pals of yours will be scratching thier heads.


Stay safe!
Dingeryote
 
Not to mention the 346 with a cat muffler will practically set you on fire.

Spent some time with my cat 346 just for a comparison to my other 346, until one day my rubber glove was melting. That's the last day it had the cat muffler.

Another reason to hate CAT mufflers and the EPA.

They both are a safety hazzard!!:D

Stay safe!
Dingeryote
 
I never ran a 16 inch bar on my 346xp....

I have a 16" bar on my NE346XP non-cat. It handles being buried in oak just fine, but using a larger saw in anything bigger is much faster. For the size of wood that OP is cutting, I'd say that a 346 is probably a bit small, but if you can live with an 18" bar, acceptable. Too bad they don't make 262XP's anymore, that would probably be the perfect saw for you.

I guess Doug,,,it would be faster,,but by how much?? A few seconds???To me,,and dont get me wrong,,I'm not in anyways tryin to diss you what so ever,,but for someone as I do to just go out on a weekend to cut firewood for myself,,thats not much of a issue ,,speed wize....Maybe if I was racing it the 2 inches would be a big factor,,but cutting firewood the 2 inches is a factor also as in the dia. of falling one down...A 20 incher makes alot of firewood,,especially red oak,,and thats mostly the type of trees what we have here.....
I guess what I'm gettin at is the weight vers. the power factor he cant go wrong with the 346xp...Anything he can cut under 18 inches will be great!!! I love my big saws,,,but if I had to sling my MS440 all day or my 346xp what do you think....As I said,,,thats my thought ,,and what I go tru,,and no way in the world I'm saying your wrong,,,I guess thats where us humans are diffrent with the feel,,,comfort,,speed that suits us.......
 
:agree2:
After running the 346 today I believe it makes for a awsome firewood saw!
 

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