Husqvarna 353
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Full Chisel
Slingin' Stihls and runnin' Huskies
They definitely sip fuel. I cut this smallish 8' load of hickory last August with a tank of fuel and an extra glug in the 346. Some of those rounds were almost the length of the bar. Provided some serious BTUs this winter...gotta love the dead standing tops.
Check to see if that leak isn't simply the oil cap. A dried out rubber ring seal will cause it. Rest the saw on a couple of short lengths of 2 x 2 and place a paper towel underneath to trace the leak.
Its on the chain side
Take the bar and chain off, wipe everything clean. Now rest the power head on short 2 x 2's above a paper towel and watch to see exactly where the oil is coming from. It should stop dripping after awhile. If it does not, the easiest "fix" is to store the saw when not in use on the side opposite the bar and chain.
Woodblocker55
ArboristSite Operative
The 3/8" vs. .325" pitch debate rolls on and on. I imagine it's been addressed dozens of times on this forum. My 350, 353, and all my Stihl saws under 60 CC's use .325 pitch chain because this forum usually recommends that. I have to wonder and I suppose the only way to find out is to outfit one with 3/8" pitch and see how well it does head to head. Easiest way for me to do it is with two Stihls, two bars, two rim sprockets and two new chains. Does anybody have link to a thread that has already done this?Need to put 3/8 chain on it. You'll be a happy camper stick with 16 inch.
The older saws seem to do okay with 3/8 chain whereas the newer, higher rpm saws seem to bog down a bit. A lot of the Homelites used 3/8, like the EZ models, the 330, but these operate at a lower rpm and seem to have more grunt at low rpm than the Huskys and Stihls. I did notice an improvement in my MS250 going to a 3/8 low profile from a .325.
I think the 353 will hold higher RPMs in the wood with a .325". Just my opinion.
Need to put 3/8 chain on it . youll be a happy camper stick with 16 inch
I had my 353 as my only saw for probably 6 years. During that time I cut over 10 cord a year with it. Great saw...the only issue I had with it was the dawg bolts stripped out and they would always loosen up. Eventually I lost the dawgs...I really don't know how because you have to take the bar off to get them off. It probably snapped. I abused the hell out of that thing and it never let me down. The thing is light and like others stated, it really sips the fuel.
I tried changing an MS290 for .325 to 3/8 pitch full chisel for awhile and wish that I had not. It ran very rough by comparison -- no fun at all. On the other hand, my MS361, only about 10 cc's larger in displacement, runs fine with 3/8" pitch full chisel. My gut feeling is to leave the Husky 353 alone with .325" pitch chain, either full or semi-chisel.
Woodblocker55
ArboristSite Operative
Lets get more detailed mines 2006 353g . Let talk about problems with the .325 .050 full chisel chain and what it does on the saw. The main problem is chips under the chain . Next problem is dulls fast. And in my case it wears down fast the back of cutter bar to rivet . I cut oak and I do cut in the winter also. And just this year I went to 3/8 .058 full chisel fixed all the problems. Rakers set at .025 .
Now I have cut about 160 cord with it and I just had to replace needle bears on clutch .
That's it . It's a awesome saw now flawless. now with 3/8
Now Stihl puts 3/8 chain on 48 cc saws . You can do this no problem but let rakers stay bit higher maybe at .020 as you sharpen . And you'll fall in love with your 026 all over again . I only been cutting firewood for 30 plus years . I'm no pro . I do sharpen chains on $99 bench grinder . I don't use Files. Bench grinder sharpener is really worth the money you will make saw and chain last alot longer .
These are just my findings .
Woodblocker55
Now I have cut about 160 cord with it and I just had to replace needle bears on clutch .
That's it . It's a awesome saw now flawless. now with 3/8
Now Stihl puts 3/8 chain on 48 cc saws . You can do this no problem but let rakers stay bit higher maybe at .020 as you sharpen . And you'll fall in love with your 026 all over again . I only been cutting firewood for 30 plus years . I'm no pro . I do sharpen chains on $99 bench grinder . I don't use Files. Bench grinder sharpener is really worth the money you will make saw and chain last alot longer .
These are just my findings .
Woodblocker55
Woodblocker55
ArboristSite Operative
Now that's pretty cool . 353 350 are great saws . You got some serious wood piles back there!!![emoji106]
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Well, men, I now own one of each. So does my best friend who lives 28 miles away. I may have to buy a backup saw for each. Shhhh... These might be the Best Buy 51 cc saws that exist.
The Dolmar 5100S is a pretty good saw of the same size also. Mine is running a 20" bar and it gets through the wood pretty good.
I'm sure Dolmar is a fine saw but you just don't see them in my next of the woods.
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Make that neck of the woods.
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The only thing we see around here is Stihl. I actually have a 5100S, a 353, a 346XP and a 362XP. I pick them up at flea markets, yard sales and a few from mower shops. I spend most of my time working on Stihls though..
Same here. They lack dealers and distributors. Most shops (including me) can work on them. Finding parts is a bit tough. Regardless, Dolmar is a quality product.
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