Opinions on limbing saw ms 261, husky 346xp or ported 350 husky

[Newbert Farms]

Looking for some opinions what I should keep for my limbing saw. I need to get rid of some saws and wondered what everyone would keep from my 3 choices. Ms 261, 346xp, or a ported 350 with muffler mod. We don't cut wood all year round, it's a winter time extra money around the farm thing. We cut 50,000 to 75,000 ft a year. A lot of pine and hemlock. We may be focused on a hardwood this winter from the way my father is talking. Price is good now. Anyways all opinions welcome thanks for the insight and all the other threads on the site.

 

[madhatte]

Gonna move this one to Chainsaws -- you'll get more and better discussion there.

 

[Philip Wheelock]

The 346xp is an easy call for limbing.

 

[treesmith]

346 for limbing

my mastermind 261c is an amazing saw though, I much prefer it to the 346/353/550 but I dont do a lot of limbing with it

 

[Brushwacker]

Take them out and work with all 3 of them switching on and off on an average day and that should help you make your best decision. Other then that dealer support and reliability.

 

[sunfish]

All three would work, but I sure would not get rid of the 346xp!!!

 

[Full Chisel]

From what I hear the 261 is a bit piggish for a nimble limbing saw and more suited as a bucking/firewood saw. A 346xp is your best bet but a ported 350 is also a good option and will be nipping at the heels of the 346. I love mine, but be sure to get all the bugs with them worked out...intake clamp, crankcase seals, muffler bolts. See my thread "Blown 350...now what?" for info on that.

My vote is 346xp.

 

[SawTroll]

The 346xp is an easy call for limbing.

Extremely easy!

 

[mdavlee]

545/550 is even better

 

[nmurph]

...a ported 350 is also a good option and will be nipping at the heels of the 346...

A well done 350 will eat a stock 346's lunch money, give it a swirly, and kick it to the curb like last weeks girlfriend. Now, with both ported, the results will reverse.

 

[BeatCJ]

Any of the three would work just fine. I would sell the saw(s) that would bring the most money, and be happy with what I kept.

Unless you already have a favorite, then I would keep that.

 

[Newbert Farms]

Thanks for all the replies and insight. I will probably use them all and see what I like best. I just picked up the 346xp and the ms 261. The ms 261 had a bad piston so I got it for cheap money $30 and rebuilt it. It seems like a good running saw but haven't got to really "work" it yet in the woods. The 346 seems pretty smart stock but it's a got a greens gas cap so I am assuming its an EPA model. Plan on at least getting the muffler opened up and maybe porting it!?!? What are your guys opinions on porting a saw that you use a lot longevity wise?

 

[bryanr2]

Out of your sig:


Husqvarna
61 18": Sell It
262 xp 18": Port It
350 18" (x3) Sell Em
480cd Sell It. Use the money from it or the 350s to buy the 390xp in the classifieds
346xp Port It
Stihl
Ms 261 18" Sell it (you already have the best 50cc saw made in the 346)
Ms 362 25" Sell It (you already have the best 60cc saw in the 262xp)

Efco/Deere
Cs 62 20" Sell It


Projects:
Mac 1010
Partner 5000 plus Repair It and Port it

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

What makes the 262 the best 60cc saw ?

 

[bryanr2]

power to weight and no bologna.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

Oh..cool

 

[bryanr2]

What makes the 262 the best 60cc saw ?

and fingerports! that takes it from "Crazy" to "Insane"

 

[mdavlee]

I'd keep that efcos 62 around if I was him. Those are good runners too.

 

[zogger]

I have a contrary opinion. Cutting commercially this winter, I would hang on to any decent running saws. You will develop a favorite, but stuff happens, nice to have an immediate backup.

 

[old-cat]

Thanks for all the replies and insight. I will probably use them all and see what I like best. I just picked up the 346xp and the ms 261. The ms 261 had a bad piston so I got it for cheap money $30 and rebuilt it. It seems like a good running saw but haven't got to really "work" it yet in the woods. The 346 seems pretty smart stock but it's a got a greens gas cap so I am assuming its an EPA model. Plan on at least getting the muffler opened up and maybe porting it!?!? What are your guys opinions on porting a saw that you use a lot longevity wise?

If you get your 346 ported, it WILL BE your number ONE saw!