Replace my Stihl 361 with a Husky 346xp?

[johnnylabguy]

Alright I've ran this by the experts before but I'm going to actually hold a husqvarna 346xp in my hands tomorrow so I need some last minute advice. For me to buy this saw I've got to unload the very good 361.

I've got the spectacular 7900 for all my bucking/felling needs but still use the 361 or a really nice old Jred 630 in between for some bucking and limbing in between.

I'm thinking if I get $425 out of my lightly used 361(less than 20 tanks of gas) I can fill the gaps with the 346xp/old Jred and the mighty 7900. Should I pull the trigger? I've got a gentlemen interested in the 361 at that price but I'm just worried I'm going to be sad at the 346's power drop. I know its smaller but I'm looking for a lighter saw to complement the Jred and Dolmar 7900.

Decisions, Decisions. And NO, keeping the 361 too is not an option unfortunately!

 

[Evan]

very smart thing to do speicaly since most 50cc saws can do the same work as the 361 weigh less cost less and just plain make more since. plus the 346 rips for a small light weight saw. very good choice in my opion

yess i quick replied and then edited so i could have the first say in this thread haha

all jokeing aside i would pick the 346 before the 361

 

[johnnylabguy]

very smart thing to do speicaly since most 50cc saws can do the same work as the 361 weigh less cost less and just plain make more since. plus the 346 rips for a small light weight saw. very good choice in my opion

yess i quick replied and then edited so i could have the first say in this thread haha

all jokeing aside i would pick the 346 before the 361

Thanks for the quick reply Evan. And feeding the CAD! My rules for myself is that it has to be the noncat version for me to "pull the trigger" and buy it. Their pretty high price wise(retail). I really want the 18 bar even though I think the 16 is best suited for it. An eighteen inch bar is just perfect to me to switch back and for between bucking and limbing for smaller stuff.

 

[luvsaws]

The 346 is well worth it!

 

[Evan]

if you by the cat version ill fix it for you for free just so another 361 can bite the dust.

man i thought the boys would be all over this thread trying to talk you back into your 361

i run a 18" 3/8 oregon lgx on my 026 so i know youl have no problems since the 346 has about a horse over the 026 in stock form. let me mod your muffler and youl wonder why you ever botherd with a lowly 361

 

[madhatte]

I do like a 361. I also like a 346. I also like a 260. Run it. Buy it if you like it. Don't, otherwise. Always, ALWAYS, run the saw that you like best within your budget. Outside of your budget? Top Ramen isn't that bad for a month or two at a time. NOME SAYEEN?

 

[Andyshine77]

man i thought the boys would be all over this thread trying to talk you back into your 361

Nope I'm not going to talk you out of selling your 361, if you have a good running 50cc saw I see no real need for a 361/362.

 

[Evan]

holy cow the tables have turned

i feel even the ms270 exspecialy for money is very useful saw compared to the 361

 

[johnnylabguy]

Nope I'm not going to talk you out of selling your 361, if you have a good running 50cc saw I see no real need for a 361/362.

That's exactly my problem I think! I have two great running 60cc saws but not one great running 50cc saw that I think will complement my 7900. My only hesitation is my go to saw when I'm carrying just one(not that often) is on the block(the 361) and I'm not sure if the 346xp can fill that bill.

 

[Evan]

what lenght bar is on your 361?

 

[luvsaws]

I had a 036,don't miss it one bit!

 

[Andyshine77]

That's exactly my problem I think! I have two great running 60cc saws but not one great running 50cc saw that I think will complement my 7900. My only hesitation is my go to saw when I'm carrying just one(not that often) is on the block(the 361) and I'm not sure if the 346xp can fill that bill.

With a muffler mod and a unlimited coil I'm confident it will pretty much do anything a 361 can do IMHO.

 

[johnnylabguy]

what lenght bar is on your 361?

18" and I love it. I keep either a 20 or 24 on the Dolmar so I don't need any bigger. I just don't think a 16 inch bar will be long enough for bucking when I want to use the 346xp for when the 7900 is wearing me out at the end of a long day. I'm not a big guy and more of a desk jockey than a logger the older I get(as much as I hate to admit it!).

 

[luvsaws]

With a muffler mod and a unlimited coil I'm confident it will pretty much do anything a 361 can do IMHO.

:agree2:

 

[Evan]

in my opion 18 and 16" is pretty much the same thing. whne your smaller then 16" wood your smaler then 16 when your pas thte 16" tip your probly also past the 18 tip. wood size matters more then bar size

with an 18" bar on the 361 you can easily drop it and have 18" 50cc saw take its place.

 

[Jtheo]

I have a 346XP and wish I had bought one a long time ago.

It handles an 18" bar just fine, and you have to run one of these saws to understand what you are getting.

I have owned and run two 5100's and one 361.

I would rather have the 346XP than either of the above.

 

[a_lopa]

Maybe for a 365 the 346 is an over-rated little dog of a saw thats best left on the shelf

 

[nmurph]

With a muffler mod and a unlimited coil I'm confident it will pretty much do anything a 361 can do IMHO.

this is true.......i own both and my 346 with a MM and an unlimited coil is as fast (timed) as a 361 in 12" oak.

 

[SawTroll]

That's exactly my problem I think! I have two great running 60cc saws but not one great running 50cc saw that I think will complement my 7900. My only hesitation is my go to saw when I'm carrying just one(not that often) is on the block(the 361) and I'm not sure if the 346xp can fill that bill.

It most likely can't fully do that, but maybe you can "adjust" the one-saw situations to fit?

With a muffler mod and a unlimited coil I'm confident it will pretty much do anything a 361 can do IMHO.

Sure, that would change the picture a bit - but so would muffler modding the 361......

 

[SawTroll]

holy cow the tables have turned

i feel even the ms270 exspecialy for money is very useful saw compared to the 361

Absolutely not!

The 270 is just too close to the 361, regarding weight and bulk! :censored: