Replace my Stihl 361 with a Husky 346xp?

[MuleyJ]

It seems to me that some of the confusion may have come from the title of this post. "Replacing" a 361 with a 346 is a little different than complimenting a 7900 with one. If I could have only 2 saws they would be the 346 and 372, I am prepared for a flogging from the Stihl crowd for saying so but those are the ones that would stay.

All other things being equal you will never replace a 361 with a 346. That said you may come relatively close to doing so and fill an existing gap in your saw lineup. If that's what you are wanting then you are on the right path IMO. I cannot imagine doing very much limbing/cleanup and small bucking without a 50cc saw. If you already have another 60cc saw that cuts close to the 361 then it sounds to me like you already have this one fingered from both sides. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[SawTroll]

I agree completely. The 346xp is as good as 50cc gets. If ur gunna just limb, clean stuff less than 12" and use the 7900 for the rest, 346 is great. A 346 is just not gunna buck 16-18" wood like the 361. The 346 is a great saw, but it was not designed to be the 357/361. Two different classes of saws. The 346 is significantly nimbler than the 361 (even more pronounced than the weights would indicate) and just as much fun to run, but does not have the full bar bucking power that the 361 does. The 346 is a very great compliment to a 70-80cc saw but is not and never will be a 60cc saw.

:agree2:

 

[2000ssm6]

MM a 361 does nothing for the weight or bulk compared to a 346.

Weight and bulk? A 361? You guys are wetting your panties now.

 

[nmurph]

Weight and bulk? A 361? You guys are wetting your panties now.

no panties for me nancy, i go comando.

 

[fishercat]

12" ?

I agree completely. The 346xp is as good as 50cc gets. If ur gunna just limb, clean stuff less than 12" and use the 7900 for the rest, 346 is great. A 346 is just not gunna buck 16-18" wood like the 361. The 346 is a great saw, but it was not designed to be the 357/361. Two different classes of saws. The 346 is significantly nimbler than the 361 (even more pronounced than the weights would indicate) and just as much fun to run, but does not have the full bar bucking power that the 361 does. The 346 is a very great compliment to a 70-80cc saw but is not and never will be a 60cc saw.

are you serious??/

you guys really need to learn how to adjust your carbs .Mine is bone stock with a non cat muffler running 3/8 chain.not even muffler modded. and I rip through more than 20" no problem.

 

[blsnelling]

I MMd my 346 as soon as I got it. I then took it out and buried the 16" bar in frozen hardwood. It buzzed right through. And this was on it's first tank of fuel. There should be no issue at all with a 346 in that size wood.

The following 346 is NOT ported, but is MMd. It's wearing a 18" bar and .325 chisel chain. The wood is Ash.

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[SawTroll]

are you serious??/

you guys really need to learn how to adjust your carbs .Mine is bone stock with a non cat muffler running 3/8 chain.not even muffler modded. and I rip through more than 20" no problem.

Can you define "rip through"?

What you think is fast, others may think is so-so - and that goes for all of us, as there are no objective standard!

With other words; It is a matter of opinion, and those tend to vary!

 

[mowoodchopper]

346 is a nice little saw, no power house IMO. Its not even close to the saw a 361 is. I have a 346 and 026, sold a 260 pro and a 5100. Out of these saws the dolmar 5100 was definitely the power house, despite the talk the 346 would not hang in the big wood IMO. That said the 026 is highly underrated, in the real world on the job the 026 is about as fast as the 346 and feels lighter and handles better ! 346 is highly over rated. Infact any body who has a like new 260/026 or 5100 ,I have a like new 346, non cat I might trade ya.

 

[HittinSteel]

346 is a nice little saw, no power house IMO. Its not even close to the saw a 361 is. I have a 346 and 026, sold a 260 pro and a 5100. Out of these saws the dolmar 5100 was definitely the power house, despite the talk the 346 would not hang in the big wood IMO. That said the 026 is highly underrated, in the real world on the job the 026 is about as fast as the 346 and feels lighter and handles better ! 346 is highly over rated. Infact any body who has a like new 260/026 or 5100 ,I have a like new 346, non cat I might trade ya.

You've got mail

 

[SawTroll]

346 is a nice little saw, no power house IMO. Its not even close to the saw a 361 is. I have a 346 and 026, sold a 260 pro and a 5100. Out of these saws the dolmar 5100 was definitely the power house, despite the talk the 346 would not hang in the big wood IMO. That said the 026 is highly underrated, in the real world on the job the 026 is about as fast as the 346 and feels lighter and handles better ! 346 is highly over rated. Infact any body who has a like new 260/026 or 5100 ,I have a like new 346, non cat I might trade ya.

Something must be amiss with your 346xp - what kind of chain do you have on it?

 

[blsnelling]

something must be amiss with your 346xp - what kind of chain do you have on it?

+1

 

[MuleyJ]

Ha

no panties for me nancy, i go comando.

Now thats worth a rep but it says I cant, gotta spread the love first. But believe you me reps coming for that one.

 

[MuleyJ]

Ok maybe this will be more understandable.

are you serious??/

you guys really need to learn how to adjust your carbs .Mine is bone stock with a non cat muffler running 3/8 chain.not even muffler modded. and I rip through more than 20" no problem.

Man, I don't think u get it. I've already said the 346 is as mean a 50cc saw as ther is and yes it will buck with a 20" bar buried. That does not make it a 361/357, plain and simple those saws have more power and perform better as a bucker with an 18-20" bar IMO. Let me say this again so there is no confusion. The 346XP is the best 50cc saw being made right now IMO. It is a very tough little saw. It is not a 60cc saw, and will not perform like a 361 when bucking 16-20" wood. That does not mean it will not buck wood that size, just that it will not do it with quite the authority that a 361 does. Heres a big suprize a 3.7 HP saw does not buck as fast as a 4.4 HP saw with 18-20" bar buried.

 

[2000ssm6]

That said the 026 is highly underrated, in the real world on the job the 026 is about as fast as the 346 and feels lighter and handles better ! 346 is highly over rated.

+1, the 346 might have a little more power but the 026/260 has the weight and handling down to a T.

 

[SawTroll]

+1, the 346 might have a little more power but the 026/260 has the weight and handling down to a T.

Weight yes, handling no, power no, accelleration/trigger responce no, AV no, air filtration no!

 

[MuleyJ]

Infact any body who has a like new 260/026 or 5100 ,I have a like new 346, non cat I might trade ya.

You serious, cus I'm interested if you are.

 

[jeepyfz450]

I would keep the 361 but i am a stihl fan anyway.

Just my opinion so here it comes....... the 361 will outcut the 346 all day long. The 346XP is lighter but really a 361 is not heavy. The 361 is paid for ( im asuming) and is a great reliable saw. that being said buy the 346 if you want it its your money.

As for the great 260 VS 346XP debate i cant believe if i am running my sharp muffmodded 026pro and you are running your sharp muffmodded 346xp You are gonna kick my :censored:. Will the 346 cut faster maybe but are you gonna cut so much more so much faster that it makes and damn difference????? nope. Sometime the cookie cutters seem to run the boards with who can cut the fastest cookie. Think about real world cutting situations and how often you are in a race in the woods.

 

[2000ssm6]

Weight yes, handling no, power no, accelleration/trigger responce no, AV no, air filtration no!

I'll give you the power part, the rest is spliting **** hairs. If the AV and cleaning a air filter on a 260 is a problem, you don't need to be in the woods at all.

That's ok, if I were a 346 cheerleader I'd be worried too, the 261 is getting closer!

 

[MuleyJ]

That's ok, if I were a 346 cheerleader I'd be worried too, the 261 is getting closer!

Ok Mr Spirit stick, if you were a cheerleader? Now that's hilarious cause If I were to pick one guy here in the three or four years I've been here that personifies the word "cheerleader" you are him. No offense, we all get it, you are a one brand man. Its just funny to hear you call others cheeleaders!

 

[TRI955]

Ok Mr Spirit stick, if you were a cheerleader? Now that's hilarious cause If I were to pick one guy here in the three or four years I've been here that personifies the word "cheerleader" you are him. No offense, we all get it, you are a one brand man. Its just funny to hear you call others cheeleaders!

I don't care who you are....that there's funny!!!!


Mike