Which 40cc Husky is best?

[Hawkster]

Here's the story. I started out with getting wood for free from a guy I work with. "Go ahead come cut all you want" he says. The rest is history. I thought I'll just buy one saw and split by hand. Oh no, just like always I started out with good intentions and one thing led to another. It didn't help that I found this site! First a 455R then I find out it has a plastic crankcase cover, so back it goes to the store. Then I got a 359. Love it but not the same low end as the 455. That's OK I know it is a better saw since it's considered professional level. Do I need pro level? No but I tend to lean towards buying better stuff and take care of it & then it will last a long long time. Next thing I know I get tendinitis in the elbow from splitting by hand. Guess what was next. So after much research on this site I went with a Huskee log splitter. Again I say that's it. Now I have to sell wood to pay for all of this. So all is well right? Oh no I realize that I should really have a smaller saw for limbing. So this time I do go cheap since I figure I won't really run it much. $100 bucks later and I have a 40cc Poulan with case and accessories. Pretty good deal but it sure isn't the same as the Husky. I think it was the model before the Wild thing since it is 40cc and 18 inch bar. So here I am approximately 10-12 cords later and feel like I want to trade the Poulan for a Husky of the approximate same size. So the question is what is a good Husky for the application? There are a lot of 35cc - 40cc sizes. I know there may be some Stihl guys that will say get a Stihl. They are great saws although I am partial to Husky. (must be my Scandinavian blood) Again I am no pro, but normally lean towards the better stuff. So what do ya'll think?

And yes I am looking at 395's as well but every time I get caught looking someone says " Oh no we've spent enough" That's a whole other story.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

All of the small Husky saws are made by Poulan which is owned by Electrolux, the same company that owns Husqvarna. There is not much point in selling one Poulan and getting another.

Instead of a 359 you should have bought a 5100 Dolmar or 353 Husky and you could have a saw capable of cutting 16" logs and limbing, and saved $100to boot

If you want a good small limbing saw I would get a 30-35cc Echo, they make good small saws that dont overheat like Poulan POS's.

 

[2000ssm6]

I have seen a few guys say they like the 338xpt but it's a top handle and a little less cc's. That would be husky's "top" small saw I believe. From reading the 200T and Dolmar 3410 seem to be better choices.....

 

[Hawkster]

Thanks Huskyman. I didn't know about that somewhat disheartening information about the Poulan/Husky situation. You have a good point. Why trade? I will look at the Echo as an option. What do you recommend for a 32 inch bar in a Husky?

 

[PB]

All of the small Husky saws are made by Poulan which is owned by Electrolux, the same company that owns Husqvarna. There is not much point in selling one Poulan and getting another.

Instead of a 359 you should have bought a 5100 Dolmar or 353 Husky and you could have a saw capable of cutting 16" logs and limbing, and saved $100to boot

If you want a good small limbing saw I would get a 30-35cc Echo, they make good small saws that dont overheat like Poulan POS's.

340,345, and 350 are all made in Sweden and are excellent saws. The plastic case in a smaller saw has no real disadvantage.

 

[Saucydog]

Keep looking at the 395xp if you wanna run a 32" bar.

 

[Urbicide]

For your smaller saw I would suggest the 346XP New Edition. It is 50cc. Pick it up and pick up your 359 and feel the difference. I was really impressed with it.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

You guys are all trying to get him to spend another $400 on a limbing saw, I recommended the Echo because it will be under $200.

For a 32" bar you could get a 385XP or a 390XP. The 395 is a good option too but probably the most $$$. Any new saw designed for a 32" bar is going to be over $800.

The Dolmar 9010 is a good saw reportedly, and would be at least $100 cheaper than a Husqvarna.

 

[Hawkster]

Thanks for all the info guys. Many good ideas. I like the idea of keeping the price down and saving the money for the "BIG" saw. Although I have been known to overlook that aspect. Most likely I will try to stay $250.00 or less.

 

[PB]

Thanks for all the info guys. Many good ideas. I like the idea of keeping the price down and saving the money for the "BIG" saw. Although I have been known to overlook that aspect. Most likely I will try to stay $250.00 or less.

Husky 340 is right around $260.

 

[aandabooks]

Are you running the chain that came with the saw? If so, get a loop of 91VX or Stilh Picco chain. Try that out. Buddy of mine at work has a Poulan 2150 he picked up for $20 that runs. Had the safety chain on it and he was ready to throw it away. Loaned him a loop of 91VX now he loves the saw for limbing and small logs.

Matt

 

[Lignum]

I have seen a few guys say they like the 338xpt but it's a top handle and a little less cc's. That would be husky's "top" small saw I believe. From reading the 200T and Dolmar 3410 seem to be better choices.....

My 338xpt is a sweet saw. It is a smaller cc saw and it has it's place; up in a tree where it can eat limbs for lunch. Anything bigger that 8", it reaches it's limit in so far as it's power/speed. The narrow kerf chain is nice, but has some limitations. If what you are looking for is smaller stuff on the ground, and under $250.00, try out an ECHO. I lean towards the Husky way, but I would purchase the ECHO if it's sole purpose was to limb up the smaller stuff. Cheap or not, with proper Maint. and non-idiot usage, it will last you for a while. Long enough to sell some firewood and buy any saw you want, just because you want too.

 

[CharlieG]

HD has the new Echo CS-400 in all orange. New engine system, big filter, easy access cover, etc. May be what you need. My Echo products have always performed reliably.

 

[CharlieG]

Check the Dolmar website, they have some new saws available this year in smaller displacement, but with the features of the pro saws- mag crankcase, vertical cylinder, side tensioner, etc. If they run like the 5100/7900,you might be buying a Dolmar .

 

[Cliff R]

The CS-440, CS-400 or CS-370 would be fine for what you want.

I'm pretty partial to Husqvarna saws, and bought at 141, it was the biggest POS I ever owned, and we quickly got rid of it. I had no idea they were not made to the same standards as the other Husky saws that we own. Here's exactly why we got rid of it, for those contemplating buying one.

The first time it was fueled up, the gas cap cross-threaded, and it leaked, and required pliers to get it off.

It took apprx 20-30 pulls to get it started after sitting for a long time.

It would NOT start at all after fueling it up when the engine was really hot.

About half way thru a tank of fuel, it would start going lean at full throttle, the tank vent and fuel line were fine, never did figure that one out, (possibly overheating as mentioned above?).

It put too much oil on the bar.

Not really very powerful or fast cutting for a 40cc saw.

We own two CS-510's, and had a CS-440 until it was stolen. For the price you aren't going to find a better made saw. They have great power, reliable, light weight and relatively fast cutting. Very easy on fuel as well.

The larger Echo saws aren't overly impressive, as we have a 670 and recently sold an 8000. They run flawlessly, but not on par with our larger Husqvarna Professsional saws.......Cliff

 

[nikocker]

340-345

Hawkster - Go with the 340 or 345 and never look back. Tremendous bang for the buck. Great little saws. Made in Sweden and same family as the 350 - just less money.

Al

 

[SawTroll]

First of all, forget the 338xpt for a limbing saw, top handle saws are dangerous for such use - look at the rear handle 339xp instead, a really nice small saw.

The 340 has a bit more power, but also is much heavier and work at less rpms - the 350 is a better option, and it is not just about power.

 

[SawTroll]

All of the small Husky saws are made by Poulan which is owned by Electrolux, .....

That became history a while ago - Husky now is the parent company of the former E-lux OPE brands, and they have bought Redmax as well.

 

[wanab]

the 350 is a better option, and it is not just about power.

i agree. he can use the 359 for the bulk of the work and 350 for the light stuff. im not a big fan of the 350 if its your only saw or go to saw.


you can pick one up on fleabay from a reputable seller for a little over $250.


i woulnt waste my time with the 340/345, same weight, less power and even cheaper built than the 350.

 

[Hawkster]

SawTroll - I have been looking at the 339XP on Huskys web site. My initial thoughts were two things. It appears to lean towards pro quality. Which is what I am looking for. The only other thought was that it's a new model, and many times new models have their issues. Thanks for the input.
To all others thanks for opening my eyes to the other brands. Echo seems to be fairly well liked. I never even knew about Dolmar until this site. Seems to be good saw as well. I'm not discounting Stihl either. My quest is not over and I will keep listening to all who have something to offer.