Husky NE346 XP with 3/8 chain

[chugbug]

I'm thinking of going to 3/8 chain for my 346 because all my other saws use the 3/8 and setting up my sharpener would be easier with the same stone . There were quite a few of you that were going to try it and see how the 3/8 would work on the 346 and alot of you didn't think it was a good idea , well was wondering how the ones that tried it made out ??

Seems like it would be ok , my old homelite super ez auto.even came from the dealer with 3/8 chain and it worked fine with it and that saw wasn't close to the 346 in terms of cyl. size and rpm's .

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Makes sense to me.

Saw should have no problem with it.

Mine will be set up with 16 inch 3/8, .058 as soon as the crappy Husky .325 chain that came with it is done. Probably about another tank and it's toast. If the weather stinks on Friday like they're predicting I may just say screw it and change it out then.

Local Stihl dealer gives volume discounts on multiple chain purchases regardless of drive link number, as long as they are all the same style, gauge and pitch chain so it just makes sense to get as much running on the same stuff as possible.

Take Care

 

[SawTroll]

Makes sense to me.

Saw should have no problem with it.

Mine will be set up with 16 inch 3/8, .058 as soon as the crappy Husky .325 chain that came with it is done. Probably about another tank and it's toast. If the weather stinks on Friday like they're predicting I may just say screw it and change it out then.

Local Stihl dealer gives volume discounts on multiple chain purchases regardless of drive link number, as long as they are all the same style, gauge and pitch chain so it just makes sense to get as much running on the same stuff as possible.

Take Care

The original chain more likely than not is a 95VP/H30 narrow kerf one - not a good choise on that saw.

Oregon LP or Stihl RSC is better "medicine" in .325.

It sure won't have a problem with 3/8", but I suspect .325 will cut faster (haven't tried 3/8" yet).

 

[cuttinscott]

The original chain more likely than not is a 95VP/H30 narrow kerf one - not a good choise on that saw.

Oregon LP or Stihl RSC is better "medicine" in .325.

It sure won't have a problem with 3/8", but I suspect .325 will cut faster (haven't tried 3/8" yet).

Well go ahead and try it im sure you will be disappointed like I was LOL ahh wait you will need a special tool to remove the clutch to swap sprockets :bang:


Scott

 

[husky455rancher]

my buddy runs 38 .058 on a 18 bar on his 346. it works great reason he did it is cuse thats what i run. now we have a friggin pile of chain for either saw. plus like you said i dont have to change the wheel on the grinder i jst keave it set up for 3/8.

 

[NYHuskyguy]

It was to my understanding that the 346 couldn't run a 3/8 and that with the thicker sprocket, the oiler would not work right. Not to mention that the crankshaft was not designed to handle the load of the 3/8 chain/sprocket.

 

[husky455rancher]

i dunno if mine breaks ill blame spike then

 

[Urbicide]

Well go ahead and try it im sure you will be disappointed like I was LOL ahh wait you will need a special tool to remove the clutch to swap sprockets :bang:


Scott

Here you go:

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=31118&catID=95

 

[SawTroll]

Well go ahead and try it im sure you will be disappointed like I was LOL ahh wait you will need a special tool to remove the clutch to swap sprockets :bang:


Scott

A blunt wood chisel and a hammer its all it takes to get the clutch off.......

 

[cuttinscott]

A blunt wood chisel and a hammer its all it takes to get the clutch off.......

I dont own a BLUNT WOOD CHISEL



My point is that with todays newer saw designs it seems like the engineers at huskareds would have made the clutch internal for easier sprocket maintenance like the German's have done.....

but wait the ne346/2153 is not a new saw design just a rehash of a old design thats why my saw has a defect in the crankcase from the worn out tooling at the huskareds plant

Scott

 

[charkan]

I'm running 72lgx on a 16" bar on mine no problem.Can't tell if its faster or slower than stock because I changed sprocket and the muffler before it even hit the wood.Have a friend with an old 346 who is running lgx on a 15" bar mainly because everything else we run uses lgx.He isn't complaining in fact He thinks it cuts faster than the crap chain that came on it.Personally my 346with setup I have now makes me grin as much as when I run my 7900.

 

[SawTroll]

I dont own a BLUNT WOOD CHISEL



My point is that with todays newer saw designs it seems like the engineers at huskareds would have made the clutch internal for easier sprocket maintenance like the German's have done.....

but wait the ne346/2153 is not a new saw design just a rehash of a old design thats why my saw has a defect in the crankcase from the worn out tooling at the huskareds plant

Scott

I blunted it at taking the clutch off my 353.....

The outboard clutch (= slimmer saw body and bar closer to mass center) is at least part of the reason the NE346xp handles a lot better than the 5100S in the woods, for limbing, tops, smaller trees (thinning) etc.

Another reason is the much better throttle response/accelleration.

 

[willsaw4beer]

... the worn out tooling...
Scott

You wouldn't believe how worn out the tooling is in most machine shops/ manufacturing facilities. And on much more critical parts than go on chainsaws- think turbines for jet engines and wheel bearings on jumbo jets...

 

[excess650]

I bought my 346xp with 18" 3/8 .050 already installed. The more I run the saw, the more impressed I am. I've had it buried in oak, and it just keeps makin' sawdust! I have a lightly used 026 16" .325 and a Husky 353 with 18" .325, and the 346 leaves 'em for dead!

 

[wanab]

It was to my understanding that the 346 couldn't run a 3/8 and that with the thicker sprocket, the oiler would not work right. Not to mention that the crankshaft was not designed to handle the load of the 3/8 chain/sprocket.

hogwash!

 

[fishercat]

i run a 16" bar with Stihl RSC 3/8 on mine.

no problems and it's smooth as glass.

 

[SawTroll]

hogwash!

Yup! :agree2:

 

[SawTroll]

I bought my 346xp with 18" 3/8 .050 already installed. The more I run the saw, the more impressed I am. I've had it buried in oak, and it just keeps makin' sawdust! I have a lightly used 026 16" .325 and a Husky 353 with 18" .325, and the 346 leaves 'em for dead!

Hmmmmm - hopefully chips, and not dust.....