Husqvarna 346 XP or 455 Rancher, for a one saw owner, which is better?

[Mastermind]

I dare you to show me a plastic engine crankcase on a Husqvarna.

Maybe you're looking at OUTER cases, like the oil tank.

Have you never seen a Husqvarna 350????

If the bottom half of the crankcase ain't plastic I'll kiss your ass.

On the 346 running a 20" bar.......just because the OP wants to run a 20" bar doesn't mean it will be buried at all times. Does it?

 

[SawTroll]

Trying to reply but getting issue with approvals I'm sure it's because I'm a new member to the community.

It most likely is.

In case my reply did not get thru, I am trying it again, I have decided after reading the advice here, that I'm going with a pro saw, currently leaning towards the 346XP.

However, I now need to also consider the 555, the 372, as mentioned in the thread.

I'm not going to be needing 20" except for maybe 10% of the time. The reason for mentioning 20" was primarily because my local dealer has both the 455 and 346 set up with 20" bars.

I'm 52 so lightness counts, I'll be cussing mostly pine, poplar, some apple or other fruit trees, and some Oak.

You can easily cut 20"+ wood with a 16" bar, even 30", just cut from both sides.

The 372xp meant a lot of added weight though, if that is an issue.

I suggest you start with a 346xp, and you will eventually learn if you need a larger one as well. :msp_wink:

 

[SawTroll]

I dare you to show me a plastic engine crankcase on a Husqvarna.

Maybe you're looking at OUTER cases, like the oil tank.

Where have you been?

Lots of cheeper Huskys have a plastic crankcase - the "shell" on a clamshell engine doesn't count as metal crankcase, nor does the metal block that the cylinder is attached to on the 350.

 

[Brendann]

This member is selling an Cub Cadet/Efco for $250: http://www.arboristsite.com/classifieds.php?do=viewitem&itemid=1370
or you can get a new one: Husqvarna, Dolmar & Efco Chain Saws and Chain Saw Parts

 

[Carl Anderson]

There's a lot of guys who run a 20" bar on the 346xp just for the extra reach, not to bury it in big wood. I'm not a pro, just a weekend warrior cutting firewood for my own use and I run a 18" bar on my 346 and love it (.325 narrow kerf). I personally think it's the perfect setup for me. Like Sawtroll said, you can cut plenty of bigger wood with a smaller bar if you need to. My dad cut some really big trees with his old little Poulan with 14" bar. Yeah, he had to run around some of them in circles with it but if you are only needing a 20" bar 10% of the time it's not worth putting up with the extra weight of a bigger saw. A 346xp with a 18" or 20" bar will do you just fine and as someone else said, it will put a big poop-eatin' grin on your face.

I know Sawtroll prefers the 16" bar on his but I think there is not enough reach there, at least for me (it's personal preference). I'm not really that tall but at 6'2" I like to stoop and bend less with my 346 18" bar than I do with my dad's newer Poulan with a 16" bar. Also, just because your dealer has them set up with a 20" bar doesn't mean that's how you have to buy it. A good dealer should be glad to sell it with any size bar/chain you want at little or no extra cost.

Good luck and welcome to the forum, new guy rep sent!

 

[brages]

On paper, having run neither, I'd be inclined to go with the 555; I think it's only a little bit more $$ than the 346xp, only a little heavier, and has a nice increase in power.

 

[nmurph]

What I would like to know is what percentage of trees would be larger than 14"? A stock 346 will handle trees up to that size easily. Get bigger and you need to start looking at a bigger saw. If 80-90% fall under this size, I would go with the 346. A 346 can certainly handle larger trees as needed. If you are getting 50/50 larger than 14", I would definitely go with a larger saw. If most of your trees are bigger than about 14", the 555 would be very nice.
Several other saws have been suggested, but all, other than the 555, are 1.5lbs+ heavier. That doesn't sound like a lot, in the course of a day, that weight is multiplied many times.
You mentioned the 5100/5105. That is a terrific saw, but if dealer support is important, it may not be suitable for you.
Another saw to consider is the Stihl 261. It is a scosh stronger than the 346.

...but what you really want is a ported 346...plenty strong to pull a 20" bar...light...and a standard (woods) port won't hurt the durability of the saw. It will add about $250 to the cost: it's like cutting with a light saber.

 

[mikelleen]

That's interesting, a ported 346XP could be fun!

At this time based on this thread I'm thinking a 346XP with an 18" bar.

However I do not know anything about the 555, so maybe someone could point me to a good review / comparison of that?

Also, I am considering getting the Dolmar PS5105, my dealer here states getting parts is not an issue, I just called him and he convinced me to at least come over and take a look.

Where is that saw in comparison to the 346XP and 555? The thread I mentioned earlier did not go into too much detail about the Dolmar, just that it was a comparable saw to the 346XP.

I'll keep search and reading the chainsaw forum here as time permits, with regards to the other saws mentioned, but any help is appreciated, THANKS!

 

[nmurph]

Quick summation of 346 vs 555.

lighter vs heavier.

weaker vs stronger.

great limber with good felling/bucking in wood up to about 14" vs ok for limbing but able to pull a 20" bar with good authority.

346 ported...pulls a 20" like a child pulling chihauhau.

 

[rburg]

From your description of the wood you cut, the 346 will handle what you cut very well. I am a few years older than you and can tell you that the weight of the 346 works well for me. I rarely pull out a larger saw until I get in bigger wood than you describe. The 5105 and the 261 are similar in power and weight to the 346. To read about the 555 you can use the advanced search feature and type in 555 or just type in husky 555 in google or some things similar and you can find info and videos. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Urbicide]

346XP

I have been very happy with the 18" NK bar & use Bailey's Woodsman Pro (Carlton) 20NK chain. :rockn:

 

[SawTroll]

Call me crazy, but I would check out the Husky 365. It's a 70cc saw and probably doesnt weigh much more than a 455. That would make you a great one saw deal. You can run a 20" bar or even a 24" if ya wanna. My second choice would be the 555. Actually my first choice would be 555, folllowed by the 365. :msp_biggrin:

Thanks for the "invite" - yes, you are crazy!


....and the current 71cc version of the 365 is a lot heavier than even the 455!

The 555 sounds like a much better choise in this case, and why not the 562xp?

 

[TK]

The 555 sounds like a much better choise in this case, and why not the 562xp?

Because the mythical unicorn is more likely to be seen than a 562xp. Go with the 555.

 

[mikelleen]

I run a 18" bar on my 346 and love it (.325 narrow kerf).

What is a "narrow kerf" ?

I figure if I am going to order the saw with the bar and chain I want I should find out. Thanks!

 

[SawTroll]

Because the mythical unicorn is more likely to be seen than a 562xp. Go with the 555.

Well, I have a 560xpg, and that one did come through official Husky supply channels - not some "monky-business" or shortcuts. I know of several in Sweden.

Hopefully you will get the 562xp back when the paper work is tidied up.....:msp_smile:

 

[nmurph]

Well, I have a 560xpg, and that one did come through official Husky supply channels - not some "monky-business" or shortcuts. I know of several in Sweden.

Hopefully you will get the 562xp back when the paper work is tidied up.....:msp_smile:

I don't want a 562. I have a 262 that is close enough for me. I would be interested in a 560, however.

 

[SawTroll]

What is a "narrow kerf" ?

I figure if I am going to order the saw with the bar and chain I want I should find out. Thanks!

.325NK is standard on the 346xp, and most likely will be on the saw, unless you can order it with a regular .325 set-up. Speak to the dealer about it, as I don't like the NK chain on that saw. Oregon LP/LPX works much better imo, and Husky sell that as well! :msp_wink:

 

[Anthony_Va.]

SO, whats the reasoning behind no Stihl choices? No dealer around, just don't like em?

The 361 would be the perfect firewood saw for anyone IMO. New ones can be found but are getting scarce. Also, the 362 is a good firewood saw too. I like it better than the 361 myself.

Just saying, if theres no reason why you don't want to try Stihl besides, "I just dont like them", then your kidding yourself. Anyone not leaving himself open to all options these days are kidding themselves too.

 

[The Count]

As one makes his way through the jungle with the machete, eventually he must stop to eat; then he must pull out a smaller blade, possibly a fine Swiss Army Knife in order to cut the meat or whatever;
No man should have only one saw; if money can be found for this, I think you should go for the 346XP with max 16" b/c and maybe the 372/576XP with the 20+ b/c
This way your pasture will be evergreen.

Cheers

 

[mikelleen]

Regarding Stihl saws, nothing against them at all, I was also considering a 261, in fact the dealer I went to sells both Stihl and Husky's.

I specifically like two features on the 346XP and even 455 Rancher that Stihls in the same price range do not have, the decompression switch for starting capability, and the way the airflow is routed on the Husqvarna, I forget what they call that, but basically the air flows moves chips away from the air filter, so supposedly less filter clogging. Yes I am aware the filter should be cleaned every cutting session regardless.

I am still possibly considering the Stihl 261, but again, am leaning towards the 346XP at this time.

Obviously no one saw is going to do everything I need, but I only cut 1-3 cords a year for my own use. So having multiple saws does not necessarily make sense. If I was cutting more, I'd certainly get two saws. Actually I still have my 14" consume grade Poulan, and it still runs OK, so I guess I'll have two saws. I'm just looking into getting my first "Pro" or "Heavy Duty" level saw.