50cc class chainsaw advice

[rburg]

Congratulations on the new saw. I believe you will enjoy it.

 

[Bill Jones]

Its amazing how heated almost all 50cc saw threads become. This same pissing match went on when I was wanting a new saw about two months ago and posted pretty much the same questions.

I ended up with the 346 for one reason, and that reason is that it was available at a local dealer. I couldnt find any Echo or Dolmar around my neck of the woods. And no Stihl dealer had pro saws in stock. I went to the four Stihl dealers within driving distance to my house. Each one of them tried there best to sell me a 290 Farmboss. Each one told me that I didnt need a pro saw, which i probably dont considering i just cut firewood and downed trees on the farm. But I wanted a 50cc pro saw. Each dealer also told me that they would order one for me if I would pay for it upfront but I have a hard time laying down 569.00$ plus tax without even seeing one first.

The Husky dealer ordered a 346 and called me when it came in. He put it together and let me fondle it and offered to let me use it. That is the main reason I have the 346. If I ever find a 261 around here that I can use I might just sell the Husky and buy a Stihl, but not sight unseen.

WAP

 

[tallguys]

Its amazing how heated almost all 50cc saw threads become. This same pissing match went on when I was wanting a new saw about two months ago...

Much of that starts when a poster pronounces their preferred model as the only choice ever worth considering and then it usually snowballs from there. Quite often the OP never has that particular model under consideration. I always get a chuckle when an OP states their parameters for consideration say 50cc and $300-$400 for light use then others chime in claiming the need for a pro model some 20cc more at twice as much money.

Occasional use usually means just that and a Stihl 290 or Husky 455 will do just that while lasting a long time at it also. If someone wants a bit lighter weight then a 261 or whatever.

Cost is almost always relative, otherwise its easy to walk into any dealer and tell them you want their most expensive 50cc, 60cc or whatever size you want and know that you're getting the premium model.

 

[sunfish]

Much of that starts when a poster pronounces their preferred model as the only choice ever worth considering and then it usually snowballs from there. Quite often the OP never has that particular model under consideration. I always get a chuckle when an OP states their parameters for consideration say 50cc and $300-$400 for light use then others chime in claiming the need for a pro model some 20cc more at twice as much money.

Occasional use usually means just that and a Stihl 290 or Husky 455 will do just that while lasting a long time at it also. If someone wants a bit lighter weight then a 261 or whatever.

Cost is almost always relative, otherwise its easy to walk into any dealer and tell them you want their most expensive 50cc, 60cc or whatever size you want and know that you're getting the premium model.

I agree and I'm one of the ones who almost always recommends a pro saw, but I do consider the OP's price range.

I want a good 50-60cc saw; but 40 people tell me I need a 70cc...

 

[Chris J.]

If you want more power than the 55, the NE 346xp is the only really good choise!

Just forget other brands in the 50cc class!

Niko, are you being serious :msp_thumbdn:,

or just trying to live-up to the second part of your user name :msp_thumbdn: :msp_thumbdn:?

 

[Chris J.]

...

But what you don't understand is you can't force your opinion on others who have ran lots more saws than you and have their opinons too.

The above quote is really great signature line material.

 

[deye223]

View attachment 212766 i couldn't resist the 346 made me do it

 

[cheeves]

You know people that want a good 50cc saw can do what a friend of mine did. He has a 660 Stihl and wanted a good saw for small trees. He went on Cl and Fleabay and bought himself two 031 Stihl's. Liked it so much about a year later bought a 032. A good choice IMHO. I don't think he paid more than $200 for all three saws! He got the idea from running mine.

 

[blsnelling]

Indiansprings, was your 346 MMd?

 

[Typhoon]

It's crazy how saw prices differ from place to place. I paid 469.00 for my 346xp, it came with an 18" bar on it. I have ran many brands of 50cc saws, and recently got to play with the MS261. I was in the firewood business for 4 years before starting my sawmill business, so I have had my share of cutting out in the woods, mainly cutting up downed tops. I can honestly say that no saw has come close to impressing me in the 50cc class like the 346 does. I am very particular about throttle response, I like something that revs fast and smooth. I try to keep my saws perfectly tuned and the chains very sharp, air filters clean, etc. The 261 was quite impressive, and im sure just as good as the 346 at the end of the day. But for what I like in a limbing saw, the 346 still holds the title. (Again, this is only my opinion). I also have a 357xp, (my first 357xp was smashed and Snelling took ownership of it.. lol) but I am going to be letting it go soon because I can't wait to get my hands on a 562xp!!!

 

[K&L Landscaping]

Niko, are you being serious :msp_thumbdn:,

or just trying to live-up to the second part of your user name :msp_thumbdn: :msp_thumbdn:?

I've said it before and I will say it again. He seems to be a nice guy but my goodness he's almost over the top with his Husky love.

I have run a 346XP and it's definitely a capable saw for sure, excellent saw in fact. It's just not fair to say that it's the only 50cc saw that has any merit. For me, I prefer the MS261 and I also really enjoy the PS-510.

 

[brokenbudget]

I've said it before and I will say it again. He seems to be a nice guy but my goodness he's almost over the top with his Husky love.

I have run a 346XP and it's definitely a capable saw for sure, excellent saw in fact. It's just not fair to say that it's the only 50cc saw that has any merit. For me, I prefer the MS261 and I also really enjoy the PS-510.

the problem is, he has hands and arms the size of an 8 year old.:biggrin: can't lift anything heavier than the 346. he also doesn't realize the extra bit of weight will have an impact on vibration. the extra small amount of weight of the 510 will make it feel better near the end of the day. whereas the 346 will make you want to put it down and stop working half a day in due to your hands going numb. there is a benefit of a little extra weight.

 

[wyk]

Congrats in the 5105, much better choice than the most over rated saw on AS, the 346xpne, really overhyped, gutless, in stock form. You'll be much happier in the long run with the 5105. It won't need to be modded to run with the better choices in the 50cc class. Now if you were going to be a cookie cutter, cut 3-4" limbs all day and keep it wound tight the 346 might have been the saw for you.
There is a reason Husky is replacing it and bringing out another model to replace it.
Congrats on the new saw.

Poor lil gutless 346xp. I hope someday it grows up and gets some guts:

Here it is, without so much as a muff mod, using semi chisel in oak after a ported 365 special has at it with SC chain as well -

[video=youtube;zkRZozsIytU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkRZozsIytU[/video]

Here's Mitch's you tube vid. It appears to be far from gutless:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m2deLKrYxC4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mountainlake]

Hard to believe anyone can say one saw is way ahead of the other..... Steve

 

[Granite Stater]

Here's Mitch's you tube vid. It appears to be far from gutless:

Would not want to run the chain on that Husky in the White Oak that grows around me which probably accounts for the 261 breathing easier when the bar is buried also. That aside, not much difference except you can hardly tell the 261 is running while it is idling on the ground, the Husky looks like it's trying to get away.

 

[Machold]

Dill was in a pickle (sorry, couldn't resist), but he found his saw and got the one he wanted. Soon, he'll tell us all about it (hopefully, after he's run a couple of tanks through it). Can't wait to hear about it. Merry and Happy, everyone.

 

[Dill]

Great saw. Went out this morning a cut a tank of hardwood, beech and cherry mostly. Then a tank of pine down at my folks farm. I have to saw a tank in this lasts a lot longer than a tank in the 372. Its well balanced and has a ton more power than the 55 rancher it replaced, balanced better too. Taking it to the shop tuesday for a carb adjust and then deciding on the muffler. Lots more torque than I expected even with the 18" 3/8 oregon chisel.
Merry christmas to me.

 

[sawinredneck]

Glad you are happy with your choice!

 

[indiansprings]

Dill, happy you are satisfied with the saw, these newer saws seem to take 10-15 tanks to reach their full potential, it get even better after it's broke in. Congrats on the new saw, be safe!

 

[J.W Younger]

Dill, happy you are satisfied with the saw, these newer saws seem to take 10-15 tanks to reach their full potential, it get even better after it's broke in. Congrats on the new saw, be safe!

Yes they do, mine was still gaining compression after 20 tanks. That was using synthetic oil tho, non syn may break one in faster but someone with more experience than me should make that call.