346xp vs. 026

[Ironworker]

Which is better and why?

 

[sunfish]

The 026/ms260 is a nice saw and I actually like the way they handle.

But they don't have the cutting speed or power of a 346xp.

I could probably get along fine with a ported 026...

 

[Buffhunter]

346xp period..... because its a husky ..... lol they just feel better in the hand to me lighter more maneuverability and the 346 seems to rev out faster. Just my opinion

 

[albert]

346 OE or NE? Stock, the Older 026 and the 346OE are pretty close on power, the 026 seems to have a wee bit more torque. 026 IIRC is a little lighter. The 026 has a inboard clutch vs an out board clutch on the 346's. Some say the 346 handles better because of this, but I can't tell. Better air filtration on the 346 although the air injection does not keep the filter clean as long as some other husky models with it. The 346 has poor sideways balance, as it will tip over to the bar side easily when you put it down. The NE 50cc 346 has more power and torque than any series of 026.

 

[Molan Labe]

To his each his own, I guess.

 

[treesmith]

346XP NE will roll down a hill on its own, 026 will stay where you left it. 346 felt wrong to me , especially after reading about it's amazing handling, balance, and the cutting power of a 395 but weighs as much as an empty box of matches.... It's a nice saw but after using one for a fair while I bought an ms261 which I much prefer.

 

[nmurph]

I own many 346's and 026's. I don't see a big difference in how they sit in the woods. Seldom do I set a saw in a spot that is flat enough to notice a difference.

 

[pro94lt]

I've owned them both and their both great saws but smoothness, filtration and power are at the top when I consider a saw. You know which one is better at all.

 

[sunfish]

The 346 falls over some times because it has a skinny ass. Most other saws have a fat ass. No biggie.

This is part of the reason they handle so well...

 

[HittinSteel]

I've owned them both and their both great saws but smoothness, filtration and power are at the top when I consider a saw. You know which one is better at all.

The 026 is a nice saw but it really isn't a fair comparison. The 346 with a muffler mod is close to perfection for me.

 

[Mastermind]

Hooray MS261C-M

 

[lmbrman]

if you want a saw that sits well get the stihl

 

[SawTroll]

346 OE or NE? Stock, the Older 026 and the 346OE are pretty close on power, the 026 seems to have a wee bit more torque. 026 IIRC is a little lighter. The 026 has a inboard clutch vs an out board clutch on the 346's. Some say the 346 handles better because of this, but I can't tell. Better air filtration on the 346 although the air injection does not keep the filter clean as long as some other husky models with it. The 346 has poor sideways balance, as it will tip over to the bar side easily when you put it down. The NE 50cc 346 has more power and torque than any series of 026.

The 346xp has excellent sideways balance - that is the main reason that it handles so well for limbing etc, and the slim and slightly rounded underside helps a little as well. Never mind if it some times falls over - it doesn't matter, as you know which way it will go..
An outboard clutch, when exploited properly in the design, will always be an asset regarding the handling qualities of a saw.

 

[SawTroll]

I've owned them both and their both great saws but smoothness, filtration and power are at the top when I consider a saw. You know which one is better at all.

Yes, most of us know!

 

[sunfish]

if you want a saw that sits well get the stihl

Nice, but a little chunky...

 

[SawTroll]

if you want a saw that sits well get the stihl

They tend to "sit" a bit too well in the air as well, usually not really agile saws - but there are exceptions!

 

[albert]

The 346xp has excellent sideways balance - that is the main reason that it handles so well for limbing etc, and the slim and slightly rounded underside helps a little as well. Never mind if it some times falls over - it doesn't matter, as you know which way it will go..
An outboard clutch, when exploited properly in the design, will always be an asset regarding the handling qualities of a saw
I guess husky did not exploit the outer clutch as well as they could have on the 346 then, due to the fact it no way handles any better than the 026. They are both pretty equal in that regard, and being the 026 weighs less only makes it more nimble. I like the 346 a lot, as do I like a 026 a lot. How do you feel about the 026?

 

[lmbrman]

They tend to "sit" a bit too well in the air as well, usually not really agile saws - but there are exceptions!

my stihls rarely see air, they sit mostly

 

[Mastermind]

I put a few more tanks thru the 261C-M today......it's starting to wake up nicely.

 

[boxygen]

I own many 346's and 026's. I don't see a big difference in how they sit in the woods. Seldom do I set a saw in a spot that is flat enough to notice a difference.

I really cant believe that people use balance when sitting on the ground as an argument to like/not like a saw.