Husqvarna 353... your impressions?

[Den]

I've been admiring the Husqvarna 353 saws.
Though I've never run one, it seems like it would be a nice light weight firewood saw. I'm pretty sure it is considered a pro saw, and has a magnesium crankcase... not a clammy. I think it has a decomp button also.
Anyone run one of these?
Pro's and con's?

 

[John Lyngdal]

I have one along with a couple 346XPs. The 353 is a solid saw that use the same bottom end as the 346, so the parts are interchangeable.
The 346 generates a little more HP and is spec'ed to run at 14,700 rpm vs 13,000 for the 353.
Unless you're racing the difference is not going to be that apparent in day to day cutting.

 

[cranman1951]

I like them....put a 353 piston in a 350 and you have a poor man's 353. I put a popup 353 piston into a 350 recently ( and a muffler mod and gasket delete) and for a 10.6 lb saw is truly impressive. It actually cut as well or better then my 268xp in the same piece of wood, both with new chains.

 

[Philbert]

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/i-really-like-my-353.140917/
Philbert

 

[foeke]

Love mine. It's my go to saw 95% of the time. Now 10 years old but only skips a beat when someone puts oil in the gas tank.
Shake it out. And on you go.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Love them. I have a couple and some others on that platform (340, 345, 346, 351, 2150, 2149, 2152, 2153, maybe others). They're cheap to buy and cheap to maintain. Great saws!

 

[Den]

The 353 sounds like a great saw.
Not a fan of primer bulbs, but I guess not all of them had a primer bulb.
Also read something about variation's in the top cover design.

.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Early OE 353 346 no purge bulbs. Later NE ones had them.

 

[bigbadbob]

I have a 353 that had a epa piston (dished) changed it out ,,did a BG delete and MM
Also have a lightly ported 346
I think the 353 is a better saw the the 346,,,
Dont see many 353 around here,, I would buy one for sure,, just a real nice saw.

 

[holeycow]

In the 50cc size I have a 2152, a Dolmar 5105, and a couple of jonny 590's. While the least powerful of them, the 2152 has solid power and excellent handling.

I grab it and/or my Dolmar 420 most often

the 353 is a great saw to have, and even better in red..

 

[Dean-O]

Best 18-20’ saw of all times. I take my 372 and 353 with me for any cutting job. I love the 353. Also easy to work on. I love rebuilding them at work.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I decided to try my 353 with a 20" bar rather than the 18" because I ran into some big log stock. Dang thing outperformed my 257. It showed me that my 257 might need a new top end. That's on the agenda.

 

[Doorfx]

I have a 353 and a 241C-M. The 353 has more cc’s but they are almost the same horsepower. I’ve never checked the weights but the STIHL feels more nimble. Cutting speed is pretty close both with an 18” b&c.
The one thing I don’t like about the 353 is how easy it tips over when setting it in on the ground or a floor. Great firewood saw.

 

[computeruser]

They’re good saws. Muffler mod and you’re good.

 

[Philbert]

I have been happy with mine stock. Run it with a 16" and a 20" bar, depending on the size of the wood, and the .325, narrow kerf chain.

In the 50cc size I have a 2152.

Is the Jonsered 2152 the same saw in red?

What is the current, replacement model for the 353?

Philbert

 

[Den]

Wonder what the 353, and the 350 cost new?


.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I have been happy with mine stock. Run it with a 16" and a 20" bar, depending on the size of the wood, and the .325, narrow kerf chain.


Is the Jonsered 2152 the same saw in red?

What is the current, replacement model for the 353?

Philbert

Hey Philbert, yes, the 2152 is the 353. 2153 is the 346.

Current offering would be the 545, the detuned version of the 550xp.

One thing I found interesting about the 353 is that it was offered in a G model, with heated handles. I'm not super familiar with the husky models, but i don't know of any other non "pro" saws that have been offered with heated handles, like the 365, 555, etc. Kinda cool, I thought. I'd love to come across one someday. I guess until then, I'll have to make due with this one:

 

[holeycow]

I have been happy with mine stock. Run it with a 16" and a 20" bar, depending on the size of the wood, and the .325, narrow kerf chain.


Is the Jonsered 2152 the same saw in red?

What is the current, replacement model for the 353?

Philbert

Yes it is.

the current replacement is a 545

 

[RedFir Down]

Wonder what the 353, and the 350 cost new?


.

My new 350 in 2007 cost $265 out the door.

 

[Robin Wood]

That one saw that everyone in the crew wants to get their hands on, ported 353 is a breeze to use