Want one?:hmm3grin2orange:
Which & Why? MS260 vs 51002 vs 346XP vs NE 346XP
- Thread starter blsnelling
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
Want one?:hmm3grin2orange:
THALL10326
The Champ
Welppppppppppppppppppp I got a 020T so I'll get back to ya on that,LOLOL
THALL10326
The Champ
Yup they are. I got no complaints about mine. Whenever I go do alittle tree job on the side the 026 goes in the truck. I know its gonna start and run. 12 years now and not one incident of any kind, like you say, they are just a good saw,
brncreeper
Addicted to ArboristSite
346xp
I put in a vote for the old 346XP, it's lightweight, screams (around 14,700), and it's reliable. I work the crap out of mine and it just acts like it wants more. The 20" microlite bar is great for limbing and occasionally felling and bucking. For days like today (-21 at noon), the heated handles are great! If I had to replace my 346, it would be the 346NE XPG (I like to buy my saws new).
I put in a vote for the old 346XP, it's lightweight, screams (around 14,700), and it's reliable. I work the crap out of mine and it just acts like it wants more. The 20" microlite bar is great for limbing and occasionally felling and bucking. For days like today (-21 at noon), the heated handles are great! If I had to replace my 346, it would be the 346NE XPG (I like to buy my saws new).
Last edited:
Not bad when a 50cc saw is right at home in wood that size!
Adam in VA
ArboristSite Operative
Stihl 260. It's very light, has good power, and is friendly to use. That same basic saw has been around practically forever and has a very good reputation for reliability. If you would want the decompression valve you could step up to the PRO model. The other saws there aren't bad, but no one around here even carries those brands so the lack of service and support on them makes a huge difference. STIHL on the other hand has several reputable dealers near by.
Who needs a dealer? I trashed my warrantee before I ever ran it
Just messin' with ya, lol.
Just messin' with ya, lol.
Austin1
Addicted to ArboristSite
I just voted for the 346ne but I have never ran one lol I have run the 026/260 and 2152/353 the 260 and 353/2152 are so close it don't matter. I did a test with my newly ported 2152 I ran the 15'' bar 3/8 chain off my 2159 on it, cut up my chopping block. An informal test but I used to be able to power it out with the 3/8 and full length bar cuts and using the dogs.
I will have a buddy time my cuts in some 10'' pine as I have recorded my times with the stock 2152 and .325 so I will see how it does modded with .325. It's now turning 13800 and still four stroking more than I like
I will have a buddy time my cuts in some 10'' pine as I have recorded my times with the stock 2152 and .325 so I will see how it does modded with .325. It's now turning 13800 and still four stroking more than I like
We have a new Dolmar dealer in the area. Has no shop and his stock consists of a ps 401 I believe thats the number on his saw. Thats the entire stock of Dolmars he has.
2000ssm6
Stihl User
026/260, stock or modded. Used the 026 last weekend; simple and quick. My #1 choice for limbing and I got several dealers that can help me out when needed. Some day I will pull the trigger on a 5100.
Termite
Time To Launch
Limbing saw? What size limbs? What works for me when cutting limbs is my 401(11.5lbs). It is easier to cut the tops up with than any 50cc. saw.5100s (15.5lbs),working weight. I must emphasize that I usually cut the entire top for my neighbor (fire wood). When I am done with the tops the wood is low enough that a 24inch bar on my 7900 is about right and I don't have to bend over or lift the saw much.
Now if I was not cutting the tops for firewood but cutting for timber. One saw is all I would use, 5100 small trees,262 medium trees, and 7900 large trees.
Between 260,346,and5100. All are good. However, I can't stand the controls on a Stihl. The reason the 346 handles better is the same inboard clutch that so many scorn. I personally don't mind outboard clutch but I own the 5100. Of the saws I use the 5100 is used the least. In working weight the 401 is three pounds lighter and the 262xp is only 1.5 pounds heavier with a three inch longer bar.
Now if I was not cutting the tops for firewood but cutting for timber. One saw is all I would use, 5100 small trees,262 medium trees, and 7900 large trees.
Between 260,346,and5100. All are good. However, I can't stand the controls on a Stihl. The reason the 346 handles better is the same inboard clutch that so many scorn. I personally don't mind outboard clutch but I own the 5100. Of the saws I use the 5100 is used the least. In working weight the 401 is three pounds lighter and the 262xp is only 1.5 pounds heavier with a three inch longer bar.
Make mine a 2153 over the NE346.........The color holds up better and better handle bar design..........
Huskys look like over ripe oranges if they see alot of sun with out sun block on.....lol
.
Huskys look like over ripe oranges if they see alot of sun with out sun block on.....lol
.
windthrown
361 Junkie
Gott'a agree with that. I would also rather stick to one saw type for parts, service and lever action/oil/gas caps, etc.
Dolmar dealers here are non-esixtant, let alone 5100s saws.
Husky older 346XP is well... the older model.
New Husky 346XP might be nice, but it is spendy. Also the outboard clutch turns me off. I have always hated them on any saw I have run.
SawTroll
Information Collector
You sure got it right my friend - the NE346xp is a bit lighter than the 5100S, handles much better in the woods, and revs up much faster.
How they compare in large wood is completely uninteresting, as other (larger) saws beat them both at that anyway.
You sure got it right my friend - the NE346xp is a bit lighter than the 5100S, handles much better in the woods, and revs up much faster.
How they compare in large wood is completely uninteresting, as other (larger) saws beat them both at that anyway.
NE346
So I take it its not the best at firewood ....Only twig cutting.......
NE346
So I take it its not the best at firewood ....Only twig cutting.......
Only good for rose bushes
windthrown
361 Junkie
Yah... of the 8 'dealers' listed in the VanPor area on the Dolly site, 4 were no longer dealing with Dolmar, 2 had zero stock and 2 had a few low end saws.
Seems typical in may reagions of the US from the FB I have had. I hear that parts are just as hard to get (tons of FB on that) and why a lot of 'dealers' drop the Dolmar line.
SawTroll
Information Collector
026/260, stock or modded. Used the 026 last weekend; simple and quick. My #1 choice for limbing and I got several dealers that can help me out when needed. Some day I will pull the trigger on a 5100.
I like that relic, but it really shouldn't have been an option in this poll........
It really was outdated in 1999, when the original 346xp appeared, if not before (Dolmar 115i).
windthrown
361 Junkie
Only good for rose bushes
Heck, an MS250 does rose bushes good. Cost a lot less than a 346Xp.
I got my 2nd 361 for less than a 346XP too. And maybe a third one is in the cards. I'm going to put a lightsaver attachment on it and become a Stihl Jedi Knight to defend the relm from Darth Snellerizer. I see that you flipped your avatar to sucker in would-be loyal Stihl owners to the dark Husky side.
Last edited:
