Husqvarna 345 vs 350

[KentT]

Can anyone give me first-hand feedback on either or both of these chainsaws? I'm looking to add a slightly bigger saw, since my small Stihl 021 with 14" bar is great for trimming but struggles with larger stuff...

I have only have a dozen or so trees to deal with right now, all about 12" or less, mostly pine. But, living in the woods, I figure I'll have to have one just in case, to deal with downed trees and such. We may even do a bit of supplemental heating with wood at some point down the road, but it WILL NOT be the primary heat source. So, I don't think I need a true professional level saw. But, I'd like to have a reliable one that'll comfortably handle a 16" or 18" bar.

Just handling them in the store, I like the weight and balance of the 350 with 18" bar, but I'm also wondering if I might be just as satisfied, long-term with the less expensive 345 and 16" bar...

Anyone have firsthand comparisons or feedback? Thanks!

 

[4sarge]

Similar woods situation for me also and have had to cut my way out on more than one occasion. I also have 1 smaller Craftsman/Poulan 16" which is fine for small emergencies but the wind seems to favor the larger taller trees to block the drive. I researched the Husky 357XP 24" and or the 372 (discontinued - I think) and really liked both of these saws. More saw than the 2 that you were looking at but I'm from the bigger, faster school

Both Huskys that you are looking at have the features that made Husky a favored choice in my opinion.

Nothing worse for me than a chainsaw that is hard to start or too small for the job.

Now after saying that, I'm probably switching to a Dolmar 7900 after researching a bit further. I'm getting an on site demo this week from a friend with the Dolmar 7900 and will decide then for sure.

Web search the Husky price on the web, there are some killer deals with 3 extra chains, free shipping, no sales tax etc.

PM if you have any questions Happy Hunting

 

[VABlue]

I have a Poulan 18" and have cut wood for secondary heating, cleared fallen trees, and felled tree's with it. IMO, 18" is as small as you should go but I would recommend something longer (~24"). For your planned uses, 18" would be fine and will cut quickly enough through pine. But if anything bigger falls, or any hardwood ~12" comes down, you'll be sawing all day with little to show for it. In any case, good luck with your purchase!

 

[milkman]

I have a Husky 141 that is light and easy to handle, but because of a bad shoulder, the next saw that I get will be this 346XP, the same size and weight but a real screamer with an 18" bar. Check the specs.
HUSQVARNA 346XP Chain Saw (Chainsaw) from Baileys-online.com

 

[Todd_C]

KentT,

I have a Husqvarna 350 and it has been a great saw. I purchased the saw soon after I moved out. I had a large 24" pine fall across my road the day after x-mas in 03. My little Poulan 14" saw wasn't up to the job, so I purchased the 350. I've had no problems out of it and it cuts about everything in my area without hesitation.

 

[art]

The size of the bar has little to do with how much a saw can cut!!!! The 350 has been in the husky line up for some time and that is the smallest saw you should get even being a casual user. I like to use the smallest bars possible on many saws do to the lack of power to run at full speed. When the saw is in the wood with the full bar you shouldn't have to hold it out of the wood to keep it from dying. Thats not with a dull chain either!

I perfer the pro saws as they make more horsepower per size then the homeowner or semi-pro saws. The 357 would be a good saw with the 18" bar and the discontinued 372 would be a great saw with a 18" bar.

 

[VABlue]

Good point, Art! I often have to let up on the Poulan when its into a lot of tree or hard wood. That's why I mentioned to go bigger. A friend I used to cut firewood with has Stihl saws and they cut like a hot knife through butter. I've just never cut enough at any one time to justify the added expense. That day is coming soon, though - I'm getting tired of a sore back when bending over to cut!!

 

[KentT]

Good stuff, guys -- keep the feedback coming...

I'm not too concerned about large hardwoods -- almost all my large trees are tulip poplar (actually a tulip tree and not a poplar at all), hemlock or pine. Pine is a mixture of white, yellow and Virginia pine. Most of the good hardwoods were cut for timber years and years ago. I have a couple large oaks, but that's about it. Most the hardwoods on my property are just scrub stuff -- sourwood, black gum, sweet gum, etc.

Right now, I'm dealing with constant cleanup of pines about 10"-12" in diameter and 60-75 tall. Once I opened up the clearning for the house site, the winds are making it hard on the ones around the perimeter. I've had three blow down and two break off in the last two years -- it's a good thing I'm still about 4 or 5 years from building so Darwin's law will have time to do its thing... hopefully before Murphy's law has a chance to show up.

Plus, I've just begun to get some beetle infestation down from the higher elevations, in addition to a mild infestation of the wooly adelgid in hemlocks...

 

[milkman]

From what you describe it doesn't sound like you need a pro saw, or a big heavy saw either. I'm not a fan of the Poulan Pro, but I would bet it would do all that you have to do and it wouldn't break your back, or the Husky 142 at 10 lbs plus a 16" bar for $199 at Lowes won't break the bank either. If you go the 350, you go up a couple more pounds and that affects the back in short order. It's just like picking out a tractor, thousands of good ones to choose from and lots of people to help spend your money, fun ain't it .

 

[art]

When I cut fire wood years ago everyone said buy small saws you won't get as tired! So I started with a stihl 031 and 009 top handle for limbing and getting into the woods. I had an old grain dump box that was a late forties grain truck and I cut the frame and bent them together and put a hitch on it to connect to the ih 424 that I had at the time. I two freinds one with a saw that would come to the woods for the day. The box was 14' long and 7' wide and bout 4' sides. When we first started we'd leave about 9 in the morning and we'd get back between 4 and 5 at nite. We'd all be tired with sore backs and we'd all cut and carry.
Later on I went to an 048 stihl, one person would cut, two people carry as we'd switch cutters and we would leave at ten in the morning and be back between two and three in the afternoon. The good part was no sore backs and more time to drink beer!

With the soft woods your right as you don't need big saws to cut. Nor do you need an 18" bar either for what the diameter of the wood that your talking of cutting, that takes more power to run! Buy a pro saw as you will not wear one out! The 346xp will eat a 350 for lunch!!!!!