New Husqvarna 346XP Yikes
- Thread starter JimR
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JimR
Elite Member
Me too.
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CHDinCT
Veteran Member
OP
JimR
Elite Member
I recently found a super deal on another brand new 346xp for $400.00 + shipping. I sold off both of my 55 Ranchers which had less power and were heavier to use.
johnk
Elite Member
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- western NY
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- Kubota GST Grand L3130 w/ 723 loader, Ags
What size bar you running on your 385? I have a 36" on mine and running it on an Alaskan Mill. Darn nice saw. Drinks a lot of fuel though...
Nitro-Fish
Silver Member
Husqvarna's line of XP saws are excellent choices for the average firewood gathering even though they are pro saws. The smaller ones (338xpt & 346xpNE) are a bit more affordable of course, but all are worth the extra bucks IMO. The difference in the 346 and all of the other small Husky's is that it uses a magnesium case, most of the other small husky's use a plastic case (with the exception of the 353 and the 351 which both have the mag cases too), it also has a much more desireable Piston & Cylinder set-up, just look at the difference in the transfers. The 346 is not based on the 372 frame, two totally different animals; the 362xp shares the same case as the 372 (the new ones that is, the old ones use the small bar mount). The 346 does have the "Fat transfers" like the 372, just on a much smaller frame. the 346xpNE is a great saw, but the old 346xp's should not be frowned upon; they are very quick revving saws too, just about .3hp less. The older 346's (stock) will rev 14,500 with no problems at all, not 13,500 as stated. I have built a 346xpNE from an old model 346xp that I replaced the P&C on that is a pleasure to operate, but I'm sure not going to throw away my other 346xpOE. I would love to have a 262xp, as it was probably the best power to weight ratio saw ever made, the closest thing to it in the husky line up today is the 357xp (yep got one of those too!), but it's down on power to the 262 by .2hp. I have run the 385's and they are great runners too, just can't justify one right now as I have 2 of the 372's and an 056 Super AV Stihl that is still going strong. I cut on average 10-12 cords of wood per year for my use and also help others when needed, if I had to choose just two saws to keep it wouild be a 372XP and a 346XPNE!
crazyal
Super Member
I love my 357xp. I have a couple of friends with the rancher 55 and if you push to hard on the saw the clutch slips. I'm thinking hard of getting the 576xp to go along with that 357xp. The more I use the saw the more I realize that extra weight in a saw is not a bad thing. The effort when cutting a felled log from the bottom up with a smaller saw for longer amount of time to cut through it offsets the extra weight.
When i first bought my land I only had a small Homelite. I must have spend three or four weeks clearing a real small opening to build on. I didn't even come close to having a large enough space before upgrading to the 357xp. I probably cut almost 10x the wood in the same amount of time. It was really one of those 'why did I wait so long' moments in life.
When i first bought my land I only had a small Homelite. I must have spend three or four weeks clearing a real small opening to build on. I didn't even come close to having a large enough space before upgrading to the 357xp. I probably cut almost 10x the wood in the same amount of time. It was really one of those 'why did I wait so long' moments in life.
TWD
Gold Member
Love my 346xpg :thumbsup:
I debated about adding another that is bigger but so far this works great for all my homeowner/property needs. I think I`ll just keep my eye out for a nice quality used one for my second saw.
I debated about adding another that is bigger but so far this works great for all my homeowner/property needs. I think I`ll just keep my eye out for a nice quality used one for my second saw.
I think I mentioned this in an earlier email that I had bought another one of these saws brand new for $425.00 delivered with a 18 inch bar. I now have two 346xp's and a new 372XP for the big stuff. I just had about 400 cord logged off of our wood lot because of ice storm damage back in 2008. I couldn't clean all this up in the rest of my lifetime.
Me too I have several Huskys but those 2 are my pick!
My 372 and my 346 comprise my 2 saw plan its all I need around here and the 346 actually gets the most use nowadays though it sure is easy on the elbows and back. I love that little powerhouse just a baby 372 imo. :thumbsup:
Bill Shenefelt
New member
I have a 55 Rancher that seems to have bit the dust. I get spark and gas and compression but no ignition. Seems like it is too tough to spin the thing fast enough with the plug in to get a spark. It always was tough starting and now just does not start.
I was looking at a 455 Rancher as a replacement but it sounds like the 346xp is a much better saw for a little more $. Since you (Jim R) have had both, can you tell me is the 346xp easier starting than the older 55? Does it have the compression unload to help or is it any easier to pull the rope than the 55? Will a rancher bar (18 inch 50-3/8) fit the 346xp (will it take a 68 link chain from the 55 rancher 18 inch bar- Hate to toss my chains if they would still be good) Any help would be appreciated.
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arrow
Super Member
The 346 is .325 58 gauge so no, you're current chains will not fit. The 346 is a peaky saw meaning it likes to build revs to cut and is why so many people like it. Its power band is narrower so it is not a saw you should "lean" into for best cutting performance. It is a superb limbing saw. For the average user, I like the 353 better as its power band is a bit wider and if you never used a 346, you'd would not notice the difference in the two saws. The 353 is a 346 with a heavier piston assembly so it builds more torque. Plus, the 353 is $100 cheaper and you'd be tickled pink with its performance. Your chains would not fit on this saw as well. You'd have to switch to a 357 that had 50 gauge (they can come with both 50 or 58 gauge) 3/8's to have any shot of using your old chains. As this is closer to a $700 saw, its cheaper to chuck the chains but the 357 will out cut both of the above mentioned saws. All of these saws mentioned will start much easier than the 55. They all have compression release now. Older 346's use to not have it but they do now. I have used all the saws mentioned including the 55.
My new 346 came with .325 50ga NK chain, 58ga is Stihl spec chain if I am not mistaken?
Its easy to change the hub to run 3/8 the clutch tool is $10 and the bar off the rancher wont fit unless its the small Husky pattern.
I run 30rc 3/8 50ga on it now fwtw that way my grinder is set for all my saws they all use the same 30rc chain it simplifys things. :thumbsup:
To the other guy these newer saws with the primer bulb start like a dream they will usually fire in 2-3 pulls and run on pull 3-4 something my 2001 372 wont do from new on.
Its easy to change the hub to run 3/8 the clutch tool is $10 and the bar off the rancher wont fit unless its the small Husky pattern.
I run 30rc 3/8 50ga on it now fwtw that way my grinder is set for all my saws they all use the same 30rc chain it simplifys things. :thumbsup:
To the other guy these newer saws with the primer bulb start like a dream they will usually fire in 2-3 pulls and run on pull 3-4 something my 2001 372 wont do from new on.
arrow
Super Member
I have a 346 with 58 gauge. ( no compression release )I have seen the 357 flip flop on gauges as well so Husky must be doing the same on the newer 346's. Husky uses 58 gauge quite a bit on their saws. It must be whatever they can buy in bulk for their advantage for the time being as their saws flip flop from gauge to gauge frequently. I dunno, just to save a couple chains isn't worth it to change over anything on a brand new saw in my mind. (sprocket,bar,etc.) The 346 was made to perform best with what came from the factory. You are trying to achieve chainsaw sharpening consolidation so you think it is worth it to change over as you have several chainsaws. This is the ops one saw and is why I recommended to keep it simple and why I felt the 353 to be more of an all around saw for the gentleman. What is nice about the 353 is that it has a magnesium crankcase instead of plastic. A 353 with 18" bar would be a super saw for him. So as to not leave out LT-1, the Dolmar 5100 would also be a great saw.
I must be missing something in what you are saying because all 346XP's have always had mag cases 45cc and now the 50cc.
353,357,359 all have mag cases 357 and 359 share the same case and the 353 shares the 346 case.
I agree on the saw performing well on the .325 95VP chain mine was a screamer but seemed to me that narrow kerf type chain would not hold an edge in the sandy bark and trees around here. The full chisel is more a experts chain in a small saw but they sure throw chips when you match the power and speed just right!
353,357,359 all have mag cases 357 and 359 share the same case and the 353 shares the 346 case.
I agree on the saw performing well on the .325 95VP chain mine was a screamer but seemed to me that narrow kerf type chain would not hold an edge in the sandy bark and trees around here. The full chisel is more a experts chain in a small saw but they sure throw chips when you match the power and speed just right!
arrow
Super Member
You are probably missing something as I know I am. I never talked about the 346 having a magnesium crank case. I simply pointed out that the 353 has a magnesium crank case just to clarify that it is not plastic as found many times in the box store type of chainsaw. Most average chainsaw users who may not know chainsaw derivations, may have appreciated that information. I did relate that the 346 did not always have a compression release but I always knew that it had a metal crank case. Perhaps you just confused the two?.
Yeah thats what I did and sorry for the confusion I butted in anyway where I see now you were attempting to point out features some folks dont know till its too late.
I have plastic case Huskys in the past for conversation and fwtw never had a bit of trouble with them a 345e was the predecessor to my NE346 as my trim saw it just wasn't enough power to more than trim.
fwtw for the extra $50 I would still spring for the 346 over the very capable 353. The 346 old and new versions are one heck of a little saw imho.
My 372 sits 90% time now hate to say it but I pick the 346 up its a pure joy I built an L bracket mounted under the bar that serves as a kick stand to keep the little tipper upright.
I have plastic case Huskys in the past for conversation and fwtw never had a bit of trouble with them a 345e was the predecessor to my NE346 as my trim saw it just wasn't enough power to more than trim.
fwtw for the extra $50 I would still spring for the 346 over the very capable 353. The 346 old and new versions are one heck of a little saw imho.
My 372 sits 90% time now hate to say it but I pick the 346 up its a pure joy I built an L bracket mounted under the bar that serves as a kick stand to keep the little tipper upright.
