The Husqvarna 346xp story

[shadco]

Where can I get one from Greece?

I think they dried up about 18 months ago but check with @AlfA01

.

 

[p61 western]

I think they dried up about 18 months ago but check with @AlfA01

.

I think your right. I believe mine was the last one Dan had.

 

[Sawrain]

The posts about the best chainsaw ever are rather old. It was the lightest, strongest, fastest 50cc saw in its time. It was also faster and lighter than the 50cc Stihl 026/260. It was a smidge behind the Dolmar 510 in torque, but was lighter and easier to maneuver, and with a 16” bar you really didn’t notice the power difference unless the bar was buried.

Lighter?

The 346 is probably overall better than the 026, especially daily use, better AV and filter setup (apart from occasional air leaks) as the main points, but for spec there really isn't enough in it for either side to claim a win, I'm still trying to pick a 2153 up, I like red.

DLG/KWF spec.....Weight......................Power.
OE346....................4.8kg........................2.5kW
NE346....................5.1kg.........................2.5kW
MS260...................4.7kg.........................2.6kW

I know a saw isn't its spec sheet, but hey here we are, the 346 was just one of those saws that was more than the sum of its parts.

 

[AlfA01]

I see a couple have popped up for sale this week in the classifieds. They aren't near to me so not sure on price, but I'd be willing to see what I can get one for.

 

[HuskyFan1977]

I see a couple have popped up for sale this week in the classifieds. They aren't near to me so not sure on price, but I'd be willing to see what I can get one for.

That would be great if you can!

 

[oddsawz]

I always seem to go for the 346xp (ne) over the 550xp for a 50cc. It’s just been a reliable saw and I can’t dual wield so there ya go.

 

[P.M.P.]

I don't go cutting without a 346
Its the best little dam saw ever IMO.

 

[XP_Slinger]

I certainly miss mine on occasion. First saw I ever owned, bought new in 2008. Traded it for a 288 a few years back.

 

[Mkinslow]

I certainly miss mine on occasion. First saw I ever owned, bought new in 2008. Traded it for a 288 a few years back.

I'll trade you my 346 for that 288!

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[XP_Slinger]

I'll trade you my 346 for that 288!

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Sorry buddy, that’s a HARD no. I miss my 346, but love that 288

 

[Mkinslow]

Sorry buddy, that’s a HARD no. I miss my 346, but love that 288

Lol,it was worth a try!

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[Mkinslow]

I'm contemplating selling off some of my saws,but I'm not certain about the 346

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[XP_Slinger]

Lol,it was worth a try!

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Lol! Nothing wrong with trying! Although I bet offering up your 346 didn’t sit well with you

 

[XP_Slinger]

I'm contemplating selling off some of my saws,but I'm not certain about the 346

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Everything ok?

 

[Mkinslow]

Everything ok?

Yes sir ,for the most part. Just really wanting another fishing boat, along with other interests

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[Spike60]

The 346 was supposed to be a "split the difference" replacement for both the 242 and 254, as both of those chassis were discontinued at about the same time. The 357/359 were slotted to replace the 262/257, which were approx the same weight and performance classes. To anyone who loved the 254, a 357 would simply be too heavy.

The reason they went from 42mm to the 44.3mm top end was because of less strict emission regs for saws 50cc and above. At some point, both the 346/353 as well as the 357/359 received CAT mufflers. This didn't workout too good, and in short order the 2 XP saws went back to their regular mufflers. Most of these saws went into pro use and were prone to burning up with the CAT on them. 353/359 stayed with the CAT for the rest of the model run.

346 top ends work real nice on the 350/2150, even with a gasket. I never actually measured the squish on one, but the thinner base on the 346 jugs might have something to do with it.

Does it live up to the hype? For the most part yes. Like the 372 is magic to loggers, the 346 is the same for the tree guys. I've got a waiting list for them whenever I get enough raw materials to build them. I have a couple guys who I've converted 2150/350's for, using their saws. But I'm not comfortable building 346's out of 350's to sell them. I don't know, maybe it's just in my head, but I'd rather stick to the metal case saws for that.

Admittedly, part of the reason for the hype is that the first generation 550's had some issues in pro use, and didn't hold up like they should. That really fueled the whole deal with rebuilding 346's. But the new 550M2 is pretty close to flawless so far, so as they become accepted my 346 waiting list ought to get a lot shorter. The new 550M2 feels more like the spiritual successor to the 254XP to me. Now if they could just get another 1000 rpms out of the 543

 

[foeke]

Spot on.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G955F met Tapatalk

 

[XP_Slinger]

Yes sir ,for the most part. Just really wanting another fishing boat, along with other interests

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Ah, seasonal hobbies. I know the pain brother

 

[Mkinslow]

Ah, seasonal hobbies. I know the pain brother

Exactly, and I have a little boy wanting a deer rifle so.......

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[XP_Slinger]

The 346 was supposed to be a "split the difference" replacement for both the 242 and 254, as both of those chassis were discontinued at about the same time. The 357/359 were slotted to replace the 262/257, which were approx the same weight and performance classes. To anyone who loved the 254, a 357 would simply be too heavy.

The reason they went from 42mm to the 44.3mm top end was because of less strict emission regs for saws 50cc and above. At some point, both the 346/353 as well as the 357/359 received CAT mufflers. This didn't workout too good, and in short order the 2 XP saws went back to their regular mufflers. Most of these saws went into pro use and were prone to burning up with the CAT on them. 353/359 stayed with the CAT for the rest of the model run.

346 top ends work real nice on the 350/2150, even with a gasket. I never actually measured the squish on one, but the thinner base on the 346 jugs might have something to do with it.

Does it live up to the hype? For the most part yes. Like the 372 is magic to loggers, the 346 is the same for the tree guys. I've got a waiting list for them whenever I get enough raw materials to build them. I have a couple guys who I've converted 2150/350's for, using their saws. But I'm not comfortable building 346's out of 350's to sell them. I don't know, maybe it's just in my head, but I'd rather stick to the metal case saws for that.

Admittedly, part of the reason for the hype is that the first generation 550's had some issues in pro use, and didn't hold up like they should. That really fueled the whole deal with rebuilding 346's. But the new 550M2 is pretty close to flawless so far, so as they become accepted my 346 waiting list ought to get a lot shorter. The new 550M2 feels more like the spiritual successor to the 254XP to me. Now if they could just get another 1000 rpms out of the 543

Great info as always Bob, thank you.