346NE vs 254XP vs 55CP...Sibling Rivalry. Results are in!!!!

[Dub11]

The 550/2253 have a 34.5 mm stroke and crank stuffers. That’s a longer stroke than a 272. 562 has same 36mm stroke as a 372. The 572 has a 39mm stroke, longer than a 288. Seems like there going to longer stroke in the new models.

I never looked at 5 series stats but it seems they know what's up now.

 

[huskyboy]

Most don’t realize a 346 has a larger stock carb venturi size than a 254/262 too. That and the quad ports give it potential. Can also bolt on a even larger 359 carb setup.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Most don’t realize a 346 has a larger stock carb venturi size than a 254/262 too. That and the quad ports give it potential. Can also bolt on a even larger 359 carb setup.

They definitely upped the game with the 3-series saws. You can feel the improvement just by piss revving them. Hell, my 372 reaches max rpm faster than my 254. Whole different game

 

[Tor R]

Especially since it's plus 4cc in the stroke. Makes you wonder why they went backwards with the new model?

I think the plan behind 346 was to build a saw who fit in between 242/246 and 254, it was a success, but sadly Husky never felt they needed a saw lighter and more compact underneath 346.

They definitely upped the game with the 3-series saws. You can feel the improvement just by piss revving them. Hell, my 372 reaches max rpm faster than my 254. Whole different game

Mike aka Rattler ported a 262 that I got, advanced timing, it has a 87 carb, that 262 is just as snappy as any of my ported 346 with 199 carbs.
For me, the biggest improvement the 3xx serie has is the antivib system

 

[XP_Slinger]

I think the plan behind 346 was to build a saw who fit in between 242/246 and 254, it was a success, but sadly Husky never felt they needed a saw lighter and more compact underneath 346.

Mike aka Rattler ported a 262 that I got, advanced timing, it has a 87 carb, that 262 is just as snappy as any of my ported 346 with 199 carbs.
For me, the biggest improvement the 3xx serie has is the antivib system

Anti vibe is definitely way better, I really felt that when switching to Joe’s 346 for the shoot out. It felt like it wasn’t running! I still feel that stock vs stock the 3-series are much snappier than the 2-series saws. Most likely the result of the bottom fed transfers being a better design. That aside, I still love the 2-series saws, simple, rugged and powerful. What more could a guy ask for?

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I would love to see a worked 357 and worked 262 duke it out!

And I agree Tor, Husky has left us hanging in the sub-45cc quality built saw department despite their recent (and lame in my opinion) attempt with the 543xp. Just in handling one at the dealership, the 543 feels like a joke compared to my 242. Maybe my opinion of the 543 would change if I ever get to try one, but that's not likely because I can't bring myself to lay down the hefty price they want for one.

 

[XP_Slinger]

I would love to see a worked 357 and worked 262 duke it out!

That can be arranged, correction...WILL be arranged

 

[Tor R]

And I agree Tor, Husky has left us hanging in the sub-45cc quality built saw department despite their recent (and lame in my opinion) attempt with the 543xp. Just in handling one at the dealership, the 543 feels like a joke compared to my 242. Maybe my opinion of the 543 would change if I ever get to try one, but that's not likely because I can't bring myself to lay down the hefty price they want for one.

543 is a disaster, where Husky improved the antivib system through 3xx - 5xx serie their 42cc saw wasnt included.
I had one 543xpg test saw right after they came out, borrowed it for a week, its not close to a 242 in perfomance, and its vibes was horrible.
543xpg handle bar, looks like it was made by the cheapest donkey factory in China

 

[Derf]

I think the 242 was designed to be a 42cc saw, and the 246 was a 46cc saw. When Husky went to the 3 series, the only upgraded the 246 to a 346 and dropped the 242 size. Too niche, not enough power for much more than limbing, and while in Europe they have tons of smaller timber, North America and Australia have larger trees. It just wasn’t selling as well as the larger saws so it was probably a marketing decision.
The 254xp was also not upgraded, although there were 55ish CC farm/Ranch saws, there wasn’t any pro saw.
Consequently there was a big jump from the OE 346xp to a 357XP. They upgraded the 346xp to 50cc to close the gap, but the 254 never had a direct replacement.

 

[Tor R]

I think the 242 was designed to be a 42cc saw, and the 246 was a 46cc saw. When Husky went to the 3 series, the only upgraded the 246 to a 346 and dropped the 242 size. Too niche, not enough power for much more than limbing, and while in Europe they have tons of smaller timber, North America and Australia have larger trees. It just wasn’t selling as well as the larger saws so it was probably a marketing decision.
The 254xp was also not upgraded, although there were 55ish CC farm/Ranch saws, there wasn’t any pro saw.
Consequently there was a big jump from the OE 346xp to a 357XP. They upgraded the 346xp to 50cc to close the gap, but the 254 never had a direct replacement.

the making of Huskies 242 plattform happen this way:
133, 1980, 34cc
234, 1982, 34cc, slightly different crankcase
238, 1983, 38cc, same case as 234 but came with an updated case later
242, 1987, 42cc, same case as last 238 version, but with a longer conrod, case was changed slighlty in 1988, and another case came in 1990.
242/246 1994, 42/46cc, case area widen to carry the bigger slug.
There will always be a marked for lightweight saws, the majority of new forrest in Scandinavia is spruces, I dont know one soul who buy a 550 for thinning work in their spruce fields Stihl have realized this long time ago...

 

[Johnmn]

@skidder if/when your brothers fool with their saws through a modified 7 pin 3/8 lp sprocket and a Stihl PS chain on your 55 and let it rip! I have a box of 2 55's this got me going to build the closed port 1.

 

[msjanket]

Not just yeah, but HELL YEAH!

254 is damn respectable for sure, but I think the NE346 will outdo it in both categories. That 3-series voodoo is no joke

Gonna have to get vids of both of us running both saws.

I got my 254xp home from an ace saw technician and was amazed, blown away, how he finessed that saw to be both incredibly fast and incredibly torquey. It limbs like a bandit and once the bar is buried, it keeps fighting the log with but paltry reduction in rpm's. I compare the 346 with the 246 all the time, the latter is a little bull in the deeper cuts, while the 254 simply blew my doors off. It is incredible and I don't see 346 superior in any significant category. 254 is one of a kind, when adjusted by an expert, a whiz, you get back a saw that I find peerless. My 254 was never done properly,now that it is, it is my favorite and I find the saw extremely valuable in the wide spectrum that it competes in. That ol' 2 series had some sensational saws, didn't it?

 

[msjanket]

Yes. But the 262 is the slightly bigger sibling to the 254. They are similar enough a 262 cylinder can be put on a 254. My point was that the 254 probably isn’t that far off in performance. Maybe someone whose had both can comment about that.

I have both, and both saws were rebuilt by a guy who wrote the book on building saws, Paul Flynn of Thompson,Conn. In his hands as they dig into a saw needing work and adjustment, when I got my 254 back from him, I was utterly amazed. I'm wondering how he made the 254 perform so closely to the 262.....and I mean close. It is an incredible performing saw, the 254, best saw I've ever had and I've had a ton of saws in my long life. The 262 is great, but it does not have the warp drive that the 254 has. How did he do it?

 

[dustinwilt68]

Try a @rattler ported 254xp, it will blow your mind, I was impressed enough, I sent him a 2nd one.

 

[XP_Slinger]

I got my 254xp home from an ace saw technician and was amazed, blown away, how he finessed that saw to be both incredibly fast and incredibly torquey. It limbs like a bandit and once the bar is buried, it keeps fighting the log with but paltry reduction in rpm's. I compare the 346 with the 246 all the time, the latter is a little bull in the deeper cuts, while the 254 simply blew my doors off. It is incredible and I don't see 346 superior in any significant category. 254 is one of a kind, when adjusted by an expert, a whiz, you get back a saw that I find peerless. My 254 was never done properly,now that it is, it is my favorite and I find the saw extremely valuable in the wide spectrum that it competes in. That ol' 2 series had some sensational saws, didn't it?

Welcome to OPE.

I’m with you on the 254, even stock it gives up nothing to the 346. It quite clearly kicked its teeth in during our friendly shootout. My 254 remains stock as it was in the video but that’s going to change shortly after the holidays. And yes, the 2-series saws are a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely love them.

 

[Spike60]

254 seems to punch above it's weight; when compared to everything in the 50cc class. But at 54cc it's a little out of class for direct comparisons. (Jonny 2055 at 53cc is similar.) But that's what makes them both special, cause they feel similar to most 50cc saws when you pick them up, yet there's a noticeable increase in power, with only a small weight penalty.

It's kind of a "mid class" saw closing in on the 60cc class. Almost like the factory made a "big bore" model. @XP_Slinger the next question is how does the 54cc 254 compare to your 56cc 357? I've run that saw and you remember the smile it put on my face. Loads of power. Better AV than a 254, yet of course there's more weight also. Always trade offs; gain a little, lose a little. Choices are fun.

 

[XP_Slinger]

254 seems to punch above it's weight; when compared to everything in the 50cc class. But at 54cc it's a little out of class for direct comparisons. (Jonny 2055 at 53cc is similar.) But that's what makes them both special, cause they feel similar to most 50cc saws when you pick them up, yet there's a noticeable increase in power, with only a small weight penalty.

It's kind of a "mid class" saw closing in on the 60cc class. Almost like the factory made a "big bore" model. @XP_Slinger the next question is how does the 54cc 254 compare to your 56cc 357? I've run that saw and you remember the smile it put on my face. Loads of power. Better AV than a 254, yet of course there's more weight also. Always trade offs; gain a little, lose a little. Choices are fun.

Completely agree on the displacement point Bob, the 254 boasts nearly a 10% advantage, that combined with its ability to spin similar rpms won that day.

It’s funny you bring up my 357. As of yesterday us Barrett bros have started to turn up the friendly smack talk and the makings of a new shootout are underway. I’m taking the roll of underdog in this one, I’ll be putting my 254 against joes 357 (built just like mine) and Jon @skidder is going to build and mod a 359 with a 357 top end. No question the 357’s will stomp my 254 if I leave it stock, but since both other saws will be modded I’ll be giving my 254 the full treatment to include compression mod and bigger carb after porting. Not sure how it will turn out in the end, maybe I won’t be able to catch them 357’s. As you said, the 254 punches up a little when being unfairly Compared to a true 50cc saw, I think it will be close when compared to its slightly bigger 3-series cousin and might come down to operator. One thing is for sure, we’re all going to have a lot of fun again.

Joe thinks I’ve forgotten how good our 357’s run, same kind of theme as the last shoot out. Maybe he’s right this time, but we’re going to find out

And yes sir choices are lots of fun!

 

[beaglebriar]

Stock I'd take the 359 over the 357.

357 might be faster but the 359 feels more ballsy.

I have real purdy 357 on the shelf waiting for me to get some free time. I hope it wakes up a LOT with some porting. Stock it's just meh..

 

[XP_Slinger]

Stock I'd take the 359 over the 357.

357 might be faster but the 359 feels more ballsy.

I have real purdy 357 on the shelf waiting for me to get some free time. I hope it wakes a LOT with some porting. Stock it's just meh..

I can say from experience with mine that it most certainly will.

 

[Derf]

254 seems to punch above it's weight; when compared to everything in the 50cc class. But at 54cc it's a little out of class for direct comparisons. (Jonny 2055 at 53cc is similar.) But that's what makes them both special, cause they feel similar to most 50cc saws when you pick them up, yet there's a noticeable increase in power, with only a small weight penalty.

It's kind of a "mid class" saw closing in on the 60cc class. Almost like the factory made a "big bore" model. @XP_Slinger the next question is how does the 54cc 254 compare to your 56cc 357? I've run that saw and you remember the smile it put on my face. Loads of power. Better AV than a 254, yet of course there's more weight also. Always trade offs; gain a little, lose a little. Choices are fun.

Those are great points!
I did a little web sleuthing and the following numbers were obtained
Husqvarna 346xp : listed at 5 kg = 11 lbs 1 oz (picture on a scale online shows PHO of OE/NE is 11lbs 4 oz, and 11 lbs 7 oz for e-tech)
Husqvarna 254xp : listed as 11 lbs 9 oz dry from an old product page hosted at FHC (would love to get an actual weight pic)
Husqvarna 357xp : listed as 12 lbs 1 oz

The displacement of the 254xp is really right between the two 3-series saws, and so is the weight.