Husky 346 XP I like it !

Ohio_Bill · October 31, 2009, 03:09:21 PM

I have never owned a husky before , I have always had Stihls and presently own a 26 and MS460 but while I was at the Paul Bunyan Show they had a sale going on for the Husky 346 xp and I am very impressed . Very nice saw

sablatnic · October 31, 2009, 04:08:17 PM

You should like it. It is probably the best saw ever.

cb6048 · November 02, 2009, 07:35:58 PM

I bought one with my 576xp I love 346xp its a little ripper...my favorite

Al_Smith · November 04, 2009, 07:29:13 PM

Quote from: Ohio_Bill on October 31, 2009, 03:09:21 PM
while I was at the Paul Bunyan Show they had a sale going on for the Husky 346 xp and I am very impressed . Very nice saw

I didn't get much of a chance to look around the Saturday I was there but usually a lot of stuff and saws of every make are present .

I was kind of busy running in the Ohio hotsaws championships .Didn't do too well but had good time any way . ;D

Ohio_Bill · November 04, 2009, 11:25:24 PM

I was there on Friday and Sunday sure is a lot to see . My daughter competed in the womans stock speed saw competion she also did not do well this year but has won in the past . She even won a new saw for her hubby one year .

Ron Scott · November 07, 2009, 12:01:44 PM

Yes, a good saw. I'm aware of some happy owners.

LeeB · November 07, 2009, 12:07:04 PM

I like mine. It's a good compliment to the 372.

chevytaHOE5674 · November 07, 2009, 03:25:43 PM

Did the 346 have a decompression button and primer bulb on it?

LeeB · November 08, 2009, 03:28:15 AM

The one I bought does. I'm not real thrilled about the primer bulb.

D._Frederick · November 08, 2009, 06:15:41 PM

Lee,
Why do you not like the bulb?

On the 2 cycle equipment I have, the bulb sure makes starting easier. My 372 takes over a dozen when cold, the pole saw with bulb takes 4-5 pulls.

Ohio_Bill · November 08, 2009, 08:04:27 PM

Mine has the compression release and a primer bulb. I t came with a 16inch bar and husky narrow kef 325 pitch 50 gage . Which I think is Oregon 95. I have ran about 7 tanks through it and my Stihl 26 is getting lonely . I have 325 pitch narrow kef on the 26 also. And the 346 definitely out performs the 26.

Bill

LeeB · November 09, 2009, 03:30:03 AM

I haven't had any problems with the bulb yet but I expect it will eventually crack and cause grief. It does help with the starting and I don't use the comp release.

sablatnic · November 09, 2009, 05:08:44 AM

Hi!
No need to worry about the bulb. It will last a LONG time. Just keep the mice from it. I've seen far more bulbs eaten by mice than cracked because af old age.

Rocky_J · November 09, 2009, 07:30:52 AM

The older primer bulbs would crack due to ethanol in the fuel, but I believe they have changed the material since we are now stuck with burning corn squeezin's mixed in our gasoline. :

chevytaHOE5674 · November 09, 2009, 08:48:58 AM

The decomp and primer mean that it is a New edition 346. Which is a little more powerful than the old. Its a real treat of a saw to run, you will love it.

LeeB · November 09, 2009, 10:19:45 AM

I'm pleased with mine. I had bought an MS 361 and just couldn't get the darn thing to start. It kept flooding out. I wasn't gonna put up with that from a new saw so I went back to what I know. (The 361 was my first crack a t a Stihl) I find myself grabbing it as much or more than the 372.

chevytaHOE5674 · November 09, 2009, 10:26:25 AM

Quote from: LeeB on November 09, 2009, 10:19:45 AM
I'm pleased with mine. I had bought an MS 361 and just couldn't get the darn thing to start. It kept flooding out. I wasn't gonna put up with that from a new saw so I went back to what I know. (The 361 was my first crack a t a Stihl) I find myself grabbing it as much or more than the 372.

Part of the problem with the 361's are that the choked up muffler doesn't allow you to hear when they first pop. So most people leave the choke on wayyy to long. I opened up my muffler and can hear the first faint pop of the motor, then take the choke off and it starts right up.

LeeB · November 09, 2009, 11:20:59 AM

Oh well, to late now.

Cooter · November 10, 2009, 05:51:46 PM

I don't mean to hijack this thread a little, but since there's so much 346 love here it seems like the perfect place to ask my questions.

I'm trying to help my dad (in his late 60s) shop for new saw. He's not a lot of oak and maple on his property, but doesn't burn wood anymore, so he's looking more for a maintenance and trimming saw, with the occasional assistance of helping some friends cut firewood. I'd originally pointed him towards the 346XP. But when I started comparing the numbers, I realized that the New Edition 346 weighs a half pound more now, which puts it only a pound lighter than the 357XP. Considering the 357 has a whole extra HP, which is huge jump when talking about the lower horse power levels, does this saw make more sense? Other than the extra cost, is there a down side? While I haven't run a 357 before, I'm guessing that it'd pull a 20" bar with a full comp 3/8 chain just fine. How much bar can a 346 handle with a full comp .325 chain?

BTW, I've got a 372XPW with a 28" Powermatch bar and full comp chain. I absolutely love it, but it's bigger than my dad needs.

Thanks in advance for the thoughts and feedback.