Got a new XP346 today

[Tollster]

Having run my Husky 51 since 93, figured it was time for some new technology. Sure I could have went bigger, but instead choose the saw for the job I have on my 13 acres. The XP362 looks nice, but the weight outweigh the price and size.
I will fall back on the 51 for the averge land owner and hope this one last just as long.
Bigger is not always better.

 

[Bwgad96]

Congrats, nice looking saw! How big of a bar does this model have?

 

[Tollster]

Pretty sure its a 18" bar, .325 pitch though.
They had the .325 on my 51 when i went tolook at it, I asked the dealer to drop the bar size by 4" and install a 3/8" chain for free in exchange for the new saw parts, which he did.
I love the 51 and its been the only saw I ever had for close to 20 years now, I just wanted somthing that came on the pipe a little quicker and a bit more nimble for me aging bones.

This one has a magniesum frame,decompression, primer bulb, adjustable oiler, quick adjust chain, quick access air box and filter and a few other goodies that make it what I hope will be a good saw.

 

[Scooby074]

Nice upgrade. I just upgraded from a 51 myself, but went with the new 562xp. Couldnt be happier. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/258151-choosing-between-550xp-346xp-562xp.html

Enjoy the 346. The XP saws are real, real good, and a noticeable improvement from the consumer line.

 

[Tollster]

Nice upgrade. I just upgraded from a 51 myself, but went with the new 562xp. Couldnt be happier. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/258151-choosing-between-550xp-346xp-562xp.html

Enjoy the 346. The XP saws are real, real good, and a noticeable improvement from the consumer line.

Ya had to bring that one up....let me enjoy what I have without second thoughts, will ya...LMAO
Thats an awsome saw and don't think you'll find one finer. Thats would have been the one I would have gotten if I had a need for that size saw, I am mostly clearing pinesand burning them off after limbing them. I love the technolgy in that model,and I think it will be a new leader in the line.

 

[Scooby074]

Ya had to bring that one up....let me enjoy what I have without second thoughts, will ya...LMAO
Thats an awsome saw and don't think you'll find one finer. Thats would have been the one I would have gotten if I had a need for that size saw, I am mostly clearing pinesand burning them off after limbing them. I love the technolgy in that model,and I think it will be a new leader in the line.

Yeah.. had to bring it up

The 346 is a VERY well respected saw though. No shame for old school technology either.

 

[Bluegill2]

Great saw!

I've had one since early 2001 and have a 2010 model too. Love em!

 

[NHSawyer]

I still have my '95 model 51. Runs good I use it for making kindling and limbing.

I bought a 357XP a few years ago...good saw.

 

[Tollster]

I have to admit,I love the XP562, but it was more saw than I need. With that said,I have decided to swap the 346 for the 550XP.The dealer is good with it,I just hope the new chains I pruchased at the Stihl dealer are interchangable. Went with the full chisel,and I like the stihl chains better.
He should have the new one next week at renco in Bloomsburg. The only issue I really have is they do not have any software to interface with the 500 series saws. He checked to verify the units are ready to be run outa the box, and the calibration time is 5 minutes on the intitial start up. Its a gamble, but the 550 has some nice features for an extra 80.00. I like the xtourque, and its a full pund lighter which can add upover the day. I have also developed arthisis in my hands this year...(Ma always told me I would pay for being such a hellion when i was young, recon she was right)
I hope it was a good move, any feedback on the chains would be helpfull...I got 3 of them. Went with the same length bar as the 346...18"

 

[xyz123]

Better make sure your dealer updates software on the 550 from the get go.

I love the feel of the 550 and the nimble handling, but I also love the motor and carb on the 346 without needing computers attention. :drink:

Actual weights 550 11.2lbs pho, 346 11.4lbs pho. Husky specs lied to you and all of us. The 550 is listed at 10.8 and the OE 45cc was listed at 10.6, only the NE 346 50cc was close to its real weight.

 

[Tollster]

I don't think he will as he does not have the software. Wonder if I can take it to any dealer for a new map update without paying outa pocket?

 

[Bluegill2]

Reports are very good with the new 550xp, more torque, wider power band, smoother, uses less fuel. And just a tiny bit lighter.

I've not heard of anyone having to plug one into a computer right out of the box. I have heard of one with a bad carb, but that was takin care of by the dealer.

Your dealer should go ahead and get the diagnostic tools, as more auto tune saws are coming.

 

[xyz123]

I know of several bad carbs pulled off at the dealers. They just dont post on that one site

 

[Scooby074]

What models were experiencing the bad carbs? Got a link to any threads on the subject?

Symptoms?

 

[xyz123]

You see link in my sig. Some of them are there and the carbs are being dissected to see why they are bad straight from the factory.

Dealer removes bad carbs and gets new carbs for warranty. We are lucky enough that one of our mods is into the autotunes and tearing them apart to see what is going wrong with bad carbs with video made working on them.

 

[Scooby074]

Thanks
I watched mweba's vids when shopping for my saw. Very imformative. Knows his way around these saws for sure.

The only thread I came across on carb issues was the one on the Swedish chainsaw site where they were swapping carbs. A quick glance at your site and I couldnt find anything. Ill go back and look later when I have some time.

 

[Tollster]

I don't thinkI'll be changing my mind, pretty set on the 550. Husky always had a pretty good hand on the final quality. I am sure some bad apples slip by, but for the amount of saws they move, I would say the quality is very high compared to many. If there was anything I would wish for, it would be a little longer warrenty period, but then again, between my 232L wacker, pole saw, and 51, I have never had to use the warrenty.
Anyone know if the chain is interchangable between the 346 and 550?

 

[Bluegill2]

The chain is interchangeable as long as the pitch and gauge are the same.

Likely both saw come with .325 pitch and .058 gauge.

 

[Tollster]

The chain is interchangeable as long as the pitch and gauge are the same.

Likely both saw come with .325 pitch and .058 gauge.

Thanks, I suspected it was the same bar.

 

[Bluegill2]

Thanks, I suspected it was the same bar.

Same bar fits both saws, but bars are available in .325 and 3/8 and .050 and .058.