How to tell 346 XP OE from 346 XP NE?

rustyb · Apr 18, 2011

My friend has a nearly new 346 he said he'd sell me. I'd try it but he's 6+ hours away. Any way, he purchased it a few yrs back and he doesn't know if it's the OE or NE. Is there any obvious indicator?

If it's the NE, I'm going to seriously consider buying it and having him send it to me and also buy the 261 from the local dealer. I'd then run a tank of gas through each and sell the one I liked least. For me, I think it's the only way.....unless someone has both the 346 and 261 some where in Southern Idaho or northern Utah that I could try on a couple of cuts. That would save me some cash. Any one?

blsnelling · Apr 18, 2011

The NE has a primer bulb on the recoil side, a silver clutch cover, and most have a decomp.

sunfish · Apr 18, 2011

There is a sticker on top of the saw that gives the engine CC size.
45cc = OE. 50cc= NE

For what it's worth. I like my OE as much, if not a little better than my NE.
Both great saws!

sunfish · Apr 18, 2011

And the 346xp OE is the lightest of the three, at 10.6 lbs. :msp_wink:

outdoortype · Apr 18, 2011

Sunfish-
Which do you like better, the 346xpne or 357xp?

SawTroll · Apr 19, 2011

sunfish said:
There is a sticker on top of the saw that gives the engine CC size.
45cc = OE. 50cc= NE ......

I have never seen that sticker.......

sunfish said:
And the 346xp OE is the lightest of the three, at 10.6 lbs. :msp_wink:

That surely is true! :msp_smile:

SkippyKtm · Apr 19, 2011

SawTroll said:
I have never seen that sticker.......

That surely is true! :msp_smile:

Its an EPA sticker, you're lucky!

nmurph · Apr 19, 2011

SawTroll said:
I have never seen that sticker.......

That surely is true! :msp_smile:

Neither have I, but all of the OE 346's in my shop have a 42 stamped in blue on the top fin.

The weight difference is only 4 ounces or so as confirmed by these same group of saws. The weights I have are 11.25 and 11.5oz, respectively. This is for a saw with the single spike, clutch cover and bar nuts. Those numbers are consistant to within a few tenths and I have weighed several of each version. I am going to drop the clutch cover, spike, and bar nuts to see if I can get a number that is closer to the factory spec.

sunfish · Apr 19, 2011

outdoortype said:
Sunfish-
Which do you like better, the 346xpne or 357xp?

The 357 is a fine saw, but I like the 346 better. The 346 is just a high performance little do-it-all saw.

sunfish · Apr 19, 2011

nmurph said:
Neither have I, but all of the OE 346's in my shop have a 42 stamped in blue on the top fin.

The weight difference is only 4 ounces or so as confirmed by these same group of saws. The weights I have are 11.25 and 11.5oz, respectively. This is for a saw with the single spike, clutch cover and bar nuts. Those numbers are consistant to within a few tenths and I have weighed several of each version. I am going to drop the clutch cover, spike, and bar nuts to see if I can get a number that is closer to the factory spec.

EPA sticker on the top cover, just above the muff. Under the front handle in this photo, the white one. And I honestly can't tell any weight diff using the OE and NE. Just great saws! OE on the left and 357xp on the right.

nmurph · Apr 19, 2011

SF, you need to get out and run those saws some. Remember, a fresh and clean saw isn't a happy saw!

sunfish · Apr 19, 2011

nmurph said:
SF, you need to get out and run those saws some. Remember, a fresh and clean saw isn't a happy saw!

That 10 year old 346 looks good don't it?:msp_biggrin:

They get a bunch of use. That was a rare moment,lol. Have cut around 15 cords since that photo last Fall.

SawTroll · Apr 19, 2011

SkippyKtm said:
Its an EPA sticker, you're lucky!

I guess all the US sold saws have it then.

As nmurph said, the bore often is stamped on the top of the cylinder - I will have a look at my saws later today....

SkippyKtm · Apr 19, 2011

sunfish said:
That 10 year old 346 looks good don't it?:msp_biggrin:

They get a bunch of use. That was a rare moment,lol. Have cut around 15 cords since that photo last Fall.

Ah... You must have put that "xp"decal on the top as they didn't have those until 2007. I was thinking it was an early 2007 OE model as the NE's came out in mid 2007(like mine).

rustyb · Apr 19, 2011

sunfish said:
EPA sticker on the top cover, just above the muff. Under the front handle in this photo, the white one. And I honestly can't tell any weight diff using the OE and NE. Just great saws! OE on the left and 357xp on the right.

Great photo! I'd love to see the same angle with a 346 and 261 side by side. Anyone have a pic like that by chance?

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Very helpful.

sunfish · Apr 19, 2011

SkippyKtm said:
Ah... You must have put that "xp"decal on the top as they didn't have those until 2007. I was thinking it was an early 2007 OE model as the NE's came out in mid 2007(like mine).

Yes, that's a 1999 346xp, bought January of 2001. I added the sticker.

sunfish · Apr 19, 2011

rustyb said:
Great photo! I'd love to see the same angle with a 346 and 261 side by side. Anyone have a pic like that by chance?

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Very helpful.

Thanks! I need to get some pics of my new 346xp.

Seems there was a photo some where. The 346 is a good bit narrower and smaller.

SawTroll · Apr 19, 2011

SawTroll said:
....
As nmurph said, the bore often is stamped on the top of the cylinder - I will have a look at my saws later today....

Neither my NE346xpg nor my 2153WH have that number on top of the cylinder, I know my 353 has though (45).

rustyb · Apr 19, 2011

sunfish said:
Seems there was a photo some where. The 346 is a good bit narrower and smaller.

I have been pouring through the threads lately and don't recall seeing one like that. So many posts though. I could have easily missed it.

Anyone else know of that pic? If not, anyone want to snap a shot of the two saws side by side like that?

nmurph · Apr 19, 2011

SawTroll said:
Neither my NE346xpg nor my 2153WH have that number on top of the cylinder, I know my 353 has though (45).

I haven't seen it on the 45mm cylinders, only the 42's.

How to tell 346 XP OE from 346 XP NE?

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