346 xp 5100 comparison

[441_Stihl]

has anyone ran both of these?And if so how do they compare

 

[Stihl Crazy]

To start with this is just how I see things, others may differ. I like the feel and balance of the 346 better for limbing. In softwood it is hard to see a difference power wise. In hardwood the 5100 is the stronger saw. For my work I find the 5100 to run cleaner. Both are very tough saws. Over 2500 tanks on one 346 and I am up to 1500 on my oldest 5100.

 

[TDunk]

There both good saws. I own a 5100 but have run a 346. I like my 5100 better for limbing and felling small trees but that's just my prefernce. Both saws are very good.

 

[Scooterbum]

No Comparison

The 5100 wins hands down.I've been spoiled by an exceptional running 028Super.Which I comapare all saws in this class to.The 5100 is as close as I've found.
The 5100 has more low end grunt and more power in the cut then the 346.Even though it weighs a little more,it's not enough to notice that much.

 

[SawTroll]

...
The 5100 has more low end grunt and more power in the cut then the 346.Even though it weighs a little more,it's not enough to notice that much.

The weight differense is quite notisable in my hands, but they aren't really in the same class - the 5100S is sort of midway between the 346xp and the MS361, both for power and weight......

The 5100 will balance a longer than 16" bar much better than the 346xp, if that is an issue.

 

[Esbjug]

has anyone ran both of these?And if so how do they compare

I have them both, but I only used the Dolmar for some weeks this spring. Since the 1960s, Husqvarna has been the saw on my farm, but thanks the AS, I began reading about this saw. My saw was imported from the US (only the 5000 is sold in Europe). The S-version is obtainable with a smaller engine here.

As others have pointed out, the Dolmar PS-5100S is a great saw in its class, with a very nice engine. There is a 5 ccm difference in engine volume, and this gives a better low end torque for the Dolmar. For limbing in soft wood, I do not notice any difference. I only run 13" bars, so my experience is from that cutting equipment. Larger bars will probably favour the Dolmar.

There are tests done in Germany and Sweden, telling about fuel consumption, vibration, noice etc. I do not know the adress to these reports, but perhaps someone else knows them?

 

[SawTroll]

The German tests are here.

For a 13" bar, I suggerst that you use an 8-pin rim on the 5100, if it is .325.

But a 13" on a 50cc saw will not balanse very well, anyway, imo.

 

[blis]

The German tests are here.

For a 13" bar, I suggerst that you use an 8-pin rim on the 5100, if it is .325.

But a 13" on a 50cc saw will not balanse very well, anyway, imo.

Man, you've been spending too much time here :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

Man, you've been spending too much time here :hmm3grin2orange:

No, 13" bars fits a really light 40cc saw much better (that excludes the 242xp),

 

[blis]

No, 13" bars fits a really light 40cc saw much better (that excludes the 242xp),

what bar should you use on 242xpg then? :jester:

 

[SawTroll]

what bar should you use on 242xpg then? :jester:

15-16", I believe, for better balance.......opcorn:

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Wow, 13" sounds really small. I often run my 346 with a 20" bar to reduce reaching and bending; hardly ever sinking the bar fully (I have bigger saws for that). Otherwise I run a 16" and it really screams. I can't imagine running much smaller.

Somebody who runs the 13", what do you see as the advantage over say a 16"?

 

[SawTroll]

It is about peak performance, but imo, not worth the disadvantages......:greenchainsaw:

 

[441_Stihl]

do they require more maitenance than other saws for rpm difference

 

[blis]

It is about peak performance, but imo, not worth the disadvantages......:greenchainsaw:

well. im a short guy so it doesnt matter if the bar is shorter :hmm3grin2orange: but seriously, i just like the way saws perform with short bars...

 

[SawTroll]

do they require more maitenance than other saws for rpm difference

Not! :yoyo: :yoyo:

 

[Cam501]

Not! :yoyo: :yoyo:

If you ever walked in to our store you would end up wanting a bar swap on every single saw in the showroom except for maybe the 390xp,or the ms 660 because every one of them has a bar too long for your liking. Nothing on our floor fropm ms250/345 and up has smaller than an 18" bar on it. Heck we used to have 16" on the 192T's(I've changed that to 14" a several months ago).

 

[Monkeyhanger]

Somebody who runs the 13", what do you see as the advantage over say a 16"?

Hi,

I use 13" on my 346XPG. It is mainly only used for limbing hardwoods and sometimes softwoods. Anyway I like to be able to keep an eye on where the tip of the bar is as kickback occurs easily in these trees, although that is not much of a problem anyway with the 346XPG and the short bar.

It is pretty much a safety thing to use the shortest bar that will do the job. I have tried limbing with longer bars (15" and 20") and I didn't like it at all.

Bye

 

[SawTroll]

If you ever walked in to our store you would end up wanting a bar swap on every single saw in the showroom except for maybe the 390xp,or the ms 660 because every one of them has a bar too long for your liking. Nothing on our floor fropm ms250/345 and up has smaller than an 18" bar on it. Heck we used to have 16" on the 192T's(I've changed that to 14" a several months ago).

... It is pretty much a safety thing to use the shortest bar that will do the job. I have tried limbing with longer bars (15" and 20") and I didn't like it at all.

Bye

Looks like I have been cought in the middle here - no way out......:help: :help:




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