346xp vs 260 pro

[Slamm]

Sorry, Brad we posted at the same time.

Sam

 

[blsnelling]

No, I did have one video where I was going to prove I could run them blindfolded, but all that you see in the video is me blindfolded walking around trying to find a tree to cut, its really long and boring.

As it turns out they pointed me toward the combined bean field and not the timber. I'll have to try a again, LOL.

Sam

blsnelling,

What is the compression of those modded 346's. I assume you have a modded 260 or similiar, whats is your take on their comparison in modded form. Apparently the 346 spanks the 260 in stock form.

Thanks,

Sam

My reply is in reference to muffler modded saws. I don't consider running a saw choked up by the EPA. The 346 unported will walk all over an unported 260. Add into that the better handling, better filtration, better AV, and it's not even a contest IMHO. The only draw back to the 346 for me is the outboard clutch and it's tipsyness.

Compression is only about 145 right now on this new 346. It's only on it's 2nd tank of fuel. I experienced similiar with mine. It was quite low when new. After a dozen or so tanks, it's now 185-190 with the same .040" popup and .016" squish. It seems that Huskies have lower compression from the factory these days than Stihls do. But they run well none the less.

My 260 is modded similiarly to me 346. The last time I ran them, the 346 was beating the 260. Previously, the 260 had been the winner. But I had gone back in and done some more transfer work, and it really seemed to help. Bottom line, they're comparable the way I have them modded. Here's the kicker though. I had to do considerable modding to get a 440 carb on the 260. With the porting, it was a must. The stock filter has to go too. Both the carb and filter are HUGE bottle necks. This new 346 I posted has the stock carb and filter. Mine is running a 357 carb and filter, but they are direct boltons.

 

[Slamm]

My reply is in reference to muffler modded saws. I don't consider running a saw choked up by the EPA. The 346 unported will walk all over an unported 260. Add into that the better handling, better filtration, better AV, and it's not even a contest IMHO. The only draw back to the 346 for me is the outboard clutch and it's tipsyness.

Compression is only about 145 right now on this new 346. It's only on it's 2nd tank of fuel. I experienced similiar with mine. It was quite low when new. After a dozen or so tanks, it's now 185-190 with the same .040" popup and .016" squish. It seems that Huskies have lower compression from the factory these days than Stihls do. But they run well none the less.

My 260 is modded similiarly to me 346. The last time I ran them, the 346 was beating the 260. Previously, the 260 had been the winner. But I had gone back in and done some more transfer work, and it really seemed to help. Bottom line, they're comparable the way I have them modded. Here's the kicker though. I had to do considerable modding to get a 440 carb on the 260. With the porting, it was a must. The stock filter has to go too. Both the carb and filter are HUGE bottle necks. This new 346 I posted has the stock carb and filter. Mine is running a 357 carb and filter, but they are direct boltons.

Brad, thank you very much. I will just accept that the 346 is better than the 260 in all forms.

So as to not sound illogical, I will stick with my 260 not due to simple blindness, but due to the fact that I already have it, its a Stihl like the rest of my saws and it is still a great little saw.

Thanks again, for clearing that all up for me,

Sam

 

[2000ssm6]

I take what you wrote as the modded 260 is better than a modded 346.

Is that how I was suppose to take that?

So for instance if I got a stock 346 right now, I would be disappointed, because I already have a good, modded 260. Then if I modded the 346 it wouldn't be that impressive or much different than the 260.

Correct me if I have taken what you wrote incorrectly,

Thanks,

Sam

From what I've seen, it really depends on who does the porting. I got one that runs decent and one that runs awesome. I prefer the 026/260 just because I'd rather run a Stihl, have a butt load of parts for 'em, can get new parts easy, and work on 'em just as easy. I can't tell ya how you would like a ported 346 over your ported 260 because I don't know your builder. Either one are fine saws and impressive when ported. The 026/260 always seemed to be a better limb saw due to it's compact size and weight, the inboard clutch helps also. Try a 346, you might like it.

 

[biggenius29]

I've read all the praise on the 346 for some time now. Been wanting to run one in stock form. Well a few weeks back another member on here offered to let me run his for a couple of weeks,(thanks Ross). Bone stock with around 2 gal of fuel run through it so far,perfect. I was highly disappointed, maybe I was expecting too much of a differance compared to the 260 from all the good i'd been reading on here.

I even put a stock muff cover back on the 260 to make it fair. No dice, the 260 was still just slightly quicker in smaller wood. 10" sassy

Muff mod the 346 and that smile that I'd been hearing about finally appeared. Now I'm getting better times in the same test wood than the 260, a lot better.

Better handling in the tops? Toss up in my book. Less vibes? Oh you bet, set the 346 down and pick up the 260 and that tells ya real quick just how smooth the Husky is. Bigger hardwood, 10-16", 346 really shines even b4 the muff mod, after the mod, well it's a pleasure to run.

Walks all over a 260? Not in stock form.


But then, this is just "my" opinion.

Yea, that 346 is something else right now after it has a BA hole in the muffler. I liked it before, but now I love it. I now need to muffler mod my 026 and run the two side by side and find out for myself.

I still need to get a non-limited coil yet.

 

[sbhooper]

I bought a 260 to use fo small stuff and fenceline clearing. It has been a great saw and definitely the easiest starting saw that I own. It is also real handy to run. I do not run mods and don't care about splitting hairs on cut times. I would sure like to have a 346 someday just based on what is said about it here, but I am totally happy with my poor, old, slow 260. If I was faced with the decision between the two, it would come down to price and dealer support because both are going to cut that wood if you keep the chain sharp.

 

[Chaz1]

I bought a 260 to use fo small stuff and fenceline clearing. It has been a great saw and definitely the easiest starting saw that I own. It is also real handy to run. I do not run mods and don't care about splitting hairs on cut times. I would sure like to have a 346 someday just based on what is said about it here, but I am totally happy with my poor, old, slow 260. If I was faced with the decision between the two, it would come down to price and dealer support because both are going to cut that wood if you keep the chain sharp.

Try a 346xp. You're grin would be sooo wide that your smile would touch itself on the backside of your head!!!!!

 

[bwalker]

I have owned both and ran both ported and stock. With that said the 260 is a boat anchor in comparison.
And this not meant to be a slam on Stihl so all the brand loyalty goons can shut their traps.