346XP vs. Stihl MS???

[Timberhauler]

What does stihl make that is supposed to compare with the 346XP...I picked up a 346XP yesterday and I'm impressed,I'm actually going to use it for what I bought the 357 for...I know,I have bought many new ones over the last month or so,but I'm done now for at least six more months...My question is,what does Stihl have that is supposed to be comparable to that saw??...It will flat outcut my 260PRO and my 280...So it can't be one of those...Then when you go up to a 290...It's too damm heavy to compare.I'm just curious.....I've always had either the biggest saws,or the smallest ones.I would use the 200T in the tree until I hit bigger wood,then I would haul up the 440...Now that I'm getting older,that 440 up in a tree is a heavy brute..Which is why I've been playing with these mid-sized saws lately.

 

[SWE#Kipp]

None maybe ,,,

 

[stonykill]

What does stihl make that is supposed to compare with the 346XP...I picked up a 346XP yesterday and I'm impressed,I'm actually going to use it for what I bought the 357 for...I know,I have bought many new ones over the last month or so,but I'm done now for at least six more months...My question is,what does Stihl have that is supposed to be comparable to that saw??...It will flat out cut my 260PRO and my 280...So it can't be one of those...Then when you go up to a 290...It's too damm heavy to compare.I'm just curious.....I've always had either the biggest saws,or the smallest ones.I would use the 200T in the tree until I hit bigger wood,then I would haul up the 440...Now that I'm getting older,that 440 up in a tree is a heavy brute..Which is why I've been playing with these mid-sized saws lately.

my local stihl dealer, that sold me the 026 I just sold, and also sold me the used 346xp, claims the 260 is the equal, although he flat out admitted the 346xp outperformed the 260, and he despises huskys. It hurt him to say that!:biggrinbounce2: IMO the 346xp smokes the 260. Not sure how everyone feels, but thats my opinion.:rockn:

 

[rahtreelimbs]

None...........is pretty much right.

The Stihl 260 isn't a bad saw..........but after 18 or so years in production it is a little behind the times and isn't what the Husky 346 or Dolmar 5100S are!!!

 

[stonykill]

None is pretty much right.

The Stihl 260 isn't a bad saw..........bnut after 18 or so years in production it is a little behind the times and isn't what the Husky 346 or Dolmar 5100S are!!!

your right, I owned my 026 for 12 years, it was a great saw, I just never used it once I got the 346xp.

 

[musch]

Stihl is way off in the 50cc saws.
They make great saws in the 70cc and up range, but below that they are getting

I am wondering if and when they will have a totally redesigned smaller saw. Could be pretty exciting.

(in the above message, I am talking about rear handled saws, not the 200t)

 

[SawTroll]

None maybe ,,,

That's correct -there are no Stihls that are worth comparison - but the jonsered 2147 is about the same saw as the 346xp......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[manual]

None...........is pretty much right.

The Stihl 260 isn't a bad saw..........bnut after 18 or so years in production it is a little behind the times and isn't what the Husky 346 or Dolmar 5100S are!!!

Not to make an argument but why don't you try comparing to proper Dolmar saw to the 346, That would be the Dolmar ps460 2.8cu. (45.6cc)

 

[rahtreelimbs]

None...........is pretty much right.

The Stihl 260 isn't a bad saw..........but after 18 or so years in production it is a little behind the times and isn't what the Husky 346 or Dolmar 5100S are!!!

Not to make an argument but why don't you try comparing to proper Dolmar saw to the 346, That would be the Dolmar ps460 2.8cu. (45.6cc)

Because no one here ever does! The 260 vs. 346 vs. 5100S debate has been a staple of the chainsaw forum.

People compare the 372 to the 7900 when there is roughly a 6 cc difference!

A few cc's doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things.

Plus when comparing saws performance is a big factor, but so is Anti-Vibe and so on!!!

 

[manual]

Because no one here ever does! The 260 vs. 346 vs. 5100S debate has been a staple of the chainsaw forum.

People compare the 372 to the 7900 when there is roughly a 6 cc difference!

A few cc's doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things.

Plus when comparing saws performance is a big factor, but so is Anti-Vibe and so on!!!

problem is, it does matter,

Husky 346xp 2.7cu.in (45cc) 3.4 hp 14,500 rpm
Dolmar ps-460 2.8cu.in (45.6cc) 2.95hp 13,500 rpm
stihl Ms260 3.06cu.in (50.2cc) 3.2 hp not sure of rpm

It matters because the saws are being compaired wrongly
oh sure if you own a dolmar it makes you feel good to say 5100 bets a 346 and 7900 beats a 372 . what ever , seems husky make such a great saw that is can only be compared to a bigger saw.

 

[sawinredneck]

Not to make an argument but why don't you try comparing to proper Dolmar saw to the 346, That would be the Dolmar ps460 2.8cu. (45.6cc)

problem is, it does matter,

Husky 346xp 2.7cu.in (45cc) 3.4 hp 14,500 rpm
Dolmar ps-460 2.8cu.in (45.6cc) 2.95hp 13,500 rpm
stihl Ms260 3.06cu.in (50.2cc) 3.2 hp not sure of rpm

It matters because the saws are being compaired wrongly
oh sure if you own a dolmar it makes you feel good to say 5100 bets a 346 and 7900 beats a 372 . what ever , seems husky make such a great saw that is can only be compared to a bigger saw.

That really isn't that much of a factor Manual. We are trying to compare pro to pro in that "size class" and price range Husky makes a great saw, nobody is saying otherwise. It is no different than the 372/460/7900 debate, they are not truely the same size, but in the same class and this get compared simialerly. Anyone doing any research will discover the 5100 is a larger saw and take that into consideration.
It all comes down to weight, power/size, and price. These three saws all fit in that class, the 260, 346 and 5100.

 

[robby26wi]

Well i had a 346xp and my 5100 would eat it for lunch...Just a bit more cc's yes but the difference was very noticable...

 

[sawinredneck]

Well i had a 346xp and my 5100 would eat it for lunch...Just a bit more cc's yes but the difference was very noticable...

Well...................... That 346 had issues from the factory and was running NO WHERE NEAR as good as it should have!!! I would have been pissed and sold it as wll if I was you! I almost did!!! The carb on that saw was jacked up from the get go, I had to cut the tabs and lean it out even after I ported it!! I cussed that saw up one side and down the other on and off this site! I am likeing it better now, but it's not what I was hoping for!

 

[robby26wi]

I never touched the carb...maybe thats why lol...

 

[sawinredneck]

I never touched the carb...maybe thats why lol...

It was nothing you did, it was way out of wack!! Like I said, even after I ported and muffler modded it I could not LEAN it out enough. I could only get13.5k out of it, I had to cut the tabs off so it would lean out and speed up! Now if you have done any research at all, you will know that you need to RICHEN the saw up after performing eith one of these mods, much less both of them!! But I had to lean it out more! That saw was way WRONG from the get go!

 

[Cam501]

we sell both stihl and husky and while the MS260's are tanks in my opinion, that damn 1980's air filter has got to go! I'd vote for the 346XP over the 260!
I think putting the 290 in comparison is not apples to apples at all. You don't want to directly compare a homeowner "mid range" saw to a pro saw here. The power to weight ratio comparison is nonexistent. the 290 compares better to a 455 rancher as far as comparison by intended use of the saw. Where i get lost is what to compare a 353 to? I guess you could compare it to a 270, or maybe a 260? We've never stocked em but i'm thinking about ordering one or two next time, just don't know how it will sell with a 460 right next to it on the shelf.

 

[SawTroll]

None...........is pretty much right.

The Stihl 260 isn't a bad saw..........but after 18 or so years in production it is a little behind the times and isn't what the Husky 346 or Dolmar 5100S are!!!

Right, I like the 026 (and the 024), because it is light and nimble, but there surely are better saws out there in the 50cc class - the 353 also.......

 

[Cam501]

by 460 i mean husky's 460 that's based on the 455 platform, not the stihl 460