Echo CS346 Husky 340e or 345e

[afntrn56]

I am considering buying one of the three above saws. Will be doing some felling but I have 2 bigger saws for bigger jobs too . This is more an all purpose use. The prices are very close that i found for all of these at alamia.com. I realize the power difference in husky vs echo here. What i am leaning towards is husky but then which one? Is it worth an extra 15 bucks for a little more power and the easy start feature? Would the Echo be the better buy since it is a couple pounds lighter? Really wanted to know if anyone has experience with these and can give me a rundown. This site has a husky sale going on that includes extra chain and protector and sharpening tool. It ends tomorrow!! Any help appreciated. The saw I am replacing is an old MAC CAT which surprisingly has served me well for over 15 years.

 

[PA Plumber]

The Huskeys I know nothing about. I do have a CS 346 that I used to cut about 800 to 1000 small trees and saplings (13" dbh down to 1" dbh). Great running little saw. Easy to start and very light. The thing does like to throw chains on small stuff, so make sure you have the tension on the snug side and the oiler turned up a little from factory. I use Stihl oil and the oiler was only giving me about 1/4 tank to 1 tank of fuel. Turned up the oiler, kept the chain snug and absolutey no issues with hot chain or chain being thrown. Don't expect it to be a power house. It is a small saw. Run sharp chains (as with any saw) and it will do a good job in the small stuff. The filter is not as convenient as my Stihl to maintenance, but it still needs it every once in a while. The CS 346 is also a decent trail mainenance saw. Ebay new $187.00 shipped to my door.

 

[afntrn56]

maybe a Stihl??

Maybe I should be looking at a Stihl as well???? Which one would be comparable for me here in a price up to $250? I will have to check ebay out for the echo as well. $187 for that shipped sounds cheap!

 

[computeruser]

Welcome to arboristsite!

In response to your original question, I would avoid the easy-start feature on ANY saw, given the option. These are small saws and are plenty easy to start without the assistance of some darned contraption that is bound to break at the worst possible time.

As for which model to buy, there's a fairly wide gulf between the 34cc Echo and the 45cc Husqvarna. I'm not sure that we're really talking about apples-apples here. There are lots of things to think about before the answer will be clear: What exactly do you envision this saw doing? How is it supposed to fit into your current lineup? What kind of bar length do you have in mind? What other saws are you currently running?

If you're looking for an all-around little saw, the 345 would be the most powerful of the lot. But that comes at a price: size and weight. If you're looking for a little limber-and-trimmer, the little Echo weighing in at 7.5lbs would win, hands down.

Maybe I should be looking at a Stihl as well???? Which one would be comparable for me here in a price up to $250? I will have to check ebay out for the echo as well. $187 for that shipped sounds cheap!

The comparable Stihls that span the general CC range of the three saws you're looking at would include the 170, 180, 210, 230, and 250. There's a world of difference between the capablilities of the first and last, so you'll really want to have a sense of what your purpose for the saw is before you can really pick one.

The Huskeys I know nothing about. I do have a CS 346 that I used to cut about 800 to 1000 small trees and saplings (13" dbh down to 1" dbh). Great running little saw. Easy to start and very light. ... Don't expect it to be a power house. It is a small saw. Run sharp chains (as with any saw) and it will do a good job in the small stuff. The filter is not as convenient as my Stihl to maintenance, but it still needs it every once in a while. The CS 346 is also a decent trail mainenance saw. Ebay new $187.00 shipped to my door.

Anyone who has been here for more than a short while is aware of my affection towards the little Echos. I think they're solid, reliable little machines and at eBay prices for NIB models, they're tough to beat. They do require a bit of aftermarket help to fix what the factory did wrong. I usually suggest ditching the Intenz bar for a regular bar and tensioner setup ($30 or so; you can re-sell the unused bar and chain on eBay, I got $25+shipping for the last Echo b/c I sold), and opening up the muffler a bit to let the saw breathe (or at least ditch the restrictive spark arrest screen). Once you do that you'll have a nice, perky saw for small wood and quick trimming.

In any case, figure out what you need the saw to do and don't just go rushing out after the first big sale you find at an online retailer.

 

[afntrn56]

Thanks for the help and advice. I most likely will wait a bit. My other two saws are a 24 inch old poulan which I don't know the model and a Mac 61 18" which mostly gets used as a backup when the poulan gets stuck or to cut through the big stuff when I get tired of the weight of the poulan. I really want this saw to be a little more than just a limber and trimmer as I used the mac cat to cut through even 18 inch rounds. I think the Echo would be up to that ?? This thing around not buying one with a easy start makes sense but worries me since most of the models I am looking at have that in some shape or form. The 345 has it as decompression and the 340 as a mechanism in starter. Are there still new models out there without these features in this range of models?

I was looking into Stihl online but it seems to be the saw that is not very available through an online retailer. Anyone got a favorite site they go to for this purchase?

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[SawTroll]

I suggest that you look at the Husky 350/Jonsered 2150 also - probably the best "consumer" type saws out there.

They have a decomp valve, and adjustable oilers - but no dubious "start help" feature.

 

[blis]

I suggest that you look at the Husky 350/Jonsered 2150 also - probably the best "consumer" type saws out there.

They have a decomp valve, and adjustable oilers - but no dubious "start help" feature.

and for little more money you could get a 353/2152, which is a pro grade saw without tags...

 

[SawTroll]

and for little more money you could get a 353/2152, which is a pro grade saw without tags...

True.

 

[ASEMASTER]

echo

I love my little echo since I did the muffler over and adjusted the carb, it used to be teribble to start and idle ,had no power, but now it's a joy to run even 20" wood.

 

[spike60]

I don't believe that the 340/345, or their Jonsered counterparts are available without the easy start feature, at this point. I never actually ordered the "E" models, but that's what I got. The 350's have added the primer but not the starter. I have yet to change a rope or spring in any of these new starters, but I assume it would be a bit more involved.

Between the primer and the decompression valve, the 350 should be as easy to start as a saw needs to be. These easy pull/dual spring starters are seemingly intended for people who are too frail or week to pull a standard saw over, and you have to wonder if such people should be running a chain saw in the first place.

 

[goof008]

I have the Echo 345 and I like it. I did the muffler mod on it and it cuts great. I use it as a back up or for smaller cutting. It is nice and light, and not too loud. Just keep the blade sharp.