Help with smaller Husqvarna saw

[greenlantern412]

Hi, new to the site. I have a Husqvarna 359 that I love for cutting down trees and fire wood. I am looking to get a smaller Husky saw for doing the smaller jobs. Want to stick with husky cause there is a dealer nearby. Husky has a 142 model, or a new 235E. Can anyone give me some advice.

Also, with my 359, I am running a 20 inch bar, is that good? I have heard some comments about going with an 18 in. What do you think. Thanks for the help.

 

[grandpatractor]

Welcome to the site. It all depends on your budget. Going with the 235 will be cheaper but it still weighs 10.3lbs with 1.7 hp compared to a 346xp that weighs 11lbs and has 3.7 hp. Its less than a pound heavier and over twice the power. It is also more money. It is really your decision depending what you want to spend.

 

[Chopwood]

Hi, new to the site. I have a Husqvarna 359 that I love for cutting down trees and fire wood. I am looking to get a smaller Husky saw for doing the smaller jobs. Want to stick with husky cause there is a dealer nearby. Husky has a 142 model, or a new 235E. Can anyone give me some advice.

Also, with my 359, I am running a 20 inch bar, is that good? I have heard some comments about going with an 18 in. What do you think. Thanks for the help.

And here I thought a 359 was a small saw. Just kidding, I use the overkill principal in all walks of life.

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

Welcome to the site. It all depends on your budget. Going with the 235 will be cheaper but it still weighs 10.3lbs with 1.7 hp compared to a 346xp that weighs 11lbs and has 3.7 hp. Its less than a pound heavier and over twice the power. It is also more money. It is really your decision depending what you want to spend.

I agree. A 359 and a 346xp = good combo.

 

[Ghillie]

friend of mine has the 142 that he got from a box store. It had been returned because it "leaked" oil!!!

I ordered a new bar and chain from bailey's for him when I bought some stuff for my saws.

Haven't had a chance to run it yet.

Oh yeah, the reason for the new bar was he had split the tip on the bar that came with it and three replacements.

I haven't seen him cut so I imagine some of it is operator error but the bars do seem flimsy.

 

[SawTroll]

I agree. A 359 and a 346xp = good combo.

Oh yeah - .2hp differense - and then he needs to close the gap between them some time later......













Sorry my friend, just couldn't resist.......

 

[SawTroll]

Hi, new to the site. I have a Husqvarna 359 that I love for cutting down trees and fire wood. I am looking to get a smaller Husky saw for doing the smaller jobs. Want to stick with husky cause there is a dealer nearby. Husky has a 142 model, or a new 235E. Can anyone give me some advice. ....

I would stay away from the 142/137 and the 240/235 - they are lower quality products, put together by Poulan - and with anemic power for the weight.

The 340-350 is much better quality (and made in Sweden), with more power for little or no added weight - just avoid any "e" versions.
If you want the same quality as the 359, look at the 353.

 

[nikocker]

Two other options

Looked at and handled the Husky 435 all new model - X torq wieghs in at like 9.3 lbs! Possibly looking at picking one up myself just because of the light weight.
They sell it at Lowes for $ 249 your dealer should be able to get it as well.

Also I agree with SawTroll - the 340 is a decent smaller saw - they are getting harder to find however. They are still available at Tractor Supply - about $259 perhaps your dealer could find you one of those.

Either box store would give you the opportunity to handle the saws anyway in the event your dealer didn't happen to have them in stock.

Good luck and keep us posted. BTW welcome to the site!

Al

 

[MCW]

Have to agree about the 142. My dad has one which I took as a backup once to my 38cc McCulloch 2316AV. I gave it a run on some almond wood about 10-14" round and it didn't even come close to my McCulloch for power (both had new chains, 16"bars and same fuel). I was a bit disappointed actually as I'm a big Husky fan. Their smaller, cheaper saws are garbage (it cost more than twice as much as my McCulloch). If you're going to buy a cheap Husky for back up service go for it but I'd rather spend half the money on a low end Poulan or a McCulloch similar to mine. Put them all side by side and they're basically the same saw anyway as mentioned above.

 

[nikocker]

Some specs from Husky.

435 - 40.9cc, 2.1 hp, 9.33lbs, Max rpm 9000
340 - 40.8cc, 2.7 hp, 10.3lbs, Max rpm 12,500

I'm thinking the 340 would perform lots better.

Might help you decide.

Al

 

[SawTroll]

435 - 40.9cc, 2.1 hp, 9.33lbs, Max rpm 9000
340 - 40.8cc, 2.7 hp, 10.3lbs, Max rpm 12,500

I'm thinking the 340 would perform lots better.

Might help you decide.

Al

I suspect those 9000rpm are max power rpm, not max rpm.........

 

[nikocker]

Yup!

I suspect those 9000rpm are max power rpm, not max rpm.........

Yeah I misread the chart - it is max power RPM.
Thanks ST - Al

 

[sawdoctor]

I would stay away from the 142/137 and the 240/235 - they are lower quality products, put together by Poulan - and with anemic power for the weight.

The 340-350 is much better quality (and made in Sweden), with more power for little or no added weight - just avoid any "e" versions.

+1 couldn't have put it better myself

 

[shortlid]

400

How about the Husky 400 they have them at Tractor Supply for $280? You guys are right when I look at the McColloch web site it even says they are part of Husky!!!

 

[Cliff R]

I just picked up a 435 off of E-Bay, new in the box. So far pretty impressed with it. Pretty fast cutting saw, and light weight. Not sure at this point how well it's going to hold up, but it's a lot better than the 141 we owned briefly a few years back. I wasn't aware that the smaller Husqvarna saws back then were re-badged Poulan's?.....Cliff

 

[SawTroll]

..... but it's a lot better than the 141 we owned briefly a few years back. I wasn't aware that the smaller Husqvarna saws back then were re-badged Poulan's?.....Cliff

The were not rebadged Poulans, but assambled by Poulan. Some of the more important parts were made in Sweden.

I believe the same still is the case with the current 235 and 240.

 

[Cliff R]

Then it tells me that the association with Poulan wasn't good for the basic product......FWIW.....Cliff

 

[nikocker]

Update on the 435.

My son and I started to do a thinning project I've been planning on about 20 acres of hardwoods on my property on Saturday. Most of the trees we were removing were small maples ranging in size from 6" to 10" in diameter. In the three hours that we worked we dropped and limbed about 35 trees. He used my NE346XP and I used my new 435 just to give it a better work out.

Honestly, I have to say that I'm continuing to be impressed with this little Husky! For the felling and limbing of these smaller trees it worked like a dream, and it's light weight made it a real pleasure to work with. It felt very balanced and nimble. The 435 revs surprisingly fast as well, with excellent throttle response. With a sharp chain the 435 did a very admirable job. I was able to run about two more tanks through the saw on Saturday and have about 6 through it so far (did I mention it's very fuel efficient?).

Now I only have about a hundred more trees to go, and then all the bucking into firewood . . . .

I can't say that this saw will last 5 or even 3 years - - - who knows??? But what I can say is Husky is "on target" with these new small 400 series saws.

They DO perform.

Al

 

[Evan]

i think id recomend the 260 to spread the weight difrince out alittle more from the 359, i also feels its just ass good as the 346 but doesnt have as much bling.

i realy like mine dont regret it at all, its very good saw along side the 359 they can also be found used all over the place, i got mine for 300 in like new condition not scratch or ding on it. and that was actualy over paying just alittle.

filn fuel and oil tanks for one of the few tree jobs ive done.

 

[Cliff R]

"Honestly, I have to say that I'm continuing to be impressed with this little Husky! For the felling and limbing of these smaller trees it worked like a dream, and it's light weight made it a real pleasure to work with. It felt very balanced and nimble. The 435 revs surprisingly fast as well, with excellent throttle response. With a sharp chain the 435 did a very admirable job."


+1

I'm very impressed as well, we'll see how it does in long term service? In case you missed it, I did experience a minor problem with mine yesterday, it started "bogging" down and wouldn't stay running.

When I got home I discovered the spark plug wire was pulled tightly against one of the jug cooling fins. I moved it away from the fin and it ran fine. There wasn't burn thru hole in the wire, but it did rub hard enough to cause some abrasion to the wires surface. I may have to make a cover for that portion of the wire with a small rubber hose to make sure it doesn't happen again.....Cliff