Newly Designed Husky 350

[Kurf]

Hi ya'll I've been thinking about a new saw and have read a lot of threads on AS. I use a couple of cords of wood a year for heating my shop, that's about the extent of using the chain saw. The winters are not bad in Tn. I have narrowed my choice of saws to Stihl 260, echo cs-520, or the Husky 350. The Stihl, if you have the money, one can't go wrong, the Husky I don't know. The Echo 520 with a 18" bar is a strong contender. I have some questions about the Husky. How long has the newly designed 350 been on the market? If you have one, what do you think of it? I was leaning to buy a 350, lots of positive threads, but were they for the new saw? I was at Lowes the other weekend and looking at the 350. I was wondering about the magic air filter they advertise. It just so happen, someone had taken the top housing cover off the saw and left it loose. I looked in,the filter is designed with the cover over the clean air side of the filter elements. It just kind of snaps in without any positive retainer such as screw,wire clips ect. I wonder how that is going to hold up after a few year of vibration and removal. It looks kind of mickey mouse to me. I'm sure it would work good for a cookie jar. If it comes loose the engine is sucking surrounding air, probably without you knowing it,can't see it under there. Does Husky have this arrangement on other saws? I know Husky makes a fine engine. My local Stihl dealer and authorised Husky repair man, said that parts are a problem with Husky. Some times back, a Husky clerk got aggravated and told him "We're only required by law to stock parts for 7 years and that what we are going to do". I want my saw for longer than 7 years,as matter of fact I shouldn't need parts until after 7 years. I personally don't trusted Husky, I will write a thread later explaining. Thanks for you comments


Kurf

 

[heymack]

If you don't trust Husky and don't like the design and availability of parts, why even consider buying one?

FWIW, I've used my 350 for a couple years clearing my land of oak, hackberry and mesquite. It's never stumbled once.

 

[hornett22]

i have never had problems getting parts for a husky.

sounds like you're dealer is an ass.if you buy it at lowe's i wouldn't expect him to be too excited about servicing it for you though.i'm on his side there.

bailey's will always have parts if they are available.all manufactures stop production on certain things after a while.ebay is a great parts source.

 

[Kurf]

Heymack, is your saw of the new design? I am questioning the filter design and any other problems related to the new design, I like the price. How long has the new design been out?
Kurf

 

[blis]

The 350 has been around for some time and theres been no reliability issues that i have heard of... The huskys air injection system is also the best on market in terms of longevity and filtration power and it lasts long as the saw (many many years that is)....

Imo, dont bother with 260, its old design and way behind husky in terms of anti-vibe, filtration and ergonomics...

About the echo, i just dont trust it will hold up...

 

[Kurf]

Hornett, I was at his shop taking about Stihl Saws and saws in general. He was a Husky dealer for several years, and no he is not an ass. I wasn't buying at Lowes, I was looking at Lowes, I wasn't ready to buy, there wasn't anyone there to ask questions, just wanted to get a feel of the saw without much talk.
Kurf

 

[gatkeper1]

About the echo, i just dont trust it will hold up...

The Echo is not made as well and will not last? I guess I should toss out my 20+ year old Echos because they are unreliable. In all the time I have owned them, I bought them new, the only thing I have done is filters and fuel lines. They always start and do the job. Maybe not with the speed or power of a stihl or husqvarna but they have been dead on reliable.

 

[computeruser]

Unless your heart is set on Echo, I'd skip it. Not terribly good dealer support in most areas, and most Echo dealers stock saws only as an afterthought to their trimmer and blower lines, in my experience.

The Husqvarna 350 is a fine saw, plenty durable, with a great track record, and all that. Same with the Stihl MS260. You really can't go wrong with either of them. You may also wish to consider the Husqvarna 353, as it is a closer match to the MS260, having a magnesium crankcase and whatnot.

As for Husqvarna parts availability, parts for most mainline saws continue to be available decades after the fact from dealers, and even longer than that on eBay and whatnot. I wouldn't discount Husqvarna just because some particular dealer doesn't like to maintain an inventory in older parts.

 

[SawTroll]

I completely agree with what Computeruser said above!

 

[Kurf]

Hi Computeruser, I understand that the 350 has been an excellent saw and that's why I was looking at one. I still have not had a reply on the use of a newly designed one as advertised on Bailey's. I read a thread the other day on AS where a guy was told by a shop that they had had more service problem on the new 350 than any saw they serviced. I think an Echo is a reliable company and believe the520 would work good for me. They have a good Echo shop here. I love the feel of the pull on the Husky and the ease of starting, same for Echo. The Stihl dealer went on and told me that he tells all his customers that the Stihl floods easly, he said that thought it was from expansion of the gas when not in use. He said to eliminate the problem pull the rope once to clear it before choking it for starting. He also said the larger saw wasn't a problem for such. Before I get mugged about starting, I don't have a problem starting gasoline equipment, bUt, I like it as easy as I can get it. Stihl would not be a problem for me start. I had another Stihl shop tell me the same about Huskky parts. He has been in business many years and I trust him totally. I have a (don't laugh) 1977 14"Homelite Super 2 that I bought new in77, it still runs strong. I need a little bit larger saw. With all due respect the 14" will cut wood larger that I care to lift and split, not as young as some of you.
Kurf

 

[blis]

The husky 350 has been on market several years and there hasnt been any desing changes after it was published afaik....

The service problems you are talking bout are most likely customer caused, since i havent heard of single breakage of 350 where something would have blown up totally etc....

Imo, its the best saw for your needs, unless you want to step up to 346xp/353

 

[heymack]

Heymack, is your saw of the new design? I am questioning the filter design and any other problems related to the new design, I like the price. How long has the new design been out?
Kurf

I'm not sure when Husky redesigned the saw. I was looking at new saws a week ago (not to buy...just a guy thing) and the 350 at the store appeared to be the same as mine, but I honestly didn't look too closely.

 

[Kurf]

Blis if you have time look on Bailey's and at the 350, it says the saw is redesigned from scratch. Looks like a red flag to me. The older 350 has a great reputation.

 

[blis]

Blis if you have time look on Bailey's and at the 350, it says the saw is redesigned from scratch. Looks like a red flag to me. The older 350 has a great reputation.

I believe that is supposed to mean that 350 is totally new model and not upgraded model like 351 ->353 or 246xp -> 346xp.... Atleast i havent heard anything about 350 being redesigned and i see no real reason for it since its only couple of years old design...

 

[SawTroll]

Hi Computeruser, I understand that the 350 has been an excellent saw and that's why I was looking at one. I still have not had a reply on the use of a newly designed one as advertised on Bailey's. ....

I believe the only thing that has changed on the "new" 350, (really the latest EPA version), is that they now use a slightly downrated version of the 51.7cc 353 engine, while the original ones have a 49.4cc engine........

 

[Jim Mesthene]

New Model

I'm an occasional user with a 33 acre woodlot.
I bought my first new saw in 1973 (Mac, terrible saw)
I bought my Pro Pioneer P40 new in 1975
I bought my 350 at Christmas 2005 (newest model)

For an occasional user (50-100 hours a year?) the 350 is the best saw I've ever used, including my friend's 028 Stihl.
Light, vibration-free, easy to start, comp release, great air filter, primer bulb.
So far as I can tell, same performance as a 353, maybe less longevity (for me, that won't be an issue). Pick up 15% more power after it's broken in (kind of a startling change).

If you don't like Husqvarnas, buy something else.

 

[blis]

I'm an occasional user with a 33 acre woodlot.
I bought my first new saw in 1973 (Mac, terrible saw)
I bought my Pro Pioneer P40 new in 1975
I bought my 350 at Christmas 2005 (newest model)

For an occasional user (50-100 hours a year?) the 350 is the best saw I've ever used, including my friend's 028 Stihl.
Light, vibration-free, easy to start, comp release, great air filter, primer bulb.
So far as I can tell, same performance as a 353, maybe less longevity (for me, that won't be an issue). Pick up 15% more power after it's broken in (kind of a startling change).

If you don't like Husqvarnas, buy something else.

actually, 350 has .1kw less power than 353, but when modded 353 has potential for +4hp.... But for occasional use, 350 is superior choice...

 

[spike60]

As far as I'm aware, there has been no redesign, "from scratch", or otherwise on the 350. Perhaps that description on the Baileys site has been there for quite a while. It may refer to the cylinder change that occured for the 2003 model year. The only recent change, (within the last year or so), has been the appearance of the primer bulb to assist in starting.

For your stated use, the 350 would be a perfect choice. Best bang for the buck in it's class by a comfortable margin.

Also, in my opinion, we won't see a redesign of this family of saws. Rather, they will be replaced by a newer family of saws, the first of which will be the 445 that will be out later this year. (Yeah, it's an X-torque)

 

[Dok]

My 350 has been perfectly reliable. I love the air filtration system, I have never had to clear the filter in the middle of the day. I would definitely recommend it!
Brad

 

[rahtreelimbs]

While most may not agree, the Echo isn't a bad saw at all. I have a CS-510 and it is a good running reliable saw.

They come a little lean and run best when the muffler is ported. But that isn't all that hard to do!!!

Dealers aren't bad where I am at. I have seen them on Ebay for around $300