Other than the MS260 & 346XP, which others in that class are worthy?

[rustyb]

Does Jonsered make a 346 equal?

I noticed someone posted the Dolmar PS540 as being only $299.99. Seems like a good deal for a pro saw. Is it a contender?

Are there others that are competitive in this class?

 

[jokers]

Worthy of what? Depends on what you plan to do, the 3 cube (~50cc) class probably has the most good saws of any displacement category around.

Russ

 

[bwalker]

Solo and Jonsered both have saw in this class. Dolmar is coming out with a new 50cc saw as well

 

[firtol88]

To hear most tell it, the 346xp doesn't have competition in a ten and a half pound saw... though I'd think the ms260 would at least be close.

 

[Lawn Masters]

Assuming we're talking about STOCK 346XP's and MS260's the 346 would probably clean the 260's clock. A PP346XP has NO competetors nor contenders in the displacment range it is in. The PP346XP is only matched by a few larger saws, like the 044 or the 372XP models.

 

[Hunter]

Bwalker is right, Dolmar should be coming out with its new saw sometime soon and its supposed to be a good saw in the 10lb class.
Hunter

 

[ehp]

like i said before if you can find a old partner 5000 plus in good shape it will make any stock 346 sit up and take note

 

[bwalker]

d MS260's the 346 would probably clean the 260's clock

With both saws in stock trim they are very close. Of course this assumes the 260 is of the adjustable carb variant.

 

[stihltech]

260

Or a properly set jet.

 

[bwalker]

Or a properly set jet

Keep dreaming.

 

[Saw Man]

Buy the Dolmar PRO PS540 at $299, $ave $140 while it's on sale.

Best warranty available.

Can't find anything better in it's class for that kind of $$$.
Yes, there are newer better styled saws, but not better built.

Been building that saw chassis for 19 (nineteen) years.
Totally debugged, and almost idiot proof.

Listen to the brain....not feelings.

 

[shoot501]

Saw Man is right about the Dolmars, we have 3 of the 50cc class saws in the family. Tough, reliable, powerful, lightweight, etc. Had these things over 10 yrs now with no problems except 1 fuel line and a few buffers. Every bit the equal of our 028 and 026 in my opionion. My son leaves his saw in the woods or the back of pickup all the time and it gets a cleaning about once a year, gotta be bulletproof to stand up to him.

 

[Bill G]

Originally posted by oldsaw-addict
Assuming we're talking about STOCK 346XP's and MS260's the 346 would probably clean the 260's clock. A PP346XP has NO competetors nor contenders in the displacment range it is in. The PP346XP is only matched by a few larger saws, like the 044 or the 372XP models.

Of the 4 saws you mentioned how many of these do you actually own ? I am interested in your impressions of each. I have had a variations of all of those mentioned. I have had a 026 and a 044. They are both down the road now. Of the others you mentioned I have a 272XP, 346XP, and (3) 046's. I will not even try to compare them as they are not comparable saws. I would however like to hear from someone who has put the 026 head to head against the 346. Have you ?

Bill

 

[rbtree]

I have a Shindaiwa 488, 346XP, and Solo 651SP, all worked over by Dennis Greffard. The 346 has the smallest motor, and is the fastest, the 651 the largest motor, but is the slowest. However, Ken Dunn modded a 651SP, (if I recall correctly, it was not the better 651 Pro, with closed transfers) and produced huge p0wer gains

 

[glens]

Originally posted by Bill G
Have you ?

Heh, heh.  A lot of the stuff looks about right.  But even that which does has kind of a funny taste, don't it?

Glen

 

[jokers]

Originally posted by Bill G
.... I would however like to hear from someone who has put the 026 head to head against the 346. Have you ?

Bill

Stock? It could be summed up as pretty much a coin toss.

Russ

 

[jokers]

I think if we go back and read O-A`s post , we`ll see that he pretty much said what Brian just said with the exception that he did not qualify his statement by stating wood size. I agree with O-A and Brian, the PP346xp pretty much hangs with much larger saws when cutting smaller(<18") wood.

I can consistantly make a stock 346 outcut a stock 026 by a very slight margin but I`ve also seen just the opposite. I`ve got a feeling that a 2152 or 353 could outcut a 346 in the hands of someone who likes to push their saw, they might even outcut the 026.

Rich Hoffman has been telling me about an Echo 510 that he has just started running, apparently has good stump power for a small saw and you can buy them cheap. Now we`re back on topic.

Russ

 

[Saw Man]

Dolmar PS540
Husqvarna 346
Stihl 026 Pro

ALL are very good saws.!!

Will serve you well if cared for.......properly.

Choose the one that fits your wallet, warranty you like best if that's important.

Heard a multi line dealer say when people ask him,...."Which one does he like?"

"Their all pretty equal, one will have this feature, but the other has that feature, so they usually cancel each other out. I tell them to buy the one that has the best price.
If it's still hard to decide, then I ask them what other saws they might have, and then figure out if the bars & chains interchange.
That way they can save even more money."

A real good answer.

So make life easy, go buy any one, and get into the kerf.

 

[TonyM]

I have had apart both a 651P and the 651SP (Craftsman version) and the jugs are identical. Only internal difference I saw, was the piston, domed a little on the P, and cupped a little on the SP. I have ported both versions, and they will cut within a hair of the PP346XP, but they have more torque in bigger cuts. I have not run the PS540 enough yet, but have one I'm taking to the woods soon. My initial impression for power is fairly good though. I have not run a stock 346, but I have run a stock 026 and 651. I personally like the 651, but the 346 is a great little saw. I will report on the PS540 when I get some time on it. I've been tempted to try an echo CS-510, but am a little turned off by the extra weight over the others.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I have 2 PP346's. I also bought the Solo KD651P that ClearH20Scott had for sale on the used forum. My feelings on the PP346 are well known on this forum. The KD651P the jury is still out on. The first time that I ran it was with an 8 tooth sprocket. It may need a 7 tooth to fully appreciate the mods.At this point I feel I can say that the PP346 will outcut the KD651P in smaller wood. The PP346 is just plain faster. But, in larger wood it may be a different story. The KD651P has alot of torque. Time will tell.


BTW Roger, the KD651P is the Pro version. It has the full red top.

As far as the the Echo 510 goes, this saw is a factory screamer! Other than a dual ported muffler the saw is bone stock. After setting the carb while cutting ( 4 storoking when not under load ) the saw runs at 15,200 RPM. This saw is fast. As far as weight. I can't tell the difference.

In case anyone is interested:

KD's thread on the 651P