Best saw for a small firewood operation?

[Chris Sheppard]

 

I’d be interested to know why you think it won’t appreciate ringing all day Chris?

 

I think the 365 or 560xp might be a bit big for me I’m not unit myself and that thing might start to own me!

 

The other thing is whether to go for the new versions with the autotune, these new techs may not have had the issues teased out yet? They also have the x torq.

 

346xp is being replaced with the 550xp I believe

 

The 353 replaced with the 545.

 

I’m kind of keen on the 353. I think because its got similar spec my old saw....don't like change.

 

 

Anyone here rate this Triobrake?

 

Cheers

John

 

346 is a fairly high revving felling saw for getting small trees on the floor and whizzing up a tree buzzing off branches. It's not a saw I particularly like (nt that it is a bad saw) but it's also not a saw I'd pick up to cut a lot of firewood.

 

The 550 that replaces it is fantastic little saw with plenty more go than a 346, but again not a saw I'd pick to cut lots of firewood with.

 

560 - similar to 550 but more go again.

 

365 will feel a bit heavier compared to your 55 but they aren't that numb. One estate I worked on we only got issued with 365's and they were to do everythin, even first thin/clean. You'd get used to it. I personally prefer the 372 as it's pretty much the same saw but much more agressive. Mine generally lives on a 15" bar with an 8 tooth rim and full chisel with the rakers well down.

 

The 353 is a nice little saw, I had one that was my main felling saw for a few years (primarily in softwood but latterly more hardwood) and other than clutch springs it was generally trouble free. Not as powerful as the 346 but mine definitely made the power lower down the revs compared to the 346 of the time (mid 2000's sometime).

 

If you're looking at 346/353 then the 357 or 359 is only a tiny bit bigger but a good dollop more midrange make them a bit more useable for ringing.

 

Everyone's different, but I find ringing up fairly tedious so the faster I can get through it the better

 

Only very limited experience of trio brake but didn't like it at all.

[AlexB]

I'd also jump on the 346 wagon, don't worry about wether it's felling or cross cutting. It's light! Plenty of guts and due to the intro of the 550 a bargain! Get a heated handle even if it's only for one day a year it's worth it. The heat will help dry your gloves if handling wet wood.

[Tractor62]

I have a 353 on 15" bar and i used to run side by side with a mate coppicing sweet chestnut and he had the 346xp although he was marginally quicker felling/snedding I was faster cross cutting so by the end of a day there was not much in it between them. Mine now spends most of its time doing just what you describe felling and logging hardwoods and I'm more than happy with it. Might also be worth looking at the makita and echo saws as they seem to be getting some decent reviews

[mdt]

I have a little sideline in firewood an got myself a 357xp with 15" bar, it's a cracking saw! Would never buy a stihl after the two at work are shocking, they never seem to be right an always summat wrong with them.

 

sent from my office in the field via s3

[harvey b davison]

Another vote here for makita, i have one of the newer EA4300 versions, and i find it a smart little machine, and i use it for similar to what you would be using it for.

[spudulike]

I ported my 346 and 357 but both are decent light saws that pack a good punch, spares OEM or aftermarket are in abundance and shared with many other saw models - they also have damn good AV systems and air filtration!

 

I used a 353 and thought there was something wrong with it as it was pretty gutless compared to even the standard 346Xp.

 

My opinion - 346XP if you want a decent light saw that will be solid on anything 12" and smaller or the 357 if you are cutting timber at over 12" regularly.

[mdt]

Spud, what is porting please? Seen it mentioned a few times now.

 

sent from my office in the field via s3

[Stubby]

Spud, what is porting please? Seen it mentioned a few times now.

 

sent from my office in the field via s3

 

Porting is a magic trick performed by the grand wizard spud !

[teepeeat]

346xp is off the menu as nobody seems to have any left, unless you can find a decent second hand one

[bushtuckaman]

Guys, thanks again for all the input!

 

It looks like you’re right teepeeat, it looks like availability has narrowed my decision! Husqvarna have stopped supplying the 353 and 346xp , there are none about (or not with the dealers around me at least) Also some of the slightly bigger saws that have been mentioned, like the 357xp and 359xp don’t appear on the website anymore, so I think they have gone also.

 

Tbh some of these more powerful saws make me slightly nervous. I’ve had no formal training with chainsaws, but I consider myself a safe user and being comfortable with the a 50cc saw, I’m a bit reluctant to get one that puts me outside of my comfort zone:scared1: Maybe I should man-up!

 

Well I’ve narrowed it down (with help from Husqvarna’s product changes) to the 545 or 550xp (with 15“ bar on the back of your advice on this forum). I think the new range ‘autotune’ models are probably the way to go anyway - optimal power, better fuel economy, cleaner exhaust inhalation.

 

545 (which I think replaces the 353)- similar power 2.5kw to the old saw, light at 4.9kg, no ‘Revboost‘, Classic orange! Best online price £437,

 

HUSQVARNA 545 - Professional chainsaws

 

 

550xp (which I think replaces the 346xp) - more power 2.8kw, same weight 4.9kg, has ‘Revboost‘, Has the ‘dark side’ sliver case! Best online price £483

 

HUSQVARNA 550 XP® - Professional chainsaws

 

 

Looking at the specs I do wonder if the 545 is just an autotune restricted 550xp without the silver case!

 

 

I’m leaning towards the 545 on old saw similarity grounds, but I suspect the brethren here are going to say get the more punchy 550xp

 

Cheers

John