Build Homes for Homeless Birds – Complete Plans & Cutting Lists. Easy, attractive designs that actually work. Download today!
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

ADVERTISE HERE - FREE TRIAL

Which Husky chain saw?

Posts

Which Husky chain saw?

#1

Which Husky chain saw?

Peter Teubel

>I hope this will not turn into the usual "Which chainsaw should I buy" thread, but I would like to hear your experiences to help my buying decision. First let me say that I had decided on a new Husky model from a local dealer. Not even remotely interested in any USED model and a Sthil is not an option because the Husky dealer is only 2 miles from me.

That being said...

I currently have a Poulan 295 (46cc) with 20" bar and a few pro-chains. It works OK, but I'd like more power (not to mention the Poulan is getting pretty beat up). Some of my friends have Husky's and I've used them on occasion. The 395XP is pretty kick-ass, but I found it WAY too heavy for all day bucking. The 141 is underpowered compared to my Poulan.

So...what I would like is the most power for the least weight. I like the weight/balance of my Poulan (little over 10 lbs dry), so I want to stay in the 10-12lb range). 18-20" bar is all I really need. I can always borrow my friend's 395XP w/36" bar for anything really big.

The Husky 55 Rancher seems to be the best buy, but what's the difference between it and other Husky's with similar displacement? Both the 346 and the 353 are more expensive yet have less displacement. I can't really see the differences. I've done my research thru www.southwestfastener.com, which has great tech specs on the entire Husky line.

Any insight would be appreciated.

- Pete

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#2

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

Mark Mandell - Gone Round in New Jersey

>HNY, Peter,

I just got a 372xp with 28" bar & 3/8 chain [thanx Santa]. Did rather well(!!) on some 35" walnut out in the pile that's now in the shop |;-}}}. Comes in at about 15 lbs. Chose it over the 365 for the extra 1,000 rpm. and the 28" bar True, I won't be cutting up 12" wood with it, but I have my 13-year old Stihl 023/16" for that.

From what you describe, you might do well with the 365 and a 20 or 24" bar. That'll give you a bit more umpf to pull a heavier chain (3/8 vs .325) that'll do better in the pithe cuts, yet not be too large to do a bit of shaping.

You mileage may vary.

Mark

drop the 2 for mail

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#3

Richard Allen

372xp

Richard Allen

>That is a terrific saw with loads of power on a 20" bar.

The Rancher uses a different bar than the other Husky saws so I would guess that the Rancher is a minimal saw with all cost saveings in place.

You can put a bigger than 20" bar on the 372 but with a 20" bar the chainsaw works effortlessly on most any wood.

Thanks

Richard

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#4

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

Terry Quiram

>Peter

I just received my Bailey's catalog and the one that impressed me is the 346XP, 45cc, 3.4 hp and rated a blazing 14,500 rpm. Will take a 16" - 20" bar. Catalog price $339.95. If I could find someone to buy my Poulan I would buy the 346XP.

Terry

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#5

Re: 372xp

Peter Teubel

>Richard Allen wrote:

"The Rancher uses a different bar than the other Husky saws so I would guess that the Rancher is a minimal saw with all cost saveings in place. "

=============================================

That exactly the kind of information I am looking for. I would like my next saw to have lots of options (bar, chain, sprocket, etc.) so I can easily get parts and swap out things for different tasks, if needed. Thanks for the info.

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#6

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

Peter Teubel

>Well, at 45cc the 346XP is no bigger than my Poulan so it not really an option.

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

#7

Re: Which Husky chain saw?

Doug Leite

>Peter,

I have a Husky big saw, I think it's a 2101 or something like that. My small bar is a 32" and the long bar is 42". It's a heavy guy, but after you cut enough wood with it, you get used to it. For a second saw, I have always wanted a 372XP, especially when I used a friends that was setup with the .404 pitch chain, the same as my big saw. WOW, can that thing make shavings when ripping long grain. It's quite a bit lighter and quite powerful enough and spins at a higher RPM and is very good for most cutting. My philosophy is that if you can afford only one saw, you can cut small wood with a big saw, but can't do the opposite. Also bigger saws make large logs into bowl blanks a lot quicker.

Just my 2 cents

Aloha

Doug

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.