I would look for something else. It's not that good of machine.

 

Go get a home depot special if you only need to cut 6'' or less.

I bought the stihl MS-361 and it is a beast considering I had a homelite before. expensive but will pull a 20'' bar with no problems at all.

 

Dont listen to ^^^ about the Home Depot special.

That saw is just not built as well as others in that price range, you can get a much better saw.

 

Grab yourself one of those Poluan's from Home Depot. I put them up against anything. Had a Stihl before - problems getting it to fire, etc. Poulan fires every time!

 

What would you recommended for about $175 or $200

 

I would get a top handled saw, but thats me. I do more limbing and those are the best.

I would look at the Redmax 3100T, or spend a little extra and start with a Dolmar 401 or Husky 340.

 

Top handled saws are darn dangerous for anything other than climbing and pruning. Get a real saw if you plan on cutting down a sapling or plan on doing anything other than climbing.

For 200$ .... buy a stihl ms170

If you can afford it, upgrade to a better saw BEFORE you buy a small cheap one.

 

You guys have lost your minds the Cs-346 is the new model of the Cs-345
which happens to be my favorite saw. it is rated for 300 hours of use which the only other company that rates there engines that high is Dolmar.
The 346 is light weight and powerful little saw.
I have fell hundreds of trees with my Cs345, and I mean trees. I can't believe it still runs let alone runs like a top.
I also have a Cs520 but it just sits because the 345 is so much easier to use.

It's not a climbing saw but if you want a one handed saw buy a top handle.

this summer alone I cut up over 30 rics of wood with my little saw.
So quit hating on something you have never tried, before you chase this man away from a great saw and he's buys a peice of junk that wont cut yearlings.

 

Buy whatever you like its gonna be your tool. Just whatever you do don't buy a husqvarna xp350 man is it a peice.

 

300 hours is not very long! I dont think you really understand the rating system.

Top handled saws are not dangerous! Any chainsaw is dangerous, but a top handled is no more than any other saw.

The Stihl 170 is a joke, dont even bother.

Go to some different shops and see what you like, hold them and see what is comfortable. Ask them about other machines, good and bad. Then decide what fits YOUR needs best, I can only tell you what I use and fits my needs.

 

300 hours is not very long! I dont think you really understand the rating system.

Top handled saws are not dangerous! Any chainsaw is dangerous, but a top handled is no more than any other saw.

The Stihl 170 is a joke, dont even bother.

Go to some different shops and see what you like, hold them and see what is comfortable. Ask them about other machines, good and bad. Then decide what fits YOUR needs best, I can only tell you what I use and fits my needs.

Yes I do understand the rating system.
And yes top handle saw are more dangerous because there is less leverage during kick back.
I have been cutting trees over 25 years.
I dont think I know everything, I learn more everyday.

Someone told him to buy a poulan which is one of the worst saws someone can buy. They dont even have crank bearings as many low end models, they use bushings. when they wear out the engine lose's compression and wont run any more.
Husky's are not the machines they use to be, I see many of them now have a 50 hour rating just like there new owner Poulan. with that said they may have seperate lines as in a homeowner and commercial, But I would be very careful before buying one.

I havent used a redmax, but I know they have great engines.

 

What would you recommended for about $175 or $200

Husqvarna 137 with a 16" bar. Should run you about $189 or so.

 

Buy whatever you like its gonna be your tool. Just whatever you do don't buy a husqvarna xp350 man is it a peice.

How do you consider it a peice? I have 2 of them and my dad has 1 for himself. I have never had a single problem withany of the 3 of them. They run great and have good power!

Please explain........

 

Yes I do understand the rating system.
And yes top handle saw are more dangerous because there is less leverage during kick back.
I have been cutting trees over 25 years.
I dont think I know everything, I learn more everyday.

Someone told him to buy a poulan which is one of the worst saws someone can buy. They dont even have crank bearings as many low end models, they use bushings. when they wear out the engine lose's compression and wont run any more.
Husky's are not the machines they use to be, I see many of them now have a 50 hour rating just like there new owner Poulan. with that said they may have seperate lines as in a homeowner and commercial, But I would be very careful before buying one.

I havent used a redmax, but I know they have great engines.

The engine loses compression on those models because they do not chrome the cylinder. Once you chrome the cylinder you get a lot more life. Stihl used to say they had a life span of 1000 hours, Husky said from 1000 - 2000 hours.

He is cutting 6" and less, that tell me he is moslty limbing. A top handled saw would be the best for that application. Have you ever used one?

2 of the Huskys have a 50 hour EPA rating, which means that is how long the engine will be EPA compliant for, not engine life.

Explain how Husky is not the saw they used to be? What saw is?

 

The engine loses compression on those models because they do not chrome the cylinder. Once you chrome the cylinder you get a lot more life. Stihl used to say they had a life span of 1000 hours, Husky said from 1000 - 2000 hours.

He is cutting 6" and less, that tell me he is moslty limbing. A top handled saw would be the best for that application. Have you ever used one?

2 of the Huskys have a 50 hour EPA rating, which means that is how long the engine will be EPA compliant for, not engine life.

Explain how Husky is not the saw they used to be? What saw is?

ya your right chrome the cylinders on the poulan pros give it a little more then twice the life but they also have 2 rings compared to the single ring the poulans use. but there bushing wear quick then they lose compression past the crank bushings. when they get hot they lose power until they just wont run anymore..

I have used many top handle saws they are good for climbing, but I wouldnt use them on the ground. as a evryday saw for saftey reasons kickback.

These engines lose the EPA compliant rating because the rings and cylinders get to lose, and dont burn clean anymore.

Husky was bought by electrolux which is poulan, weedeaters, parent company.

I have heard from friends that some of there models are set up just like poulans in orange husky bodys.

Stihl makes good saw also, but I have had a few that were just to hard to start like my old O44-O26.

 

ya your right chrome the cylinders on the poulan pros give it a little more then twice the life but they also have 2 rings compared to the single ring the poulans use. but there bushing wear quick then they lose compression past the crank bushings. when they get hot they lose power until they just wont run anymore..

I have used many top handle saws they are good for climbing, but I wouldnt use them on the ground. as a evryday saw for saftey reasons kickback.

These engines lose the EPA compliant rating because the rings and cylinders get to lose, and dont burn clean anymore.

Husky was bought by electrolux which is poulan, weedeaters, parent company.

I have heard from friends that some of there models are set up just like poulans in orange husky bodys.

Stihl makes good saw also, but I have had a few that were just to hard to start like my old O44-O26.

I repair these saws every day.

Not to be rude but you do not know enough about this.

The single ring vs double ring argument has gone on for years and there is no difference in lifespan. There is a very arguement over at arboristsite.com if you would like to learn about these. If the single vs double ring was true then the 044 wouldnt have had such problems with piston slap when other single ring machines (same size engine) lasted much longer.

The 2 models by Husky (137, 142) are a Poulan frame, but with chromed engine. Husqvarna was owned by electrolux but not now, Husky is basically over Poulan, Weedeater and some good brands as well like Jonsered, Partner as well as some lawn equipment.

Like I said before, 6" and smaller means he is limbing and a top handled machine would be perfect. I have used them for years and do not see how they are dangerous.

 

Here is a link http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=35228&highlight=single+double+ring

 

I repair these saws every day.

Not to be rude but you do not know enough about this.

The single ring vs double ring argument has gone on for years and there is no difference in lifespan. There is a very arguement over at arboristsite.com if you would like to learn about these. If the single vs double ring was true then the 044 wouldnt have had such problems with piston slap when other single ring machines (same size engine) lasted much longer.

The 2 models by Husky (137, 142) are a Poulan frame, but with chromed engine. Husqvarna was owned by electrolux but not now, Husky is basically over Poulan, Weedeater and some good brands as well like Jonsered, Partner as well as some lawn equipment.

Like I said before, 6" and smaller means he is limbing and a top handled machine would be perfect. I have used them for years and do not see how they are dangerous.

Not to be rude to you but working for a week on a saw means nothing to me. I have made my living using them for the past 25 years.

If you had a ever used a saw you would know top handles are much more dangerous. The internet has many people who become experts in Minutes, And I think you are one.
Enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I am glad that you have said enough, that will give this person much better information. Just because you have used them for 25 years doesnt mean jack, so have I, but I also know the insides which obviously you dont.

I had to sell the single ring and argue with people about it in the 80's, you are still in the ice age with saw knowledge. I asked you questions on how Husky is worse off now and all you could come up with was Electrolux. You are behind on that and have no backup on how the saw is built.

An old dog can still learn new tricks, you should listen and learn.