Author Topic: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp  (Read 1231 times)

0 Members and 66 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline wild262

  • 6 cube
  • ****
  • Posts: 161
  • Karma: 29

  • Total Badges: 14
    Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary 100 Posts Level 3 One year Anniversary 50 Posts
3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« on: December 15, 2016, 10:39:33 am »
           After acquiring a lot of spooled 3/8lp chain from an auction, I was wondering if it would be worth it to try this on some of my bigger saws like a 346xp (oe) and a 357xp?  Anyone done this for faster tree limbing?  I have lots of tree tops to cut from a recent logging.  Currently run .325 on both saws in which they do a fair job, but it won't be long till I have to buy some more chains.  So my question is, will they hold up, hold an edge,  and what are the pros & cons?  Re-sharpening is not an issue.  I can file or use a bench grinder.    Also.  I have a new Husky 16" bar part#, 530044508,  16 91-56 8Z. Have others that are 3/8lp in 18 and 20" also.  They all fit, but will have to drill for bar oil holes, and open up holes for adjuster.  Modify it, or buy another made to work? Many thanks guys. 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


Offline RoyM

  • Gas Hotsaw
  • ******
  • Posts: 502
  • Karma: 45
  • Location: Surrey British Columbia

  • Total Badges: 21
    Badges: (View All)
    Level 5 500 Posts Fourth year Anniversary Third year Anniversary Karma Good Level 4
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2016, 11:26:48 am »
3/8LPX will fit your saws with the appropriate bar and sprocket but you may be disappointed with the results. They are designed for speed and may bog down, particularly the 346, but it's worth a try. That bar is designed to be used with the lo pro picco chain, it won't work properly with standard. The groove is too shallow.
Old age and treachery always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Offline wild262

  • 6 cube
  • ****
  • Posts: 161
  • Karma: 29

  • Total Badges: 14
    Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary 100 Posts Level 3 One year Anniversary 50 Posts
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2016, 12:18:51 pm »
3/8LPX will fit your saws with the appropriate bar and sprocket but you may be disappointed with the results. They are designed for speed and may bog down, particularly the 346, but it's worth a try. That bar is designed to be used with the lo pro picco chain, it won't work properly with standard. The groove is too shallow.
The 3/8 LP picco bar is what I have.  And the whole idea is to try this with my PS3 chain on my 346.  I believe you thought I meant a full sized 3/8ths (.375") chain.  Thanks anyhow.    Does anyone else have any "hands on" experience with this, or should I abort the whole idea?  I am in no hurry, if this post gets some age to it. 

Offline Nathaniel Vansickle

  • Piped Saw
  • *****
  • Posts: 468
  • Karma: 92
  • Location: Newcomerstown ,Ohio

  • Total Badges: 24
    Badges: (View All)
    Fourth year Anniversary Third year Anniversary Poll Voter Level 5 Second year Anniversary Signature
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2016, 12:22:40 pm »
never really looked into it but correct sprocket on the saw may be a bit hard to source or cost prohibitive. The 3/8lp rims i had made to sell are around $18 each, not sure if there is a spur drive drum that can be bought.

my biggest fear would be chains breaking on saws of that size/hp. IIRC lp chain is only rated for 3hp.
5105H and 6400H in stock

Performance Outdoor Equipment
performanceoutdoorequipment.com
Dolmar, Echo, Jonsered

Like Like x 1 View List

Offline wild262

  • 6 cube
  • ****
  • Posts: 161
  • Karma: 29

  • Total Badges: 14
    Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary 100 Posts Level 3 One year Anniversary 50 Posts
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2016, 12:37:56 pm »
never really looked into it but correct sprocket on the saw may be a bit hard to source or cost prohibitive. The 3/8lp rims i had made to sell are around $18 each, not sure if there is a spur drive drum that can be bought.

my biggest fear would be chains breaking on saws of that size/hp. IIRC lp chain is only rated for 3hp.
Considering what I have in this chain $18 is no big deal if you have any to sell.  I do have some smaller homeowner saws, a 340, 345 and 350 I could use, with drum and ring gear setup like whats on the 346.   I wondered about that, (if they would hold up to the extra speed & power level).  So that brings me to another question.  Will a standard 3/8ths ring gear mesh with a 3/8ths LP chain?

Offline Cut4fun .

  • Administrator
  • Nitro Hotsaw
  • *******
  • Posts: 23708
  • Karma: 664
  • OHIO REDNECK Saw Repair Getter Done
    • Redneck Chainsaw Repair

  • Total Badges: 53
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Nineth year Anniversary Level 8 Apple User Eighth year Anniversary 20000 Posts
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2016, 12:46:37 pm »
never really looked into it but correct sprocket on the saw may be a bit hard to source or cost prohibitive. The 3/8lp rims i had made to sell are around $18 each, not sure if there is a spur drive drum that can be bought.

my biggest fear would be chains breaking on saws of that size/hp. IIRC lp chain is only rated for 3hp.
Considering what I have in this chain $18 is no big deal if you have any to sell.  I do have some smaller homeowner saws, a 340, 345 and 350 I could use, with drum and ring gear setup like whats on the 346.   I wondered about that, (if they would hold up to the extra speed & power level).  So that brings me to another question.  Will a standard 3/8ths ring gear mesh with a 3/8ths LP chain?

All I will say is try it and see. I and others use 3/8 7 rim with picco.  It may not be perfect mesh folks want but it is so dang close and  it does work.  I been doing it for years but not on daily basis.

Just try it and see for yourself for no cost basically.


Offline wild262

  • 6 cube
  • ****
  • Posts: 161
  • Karma: 29

  • Total Badges: 14
    Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary 100 Posts Level 3 One year Anniversary 50 Posts
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2016, 01:31:47 pm »
Cut4fun, I was hoping you would chime in.   From a old post I researched, I knew you had tried it with the "Old Guy".  I think he was wanting to try with 346 as I, and you had them on a pair Echo's maybe.  Never could find anything on the final outcome, durabilty, holding an edge, chain breakage, ect.   A 3/8 - 7 was exactly what I had in mind, but about the bar.  Would it be easier to mod. the Husky bar I have, or use the (Stihl) K041 mount as you guys did?  I know I will have to line up & drill a oiler hole and open the adjuster hole.    I'm just looking for a way to utilize this chain since I haven't a lot of .325 pitch.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like I'm good to go with a modded bar. 

Offline Cut4fun

  • Administrator
  • Nitro Hotsaw
  • *******
  • Posts: 4666
  • Karma: 216
  • OHIO REDNECK

  • Total Badges: 44
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Nineth year Anniversary Eighth year Anniversary Level 7 Seventh year Anniversary Apple User
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2016, 01:53:13 pm »
You can take K041 A041 and drill bar oil holes for use on K095.

I think A095 works too. 

Just take a bar with same mount area and mod the sucker for your uses IMO.

I couldnt imagine running 325 on a 357 let alone picco.  Be careful.

I have ran new 3/8LP picco on 60cc poulan 3750 etc.  Now I would worry about stress and wear on the bigger saws like Nate mentioned.




Offline HolmenTree

  • Nitro Hotsaw
  • *******
  • Posts: 1382
  • Karma: 199
  • Location: Manitoba Canada

  • Total Badges: 34
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Nineth year Anniversary Eighth year Anniversary Level 6 1000 Posts Seventh year Anniversary
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2016, 02:10:56 pm »
Over the years I chainsaw milled alot of lumber with a Picco chain on my 066 Magnum with a Logosol Picco spur sprocket drum. Never broke a loop of Picco.
Even tried .043 Picco on the 066 but a little too light, it kinked up pretty bad.
I got this 63PS kit for a MS261 I'm ordering.
Yep someone has to built a small
 7 spline Picco rim for the Huskies.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.
Like Like x 1 View List

Offline wild262

  • 6 cube
  • ****
  • Posts: 161
  • Karma: 29

  • Total Badges: 14
    Badges: (View All)
    Third year Anniversary Second year Anniversary 100 Posts Level 3 One year Anniversary 50 Posts
Re: 3/8 LP on a 346, 357xp
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2016, 02:30:38 pm »
You can take K041 A041 and drill bar oil holes for use on K095.

I think A095 works too. 

Just take a bar with same mount area and mod the sucker for your uses IMO.

I couldnt imagine running 325 on a 357 let alone picco.  Be careful.

I have ran new 3/8LP picco on 60cc poulan 3750 etc.  Now I would worry about stress and wear on the bigger saws like Nate mentioned.




I will surely wear all protective PPE with addition to a full face shield at least till I see if the chain will hold up and not break.  I'll start with the 345 and go up from there.   Will back off the minute I see trouble or break a chain.  No need to be unsafe with this, and I won't.  I will leave  the 357 as is with regards to chain size, as it will be too much for it.   As for the .325 on the 357xp, that's not a problem at all.  Used to run a .325 on a pair of 262xp's back in early 1990's when I cut & sold firewood for a living.  Held up well, but found out later the standard 3/8ths cut better and smoother & wasn't filing as often.  Thank you for your advice, Cut4Fun,  and to all of you.   I would still like to hear from " HolmenTree".  HolmenTree, I would like your input.   More opinions the better for anyone with one.  Signing out, and back to the timber.  Good day to all  :)
Like Like x 1 View List

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
Husqvarna 357xp

Started by Cut4fun « 1 2 3 4 » Husqvarna

38 Replies
4347 Views
Last post October 30, 2013, 01:19:57 pm
by Cut4fun
7 Replies
1147 Views
Last post July 24, 2012, 03:35:33 pm
by Cut4fun .
45 Replies
3426 Views
Last post November 18, 2012, 11:18:43 am
by fatboycowen
5 Replies
805 Views
Last post January 12, 2013, 10:18:19 pm
by HolmenTree
3 Replies
380 Views
Last post November 02, 2013, 05:27:46 pm
by Adirondackstihl
359/357xp

Started by Bluegill « 1 2 3 4 » Husqvarna

37 Replies
1791 Views
Last post December 11, 2014, 10:59:45 am
by Bluegill
2 Replies
295 Views
Last post July 15, 2016, 05:47:37 pm
by Acel83
8 Replies
805 Views
Last post August 24, 2018, 08:53:00 am
by Cut4fun .
6 Replies
481 Views
Last post January 05, 2020, 12:14:41 am
by Derf
10 Replies
897 Views
Last post September 23, 2020, 09:52:06 pm
by Spike60