Author Topic: Husqvarna 338XPT  (Read 6905 times)

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Offline Cut4fun .

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Husqvarna 338XPT
« on: January 16, 2013, 02:53:59 pm »
Never used the husky 338 before and wonder how they would compare to the stihl 200T I once had and my current solo 637 T with 40cc motor. 637 not as strong as 200 in cut but I really like the av on the solo.

 What is the issues to look for when taking one in used?

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Offline mweba

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2013, 08:36:58 pm »
Power wise they are identical.  Some guys argue that the 338 is faster while the 200T is more reliable.  This for me is hard to believe with all the carb issues the 200 has had but I have no first hand experience running one in the field to judge.  The original 334 had some bugs but most if not all of them were weeded out by the 338. 

Things to look for: intake boot, air filter seal, cover over muffler.  The also have an auto decomp system but it has been very reliable in comparison to the 357xp (mine is removed though).  In my opinion, a very solid saw although the cost has driven us to replace them with 435T's

Offline William Greene

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2013, 09:06:49 am »
that's my take too.mitch

Offline HolmenTree

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2013, 11:27:05 am »
I donated my MS200 to a woman arborist in Tasmania, I felt sorry for her the high prices she had to pay down there. But I kept my 338XPT though,  very nice well balanced climbing saw. Just waiting for the new T540XP  to replace it.
Side by side my 9/16" muffler modded 338 will beat my MS200 by a good 1/2 to 1 second in one cut through a 10"x10" spruce. I pulled the screen/restrictor plate on the 200. Timed them over and over again.
On the 338 I run .325 Oregon 95VPX narrow kerf chain on a narrow kerf 14" bar. Excellent performance with good chip flow/chip clearance and the semi chisel holds a longer edge
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Offline ncarr275

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2013, 02:42:35 pm »
In 2000 or 2001 I bought I belive it was the 335xpt california model paid 450$. In 2011 I worked for a company that had a 338 xpt for there main climb saw. It didn't seem to have the power that mine had when good but it was reliable. I remember mine stated 45cc on the sticker and the 338 is 36 or 38cc. Could that be right were the early versions of these saws larger cc?

Offline HolmenTree

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2013, 03:26:00 pm »
Yes the California models were 45cc. EPA regulations in California are so tough that Husqvarna had to boost the displacement to 45cc to help offset the supressed muffler.
The 338XPT -XP is 39cc. Mine came with a muffler outlet so small that a pencil eraser could barely fit in it. I added a 9/16" outlet pipe at the bottom and kept the top one. Throttle response and power greatly increased. Harder on fuel though.

For someone just pruning or line clearing cutting small wood I'd keep the muffler stock and enjoy the better fuel economy. But with mine I cut some good sized wood with it and need the extra zip..
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Offline ncarr275

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2013, 04:10:19 pm »
I opened up my muffler a lot the saw ripped! maybe I just wore the top end out I never did compression test it.

Offline ncarr275

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2013, 04:19:17 pm »
I see how you did your ex. out the bottom. that was one thing i never liked of these saws was the ex. exiting high some times say when cutting a limb at the trunk of a tree the ex. gasses will blow back on your hand ouch!

Offline mweba

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2013, 04:41:29 pm »
Hmmm 45cc top end huh.  Are these available?

Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: 338 XPT Husqvarna
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2013, 01:45:28 pm »
Hmmm 45cc top end huh.  Are these available?

Mitch on the husky site a guy mentions a California edition on the 338 too 45cc.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/landscape-and-groundcare/products/chainsaws/338-xp-t/

Best trim saw out there...period!
October 9, 2012

Power
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Durability
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Ergonomics
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Performance
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Value
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First off, let me preface my review by stating that I've been a power line clearance arborist (climber) for almost three years.
That being said, this saw is the best saw I've ever used for normal trimming work. The hole in the handle is perfect for a hook to be slotted through and hook onto your belt. It's got a ton of power in a small package and can be used one-handed if you need to. (Safety lesson here: never cut above your head. If you're cutting above your head with one hand and something happens, the saw is falling on you.)
You can put up to a 16" bar on this thing but I normally run a 14" and it'll cut anything that I can throw at it. At full rev, this thing balances at the trigger which reduces fatigue for those of us that work long hours with saws.
The inertia chain break has saved me multiple headaches. I can tell you from experience that it DOES work.
The automatic decompression makes the saw a cinch to start (even my wife can start this saw).
The only quality concerns that I have regard the muffler cover and spark plug cover. They're very easy to break. The top screw for the muffler cover also, quite frequently, breaks out the case part that it screws into, so you can't put a new cover on. That's my only real complaint.
I wish that I could get the California edition outside of California as well. It's 45CC instead of 39CC.
I've also bough the Jonsered clone for this saw and love it just as much as its Husky cousins. So for those of you trying to save a little money, but get the same saw, try looking for the 2139T.

 

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