Author Topic: 550 346 Comparison  (Read 2239 times)

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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2013, 07:10:05 pm »
there's a clutch change for 2013 models too.

I read about it going back to a 2 shoe clutch like the 346 had.  Any known reason why? Lighter = quicker spool up or what?

Offline Energo70

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2013, 08:21:16 am »
Three spring clutch had a problem with the spring brackage more than usuall on other models.

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2013, 08:32:52 am »
I was examining a 550 three shoe clutch yesterday. The shoes have very nice detail with a sand blasted finish on the friction surface. The clutch drum was in three pieces that were furnace brazed together. (Hub, flange, ring) The ring appeared to be cut from a seamless mechanical tube.
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2013, 10:43:42 am »
3 of us had a mini gtg today running  muffler modded 550, 550 stock muffler, 346 50cc stock muffler,  346 45cc woods ported, redmax 5000 woods ported. The 2 550's and 346 ran the same chain for testing. Everything ran 3/8 16

We ran a stock with muffler mod 550xp and a stock muffler 550xp back to back with 3/8 16" bars buried for most of whole cuts. 

550 with muffler mod quickest was 12.46 seconds

550 with stock muffler and 1st tank  13.89 seconds

Some observations about these two 550's . . .

The one with the muffler outlet opened up would free run beyond 14000 and go into the ignition limiter. I don't think it had more than two or three tanks of fuel through it?

The other completely original 550 with not a whole tank of fuel run through it would free run at 13740 rpm.

Obviously the mixture was different in these two? Both had been run about about the same amount that day with about a half dozen buried cuts in silver maple.

The outside air temperature was around 27F

I have no clue as to the serial number differences of these two?

Another observation was that I had my completely stock 346XP NE there and it didn't run as fast in the cut as the 550's and there was noticeably less torque. All the chainsaws were running the same 3/8 X 60DL Stihl RSC chain and Oregon Power Match Bar that we swapped onto them.

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Offline man of stihl

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2013, 06:30:14 pm »
I figured the mm 550 would have a much better time than the stock 550. Thanks for the comparison.
Ron

Offline Cut4fun

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #15 on: February 07, 2013, 07:26:35 pm »
My memory must be getting bad. Dont remember the max rpm's before.

Cylinder displacement    50.1 cc
Power output    3.75 hp
Maximum power speed    10200 rpm
Maximum recommended engine speed    14000 rpm
Fuel tank volume    17.58 fl oz
Fuel consumption    446 g/kWh
Idling speed    2800 rpm
Spark plug    NGK CMR6H
Electrode gap    0.02 "
Torque, max.    2.8 Nm/6900 rpm
Air filter type    Nylon 44µ




Alternative spark plugs for NGK CMR6H:
Details about NGK CMR6H:

    Threaddiameter: 10mm
    Threadreach: 12.7mm
    Seattype: flat
    Hexsize: 16mm
    Tipconfiguration: non projected
    Construction: Standard construction
    Terminaltype: Solid

Possible spark plugs:

    Bosch USR7AC
    Champion RZ7C
    Honda 31916-ZOH-003
    NGK stk 3365

Convert another spark plug:

Offline procarbine2k1

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #16 on: February 08, 2013, 04:44:28 pm »
[
I figured the mm 550 would have a much better time than the stock 550. Thanks for the comparison.

It feels a lot stronger than stock, I was surprised there wasnt a bigger difference in the times shown either. I wouldnt let those times say too much either. I will get a cant squared up in the near future and get some more times posted. You are more than welcome to give it a whirl at the next GTG too. The stopwatch stuff isnt really my thing, but am curious what the difference would be with a 7t 3/8 and 8t .325. I personally like .325 better on 50cc saws regardless of power, but grabbed a 3/8 rim from Kevin so I will be able to fool around with the 3/8 setup off of my 262.
BTW, that 550 doesnt have much more time on it than Kevins does- but it does seem to be breaking in pretty good. I still dont think they are as tight as the MS261's were when new.
And as far as the muffler, I did mine similar to tzed's. Nothing radical, just for firewood. Left the screen intact as well. It ended up being a lot louder than I anticipated too for some reason

All in all, I wont turn down a day to run some saws and bs a little. That EHP Redmax is a runner!

Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2013, 10:39:42 pm »
[
I figured the mm 550 would have a much better time than the stock 550. Thanks for the comparison.

I will get a cant squared up in the near future and get some more times posted.

I wouldnt mind testing 7 - 8 325 and the 7 3/8 in a clean cant.    8)

Then maybe test some of these new sweet azz looking square chains our neighbor is turning out to see how they cut.  ;)

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #18 on: February 09, 2013, 03:32:27 pm »
No doubt, I was very impressed with that loop of square.

I dont think it will be much hassle to come up with an 10x10 or something, will probably end up being ash though. Keep hold of your 550, weve got some more times to run...
Wouldnt hurt to have an excuse to run that Redmax a little more too haha.

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Re: 550 346 3450 Comparison
« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2013, 08:18:36 am »
 
3 of us had a mini gtg today running  muffler modded 550, 550 stock muffler, 346 50cc stock muffler,  346 45cc woods ported, redmax 5000 woods ported. The 2 550's and 346 ran the same chain for testing. Everything ran 3/8 16

We ran a stock with muffler mod 550xp and a stock muffler 550xp back to back with 3/8 16" bars buried for most of whole cuts. 

550 with muffler mod quickest was 12.46 seconds

550 with stock muffler and 1st tank  13.89 seconds

Some observations about these two 550's . . .

The one with the muffler outlet opened up would free run beyond 14000 and go into the ignition limiter. I don't think it had more than two or three tanks of fuel through it?

The other completely original 550 with not a whole tank of fuel run through it would free run at 13740 rpm.

Obviously the mixture was different in these two? Both had been run about about the same amount that day with about a half dozen buried cuts in silver maple.

The outside air temperature was around 27F

I have no clue as to the serial number differences of these two?

Another observation was that I had my completely stock 346XP NE there and it didn't run as fast in the cut as the 550's and there was noticeably less torque. All the chainsaws were running the same 3/8 X 60DL Stihl RSC chain and Oregon Power Match Bar that we swapped onto them.



 If he Kevin did not change the fuel in the new 550 that he got from me then it is running stihl ultra at 44:1

 

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