So you’ve probably heard of the Husqvarna 455 rancher through a friend or through social media. Or maybe you were looking through Amazon and stumbled upon it and are not sure if it’s for you…
You’ll be pleased to know that in this post, we’ll be going over a Husqvarna 455 rancher review.
By the end of this post, you’ll know if this is for you or not.
Quick summary:
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is a heavy-duty chainsaw used to cut down trees and cut fire logs. It has a 20-inch bar, gas-powered engine, and automatic oil pump.
Weighing 12.8lbs and the weight is equally distributed between both sides for easy handling. This saw should not be used to prune or limb trees as it’s too heavy.
Check Price of the Husqvarna 455 rancherSpecifications:
| Bar length | 20 inches |
| Weight | 12.8lbs |
| Engine | 55.5CC Gas powered |
| Maximum power speed | 9,000rpm |
| Oil pump type | Automatic |
| Oil pump capacity max | 17ml |
Who’s it for?
Simply put, this chainsaw is suitable for people that want to fell (cut down) trees and bucking (cutting trees into logs).
You should NOT use this chainsaw for pruning. It’s simply not versatile enough.
This is a heavy-duty chainsaw that will meet the needs of a homeowner or the average farmer.
Impressive power
You’ll find an abundant amount of reviews online and there’s a pattern you’ll see. Everyone’s mentioning the power of this saw. When you turn it on, you can feel the power in your hands.
It has a 55.5CC gas powered engine. You’ll be able to cut through hardwood like oak without an issue.
The bar is 20 inches long so it will be able to cut straight through 18 inches of hardwood like butter.
A good rule to follow is, 2 inches longer than the thickness of whatever branch or tree is being cut.
For example, if you have a 10 inch bar, the maximum you’ll be able to cut is 8 inches of wood all the way through.
But you can fell even bigger trees if you understand the correct techniques.
So if you want to cut down big, thick trees and cut lots of firewood, this is the saw for you.
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Are chainsaws hard to use?
Easy to start
This chainsaw is super… and I mean SUPER easy to start.
Here’s a video showing you exactly how it’s done, step by step:
So as you saw in the video, starting this chainsaw is a breeze. You’ll be up and running in a few seconds.
Automatic chain oiler
When the chain is going around the bar, it creates a lot of friction. In fact, the chain for this goes around the bar 9,000 times per minute (RPM).
So that’s going to create a lot of friction and friction creates heat. And when there’s too much heat, your chainsaw will stop working.
You got to oil it after you’re done…
…but this has an automatic chain oiler. So you don’t have to do it yourself. Easy-peasy!
You can run this at max speed and not have to worry about it heating up.
Easy chain tensioning
There’s a side-mounted chain tensioner that’s easy to access and adjust. This comes with a free scrench which is going to allow you to adjust the tension.
Why do I need a chain tensioner?
If the chain is sagging, it will cause a lot of vibration which will disrupt your grip. And the chain could even fly off the bar which is obviously lethal.
Low vibration levels
The Husqvarna 455 has an incredible anti-vibration system built-in. It’s able to absorb a lot of the rumbling coming from the item. This will help you handle the saw better and decrease fatigue.
Long lasting and durable
A reviewer mentioned how he has had this chainsaw for 10 years and it still runs like a dream. No damage or anything has occurred. Now that’s what I call value for your money.
And if you’re anything like me, you want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
People have even mentioned how they left gas sitting in the tank for 6 months and it still ran without any issues. You can even use it during the harsh winter months and be clearing lots of trees and not have an issue.
So if you’ll be using this all the time or every now and again, the Husqvarna 455 has you covered.
Easy to handle
There’s a front handle, back handle, and chain brake. This will give you lots of control. If something goes wrong, the safety brake will immediately stop the chain from turning.
When you’re cutting, the weight feels equally distributed between both sides.
So it’s easy for you to maintain your balance and cut for long periods of time. It weighs 12.8lbs which is reasonable for a chainsaw. It’s not very light or heavy, there’s a nice balance between them.
You don’t need to worry about fatigue when using this.
Easy cleaning
This has a quick-release air filter which prevents debris and dust getting stuck in the chainsaw. After it’s become clogged, you can easily just clean it out and slot it back in.
Reasonably priced
When you compare it to other chainsaws with the exact same features, they can often be double the price. That’s what reviewers have mentioned on different review based sites.
It’s something that’s going to last you for many, many years and run well even after lots of use.
It’s a great investment for homeowners and the average farmer.
You can’t prune or limb.
If you’re a lighter woman or elderly person, you may find this too heavy to use.
There was a review mentioning how this item was defective and they wouldn’t allow him to return this item. However, this is a very rare case and I believe the issue has been resolved.
What are customers saying?
The Husqvarna 455 rancher has been reviewed all over the web. The overwhelming majority of reviews are positive.
Customers have mentioned they’ve had this saw for 10 years and it’s still able to cut through hardwood without an issue. You can leave gas in here for a few months and it’s still going to run.
Its user friendly engine makes this chainsaw easy to start and cut…
Overall, it’s reliable and affordable.
Check Price of the Husqvarna 455 rancherWhat should I look for in a chainsaw?
In this part of the guide, we’ll be covering a few points that will help you decide on the right chainsaw for you…
What do you need to do?
First of all, what do you need to do? What will you be doing with the saw? Are you pruning your trees?
Then you can settle for a little chainsaw. In fact, that’s exactly what you need, because a big chainsaw can’t do delicate work like that.
Are you limbing your trees, cutting off the branches? Then you can still settle for a smaller chainsaw. Branches aren’t thick like the actual tree. So you can get away with a smaller saw.
Do you want to cut down trees and turn them into firewood? Then you need to get a more heavy duty chainsaw. Something that has a large bar and is gas powered as these will provide more power.
Let’s talk about bars…
How big does the bar need to be? Well that depends on what you’re going to be doing.
If you pruning and limbing, anything from 6 to 12 inches will do fine. You’ll be able to maintain control and power for the branches.
Do you plan on doing some light felling on softwood trees? Then anything from 12 to 14 inches is a good start.
I’m not felling small or large trees, they’re a medium/regular size. If that’s the case, 16 to 18 inches will do the trick.
Felling large trees that are made from hardwood will require at least 20 inches or above.
Should I just get the largest bar I can find?
No, if you’re going for a gigantic bar like 30 inches when 20 inches would’ve done the trick, that’s money down the drain.
Also, larger bars will reduce the amount of control you have. It’s better to be safe than sorry and save a little money in the process.
Should I get a gas or electric chainsaw?
Ah, the good ol electric VS gas debate.
If you’re pruning, electric may be the most convenient option for you. You can start it with just the press of a button and it’s a cheaper option. However, a gas saw will last longer and provide more power.
Unless the electric chainsaw is corded, if so, it can be powered forever. But if you need something cordless, a gas saw will last longer.
When it comes to limbing, it depends on what you’re doing…
Let’s say you’re splitting logs and you’ve got a bunch of logs in the yard as well as a table. If so, a powerful corded, electric chainsaw will be the best.
You can just plug it in for unlimited use and cut as many logs as you need without running out of juice.
But if you’re splitting wood without a power source nearby, gas will be the better option. Also, if you’re cutting hardwood, you may want a boost in power which gas provides.
For felling large trees, I personally wouldn’t look at electric saws. However, they are getting a lot stronger so my opinion may change in the future. But for now, a gas chainsaw is your best option.
Summary
So that was the Husqvarna 455 review.
Overall, it’s a fantastic item for felling and bucking trees. Also, it comes in at an affordable price for this type of saw.
I made sure to put this saw under lots of stress and extracted the positives and negatives from this item.
I hope this guide will help you make an informed decision.
Happy sawing!
– Adam
