beat on the ole 455 again today

[Zodiac45]

Nothing wrong with the 455. It reminds me of it's predecessor the 55 also a good firewood rig. I have 2 51's which are again quite similar and mine is dead reliable and has only had a piston/ring freshen-up in the 10 yrs I've had it. The second one was given too me after a neighbor blew it up. I'l rebuild it into a 55 when I get the time. The neighbor was used too old Homelites (360) and he was always really leaning hard on the saw. I told him too let the saw work but.....you know how that goes. For firewooding it's a good rig. I will say for oak like your cutting there (ripping) I'd be using my Dolmar 120si or in your case a 372xp. Much faster.

 

[scotclayshooter]

??

Old post!
The 455 rancher is gone from his sig After getting a 262XP

 

[Slick]

I almost bought a 455 but get a 346xp instead...which I like but the stuff about plastic case and even small gas tank to a point I'm not sure about as my 346xp has plastic pretty much everywhere also (which I was surprised by)...not sure about gas tank size but I wouldn't mind a few extra ounces in the 346 either, seems to run out to often to me but I don't have a lot to reference to.
I do love my 346 though, I picked up a 455 at lowes the other day and man does it feel heavy or awkard or something compared to my xp....

 

[avalancher]

I almost bought a 455 but get a 346xp instead...which I like but the stuff about plastic case and even small gas tank to a point I'm not sure about as my 346xp has plastic pretty much everywhere also (which I was surprised by)...not sure about gas tank size but I wouldn't mind a few extra ounces in the 346 either, seems to run out to often to me but I don't have a lot to reference to.
I do love my 346 though, I picked up a 455 at lowes the other day and man does it feel heavy or awkard or something compared to my xp....

Compared to a XP line of saw, they are heavy and underpowered for their weight.
But, it is what it is. An intermediate saw for someone that uses a saw a little more than just the weekend warrior type.Would I use a 455 if i had an XP line of saw around?Nope.
But for the guy that needs to crank out some firewood, maintain a piece of land, etc, you cant go wrong with the 455.
Shoot, for years that was all I had to cut with, then came the 372 to take the burden of the big stuff.
Even though I got a 357XP, I still didnt want to part with the 455,it has been a proven machine.

 

[irishcountry]

I cut approx. 10-12 "full" cords this summer and then some misc. I didn't really keep track of no problems plus used it quite a bit the year before just keep the chains sharpened and it has been great it does seem a bit heavy for the power and the gas tank thing became painfully apparent this summer in the woods but oh well when it quits I'll get a XP model til then I will run it into the ground has gotten the job done so far. Just my 2 cents!! Take care irishcountry

 

[thejdman04]

Looks like some nice firewood. Nothing wrong with the 455. They are decent saws for the money.

 

[MtnHermit]

Dont take any heat about the 455, it is by far the easiest starting saw I own,

Just got a 455 last month and have a few hours on the motor. I've been very pleased.

As to starting . . . amazing. Hot or in between: one pull, cold: 2 or 3 pulls, what could be easier.

It'll outlive me.

 

[freemind]

From what little I have heard previously, I wasn't going to ASK about the 455/460 rancher series, as I was afraid I would get a tounge lashing.

You guys that have them or are knowledgeable with them, are the 455 and 460 Ranchers a trouble free saw?

I was leaning more toward the 460, just because it is a little bigger.

Are the "composit" X-torq cases ok? Is this something I should worry about?

I don't have 700 to spend on a farmboss right now. Maybe next year if all goes well. I just want to get a good saw for the money. My craftsman saw isn't nearly big enough, stong enough, nor built for the amout of wood I cut. Beside it lacks the bitter bar, which is more than handy for many applications.

No used saws in this size to be found locally. Project saw WOULD be considered, if I had the time to get it going. I am cutting/splitting now. I need the saw now, not a month down the road.

 

[MtnHermit]

I was originally going to get a 460 w/ a 24" bar and I eventually decided I was just creeping up in size and features. The 455 is plenty.

Keep in mind the 455/460 are not commercial saws, rather homeowner saws. In other words weekend saws, not everyday saws.

A commercial users would expect to cuts 10 cords a week, whereas a homeowner likely wouldn't do 10 cords a year. So if the saw makes you money, you'll want a pro saw, if not the rancher is an excellent choice.

Don't let the pros talk you into more saw than you need. Also, go for a Husky or Stihl based on the dealer. My dealer spent 30 minutes bench tuning my 455, that's worth a lot and it made a big difference.

 

[John D]

You guys that have them or are knowledgeable with them, are the 455 and 460 Ranchers a trouble free saw?

I was leaning more toward the 460, just because it is a little bigger.

Are the "composit" X-torq cases ok? Is this something I should worry about?

I don't have 700 to spend on a farmboss right now. Maybe next year if all goes well. I just want to get a good saw for the money. My craftsman saw isn't nearly big enough, stong enough, nor built for the amout of wood I cut. Beside it lacks the bitter bar, which is more than handy for many applications.

No used saws in this size to be found locally. Project saw WOULD be considered, if I had the time to get it going. I am cutting/splitting now. I need the saw now, not a month down the road.

I have an 8 yr old 55 rancher,at work,its a great saw,never has failed to start and run.We use it on a golf course,it gets thrown in the back of a golf cart and bounced around.It is rock solid.i love it so much i bought a 460 this past summer,and love it too.Its got about 15 tanks or fuel thru it now,it runs great for a saw under $400.I would like to see what other 60cc saw has the smoothness,and reliability of it,and the ability to take a 20-24" bar for under 400?

 

[MtnHermit]

Maybe the photos in this thread will help.

 

[AOD]

I think 4555rancher needs another 455 or he needs to change his username.

Im sure you could find an Ebay fixer upper easy enuff, I'd never buy one new though.

 

[willsaw4beer]

I think 4555rancher needs another 455 or he needs to change his username.

Im sure you could find an Ebay fixer upper easy enuff, I'd never buy one new though.

If I could get a 455 cheap enough to resell it I would, but imo you're better off saving the money till a different saw comes around. Money would be better spent on beer than a 455...

 

[Dok]

I cringe a little when a newbie posts on the chainsaw forum looking for advice on a saw to cut a few cords of wood a year. The firewood forum is a better place to ask. I haven't figured out whether there is more sense or ???? around here :biggrinbounce2:

Anyway, I cut a lot of wood with an 024 and later a 350 before I caught CAD. Not a thing wrong with the non-pro saws for their intended use.
Dok

 

[willsaw4beer]

I cringe a little when a newbie posts on the chainsaw forum looking for advice on a saw to cut a few cords of wood a year. The firewood forum is a better place to ask. I haven't figured out whether there is more sense or ???? around here :biggrinbounce2:

Anyway, I cut a lot of wood with an 024 and later a 350 before I caught CAD. Not a thing wrong with the non-pro saws for their intended use.
Dok

I would rather have an 024 or 350 than a 455.

 

[jeeptj19992001]

I would rather have an 024 or 350 than a 455.

good for you...:taped:

 

[husky455rancher]

I think 4555rancher needs another 455 or he needs to change his username.

Im sure you could find an Ebay fixer upper easy enuff, I'd never buy one new though.

didnt know it meant that much to you aod

 

[AOD]

I'd like a 455 as a backup to my 55 and I can always use another mid size saw. No need to cut anything over 16" with it, I have bigger saws for that.

 

[aandabooks]

I cringe a little when a newbie posts on the chainsaw forum looking for advice on a saw to cut a few cords of wood a year. The firewood forum is a better place to ask. I haven't figured out whether there is more sense or ???? around here :biggrinbounce2:

Anyway, I cut a lot of wood with an 024 and later a 350 before I caught CAD. Not a thing wrong with the non-pro saws for their intended use.
Dok

That was me a year and some months ago. Unbelievable what gets recommended to cut a few cords per year. Until I found this site, I had no idea that nothing less than a 70cc saw would do as soon as the wood was over 16". I got along for a couple years with a 42cc Craftsman and cut wood way bigger.

 

[MtnHermit]

That was me a year and some months ago. Unbelievable what gets recommended to cut a few cords per year. Until I found this site, I had no idea that nothing less than a 70cc saw would do as soon as the wood was over 16". I got along for a couple years with a 42cc Craftsman and cut wood way bigger.

Indeed!!!

I limbed and blocked a 24" x 40' ponderosa with my 16" 32cc Poulan 2175. So by comparison, my 455 is a major upgrade. I still prefer the Poulan for limbing, doesn't start as easy, but runs well.