I am getting a Husqvarna 455 rancher for next to nothing and it is a good running saw but there is no bar or chain with it. I was thinking of getting a 20" set up for it because that is what I was told it came with, but just out of curiousity what is the biggest you guys would run on this saw it is all stock. The Husqvarna website says 20 is the largest recommended. Thanks.
How big of a bar and chain can I run
- Thread starter neilo
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I like 16" on my firewood saws. If you are going to cut bigger stuff you may want to go with the 20". If for firewood 20" will hit more dirt and spin the chain slower. It is no big deal if you dont cut alot. You just have to get used to the bar length on your own. I dont think I would go bigger than 20" on the rancher. Not saying you cant but depends on your needs.
sawinredneck
Addicted to ArboristSite
For one, you will have a hard time finding anything longer than a 20" in a small mount Husky bar.
For two, I don't think the saw really has enough power stock to pull much more than that anyway.
Put a 20" on it and be happy, put an 18" on it and cut just a hair faster, anything less than an 18" for firewood is a joke IMO, but I guess I am the only one around here that cuts real wood.
For two, I don't think the saw really has enough power stock to pull much more than that anyway.
Put a 20" on it and be happy, put an 18" on it and cut just a hair faster, anything less than an 18" for firewood is a joke IMO, but I guess I am the only one around here that cuts real wood.
GASoline71
Mr. Nice Guy
A 455 will handle a 20" bar no prob. Especially in the western softwoods you'll prolly be cuttin' in Montana. 
Gary
Gary
Moss Man
Addicted to ArboristSite
I run a 12" on my 455, it ups the power so it cuts like a 372 on steroids.
smokinj
Addicted to ArboristSite
lol i'll run a 16in. on a 361 that oak an't no joke
Henry G.
ArboristSite Guru
It'll pull a 20", if you get into the hard stuff just go easy. In pine or fir it does fine. I just bought a new 20" Husky bar for my 357 today from Lowes, $32. Run decent semi-chisel chain, safety chain/LP stuff is garbage IMO. Out west here 16" trees are practically saplings
well cutting nothing but 16 inch wood is a joke IMHO, i cut oak in to 40-50 inch range regularly, and if you are going after firewood that is the only way to go.
MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
Wasn't doubting you mate just that some people don't have access to large trees so cutting 16" wood shouldn't be classed as a joke if that's all you've got to cut.
To be honest I'd rather cut 20-24" wood for firewood anyday over larger stuff. I know heaps of full time firewood cutters who would rather leave the big stuff alone and tackle gear less than 3 feet so it's less cutting and easier to lift into a splitter.
I didn't think a question about bar size on a 455 Husky would turn into a "who cut's the biggest wood thread"...
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dingeryote
Blueberry Baron
Congrats on the new to you Rancher!!
Some might snif at it, as it isn't a "Pro saw" but dangit if the things wont cut wood, and put up with plenty of abuse.
I ran the snot outta mine when I was clearing 5 acres of farm field and clearing for the house I'm in right now, plus a bunch of firewood.
Mine came with the 18" 3/8 bar and I ran it untill it got plum worn out.
The 20" I replaced the 18" with really wasn't that much more bar, and the loss of cutting speed on larger trunks was notable.
In the end I put an 18" back on untill compression got low, and it's still on the saw for use as a beater/Loaner.
It will pull a 20, but they are much happier with an 18 IMO.
In cold weather keep an ear to the Carb tuning as they do NOT pull well when even slightly rich, and a change of 20 degrees seemed to be enough to get the screwdriver back out.
Sharp chain ALWAYS helps though
Stay safe!
Dingeryote
not trying to beat my chest or anything, jeesh, am i not supposed to post my opinion, i think that if you are after firewood, you should go for the big stuff, there is more wood for the work IMHO, i doo sell a good bit of firewood myself, i was simply responding to the other people here stating that 16 inch bars on a 361 isnt a joke, i think that a 260 pro sill sling a 16 inch chain just as good as a 361 with less fuel and less weight.(i am sure to be flamed for that one). just my opinion man.
dingeryote
Blueberry Baron
MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
No worries mate. Wasn't trying to sound personal
Yeah easy to bust a pooper valve trying to lift bigger rounds up on a trailer/ truck! Fair enough if you normally just cut/block everything in the field with a chainsaw and load smaller pieces.
Not to mention some of the rounds I've seen guys lifting onto splitters wouldn't even balance on the table too well they were that big
alpinecrick
ArboristSite Operative
As far as I'm concerned my 455 is a 16" bar saw.......it sure wants to stall the chain a lot in any wood more than 16" when running a 20 inch bar.......
Casey
smokinj
Addicted to ArboristSite
lol a 16 in bar will cut 32 in's of wood anything over that then we get the big saw. but even the big saw is cutting wood more than 2 times it size
you dont need a 60 in. bar just because thats the size of wood you cutting
woodsrunner
ArboristSite Operative
455 works real well with an 18 inch bar and 3/8 chain. Go with good sharp RSC chain and the 18 inch and it will perform well for you. BTW, you can get a 24 inch small mount Husky bar at Tractor Supply occasionally, but that's too much bar for a 455 IMHO.
Scott
Scott
