Husky 455 Rancher or 359?

[avalancher]

I run both the 455 and the 372, and there is no comparison between the two. In fact, they shouldnt even be mentioned in the same conversation. I had the 350 before the 455, and again there is no comparison between the 350 and the 455.
With that being said, I find that each has their own use. I gas both of them up when I go to cut, and the 455 is the first out of the truck. I use it to limb, cut the stuff from the top on down to the large part of the trunk,and by then I am out of fuel. Then I fire the 372 and really make some chips fly. I keep a 20 inch on the 455, and run as much as a 30 inch on the 372. I like the weight of the 455, the 372 will wear you out on a full day of use if you are using it for everything.
I would keep your 350 for small stuff and limbing, and move into a real saw like the 372. In all the wood that I have cut, I have never had a problem with either saw except minor things, but I think to really be efficient you have to have more than one saw in your arsenal.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

372XP with a 350 back up makes a lot of sense.

Suggest eventually dropping the bar on the 350 down to 15 or 16 inches. You'll find you have a bit more power but a much better balanced and handling saw.

The 372XP is going to give you a lot more power but the weight, certainly not unmanagible will be there as well.

Check with a local Jonsered dealer as well. I believe they are running a promo on the 2171, might save a few bucks.

Take Care

 

[Husky Joe]

I put a non cat muffler on my 359 but haven't run it since. I haven't ever used anything but the stock chain on the 359 so I don't know how much of an improvement different chain would make.

Danrclem, have you test driven the Non-cat muffler? Husky responded to my inquiry with the following:

The 359 muffler does not have a catalytic converter.

It may not have a catalytic converter but must have some baffles or emissions junk inside. I was thinking about buying a Non-EPA muffler from Bailey's. Thanks.

 

[danrclem]

Danrclem, have you test driven the Non-cat muffler? Husky responded to my inquiry with the following:


It may not have a catalytic converter but must have some baffles or emissions junk inside. I was thinking about buying a Non-EPA muffler from Bailey's. Thanks.

I did get a chance a several days ago to run the 359. The wood wasn't real big. Some of the rounds may have been 14" but I've cut so much wood lately that it's hard to remember. I know that I didn't get into any real big wood so I really don't know for sure how much of an improvement that it made.

It did seem to run better than it did before. When I cut with it earlier this year when the temps were in the mid 90's it was hard to start after refueling it. After the muffler swap it started really easy when hot but the temps were mid to upper 80's. It was worth the swap just for that and it also ran cooler.

A couple people on here have implied that that changing the muffler to a non-cat would slow the saw down. It was a positive move for me.

 

[Husky Joe]

I wonder if the dang thing wasn't getting vapor locked in all that heat. I had a similar problem with an old Jonsereds. The stealership mentioned that these new environmental-friendly saws have gas caps that don't breathe. They told me if I had any problems with the 359, they could get me a breathable gas cap. I had a problem or two like that with my new 359, but only when the gas tank was nearly empty. After filling, it seems to start right up and go like hell again. I can't believe how this thing rips!

 

[irishcountry]

I have the 455 and have cut all summer with it, no problems but at the end of the day if its your only saw you will feel it or maybe i'm just getting old!! My dad has the smallest stihl forgot the number (ms189?) it has .325 chain and it cuts well too just not really big stuff he leaves that for me I only had to break out my 395xp once for a really big oak base that has been down awhile. Ok saw if it breaks I will look at a XP model as I got this before I knew much better at a box store so far though it has performed very well. my 2 cents

 

[danrclem]

I wonder if the dang thing wasn't getting vapor locked in all that heat. I had a similar problem with an old Jonsereds. The stealership mentioned that these new environmental-friendly saws have gas caps that don't breathe. They told me if I had any problems with the 359, they could get me a breathable gas cap. I had a problem or two like that with my new 359, but only when the gas tank was nearly empty. After filling, it seems to start right up and go like hell again. I can't believe how this thing rips!

I tried opening the gas cap up but that didn't seem to help either. I usually ran it until it was empty and it was hard to start after I refueled.

 

[chainsawaddict]

If you have to get a husky, get the 372. IMO, it is their best saw.

 

[CharlieG]

372XP is my go to firewood saw. Loggers loads can get large in diameter, and you'll need the extra umph! 20" b+c is easy to handle, with larger, backup bars and chains from baileys.

 

[Lignum]

I have the 455 and a 575xp. Like what was said earlier, no comparison, but, they each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The gas tank of the 455 is a touch small, but most on that end of the spectrum are smaller.

I have not ran the 350, or the 359, but if they are in the same group as the 455, go bigger, you will not regret it. You can always cut the smaller stuff with ease with a bigger saw, but it does not work the other way around.

 

[scotclayshooter]

I have the 455 and a 575xp. Like what was said earlier, no comparison, but, they each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The gas tank of the 455 is a touch small, but most on that end of the spectrum are smaller.

I have not ran the 350, or the 359, but if they are in the same group as the 455, go bigger, you will not regret it. You can always cut the smaller stuff with ease with a bigger saw, but it does not work the other way around.

+1 on the fuel tank on a 455 its LAME!