Husky 55 vs 450, m455 (and others!)

[mikeccb]

Hi all,

Quick background -- I'm very new to working on saws, but inherited a MS660 a while ago and really enjoyed the process of fixing it up. I recently picked up a couple more project saws -- just for the sake of learning more and having a bit of fun.

The project saws are both Huskies, a 55 Rancher and 455 Rancher. I already own a 450 Rancher that I use for firewooding, and a 50cc Radley (Zenoah clone) that I keep in my truck and use occasionally for work (carpenter). Since I don't really need any more saws in this class, I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with them. I could fix them up and sell them to "feed the habit", or if they're a better fit for my needs, I'd just as soon keep them. If I fix them up, I don't want to spend more than I have to, but I'm not going to do a band-aid fix to maximize profit at someone elses expense. So I guess the first thing I should ask, is if any of these saws are worth putting more money into? The 55 doesn't seem to get much respect, but I could put a 460 top end in the 455 (needs a new piston for sure, cylinder *might* be serviceable) if it's going to be a noticeable improvement over my 450?

Sorry so vague, just looking for general direction!

 

[ChillyB]

I like the 55. Mine were non-Ranchers and don't recall the difference. I'll take a mag cased 55 over a clamshell 4xx every day.

 

[Pioneer]

The 455 is slighter faster in the wood that a 55 with the same bar and chain, but weighs a pound more and is plastic cased. I prefer the 55 for the simplicity and cheap parts availability. The fact that they are pretty reliable doesn't hurt either. The air injection version of these saws actually does a pretty decent job of keeping the dust away from the air filter, another plus.

 

[Cliff R]

Husqvarna 55's came in several flavors. The Rancher versions that I've owned or had in here were all open port, no compression release, and had .375 chains instead of .325". They run OK put nothing overly impressive, pic below. They made non Rancher versions w/o compression release and also open-port.

Some of the EPA versions have a compression release and closed port P/C. Those are the ones to get if you can find one. They can be identified by a series of ++++++++ across the bottom of the cylinder just above the gasket mating surface and below the compression release (pic below). I have two closed port 55's in my line-up and they are pretty impressive for chain speed and power to weight.

You'll find the 55's have a split mag case and removable P/C as mentioned. They don't have a clutch driven oiler like most of the Husky Pro saws, but otherwise they have a lot of pro features. The biggest problem I see with them is having to use aftermarket P/C's on them if you buy one that's smoked the piston and jug. I've never been a fan of anything in that area from the aftermarket and always used OEM P/C's here when we had the shop open and ZERO issues with them all the years we were in business.......