Husky saws?

[liberty]

I called Husqvarna directly and spoke with a tech about the internal construction of their saws. He stated they are all constructed the same from the 359 down. I was looking at the 359 or the 455 rancher. I will be cutting about six cords of hardwood a year. I can purchase the 455 via online for $319 with free shipping and three chains or the 359 for $439 with three chains. Since they are equally durable is the 359 worth the extra cost?

 

[manual]

Yes

 

[Adkpk]

359 that'd be my choice. I mine

 

[Urbicide]

I mine too.

 

[liberty]

Is the only reason the extra power?

 

[TimberPig]

The 359 is a pro grade saw, with somewhat more mild tuning. It is the same saw as a 357XP with a different crankshaft and cylinder. It uses a vertically split, magnesium crankcase, like other pro saws. This is a rugged, lightweight, easily serviced design. It is built to be used daily by professionals, or very serious homeowners and firewood cutters.

The 455 is an oversized, overweight, consumer model, constructed with significantly more plastic, including the crankcase. It is meant for homeowners, farmers, and other casual users to cut firewood a few times a year.

If these are the only two choices, the only advantage the 455 has is price. The 359 is significantly more saw in every way. I know which saw I'd be buying if choosing between these two.

 

[liberty]

The husky tech stated they both have the same internal motor costruction. Is the husky tech wrong?

 

[Mr.]

Yes, I would choose the 353 over the 455. The 359 is alot more saw.

Fred

 

[TimberPig]

The husky tech stated they both have the same internal motor costruction. Is the husky tech wrong?

Internally, they may use the same piston, rings, and crank designs, but otherwise, they are very different in construction. The 359 is a significantly better design.

 

[Rotax Robert]

359 all the way, just spend the extra coin.

Rotax

 

[Indiana John]

I called Husqvarna directly and spoke with a tech about the internal construction of their saws. He stated they are all constructed the same from the 359 down. I was looking at the 359 or the 455 rancher. I will be cutting about six cords of hardwood a year. I can purchase the 455 via online for $319 with free shipping and three chains or the 359 for $439 with three chains. Since they are equally durable is the 359 worth the extra cost?

The local Rural King store has the 359 for $20 less, but no extra chains.

 

[Woodie]

The husky tech stated they both have the same internal motor costruction. Is the husky tech wrong?

Are you sure this tech wasn't a specialist in something like their weed-whacker division? No offense, but he sounds straight ignorant to me.

He may be referring to the forged crankshaft they have, I can't rightly say. But if those are your two choices, I would submit there's really only one.

 

[Husky137]

The husky tech stated they both have the same internal motor costruction. Is the husky tech wrong?

Sometimes morons pick up the phone by mistake.

 

[liberty]

Has anyone actually taken these two saws apart to see the differences. I called Husky back and spoke with a different tech and he said the same thing about the saws construction ( piston,rings,crank,crankcase) are all the same. Maybe they are told not to let customers know about the actual difference?

 

[woodfarmer]

try not to get the e-tech model i think their more trouble performance wise than their worth

 

[HiOctane]

The 359 has completely different cr/case,crankshaft from the 357 for sure,the Husky tech was wrong.Anyway,the best choice is 359 over the 455 and a 353 will be a good saw too with a bit less hp.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

The members here won't steer you wrong. Between the 2 the 359 is all over the 455. If you plan on using and keeping this saw for a while get the 359!

 

[Husky137]

Try and get the 455 with the new handy dandy wind up chain tensioning system and tell us how long before the plastic handle snaps.

 

[bythcord]

I have not used the 359 but I do have the 357xp. I borrowed a 455 to for a few weeks. The 455 was definately heavier and I personaly had more trouble than I would of expected starting it. The primer bulb seems finicky. If I followed the manual instruction it seemed to flood. Maintanace on the 359/357xp is definatelty easier. One big plus with the 359 is that the oil tank is metal instead of the plastic one on the 455. The overall design on the 359 is definately better. The current 455 was designed not to make the best saw, but to to match a price point set but the big box stores you can find them in.

I had to choose between the 455, 359, and the 357xp. In the end I decided to get 357xp the extra cost spread over the life of the saw makes it a better investment.

 

[Steve128]

Liberty choice!

For me, the choice/decision between a husky tech you call (background unknown) and a member of this board whose posts indicate a strong knowledge in chainsaws, is easy. I bought with MY money what member's recommended.