Used Husqvarna 55?

[SgtsMess]

Hi, I run a small company and am currently working on a brushcutting job for the local hydro company. On my crew guys are running both Stihl and Husqvarna saws while I'm running a new 346XP. The job requires continuous cutting/bucking of small hardwoods, only 2-6" diameter but from time to time we are required to drop/buck fully mature trees on the edge of the right-of-way.
I am going to pick up a used saw and went to look at a 55 last night. It starts and runs great, comes with bar and chain for both 18 and 20" and the owner says that he has only used it to thin a small area of mixed wood on his property, removing alder etc.
I've never run a 55 but the weight/power seems decent and any reviews I've read are pretty favorable. I could get the saw for about $250 Cdn.
Any chance anyone has some advice on this model? It will serve as a backup and only used if one of the other saws goes down but when required it will have to run steady for 6-8 hrs at a time. Any info at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Stayalert]

I have an echo power pruner, a couple of stihls (192 & 660), and a husq. rancher 455 (is that the same as a "55?") as for me? I have had great luck with the husq. In nearly any temp it starts cold on the 3rd pull and warm starts on the first pull every time. I run 18 and or 20" bars and its had been a trouble free work horse for me for about 6 years. (I do tree work pretty much full time from April - December)

 

[B Harrison]

no on 455 being the same as a 55 and no on the 55 for $250 or even $150, maybe $125 if it was pretty much new.

You can buy a used pro saw for $250 Look on the classifieds seems like there are a couple options there.

I would think you would want another saw like the 346, which (haven't gotten mine yet) should have as good a power/ weight ratio of anything in that range.

I said it in another thread and others say it all day long, if a saw is going to go to work (making money) get a pro saw.

 

[no tree to big]

that 55 will impress you! you will not find a decent one for 125 bucks I grabbed a really good condition one w/ 2 bars n chains a while ago for 200 shipped its been well worth the money I would recommend it I have had zero problems with it so far. it is pretty light and has tons of power :msp_thumbup:

 

[stihl023/5]

Ditto you will like the 55 it will do well for what you want it for.

 

[Idahokid]

I just bought a 55 and love it.Its lighter then my 028 super.It has good power for the ranch here.I paid $300 for it.It had maybe 10 hours on it.Near mint condition.

 

[Nemus Talea]

I use an old 55 as can be seen in my avatar. Its a closed port version (do a search to learn the difference and how to id) with a 16" b&c and a muffler mod so it has good response - not like a 346 mind you, but it suits me. Low hours of use is one factor, but due to age a new air boot, impulse, fuel line, filters, plug, and carb rebuild (diaphram is probably gettin hard) would be necessary before being put in service. High performance my not matter much for a backup saw but its first job is to be reliable.
A non catalytic 353 with a mild muffler mod and short bar would work better for you i think. Its a detuned 346 so many parts could be swapped to your 346 if need be. Anti vibe is better than the 55. I built a 353 for my girlfriend. It doesn't scream like a 346 but the slightly wider power band is nice when ya get into the ugly stuff. A used 353 should get the same rubber and filter treatment before you use it to put food on the table,.. new clutch and bearings also while yer at it. I like my low chain speed 55 and still climb, clear and carve with it. For the long run, for your needs, think about a well tuned and sharp 353.
$250 Cdn sounds like too much.

 

[Twindad]

The 55 is a great saw and with a muffler mod its even better, but it's still not a 346. It would be a good choice as a reliable backup, but I think $250 is a bit steep unless it is mint.

 

[Nemus Talea]

As a backup, any saw is better than no saw. The bank, credit card and utility companies dont care what saw you pay yer bills with. A poulan pro that starts, runs and knocks trees down when ya need it could do. (Gutted muffler, 14-16" bar, perfect tune and sharp chain would go a long way to make that feasible.)
Check out other saw brands in the "chainsaw forum". Have your internet BS filter flipped to the "on" position though. Reliable is job 1 for this saw and thats not very sexy to the cookie cutting engineers over there. Ignore the husky vs stihl foolishness. Careful with those guys, by the time they're done you'll be luggin a 660 with 32" bar and tuned pipe to clear r.o.w. lane.
Ask your "trusted" saw dealer what trade-ins he has in back. $250-300 will get ya something. Have him throw in parts to freshen it up.
In your line of work handling is second to reliable. Different model saws of same weight can have noticeable differences in feel from one guy to another. Nature of the tools use will reveal positives and negatives. 346/353 naturally gun for me better than other small saws when in slash, broken ground, hill sides... dont know exactly why. I like my 55 in a tree but not so much limbing or fighting slash on the ground clearing. Prefer 346/353, handles slick and has the modern antivibe. Chest to eye level gunning use and short cut times in tree no doubt big difference. Blocking firewood aint very demanding of a saws handling. 260/261s are nice. They gun great for me but seem awkward limbing. Just me I'm sure, lots of guys love em.

 

[zogger]

They work fine. Watch the intake boot thing for air leaks, if the saw starts running funny, etc. Muffler mod and most definitely trim the limiter tabs and richen it up a little bit. Tighten muffler nuts once in awhile, check them. That's about it with those saws, should last a long time as a backup saw. Go cut wood.

 

[sam p]

Following this thread!

 

[Griff93]

I have a 51 and a 55 that I have used for my tree service. I have gotten very good service out of them and for the price they are hard to beat. The crank seals finally died in both of them. The 55 unfortunately melted a piston. The intake tract is a screwy design. That said, just put a new impulse grommet and rubber intake boot on them ever winter for just a couple of $$$ and avoid problems at an inconvenient time. One nice thing is they sold a ton of these saws so used parts are easy to find. I mangled a handle on one of mine and found a replacement for around $15. I'm going to buy an XP saw for our daily use but I will be fixing the 51 as a backup saw.