liberty
ArboristSite Operative
Here we go again. I like to stir debate. If the HUSKY 455 weighed closer to 11.5 or 12 lbs would it be considered a decent saw for a guy cutting 8 cords of firewood a year.
What makes a Husky 455 so bad?
- Thread starter liberty
- Start date
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Maybe. Heck, it'll probably be perfectly fine for a guy cutting firewood just the way it is. There is nothing *wrong* with it, after all. The only complaints about it come from the fact that it is intended as a low-cost product where power-to-weight ratio is not critical, where a magnesium crankcase is not necessary, where a horizontally-split crankcase is OK and where achieving maximum performance is not the goal. It is still a good saw, capable of cutting lots of wood on a regular basis.
The thing is this: it just wasn't designed in such a way as to compete head-to-head with the 50-60cc pro saws, so when it is compared to them it usually comes up short.
The thing is this: it just wasn't designed in such a way as to compete head-to-head with the 50-60cc pro saws, so when it is compared to them it usually comes up short.
IchWarriorMkII
ArboristSite Guru
I've never heard/seen any physical problems with the saw.
But there are just better models out there, for the same/very little more that usually get the nod. Thats all.
But there are just better models out there, for the same/very little more that usually get the nod. Thats all.
GRTimberCO
ArboristSite Operative
I've got one. Really like it but since I cut and limbed 120 tons with it last year I saved to buy a 385 xp for 2007 and use the 455 for a back up and limbing saw for my help. The biggest problem I had with it was when I had it badly hung in a twisted limbed and instead of goingto the truck for and axe to chop the saw out with, I jerked the plastic handle bar in two. Keep a good, sharp chain on it and I think you'll like it fine.
TDunk
Addicted to ArboristSite
My biggest complaint is what other people had mentioned, the power to wieght ratio. I'm used to using "pro" saws so to me it's slugish. Reliability is pretty good other than the plastic parts. It would be good for casual firewood cutting imo, i'd prolly put an 18" bar on though.
Timberhauler
Addicted to ArboristSite
My dad owns a landscaping outfit,and he uses one for cutting railroad ties to precise angles...It's a tough saw,but it's not known for it's performance.
RiverRat2
Serio Tree Freak
Hard Knocks
ArboristSite Operative
We have not had any complaints on any one that we have sold. We had a customer come back in to buy a replacement for his stolen 455. I did not bring any in for last falls booking because we got the 55 Ranchers back at a screaming price. This guy would not take the 55 Rancher at $125 less than the 455. He wanted the features that his 455 had so I ordered him one.
I picked one up in Dec. off ebay for $250. Brand new. Bought it to replace my 034 that started leaking bar oil into the cylinder. Guessing that around here it would probably cost a few hundred to get it fixed. Husky came with a 20" bar which was fine with me as I had a half dozen Stihl chains. (RSC I think). Original chain didn't last long as I was cutting at the city tree dump & 5' up in the pile hit a bunch of frozen dirt. Put the Stihl on & back in business. Going great until I got into some frozen 24" hickory. All of a sudden the chips became dust Switched over to some 15" hickory & back to nice big chips.
Two things I've noticed about the saw. Cold it is tough as heck to get started. Other thing when I am cutting near the end of the bar ( so I don't go past into something else), I get a lot of chattering/vibration & it doesn't bite real well into the wood. Wondering if I need a better bar? Also going to Baileys & other sites, very little is listed for the 455. Bars, chains, spare parts etc.
Al
Two things I've noticed about the saw. Cold it is tough as heck to get started. Other thing when I am cutting near the end of the bar ( so I don't go past into something else), I get a lot of chattering/vibration & it doesn't bite real well into the wood. Wondering if I need a better bar? Also going to Baileys & other sites, very little is listed for the 455. Bars, chains, spare parts etc.
Al
lobsta1 I need a 034 parts saw. Email me. Mike
Bars and chain loops are the same as any other small-mount Husqvarna. Oftentimes every single model that a bar or loop would fit are not listed, despite the fact that they work for some other saw, too. If it fits a 350, 353 or 55, it'll fit the 455.
As for OEM parts, at least for the time being any brick-and-mortar or online Husqvarna dealer can supply OEM parts. Aftermarket parts, I would suspect, would be few and far between owing to the saw's intended market and purchase price (replace rather than rebuild) and its plastic cradle/horizontal crankcase design.
NYH1
Tacticle Chainsaw Operator.
A guy I work with has a 455 Rancher. He cuts a few face cords of firewood a year and uses it for clean up work on his property. He really likes it. 
A guy I work with has a 455 Rancher. He cuts a few face cords of firewood a year and uses it for clean up work on his property. He really likes it.
He would have to come here to find out that his saw sucks.
NYH1
Tacticle Chainsaw Operator.
:biggrinbounce2: It really is all the saw he needs. He really likes it, especially for the price he paid! :biggrinbounce2:He would have to come here to find out that his saw sucks.
What did he pay for it?
JUDGE1162
ArboristSite Operative
I have one, I like it and it is a nice saw for the price. As long as you know what you are buying when you buy it I think it is a good saw
It is a high-end consumer/homeowner to semi-pro saw, it does not have the best power to weight ratio but if you are using it only a few days a week for a few hour at a time do you need to pay the extra money for the lightest saw. It is not easy to work on and parts are harder to find, you can not modify them easily but many weekend firewood cutter don't need to be able to do that and to save a $100 or more compared to other 55 cc saw it was a trade off I was willing to make.
The best example I can think of is the 455 is an F-150 compared to a 385 as a diesel dually F-350. Yes the 385 can do a lot more can take a whole lot more abuse, is much more powerful but at the same time is more expensive and if you do not need all the extra power why pay for it. The way I see it, the 455 does the job I bought it to do (cut firewood and light to medium land clearing) at a fair price. I am a bigger guy so the heavier saw does not bother me that much and once it was broken it I have had no real complaint with it.
Treat the saw with respect, don’t abuse it and no its limitation (don’t put a 28” bar on it was not made for that) and you will be happy with the saw for a firewood saw. I have a 20” bar on mine and cut nearly 100% hardwoods and I have no complaints
It is a high-end consumer/homeowner to semi-pro saw, it does not have the best power to weight ratio but if you are using it only a few days a week for a few hour at a time do you need to pay the extra money for the lightest saw. It is not easy to work on and parts are harder to find, you can not modify them easily but many weekend firewood cutter don't need to be able to do that and to save a $100 or more compared to other 55 cc saw it was a trade off I was willing to make.
The best example I can think of is the 455 is an F-150 compared to a 385 as a diesel dually F-350. Yes the 385 can do a lot more can take a whole lot more abuse, is much more powerful but at the same time is more expensive and if you do not need all the extra power why pay for it. The way I see it, the 455 does the job I bought it to do (cut firewood and light to medium land clearing) at a fair price. I am a bigger guy so the heavier saw does not bother me that much and once it was broken it I have had no real complaint with it.
Treat the saw with respect, don’t abuse it and no its limitation (don’t put a 28” bar on it was not made for that) and you will be happy with the saw for a firewood saw. I have a 20” bar on mine and cut nearly 100% hardwoods and I have no complaints
sawinredneck
Addicted to ArboristSite
The problem I have with it is for the price and power to weight, I would rather run a 350!
455: 56cc, 3.4hp, 12.8lbs
350: 52cc, 3.2hp, 10.6lbs
I doubt most would miss the .2hp, but am certain all would notice the 2lbs! A muffler mod and a little porting, I bet you'd have a lot more than that .2hp!
455: 56cc, 3.4hp, 12.8lbs
350: 52cc, 3.2hp, 10.6lbs
I doubt most would miss the .2hp, but am certain all would notice the 2lbs! A muffler mod and a little porting, I bet you'd have a lot more than that .2hp!
NYH1
Tacticle Chainsaw Operator.
$200 from Lowes. It had a broken handle. They gave him a new handle with it as well.
JUDGE1162
ArboristSite Operative
What you are missing with those numbers is torque, the low end power on a 455 is very good, the issue is on the highend RPM it maxs at around 9,000 rpm compared to 13,000 rpm on a 350. SO if you look at the 455 under load vs a 350 underload you will see what those extra 5ccs get you in true useable power for pretty much the same price. Now if you got the $100 the 359 is a new saw not as good as the older 361 now that had a great power to weight ratio.
