Chainsaw, which one to buy

[jonjon1]

I am leaning toawrds the Husqvarna 455, I normally would go stihl, but I like how the rancher feels and my local guys says either one cant go wrong...

Anyone have a rancher 455 and good luck with it, he is giving me $260 for my 7 year old stihl {I paid just over $300 for it}, and the 455 is $360 after tax, so $100 out of pocket.

I am going up to the hunting cabin sometime in the next couple weeks and last year the stihl was a bit of a pain to start with the ethenol fuel, I normally run the vp canned fuel in it but ran out while we were up there so had to run pump gas, it DID not like it at all, and a few people told me the new saws are a lot better with the e fuel...

 

[Showkey]

Either of the saws are the gold standard of chain saws. 455 is a great saw !!!!!

Ethanol fuel stores poorly........plain and simple. Additives like STABIL is critical.

All small Engines can benefit from no ethanol fuel. I some markets it is readily available, especially if your cabin is in a lakes region. Boating guys hated ethanol too.

 

[BeachBoy]

I bought a 450 and love it!

I bought the Husky fuel cans to get double warranty. Still valid.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/press-l...-consumers-limited-extended-warranty-program/

 

[404]

Well you have to ask what the experts used..

But seriously, 100 out of pocket seems good to me.

 

[jonjon1]

I bought a 450 and love it!

I bought the Husky fuel cans to get double warranty. Still valid.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/press-l...-consumers-limited-extended-warranty-program/

Thanks he sells vp, but maybe it is something he can order, he didnt mention it, BUT if you buy a case of stihls 2 stroke oil they also double the warranty, he told me about that, but he has the 455 on sale right now, and maybe he doesnt know about that sale, I will have to find out, thanks again..

 

[Jason280]

Anyone have a rancher 455 and good luck with it, he is giving me $260 for my 7 year old stihl {I paid just over $300 for it},

Which model Stihl are you getting rid of??

 

[justme-]

FWIW both saws really need a carb adjustment to do well on eth fuel from non eth fuel. Eth tends to make the mix leaner, so more than a tank or two you'd do well to have it richened up a bit on pump gas.

 

[930dreamer]

X2 curious what Stihl your trading, Is it an "0"** series?

 

[Jason280]

X2 curious what Stihl your trading, Is it an "0"** series?

Yes, pleeeeease tell me you aren't getting rid of an 026 or 028 for a 455!

 

[Tejaas]

My dad runs a 455 several times a week on cedar, mesquite, and live oak... He absolutely swears by it, and prefers it over my Stihl 290 "farm boss" model.



~Tejaas~

 

[the1nonlyjl]

455 is a beast

 

[jonjon1]

FWIW both saws really need a carb adjustment to do well on eth fuel from non eth fuel. Eth tends to make the mix leaner, so more than a tank or two you'd do well to have it richened up a bit on pump gas.

He told me the new Husqvarna doesn't need any adjustments, its all automatic, I read some reviews that confirmed this...

Which model Stihl are you getting rid of??

My Stihl is a 20" farmboss, well taken care of, Oregon bar, hard case, looks brand new, I take very good care of my stuff, cleaned and emptied at the end of every season, and this didnt get used every year. I may have used this saw 20 hours since i bought it... I wouldn't replace it except I want something that strats a bit easier and is better with e fuel...

I had 4 Stihl pro models that I sold with my business, so this saw was only used for my personal stuff..

 

[CobraChevelle]

I am looking at the same saw for 360$, Sorry if this sounds like a thread hijack, but I am debating between the 455 or the 460 with a 20'' bar. Is it worth the extra $$$ for the 5cc? Thanks

 

[gungatim]

I have had the 455 for about 5 years now. use it 3 or 4 weekends a year, cut maybe 2 cords of firewood. I have to add bar oil and gas/oil to it every so often. I blew it out once, and have to sharpen the chain fairly regularly. other than those inconveniences, it has been completely maintenance free. don't even drain the gas at the end of the season...and no I don't use the canned stuff, just regular gas/2stroke mix. it has the compression release for starting but I almost never have to use it. firest right up and runs all day, but does tend to stall when the gas/oil is empty.

 

[jar944]

The hard starting is a carb adjustment issue.

The ex HD rental Dolmar/Makita 6401 (IMHO) are the best deal out there currently. A lot more saw then you are looking for, but hey you can never have too much power.

 

[jonjon1]

The hard starting is a carb adjustment issue.

The ex HD rental Dolmar/Makita 6401 (IMHO) are the best deal out there currently. A lot more saw then you are looking for, but hey you can never have too much power.

My cousin swears by that makita, but it has to weigh 15 lbs, lol and I don't know what they cost but, I can't picture a new one being under $1000...

I am looking at the same saw for 360$, Sorry if this sounds like a thread hijack, but I am debating between the 455 or the 460 with a 20'' bar. Is it worth the extra $$$ for the 5cc? Thanks

I asked my guy about the 460 and he said that I should really be looking at the 450 and the 455 is over kill, so the 460 is just a waste for what I am going to do with it. The only reason I am going with the 455 is he can give me a great deal on it, he said the hard case that he is giving me would cost $62 to replace alone...

I just called him and told him to set it all up I am going to bring him my saw today, I confirmed $100 my saw and the hard case, for
a brand new 455
a brand new hard case,
a 6 pk of 2 stroke oil,
and 1 ga of husqvarna bar oil

He also checked on the doubling of the warranty, he said that he doesnt sell that fuel but he has it in his system, he will ring up the husq. fuel and give me vp so I get the warranty... So I will get the vp premixed for the price of the hus {not sure if that is more or less} and it will double my warranty...


I think this is a no brainer, he said he is losing money on the deal, I have spent A LOT of money in this guys store, the day I bought my 2 exmark zero turns I spent almost $15K... Plus I buy everything from him, I have an account there, so my wife goes in and gets flowers, mulch, etc and never looks at a price tag. But it pays off, I broke a belt on my snow blower {bought from him} and he came out in a snow storm, dropped off a loaner, then picked my machine up, then when it was fixed, dropped it back off!!!

 

[TommyD]

Everything I buy is Husqvarna, saws, bp blower and weed wacker. I'm sold on them when I had to, twice but different times, bring in my chainsaw because the bolts holding on the muffler ripped the threads out of the head. The first time they repaired it but when the second one pulled out they replaced the power head, FREE, with a 455 power head. Tells me they stand behind their products and I appreciate that.

 

[cheechi]

husq canned gas costs a little more than vp or tru because it's 95 octane instead of (iirc) 94 and 93 respectively.

Not a huge difference and the warranty is worth what you lose in $1-2. I think the husq canned gas is the most expensive that's commonly available.

If I were looking for a huge saw I would probably say the 450 or 455 are a better choice than the 460. Even though you might get more power out of it you also spend more energy holding that big sucker up all day.

I have the cheap version of the 450, the PP5020AV and it's comfortable to use though I definitely notice the weight compared to my 435 or smaller saw.

 

[jar944]

My cousin swears by that makita, but it has to weigh 15 lbs, lol and I don't know what they cost but, I can't picture a new one being under $1000...

Going used price from HD is about $250-300

I paid $50 for the last one and $100 for the one before that Ive been buying the "non runners" from my local HD rental. The $100 saw needed a kill switch and the $50 needed the cylinder bolts tightened [seriously]

$50 saw


$100 saw (that's a 028 behind it)

 

[CobraChevelle]

1.) I kinda like the idea of extra power with the 460 but will never need it i bet.

2.) I found it online for 359.99 with free ship, but without all that extra stuff your getting. My guess he is breaking even and his profit is from whatever he sells your old one for.

 

[CobraChevelle]

Going used price from HD is about $250-300

I paid $50 for the last one and $100 for the one before that Ive been buying the "non runners" from my local HD rental. The $100 saw needed a kill switch and the $50 needed the cylinder bolts tightened [seriously]

$50 saw


$100 saw (that's a 028 behind it)

How did you find out there selling them? I never see any posting about it at the store

 

[930dreamer]

I enjoy my 046 Mag Stihl with a 25" & 32" bar.

 

[Wizzard]

I wouldn't hesitate on the 455. Using the proper size bar (i.e. not to big) and keeping the chain sharp have a much bigger advantage than having more power. 455 with an 18" bar will rip.

 

[jar944]

How did you find out there selling them? I never see any posting about it at the store

Walk in to the rental section and ask if any are for sale. If they say no just ask when they will be selling them (they sell them after 3 years IIRC) if you want a non runner ask if there are any broken saws they would be willing to sell.

None of the ones Ive picked up have been "advertised" or even out for sale.

 

[stg454]

I have a 455 and love it. Also have a 440e which is good for limbing. All my small equipment is Husqvarna!

 

[rbro7752]

i ran a husqvarna 450 last year with a 18 inch bar and it would really bog down in hardwood over 10 inch diameter. I upgraded to a stihl ms 271 farm boss and it hands down makes an *** out of the 450. and yes that is comparing a two 50cc saws both with 18inch bar.

 

[jonjon1]

1.) I kinda like the idea of extra power with the 460 but will never need it i bet.

2.) I found it online for 359.99 with free ship, but without all that extra stuff your getting. My guess he is breaking even and his profit is from whatever he sells your old one for.

Figure the guy on ebay selling them for $360 has to ship that thing, ao yah my guy is probably breaking even, plus now I am going to buy a couple jugs of vp, plus I will buy a new mask {mine is foggy, I did rubbing compound and it made it worse} thats $60. Plus I just sent a friend of mine over there and he bought a 3KW honda inverter genny.
So he inst losing any money in breaking even, PLUS I have started his shop and home boilers a few times in the middle of the night, and I have talked him through more band aid fixes than I can count, so its the old one hand washes another..

I will tell you this though, try to buy the saw locally first, tell him what you can buy it online for, and ask if they can match it, tell them you dont mind paying the tac that ebay wouldnt charge but want the price matched, they may do it and you will had bought it locally, in hand... My guy unpacks, fills it with oils and fuel, starts and tunes it, sets it all up so I can walk outside and cut a log...

 

[Jhoff310]

I love all of my saws
Echo CS310...my quick go to saw...5 year warranty just ended....never had a problem with it
Stihl 031AV--My second go to so...needs some carb work
Stihl 032AVE---My favorite saw
My david Bradley---75cc of power...pulled it out of the scrapyard
Mac 3-26---another 75cc--- I call it the BEAST---the starter rope is a cable
Stihl 050---My mega monster...89cc with a 36" bar

I have a few others in the barn that I am working on

 

[jonjon1]

OK, so I got my new saw... It looks and feels sweet...

He wasnt there when I went to pick it up but he had it all set aside, and when I was talking to him earlier in the day, I said I had all stihl gear, gloves and mask, he told me to bring it with me, he wanted it with the trade in, lol.. So I did...

He installed an Oregon 20" bar and chain, I thought he just through it in because the package was in the box, but the new take of stock bar and chain were in the box.

He also gave me the box, a husqvarna sharpener kit, a maint kit with the air and fuel filters, plug, and oil, a gallon of bar oil, 2- 5 gallon pails of pre mix VP c9, a husqvarna helmet sheild, and a pair of husqvarna gloves. He told his worker to just get my saw and $250 off of me, the receipt reads...

saw-$419.99
file kit-$14.99
Pro gloves-$30.00
helmet system-$49.99
service kit- $29.99
Oregon b/c-$60.00
Power Box - $49.99
1 ga bar oil- $20.99
1/2 case mix- $12.00
2- 5 ga pre mix - 119.98
Total- 864.47 after tax
then minus $614.47 for saw trade in... total due- $250

He said he sent the receipt for the double warranty and it was all set... So I had to buy the 10 gallons of premix which is no big deal I will use it before the end of the year, my son will eat that up with is dirt bike before I would get a chance to run it through a weedwacker...

He just called me to see how I like the saw and to thank me for cleaning my saw {I didn't clean it, I just always kept it clean}, I told him it looks good and I wish I knew he was changing the bar because I would have went 18" and he said that saw runs through our wood with the 20" perfectly, and that is the perfect size for what i am going to do with it...

So I will know this week how it is, I have 6 trees in my yard to take care of so as long as the weather holds, I will do it friday or saturday...

 

[CobraChevelle]

Walk in to the rental section and ask if any are for sale. If they say no just ask when they will be selling them (they sell them after 3 years IIRC) if you want a non runner ask if there are any broken saws they would be willing to sell.

None of the ones Ive picked up have been "advertised" or even out for sale.

How are these vs lets say a husky 460?

420$ vs 550$

 

[jar944]

How are these vs lets say a husky 460?

420$ vs 550$

well it depends, the 6400/6401/6421 are 64cc saws and a bit heavy compared to other brands at the same displacement. The 64cc, 73cc and 79cc models in the dolmar/makita line only differ in the piston and cylinder.

Just on specs alone
husqvarna 460 3.62hp/12.79lbs (PHO)
dolmar/makita 4.7HP/13.8lbs (PHO)

Its Husqvarna equivalent is the 362xp, none of the rancher models really compare.

However with a cylinder swap the Makita jumps to 6.2hp for the 79cc, which puts it between the 372xp and the 385xp or between the 460 and and 660 if you are a Stihl fan

as an example, its a lot of saw.

 

[Davefr]

The ex HD rental Dolmar/Makita 6401 (IMHO) are the best deal out there currently. A lot more saw then you are looking for, but hey you can never have too much power.

^^^I agree 100%.

These saws sit on the shelf 99% of the time and then have to get sold every few years for accounting purposes. In the mean time they are actually well maintained.

However the best part is swapping top ends by adding a cylinder and piston from the "big block" Dolmar 7900. Now dual port the muffler and you have a virtually new saw that'll outcut a Stihl MS 660 and at less weight.

I think mine was about $180 and the conversion was about $150 or so.

 

[jar944]

^^^I agree 100%.

These saws sit on the shelf 99% of the time and then have to get sold every few years for accounting purposes. In the mean time they are actually well maintained.

However the best part is swapping top ends by adding a cylinder and piston from the "big block" Dolmar 7900. Now dual port the muffler and you have a virtually new saw that'll outcut a Stihl MS 660 and at less weight.

I think mine was about $180 and the conversion was about $150 or so.

watch out, they can be addictive.

 

[MrGiggles]

OK, so I got my new saw... It looks and feels sweet...

He wasnt there when I went to pick it up but he had it all set aside, and when I was talking to him earlier in the day, I said I had all stihl gear, gloves and mask, he told me to bring it with me, he wanted it with the trade in, lol.. So I did...

He installed an Oregon 20" bar and chain, I thought he just through it in because the package was in the box, but the new take of stock bar and chain were in the box.

He also gave me the box, a husqvarna sharpener kit, a maint kit with the air and fuel filters, plug, and oil, a gallon of bar oil, 2- 5 gallon pails of pre mix VP c9, a husqvarna helmet sheild, and a pair of husqvarna gloves. He told his worker to just get my saw and $250 off of me, the receipt reads...

saw-$419.99
file kit-$14.99
Pro gloves-$30.00
helmet system-$49.99
service kit- $29.99
Oregon b/c-$60.00
Power Box - $49.99
1 ga bar oil- $20.99
1/2 case mix- $12.00
2- 5 ga pre mix - 119.98
Total- 864.47 after tax
then minus $614.47 for saw trade in... total due- $250

He said he sent the receipt for the double warranty and it was all set... So I had to buy the 10 gallons of premix which is no big deal I will use it before the end of the year, my son will eat that up with is dirt bike before I would get a chance to run it through a weedwacker...

He just called me to see how I like the saw and to thank me for cleaning my saw {I didn't clean it, I just always kept it clean}, I told him it looks good and I wish I knew he was changing the bar because I would have went 18" and he said that saw runs through our wood with the 20" perfectly, and that is the perfect size for what i am going to do with it...

So I will know this week how it is, I have 6 trees in my yard to take care of so as long as the weather holds, I will do it friday or saturday...

It's water under the bridge now, but the Husky 545 is a better value than any of the rancher models. It's built identical to the 550xp, just tuned a little milder. Has Autotune as well, no more carb adjustments. It's got the same horsepower as the 455 and is 2lbs lighter too.

Regardless, the Ranchers are pretty good saws and yours will cut a lot of wood for you.

 

[Davefr]

He told his worker to just get my saw and $250 off of me, the receipt reads...

saw-$419.99
file kit-$14.99
Pro gloves-$30.00
helmet system-$49.99
service kit- $29.99
Oregon b/c-$60.00
Power Box - $49.99
1 ga bar oil- $20.99
1/2 case mix- $12.00
2- 5 ga pre mix - 119.98
Total- 864.47 after tax
then minus $614.47 for saw trade in... total due- $250

^^^I don't see safety chaps on the list. Make sure you get some!!

 

[jonjon1]

It's water under the bridge now, but the Husky 545 is a better value than any of the rancher models. It's built identical to the 550xp, just tuned a little milder. Has Autotune as well, no more carb adjustments. It's got the same horsepower as the 455 and is 2lbs lighter too.

Regardless, the Ranchers are pretty good saws and yours will cut a lot of wood for you.

He mentioned the 545, it was $100 more which I didnt care about but her said if I was going that way the 550xp was only another $50, and before I got into that trend and ended up with a $1000 saw, I just got the initial one he showed, me lol...

He gave me a really good deal on the 455 because he has a ton of them and its his best selling saw so he buys them with the biggest discount... I do agree though I held the 545 its very light and feels good...

 

[jonjon1]

^^^I don't see safety chaps on the list. Make sure you get some!!

I have some chaps that I have had for years, and when them wear out, I hopefully wont be cutting trees anymore, I am a big guy so they were hard to find when I bought them, just like my boots, its hard to find a comfortable boot locally when you are a size 16, so when you find a pair you stick with them...

 

[WoodsTruck]

I picked up a Stihl 044 from a saw shop years ago that had been purchased by a logger for landing use. It looked virtually brand new but I got it for $400 which was half of new at the time. It had some user upgrades for convenience and power which I didn't realize how much I liked until I ran a stock 044.

I used to cut a lot of firewood and did PCT (pre-commercial thinning) with the saw. It was telling when thinning in knee deep snow and single digit temps that the Stihl was cantankerous until it warmed up. I would cut for about 5-10 minutes then it would ice up. I would have to choke it and let it sit for about 5 minutes and let the engine heat come back through the carb and thaw it out before it would run again. Meanwhile the guys with the Husky's jumped out of the truck and started thinning with no problems. We would thin for 7 hours straight and use virtually the same amount of fuel each day.

Years later I finally burnt the thing up and had to replace it. I contacted our felling boss at work and he said for what I needed now, the Husky 350 would be adequate and it would pull a 20" bar with no problem. I was skeptical, but this "little" saw has surprised me and others with what it will do. As others have mentioned, gas/oil and chain maintenance is all I have done in 9 years. I check the other parts but so far am still on the original plug and filter. Husky figured out the pre-filtering so the engine keeps pulling all day where I used to have to do filter maintenance on my Stihl sometimes while cutting a load of firewood (dry chips of course).

The smaller powerhead size of the Husky is rather nice too for getting into tight spots.

 

[CobraChevelle]

I keep going back and forth. spend 420$ for husky or 550$ for makita. Either saw will most likely last me for the rest of my life. **** I am still using a small old poulan from the 80s. Maybe older than me, I am 30.

I am leaning at the makita. Kinda funny, started looking at the poulon pro, then the husky rancher and now makita. (I am a makita power tool guy). Already more than I was budgeting to spend so anything higher Is out of the park for me.

 

[jar944]

I keep going back and forth. spend 420$ for husky or 550$ for makita. Either saw will most likely last me for the rest of my life. **** I am still using a small old poulan from the 80s. Maybe older than me, I am 30.

I am leaning at the makita. Kinda funny, started looking at the poulon pro, then the husky rancher and now makita. (I am a makita power tool guy). Already more than I was budgeting to spend so anything higher Is out of the park for me.

$550 will get you a nice used 7900 with $50 to $100 left over.

Unless you really want a new saw, in which case I would get the Makita over the Husqvarna.