The Husqvarna 455 Rancher will meet the needs of the biggest and most demanding homeowner wood cutting chores. It applies Husqvarna's professional saw technology to this residential version. The 455 Rancher replaces Husqvarna's well-received 55 gas chain saw.

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher, with its 3.4-hp X-Torq engine, is a hefty machine, weighing in at almost 13 pounds before attaching the bar and filling the fuel tank. It's big and powerful because it's meant for big jobs. We tested a model with a 20-inch bar. The 455 Rancher features air injection, a low vibration system and easy-start technology. It has a combined choke and stop control.

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher starts without too much trouble, with three or four pulls of the cord when cold. It runs smoothly and reliably once started. And it easily fells trees and rips through firewood. We liked the tool-less chain tensioner, which eliminates the need for tools. The saw doesn't vibrate too much, but it is rather heavy. Luckily, it's also well balanced. We liked the angled grip of the front handle. Because this saw is big, heavy and powerful, you should have some knowledge or experience of chain saws before going into the woods with this one.

This powerful chain saw features optional tool-less adjustment of the chain, a comfortable handle and a flat-bottom body. The bright orange Husqvarna signature color ensures that you will be able to find the saw if you set it down in the woods. You can outfit your 455 Rancher with 18-, 20, or 24-inch bars, depending on your specific needs. Check around for a good price; you can sometimes get a case and extra chain with this model on sale. With regular maintenance, this saw should operate well through many wood cutting seasons.

If you have lots of trees on your large yard or farm, or if you fell trees and cut many cords of firewood each year, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher tool-less gas chain saw will make the job easier. It's big, powerful and reliable. The MSRP of $379.95 is for the powerhead only. Bars can be purchased separately. For example, the powerhead with a 20-inch bar carries an MSRP of $399.95.


Pros: Powerful, starts and runs reliably
Cons: Heavy, requires mixed fuel

Warranty
2 years, limited