The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is a workhorse chainsaw, meaning it’s not too fancy or flashy, but it’s reliable. It has the power to get the job done for years to come without skipping a beat.
However, we’re not brand loyal… We just know how to recognise a great chainsaw. With that in mind, here’s an in-depth review of the Husqvarna 455 Rancher and how it measures up to a few noble competitors.
What Makes This a Great Saw?
Well, the short version is that it starts easy, it feels comfortable to use, and it has more than enough power (55.5cc) to handle almost everything homeowners require. This is an excellent gas-powered chainsaw, whether you’re felling larger trees, bucking a log, or cutting firewood.
However, if you’re more concerned with pruning, this isn’t the chainsaw for you. Your best bet here is to buy an electric model, but I’m guessing you already knew that. Unless you’re a professional logger, this model should have no problem ripping through logs and trees up to 18 inches.
Of course, people love to compare the different Husqvarna models, including the 450 Rancher. The 455, however, has more power and more torque. For more information, see our deep-dive comparison.
REVIEW: Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw
Top ten selling points:
- Great for landowners who need to cut firewood/fell large trees
- Comes with a 20″ bar and chain for even deeper cuts
- Gas-powered for extra saw strength in demanding situations
- X-Torq engine is more fuel-efficient than most gas saws
- Quick-release air filters are easy to clean and replace
- Inertia-activated chain brake provides an ergonomic design
- More accessible side-mounted chain tensioning system
- Built-in felling marks show the saw’s optimum cutting range
- Includes an automatic oiler for consistent lubrication
- A verified purchase lets you extend the saw’s two-year warranty
There’s no doubt that Husqvarna is at the top when it comes down to quality, but a premium saw always comes at a premium price. This brand always gives you great value for money, but you might consider a Remington or Stihl model if you’re on a budget or won’t be using your saw too much.
The 455 Rancher chainsaw is full of features that’ll make your work easier. It has a fast cutting speed, a high bar length, and a bunch of ergonomic finishing touches. Like all Husqvarna chainsaws, it uses the proprietary X-Torq engine, giving it ample power and low fuel consumption.
However, before we get into the features properly, I’ve got to admit: it can’t compete with a professional logging chainsaw. The 455 Rancher is heavy-duty, sure, but some saws (including Husqvarna’s own 562 XP) give even more power. These are true pro chainsaws for anyone felling trees on a regular basis.
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw: Tech Specs
Of course, words can only tell you so much — so if you’d rather see the saw’s raw numbers, here’s what you’ll need to know:
- Chain speed, maximum power: 65.62 fts (feet/second)
- Output shaft power: 3.5 HP
- Maximum torque: 3.2 Nm (newton-meters)
- Recommended bar length, min: 13 inches
- Recommended bar length, max: 24 inches
- Weight: 13.2 lbs (without cutting equipment)
- Idling speed: 2,700 RPM
- Maximum power speed: 9,000 RPM
- Oil pump type: Automatic
- Sound power level: 115 dB(A)
- Equivalent vibration level, rear: 6.9 m/s²
- Equivalent vibration level, front: 3.8 m/s²
- Oil tank volume: 0.7 US pint
- Exhaust emissions: 893 g/kWh
However, these stats also don’t tell the full story — here’s a closer look at what makes the 455 Rancher a special model for any homeowner.
A Heavy-Duty Chainsaw for Felling Trees
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is considered a professional-grade chainsaw, or at least on the high-end of consumer chainsaws. It might be outclassed by some truly professional models, but it can handle any of a weekend warrior’s usual demands, making them perfect for landowners.
This saw has been engineered from the ground up to deliver a great blend of comfort and power. If you don’t believe me, check what Husqvarna’s community has to say, or (if you’re a subscriber) take a closer look at the Consumer Reports review. You’ll see they’re in agreement with what I’m saying.
Always keep your chain sharp when working; a dull chain could make a gas-powered saw feel more like an electric model. Seriously, it’s not just about the specs. A sharp, inexpensive chainsaw can out-cut a powerful but dull option — so make sure you stay on top of sharpening your saw.
The 455 Rancher saw isn’t meant for limbing because it’s not light enough at around 13 lbs. It has some neat features that make it easier to handle in more delicate operations, but these can only do so much. This doesn’t bring the saw down, though; it’s still perfect for firewood and felling.
A Great Bar Length to Guarantee Deeper Cuts
This unit has a 20″ bar length, more than most other home workhorse saws. You should always take two inches off this just to be safe, so the 455 Rancher can handle trees up to 18 inches in diameter. A larger tree might need a few cuts from different angles, but that’s easily done.
A longer number here means a longer range, but it also means the unit can be harder to maneuver. This is exactly why you shouldn’t use this unit for pruning — it just doesn’t have the dexterity. Though longer bars boost kickback, the saw’s chain brake protects against this.
In addition, this saw has felling marks molded into the unit’s side. You’ll always know exactly how to get the most precise cut with any tree you’re working with. These marks act as “sights,” letting you guide a tree exactly where you want it to land once you’ve made your cut.
Proprietary X-Torq Engine
As we’ve mentioned, this engine is a staple among Husqvarna options, and for a good reason: it always gets the job done. The X-Torq offers high performance and a strong fuel economy — meaning your saw will have a longer run time and release fewer emissions.
The engine has two channels; one for air, one for petrol-mixed air. The former helps the saw remove its burnt gases, then allows the latter to flood in. This process also helps lubricate the X-Torq, lengthening its lifespan even more and allowing for smoother, better cuts.
This engine is how the saw can go up to 9,000 revolutions per minute, not too far off the Husqvarna 545 Mark II. In fact, it actually has a faster overall chain speed — which is especially impressive when it has a 20″ bar and chain as standard.
With environmental concerns hitting the chainsaw industry, Husqvarna is leading the charge by showing gas saws can still be efficient. You don’t always need an electric one, but the X-Torq’s proprietary nature means there’s not much else like it on the market.
Innovative Air Filter/Air-Cleaning System
Dust can be the downfall of any chainsaw — a unit with poor filtering might not even last half as long as its attempted competitors. Luckily, the 455 Rancher chainsaw has a quick-release air filter that anyone can clean and replace, even in the middle of cutting trees.
Alongside this, the 455 Rancher also has an air-injected centrifugal cleaning system that effectively lets it “push” dust out of the tool’s outlet port. This works even for larger dust particles and debris, meaning you won’t always have to open the unit to manually clean it.
This is part of what makes the 455 Rancher a very durable saw. Without this system, it wouldn’t be able to stand up to anywhere near as much scrutiny. A small blockage of debris particles could leave it out of operation; Husqvarna chainsaws don’t have that problem.
Finally, this machine also includes Air Purge technology, which removes air pockets from the carburetor and fuel system. The engine won’t flood, there’s no need to worry about vapor lock, and you can bring the unit to life (and get to chopping logs) much faster.
Ergonomic Engineering Across the Board
This saw might be fairly heavy, but the extra weight doesn’t make it any less capable — nor does it make the design any less ergonomic. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher chainsaw might be one of the most user-friendly saws I’ve reviewed. Here are the features that stand out here:
- Smart Start: The tool evens out its momentum to make pulling the starter rope faster. Mixed with the Air Purge system, you’ll get the chain moving in no time.
- LowVib: This technology makes the saw less unpredictable and easier to control while helping you avoid fatigue and HAVS (hand-arm vibration syndrome).
- Chain brake: The Husqvarna 455 Rancher chainsaw uses this to stop the chain moving instantly in response to inertia, preventing kickback and any associated injuries.
- Adjustable oil pump: This gives you more control over the saw’s lubrication by adjusting oil flow to fit different wood types, bar lengths, and other conditions.
- Automatic oiler: Similarly, the 455 Rancher saw automatically delivers chain oil to the unit, so you won’t have to keep taking frequent breaks to lubricate it.
Extendable Warranty With Selected Purchases
If you purchase this Husqvarna 455 Rancher chainsaw (or another 2-stroke gas-powered product from Husqvarna) and enough of their pre-mixed fuel and oil, you could extend your warranty. To be eligible, you’ll need a verified purchase — so hold onto your receipt.
You have two options here. The first is to buy six bottles of Husqvarna-branded oil (any size or type) in the same purchase as your chainsaw; this gives your warranty an extra year. Alternatively, buy 96+ fluid ounces and you’ll extend it by three years.
However, whether you opt for the full three/five years, you must register your chainsaw online. The oil must also be in the same verified purchase, with no exceptions. If you buy them separately, you’ll miss your chance ot get a warranty lasting up to five years.
This offer’s only for people using their Husqvarna units at home, making it perfect for the 455 Rancher chainsaw. If buying multiple products, you’ll also have to buy corresponding amounts of oil to get the extension for each . However, this offer doesn’t incldue chain oil.
Strong Value for Money Overall
Sure, there are cheaper saws available, but for the average landowner, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better choice in the $500 price range. Even if we keep the brand’s recommended price of $589.99, it’s far from a bad deal. Shopping around a little just makes it better.
To put it into perspective, the brand’s 545 Mark II retails for around $640 (at the time of writing). For at least $50 less, you can get the 455 Rancher and watch it perform just as well, better in some situations. Paying $500 for these features is a great purchase, no matter how you slice it. And honestly? So is $590.
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher chainsaw is a great saw at nearly any price. Sure, you might be able to get a more powerful or larger chainsaw for less, but it might not have an X-Torq engine, strong air filtration, or even just the power you need to guarantee good, consistent performance.
Good Alternatives to the Husqvarna 455 Rancher
We’ve already talked a little about price, but it’s time to look at other saws to see if they perform just as well without breaking your bank. $590 isn’t a bad deal — and you are paying for quality — but not everyone can splash out for that regardless.
This is why it’s good to shop around for other options. Husqvarna’s price might be a sign of quality, but you’re paying for the name more than the features. Less-known brands could offer close to the same quality, even without a fancy-sounding engine.
On the other end of the spectrum, however, you could pay even more for even better performance. This lets you push the saw’s performance to even greater heights. There are also plenty of other expensive saws from Husqvarna and other top brands that might be a better investment long-term.
Here are my picks for three more than capable options you might choose over a 455 Rancher chainsaw.
Alternative 1: NEOTEC NCS6200A
The NCS6200A offers a powerful 62cc gas engine, and you can pick one up for under $160 without much of a drop in quality compared to the 455 Rancher chainsaw. It also has a 20-inch bar and uses a strong engine that starts up instantly.
On top of this, it has a faster maximum speed at 13,700 RPM. However, it has a lower runtime, with the 455 running for around half an hour; meanwhile, this one sometimes stops after just 12 minutes. Here’s everything you should know about this gas chainsaw’s performance:
- Comparable performance to the 455 Rancher chainsaw
- 20″ bar and chain with a faster maximum speed
- Chain tensioning controls are easy to access
- Lower runtime could pose a problem
- Mounted handles help dampen vibrations
- Calibrated bottle mixes gasoline for better performance
Alternative 2: Stihl MS 261
This Stihl chainsaw is a professional logging option that boasts a low vibration level, a lower weight than Husqvarna’s saws, and can fit bars and chains between 16 and 20 inches. This means it can keep pace with a 455 Rancher, while handling even heavier-duty work.
The Stihl MS 261 idles at 2,800 RPM, already more than Husqvarna’s Rancher — and can reach 14,000 RPM at top speed. This capable chainsaw’s most important features include:
- Suitable for 16, 18, and 20-inch bars
- Faster overall speed than the Rancher
- Fuel/air mixture adapts to different conditions
- Relatively low weight when fully fueled
- M-Tronic system adjusts engine performance
- Pre-separates dust particles for easy cleaning
Alternative 3: Husqvarna 460 Rancher
Husqvarna’s own 460 Rancher is a next-generation version of the 455. Right off the bat, 60.3cc engine and 3.62 HP helps this tool stand out as more powerful than its predecessor. It also has a 24″ bar and chain while staying the same weight as the 455 Rancher.
In terms of actual performance, it still has the same idling and maximum speeds, but offers more torque and fewer emissions. Here are the machine’s other major selling points:
- Can cut wood up to 22 inches in diameter
- Many of the same conveniences as the 455
- 3.4 Nm of torque to give extra cutting power
- 7-degree offset handle to counter fatigue
- Built-in choke and stop control
- Engineered for seasoned fellers and limbers
Depending on what you’re cutting and your budget, any of these three machines could end up being the better choice. Consider the pros and cons of each, and never be afraid to spend a little extra if it means better cutting power, long-term engine life, and chain speed.
Is the Husqvarna 455 Rancher Right for You?: Our Verdict
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher chainsaw has all the power you need for home jobs. Anything beyond this, it might be worth investing in a Stihl saw, or even the Husqvarna 562 XP. However, this saw is one of the best ones out there at its current price, with great engineering all around.
This is a very popular and well-reviewed consumer-grade saw that has won the respect and admiration of countless customers. You really can’t go wrong with this chainsaw — but you’ll need one that fits the work you’ll be doing — don’t be afraid to buy a cheaper option if it’s still powerful enough.
Make sure you read the manual in full before using this saw, and extend your unit’s warranty to ensure it holds up when you need it most. If you’re sold on the brand, but don’t know if the 455 Rancher is right for you, check out our Husqvarna guide, or consider a cordless electric chainsaw.
