Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw (20″):

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher (20-inch) chainsaw is ideally suited to anyone such as a landowner, or a part-time user such as a homeowner who is looking for maximum portability without sacrificing on the power and cutting capacity needed to handle a wide variety of cutting conditions.

The business end of this version of the 455 Rancher is a 20-inch bar (15″ and 18″ versions are also available) and chain combination, with the chain capable of reaching an impressive top speed of 65.6 feet per second. While it probably won’t be powerful enough to suit the needs of a professional user, the more than adequate 3.49 hp, 55.5 cm³ engine and the variety of innovative features that make starting, stopping, and using the chainsaw that much easier help to make the 455 Rancher a happy medium in terms of power, cutting ability, convenience, and value for money.

Despite the chainsaw’s powerful and torquey output (3.49 hp and 3.2 Nm respectively), and its ability to deliver a variable power speed of up to 9000 RPM to help it to handle excellently across a variety of cutting conditions, the 455 Rancher is the perfect example of a chainsaw that features brains as well as brawn.

Usually, the bigger an engine, the more fuel it uses and the larger the emissions are. The 455 Rancher features X-Torq technology which helps to improve efficiency in a bid to overcome this trend, and this helps the chainsaw reach the impressive output figures mentioned while lowering overall fuel consumption and reducing exhaust emissions versus comparable chainsaws which don’t feature X-Torq.

As a result, the 455 Rancher is compliant with even the most stringent of environmental regulations worldwide, including the CARB (California Air Resources Board) requirements.

If you’ve ever experienced a gas-powered tool that’s difficult to start, you’ll appreciate how frustrating it can be pulling the starter cord over and over again while the machine refuses to come to life. Not only can it be particularly sore on your hands, but it’s all-too-easy to pull the cord a bit too vigorously in a bid to vent your frustration, often leading to a broken pull-starter, a tool out of action, and in a lot of cases, a painful repair bill!

Who says it needs to be this tough, though? Thankfully, with the 455 Rancher, it isn’t, as it comes with a variety of features which make starting it as quick and straightforward as possible.

Firstly, addressing the issue of sore hands and the need to pull the starter cord within an inch of its life – the chainsaw’s engine and starter mechanism feature Husqvarna’s Smart Start branded technology which is designed to avoid this. The resistance in the 455 Rancher’s starting cord is reduced by up to 40%, meaning you can start the chainsaw with minimum physical effort (and minimal swearing!) versus other comparable models.

Secondly, it’s no surprise that a fuel-starved engine will be difficult to start, and the 455 Rancher overcomes this scenario thanks to a fuel pump which ensures that enough fuel is available to help make starting easier. To handle the opposite extreme of having too much fuel which could lead to the engine flooding and the chainsaw refusing to start, it features a combined choke/stop control to minimize the risk of flooding altogether. Finally, to prevent too much air being available in the carburetor and fuel system, this model features a handy air purge system to remove excess for yet even easier starting.

And when you’ve finished? Just press the handy stop-button to cut off the chainsaw’s engine. Simple!

It’s no secret that chainsaws can be intimidating to use, and this is probably especially true for the casual, non-professional user that this chainsaw targets. Husqvarna is well-versed in designing tools that are as safe, and as comfortable and easy to use as possible, however, and the 455 Rancher more than lives up to their stellar reputation.

The main safety feature comes in the form of an inertia-activated chain brake, which is designed to protect the user against chainsaw kickback (this is the unexpected reaction that causes the chainsaw to jump off an object). While you can reduce the risk of kickback by following the correct technique, the chain brake will either be activated automatically or manually (depending on the severity of the kickback), to provide additional protection to the user if it occurs.

The 455 Rancher also features an angled front handle to provide a better grip and to help the user adopt a more natural working position when using the chainsaw. Not only does this act as a safety measure by giving the user greater control over the tool, but its ergonomic design also makes the chainsaw more comfortable to use over prolonged periods.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that chainsaws tend to generate a lot of vibration both during idle and while cutting, and if left undealt with this can be both irritating and uncomfortable for the user. To help overcome this, Husqvarna has built their LowVib technology into the 455 Rancher, and this system soaks up a lot of the machine’s vibrations before they can reach the operator’s hands and arms, helping reduce the amount of fatigue experienced from using the chainsaw.

Finally, a chainsaw’s effectiveness can just as easily be gauged by the precision of its cutting as well as how powerful it is. In addition to a highly-responsive throttle trigger that allows the user to take advantage of the chainsaw’s variable output of 2700-9000RPM to best suit each cut, the 455 Rancher’s body also features distinct felling marks to help you better identify the correct felling direction from your cuts for better felling precision.

We don’t know about you, but one of our top priorities when considering various power tools is how easy they are to maintain. We’ve experienced both the best and the worst, from cheap machines which just run and run with little to no maintenance required, to expensive tools which seem to spend more time being tinkered with than they do running, so we always appreciate when a manufacturer makes easy maintenance one of their top priorities.

When it comes to this model, it excels in four stand-out areas. Firstly, it reduces the need for maintenance altogether thanks to a centrifugal air cleaning system which leads to less wear and longer operating times between filter cleanings. When it does come time to access the filter, this couldn’t be easier given the quick-release mechanism which speeds up the process of cleaning the filter or replacing it entirely as and when needed.

Next up is the adjustable oil pump which makes it straightforward to set the chain’s lubrication according to your needs, and given that a sufficiently lubricated chain will require less maintenance, this will save you time and effort in the long-run. On the subject of the chain, this model also features a handy side-mounted chain tensioner that allows you to make chain adjustments quickly and easily, helping minimize downtime by ensuring your chainsaw is always ready for whatever cutting requirements you have.

Husqvarna has an excellent reputation for manufacturing quality chainsaws, and this model more than lives up to that reputation, all while offering excellent value for money.

If you’re in the market for a chainsaw that’s well-suited to handling whatever general purpose sawing requirements you can throw at it, you can’t go wrong with the Husqvarna 455 Rancher.

Husqvarna 455 Rancher vs 460 Rancher

(Scroll table if needed)

Model Number:	455 Rancher	460 Rancher
Manufacturer:	Husqvarna	Husqvarna
Engine Type:	Air-Cooled, 2 Stroke	Air-Cooled, 2 Stroke
Fuel:	Gasoline	Gasoline
Cylinder Displacement:	55.5 cm³	60.3 cm³
Power Output:	3.49 hp	3.62 hp
Maximum Power Speed:	9000 rpm	9000 rpm
Idling Speed:	2700 rpm	2700 rpm
Torque Max:	3.2 Nm	3.4 Nm
Fuel Consumption:	407 g/kWh	437 g/kWh
Chain Speed @ Max Power:	65.6 fts	65.62 fts
Oil Tank Volume:	0.68 US pint	0.7 US pint
Oil Pump Type:	Automatic	Automatic
Adjustable Oil Pump:	Yes	Yes
Chain Tensioner:	2x Nuts	2x Nuts
Cutter Bar Length:	15″, 18″, 20″	20″, 24″
Sound Power Level, Guaranteed (LWA):	114 dB(A)	114 dB(A)
Safety Chain Brake:	Yes	Yes
Weight (Excl. Cutting Equipment:	13.2 lbs	13.2 lbs
	Read Reviews	Read Reviews

There is a wide variety of general and specific 455 Rancher accessories available, from carrying cases to keep your Husqvarna chainsaw as well protected as possible while making it easier to transport it to the job site, to personal protective equipment which is an absolute must given the inherent dangers that come with using a chainsaw.

Here are a few popular options:

Husqvarna 100000107 Powerbox Chainsaw Carry Case

The Powerbox carrying case is made from HDPE (highy density polyethylene), and features a double walled construction to keep your 455 Rancher well protected.

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Husqvarna 592752601 Forest Head Protection Helmet

A one-size-fits-most UV protected hard hat. Features a 6-point suspension system and slip ratchet adjustment, & includes a face visor and 25 dB (a) NRR hearing protectors.

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Husqvarna Protective Clothing – Various Sizes/Styles Available

Husqvarna protective chaps and aprons available in a variety of sizes and styles, in addition to equipment harnesses to make carrying your chainsaw and accessories easier.

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1. What bar sizes are available for the 455 Rancher?

2. Does the chainsaw come assembled?

3. Does the chainsaw come with a case?

4. Is the chain included?

5. Is it easy to adjust the chain tension?

6. What is the 455 Rancher’s engine size?

7. Is it easy to start and stop the 455 Rancher?

8. What two-stroke oil is recommended for the 455 Rancher’s engine?

9. Does it include fuel?

10. How loud is the 455 Rancher during use?

1. Is the chainsaw CARB compliant?

12. What protective equipment is available from Husqvarna?