Summary:
excellent

Strengths:
power vibration starting handling price

Weaknesses:
fuel tank small sized

Summary:
I use this saw for edging logs for my alaska sawmill. If it can handle that, It will do just about anything you would need around the house.

Strengths:
cutting power

Weaknesses:
none to speak of

Summary:
This is a great saw to have around. It is a little heavy to be using to just limb some trees or cut up small diameter trees (it will do that in a hurry though). But it is great at bringing down the big stuff and cutting up some serious trees. I am very happy with this saw and would buy again.

Strengths:
This is a well balanced chain saw and it has some nice features. Like the button to help cut down on the engine compression at start up to make it easier to pull the cord. It also has a gas primer bubble and very good power. I've been in some heavy oak and walnut, I have no complaints about the power and ease of use of this saw.

Weaknesses:
None that I have found

Summary:
excellent saw!

Strengths:
cuts through wood like butter non vibration had a 24'' oak fall in my yard ate through it in a minute and a half

Weaknesses:
small gas tank after you use it a while (30 minutes) when refilling tank the tank smokes think the gas boils in the tank

Summary:
This is a really nice "everything" saw. Like a pretty lady in the doorway, it promised the world....35+ years of Stihl/Jonsreds...this sailor fell for her wink. Really handles well....starts easily when you get used to the "pull-don't pull" choke/fast idle combo lever. Faster than a scalded cat...and enough power to fell with a sharp chain. The only thing I hate more than the std. 18" bar is dropping a tree on my truck. GET A 16" BAR. GET A PRO ROLLERNOSE BAR AND 3 CHAINS. ROTATE CHAINS AND REPLACE CHAINS,ROLLERNOSE, AND SPROCKET ALL AT THE SAME TIME...Once a year with a lot of farm / firewood use. NEVER RUN A CHAIN DOWN TO NUBS AND REPLACE A NEW CHAIN ON AN OLD SPROCKET OR ROLLERNOSE. I really loved this saw...and used it as a second saw behind felling with a huge Jonsreds 90 for everything...limbing, firewood, around the sawmill, everywhere on the farm. Nearing 60 yrs. I have learned to enjoy a lighter saw.We log...saw...kiln dry...build furniture...and heat 8000 sq ft with wood on our 160 acre "tree farm". I hate this saw so much that I bought another one when the first one burned up. I am going to see if I use all the tricks that I detailed here, I can get it to last. It is just such a perfect saw that I have to try again.

Strengths:
Fast, Light, Comfortable, starts easily, all a homeowner or light/moderate farm/woodlot needs.

Weaknesses:
THIS *x?/>!! SAW only has 1 ring on the piston....I burned one up using it heavy for 2 years. I know of two other friends who have burned up similar models also. I would run a 32:1 mix rather than the std. 50:1...I WOULD NOT LEAN IT OUT UNTIL IT SCREAMS...and this saw will scream. Keep it loping along. USE COMPRESSED AIR WITH EVERY USE....ALL OVER. ANOTHER LITTLE GLITCH. In 35+ years of saw use, I have never had a saw that the oil hole on the bar clogged as much as this one. The bar will heat and run dry. It took me several months of chains stretching to realize what was happening. It will slow down, then plug completely...A LOT, AND ALL THE TIME.At first you don't recognize the problem, because the oiler keeps pumping. The oil just runs down the case and into the sawdust stream.So, the oil tank is empty when it should be. I clean the bar every couple of tanks of gas now.

Summary:
n/a

Strengths:
get a husky 460 same price more power

Weaknesses:
n/a

Summary:
Ive had this saw for about two years, never had any problems, always started always did the job.I was only disapointed with this saw when a purchased the 346xp. The xp cuts so much faster than the Rancher,that I basicaly quit using it. I just recently traded it for a 372xp to get that balls to the wall speed. If you just cant see spending the extra cash for the xp models the Rancher is a great saw for the money. Just dont expect to keep up with the logger boys.

Strengths:
Very reliable saw, decent power and torq

Weaknesses:
not as fast as an XP

Summary:
never would by one again.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
save your money they are junk.

Summary:
Not a pro saw, so don't expect it to be, but it does everything I need it to do well. And remember that in the global Stihl vs Husky debate, look at the little things- such as the maker of the piston and cylinder. Mahle. For just about everyone, including Porsche.

Strengths:
With a bit of tweaking to the muffler and mixture, this saw runs great. I don't get it screaming or lean, I keep a bit of four-cycling, and am patient, and it just keeps going. No trouble taking down 24 inch Spruce and Fir trees. I am thinking about putting in the 460 piston and cylinder to get a bit more grunt, but for a farm saw, it has been hard to beat in two years of hard, nearly daily felling and bucking use.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy, small gas tank, and fragile-looking switches (though they do take a beating). Wish it had the more robust switches bigger Husky's have.

Summary:
Very good for the money.

Strengths:
Good firewood cutting saw, comfortable to use. Replace the factory chain and it will feel like twice the saw. Seems to be a good saw for the money. I have Stihl 361 and Dolmars seems comparable but don't know about long term use durability.

Weaknesses:
Good so far.

Summary:
Not the best ,but okay

Strengths:
Good saw for the homeowner ,it has the power to do everything you need it todo

Weaknesses:
chain oiler doesn't work, cleaned various times but keep having the same problem

Summary:
OK but I traded it for a Stihl 290.

Strengths:
Fast cutter.

Weaknesses:
Wears out bars and chains because oiler doesn't always work. I didn't like the way the chain brake is set up, virtually impossible to repair without special tools.

Summary:
I don't know about other huskie saws but the 455 is a piece of crap.

Strengths:
Easy to start.

Weaknesses:
OILER DOES NOT WORK FOR OVER 20 MINUTES AT TIME . SAW HAS BEEN TO Two differant shops.Still have the same problem . I have spoken with four other 455 owners and they all had the same problem, With no apparant fix. the dealers that i spoke with said that it was not a widespread problem. BS For all you would be experts out there it is not because of the oiler system bcoming plugged from saw dust. oil tank,lines ,pump,barholes,etc. are clean.

Summary:
i liked it enough that i bought an identical one for a spare to keep boxed and stored for future use. i meticulously hand file my saws and this original chain is all but gone now. i have to say this saw is a huge bang for the buck chainsaw and i really enjoy using it.

Strengths:
low down torque / really gets down and grunts on the low end. very good vibration dampening. starts dependably w/ just 3 pulls if you start according to directions. exhaust sounds very inspirational like a ferrari.

Weaknesses:
small gas tank. to be truthful, when it runs out, you should rest any ways.

Summary:
Even though its well made, I cannot recommend it due to the bar issue. My old .028 was more reliable and heavier duty, even with a smaller engine.

Strengths:
good power, light enough, durable (except chain and bar)

Weaknesses:
the bar wears out to fast. It is high quality steel and seems well machined, but it tends to run dry (easily clogged oil port?) and after a while it moves up and down too much. This can cause a lot of frustrating maintenance in the middle of a job and is a big weakness in an otherwise excellent saw.

Summary:
These are best for the NON professional logger, if you use your saw every day all day long then I wouldnt recomend it. If you use it once or twice a week or less then its perfect. Unless you are willing to clean and tighten the chain , bar , oil port, and filter, every hour. (8 times a day) I give it a high score for what I bought it for. You dont haul trash with a farrari, if you did you would rate the car poor.

Strengths:
Rancher is just that, For the ranch. It is dependable when you need it, and can handle any job. Easy to clean/take apart, easy to find replacement parts when you need it. Just try to find a chain or bar for another brand out in the boonies, but everyone sells bars and chains for these. Cuts fast enough for a non pro logger. Easy to start in the Cold ( Alaska), steady power in the heat ( Arizona). Price Great! lots of accessories fit this for lumber mills and cutting log homes

Weaknesses:
Small gas tank for an experienced logger who wants to cut for more than 30 minutes. Must clean every 2 tanks of gas( once per hour). Stock chain leaves somthing to be desired.

Summary:
Requires constant cleaning around oil hole

Strengths:
Starts Good Cuts good

Weaknesses:
Oil hole stops up easyly . Would prefer a manual oiler option

Summary:
if you want to use it around the house its a good saw. but not for everyday or pro use. if your a pro stick with xp series.

Strengths:
easy to start, it ok as far as power,

Weaknesses:
the problem with the 455 rancher oil not working is the gear. you can fix that for about $10

Summary:
Overall, one heck of a machine. Also, one heck of a flaw. It's like driving a Porche with a cracked windshield.

Strengths:
Power. Quality. Well built. Reputable manufacturer. Starts easy. Runs well.

Weaknesses:
Oil. Just like the other reviewers. I almost burned out my bar. However, it wasn't a simple plugged hole in the bar. I plugged the oil distribution point, and the pump seized up. Had it replaced and it stopped pumping oil again after one use. I have to take it back to the shop again. I'm very disappointed with the need for constant maint on this machine.

Summary:
Good saw for weekend warriors and around the farm. Not a professional saw, but the next best thing.

Strengths:
Reliable and works really well in almost all conditions. Torque at low rpms really makes a difference with the bigger logs. Used it in weekends for 5 years. Really like the simple controls and ease of use.

Weaknesses:
Really annoying how small the fuel tank is. Hardly seems to do any work and I need to refuel.

Summary:
junk

Strengths:
looks good

Weaknesses:
everything

Summary:
I have changed the original sprocket to the rim sprocket design (Rancher 353). This has cured most of the chain issues, but I keep burning up the oil pinion gears which is very annoying! I like the saw as I have a ton of red cedars in my area to cut down, and dont like having to take my saw apart every couple of days to replace a $6 part!

Strengths:
Cuts really well when the oil pinion gear isn't failing.......

Weaknesses:
Oil pinion gear fails too often!

Summary:
I cut a lot of wood, and this saw works great. Never had problems with the oiler or bar I use quality regular bar oil and stay away from bio or vegie oils they dry and get real sticky manual even states this. Just clean everything at the end of the day and its ready to go

Strengths:
Great saw excellent power

Weaknesses:
None

Summary:
Not impressed

Strengths:
Stars easy

Weaknesses:
I have had this into the shop twice, replaced fuel line then the carb. This saw is a dog,bad from factory? Won't get any rpm, Won't buy another one.

Summary:
F**** sucks

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
Bought new used for 3 hrs kept cutting out on me. Leaked oil all over.

Summary:
Sucks!

Strengths:
When its working its a good saw.

Weaknesses:
Keep having to replace chains and Bars because the oiler is a crap! Stops oiling and my Bar starts to Burn! I have owned this piece of crap for 4 years and will never purchase a another one. Gas tank is to small! Its to heavy! And I have to stop cutting every 20 minutes to adjust the chain because the dam oiler stops working. Gone thru 2 Bars and 12 chains! Don't buy one! Buy a Stihl instead!

Summary:
Cannot recommend buying something that does not work. Best friend recommended a Stihl and I did not listen.

Strengths:
When it works, it really works well. Strong engine, aggressive chain. Zips through huge trees.

Weaknesses:
Oiler just doesn't work. It did not work out of the box. Repaired, same problem after 15 minutes, repaired again, etc. Drives service people crazy.

Summary:
I WOULD NOT BUY THIS SAW AGAIN>> THE IMPORTANT OILER GEARS are made out of PLASTIC.... Enough said.

Strengths:
The saw is heavy and really cuts logs into firewood well.

Weaknesses:
This Piece of junk can't cut for more than 2 or three tanks of Fuel without stripping out the Oiler pump gear. I wanted to use the saw to cut logs into lumber and instead of the saw workign as it should have hung an oil bottle up with a drip line like an I V line for an emergency room patient. The manual oiling makes it so that I can cut the wood, I can't take the saw back now and I am saving my money for a Sthil instead.

Summary:
Evaluating other choices

Strengths:
Plenty of speed and cuts well. Weight OK for felling and chunking but not limbing.

Weaknesses:
Eats chains and bars. Blew out the piston after 3-4 seasons of use. =/-12 cord wood. My old Homelite EZ went 20 yrs. Should have fixed that one.