Any REAL WORLD feedback from Husqvarna 460 Rancher chainsaw owners?

[tripledog]

After nearly 14 years of reliable and VERY heavy use of my Husqvarna 55 Rancher (which still runs well after only one top end rebuild), I decided to upgrade. The new saw is a Husky 460 Rancher, has a 24" bar, and a bigger motor; but the build quality has me questioning the durability of this saw. It seems like Husky has sold out, and I feel as I have been beaten out of $500 for a saw with an extremely high cheddar factor (which roughly translated means; CHEESY BUILD QUALITY!!!).
I have yet to use the saw, and will return it, unless others can convince me otherwise. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Dirtcrasher]

Doesn't surprise me. My bud got a John Deere pressure washer for 600$; It had a Briggs and Stratton motor driving the pump.

He returned it........

[Matrix]

I (like a lot of here) am not fond of "todays" equipment. I have a chainsaw from 1971 that I got from the scrap pile (at a scrap yard of course) when I was working there a few years ago. It ran just fine of course and I even left it outside for about five months STRAIGHT in the hard, wet, crappy winter of north east Ohio.When I found it I only filled the gas up the rest of the way which I have no clue what the mix ratio is, so I just put my 3 wheeler gas in it and within a few pulls it started right up and no kidding, I cut down a few small trees with right there... Now, it has some idling problems but so be it, the thing is more than twice as old as I am and I almost know it has had a terrible life. Things were just made better back in the day..

If I were you, I would get your old Husqvarna back lol...

[briano]

I was just thinking of getting rid of my Husqvarna 575 and going down to a 359, but I can't find one locally. The new 460 just looks like a chit pile to me, all plastic, not for me. I've heard you can get a Jonsered 2159 which is the same as the 359.

[Poco Loco]

I love my huskys. I have a Rancher and the next one below it. I like how the rubber mount the handles to keep the vibe down. Its all about a sharp blade. If the blade is dull any saw will suck. Stihls are great too.

Oh and the pressure washer made by John Deere ha ha. John Deere only makes the cart that the pump and motor are bolted to. Paint it green and throw a JD on it and people buy it thinking its gonna last like a JD tractor.

[tripledog]

I still have my old 55 Rancher with an 18" bar, and it runs great since I rebuilt it. I bought the new 460 Rancher because it has a bigger engine, and is capable of running (and actually came with) a 24" bar. I think I am going to try to find another 55 Rancher for a spare. Although much larger, the 460 Rancher isn't built any better than my Poulan 4218 AVX. $500 is a lot of coin for a "puppy" saw... I am returning the 460 Rancher tomorrow.

[Scootertrash]

I've run half a dozen tanks thru my 460 Rancher with a 24" bar that I bought back in March or April. Not a problem so far, starts great runs great and cuts great. I also bought a Husky reman 435 at the same time.

My 1997 Husky 55 died after the carb bolts that threaded into a PLASTIC manifold stripped out and came loose and it leaned out and burned up. I plan on rebuilding it, just haven't had the time.

I guess I'm confused about the concerns relating to build quality. My Husky 55 had a plastic housing/handle, plastic choke knob and throttle, plastic recoil cover, etc. I'd have to dig it out and compare it to my newer 460, but I don't remember much more plastic on my 460 compared to my 55.:wondering

[tripledog]

Scootertrash, thank you for your insight. At the risk of sounding argumentative, the 55 has a metal crankcase and ACTUAL METAL linkage rods for the throttle and choke. And no "Playschool" primer bulb. I have run several HUNDRED tanks through my 55 over the years. The only reason I needed to rebuild it is because I broke a muffler stud after stupidly wedging it, bar first, into numerous loads of firewood. It eventually developed an exhaust leak, ran lean, and seized up. And good point on the plastic 55 carb manifold (AKA... bulkhead). Too tight is not good. Obviously a design flaw on the 55, but still built better (IMHO) than the 460. I need to replace the bulkhead on my 55 soon, as my "ham fists" have done little to extend its like expectancy. I have sourced one from ebay seller 3r_sports for $33 with free shipping. Great price for a genuine Husqvarna rebuild kit.

[redsox]

i bought a 455 rancher online from wise sales .com in 2005. i've cut quite a bit of wood with it. I am really very impressed with it and recommend it highly. that being said, i am unaware if they've sold to the chinese in that time, or if they have a home depot/lowes line like many other, formerly solid manufacturers have done. buyer beware. i wouldnt trade mine though. the thing is awesome.

[sanchez]

OStihl all the way but. U need a saw guy bought a farmall after i picked the saw to death he gave me the u break it i'll give u half off a demomodel

Everything made nowadys is junk anyways. A replacement or real warranty is your best bet.

John derr has tractors assembled in spain with french engines and english electronics nothing is sacred anymore
My tractor carries the name of the country it came from Belarus its Communist built then thrown over the iron curtain you would think i would now speak of its greatness nope. It was cheep and parts still avalible, end of story.

[Bren_downe]

I had a 55 rancher and never liked it, the bar never seemed to get enough oil, even after a new oil pump. The chain would get dull quick. Now I use my fathers old mccholah promac 610 from the 80s. It sat in the basement for 15 years, I changed the gas mixture and she fired up like 2nd or 3rd pull. Love it, but it's a bear to drag through the woods. My father used to have a jonsered, and I was really impressed, real light and comfortable and lots of power. If I was gonna buy new I'd definatly look at them seriously.

[briano]

I had a 55 rancher and never liked it, the bar never seemed to get enough oil, even after a new oil pump. The chain would get dull quick. Now I use my fathers old mccholah promac 610 from the 80s. It sat in the basement for 15 years, I changed the gas mixture and she fired up like 2nd or 3rd pull. Love it, but it's a bear to drag through the woods. My father used to have a jonsered, and I was really impressed, real light and comfortable and lots of power. If I was gonna buy new I'd definatly look at them seriously.

You blame the saw for the chain getting dull quick? Did you also know that Jonsered and Husqvarna are the same saw with the exception of the color and the angle of the handle?

[Scootertrash]

Scootertrash, thank you for your insight. At the risk of sounding argumentative, the 55 has a metal crankcase and ACTUAL METAL linkage rods for the throttle and choke. And no "Playschool" primer bulb. I have run several HUNDRED tanks through my 55 over the years. The only reason I needed to rebuild it is because I broke a muffler stud after stupidly wedging it, bar first, into numerous loads of firewood. It eventually developed an exhaust leak, ran lean, and seized up. And good point on the plastic 55 carb manifold (AKA... bulkhead). Too tight is not good. Obviously a design flaw on the 55, but still built better (IMHO) than the 460. I need to replace the bulkhead on my 55 soon, as my "ham fists" have done little to extend its like expectancy. I have sourced one from ebay seller 3r_sports for $33 with free shipping. Great price for a genuine Husqvarna rebuild kit.

You don't sound argumentative, we're just comparing notes on saws.

I went out and took the top cover and recoil off of my 460. It has a metal rod for the throttle, and it also has a metal crankcase (I'll admit your comment made it sound like the 460 crankcase was made of something other than metal). While the choke knob is plastic, it is pretty beefy and it's just a straight pull as opposed to having an angle or two in it like the throttle linkage. As mentioned above my 460 has a choke in addition to the "primer bulb" but Husky touts it as an "air purge" to remove air from the system before starting for easier starts. Hell, I don't know, does that make the bulb a primer?

About the only complaint I'd have, and it's a minimal one, is that the 24 inch bar makes it a bit nose heavy, but I can live with that. At this point unless something bad happens in the future, I'd recommend the 460 to others and buy another if I had the need. As it is, I have the 460, the 435 and once the 55 is fixed I'll have that too. I think I'm set for a bit. :)

I do believe I saw that bulkhead guy on ebay too, and planned on getting that same kit from him. I also need a cylinder and piston kit. I really liked the 55 and I can't toss it, so I'm gonna fix it(eventually) ;)

[Bren_downe]

You blame the saw for the chain getting dull quick? Did you also know that Jonsered and Husqvarna are the same saw with the exception of the color and the angle of the handle?
I didn't know that they were the same just throwing in my .02. I blame the poor bar oiler that never seemed to work for the chain getting dull. I'm not huge into saws just throwing out my opinion.

[tripledog]

Hey, Scooter, thanks yet again. The cylinder on the 460 is cast aluminum, but the crankcase to which it is affixed is PLASTIC. The 460 chain brake cover IS metal, but the brake band is about 1/4 the width of the 55 band. Since the the "air purge" expells air from the fuel system and introduces fuel, it is in fact a primer bulb. I think "air purge" is kinder, gentler way of stating "We have incorporated another failure prone part, and will also raise the purchase price.". To others that commented, I must say as far as 55 chain oiling problems go, I also experienced them. Until I learned that I need to clean the bar track out before, and sometimes during, heavy use. If the bar track is caked with yuck, the oil does not reach the chain. Insufficient oiling will cause the chain to overheat and lose its temper, which can also have the same effect on the person operating the saw. A bar and chain used to last me only a month or two, until I learned some tips from seasoned professionals. I keep my saw clean, keep the chain teeth sharpened to the correct angle, sweep any gunk from the bar track, file any burrs from the bar sides, keep the nose sprocket lubed, and make sure the raker teeth are filed to the correct height. I currently have some bars and chains that are 5+ years old, and I still use them when ground contact or the risk of contacting foreign material while cutting may be an issue. I hope I haven't angered anyone, and I DO appreciate your suggestions!

[tripledog]

Scooter, I forgot to mention that if you do toss the 55, toss it my way:D

[tripledog]

OStihl all the way but. U need a saw guy bought a farmall after i picked the saw to death he gave me the u break it i'll give u half off a demomodel

Everything made nowadys is junk anyways. A replacement or real warranty is your best bet.

John derr has tractors assembled in spain with french engines and english electronics nothing is sacred anymore
My tractor carries the name of the country it came from Belarus its Communist built then thrown over the iron curtain you would think i would now speak of its greatness nope. It was cheep and parts still avalible, end of story.

I appreciate your input, but it seems that perhaps something was lost in the translation. Once again, not my intent to insult or offend, but can anyone dechiper this for me? :wondering

[sanchez]

Buy em cheep maintain it of course but everything new seems inferior to the older stuff
Warranty's are great

[Jason Hall]

Look on the serial #tag and see if it says it was made in Sweden, China, or Taiwan. From what I understand only the Xp huskys are made in Sweden anymore!! You can buy them at lowes, but those are the cheap built saws.. Give me a old McCulloch Any day.. I have a few saws, and the Macs are my favorite, they are so torquey. I do have a 365sp that is one hi strung cutting mammer Jammer. I also have a old husky 61 that is nothing compaired to my 365. Over all though my old Pro Mac 850 is my favorite saw, and it was a freebee.

[tripledog]

Jason, the ID tag states that the 460 was made in Sweden. More acurrate if it stated that it was assembled in Sweden. I am quite sure it has a Chinese carb, as does my 55 Rancher, which is also labled as made in Sweden.

[Jason Hall]

Did you buy it from a husky dealer? Or from a chain store? My 365 has a walbro carb instead of a Zama that is the Chinese carb. If your 55 is still usable, I would look for a 365sp, or a 372xp They are a completely Bad ass saw!! They will pull a 24" bar Nicely even a full chain not a skip tooth. From what I have read, the X torque is different than the standard Xp's. A 365 is basically the same saw as a 372, just has a smaller piston.You can put the bigger bore 372 cylinder and piston in the 365. The 365's can be picked up pretty cheap sometimes, and most all the parts interchange between them, but not the X torque models.

Check out Arborists Site for all the info you would ever need. This site is Awesome, use the search bar and you will find out anything you need to know about any saw ever made.
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/

[tripledog]

Jason Hall, thank you so very much for the link! I have saved it to my favorites. I am saving up for a 372XP, which is what I should have probably purchased in the first place. Still looking for an old 55 Rancher to use as a spare, even if it needs some work. I love that saw!

[Escanabajosh]

I bought the 455 rancher from tractor supply a couple years ago....first one I got I brought home and filled up with oil and then gas...by the time the gas was in all the bar oil was on the floor.....brought it back to store and they made me use by 1 year warranty I got thru them....they gave me a new saw but I had to re buy the 1 year deal again....$50 more bucks.......so far so good with the new saw.....not a drop. I don't cut enough to say if it's a good saw or not....if I could do it all over again I would save up the extra and buy a xp

[briano]

I would but from a dealer. You might pay a little more but they have a two year warranty on them and they come all set up. You can't just take one out of a box and have it run good, the carb needs to be adjusted to run right. It's done using a wireless tach that is placed near the spark plug cap and then the rpm's are dialed in. I used to work at a Husky dealer and set up a lot of saws over the years. My buddy bought a 359 off the net and complained about it from day one, a quick carb tuning to get everything right and it was like a different saw, he could not believe the difference. Plus if you need to have warranty work done at a dealer, guess who's last in line in the repair shop because you decided to save a few bucks buying off the net or big box store.

[MyMistress86R]

I had the Husky R55 as well and did like it but chain maintenance was a chore. After it was stolen, I picked up and Echo 530 and then it was stolen and now cut with an Echo 450P. All had 20" bars. Both Echos outcut my husky every day, all day long. I looked at Echo because I love my fathers old John Deere saw which was made by Echo.

I think the biggest drawback to the Huskys is exactly one of the points they use to promote them. They have super-sonic high RPM but not much down low. The Echos have good grunt and can still wind up nice for quick hit limbing and such.

Just my .02

[brapp]

find youself a 372 xp ive had mine for years, they still make them new and great saws, will cut circles around the ranchers.

[tripledog]

Thanks brapp and briano. The plan is to buy a new 372xp from a local dealer, after I pay down some of my personal debt...

[leevarnado]

never had any problems with my 460,been through a couple hurricane seasons cutting up to ten hours a day.also have an old homelite xl i found beside someones trash can.now that little saw can do some cutting.

[YAMAHA_Jim]

Try a 562xp,Its worth the extra money :) I swear there is a supercharger hidden in there somewhere. I have a 61,372xp,455 rancher,562xp and 10 old homelite xl beaters.Only complaint about Husqvarna saws,The vibration springs wear out between the handle and saw after a few yrs.Not too costly to replace.
I buy all my saws/parts from a small town Husky/Stihl dealer.My boss bought a Husky Lawn tractor last year with a Kawasaki v-twin for a motor :)

[RIDE-RED 250r]

The thing to remember in the XP saws are the pro grade saws. They still have magnesium crankcases/oil tanks as opposed the the plastic found on almost all non-XP saws. There is a reason a 357xp costs almost $700 and a 460 Rancher is $500.

I have 3 Husky XP's, a 346xp with an 18" bar, (screamer) a 357xp with a 20" (mid-size, go-to saw for most of what I do) and a 372xpw with a 24". The 372 I use for some of larger stuff I get into some of the time. I once bought a Husky 350. I didnt even run it once and it leaked all the bar oil out all over my bench. Turns out the plastic crankcase (which is also the oil tank) was faulty. They ended up giving me full replacement credit and I applied it to a new 346xp instead and I couldnt be happier. My friend had the same bad plastic crankcase problem with a 460 Rancher he bought. Like me, before he even used it the first time it leaked all the bar oil out all over his shelf.

Stick with an XP... ANY XP, you won't regret it.....

[tripledog]

Yep, definitely stepping up to an XP. Returned the Fisher Price 460 Rancher a few days ago.