It goes without saying that Husqvarna is a kind of stud in the chainsaw industry. And they’re towering over their competitors thanks to the reliable line of chainsaws they have.
Amongst all the chainsaws Husqvarna has in their arsenal, the Rancher series stands out. Why? Because they’re made for DIYers who need some power but not to a professional degree.
There’s the Husqvarna 440e and the Husqvarna 460 Rancher – the 450 Rancher sits exactly in the middle. So, I’ve used this saw for years – let me give you a quick overview of what you can expect.
- Moderate price range
- Light to Semi-heavy cutting power
- Less exhaust more eco-friendly
- Excellent safety technology
- Powerful “never give up” motor if you maintain it properly
- Excellent for casual use
That’s just the basic information. If you want to get into the thick of things and find out the true potential of the Husqvarna 450 Rancher, read on. I’ll outline all the features in detail and share my experience in this Husqvarna 450 Rancher review.
Note: Husqvarna has so many chainsaws that it’s hard to keep track. So, if you want to have a look at their top-of-the-line collection, check out the Husqvarna chainsaw reviews
Husqvarna 450 18-Inch 50.2cc X-Torq 2-Cycle Gas Powered Chain Saw
SPECIFICATIONS
| BRAND: | HUSQVARNA |
|---|---|
| WEIGHT: | 10.8 POUNDS |
| ITEM DIMENSION (INCHES) : | 18 × 9 × 11 |
| POWER OUTPUT: | 3.2 HP |
| MAXIMUM POWER SPEED: | 9000 RPM |
| IDLING SPEED: | 2700 RPM |
| RECOMMENDED BAR LENGTH MAX: | 20 INCHES |
| RECOMMENDED BAR LENGTH MIN: | 13 INCHES |
| WARRANTY: | 2 YEARS |
Features of Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw
Let’s have a look at what the Husqvarna 450 Rancher brings to the table.
Smart Start Technology (Is it Any Good)
Let’s kick this Husqvarna 450 review off by discussing the signature Smart Start Technology. With this, you won’t need to keep pulling the cord as if your life is on the line just to get the chainsaw started. It’s a feature you’ll find in the Husqvarna 460 Rancher as well.
So, the short answer – the Smart Start technology actually helps in reducing downtime. The quicker the saw gets to work – the more hacking and slashing you can do.
Now, what happens inside the motor? Well, this patented tech uses the air filter and oil pump. The combined effort of these two parts prevents the coil from acting up. That’s once you pull the cord, there’s little resistance. So, the chainsaw gets into action faster.
And the design is really beginner-friendly. Everything you need – from starting the chainsaw up, to restarting and shutting it down – is done with a single switch. However, a professional chainsaw operator wouldn’t like it, but that’s not what the 450 Rancher is meant for anyways.
Taking a Look at the Chain of 450 Rancher
This chainsaw is equipped with an 18-inch guide bar and chain. But you can play around with any chain size between 13-20 inches. The chain has a 0.05” gauge, 0.325” pitch, and 72 drive links.
This chain uses narrow kerf technology. What it means is – the chainsaw needs less power to get a greater cut length. Plus, it is a low kickback chain.
The bar has a gentle curve and small nose radius that promotes smooth cutting and minimizes kickback.
With a chain speed of around 17 meters per second, the 450 has plenty of oomph to handle different types of wood. But remember – the chain needs to be sharpened and maintained using the appropriate tools if you’re planning to use it for a long time.
Few users expressed their concern about the guide bar. Instead of using two screws to keep the guide bar steady, the 450 Rancher has one screw to hold the entire thing together.
There was a debate that this would not be sufficient to hold the bar in place, but there was no report of any major issues. As far as my experience with the chainsaw goes, the guide bar seemed pretty sturdy without any flimsiness whatsoever.
X-Torq Fuel-Saving System (The Real Star of the Show)
A common feature that you will see in the newer models of Husqvarna (Rancher being one of them) is the X-Torq engine. And this feature is what makes Husqvarna a top-notch chainsaw.
In the simplest term, the X-Torq makes the chainsaw fuel-efficient, eco-friendly, and functions as a self-sustaining mechanism.
The task of this engine is to minimize emissions by up to 60%, and you will be able to decrease fuel consumption by 30% as well. That’s massive. You get more work done for the fuel you recharge. And you’re not trashing the surrounding environment while you’re hacking away with your chainsaw.
With this chainsaw, you don’t need to be concerned about meeting the air emission standards because it’s CARB compliant. Also, the less fuel consumption makes the 3.2 horsepower more efficient.
Combine this with the high RPM, and you will have a saw that can cut trees like butter! This system also keeps your air filters free from debris and dust.
As a result, your chainsaw will last way longer than its standard lifespan because of the reduced fumes. However, you must perform regular maintenance checks to get the most out of it.
To put a cherry on the top, you can also check the level of fuel on your saw. So, whenever you need to top up, you don’t just guess – you do it by simply monitoring the tank.
3-Piece Crankshaft (A Sturdy Design)
A lot of people see this technical term but they aren’t able to quite wrap their heads around it. What is the three-piece crankshaft anyways and how does it after you – the user?
Well, the crankshaft design affects a machine’s durability and performance. Now, the 3-piece crankshaft has proven itself over the years. So, you’ll get a sturdy and reliable chainsaw thanks to this design.
Plus, this particular design is more flexible compared to the 2-piece crankshaft. In the case of spindle or crank damage, you can simply replace it. If it happened to an older 2-piece crankshaft, you’d have to change the entire system.
Besides the crankshaft system, this saw was constructed with strong metal and hard plastic that will keep it going for a long time. You can surely leave this product alone for months or even years and still find it good as new.
Air Injection (The Motor Protector)
All the Rancher series chainsaws have a one-of-a-kind air injection system. And let me give it to you straight – it’s amazing. The 450 Rancher is no different as well.
Going through hard-to-cut logs can be a messy business. You can save yourself by wearing protective gear. But what about the chainsaw’s motor and internals? That’s where the pre-filter of the 450 Rancher comes into play.
It prevents any wood particles or debris from coming inside with the help of the centrifugal air system. So, air flow keeps pushing the particles away.
This is done by having the air going for the carburetor ingestion pass through the starter, and this is what pushes out the debris.
This feature cuts down maintenance time and improves overall engine life. You still might have to clean the air filter though, but it’s only just taking the cap off and washing or wiping it.
Adjustable Oil Pump (No Oil Recharge Hassle)
Most modern saws these days have an automated chain oiler so that you don’t have to manually oil your chainsaw every time. This one is no exception. It features an auto oiler that can be adjusted to fit any type of job you are doing.
Safety Features (How Safe is the 450 Rancher?)
The Husqvarna 450 rancher doesn’t fall short when it comes to operator safety. In order to keep the user and machine safe from harm, these safety features are included:
- Reduced kickback guide bar and low kickback chain.
- Chain brake – This can be manually enabled by pushing the front-guard forward with the left hand. The brake will be operated by inertia in cases of severe kickback.
- While cutting, bumper spikes on the front of the chainsaw help to provide stability.
- Hand protection is provided from the chain and debris by the rear and front handguards.
- Should the chain slip off the bar, a chain catcher on the bottom of the chainsaw will save the day.
- Anti-vibration features decrease the possibility of getting conditions associated with the use of power tools, like a white finger.
3-Piece Crankshaft
The next thing we are going to discuss in this Husqvarna 450 review is its durability. If it is your concern, you are more than secure with this one.
This saw was constructed with strong metal and hard plastic that will keep it going for a long time. You can surely leave this product alone for months or even years, and still, it will function as if it were new.
Air Injection
Its air cleaning system can be considered as one of the best of its kind. Especially, since tree cutting is all about dust, cleaning and replacing air filters can be such a hassle.
The air cleaning system for this saw uses centrifugal motion to keep large dust away even before it touches the air filter.
This is done by having the air going for the carburetor ingestion pass through the starter, and this is what pushes out the debris.
This feature makes maintenance limited as well as improve overall engine life. You still might have to clean the air filter though, but it’s only just taking off the cap and washing or wiping it.
Adjustable Oil Pump
Most of the modern saws these days have it so that you don’t have to manually oil your chainsaw every time. This one is no exception. It features an auto oiler that can adjust to fit whatever type of job you are doing.
Safety Features
The Husqvarna 450 rancher doesn’t fall short when it comes to operator safety. To help protect the user as well as the machine, the safety features are included:
- Reduced kickback guide bar and low kickback chain.
- Chain brake. This can be manually enabled by pushing the front guard forward with the left hand. The brake will be operated by inertia in cases of severe kickback.
- While cutting, bumper spikes on the front of the chainsaw help to provide stability.
- Hand protection is provided from the chain as well as debris by the rear and front handguards.
- Should the chain slip off the bar, a chain catcher on the bottom of the chainsaw will provide protection.
- Anti-vibration features decrease the possibility of getting conditions associated with the use of power tools, like a white finger.
- These features will not fully protect the user. Wearing the appropriate protective clothing and correct handling of the saw will minimize the risk.
Note: All the features coming together aren’t always enough to protect the user. Wearing the appropriate protective clothing and correct handling of the saw will minimize the risk. So, learn how to use a chainsaw properly before operating it.
Specifications of Husqvarna 450 Rancher Chainsw:
| BRAND: | HUSQVARNA |
|---|---|
| WEIGHT: | 10.8 POUNDS |
| ITEM DIMENSION (INCHES) : | 18 × 9 × 11 |
| MODEL NUMBER: | 450 |
| CYLINDER DISPLACEMENT: | 50.2 CM³ |
| POWER OUTPUT: | 3.2 HP |
| MAXIMUM POWER SPEED: | 9000 RPM |
| FUEL TANK VOLUME: | 0.95 US PINT |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION: | 504 G/KWH |
| IDLING SPEED: | 2700 RPM |
| SPARK PLUG: | NGK BPMR7A CHAMPION RCJ7Y |
| ELECTRODE GAP: | 0.02 IN |
| TORQUE MAX: | 2.6 NM |
| RECOMMENDED BAR LENGTH MAX: | 20 INCHES |
| RECOMMENDED BAR LENGTH MIN: | 13 INCHES |
| CHAIN SPEED AT MAX POWER: | 56.76 FTS |
| OIL TANK VOLUME: | 0.55 US PINT |
| OIL PUMP TYPE: | FIXED FLOW |
| OIL PUMP CAPACITY: | 13 ML/MIN |
| SOUND: | (LWA) 115 DB(A) |
| EQ) FRONT HANDLE: | 3.1 M/S² |
| EQ) REAR HANDLE: | 4.9 M/S² |
| WARRANTY: | 2 YEARS |
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)
What size chain and bar can be used in this model?
The 450 Rancher can take any chain between 13 inches to 20 inches. This standard chain size of the 450 Rancher is 18 inches. However, you can change it later if you feel like it.
Is the Husqvarna 450 saw easy to start and stop?
Husqvarna has done everything they can to make starting as quick and simple as possible whether the environment is cold or warm. Things like an air purge bulb and a combined choke/stop control combined together with their very own Smart Start Technology make sure that it starts with the least resistance and hassle.
What’s the difference between Husqvarna 450 and 450 Rancher?
The biggest difference between the two models is the starting mechanism. While the stop switch of Husqvarna 450 doesn’t revert back to its original position, the 450 Rancher’s switch does. So, you get more room for mistakes with the 450 Rancher. Plus, with the 450 Rancher, you can take down multiple trees at the same time. A luxury you won’t have with the 450.
What does the centrifugal air cleaning system do?
A centrifugal air cleaning system means that all the air going for the carburetor ingestion passes through the starter. This pushes the large debris and dust out even before it reaches the air filter.
Is a Husqvarna 450 Rancher any good?
The Husqvarna 450 is an excellent chainsaw for both light and heavy-duty work. It’s not a professional model per se, but it’s close. So, as a homeowner, you get reasonable power to handle different types of cutting projects.
Closing Comments
All the chainsaws in the Rancher category are pretty good. So, what model you choose will depend on the work you want to get done. As I’ve highlighted in the Husqvarna 450 Rancher review, this chainsaw is badass. And homeowners should feel at home with this tool.
Plus, there are so many different types of saws. You really need to know what you’re getting into by doing a thorough evaluation of all the saws.
Anyways, the 450 Rancher is a top-of-the-line chainsaw. It has enough power, flexibility, and user-friendly features to give you your money’s worth. And the price point is as reasonable as it can get. It can give even high-end chainsaws a run for their money.
As a beginner, you should feel at home with this chainsaw if you follow the instructions to the tee. All in all, homeowners should give this baby a shot if they have some tough yard cleanup on their plate.
I hope this article was able to give you all the information you’d want about the 450 Rancher. Why let the logs build up in your yard when you can take care of it now? Cheers!
