New chainsaw to replace PoulanPro 5020

OK, so the chain brake has locked up on my PoulanPro 5020.
I'm going to take it back to Tractor Supply for full store credit.
Looking at replacing it with the Husqvarna 440-E Rancher 18".
The main reason for the 440 is WEIGHT! Only 9.7# compared
with 15.4# on the Poulan. Yes it's only 40cc and 18" bar, but I
think it will handle the small stuff I usually get no problem.
Anybody have any experience with the Husky 440-E Rancher?
Thanks.

 

I think I would go with a bigger saw for more all around use. Like maybe a 455 Rancher. Besides when you get into those smaller Husqvarna saws to me they are only a little better than the Poulans but your paying a lot more. Yes a bigger saw will weigh more but I think the trade off is worth it.

 

Like Mag Craft says, don't think you're gaining much over a Poulan with a little Husky clamshell.
What happened to the chain brake on the 5020?

 

You came to the wrong place to try to justify buying a cheap chainsaw ok I'll throw my recommendation, echo 490 with 18 inch bar. Or it's big brother the 590. Affordable and reliable.

 

Yup, some of the Poulan plastic even has the Husky logo on the back...come from the same factory.

 

That’s funny. The Poulan 50/20 that I had didn’t last through the warranty either. Total POS!

 

Before I bought the Poulan I was looking hard at the Husky 455 Rancher!
I bought the Poulan because it was returned due to being too heavy and
my contact at TSC cut the price in half to $99 so it was a really good deal.
I'm getting full store credit, so I'll put that money toward the 455 Rancher,
which is on sale for $20 off, which makes it only $30 more than the 450.
I don't want to end up with a saw that might not do everything I need it to.
I'll post a couple of pictures of the new purchase shortly.
Thanks Mag Craft for the good suggestion about the Husky 455 Rancher!

 

You paid half price, but are getting full price credit back?

 

I have two of the 455 ranchers myself and have cut a lot of wood up in the mountains with them. Congrats on your saw.

 

Yep you are correct I have seen that too.

 

No, I'm getting store credit for what I paid for it!
Sorry for the confusion.

 

If the 5020 was half price after being returned - I bet it was damaged by 1st buyer. I'm guessing 1st buyer pizz reved with chain brake on and had some melting of clutch cover plastics.
The 5020 is not a bad saw - it's a competent saw with bad operators.

 

Even the hardcore Stihl guys have little to say about the 455.

 

Agreed...I have not babied mine, and have had no real problems the last 10 years or so (pretty much just replaced fuel line)...its actually more like 12 years since I got my first 4218 PP (the first one was actually a Craftsman labeled PP)

 

I love my 455, you should not be disappointed. I run a 20" on mine. I tried to buy a Husqvarna 435 last week for a small limbing saw. I ordered it online after a call to make sure they had the one they had listed. I wanted the 435 not the 435e, so after 4 days and no update from the company I called and the gal in shipping informs me they do not have it and ordered it from Husq. Sorry Mam, no I confirmed before I ordered and it won't do any good to order it from Husq. They don't make them anymore besides the e model is 50.00 cheaper than what I already paid you. We cancelled and they refunded PayPal. Now I have an Echo CS 400 on the way from another supplier.

 

Anybody know if the Husqvarna X-Cut chain will work on the 455 Rancher I'll be getting
later this week? I found the X-Cut chain on Amazon in 20", .050, 3/8", 72dl which is the
same specs as the factory chain. These chains are supposed to be sharper out of the box,
and also hold their sharpness much longer. I'm planning on picking up a couple of spare
chains, and would prefer the X-Cut if they will work.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

By what I can find on Husqvarna site I do not see where they make the X-cut chain for the 455 with the 3/8 sprocket, just the .325.

 

Look at the stamp on a 5020 cyl… Might raise a few eyebrows. The 5020 is a fine budget saw that will handle mucho farwood. Lack of general maintenance will cause problems with any brand.

 

OK, but my 5020 was basically brand new, so no lack of general maintenance there!

 

OK, but I found this on Amazon: Husqvarna part# 585550072, 20" saw chain with 3/8" pitch, .050 gauge, and 72 drive links. Looks like an exact match to me. Also found the same info
on a company named Safford's website.