I picked up two saws cheap from a semi-retiring tree service guy back in September. After a little work on one (and a lot of work on the other), this is how they're doing today: As I get better at fixing saws, I am understanding why it's so easy to accumulate a large collection. Rationally I know I should sell these off, but it's still so much fun having them around...
Whoops, I already talked about the 064 here. I meant to post this update on, err, that other forum where I made the original post.
I knew the 064 would be impressive, but I was surprised by the 55R. As a firewood saw it really hits a sweet spot.
55 Rancher hits the sweet spot for sure! They were a lot of saw for the money too. I couldn't believe what they replaced it with........
55 Rancher was discontinued sometime around 2004-5 IIRC. Very different. The 55 Rancher is a conventional/legacy 2-stroke split case design with a removable cylinder. (Open style transfer ports) The 455 is a stratocharged 2-stroke with a unitized or "clamshell" style engine mounted in an otherwise entirely plastic chassis. Cheap, but heavy way to build a saw. Husqvarna called it the "X-Torq" design (as they do all of their stratocharged 2-strokes) and played up the increased torque output to offset the fact that the 455 was nearly 2 lbs heavier than the 55 was. Also came with a bit of a price increase too. The 455 is technological leap over the 55 but nobody liked working on them. It was a bit more time-consuming to get at things like the carburetor for routine service or minor repair. And many techs opened up the intake side and saw the strato intake tubes, the extra throttle butterfly, how tightly nestled the carburetor was down in the chassis, and well..... you know how some folks react to changes like that.... The MS290 (Stihl) at the time was selling for quite a bit less than the 455R and was a much simpler machine to work on. Offered more power, and a proven track record of reliability, so it's no surprise that it gained even more traction in the last 8 years or so with landowners. Now that we've come full-circle tech wise, and the bells are tolling for almost all of Stihl's non-strato saws, (The MS290 is out of production, a couple thousand units left in distributor inventory last time I checked and that's a wrap for the old 1127 series saws) the 455R is the only saw near or under $400 that will run 3/8" chain on a 20" Bar.
Ahhh I knew I was missing something! This CAD thing is getting addicting. I now spend time looking at CL for used saws to start playing with. Makes me want to start looking for a 55 rancher just to give it a try.
Yep. The 55 is on my list as one of my next saws to buy. But 1st I need to get my basement and my truck in order. Then saws... Nice post Jon. The 064 is a monster, but that 55 R is an awesome saw. One that, as you know, I would love to have.
I do recommend it. It's not magical or anything, just a satisfyingly robust and simple machine. Dex, it's odd to see you coveting a chainsaw. Compared to the hardware you typically deal in, the 55 almost seems downmarket. I do hope your truck is back on the road soon without the bill getting any bigger.
Thanks bud. I had a 455 Rancher (Plastic) many a moon ago. Loved it, and the 55 is a much better saw. So if and when I can get one? I will. Hopefully soon..
How big was that Red oak round? No offense, but I think I like the video that came up after yours much better!
Not all that big, actually. Maybe 22"? Chain was kinda dull so it wasn't a great performance, but I didn't have time to sharpen it.
