I wasn't intending on buying a new saw as my old Poulan 4218 still started and ran fine after 4 years of very light duty (on borrowed time by all accounts), but I still lusted after something better. I have a dealer up the road who sells Dolmar, Echo and Husqvarna. I had my heart set on a 50cc (or so) Dolmar, but as I was driving past his shop I saw he had the Rancher on sale for $399 with 18 inch bar ($170 off list price) so I had to bite. I must say that the difference between my two saws is quite startling, to say the least, but understandable due to the size difference. Looking at the chain size also is an eye opener and I'm looking forward to using it in some nice size logs. Next on my list is a splitter, but until that time, my X27 will just have to do.
They go for a little over 400 all day around here. Is that Canadian money? If someone around here had that saw at 570, I'd laugh and walk away. Anyway, glad you got a new saw. The 18" works well on mine, but it came with 20", which was ok. I thought it seemed a little underpowered trying to pull the 20 though.
Indeed it is our funny money. The 455 lists for $569 with the 18 inch bar and $575 with the 20 and that is from the "official" Husqvarna flyer that they send out every year. The 460 is $624, so at $399 I took the 455.
