Hi, I was cutting the third log with my Husq 455 Rancher and the chain started to seize approximately 2" into the cut. All previous cuts had been like butter. I stopped the saw and brought it home. Checked all of the teeth, checked for tightness, checked bar oil level. Everything seems to be ok. Brought the saw back out again today and get the same thing. I notice that the bar is becoming extremely hot, and it looks like there is some heat wear. This didn't happen on the first two logs that I cut. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what this might be? Thank you.
I can see from your picture that the chain needs sharpened. This will cause the chain and the bar to get very hot because your leaning on it to make it cut. That is a vanguard chain which is pretty standard with the Husky 455. The corner of the cutting tooth is bent down, looks like you might have hit the ground or a rock with it.
Bingo. Either you found something hard in the log or you tapped Mother Earth with the chain. Happens to the best of us. Sharpen or replace that chain and you will be back in business. It should be awful difficult to get a chain to seize on a saw that is oiling, even minimally. Make sure all of the oil passages on the saw and the bar are clear, and that it is using at least half a tank of oil for every full tank of fuel. If you have any questions about the above, we can certainly help out there too. Welcome to FHC! :stacke:
What MagCraft said is very possible.....also check to make sure the sprocket tip is not binding from either the bar getting pinched or gummed up with debris.
I agree with all of the above. That chain looks pretty dry to me. So X2 on making sure the bar is getting oiled.
I'll add something else because I hadn't looked at the second picture until now. That bar needs some tlc, remember to flip that thing occasionally. You need to take that bar off and grind the flat side as I'm pretty darn sure by that picture that it has a rough edge if you were to have the chain off and run your finger upward toward the groove.
Oiler is working, I've topped up each time that I've used the saw and tested to see the oil spray. Thank you.
Thank you. Sprocket tip moves freely. I'm taking MagCraft's advice and replacing the chain this week. I'll see about having the bar ground down too. BTW, this is the state of the bar after cutting just 2 logs. Should it be appearing this worn?
Absolutely not, I have to wonder if you oiler is working or maybe needs turned up some if it is working properly. My 455 oiler quit during the warranty and was replaced. I run mine at the highest setting, I'd rather have too much oil any day than not enough. Once you get your new chain and that bar dressed up, put it back together and fire it up then rev it good with the tip close to a fresh cut round or split and see if that thing is throwing oil off the end.
Yes. it is located up from the bottom looking toward the sprocket. 3 clicks and supposed to be set in the middle from the factory. Counterclockwise for increase. Manual also says 18"-20" should be set to the highest, then also notes if you are using other than Husq. bar oil have it set to highest.
Do yourself a favor and don't replace with another Vangard style chain. Those big rakers are a pain to lower so that it cuts decent. Also, check the oiler hole on the side of the bar and make sure it is not plugged from dust and fine chips that are created from a dull chain.
