Husqvarna Rancher 450 Steps

Specs

• Type: Gas
• Power: 50.2 cm3
• Horsepower: 3.2 hp
• Torque: 2.6 nm
• Chain Speed: 23 m/s
• Bar: 20”
• Gauge: 0.05”
• Pitch: 0.325”
• Links: 80
• Cut Thickness: 18”/36”
• Weight: 13.7 pounds

Features

• Has Air Injection 
• Has an X-Torq engine 
• Has a quick-release filter 
• Has Low Vib 
• Has Smart Start
• Has an inertia-activated chain brake 
• Has felling marks 
• Has a 3-piece crankshaft

Performance

This is one of the areas where the Husqvarna Rancher 450 II Rancher shines as it outclasses most other consumer-grade brands with ease. For starters, this chainsaw comes with a large 50.2 cm engine that generates 3.2 hp of force.

However, Husqvarna is one of the few brands in its class that feels confident enough to provide its torque rating. Granted, the 450 II Rancher generates 2.6 nm of torque which is well above the average for this size of chainsaw.

Keep in mind, torque is one of the most important aspects when determining the cutting power of a chainsaw-- even more than raw horsepower. To complement that raw cutting power, the 450 II Rancher also spins its chain at a quick 23 m/s.

When you combine all of these specs, you end up with a chainsaw that is more than capable of taking down a tree 3’ in diameter. This makes the Husqvarna Rancher 450 II Rancher perfect for those who own a large plot of wooded property or even a professional arborist.

Maintenance

While the Husqvarna Rancher 450 II Rancher packs quite a cutting punch, this means that it needs to be more stable than your average consumer-grade chainsaw. As such, the 450 II Rancher requires a bit more standard maintenance than an electric chainsaw, though not unduly so.

As a gas-powered chainsaw with a 2-stroke engine, the 450 II Rancher requires an oil and gas fuel mixture. On top of that, the sheer force of the 450 II Rancher means that you cannot rely on an automatic chain tensioner and must tighten the chain manually with the included scrench.

On the other hand, the X-Torq engine reduces both the 450 II Rancher’s emissions and increases its fuel efficiency. On top of that, this chainsaw does not need its air filter cleaned or replaced as often thanks to its Air Injection feature.

That said, when you do need to change the air filter, the 450 II Rancher makes that easy with its quick-release function. For cleaning and maintaining the rest of the engine, the snap-lock cover allows for quick and easy access.

Ergonomics

For such a powerful chainsaw, it is just as surprising that the 450 II Rancher is also relatively easy to use as well. The one area where this does not hold up as well compared to some of the competition is in volume.

Granted, the 450 II Rancher is “relatively” quiet for a powerful gas chainsaw, but it still puts out 115 dB of volume and 105 dB felt at your ear. This means that you need to employ protective earplugs when using the 450 II Rancher, otherwise you should not use it longer than 30 minutes.

However, you do not have to worry about general user fatigue with the 450 II Rancher thanks to Husqvarna’s patented LowVib technology. Combined with the ergonomic rear handle, the 450 II Rancher only transfers 3.1 m/s of vibrations at the front handle and 4.9 m/s of vibrations at the rear handle.

This is great news for professionals who should not have to worry about risking hand-arm vibration syndrome. Also, at only 13.7 lbs with the cutting equipment attached, the 450 II Rancher is surprisingly light for the amount of power it generates.

Safety

Regardless of whether you are a professional or average consumer, a chainsaw’s safety is always one of the most important aspects. To that end, Husqvarna once again leads the market in its class with a couple of different features that make it safer to use.

For example, the 450 II Rancher comes with an inertia activated chain brake which automatically cuts the engine and locks the chain in place when the bar is kicked back with too much force. Not only can this be a life-saver, but Husqvarna fine-tuned the chain brake to prevent accidental engagements which will save both on time stops as well as broken chains.

Of course, you may not need to worry about kickbacks quite as much due to Husqvarna’s bar which is made with an anti-kickback sprocket nose.

Beyond the chain brake, the 450 II Rancher also features a solid brake handle that protects your hands from a snapped chain while still providing an excellent sightline. On top of that, the 450 II Rancher has built-in felling marks, so you know where to cut and how to hold the chainsaw while doing so.

Conclusion

As we can see, the Husqvarna 450 II Rancher is a top-tier chainsaw for consumers and even works reasonably well for many professionals. Of course, if you only need to trim a few branches around the house, chances are this chainsaw packs far more power and will cut too deep into your wallet to be recommended.

That said, if you need a chainsaw to handle medium to large trees, the 450 II Rancher has more than enough to make relatively easy work of even day-long jobs. Even better, whether or not you are a professional, the 450 II Rancher comes with some of the best safety features in its class.

Of course, professionals will appreciate the ergonomics as much, if not more, than the average consumer and can use the 450 II Rancher all day without worry. Finally, this is one of the more durable chainsaws in its class, so you will not have to worry about work stoppages or costly repairs.