Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw Review: 55.5cc Gas Power With a 20-Inch Bar

455 Rancher Overview

Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw cuts with a 20-inch bar for you if you need a gas saw for larger limbs and faster bucking.

A 20-inch guide bar gives you the reach for larger limbs and quicker bucking, which is the kind of result many gas chainsaw buyers want from a homeowner saw.

Husqvarna 455 Rancher delivers that reach with a 20-inch bar and a 55.5cc 2-cycle engine. The automatic chain oiler also matters here, because it keeps lubrication handled while you work through longer cuts.

We screened 95 Chainsaws and this is one of 15 chosen for a full review. Full reviews go to the most-rated products that pass screening, at most 2 per brand. This one has 1,073 buyer ratings, the 17th most of the 95 screened. If you need a gas chainsaw for heavier yard work, this review is for you.

The Short Answer on the 455 Rancher

Best for: You need a gas chainsaw for limbing and bucking work that benefits from a 20-inch bar.

• Pro: The 20-inch bar gives you the reach needed for larger limbs and faster bucking.
• Pro: The 55.5cc 2-cycle engine gives this saw more displacement than lighter homeowner models.
• Pro: Tool-free chain tensioning saves time during chain adjustment.
• Con: At 15.5 pounds, it is not the lightest option, so longer overhead cuts will feel more tiring.
• Con: Bar and chain oil is not included, so you need to budget for that before the first cut.

Don’t buy this if: you need a saw lighter than 15.5 pounds for frequent overhead work or extended carry.

Price assessment: Around $499 is fair for a 20-inch gas saw with an automatic oiler and side-mounted chain tensioning.

Full Specifications for this Chainsaw

Bar length is the deciding spec that most separates the 455 Rancher. It measures the usable cutting reach of the saw bar and the maximum log diameter it can physically span.

Before You Buy: Tree Saw Checklist

The first thing to check is bar length, because a 20-inch bar changes what you can span in one pass.

• ☐ Confirm the guide bar length — 20 inches. If you need a shorter saw for tighter work, you will end up returning this one or living with extra weight and reach you do not need.
• ☐ Check the power source — gas powered. If your job depends on a battery platform, this purchase will not fit that setup and you will need a different saw.
• ☐ Budget for bar and chain oil — it must be purchased separately. If you skip it, the saw is not ready for use and you will need another order before work starts.
• ☐ Confirm the chain tensioning setup — side-mounted chain tensioning system. If you want tool-free adjustment and this layout does not suit your workflow, you will have to live with the adjustment method this saw uses.
• ☐ Check the weight you are willing to carry — 15.5 pounds. If that is too much for your work, you will feel it on longer cuts and may need a lighter saw instead.
• ☐ Measure your storage and transport space — 20-inch guide bar. If the bar is too long for your case or vehicle, you will need to modify how you carry it or choose a shorter model.

If you need a battery saw, or you do not want to buy oil separately, you should not buy this one.

What These Specifications Let You Do

What a 55.5cc engine lets this Chainsaw do

The 55.5cc engine gives the 455 Rancher enough displacement for a 20-inch bar in homeowner firewood work and medium-tree cuts. That size is the point where a saw can cover larger limbs and faster bucking without moving into the heavier 20-inch cordless class.

For hardwood, the engine size matters because it supports the bar length the saw carries, not because it promises a cutting speed figure the listing never gives. Think of it like pairing a truck bed with the load you plan to carry: the 55.5cc engine is the part that makes the 20-inch setup plausible for tougher cuts, while a smaller engine would leave less margin for that workload.

What the 20-inch bar lets this Chainsaw reach

The 20-inch bar gives the 455 Rancher reach for medium trees and larger firewood rounds. That length is the common step up when you want more span than a 16-inch homeowner saw without jumping into the upper end of cordless use.

That extra reach also changes the job mix. It lets you span wider trunks and buck thicker logs in fewer passes, but it also puts more saw in your hands than a 10-inch or 16-inch setup would. If your cuts stay small, the longer bar adds reach you may not need.

How safety and tensioning help manage this Chainsaw

The intertie activated chain brake and side-mounted chain tensioning system make the 455 Rancher easier to manage during setup and chain adjustment. The automatic chain oiler also matters here, because it supports the chain while you work instead of leaving lubrication as a separate task.

The quick-release air filter adds a maintenance advantage, since it shortens the path to routine cleaning. The saw also states 15.5 pounds, so the safety and maintenance features matter more when you want a gas saw with a 20-inch bar that still stays manageable for repeated cuts. Confirm the current rules for your location before ordering.

The 455 Rancher Against Similar Chainsaws

• The 455 Rancher matches the 450 Rancher II at $499, so price does not separate them.
• The automatic chain oiler is stated here, while the Power Axe 225i listing centers on an all-in-one kit with battery instead.
• The 15.5-pound weight is heavier than the Poulan Pro PR4016 at 13 pounds, so the Poulan is easier to carry for the same general bar-length class.
• It ranks first on buyer rating in this group, with a 4.5 average from 1,073 ratings.

If you want the cheaper pick, the ECHO 20 in. Gas Chainsaw is the one to look at. It is around $478.99, and it gives up nothing on stated bar length because it is also listed at 20 inches.

For a compact lithium-ion alternative, view the DEWALT DCCS620B spec breakdown.

If you prefer battery power over gas, see our best cordless chainsaw for homeowners comparison.

Why this Chainsaw offers value for money

The $499 price sits $32 above the $467 average for the similar Chainsaw products we compared it against. At this price, the 20-inch bar and 55.5cc 2-cycle engine give you a gas saw built for larger limbs and bucking, while the 15.5-pound weight keeps it from being the lightest option in the group. The automatic chain oiler and tool-free chain tensioning add convenience, but bar and chain oil is sold separately, so the first use costs a little more than the sticker price.

Buy this if you want a 20-inch gas saw and are willing to pay for the first fill of bar oil and chain oil on top of the $499 mark. For a storm cleanup job with downed limbs and a pile of cut firewood, the included bar cover and 2.6-ounce pre-mix fuel help with the first setup, but the separate oil purchase still belongs in your budget. Confirm the current rules for your location before ordering.

Setting Up This Chainsaw, and What Support Covers

Getting the 455 Rancher ready to cut

Gas is the one thing you need already on hand, because the 55.5cc 2-cycle engine will not run without fuel mixed for that engine type.

1. Unpack the 20-inch guide bar, the bar cover, and the pre-mix fuel bottle before you start assembly.
2. Fit a replacement chain that matches the 20-inch bar length, since the wrong length wastes time and can leave you with a return.
3. Fill the system with bar and chain oil, because the listing says it is purchased separately and the automatic oiler depends on it.
4. Set chain tension with the side-mounted tensioning system until the chain sits correctly on the bar.
5. Check the intertie activated chain brake before first use, then start the saw with the 55.5cc gas engine.

Warranty and support: what to verify on arrival

Cover differs by seller and country.

• Confirm the return window for the saw and its chain parts, because the wrong 20-inch chain or bar setup can force a replacement order.
• Confirm whether bar and chain oil is included in your order, since the saw needs it and the listing says to buy it separately.
• Confirm whether a replacement chain is included, because the 20-inch bar needs a matching chain to cut correctly.
• Confirm the support path for the quick-release air filter and chain tensioning parts, because those are the service items you are most likely to handle first.

On the day it arrives, open the box and verify the 20-inch bar, the bar cover, and the fuel bottle before the return window closes.

455 Rancher Buying Questions Answered

Does the 455 Rancher have enough bar length for larger limbs?

Yes, the 455 Rancher uses a 20-inch guide bar. That length suits larger limbs and faster bucking better than shorter homeowner bars, while adding more reach than a 16-inch saw.

How heavy is the 455 Rancher?

The 455 Rancher weighs 15.5 pounds. That weight sits in the middle of the gas saws we evaluated, so it is not the lightest option for all-day overhead work.

Does the 455 Rancher include automatic chain oiling?

Yes, the 455 Rancher states an automatic chain oiler. That matters because the bar and chain oil still must be purchased separately, so the saw is not fully supplied out of the box.

Is the 455 Rancher a gas chainsaw?

Yes, the 455 Rancher is gas powered and uses a 55.5cc 2-cycle engine. That combination suits buyers who want a gas saw rather than a battery platform.

How does the tool-free chain tensioning work on the 455 Rancher?

That means the listing points to side access for adjustment, not the tool-free setup some buyers want.

Is the 455 Rancher worth the $499 price?

That price sits in the midrange for a 20-inch gas chainsaw. The answer depends on whether you want a 20-inch bar, a gas engine, and the listed automatic oiler and chain brake.

Understanding your budget is key, so see what chainsaws cost and what price levels offer.

Is the 455 Rancher Right for You?

Who the 455 Rancher suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

If you need a battery-powered option, see our full review of the WEN 40417.

Where to Buy This Chain Saw

When we looked in November 2026, the 455 Rancher was listed at $499 – a snapshot that may have changed since.

Chainsaws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the 455 Rancher in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Walmart (online and physical stores) — broad mass-market selection and easy local returns
• Ace Hardware (online and physical stores) — neighborhood-store convenience and knowledgeable staff
• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — specialist-oriented selection for outdoor power equipment
• Acme Tools (online only) — tool-focused assortment with trade and business account options
• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and easy in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and convenient physical-store pickup
• Amazon (online only) — wide marketplace selection across many brands and configurations

Final Verdict on the 455 Rancher

You need a gas chainsaw with a 20-inch bar for larger limbs and bucking, and the 455 Rancher fits that job at around $499.

Its 55.5cc 2-cycle engine gives this saw the displacement figure that matters most when you want a gas model with more reach than a 16-inch homeowner saw. The 15.5-pound weight and automatic chain oiler add carry load and routine lubrication support, while tool-free chain tensioning and the side-mounted tensioning system make chain adjustment easier to manage. If your work stays in smaller wood, the extra bar length adds size without adding much value.

Skip it if: you want a lighter saw for frequent overhead work, or you need a smaller bar for limbing and light pruning.