Husqvarna 450 Rancher Review: 50.2cc 20 in Gas Chainsaw Pros and Cons

The 450 Rancher is best at the everyday work on rural and large suburban property: cutting firewood from 10 to 18 inch rounds, bucking storm-downed trunks and clearing fallen limbs, with enough engine for a 20 inch bar.

• A full-size bar on a mid-size engine. The stock 20 inch bar handles wood up to about 18 inches in one pass, and you can drop to a 16 or 18 inch bar for lighter handling.
• Easy starts. Smart Start reduces pull effort, which matters for a saw that sits between storms.
• Filter life in dusty conditions. Air Injection spins out larger sawdust and debris before it reaches the air filter.
• Comfort. The asymmetrical handle with a soft inlay and LowVib dampening reduce hand fatigue over a long cutting session.
• Kickback protection. The inertia-activated chain brake can stop the chain during a kickback, although it never replaces correct technique and protective gear.

Plan for Husqvarna X-Guard bar and chain oil, a sharpening tool such as the Oregon 12V Sure Sharp, and 50:1 fuel, which is the ratio Husqvarna specifies for its 2-stroke saws; confirm it in the manual.

The biggest drawback is the 20 inch ceiling. Husqvarna recommends bars no longer than 20 inches, so wood over about 18 inches needs cutting from both sides, which takes skill and increases kickback risk, or a bigger saw. The 455 Rancher runs bars up to 24 inches if big rounds are a regular job.

The second drawback is weight for small jobs. A 50cc saw with a 20 inch bar is more than you need for pruning, limbing and branches under 8 inches, and the extra weight at arm's length makes it harder to control. The lighter Husqvarna 440 or a battery saw suits that work. The listing also leaves out the saw's weight, chain pitch and gauge, tank sizes and warranty term, so read the operator manual before you buy.

These are recurring themes in published owner reviews, summarized as consensus rather than our own use. Review volume and quality vary by listing, so read them as tendencies, not guarantees.

Praise themes

• A good balance of power and weight for firewood and storm cleanup.
• Starts easily with Smart Start when the fuel is fresh.
• Strong value for a 50cc Husqvarna saw.
• Easy access to chains, bars and parts through dealers.

Complaint themes

• Heavier than expected for limbing and pruning.
• Bar oil seeping during storage, a common chainsaw issue.
• The stock chain needs sharpening and re-tensioning sooner than owners expect.
• Hard starting or rough running after old fuel sits in the carburetor.

Buy it if

• You cut firewood and clear storm damage with wood mostly under 18 inches.
• You want a 20 inch bar without paying for the 455 Rancher.
• You own or will buy chaps, a helmet with a face screen and hearing protection.
• You can store fuel safely and run a saw a few times a season to keep it healthy.

Skip it if

• You regularly cut rounds over 18 inches; the 455 Rancher runs a 24 inch bar.
• You mostly prune and limb; the Husqvarna 440 or EGO CS1613 is lighter.
• You want no fuel or pull starts; the EGO CS1815 is a 50cc-class battery saw.
• You need to fell large or leaning trees; hire a certified arborist.

Warranty: the listing does not state a warranty term. Husqvarna publishes consumer and commercial coverage for handheld products, and terms can depend on registration and using approved 2-stroke oil, so confirm them with Husqvarna or a dealer.

Engine certification: gas engines sold for outdoor power equipment in the US must be certified to EPA emissions standards, and equipment sold in California must also be CARB certified. The emissions label is on the engine. A model listed as 49-state compliant is not sold or shipped to California.

Recalls: check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model before you buy, and again once a year after you own it. Search by brand and model number, and register the product with the manufacturer so a recall notice reaches you directly.