Rancher 55. Good Saw?

Hello!
I am thinking about purchasing a used "Husquvarna Rancher 55". I thought I'd try and get some feed back first.....
Any one have experience with this saw? I have the option of buying the saw for $200.00 bucks. This includes 18" bar
new plug, new fuel filter, and a new sprocket. The chain is in good condition but I would buy another one any way. No manual, no case.

Thanks!!

Doc

Doc, I have the 455 and like it a lot. I've had it for about 7 months & 8 cords. So far no problems at all. The saw runs great and easily handles anything I've tried it on. I think an 18" blade should be good. Mine came with a 20" blade and that's just too long for a part-time wood scrounger like me. The next big load I cut up, I'm putting a 16" blade on. If the saw is in good mechanical condition and doesn't appear to have been beaten, I think $200.00 is a good price.

I run a 55 Rancher and really enjoy cutting with the saw. I purchased the saw new with a 20" bar on the internet with no sales tax or shipping for $227.00 it was the best price I could find. Of course now the 455 is the replacement for the 55 Rancher. I use my Rancher as the (big ) saw for cutting and bucking the larger rounds 16" plus. I keep the chain very sharp and still am quite impressed how the little bugger flys through the wood. I know there are lighter and more powerful saws out there but when I factored the price in there was no comparison. So I'd say yes the 55 Rancher is a good saw.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts/experience. Always nice to hear testimonials before you reach for your wallet!

Doc

If I knew the history of the saw I would be comfortable buying for that price.

Good point DavidV. From what I could tell from the description it seems that the saw was used by a home owner for land maintenance.
The pictures show no dents or scratches. I have read reviews online that claim that this saw can be hard to start. But I think that the people who submitted those reviews got frustrated easily. Maybe they didn't use the choke the correct way.? I appreciate all of your coments!

Doc

I wonder what they meant by hard to start? Hard to pull over or took too many pulls to get it started. I get mine started and stays running by the 6th pull or less on a cold start and after that one short quick pull the rest of the day. I have a saw with a primer bulb that I can get started on the first or second pull but rarely can keep it running. Needs a longer warm up than my Husky. If the review was referring to the hard to pull over than none of them has tried to start a 600cc snowmobile at -30f now that's hard to pull over.

Goodness yes! That is hard to pull...... I am not 100% sure what the reviewers were reffering to. I think it was too many pulls w/no start.
Wouldn't you agree that most 2 cycle engines can be a bit finicky until you learn it's "personality"???? You have to learn by "trial and error" the most effective way to start a two cycle engine...?? Some engines like to be choked for 2 pulls, other's choked 3 pulls ect....

Doc

Yeah I have to agree that two strokes do have different personalities. Once you get the learning curve down it's much easier to get them going.

I've got a straight 1998 Model 55 and I'm very happy with it. $200 is a good price for that saw if it's in good condition. Last summer I cut about 30 cords with mine, and I intend to do about that much again this coming summer.

I appreciate your feed back Eric, especially since I bought the saw! I bought it from a dealer and it seems to be in tip top shape.


I'll probably give it a test run this weekend..... Can't wait!!

Doc