Husky 455

pepage · November 06, 2006, 10:27:03 PM

I just purchased a new Husky 455 to replace my 55. I also own a 136 and a 385. When I unpacked the Husky 455, I noticed a "gas bulb". I equate a "gas bulb" to a cheap saw and hard starting problems. What is going on?

Ianab · November 07, 2006, 12:22:13 AM

Hi Pepage

The primer bulb equates to SMALL saws, some are cheap, some are hard to start, but it's not because it has a primer bulb.
The bulb is used because a small saw cant generate enough suction as you pull it over like a bigger saw can. A small saw WITHOUT a primer is usually harder to start from cold, you may have to pull it 10 times just to get gas into the carby. :

I haven't used a 455 so I cant comment on how easy it is to start, but my friends little OleoMac starts up fine (after a couple of pumps on the bulb ;) )

Oh, and welcome to the forum too

Cheers

Ian

ComputerUser · November 07, 2006, 08:25:58 AM

They're good saws, the primer is just there to help out when the saw has been sitting for a long time as is often the case with homeowner saws.

Be aware that excess priming easily floods the saw; almost every newer piece of power equipment that I've used recently that had a primer bulb benefitted from NOT using it. I think you will find that you generally do not need the primer on that saw.

tcsmpsi · November 07, 2006, 09:32:25 AM

Just my experience on my 455.

Fresh out for the day, if after 2 pulls with the choke engaged, the cylinder fails to ignite, (I never use the compression release), I compress the bulb until I feel it is pushing fuel, and push it only the once as it pushes fuel, however many or few pushes it takes to pick up fuel other than air.

I've never had any starting problems. Except the one time I tried (just to see) using the compression release.

sawguy21 · November 07, 2006, 10:23:40 AM

The primer is there to fill the carb and purge air for easier starting. The excess fuel is returned to the tank so there is no danger of flooding. It is a nice feature for priming the system if the saw has been drained of fuel.
I wonder that the 455 is the only Husky saw using it. The engine is a new strato charge design and possibly as Ian suggests, there is not enough vacuum for easy starting. IMHO, it is just something else that will harden and fail over time.

SawTroll · November 07, 2006, 12:02:17 PM

Quote from: pepage on November 06, 2006, 10:27:03 PM
I just purchased a new Husky 455 to replace my 55. I also own a 136 and a 385. When I unpacked the Husky 455, I noticed a "gas bulb". I equate a "gas bulb" to a cheap saw and hard starting problems. What is going on?

..not a good replacement for the 55 imo - a heavy chunk of plastic - much heavier than the 55. :

A 353 would have been a much better choise.....

tcsmpsi · November 07, 2006, 06:50:31 PM

Quote from: sawguy21 on November 07, 2006, 10:23:40 AM
I wonder that the 455 is the only Husky saw using it.

Why, it's because the 455 is the only one good enough to have one installed. ;D

I know you 'sure 'nuff saw guys' don't care much for the 455 and have given every reason possible to not have one.

A chainsaw (or any other powered saw) is nothing I have ever envisioned as a 'forever tool'. I have some handsaws and other hand tools that are, indeed, forever tools.

Let's see...one of my weedeaters that is 15 yrs old or so, has a primer bulb. It is about the only thing which did not wear completely out. If I could just get 10 yrs or so on the primer bulb on the 455, it will have well outlived the rest of it.

From what I can tell, 10 yrs, in this day and time is a looooong time to contend that any power type tool will not become obsolete and parts be difficult to come by, anyhow.

There is always a point on any power equipment that it is not feasible to continue its maintenance/rebuilding.

I have wear left in first chain on the 455 and it has well paid for itself already, and has been an absolute pleasure to start, run and regularly maintain.

I reckon there are 'better' saws, but I don't know. It does everything it's supposed to.

Of course, when you need to cut wood, a saw in the hand is worth a thousand on the paper. :D

Anyhow, that's just my thoughts on the 455 after having actually run one for a few months.

sawguy21 · November 07, 2006, 11:00:22 PM

Glad to hear you are happy with your 455. I have cut with it and was not impressed one way or the other.Time will tell if it is a success.

tcsmpsi · November 08, 2006, 08:58:27 AM

I don't know about others, but mine took a bit of break in and chain sharpenings before it started 'cuttin' on its own' as I thought it should.

I've run about every make that was peculiar to this part of the world at one time or another (in my old, knotted head Stihls and Huskys are relative newcomers down here). Back when I worked for Blume Systems (powerline tree contractor), we used Macs exclusively. In my view, they were always pretty cantankerous. But then, so were most the folks who worked for them. :D

Full Skip · November 08, 2006, 10:06:40 AM

I haven't had an issue with my 455 other than snapping off the vulnerable choke levers in cold weather. It's definitely not hard to start.

SawTroll · November 08, 2006, 03:53:05 PM

Quote from: sawguy21 on November 07, 2006, 10:23:40 AM
I wonder that the 455 is the only Husky saw using it.

Both Stihl, Husky and others seem to add features that seem nice to those who don't know better on saws in the "homeowner" class, seldom on the better saws....... ;)

"Easy start" and in some cases air purges fall in the same category of features.

Stihl started this trend some time ago, and Husky "had too" follow suit, to not loose sales.....

sawguy21 · November 08, 2006, 03:59:18 PM

I agree, only customers who seem to think they 'need' these gizmos are the first time users. They are not familiar with the tool and are scared of anything more complicated than a can opener.

ely · November 08, 2006, 05:11:54 PM

when they came out with the new 455 i took one look and said, i need to find me a 55 model before its too late. and i got lucky as a fella had one on his shelf that he needed to clear out before the 455's got there. so i bought the new 55 for 300 bucks even.i always liked the looks of the 55. works great so far.

sawguy21 · November 08, 2006, 05:50:51 PM

My boss bought the last 55's and we put them on sale, they went quickly. I was sorely tempted but I don't need another saw.

SawTroll · November 08, 2006, 06:19:08 PM

Quote from: ely on November 08, 2006, 05:11:54 PM
when they came out with the new 455 i took one look and said, i need to find me a 55 model before its too late. and i got lucky as a fella had one on his shelf that he needed to clear out before the 455's got there. so i bought the new 55 for 300 bucks even.i always liked the looks of the 55. works great so far.

You sure did the right thing!

I picked up a 455 at my Husky dealer, and immidiately noticed that it felt heavier than my MS361, even though the bar was shorter - then I knocked on the case and heard that it was plastic..... :

:

Qweaver · November 08, 2006, 06:24:32 PM

I'm a long way from being a pro when it comes to saws but the 455 is the best saw that I've owned...of course that's not saying much since I've only ever owned "cheapies". It starts easily, idles well and cuts like I think a saw should. I'm happy with it.
Quinton

ehp · November 08, 2006, 08:07:53 PM

The 55's are back here in Ontario and the 455's are gone . The people seem to like the 55's better . In the States the 455 is now a 460 is it not

ComputerUser · November 08, 2006, 10:50:55 PM

Quote from: ehp on November 08, 2006, 08:07:53 PM
The 55's are back here in Ontario and the 455's are gone . The people seem to like the 55's better . In the States the 455 is now a 460 is it not

Very interesting! We've got the 455 and 460 now, but no 55s so far as I have seen.

sawguy21 · November 08, 2006, 11:12:27 PM

The 55 is gone due to emission issues, current stock is being sold at fire sale prices. The 455 is the replacement and from what I can tell the 460, which we have yet to see, is a juiced up version. Maybe it is replacing the 455 but pricing will tell.

ehp · November 09, 2006, 08:13:39 AM

The 455 is gone from Ontario , the 55 rancher is back and the dealers here have tons of them and they are alot cheaper than the 455, not sure why you arenot getting them out west but our saws here donot come from NC anymore they are coming from Brazil and the 372 will be here until 2011 , you know the 385 is going to be gone when the factory lowers its price by over $200 to the dealer , its cheaper to buy than a 372

sawguy21 · November 09, 2006, 10:25:24 AM

We got lots of 455's but nobody wants them. :D

SawTroll · November 09, 2006, 11:34:23 AM

Quote from: sawguy21 on November 08, 2006, 11:12:27 PM....
The 455 is the replacement and from what I can tell the 460, which we have yet to see, is a juiced up version. ......

The 460 has a bit more power, but still not enough to defend the weight.....

Simonian · December 12, 2006, 07:10:00 PM

The 455 is 55 cc and the 460 is 60 cc both have air purge. this does cut down on the number of pulls to get it going after the first start it takes about 2 pulls when cold. I do not care much for the saw. Reminds of the old Homelite xl 12 with vibration dampening. I would own a 359 instead. Much smoother running saw. The 575 xp and the 570 xp also have the same type of engine design as the 455. I hear they meet EPA requirements to the year 2010 Sorry tree huggers the 2 cycle here to stay.