This is a public Forum  public

General Product Question

    Craig Gabier
    I have a Husky 455 Rancher with a 24 inch bar and have so...
    General Product Question posted September 30, 2014 by Craig Gabier 
    1536 Views, 10 Comments
    Question:
    I have a Husky 455 Rancher with a 24 inch bar and have so far lost a drive sprocket and possibly a clutch. Is this too much bar for this saw and should I drop back to a 20 ? I do about 40 face cord a year.
    • Be the first to rate this

      |

    • Bookmark and Share

    Answer

     

    • robert smith

      mr. gabier,  my answer is no.  you should be capable of driving the 24" bar & chain very nicely.  however, one must be exceedingly cautious when selecting chain.  compatibility with the sprocket is essential toward function and safety, regardless of whether it is a spur or rim style.

      all of the Husqvarna 24chain is driving with 84DL I believe, if memory serves, but there are Husqvarna chains that cannot be used with a 455 rancher.  and it is entirely possible that happened here.  it is confusing to everyone on the husq webpage as to which chains to buy. including saw mechanics & even dealers.

      use wedges while bucking always, never take chances with work collapsing in on the bar,  that will burn your clutch out.

      sprockets are very simple to replace, even for people that never work on saws. the clutch is as well. but I doubt you need one.  should you feel compelled to ever ask for guidance, feel free to bark out. I repair/re-build saws professionally, and I will lend a tip or two gladly...

       

      good luck sir

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • Karla

      Craig,

      I use a 24" bar and chain on one of my Model 455, and have not had a problem yet. I actually leave one of my Model 455's with the 24" bar and chain on it all of the time, and my other Husqvarna 455's have just a 20" bars and chains. The 56 cc displacement engine should be able to easily handle the 24" bar and chain, However I will say that my old 73 cc engine with a 24" bar makes the Model 455 look like kids stuff, but its just too heavy to carry my old 73 cc chainsaw all day, so I like the Model 455 too.

      I do believe in using a rim and sprocket system, so If your thinking of changing the sprocket I would definitely recommend "Oregons Powermate Rim and Sprocket". Here is a link to Oregons Powermate rim and sprocket: /pdf/pro/products/sprockets/sprockets_powermate_system.htm

       Also curious about your description of "Lost a drive sprocket...", Is it possible you could take a picture of it and attach to another post of this thread ? Did the Spur gear break free of the Drum, or Did it overheat ? or Is the inner race and bearing tore up inside the sprocket drum ?

      Anyhow, Just curious what really happened. Also it may help to understand what really happened!

      Karla

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • robert smith

      after studying the webpage it appears "H-25" style chain is compatible with the factory sprocket in .325/.050

      to be certain of compatibility I really think you should consult Husqvarna because use of skiptooth chain, or square ground full compliment chain is going to require a different sprocket in .375/.050  so obviously, the bar will need to accommodate .375/.050

      anyway, I have several different sizes of husqvarnas and it confuses me also.  I usually end up consulting them also.  the way the chain page is set up is just a mess.

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • Craig Gabier

      Hi Robert & Karla,

      Thanks a lot for the help.  I've been using saws for 46 years and this is the first time I'd ever heard about matching the bar to the chain so it's very likely I've been using the wrong chains. Karla, I did find the old sprocket last night and I see grooves were made in and ruined it so I would expect that this indicates the wrong drive links.  The repair shop went ahead and fixed the saw without calling me first so I don't know what went wrong yet but the labor/parts cost was $65.00 so it must have been minor.  I'm calling them later today and find out.  Robert, I also went to the Husky chain guide page and finally decided it must be in Swedish cause it was so confusing. I've got a call into Chef from the Muppets so he can translate, lol. 

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • robert smith

      please let me know what old chef says.  I am one of the two old guys in the balcony...

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

      • Craig Gabier

        I got the saw back from the repair shop and it was a broken bearing in the drive gear. I will be checking the bar and trying to figure out if I've got the right chain though.  thanks for the suggestions Robert & Karla.

         

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

        • robert smith

          I am really curious now.  was the problem the needle bearings that the drum spins on?

          • Be the first to rate this

            |

      • Craig Gabier

        Hi Robert & Karla,

        The repair shop "found clutch drum & bearing shattered."  They put on a new Oregon power mate sprocket and Oregon sprocket bearing.  So far, I've cut about 10 face cord and it's running fine.  I also looked at the numbers on the bar and the chain does match the specifications.

        Craig 

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

    • Craig Gabier

      I didn't look real closely but I almost think is was the housing around the bearings.  I'll may more attention and let you know, it's sitting on the workbench.

       

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • robert smith

      hello craig, I just found the email from you.  glad to hear you are up and cutting.  to help prolong the life of the new needle bearings, I recommend laying the saw on its side and dripping 90wt gear oil or even bar chain oil into them between the driveshaft and drum.  and thoroughly blow out the entire clutch and oiler area everytime you put the saw away. keeping the bar and clutch/brake cover perfectly clean usually prevents this sort of breakdown.  good luck sir.  and next time you need help diagnosing any problem, just chime in...

      • Be the first to rate this

        |