Hey Hard Knocks,
I'm in BC, lowermainland. I was leaning towards the 55 because of the 20" bar you could get and the 3/8" chain pitch.....I heard the 3/8" chain pitch cuts better?....any thoughts on the 455 rancher....i seem to get the feeling people don't like it. Just wondering because i have a friend coming up from the states who could buy it down there for $380...here it's over $600.....not that the cdn dollar is strong i'm leaning towards a cross border purchase.
rob
Hey Newcottager, I was recently in about your same situation, I was looking for a Saw, and I didn't want a Wild Thing. I was looking for a 50-60cc Saw. I am just a homeowner, but I wanted something that would last me years. All the old Firewood guys had Jred's when I Was growing up, so I looked there, but Husqvarna is also a great Saw (well they are really the same company now) Themain use for me was to clear out a small portion of my back yard, and to also bring along with me when I go Hunting/fishing, and touring on the ATV. I also have a small Air tight stove at home, so I will likely cut maybe 1-2 cords of wood a year. I called the Local Jred dealer and asked about the 2159, but he had a 2152 (same as the Husky 353) and offered me a decent deal, since they had a few left in stock (550 tax in). He also had a 55 Rancher, but I didn't get the impression it was as Sturdy a saw as the 2152/353, it was much lighter and all plastic, plus the 55 rancher is not a pro saw, where the 2152/353 is.
I put an 18" Oregon bar and .325 pitch 21lp chain on it, and I just had the oppertunity to really throw some work at it, and I was quite impressed. For falling and bucking up small stuff (10-12") it fly's through it. But it can also handle the odd day of firewood cutting without breaking a sweat (at least mine did). I was running it side by Side with a Husky 365, and while that saw does have more torque, and can saw faster through bigger stuff, It was not like I was lagging behind, and I wasn't afraid to tackle any size log.
I'd suggest you look at the 353, I'm sure glad I did!!
But now I seem to be a Saw addict, and I want something bigger