Husqvarna 445 Need Some Opinions

[Chev727]

I just bought a new Husqvarna 445, came with an 18" bar, I was thinking of switching it to a 16" but wanted some opinions on it and what chain to use, I mostly cut jack pine, poplar, birch, and spruce

Id also like to muffler mod it once its broken in a bit, any suggestions on how to do that, I dont want to over do it, I took it apart and noticed its hollow inside the muffler

anything else I can do to this saw to improve it?

 

[HuskStihl]

16" bar with either chisel or semi-chisel non safety chain. The 445 is a nice, solid feeling little saw. It doesn't have a cat muffler, so modding the muffler will produce only modest gains. It's light, smooth, decently strong, and pretty quiet. I'd leave it alone

 

[Chev727]

Is there any one chain you'd recommend? I'd probably have to order a stihl, but can find oregon locally, at most I was thinking of removing the spark arrestor if that would help at all, also need to find a place to order the tool to adjust the carb at a decent price, local shop wouldn't sell me one

 

[BugaBoots]

On a saw of that size I like a 18" bar for the extra reach. Dont know if you have other saws or not. For me that size is just a limber. Though my cs-400 runs a 16" power sharp as a knock around saw and stays in the back of the jeep with a quart of bar oil and a few cans of true fuel.

 

[Chev727]

Only saw I have at the moment, might pick up a stihl 340 for $40 tomorrow, I like the 18" reach but think it might help the saw cut faster with a 16"? I plan to use it for firewood and making atv trails in the summer, most of the trees wont be any bigger than a 13-14" at most

 

[MtnHermit]

Is there any one chain you'd recommend? I'd probably have to order a stihl, but can find oregon locally, at most I was thinking of removing the spark arrestor if that would help at all, also need to find a place to order the tool to adjust the carb at a decent price, local shop wouldn't sell me one

I got mine (435) on eBay, search for a "Poulan carb tool", seems I paid $5, but been a couple of years.

 

[HuskStihl]

I like Oregon LPX chain. Guy on eBay sells notched brass rods that work well to adjust the carb (mine required no adjustment for 4 years until I started messing with oil ratios). It'll cut 13" wood fine with good sharp chain

 

[Deleted member 83629]

i wouldn't run anything larger than a 16 on it i played with one and the oiler had trouble keeping the 18 oiled.
good power though and nimble.

 

[Chev727]

Thanks guys, ordered a carb tool off ebay for $11, just waiting for it to come in now, soon as this chain and bar combo needs replacing ill switch it over to 16". I did notice it doesn't put out a lot of oil for the 18"

 

[Kenskip1]

Like others have mentioned I would not use anything longer than a 16 bar.Limited power for one and minimum oiling for the other. I did a muffler mod on mine and it was a small improvement. Other than that it is a great saw for the price. ken