Gallegosmike, Thanks for the input. However, my situation does not allow me to move that far forward. I would love to buy a 7 or 800 puppy. Or if i could find one used in my range with that power and in excellent condition. But I must do what I can do with what I have.
Perhaps is the Neo-Cons and Neo-Libs were removed from power, I could resume earning money the way I did in the past and this would be a no brainer. LOL.
In the meantime.... Make it work with what you have....
And allow the fruits of your labor to yield you manifold blessings....
It is going to be awhile before any of us can make money. Old obama thinks money is the root of all evil and has to be "spread around". If the idiot republicans CAN NOT get their collective heads out of thier @sses. We all are going to suffer through higher taxes and more government intrusion on are personal freedoms.
I understand that you got to make do with what you have to spend! Money is always tight and you have live within your budget. If you do get a 455 Rancher. Go with a 16" bar and get some stihl RSC chain. Stay away from oregon chain, its way too soft. Use a good 2 stroke oil like lucas semi-synthetic or husky XP. For bar oil, poulan brand in the gallon green jug is hard to beat. The stock bar is okay, look at it lasting you one season if your cutting clean wood. Keep your bar rails clean and chase your bar every other wood cutting sesson. Flip your bar every wood cutting sesson to even out the wear. Pull you air cleaner, pop open the air cleaner and tap the sides to clean out. Wash your air clean with mild dish soap when it gets really dirty. You should get more then a season out of it. Check out baileys for a pro grade oregon replacement bar with a replaceable nose.
While your at baileys web site, buy some spare parts. I always carry these spare parts and tools with me: spark plug(pre-gapped), oil/fuel cap(2), air filter, bar nuts(2), small screw driver, small paint brush(to clean oil/fuel cap area before fueling up/filling oil tank), small wire brush (to clean spark plug), chain filing kit, depth gauge and file, sprocket grease gun, and finally a couple of rags to clean fuel and oil spills on the saw.