Husqvarna 455/460 Rancher saw service and chain identity
For the cited 455/460 Rancher manual, match the exact saw and cutting attachment before choosing a chain or service part. It specifies BPMR7A or RCJ7Y at 0.5 mm, with 0.44 L fuel and 0.32 L chain-oil tanks. The 435/440IIand545/550XP Mark II families have their own documents and parts checks.
The cited 455/460 Rancher service figures
| Manual family | Plug | Fuel /chain-oil tank |
|---|---|---|
| 455/460 Rancher | BPMR7A or RCJ7Y | 0.44 /0.32 L |
All four manuals specify50:1 fuel with appropriate air-cooled two-stroke oil. Chain lubricant goes in its separate reservoir. The manuals’ maintenance instructions include a monthly plug-replacement instruction, or more frequently when required; use the exact manual for the serial and operating conditions.
A 56-link loop can still have the wrong pitch
The Rancher manual lists a 15-inch56-link combination at 3/8-inch pitch. Link count must be read with the approved pitch, gauge and bar combination; it does not establish fit for a different Husqvarna family.
The Rancher manual includes0.050-and 0.058-inch gauges in different approved combinations. Its oil-pump recommendations also depend on bar length. Compare the actual attachment with the applicable table before ordering a chain or changing flow; saw displacement is not a complete cutting-attachment specification.
Measure the fuel batch and record the safety checks
For an example 2.5 L gasoline batch, 50:1 requires 50 ml of oil. Mix accurately in an approved container, using the manual’s order and fuel requirements. A nearly empty oil bottle is not a reliable measure, particularly when making a small batch.
Stop for a chain that creeps while idling or a brake that will not hold. The linked Rancher operator manual provides its control and leak-check sequence and maintenance procedures. An abbreviated recoil, clutch or carburetor tip for another generation does not establish the correct repair.
Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher chainsaws: fuel mix, spark plug and maintenance schedule
The Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher chainsaws run on a 50:1 gasoline and two-stroke oil mix, which is 2.5 fluid ounces of oil per US gallon, with a 0.44 liter fuel tank and a 0.32 liter chain oil tank. The plug is an NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y gapped 0.5 millimeter. The fuel filter is replaced yearly, and the automatic chain oil pump is set to position 1, 2 or 3 by bar length.
Stop the engine and remove the spark plug lead before service, and never refuel a hot or running saw.
Two saws, one engine family: the mix, the plug and the oiler
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is a 55.5 cc (3.38 cubic inch) two-stroke chainsaw rated at 3.5 hp, and the 460 Rancher is the 60.3 cc (3.68 cubic inch) version at 3.7 hp. Both idle at 2,700 RPM and share a plug, a fuel tank and a chain oil tank. There is no crankcase oil to change.
The engine runs on mixed fuel, and a separate tank feeds the chain through an automatic oil pump.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fuel to oil ratio | 2% (50:1) gasoline and two-stroke oil |
| Two-stroke oil | Husqvarna two-stroke oil, or a good-quality oil for air-cooled engines. Not outboard oil and not four-stroke oil. |
| Fuel tank | 0.93 US pint (0.44 L) |
| Chain oil tank | 0.68 US pint (0.32 L); automatic oil pump |
| Spark plug | NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y |
| Electrode gap | 0.020 in (0.5 mm) |
| Fuel filter | Replace yearly, or more often if necessary |
| Weight | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) without bar and chain |
| Gasoline | Two-stroke oil |
|---|---|
| 1 US gallon | 2 1/2 US fl oz |
| 2 1/2 US gallons | 6 1/2 US fl oz |
| 5 US gallons | 12 7/8 US fl oz |
| 5 liters | 0.10 liter |
| 10 liters | 0.20 liter |
| 20 liters | 0.40 liter |
Husqvarna warns that small errors change the ratio a great deal when you mix small quantities, so check the measured oil quantity.
Setting the chain oil flow
The oil pump has an adjustment screw. Turning it clockwise decreases the flow, and counterclockwise increases it. Husqvarna’s recommended settings are position 1 for a 13 to 15 inch bar, position 2 for 16 to 18 inches and position 3 for 20 to 24 inches.
Drain and clean the fuel tank and chain oil tank regularly, since contamination in the tanks causes malfunction. Turn the guide bar daily to even out wear.
Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher chainsaws service intervals
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Daily | Clean the outside and check for oil on the handles; check the throttle trigger and lockout, the chain brake and the chain catcher; check the guide bar and its lubrication hole; check that bar and chain get enough oil; check and sharpen the chain and its tension; check the sprocket, the stop switch, nuts and screws; clean the air intake on the starter. |
| Weekly | Clean the cooling system, and between the cylinder fins; check the starter, rope and return spring; lubricate the needle bearing; deburr the guide bar; clean or replace the spark arrestor mesh on the muffler; clean the carburetor area; clean or replace the air filter. |
| Monthly | Check the brake band, the clutch center, drum and spring; clean the spark plug; clean the outside of the carburetor; check the fuel filter and fuel hose and replace if necessary; check cables and connections; empty and clean the fuel tank and the oil tank. |
The saw has Husqvarna’s AirInjection centrifugal air cleaning system, which throws dust out before it reaches the air filter. The manual’s advice for a clean filter is the same as on any two-stroke, which is to clean it regularly and replace a defective one.
Parts to buy for the Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher chainsaws
| Part | Part number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tune-up kit | 599333701 | Fuel filter, air filter and spark plug. |
| Air filter | 537255703 | Also sold as 537255701. |
| Spark plug | NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y | Gap 0.5 mm (0.020 in). |
Both saws mix at 50:1 with two-stroke oil, and the chain oil tank is a separate fill.
50:1
Fuel to oil
2 1/2 fl oz per US gallon.
0.5 mm
Plug gap
NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y.
0.32 L
Chain oil tank
Pump position 1, 2 or 3 by bar length.
The 455 and the 460 Rancher compared
Ralph's Way reports that the 460 Rancher has a 60.3 cc engine delivering 3.62 horsepower, while the 455 is slightly smaller at 55.5 cc with 3.5 horsepower, and Mixed Kreations puts both at about 12.8 lb.
Both saws use Husqvarna's X-Torq engine, so the mix ratio, plug gap and air-filter service on this page apply to either. The difference that changes what you buy is the displacement and the recommended bar and chain length, which is model-specific, so read it from the saw's own label.
Starting a 455 or 460 Rancher: choke control, purge bulb and decompression valve
The Rancher's operator’s manual adds a step the smaller Husqvarna saws do not have. With the chain brake engaged, you pull the choke control out, work the air purge bulb, and then push the decompression valve before you pull the starter rope, which relieves compression so the cord pulls more easily. A warm engine skips the full choke: pull the choke control out and push it in again, pull the start/stop switch up, purge the bulb and push the decompression valve.
On a cold engine you pull the rope until the engine fires, which the manual says you can recognize by a puff sound, then disengage the choke and pull again until it starts. Pull the handle slowly with your right hand until you feel resistance and then quickly and with force, keep your right foot in the footgrip of the rear handle, and never twist the rope around your hand. The manual also warns not to pull the rope to full extension or let go of the handle, because that can damage the saw.
455 and 460 Rancher ratings, capacities and the reason to test the brake every time
The technical data lists the 455 at 3.38 cu in (55.5 cm³) and the 460 at 3.68 cu in (60.3 cm³), both idling at 2,700 RPM. Their ISO power figures are 2.6 kW (3.5 hp) and 2.7 kW (3.7 hp) at 9,000 RPM. Both weigh 13.2 lb (6.0 kg), carry 0.93 US pint (0.44 L) of fuel and 0.68 pint (0.32 L) of chain oil with an automatic pump, and use a seven-tooth spur sprocket, with the spark plug gap at 0.020 inch (0.5 mm).
The Rancher manual repeats Husqvarna's warning that the chain brake protects you only if it works, and asks for the brake test before each use. It adds that pushing the front hand guard forward takes real force, and that a low kickback chain and a smaller bar nose radius reduce the force of a kickback but never remove it.
Bars, chains, files and starter service for the 455 and 460 Rancher
The Rancher's accessories page in the manual lists 3/8 inch pitch bars of 15, 16, 18, 20 and 24 inches with an 11T maximum nose radius, in two gauges. In 0.050 inch (1.3 mm) gauge the chains are Husqvarna H80, H46, H47, C83 and S83G, and in 0.058 inch (1.5 mm) gauge they are H81, H42, H48, C85 and S85.
Drive link counts run 56 for 15 inches, 60 for 16, 68 for 18, 72 for 20 and 84 for 24. For sharpening it lists a 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) round file, with 25° filing and 55° cutting angles for the H-series chains and 30° and 60° for the C and S chains, and a depth gauge setting of 0.025 inch (0.65 mm).
The manual also covers starter service. To replace the rope you pull out about 30 cm (12 inches) and hold it in the notch on the pulley, release the recoil spring slowly, then fit a new rope wound about three turns round the pulley and tie a tight knot. To tighten the recoil spring, put the rope in the notch and turn the pulley about two turns clockwise, then pull the rope out fully, hold the pulley with your thumb, release and check that the pulley can still turn half a turn when the rope is fully extended.
It says the spring is under tension, so wear protective glasses and gloves.
Stepping up from a 435 or 440 to a 455 or 460 Rancher
The Rancher is a step up in every number the manuals list. Displacement moves from 40.9 cm³ to 55.5 cm³ (455) and 60.3 cm³ (460), power from 1.6 and 1.8 kW to 2.6 and 2.7 kW, weight from 9.7 lb (4.4 kg) to 13.2 lb (6.0 kg), and the chain from 0.325 inch pitch to 3/8 inch with an 11T nose. Fuel capacity rises to 0.93 US pint and chain oil to 0.68 pint.
The starting routine changes too. The Rancher adds the decompression valve, which you push before pulling the rope, and its idle speed is 2,700 RPM against 2,900 for the smaller saws. The 455 and 460 share a body and a manual and differ only by displacement, so the choice between them is 4.8 cm³ and 0.1 kW, not a different machine.
Both take the same 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) file, and the same chain list, from 15 to 24 inch bars.
Rancher spark plug fouling: the three things Husqvarna says to check first
If a Rancher is hard to start or runs poorly at idle, the manual's first instruction is to examine the spark plug for unwanted material. To reduce the chance of deposits on the electrodes it lists three checks: make sure the idle speed is correctly adjusted, make sure the fuel mixture is correct, and make sure the air filter is clean. Then clean the plug if it is dirty and confirm the electrode gap is 0.020 inch (0.5 mm), using only the recommended NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y, because an incorrect plug can damage the piston and cylinder.
Husqvarna also notes that the air filter type can vary with work conditions, weather or season, and to speak to a servicing dealer about the right one. After cleaning, attach the filter and make sure it seals tightly against the holder.
Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher chainsaws: questions
What fuel mix does a Husqvarna 455 Rancher use?
Husqvarna specifies a 2 percent, or 50:1, mix of gasoline and two-stroke oil. Its table gives 2 1/2 US fluid ounces of oil per gallon, 6 1/2 per 2 1/2 gallons, and 12 7/8 per 5 gallons. In metric it is 0.10 liter per 5 liters of gasoline.
What oil do I mix with the fuel in a Husqvarna 455?
Husqvarna two-stroke oil, or if it is not available, a good-quality two-stroke oil made for air-cooled engines. The manual says not to use two-stroke oil for water-cooled outboard engines, and not to use oil for four-stroke engines. Ask your dealer if you are unsure.
What spark plug does a Husqvarna 455 Rancher use?
The manual lists the NGK BPMR 7A or the Champion RCJ 7Y for both the 455 and 460. The electrode gap is 0.020 inch, which is 0.5 millimeter. The manual’s spark plug check is a monthly item on the maintenance schedule.
How big are the tanks on a Husqvarna 455?
The fuel tank holds 0.93 US pint, or 0.44 liter, and the chain oil tank holds 0.68 US pint, or 0.32 liter. The chain oil is fed by an automatic oil pump. Husqvarna says to drain and clean both tanks regularly, since contamination causes malfunction.
How do I adjust the chain oil on a Husqvarna 455?
Turn the adjustment screw on the oil pump with a screwdriver or combination wrench. Clockwise decreases the flow, and counterclockwise increases it. The recommended settings are position 1 for a 13 to 15 inch bar, position 2 for 16 to 18 inches, and position 3 for 20 to 24 inches.
How often should I replace the fuel filter on a Husqvarna 455?
The manual says to replace the fuel filter yearly, or more frequently if necessary, and to check the filter and fuel hose monthly. It also says to drain and clean the fuel tank and the chain oil tank regularly. A clogged filter causes the saw to bog or stall.
What is on the weekly maintenance list for a Husqvarna 455?
Clean the cooling system and between the cylinder fins, check the starter and rope, lubricate the needle bearing, and deburr the guide bar. It also lists cleaning or replacing the spark arrestor mesh and the air filter, and cleaning the carburetor area. Do these more often in dusty work.
What is the difference between the Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher?
The 455 is 55.5 cubic centimeters and 3.5 horsepower, and the 460 is 60.3 cubic centimeters and 3.7 horsepower. Both idle at 2,700 RPM and weigh 13.2 pounds without bar and chain. They share the plug, the tank sizes and the 50:1 mix.
How does AirInjection clean incoming air on the Husqvarna 455 chainsaw?
The manual describes AirInjection as a centrifugal air cleaning system. It removes dust and dirt before the particles reach the air filter, which extends the life of the filter and the engine. It does not remove the need to clean the filter regularly, and to replace a defective one.
Do I need to empty the tanks on a Husqvarna 455?
The monthly list says to empty the fuel tank and the oil tank, and drain and clean them regularly. For storage, empty the fuel and run the carburetor dry, since mixed fuel ages. The manual warns that even a small error in mixing a small quantity changes the ratio a great deal.
How do I check the chain brake on a Husqvarna 455?
The daily list includes cleaning and checking the chain brake, the front hand guard, and the chain catcher, and the monthly list includes the brake band. Turn to the manual’s brake test, since a brake that does not stop the chain is a reason not to run the saw.
How often should I turn the guide bar on a Husqvarna 455?
Daily. The manual says to turn the guide bar daily to extend its life, and to check the groove for wear and the tip sprocket for a blocked lubrication hole. Deburr the edges of the bar weekly, and replace a bar with a rough or badly worn tip.
What is the Husqvarna 455 Rancher tune-up kit part number?
Husqvarna 599333701 is the tune-up kit for the 455 Rancher, 455 e-series, 460 Rancher and 461. It holds a fuel filter, an air filter and a spark plug. The air filter alone is 537255703, and the plug is an NGK BPMR 7A or Champion RCJ 7Y.