Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw Review

Pro Quality Meets All-Rounder Versatility in the Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw

The Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw sits near the top of the company’s mid-length saws for landowners category, just below the Rancher series (there is also a 450 Rancher model). I had some trail clearing to do, so I brought the 450 along for job.

Pros

• Fuel-efficient X-Torq engine
• Excellent power for this class
• Very low vibration
• Inertia-activated chain brake
• Air-injected cleaning system removes dust and debris before reaching the filter

Cons

• No major downsides

X-Torq Engine

The Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw’s 50cc X-Torq engine, designed for fuel efficiency and low emissions, produces 3.2 horsepower. Idling speed is 2,700 RPM and maximum power speed is 9,000 RPM. If you want to look at the next level up, Husqvarna’s 545 professional chainsaw sports a 50cc, 3.35 horsepower engine with an RPM range of 2,800 – 9,600.

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Air Injection

A centrifugal air system removes dust and debris before it reaches the air filter. When it is time to clean and replace the filter, there’s a convenient quick release on the cover.

Low Vibrations

I’m not sure equivalent vibration level measures are much use but, in any event, the front handle’s vibration is 3.1 m/s2 and the rear is 4.9m/s2. That’s certainly very low, but the proof is out in the woods!

There’s nothing out of the ordinary in terms of ergonomics. Everything is really where you expect it to be. The handle is comfortable with a little bit of rubber over mold on the right-hand side but it’s mostly plastic. I’ve seen several cordless chainsaw manufacturers increase the overmold on the handles, but the Pro-level gas chainsaw manufacturers seem to buck that trend since most people will wear gloves while working.

Chain Brake

There’s no substitute for careful operation, of course, but the Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw’s iner-activated chain brake is a big safety bonus. The nature of chainsawing means there’s a good chance you’re far from help and possibly working alone.

Additional Features

• Felling marks
• Air purge for easy starting
• Combined choke/stop
• Snap-lock cylinder cover
• Three-piece crankshaft
• Visible fuel level

Performance

Setting the Bar High

Venturing out into our family’s wooded, 50-acre property in Georgia, I put the Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw through its paces. The property’s horse trails were littered with several birch, pine, and other trees that had been downed by storms.

The saw comes standard with an 18-inch Pixel 0.325 laminated bar and accepts a bar range of 13 to 20 inches. The bar is equipped with an H30 Pixel 0.325-inch chain. Start-up is easy on the first or second pull and I quickly got to the task at hand.

For starters, I cut up a 30-foot tall birch and 50-foot pine tree into 18-inch logs to get an idea of the power and fuel efficiency. The pine was nearly 2-feet in diameter at the base, so I had to make the cuts from a couple sides.

The chainsaw packs a lot of power and is very effective, having no problem with these cuts.

For good measure, I tested the chainsaw’s splitting-motion capability as I cut straight down through the heartwood of a 4-foot tall, 16-inch diameter pine stump.

The Husqvarna rose to the challenge with a smooth, low-vibration feel. Throughout the cuts, I noticed that the saw’s auxiliary handle makes it perfectly balanced. It’s as easy to cut upward into wood as it is down.

Couple that with the metal bucking spikes that bite firmly into a branch or log, and it’s clear these are professional-level ergonomics.

X Marks The Spot

The X-Torq engine undoubtedly gives the saw an efficiency boost. I fully cut up that birch and pine along with some lighter work on the fuel tank’s 0.95-pint capacity and then let the saw idle for a quite a while before it cut out. I’ll add impressive fuel efficiency to the Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw’s other strengths.

As you’re moving from tree to tree, there’s a semi-transparent window to let you see how much fuel you have left.

The right-hand side of the saw is conveniently flat for laying the saw on it to fill both the oil and fuel. The flip-top caps are easy to use with both gloved and bare hands.

You can access the chain for tensioning with a single bolt on the right side of the chainsaw. Like most gas chainsaws, the scrench doesn’t have a place onboard. Just make sure you keep that in your truck, bag, or box before you head out.

Price

The Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw will set you back around $399. Stihl is Husqvarna’s closest competitor, and their comparable MS 271 Farm Boss is a bit higher at $410. The $429 Makita DCS5121REG runs a higher RPM but has a similar power plant. If you like the idea of a bit more power in the bar size, Husqvarna’s 545 runs right at $500.

The Bottom Line

The 450’s power, ergonomics, and price make it hard for anyone needing a mid-length saw to pass up. There are a ton of gas-powered chainsaw options, but this represents one of the better values for power and quality as you reach into the Pro market.

Husqvarna 450 Chainsaw Review Specifications