Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: 3000 FPS on August 20, 2015, 11:07:21 pm

Title: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 20, 2015, 11:07:21 pm
I had my 455 out today cutting down more pine for fire wood.   I noticed as the day went on the chain kept moving even when the saw was at idle.   Now I have not abused this saw and I have not put it through anything that my other saws have been through.   I have also noticed at work a lot of the 455's and 460's have had this same problem.   I believe that the clutch springs are a weak point with these saws.   I have new springs on order and have replaced them before on saws at work so no big deal there.   Any one else seen this or have an opinion.
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: old guy on August 21, 2015, 09:08:47 am
Sometimes the clutch drum will get enough sludge inside that it will slightly engage, just something to check.

    John
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: aclarke on August 21, 2015, 09:26:28 am
Other brands have this issue as well, i have a two ms440's that do the same thing even with new clutch assemblies and idle backed way down.
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 21, 2015, 10:18:04 am
The springs on the 455 rancher are the large flat spring instead of a coil type spring.   I just wander if the flat spring absorbs more heat and weakens the spring. 

When I was cutting yesterday and the saw was at idle the chain caught my jeans and cut them.   That burned me up.
Lucky I did not throw the saw as far as I could.   
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 21, 2015, 11:25:24 am
I was thinking that if this becomes a persistent problem I might try and find a different clutch that will fit.   
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: aclarke on August 21, 2015, 01:35:19 pm
Spring temper may be failing from the repeated heating, cooling cycles. Be interesting to see if the new spring cure the issue. Could the I.D of the clutch drum be opened up slightly to raise the engagement rpm a bit?
 
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 25, 2015, 10:49:30 pm
Well I got the new clutch springs in and got them installed.   When I started the saw I still had alittle bit of chain movement but much better than it was.   So I took the clutch off and put it on my disc sander.   That not only reduces the size of the clutch but also reduces the weight a little.   After some trial and error I finally got the chain to stop moving when at idle.
The old springs were discolored so they must have been over heated at one time.  Something I will have to watch out for in the future.
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: aclarke on August 26, 2015, 12:05:05 am
Good deal, glad you sorted it out!
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 26, 2015, 10:43:43 am
Thanks Adam
Title: Re: 455 Rancher clutch springs
Post by: 3000 FPS on August 26, 2015, 12:58:23 pm
Well I took out the 455 and bucked up some firewood this morning.  The clutch is working like a champ.  I am so glad I do not have to worry about that chain moving at idle.  Very dangerous as far as I am concerned.

I bought a Poulan one time off eBay and when I received it someone had welded the clutch to the sprocket.   I was shocked that someone would use it that way.