How I Change the Chain on My Husqvarna 450 Rancher

It was a Saturday morning last fall. A storm had blown down a big oak limb in my yard. I grabbed my saw to cut it up. The air was cold, and I was ready to work.

I started my Husqvarna 450 Rancher. I revved it up and touched the wood. But nothing happened. I didn’t see big wood chips. I only saw fine dust. The saw felt hot and slow.

My chain was dull. I knew I had to swap it out.

I used to be nervous about changing a chainsaw chain. I didn’t want to break anything. But once I learned the steps, it was easy. Here is exactly how I did it.

The Tools I Used

I didn’t need a big tool set. I only needed two things:

• The Scrench: This is the T-shaped tool that came with the saw. It is a wrench and a screwdriver in one.
• Work Gloves: Chains are sharp. I always protect my hands.

Step 1: The Safety Check

I turned the saw off. I let it cool down for a few minutes.

Then, I checked the chain brake. This is the most important step.

I looked at the black hand guard in front of the top handle. I pulled it back toward me. It made a loud click. This unlocks the brake.

My Tip: If you leave the brake on, the cover is very hard to get back on later. Always unlock it first!

Step 2: Taking Off the Old Chain

I used the wrench end of my tool. I loosened the two nuts on the side of the saw. I did not take them off yet.

I had to loosen the chain first. I found the tension screw. It is right between the two nuts. I used the screwdriver end to turn it to the left.

I watched the chain get loose. It hung down below the bar.

Now, I took the nuts off with my fingers. I pulled the orange cover off. I slid the bar back and took the old chain off.

Step 3: Putting on the New Chain

I took the fresh chain out of the box. It was a bit tangled. I carefully pulled it straight.

I looked at the bar. I had to make sure the chain faced the right way.

The sharp cutting teeth must face forward. They point away from the engine. They point toward the nose of the bar.

I looped the chain over the gear behind the clutch. Then, I fit the chain links into the groove on the bar.

Step 4: Lining It Up

I put the orange cover back on. This part can be tricky.

There is a small metal pin inside the cover. It moves when you turn the tension screw. This pin must fit into a small hole on the bar.

Mine did not line up at first. I had to turn the screw a little bit. Finally, the pin slid into the hole. The cover sat flat. I put the nuts on, but I kept them loose.

Step 5: getting the Tension Right

This is the key to a good cut.

1. Lift the Nose: I used one hand to hold the tip of the bar up. Gravity pulls it down, so you must lift it.
2. Turn the Screw: I turned the screw to the right. I watched the chain rise.
3. Check the Fit: I tightened it until the chain touched the bottom of the bar.

I pulled the chain with my hand. It moved freely. It was snug, but not too tight.

I held the nose up high. Then, I used my wrench to tighten the nuts down hard.

My Quick Checklist

I keep this list in my head. It helps me remember the steps.

Step	What I Do	Why It Matters
1. Brake	Pull the guard back.	The cover won’t fit if the brake is on.
2. Direction	Sharp teeth face forward.	The saw won’t cut if it is backward.
3. Tension	Lift the bar tip up.	This keeps the chain tight while you cut.
4. Check	Pull the chain by hand.	It should move freely but not hang down.

Back to Work

I gave the pull cord a yank. The saw started right up.

I went back to the oak log. This time, the saw pulled itself into the wood. Big chips flew into the grass. The saw cut fast and straight.

If your Husqvarna 450 Rancher feels slow, check your chain. A new one makes the work fun again.

FAQs – How I Change the Chain on My Husqvarna 450 Rancher