For a while now, the Husqvarna and Stihl brands have been dominating the chainsaw market. They both deliver a wide selection of individual models that cover a variety of different uses.
If you’re a logger or a homeowner looking for either a more powerful chainsaw for commercial purposes or a portable chainsaw for cutting through the wood in your garden, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher and Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss are perfect options for you.
These two models are the most popular chainsaws in the woodworking industry. The Husqvarna 460 Rancher provides faster cutting while Stihl Farm Boss delivers more torque. In this informative guide, I’m going to walk you through the similarities and differences between these two most popular chainsaws out on the market today. Let’s roll!
Table of Contents
Overview of Husqvarna 460 Rancher
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Husqvarna is a Swedish manufacturing company with the main focus on chainsaw products. This brand is known worldwide for its high-quality chainsaws and construction equipment with innovative technology, user-friendly design, and unmatched performance. If you’ve wanted to buy from a brand you could trust, Husqvarna is your number one choice! The 460 Rancher is one of the most popular models from the company.
And it has been used in most parts of the world, especially in North America by loggers, woodworkers, and homeowners. This model is a gasoline-powered chainsaw with a 60.3cc engine which makes it robust enough to handle any cutting projects without any issues. It has a powerful motor power output of 3.62HP and a power speed of up to 9,000 revolutions per minute.
The 460 Rancher boasts a convenient fuel tank with a capacity of 14.88 ounces. If your chainsaw has a big gas tank like this, you don’t have to worry about refueling it after a long session. Besides, the Smart Start feature with the choke/stop control helps you start the machine with no hassle, even if you’re a first-timer. This model weighs 12.79 pounds, so it is still considered to be lightweight and easy to maneuver on the job site.
A lot of professional woodworkers and loggers have recommended this chainsaw for its high reputation. By the way, it features a built-in X-Torq technology which helps to reduce emissions and minimizes fuel consumption. With this, you won’t breathe bad fumes when you’re operating the machine.
Furthermore, the 460 Rancher features the LowVib technology which helps to lessen the vibration level for ease of use and comfort even after long sessions on the job site. When the vibration is reduced, you’ll enjoy steady hands which help you make straight and accurate cuts without worrying about arm and hand strain or fatigue.
Concerning its durability, this model is built to be durable and sturdy. It has a good build quality which makes it solid enough to withstand tough use. Also, the manufacturer built this chainsaw with your protection in mind. An inertia-activated chain brake is equipped in the machine to help halt the blade during a chainsaw kickback without releasing the trigger. This means that the saw is suitable for professionals and beginners.
When it comes to maintenance, the 460 Rancher requires periodic cleaning. Though it comes with an integrated air injecting system that keeps dust and dirt away, it is still less effective when compared to the MS 271. You need to check the filter periodically to clean out the residuals.
Pros
- It is a powerful saw for all-round cutting jobs
- Comes with X-Torq technology known for less fuel consumption and reduced emissions
- Delivers a quick-release starter
- Built to be durable and sturdy
- The two-cycle engine helps to ensure maximum safety
- Equipped with an inertia-activated chain brake that halts the blade during a chainsaw kickback
- LowVib technology helps to lessen the vibration level for ease of use and comfort
- Great build quality
- Reliable and trusted manufacturer
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver on the job site
- It is an efficient chainsaw with a big gas tank
Cons
- Quite expensive with attractive features
Read More: Husqvarna 460 Rancher Review: A Chainsaw Designed for Flawless Cut
Overview of Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss
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Stihl is a German manufacturing company that specializes in providing some of the most popular construction equipment and woodworking gears. They were the first manufacturer of handheld electric-corded chainsaws. Their chainsaws have maintained a reputation for reliability, high quality, efficiency, and high durability.
And the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is no different! This chainsaw is quite powerful and easy to use. It is designed with a 3.5HP and displacement of 50.2cc, making it robust enough to handle all your cutting projects and farm-related works. The chainsaw runs efficiently, thanks to the unique, pre-separation air filtration system. It helps the machine to deliver a staggering 20% more run times between refueling.
This makes the machine much more efficient than most of the chainsaws on the market with the saw price range. Besides, it comes with a compact, lightweight design to deliver the most ergonomic look and offer the highest productivity. I love that it is built to last long. Its body construction is blended with a smooth casing which makes it quite durable. You’ll be able to adjust the chain tension with a bar trench easily, thanks to the side-access chain tensioner.
There’s an anti-vibration system that reduces the vibration level of this machine to reduce arm or hand discomfort and provides a comfortable user experience. The Stihl MS 271 is quite efficient and it is also designed to be user-friendly. It is mostly suited for cutting small trees, clearing fallen wood, and removing branches. It can cut through any type of tree with up to 20-inches of thickness.
The rear hand part of the model is wide and the handle is really comfortable to hold. This chainsaw almost requires no special maintenance during its lifespan. It has a built-in presentation filtering process which helps to reduce the dirt and dust capturing. Therefore, the saw will have a flawless, dependable continuity in functionality. The MS 271 has a big fuel tank with a capacity of 16.90 ounces. Also, the oil holding capacity is 8.12 ounces. Users will find this very useful in long sessions.
Pros
- Reliable German manufacturer
- Powerful motor with robust engine size
- Delivers high-quality precision
- More affordable than Husqvarna 460
- Sturdy construction
- Built-in presentation filtering process which helps to reduce the dirt and dust capturing
- Mostly suited for cutting small trees, clearing fallen wood, and removing branches.
- Side-access chain tensioner makes it easy to adjust the chain tension with a bar trench
- Comes with an orange base with its cutting blade
- Anti-vibration system reduces the vibration level of this machine to reduce arm or hand discomfort
- Delivers a staggering 20% more run times between refueling
Cons
- Counterintuitive cut-off switch
Similarities of Husqvarna 460 Rancher and Stihl Farm Boss
Let’s check out the similar features of the two most popular chainsaws on the market.
- They both have lower vibration for easy and comfortable operation. The Husqvarna 460 comes with a low in technology to reduce the vibration level, while the Stihl MS 271 is equipped with an anti-vibration system for vibration reduction.
- The two chainsaws have a chain brake for the user’s maximum safety. With this, the user can be sure that the chain brake will halt the blade during a kickback occurrence.
- Both are mostly suited for felling small trees, clearing fallen wood, and removing branches.
- They both release fewer emissions and consume less fuel. You’ll breathe less harmful fumes during operation.
Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl Farm Boss – Comparison Chart
Is Husqvarna better than Stihl?
Most frequently asked question regarding chainsaw. No doubt, the most popular chainsaws brands out on the market are Husqvarna and Stihl.
To have a deep understanding of the two chainsaws, I’ve composed a detailed comparison chart that includes the unique features of each model. Let’s take a look at the comparison chart between Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl farm boss.
| Feature | Husqvarna 460 Rancher | Stihl Farm Boss | My choice |
| Brand | Husqvarna, a Swedish brand, is familiar with manufacturing power items for outdoor needs. It was founded in 1689. | On the other hand, stihl, a German brand, is known for manufacturing chains & guide bars. It was founded in 1926. | My choice is stihl because the German brand speaks to the quality design and performance. |
| Power | Husqvarna 460 comes with a bit higher engine power. It delivers 3.62 HP which makes it ideal for sensitive and professional tasks. Also, it ensures a stronger and more precise cut. | The engine power of stihl is 3.62 HP, which is perfect for occasional and domestic uses. Also, it ensures a good cut for a light job. | I will choose Husqvarna for industrial jobs. But when it comes to a light job, we prefer stihl. |
| Fuel Tank | Husqvarna 460 comes with a compatible fuel tank. Its capacity is around 14.88 ounces. | The average fuel tank capacity of Stihl 271 is 8.12 ounces. | I prefer Husqvarna 460 for a large cutting job because it can hold enough oil in its tank than the Stihl. |
| Durability | Husqvarna rancher is highly durable and long-lasting. | German manufactured Stihl lasts over the years if well maintained. | Husqvarna 460 is our favorite due to its high durability. |
| Appearance | The Husqvarna 460 measures a standard 29” x 11” x 13” size in dimension. | The Stihl MS 271 measures a standard 19 x 11 x 13 inches size in dimension. | The blade length is slightly larger with Husqvarna. So, it will allow you to cut thicker, longer wood-piece easily. |
| Cuts | This model features a longer blade with higher engine power. So, it will help you handle any professional task that requires quick, smooth, and accurate cuts. | The precision of the MS 271 is good enough, especially for light cutting works. But it falls short of precision with the cuts when compared with 460 Rancher. | I prefer the 460 Rancher because it delivers more accurate and smooth cuts for professional tasks. |
| Weight | This model weighs 12.79 pounds which is still lightweight. | MS 271 is lighter in weight with only 12.3 pounds. | I choose the MS 271 because it is lightweight and easy to maneuver on the job site. |
| Cutting Features | Felling marks | None | The 460 Rancher is equipped with felling marks to help you predict the falling direction of trees during the felling of trees. |
| Affordability | This model is reasonably cost-effective. | The Stihl MS 271 is a more affordable and budget-friendly option. | I prefer the MS 271 because it is more affordable. |
Final Words
We’ve come to the end of this informative guide. As you can see, the two chainsaws are manufactured by reliable companies in the woodworking industry. If you’re a professional logger or a woodworker, you should go for the 460 Rancher. The MS 271, on the other hand, is most suitable for homeowners. We hope you were able to find good and reliable resources in your quest to know which is better between Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl Farm Boss. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks!
