Stihl MS271 or Husqvarna 455 Rancher? Which saw is the best chainsaw for a homeowner like you? We’ll go over the pros and cons of each to help guide your decision.  

Both of these saws will help you with a variety of tasks from storm cleanup to felling to firewood cutting to even carving up a masterpiece, (or just a wooden bench) for your yard.

Before you dive in. If you’re looking for a commercial grade chainsaw, check out our review of the Husqvarna 562 XP vs Stihl 261 CM here.

If you’re a homeowner then you’re in the right place! At Carl’s Mower & Saw we carry the full line of Stihl and Husqvarna and we continually receive rave reviews from our customers about both brands. 

So, let’s cut in to see which chainsaw is best for you!

Stihl MS271 Review

Stihl is the number one selling chainsaw in the US一and for good reason! Stihl chainsaws are known for their longevity, power and fuel efficiency. When you read over the specs of the Stihl MS271’s unique features, you can see why it’s one of our top two recommended chainsaws for homeowners.

The Specs

  • Displacement: 3.06 Cu. In.
  • Engine Power: 3.49 Bhp
  • Powerhead Weight: 12.35 lbs 
  • Fuel Capacity: 16.9 Oz.
  • Chain Oil Capacity: 8.12 Oz.
  • Guide Bar Lengths: 16″ To 20″ in the PNW it is almost exclusively sold with a 20” bar & chain

The Pros

  • Fuel Efficient. You get bang for your buck with this chainsaw. Unlike other makes on the market, the Stihl MS271 is easy on the wallet when it comes to fuel consumption.
  • Side-Access Chain Tensioner. Stihl uses 17 mm bar nuts making it easy to adjust the chain. Just use a bar wrench.
  • Easy to Replace the Chain. The brake and clutch are in the body of the saw so when you take off the cover the sprocket is right there, easy access, to replace the chain.
  • Pre-Separation Air Filtration System. Rather than letting particulate matter and dirt clog the air filter, most of it is filtered by the advanced centrifugal force separator. In other words, large particles are separated out before reaching the air filter! This system helps extend the life of your air filter.
  • Anti-Vibration System. Your arms will greatly appreciate the way you can handle this chainsaw with ease thanks to its anti-vibration system. This makes your job easier for longer projects and when making hard-to-reach cuts.

The Cons

  • Flip-Top Fuel Cap. We get complaints about this flip-top cap being plastic and hard to use. We also hear that it leaks which likely is caused by a dirty O ring. (So make sure you keep your equipment clean)
  • Comes with a .325 Chain. This chain is better for hardwoods; in the PNW we have softer woods making Husqvarna’s 3/8 chain a better option. 

 

Husqvarna 455 Rancher Review

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is yet another industry leader and could also be considered the best chainsaw for homeowners. There’s lots to love about this chainsaw: It’s versatile and powerful. One cool thing about this saw is that it uses Smart Start® technology.

The Specs 

  • Power Output: 3.5 hp
  • Cylinder Displacement: 55.5 cm³
  • Maximum Power Speed: 9,000 rpm
  • Max Engine/Motor RPM: 13,300 rpm
  • Powerhead Weight: 13.2 lbs
  • Fuel Capacity: 14.4 oz

The Pros

  • 3/8 Chain. This chain is better for softer woods in the PNW.
  • X-Torq® Engine. This engine is unlike any you’ve experienced before! Get power while keeping fuel costs down. Whether you use this chainsaw once in a while, or more frequently, you’ll notice you save in fuel costs thanks to the advanced engine.
  • Adjustable oiler. Gives you the ability to turn the oil down especially if you’re using a 16 inch bar. Stihl has a set oiler.
  • Smart Start® Recoil Systems. Starting this bad boy up is fast and easy thanks to the Smart Start® Recoil Systems and its compression release. It takes about 2 to 3 pulls after priming to get it started.
  • Centrifuge Particle Separator. To extend the life of this machine and cut down on emissions, large particles and dirt are separated from the air filter.

The Cons

  • Chain Replacement. It can be harder to replace the chain because it’s behind the clutch so you have to “fit” the chain behind the clutch. It is also harder to line up the chain adjuster pin with the bar.
  • Brake is On the Outside. This causes frustration for homeowners, especially if the brake is engaged when trying to take off the cover to replace the chain.

And the Best Chainsaw for Homeowners Is…

We believe you can’t go wrong either way, it’s going to come down to what feels right for you and which brand is available at your dealership. We alway recommend purchasing your power equipment from a dealership because they’ll help you put your equipment together, they’re there to help you troubleshoot issues, file warranties and help maintain the life of your power equipment. At Carl’s Mower, we specialize in both Stihl & Husqvarna power equipment. If you still need to do more research to decide which saw is better, watch Josh go through an in depth comparison of the Stihl MS 217 and Husqvarna 455 in this video and then stop in and put them both in your hands.

Our YouTube channel is full of great content to help you operate and maintain your power equipment so check out all of our videos on mowers, blowers, trimmer and more! 

Carl’s Mower and Saw has been powering the outdoors since 1990. We specialize in equipment sales, service, rentals and parts. When it comes to outdoor power equipment we’ll get you what you need so you can power on!  Have questions? Give us a call at 360-384-0799, or email us at info@carlsmower.com.