If you’re into chainsawing, you must have once heard of Stihl Ms 271 vs Husqvarna 450. They are among the best mid-range products in the industry because of their top-notch performance. Yet, do you know how they differ and which one is actually the better option?
If the answer is No, today’s post is for you.
2 Similarities Of Stihl Ms 271 And Husqvarna 450
1. Price & Design
Both products are at a comparable price, with nearly similar outside construction and accessory specifications. For example, they could both work with 20″ bars. However, an 18″ bar is preferable for the MS 271, owing to better compatibility with the fuel-saving motor.
Below is a comparison table regarding their specs and design:
| Stihl Ms 271 | Husqvarna 450 | |
| Motor | 50.2 cc | 50.2 cc |
| Bar Length | 50 – 38 | 51 – 32 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 0.01 gal | 0.01 gal |
| Blade Length | 19.69 inches | 15.75 inches |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs | 12.35 lbs |
| Color | Black, Orange | Black, Orange |
2. Standard Fuel Mix Ratio
Another similarity between these two is their standard fuel mix ratio. Indeed, both call for a 50:1 petrol-to-oil proportion to function. If we must point the slight difference, the Stihl Ms 271 has a distinct container for pre-mixing oil, whereas the Rancher must be broken in traditionally.
Differences Stihl Ms 271 Vs Husqvarna 450
1. Weight
Stihl surpasses its rival easily with their featherweight device in this match, owing to their reduced bars and plastic chassis.
On the other hand, Husqvarna’s items are frequently built for intensive falling, delimbing, and slashing using larger motors and longer bars, stopping them from being the lightest items.
However, as mentioned above, if both saws accommodate a 20″ bar, it’s a tie. However, if you select a 16″ to 18″ bar for light-duty tree trimming or quick cleaning, the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss stands out a bit more.
2. Emission Level
According to the specs, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher is highly eco-friendly, thanks to the incorporation of Husqvarna’s most recent CARB compliance technologies.
Notably, it is powered by a 50.2cc X-TORQ motor, which decreases fuel emissions by 60% and usage by 30%, thereby reducing your fuel expense.
On the other hand, Stihl does not fall behind, operating their MS 271 Farm Boss on an integrated compact and lugging-efficient 2-MIX motor. Thus, when you turn the machine on, you’ll receive EPA-compliant consumed 2-stroke gasoline with 50% reduced emissions.
However, Husqvarna’s 2-stroke engine is better in small gearboxes of chainsaws because of its low-end power, lighter weight, higher ease of use, and more replacement choices.
Thus, Husqvarna 450 Rancher wins this round in a close match.
3. Maneuverability
Like the Husqvarna 450 Rancher, any ergonomic device provides a pleasant handle and is extremely easy to use.
This user-friendly device relies on the revolutionary innovation Low Vib anti-vibration concept, which reduces jitter and strain on your upper arms and wrists, having a 3.1 m/s2 vibrated frontal grip and 4.9 m/s2 vibrated back.
Likewise, the Stihl Farm Boss includes an anti-vibration technology that allows you to handle an entire spot of white oaks outside your house for an extended period without experiencing significant physical weariness.
Husqvarna developed a comfortable indwelling asymmetrical side grip for their 450 Rancher, adhering to the same ergonomics maximizing concept. Similarly, the MS 271 has risk-abated frontal and starting grips that are pleasantly designed for comfortable holding.
However, according to real-world evaluations and users’ comments, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher wins in terms of minimal vibration.
4. Targeted Use Purposes
While the MS 271 Farm Box is marketed as an excellent farmland and ranch product, Stihl’s 2-stroke engine technology has demonstrated its willingness to enter the lumberjack business.
Surprisingly, even though the 450 Rancher’s 2-stroke low-end power is better suited to intensive pruning and trimming, Husqvarna released it to capture the hearts of light-duty households.
Furthermore, due to a 0.68-oz bigger oil storage space, Rancher received praise for quicker refueling intervals and improved self-lubrication – all of which are critical for a seamless wood run-through.
Thus, if you do a lot of heavy-duty log sawing, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher will undoubtedly satisfy your demands.
Otherwise, if you’re searching for a multi-functional mid-range household product to put into your armament collection for quick tree trimming or tree branch pruning, the Stihl 271 Farm Boss is the way to go.
5. Safety Level
Stihl appears to have put a lot of effort into risk-aversion characteristics for their MS 271, such as bumper surges to prevent pull-in and a Quickstop chain brake mechanism to prevent the machine from thrusting back.
It also comes with a throttle alert lockdown to activate the Master Control handle managing the product’s standby condition and a frontal handguard.
On the other hand, with a lack of fundamental safety elements such as crankshafts and throttle triggers, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher clearly falls short in this game.
Thus, the ultimate winner is the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss.
6. Ease Of Use
Although the Stihl Ms 271 has many safety features, aside from the handguard, almost all require step-by-step implementation before and after launching.
Due to such complicated steps, which you must do at the beginning of the process (even before using the device to prune), making this chainsaw’s usage is a real hassle.
Now, how much easier are the safety operations on the 450 Rancher’s side?
Sadly, it is an identical scenario. However, you could perhaps save a little effort using an integrated Smart Start feature that focuses on RPM reduction for proper combustion and an incorporate automated return stopping button that immediately restores to ON status after the throttle gets ignited.
Although these two products aren’t clearly different regarding ease of use, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher seems to be a bit better.
7. Ease Of Cleaning
The 450 Rancher is equipped with rotational airflow cleaning technology and a quick-release filtration mechanism to perform fewer periodical maintenance tasks and improve the motor’s life.
This innovation, in short, creates a significant dirt and waste particles barrier, freeing you from most of the cleanup duties.
The MS 271, on the other hand, has no specialized air filtration mechanism other than a stain-abrasion spark-stopping filter next to the exhaust.
Thus, if you ask us who is the winner of this match, it’s undoubtedly the Husqvarna 450 Rancher.
8. Engine Strength
When it comes to power-to-weight proportion, focused only on dry mass, the Stihl MS 271 appears to outweigh the Husqvarna 450 Rancher by 0.0005 HP/lb.
In terms of blade quality, the 450 Rancher has a 20″ Swedish welded 10% strengthened X-CUT cutting blade with a 325″ pitch to create smooth and precise log slices.
With a 50.2 cc fuel system and a top speed of 9000 RPM, you could shove up a 4″ oak without fear of extensive chipping or regular recharging.
Aside from being coupled with a 7-tooth spur gear setting, the identical 325″, 7/16 pitch system is also included in the MS 271 Farm Boss.
Thanks to this, owners have allegedly responded positively with the Stihl equipment’s ability to run fuel-efficiently over a vast scope of mid-range bars at lower RPMs.
This is where things get hard between these 2 products. Yet, we decided to give the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss an upvote this time, making it the round’s winner.
This is because while the Husqvarna 450 Rancher is better regarding cutting power from its better cutting system, its fuel consumption is significantly more, and the product must be used at higher RPMs than its Stihl rival.
Stihl Ms 271 Vs Husqvarna 450: Which one is better?
In fact, we have no specific answer. This is because each item has its own pros and cons set that could be useful in different cases.
The Husqvarna 450 is a top-of-the-line mid-range industrial-grade log slashing and cutting chainsaw for householders. It prioritizes user-friendly elements, including an optimized silencer, a fast discharge air purifier, and SmartStart innovation.
And that’s not the end. To improve user happiness, Husqvarna makes a concerted attempt to expand its sales channel and customer services, both online and offline, at small shops and big merchants.
Husqvarna 450’s Pros:
- Low-vibration mechanism
- 2HP X-Torq motor
- An effective rotational air cleaning system.
Husqvarna 450’s Cons:
- High fuel consumption.
- Plastic material.
On the flip side, Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss will be your greatest buddy if you are searching for a sharp cutter to handle approximately 5 cords every year or for light-duty pruning alone. Indeed, farmlands and pastures are to their advantage.
It’s exceptionally compact and incorporates risk-reducing measures like protection wraps and angled grips.
Yet, the 2-stroke fuel-efficient design takes its reputation onto the market. This design provides a vast scope of RPMs for many bar configurations, wrapping up your regular shoving and trimming practices with outstanding performance at low RPMs.
Stihl Ms 271‘s Pros:
- Drastic emission reduction.
- Higher petrol efficiency.
- Higher ease of maintenance and cleaning.
Stihl Ms 271‘s Cons:
- Complicated to use.
- Less strength than some other saws in the same price range.
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Wrapping Up
That’s everything we have for you today on comparing Stihl Ms 271 Vs Husqvarna 450.
As each product comes with its own set of perks and drawbacks, it’s impossible to tell which one is the best. Think of what you need and compare that with each chainsaw’s pros and cons, and you’ll find your optimal option!