Stihl MS 291 vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher
Quick take: The Husqvarna 455 Rancher costs $31 less; the Stihl MS 291 is lighter at 12.3 lb.
| Spec | Stihl MS 291 | Husqvarna 455 Rancher |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $620 | $589 |
| Rating | 4★ (33) | 4.6★ (699) |
| Power Type | Gas | Gas |
| Use Case | Farm & Ranch | Farm & Ranch |
| Engine | 55.5 cc | 55.5 cc |
| Rated Power | 2.8 kW | 2.6 kW |
| Voltage | — | — |
| Kit Battery | — | — |
| Bar Length | 20" | 20" |
| Bar Range | 16-20" | 13-24" |
| Chain | 3/8" pitch / .050" gauge (33 RM3) | 3/8" pitch / .050" gauge |
| Weight | 12.3 lb (powerhead only) | 13.2 lb (powerhead only) |
| Warranty | 2-year consumer (1-year commercial) | 2-year consumer (extendable to 4 with fuel registration) |
Pros & cons
Stihl MS 291
- ✓5cc and ~0.25 hp over the MS 271 at the identical 12.3 lb powerhead weight
- ✓Pulls a 20" bar through hardwood noticeably better than the Farm Boss
- ✓Pre-separation air filtration makes filters last up to five times longer in dusty cutting
- ✓Fuel-efficient low-emission engine with long run times per tank
- ✓Full 3/8" pitch chain shares consumables with Stihl's pro saws
- ✓Still hundreds cheaper than the MS 362 C-M for occasional heavy cutting
- ✗Same clamshell, non-rebuildable construction pros dismiss — just with a bigger bore
- ✗Essentially no aftermarket parts support, and OEM top-end parts are expensive
- ✗Mediocre power-to-weight: a 10.8 lb MS 261 makes more power a pound and a half lighter
- ✗At $619.99 it sits uncomfortably close to used pro-saw money — the perennial forum objection
- ✗Smaller verified review base (4.0 stars, 33 Ace reviews) than its stablemates
Husqvarna 455 Rancher
- ✓Two decades of proven reliability — the definition of a known quantity
- ✓4.6-star Lowe's aggregate across roughly 700 reviews
- ✓Genuinely pulls its 20-inch bar in hardwood
- ✓Parts, bars, and chains stocked everywhere from Lowe's to rural dealers
- ✓Smart Start, fuel pump, and inertia chain brake as standard
- ✓Tolerates neglect that would kill fussier saws
- ✗13.2 lb powerhead is heavy for 55cc — fatigue shows on long days
- ✗Vibration is noticeably stronger than modern pro saws
- ✗Forum consensus favors the CS-590 on value and the MS 271 on refinement
- ✗Consumer crankcase — not rebuildable pro construction
- ✗At $589 it has crept into striking distance of better saws