STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss
#15 in GasFull review
STIHL’s firewood and farm saw for owners who cut a lot of wood and want a dealer nearby.
STIHL $489.99$489.99
The STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss and the STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss are evenly matched, rated 3.0 and 3.0. The STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss leads on power and bar. The STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss wins on weight and value. The STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss costs $90 less ($399.99 vs $489.99).
STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss
#18 in GasFull review
A fuel efficient 18 in STIHL for homeowners who cut a few cords a year and want dealer support.
STIHL $399.99$399.99
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss for power (50.2 cc engine vs 45.6 cc engine) and bar (20 in bar vs 18 in bar).
- Choose the STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss for weight (10.6 lb (powerhead) vs 12.4 lb (powerhead)) and value ($22.22 per inch of bar ($399.99, 18 in bar) vs $24.50 per inch of bar ($489.99, 20 in bar)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every gas chainsaw; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss | STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Value 30% | 33 $24.50 per inch of bar ($489.99, 20 in bar) | 42 $22.22 per inch of bar ($399.99, 18 in bar) |
| Power 25% | 61 50.2 cc engine | 42 45.6 cc engine |
| Weight 15% | 51 12.4 lb (powerhead) | 77 10.6 lb (powerhead) |
| Bar 10% | 100 20 in bar | 75 18 in bar |
| Warranty 20% | 0 1-year warranty | 0 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss | STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss | |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting | ||
| Bar length | 20 in | 18 in |
| Chain pitch | .325 in (RM3) | .325 in (RM3) |
| Tool-free chain tension | No | - |
| Power | ||
| Engine or battery | 50.2 cc, 3.5 hp | 45.6 cc, 3 hp |
| Build | ||
| Weight | 12.4 lb (powerhead) | 10.6 lb (powerhead) |
| Anti-vibration | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |