Chainsaws aren’t built equally, and the STIHL Wood Boss and Farm Boss aren’t exceptions. While all chainsaws are meant to quickly cut through wood, some are better equipped at handling certain tasks than others.
Lots of first-time chainsaw buyers think that no matter what a longer blade is better, but this just isn’t true. For some tasks, a longer blade can actually be a hindrance.
Before purchasing a chainsaw, you should consider your property and the tasks you need to accomplish around it with your chainsaw. Once you have an idea of what you need to do, you can start looking at which saw is best for you.
STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss
If you are a homeowner that finds themselves doing lots of storm cleanup on smaller trees or cutting fallen ones for your wood stove, the STIHL Wood Boss is a great option.
This medium-sized chainsaw is meant for general tree work. It can prune larger branches and even cut down small trees with ease.
It has excellent value for its price and is a great choice for anyone looking to purchase their first chainsaw. It has an ergonomic design making it comfortable for people new to chainsaws.
With its superior made-in-the-USA craftsmanship and an average rating of 4 stars on STIHL’s own website, we are sure you would be happy to pick this chainsaw up.
Guide Bar Length
Compared to other chainsaws in this class, the Wood Boss has one of the largest guide bar lengths at 18″.
The general rule of thumb is you can cut anything that is 2″ less than the length of your bar. If you find that the majority of your logs are 16″ or smaller in diameter, the Wood Boss will have no problem taking them down.
Fuel Economy
The STIHL Wood Boss is gasoline-powered with a fuel capacity of 13.2 ounces.
This new model is 20% more fuel efficient and uses reduced-emission engine technology to cut down on exhaust emissions by 50%.
You’ll be able to cut longer while out in the field than ever before thanks to STIHL’s continual improvements on their chainsaw engines.
Engine And Powerhead Weight
The Wood Boss has a 45.6cc engine and 3 bhp that helps it pack that punch you may be looking for. It has a powerhead weight of 10.8 lbs putting it on the heavier end of its class.
Oil Reservoir
At 6.7 ounces the Wood Boss has a decent amount of chain and bar oil capacity. You definitely won’t find yourself constantly having to fill it between cuts.
STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss
The STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss is essentially an upgraded version of the Wood Boss, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option if you’re looking for a new saw.
The STIHL Farm Boss chainsaw was designed for jobs where smaller saws just can’t cut it.
This high-performance chainsaw is meant for larger woodcutting tasks and clearing areas of land from fallen or live trees.
A little more expensive than your medium-sized chainsaw, the STIHL Farm Boss can turn logs into butter. Among the chainsaws in its class, it is perhaps the most well-priced for the engine power you get in the Farm Boss range.
Guide Bar Length
The STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss chainsaw maxes out at a plenty large 20″ guide bar making it a perfect ranch chainsaw tool.
20″ of guide bar is more than enough to cut through most mature trees on a homestead but still is manageable enough for cutting large amounts of wood to size.
If you’d like to use a smaller bar for lighter work, the Farm Boss can comfortably go down to a 16″ guide bar.
Fuel Economy
The Farm Boss chainsaw features a fuel capacity of 16.9oz and a highly efficient engine that runs 20% longer compared to its predecessor, the MS 270.
If you own an MS 270, you’ll definitely notice the fuel consumption difference by upgrading to the MS 271.
The new and improved fuel-efficient chainsaw motor also has reduced-emissions technology cutting exhaust emissions by half.
Engine And Powerhead Weight
Speaking of engine technology, the Farm Boss comes with an improved 50.2cc and 3.49bhp beast of a motor with a powerhead weight of 12.3lbs.
This powerful engine makes sure the Farm Boss is more than capable of handling tasks for farming or landscaping.
Oil Reservoir
The MS 271 Farm Boss has a chain oil capacity of 8.12 oz, which may seem small for its class until you realize the larger, more expensive saws have blades that are 5″ longer.
Main Similarities Between The Wood Boss And Farm Boss Chainsaws
The main similarities between the Wood Boss and Farm Boss chainsaws are the chain size and the features they come with.
Chain Size
Both chainsaws have a saw chain pitch of 0.325″ and use a Rapid Micro 3 (RM3) type chain. This is a pretty standard size for chainsaws in this class.
Features
Like most STIHL chainsaws, the Wood Boss and Farm Boss both come with quite a few features aimed at comfort and easier usability.
Anti-Vibration System
STIHL’s patented anti-vibration system uses a high-tech shock absorption system composed of steel springs and rubber buffers.
Other chainsaws sometimes suffer from intense vibration and are uncomfortable to use for long hours.
Master Control Lever
The high-tech master control lever on STIHL chainsaws allows you to control the saw from a single lever near the handle.
Pre-Separation Air Filtration System
As air is drawn in through the intake, it is spun around and things such as dust, sand, or other particles are thrown to the outside before they can reach the air filter.
A dirty air filter will cause performance to suffer. Thanks to this new technology, you won’t have to clean or purchase new air filters as often.
Main Difference Between The Wood Boss And Farm Boss Chainsaws
The biggest differences between the Wood Boss and the Farm Boss are engine power and the size of the guide bar.
People that sell firewood or with larger properties that have large trees that need to be cleared would benefit more from the larger STIHL MS 271 Farm Boss.
The Farm Boss without a doubt has more power than the Wood Boss at 3.49 bhp compared to 3.0 bhp. That’s almost an 18% increase in engine power!
The powerful engine combined with the longer guide bar can make quick work of almost any task around a property with mature trees.
Homeowners that find themselves wishing they had a better way to clean up from storms around their property or cut their own firewood should consider the STIHL MS 251 Wood Boss.
The smaller, yet high-performance engine combined with the slightly shorter guide bar make it extremely versatile for use around your home.
For someone looking at homeowner saws, the Wood Boss is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering buying a STIHL Wood Boss chainsaw or a STIHL Farm Boss chainsaw and can’t decide, you need to envision your property and the type of work you need this saw for.
The Farm Boss is an excellent chainsaw for heavier work around your home or as another tool for your lawn care business.
The STIHL Wood Boss is the go-to chainsaw for lighter work and can make a breeze of any 16″ or smaller diameter trees and logs on your property.
Its versatility and ease of use make it one of the best entry-level homeowner chainsaws on the market today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How Many CCs is a STIHL Wood Boss?
The STIHL Wood Boss has 45.6cc's of displacement. It has the highest cc against comparable STIHL chainsaws.
What Makes a STIHL Saw a Farm Boss?
The STIHL Farm Boss chainsaw is the MS 271 model. It replaced the old MS270 and is loaded with new features and technology.
