STIHL® MS 291 Chainsaw

The STIHL MS 291 is a powerful farm and acreage chainsaw built for regular firewood cutting, storm cleanup, rural property maintenance, landscaping, and demanding work in medium to larger wood.

Its 55.5 cc STIHL 2-MIX engine produces 2.8 kW or approximately 3.8 hp, giving the MS 291 more cutting power than the MS 271 while retaining a similar powerhead weight. Arns offers the saw with 16-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch guide-bar options, along with regular and Comfort & Easy Start configurations.

The MS 291 is best suited to customers who cut enough wood to justify a larger farm-class saw but do not require the lower weight, electronic engine management, or professional construction of the MS 261 C-M. For many acreage owners and regular firewood cutters, it provides a practical balance of displacement, usable torque, familiar controls, and long-term dealer serviceability.

Our Recommendation

We recommend the STIHL MS 291 to acreage owners, farmers, landscapers, and serious firewood cutters who frequently work through medium-sized logs and want more output than the MS 271 FARM BOSS® provides.

It is particularly well suited to customers who want to run an 18-inch or 20-inch bar and expect to use the additional engine capacity regularly. The MS 291 is capable of handling larger firewood and heavier rural property work without moving into a substantially larger saw.

The MS 271 remains the better value when most work involves moderate firewood, fallen branches, and general acreage maintenance. The MS 291 becomes worthwhile when larger wood, hardwood, or longer cutting sessions make the additional output useful.

Customers who carry their saw for long periods or use it professionally should also compare the MS 261 C-M. Although the MS 261 has slightly less displacement, it produces more rated power from a lighter professional chassis.

Best Suited For

The STIHL MS 291 is particularly well suited to:

• Regular firewood production
• Acreages, farms, and rural properties
• Felling small and medium trees where conditions and experience permit
• Bucking fallen trees into firewood
• Storm and windfall cleanup
• Fence-line and trail maintenance
• Landscaping and property-management work
• Cabin and recreational-property maintenance
• Customers who regularly encounter larger wood than an MS 250 or MS 271 comfortably handles

55.5 cc Power for Frequent Cutting

The MS 291 uses a 55.5 cc engine producing 2.8 kW or approximately 3.8 hp. STIHL positions it as a versatile saw for frequent work in firewood harvesting, agriculture, construction, forestry, and horticulture.

That additional capacity is useful when cutting:

• Medium and larger firewood rounds
• Dense softwood
• Moderate hardwood
• Fallen trees
• Repeated logs during longer cutting sessions
• Heavy branches and storm-damaged material
• Rural construction timber

The MS 291 does not replace a larger professional felling saw, but it provides enough power for a broad range of work commonly encountered on farms, acreages, and heavily treed recreational properties.

Like every chainsaw, its actual performance depends heavily on chain condition. A sharp MS 271 can outperform an MS 291 fitted with a dull or incorrectly tensioned chain.

What Can the STIHL MS 291 Cut?

The MS 291 is designed for broader and more frequent cutting than STIHL’s entry-level homeowner saws.

Its practical workload can include:

• Processing annual firewood
• Bucking medium-sized trees
• Removing storm-damaged limbs
• Clearing wooded fence lines
• Maintaining trails and access routes
• Cutting timber for rural projects
• Felling manageable trees where the operator has appropriate training
• Cleaning up windfall on acreages and recreational properties

The guide-bar length should not be treated as the saw’s ideal cutting diameter. Although a 20-inch bar can reach through larger wood, the species, chain condition, cutting technique, and length of the work session all affect how comfortably the saw performs.

Which Bar Length Should You Choose?

Arns offers the MS 291 with 16-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch guide bars.

16-Inch Bar

A 16-inch bar provides the lightest and most responsive setup.

It is a good choice when:

• Most wood is small to medium in diameter
• Limbing and storm cleanup are common
• Manoeuvrability matters
• The saw will be carried around a large property
• The user wants the quickest handling configuration

The shorter bar may feel especially balanced for customers who want the MS 291’s extra engine power but rarely need maximum reach.

18-Inch Bar

The 18-inch bar is often the strongest all-around pairing for the MS 291.

It provides enough reach for substantial firewood and property work without adding as much front-end weight as the 20-inch configuration. STIHL lists 18 inches as the recommended guide-bar length for the MS 291.

Choose the 18-inch setup when:

• You cut mixed log sizes
• Firewood is the main application
• You want one saw for broad rural property work
• Balance and reach are equally important

20-Inch Bar

The 20-inch bar provides the greatest reach offered through the Arns listing.

It is useful when:

• Larger logs are common
• Additional reach reduces repositioning
• The saw is primarily used for bucking and firewood
• The operator is comfortable with the extra front-end weight

A longer bar does not create more engine power. Customers spending most of their time in smaller wood may find the 18-inch setup faster, lighter, and easier to control.

STIHL 2-MIX Engine

The MS 291 uses a STIHL 2-MIX engine with stratified-scavenging technology.

The design uses a layer of fresh air to separate the burned exhaust gases from the incoming fuel mixture during the combustion cycle. STIHL states that this helps lower fuel consumption while maintaining strong engine performance. The Canadian product information describes fuel savings of up to 20 percent compared with earlier engine designs.

The engine still operates on gasoline mixed with the correct two-cycle oil. Straight gasoline must never be used.

For occasional and seasonal owners, fuel freshness is one of the most important factors in starting reliability. Old gasoline can contribute to carburetor deposits, poor acceleration, unstable running, and difficult starting.

Pre-Separation Air-Filtration System

The MS 291 uses a pre-separation filtration system that removes larger particles from the incoming air before they reach the main filter.

Airflow created by the flywheel separates heavier dust and debris through centrifugal force. This reduces the amount of material collected by the primary filter and can extend the time between cleanings. Arns notes that the system can double the interval between air-filter cleanings compared with a conventional arrangement.

This is particularly useful when cutting:

• Dry firewood
• Dead or weathered timber
• Dirty bark
• Windfall close to the ground
• Dusty wood piles
• Material during dry Southern Alberta conditions

The filter still requires inspection. Pre-separation reduces the maintenance load but does not make the air filter maintenance-free.

STIHL also notes that an HD2 filter can be fitted to create a complete long-life filtration system with improved fine-dust protection.

Compensator Carburetor System

The MS 291 includes STIHL’s compensator system.

This carburetor control helps maintain a consistent fuel-to-air ratio as the air filter gradually becomes contaminated. As a result, engine performance, fuel consumption, and exhaust quality can remain more stable between filter services.

The compensator cannot correct every maintenance problem. It will not make up for:

• Stale or contaminated fuel
• A damaged air filter
• Blocked cooling passages
• An incorrect fuel mixture
• A dull chain
• Mechanical wear

It is intended to extend useful working intervals, not eliminate routine inspection.

Side-Mounted Chain Tensioning

The MS 291 uses a side-access chain tensioner.

This places the adjustment screw on the side of the powerhead, where it can be reached using the combination wrench without working near the front of the guide bar.

Chain tension should be checked:

• Before starting work
• After fitting a new chain
• After the first few cuts
• Periodically as the chain warms
• After the chain cools
• Whenever the chain begins to hang below the bar

The engine must be shut off before adjustment, and suitable gloves should be worn when handling the chain.

A chain that is too loose may derail from the guide bar. A chain that is too tight creates unnecessary friction, heat, and wear.

Tool-Free Fuel and Oil Caps

The MS 291 uses bayonet-style fuel and chain-oil caps that can be opened and closed without a separate tool.

This makes refuelling and oil filling more convenient, but each cap must be installed correctly.

Before restarting the saw, confirm that:

• The cap is fully seated
• The lever has been returned to its closed position
• The sealing area is clean
• No fuel or oil has spilled onto the saw
• The saw has been moved away from the refuelling location

A damaged or incorrectly installed cap should be corrected before the saw is operated.

Master Control Lever™

The MS 291 uses STIHL’s Master Control Lever to combine the choke, starting throttle, operating, and stop functions into a single control.

This reduces the number of separate controls the operator must manage during starting and shutdown.

Proper cold-start and warm-start procedures still matter. Repeatedly using the full-choke position on a warm engine can flood the saw and make restarting more difficult.

Bumper Spikes for Better Control

The MS 291 includes bumper spikes that contact the wood near the base of the guide bar.

These spikes help the operator establish a pivot point during bucking and allow the saw to be advanced through the cut with greater control. Arns lists the spikes as a feature that reduces pull-in and makes cutting easier.

The spikes should be planted deliberately rather than slammed into the wood. Controlled technique helps reduce fatigue and prevents the operator from forcing the chain into the cut.

STIHL Anti-Vibration System

The MS 291 includes STIHL’s anti-vibration system, which uses buffer and spring elements to reduce the amount of engine and cutting vibration transferred into the handles.

This can make repeated firewood cutting and rural property work more comfortable.

Reduced vibration does not eliminate fatigue. Operators should still take breaks and stop before tiredness affects grip, balance, awareness, or cutting technique.

Regular vs Comfort & Easy Start

Arns currently offers the MS 291 in both Regular and Comfort & Easy Start configurations, with 16-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch bar choices.

Both versions are built around the same 55.5 cc engine and core cutting capability. The difference is convenience rather than cutting output.

The standard MS 291 is usually the better value for an experienced chainsaw owner who is comfortable with conventional starting.

The Comfort & Easy Start version is worth considering for customers who find traditional recoil starting uncomfortable or expect several people to use the same saw.

Neither version cuts faster solely because of the convenience features.

STIHL Chainsaw Comparison

The MS 291 is the largest farm and acreage saw in this comparison. The MS 261 C-M remains the professional option, producing more rated power from a lighter chassis despite its smaller displacement.

STIHL MS 291 vs MS 271

The MS 271 FARM BOSS® and MS 291 share a similar overall chassis and serve many of the same rural customers.

The MS 271 remains our recommendation when the customer wants a dependable all-around acreage saw and does not regularly need the extra power.

The MS 291 becomes the stronger purchase when both models feel manageable and the customer routinely cuts larger wood. Because the listed powerhead weights are similar, the MS 291 delivers additional displacement and output without a major weight penalty.

The difference is useful, but it is not enormous. Customers cutting moderate softwood and occasional firewood may not finish jobs dramatically faster with the MS 291. Those working in larger hardwood or processing more wood are more likely to appreciate it.

STIHL MS 291 vs MS 261 C-M

The MS 261 C-M and MS 291 demonstrate the difference between a professional chainsaw and a farm-class chainsaw.

The MS 291 is usually the more economical choice for a farmer, acreage owner, or regular firewood cutter.

The MS 261 C-M is the stronger choice for operators who carry and use the saw for long periods. Its lower weight, higher rated output, rapid acceleration, professional filtration, and M-Tronic engine management can improve productivity over a full working day.

A larger engine does not automatically make the MS 291 the stronger performer. The MS 261 is designed to extract more power from less displacement.

STIHL MS 291 vs MS 250

The MS 250 family is designed for homeowners and smaller properties. The MS 291 is built for more substantial rural work.

The MS 250 is the more sensible purchase for a homeowner cutting modest firewood or cleaning up occasional branches.

The MS 291 makes sense when the customer regularly works through larger logs, cuts more firewood, or maintains a heavily treed rural property. It is a substantial jump in capability, but also in size and cost.

What to Know Before Buying the MS 291

It is a larger farm-class chainsaw

The MS 291 will feel heavier and more substantial than an MS 182 or MS 250. Customers should be comfortable controlling the saw before choosing it solely for the additional power.

It is not a professional MS 261

The MS 291 provides strong rural cutting performance, but it does not offer the same professional power-to-weight ratio or M-Tronic engine management as the MS 261 C-M.

The longest bar is not always the best bar

A 20-inch bar provides more reach, but it also adds weight and cutting resistance. The 18-inch configuration will be the better-balanced option for many customers.

It requires correctly mixed fuel

The engine operates on gasoline mixed with the appropriate two-cycle oil. Straight gasoline can cause rapid and severe engine damage.

Filtration still needs maintenance

The pre-separation system extends filter intervals, but the filter, cooling passages, and cylinder area still require routine inspection and cleaning.

Larger saws require disciplined technique

The MS 291’s additional output can increase the consequences of kickback, poor body positioning, or an unstable cut. Appropriate training and protective equipment are essential.

Fuel and Bar Oil

The MS 291 requires two separate fluids:

• Correctly mixed gasoline and two-cycle oil for the engine
• Dedicated bar and chain oil for the cutting attachment

For occasional or seasonal users, STIHL MotoMix can simplify fuel handling and reduce problems associated with aging pump gasoline.

Customers mixing their own fuel should use fresh gasoline and a high-quality two-cycle oil at STIHL’s specified ratio.

Check the chain-oil level whenever the saw is refuelled. Operating without adequate chain lubrication can damage the guide bar, chain, drive sprocket, and oil pump.

Chain Care and Sharpening

The MS 291 uses a .325 RM3 cutting system in the current Arns specification.

A properly sharpened chain should pull itself into the wood without the operator forcing the saw.

Signs that the chain needs attention include:

• Fine sawdust instead of defined chips
• Slower cutting
• The saw pulling to one side
• Increased vibration
• Smoke despite adequate lubrication
• The need to push heavily into the wood
• Uneven cutter lengths

Replacement chains, including the STIHL 23RS chain used by the MS 261, MS 271, and MS 291, are available through Arns. The exact drive-link count must match the installed guide bar.

STIHL also offers Cut Kit 5 for compatible MS 261, MS 271, and MS 291 configurations, providing a replacement guide bar and chains as a matched maintenance package.

Maintenance and STIHL Service Kit 13

Routine MS 291 maintenance includes:

• Cleaning or replacing the air filter
• Inspecting the spark plug
• Replacing the fuel filter when required
• Cleaning cooling-air openings
• Checking the chain brake
• Cleaning the guide-bar groove and oil holes
• Rotating and dressing the guide bar
• Inspecting the drive sprocket
• Checking fuel and oil caps
• Inspecting the recoil starter
• Sharpening and tensioning the chain
• Checking the fuel and oil systems for leaks

The STIHL Service Kit 13 is intended for models including the MS 271 and MS 291. It packages common preventive-maintenance items such as the air filter, spark plug, and fuel filter.

Maintenance intervals should be shortened when the saw is used heavily or operated in dusty conditions.

Seasonal Storage

Before storing the MS 291 for an extended period:

• Clean sawdust from the powerhead and sprocket cover
• Clean the guide-bar groove and oil holes
• Inspect and sharpen the chain
• Follow STIHL’s fuel-storage procedure
• Inspect the air filter
• Check for fuel and chain-oil leaks
• Fit the guide-bar cover
• Store the saw in a dry, secure location
• Keep it away from children and ignition sources

A saw stored with stale fuel, a dirty filter, and a dull chain is much more likely to create starting and performance problems when it is needed again.

Chainsaw Safety

The MS 291 is intended for serious property work and should be operated only by someone who understands chainsaw handling and cutting hazards.

Operators should understand:

• Safe ground-starting procedures
• Chain-brake operation
• Kickback zones
• Proper limbing and bucking technique
• Compression and tension in fallen wood
• Escape routes during felling
• The hazards of leaning, damaged, or hung-up trees

Recommended protective equipment includes:

• Chainsaw protective pants or chaps
• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Protective gloves
• Sturdy chainsaw-appropriate footwear
• A helmet when overhead hazards are present
• High-visibility clothing where appropriate

Tree felling near homes, roads, utilities, fences, or neighbouring properties should be left to a qualified professional when the operator does not have the required training and equipment.

Why Buy Your STIHL MS 291 From Arns?

Arns Equipment is a family-owned STIHL dealer serving Calgary, Southern Alberta, and customers across Canada. Our team brings more than 80 years of outdoor power equipment experience to every chainsaw recommendation.

When you purchase the STIHL MS 291 from Arns, our team can help you:

• Select a 16-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch bar
• Compare the regular and Comfort & Easy Start versions
• Decide whether the MS 271, MS 261 C-M, or MS 291 best suits your workload
• Select compatible chains, files, fuel, bar oil, and protective equipment
• Understand chain tension and routine cutting-system maintenance
• Find replacement chains, bars, and accessories
• Source maintenance and repair parts through PartsHouse.ca
• Arrange local STIHL warranty assistance and professional service
• Avoid buying a larger saw when a lighter model would better suit the work

The STIHL MS 291 is a strong choice for acreage owners and regular firewood cutters who want more output than the MS 271 without moving into a larger displacement class. Its combination of 55.5 cc power, familiar farm-saw construction, flexible bar options, and local dealer support makes it a dependable primary chainsaw for demanding rural property work.