Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362: My Honest Test

I stood in my garage last Tuesday. It was freezing cold. I looked at a huge pile of oak logs in my driveway. My back hurt just looking at it.

I had two saws on my bench. One was the orange Husqvarna 460 Rancher. The other was the gray Stihl MS 362.

I needed to know which one was better. I did not care about the numbers on the box. I wanted to know how they felt in my hands. I wanted to know which one would get the job done faster.

If you are stuck choosing between the Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362, I can help. I have used both of them a lot. Here is what I learned.

Build Quality: Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362

The first thing I did was look inside. I took the cover off the Husqvarna. The body is made of hard plastic. It feels tough, but it is still plastic. The engine sits in a simple shell. This is fine for weekend work. It can take a few bumps.

The Stihl MS 362 is different. I tapped the side of the saw. It made a sharp sound. That is because it is made of magnesium. It is metal. This metal helps the saw stay cool. I ran it for four hours straight one day. It never got too hot. The metal body is built to last for years.

Rating: Husqvarna – 8/10 | Stihl – 10/10

Power and Speed: Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362

I tested both saws on a thick oak log. The wood was wet and heavy.

I started with the Husqvarna. It roared to life. It dug into the wood. It felt strong, like a tractor. It pulled the chain through steady and sure. It did not stop, but it was not fast.

Then I picked up the Stihl. I pulled the trigger. The chain moved very fast. It cut through the oak like butter. It felt like a sports car. The chips flew out in a cloud. It was much faster than the Husqvarna. If you have a lot of wood, the Stihl saves you time.

Rating: Husqvarna – 8/10 | Stihl – 9.5/10

Technology & Starting: Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362

This part surprised me the most.

The Stihl MS 362 has a brain. It has a small computer inside. It checks the fuel and air mix all the time. I did not have to touch a thing. I just pulled the cord, and it ran. It ran great in the cold morning air.

The Husqvarna 460 is old school. It uses a normal screw to mix the fuel. It starts easy enough. Usually, it takes two or three pulls. But if the weather changes, you might need a tool to tune it. It is simple, but it takes more work from you.

Rating: Husqvarna – 8/10 | Stihl – 9.5/10

Weight and Handling: Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362

After two hours, I felt the difference.

The Husqvarna 460 is a big saw. It feels wide. It feels heavy in the front. My arms got tired holding it up. I had to take more breaks.

The Stihl MS 362 is lighter. It is also thin. It fits in my hands perfectly. I could move it around easy. I cut limbs off a tree for an hour. My back did not hurt as much. It also shakes less. My hands did not feel numb when I was done.

Rating: Husqvarna – 7/10 | Stihl – 10/10

The Price Check: Is Stihl Worth It?

This is the hard part. I stood at the store counter. I looked at the price tags. The Stihl MS 362 costs a lot more. It is about $300 more than the Husqvarna 460 Rancher. That is a lot of cash.

If you cut wood for money, the Stihl is worth it. It works fast. It saves you time. But for me? I just cut wood for my house. The Husqvarna was much cheaper. It did not hurt my wallet as much. I felt like I got a good deal.

Rating: Husqvarna – 10/10 | Stihl – 7/10

Will It Last Five Years?

I asked a repair guy a question. I asked which saw breaks more. He pointed at the Husqvarna. He said plastic parts can warp over time. The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is tough, but it is not pro grade. It might need repairs after five years of hard work.

The Stihl MS 362 is built to run forever. It is made of metal. It is easy to rebuild. If you take care of it, this saw will last 20 years. It is an investment. You buy it once. You use it for life.

Rating: Husqvarna – 7/10 | Stihl – 10/10

Safety and Control

Safety matters when you are tired. I tested the brake on both saws. The Stihl MS 362 brake is crisp. It stops fast. The saw is also balanced well. This is a big deal. When a saw is balanced, the tip does not dip down. This helps you avoid cuts.

The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is safe too. The brake works well. But it is heavy in the nose. I had to work harder to keep the tip up. When I got tired, the tip wanted to drop. The Stihl just felt safer to hold.

Rating: Husqvarna – 8/10 | Stihl – 9.5/10

My Final Choice

I will be honest with you. I kept the Husqvarna 460 Rancher.

Why? Because I am cheap. I only cut wood a few times a year. I could not pay the high price for the Stihl. The Husqvarna is strong enough for my farm. It does the job well.

But if I cut wood for a job? I would buy the Stihl MS 362. It is a better tool. It is faster and lighter. It is worth the extra money if you use it every day.

FAQs – Husqvarna 460 Rancher vs Stihl MS 362