Stihl MS 311 Farm Boss

Ordered this item from TEMU on line and was supposed to be delivered within 15 working days but months later no sign of the saw, i have tried contacting them several time without any luck, all i get is a useless BOT with the same Auto response, Just… Read more

lost 100s of € on this item so went on line to check out this lot and was not surprised to see almost every review is 1* reviews. I'm writing this to warn others of this fake on line selling company.

Have Stihl MS311. Worst chainsaw I’ve had. Hard to start and floods almost all the time. And when it over heats hard to start. If I knew it was this bad I would have saved my money. Show details

I bought my first one about 5 years ago. After about 6 months, after becoming very hard to start and keep running, it seized. Took it back to the dealer who, after another 6 months, told me that it seems it was a production problem but Stihl head office wouldn't come to the party with repairs OR replacement and it would be written off! He then… Read more

said that he had another MS311 which had been reconditioned (mine perhaps?) and that I could get it at a discount. As I needed a chainsaw, I took it. This one worked better but a month ago it became hard to start and once started, it roared it's head off! I took this one to a different dealer for a service. When it was ready, I was told that the cylinder seal had a leak! So I paid the $470 repair bill and brought it home. Yesterday I went to use it for the first time after the service and it started easily and cut up the large tree branch with ease. Then the chain fell off. After getting it back on the saw was hard to start but it did eventually and I used it for about another 20 minutes. Then I went to cut a bigger branch and it cut 80% through and then conked. I checked the fuel level and it was still half full. It eventually started again and just as I went to start cutting again, it conked...again. And then I couldn't start it again. I left it for a couple of hours and then it started again and as I tilted it as though I was going to cut something, it conked again. Either Stihl products are rubbish or the people who work on them are... or both! Angry and frustrated.

Perfect saw, value for money, easy to start and use – Starts after the Stihl startup procedure, takes no more than 3-4 pulls then pop, ready for action, used it for a full day on falling 20inch round red gum trees and cutting them to firewood length, plenty of power, easy and comfortable to use, no issues with the saw very happy, great product would buy again.. genuine Stihl made in Germany Show details

Stihl ms 311 – Purchased my MS 311, 12 years ago has cut heaps of firewood during this time . Always easy to start & does the job effortlessly. Changed the bar & chains over this time . I run 40:1 instead of 50:1 a little bit more oil 125ml to 5 litres & can not fault it . I have a Husky as well & my trusty Stihl is always first pick.. Highly recommended Show details

Lemon – I was Cutting iron bark and it stopped , took to shop for warranty and got told wood to hard for that saw . I thought it would being called the farm boss

bad ignition – This is good chain saw, but spark is not strong for start up. Copy the Chinese one, it starts every time. Stilh always blame fuel and customers for there problems. Get proper ignition and problem is solve. Regards Peter Show details

Dangerous, problem starter, infuriating – Here we have a powerful saw that when working will chew through the timber like an eager teenager. A true joy to be a part of that. But unfortunately this level of cutting does not overcome the problems inherent with this chainsaw. This is an over-designed, over-priced, under delivering failure. The Stihl MS311 comes with serious problems. 1.… Read more

The so called 'single lever master control' hates being placed into the correct position. This is a finicky, annoying piece of design that fails the simplicity test. Truly an over design that is never simple to use. 2. The saw will constantly fail to start - owing to what appears to be flooding. This is especially the case if the saw is already warm. The exasperation you experience as a result is truly next level. You will experience feelings of hate towards this saw. Simply because you cannot rely on it to do what you need. Which is primarily, to start. You will waste much time and energy with this saw. You will wonder why you spent $1300 on this chainsaw when your $300 Echo starts each and every single time. 3. But mostly, the worst thing about the MS311 is the chain brake that grows increasingly sluggish as the machine warms up. Necessitating serious force to engage the brake. When working amongst fallen timber the ability to easily engage the brake whilst moving amongst snags is of primary concern. The Stihl MS311 makes this basic safety protocol virtually impossible. It is this therefore that represents the major failure of the Stihl MS311, and renders it a dangerous piece of kit.

It is to be expected that with every tool you might need to work out the particularities. But this chainsaw has so many of them that it just isn't a pleasure to use. This is a chainsaw that is over-designed, time-wasting and just down right dangerous.

Yes it is powerful, will cut big sticks, but none of that is worth the sheer risk inherent in this failure of a saw.

The 1 star reviews are true – I have had this 311 for 6 months for cutting fire wood occasionally. In ten attempts to use it, its started 5 times. I've taken it back to the dealer multiple times. This time they've told me it needs its 'engine rebuilt' and that 'its probably a problem with the fuel mix' so won't be covered under warranty. I've been using Stihl pre-mixed fuel!… Read more

This chainsaw is an absolute lemon. Its such a relief to see the reviews on here outlining the same issues. Do not buy Stihl.They are a copany that is trading off a history of quality, but they're now making cheap rubbish in China.

No complaints here – No complaints from me. I cant fault it. Been using it now for over a year and extremely satisfied with it. I was originally put off by other reviews but believe if you look after it, it will look after you . Show details

Excellent so far – Bought second hand to replace a 034, not because the 034 gave up, because the anti vibe is better for my hands. Starts within 4 pulls every time from cold and one pull when warm,cuts on par if not a little better than the 034, same bar and chain. Love the anti vibe over the old rubber type. A little heavy for what it is but i don't log with it. A bit more work to get to the filter for cleaning and i love the new fuel and oil caps.  Show details

Works – Starts like any STIHL when cold , Two or three pulls with choke and then another couple without choke . The 311 is light enough to work up high on small cleaning jobs before you bring in a big saw for the heavy cutting and love that the bar swaps straight over onto my 660 magnum if needed . Good little saw that Works for me .  Show details

Hugh Disappointment – The Stihl MS 311 hardly ever starts when needed, it can take up to 20 minutes to get it running, if at all. Nobody ever figured out how to fix this, in short: A Very Expensive LEMON ! Show details

Awesome saw – Easy to start, usually kicks over third pull. Great weight with plenty of power to cut through Australian Iron bark, which I cut on regular basis for firewood. Really can't believe reviews on here... look after your gear and it will stay in good Nick for years to come. Show details

Terribly Disappointed - Clint Tollinger – Totally agree with Daniel. I have owned a succession of Stihl 034s over decades, and they have given me enormous service. The last one refused to start, in the end, and I figured I'd buy a new first time every time starter. The 311 has given me trouble from the outset - NEVER starts first time, cowling screws fall out. Have to not only clean… Read more

sparkplug and airfilter (much harder with the cylindrical, ribbed filter, as against the simple rectangular gauze filter of yore), but also spray 363 into the spark chamber, leave it sitting in the sun to warm up, then maybe, it'll decide to go. I too am 70+yo. Honestly, I am terribly disappointed and disheartened. Is this thing made in China? Husky next. Soon.

Hard starting – I have now owned the MS 311 with a 32" bar for the past 3 years. This saw spends more time on my repair bench than it does cutting wood. I am 70 years old and have owned Husqvarna, Echo, Jonsered saws over the years. For decades I have cut anywhere from 5 to 10 cords a year from standing timber to "in the shed". I cut alder and doug fir anywhere… Read more

from 8"-10" up to 35"-40" so you can gather I am not a rookie or inexperienced saw operator. This saw (following ALL Stihl starting procedures) is the absolute hardest starting saw I have ever owned. This saw is cleaned after every use and well maintained and sharpened and ALWAYS has fresh 92 octane fuel with Stihl synthetic 2 cycle oil at a 50:1 ratio. When it does run it has no problems with the larger wood, but the main point here is "WHEN" it runs. Give me back my Jonsered. I just plain wore it out after 18 years of hard use and .... it started EVERY time. Don't waste your money on a 311!

Absolute crapp – I bought in early 2017 ran for 3_4 months with only light work started overheating took back to Mansfield sthil dealer not covered under warranty as suspected fuel mix [what crap] had saw cylinder and piston replaced at my cost $800 fix. Used for 2maybe 3 loads of wood then seized Took back to dealer same thing suspected wrong fuel mix no warranty.. Never ever buy a sthil product again lost me... Show details

DONT BUY THIS – Did the job for the first few hours then started overheating. took back to dealer and was told the recommended 25:1 was not good for this model had to run it as rich as possible. Fell apart seals disintegrated while cutting dust entered and then ceased after 30 hours, was a very expensive lesson in what not to buy.  Show details

Overrated Saw – Great saw when going but doesn't go often enough. Dealer and spare parts support is absolutely disgraceful. Once they sell you the saw and you return with a problem they don't want to know you. Parts are never available, repair times cant be quoted, they don't know because they don't know if they can get parts or not. Will never buy another Stihl Chainsaw again and probably will never buy a Stihl product ever.  Show details

certainly not a pro saw – spat the plug clean out of the head under full noise, not overly used, mainly for felling or sectioning larger rounds, sent back under warranty which was not honored for a 14 month old machine that cost $2000 I would have expected it to last a hell of a lot longer  Show details

Great all rounder – I run the ms311 as my main saw cutting Australian hardwood logs 15" no issue at all. Starts as directed by dealer choke4pull half choke 1pull first time every time and once warm 1 pull I've never ever had to pull twice once warm. Ive been through 1 spark plug in 6 mths to what i think is great considering i run it 3 full days of the week flat… Read more

chat cutting logs and used to mill planks/fence posts. I was going to upgrade saws to do my milling and stuff but this is doing fine for me atm i can not fault. only fault isn't the product its the brand as the "stihl dealers" need to be able to do discounts or throw something in on sales this set price no leway is rough on regular customers as ive spent well over 4k at stihl changing all my equipment from honda/husky and get nothing so don't expect anything from them in that way on purchase.

Amazing saw! – I have owned husy's,jonsonreds,and several other top dollar saws this saw is amazing my grandfather bought it from a friend and its quite old but i love it.i cut wood burls and they are really hard.This stihl runs through it. I use air compressor to blow it out after and its perfect.for these people that wrote bad reveiws buy a poulan and a box of… Read more

kleenex. Cause you obviously do not know what your doing. If the saw dis run you would probably hurt yourselfs.lol amazing saw wouldnt trade it for anything else.

Worst saw I ever used. Nothing but problems with no dealer backup. Quality just not there. They don’ – I had an old stihl that was used by my grandfather for years supplying wood as his job, the thing looked like a relic that had fallen off a cliff but was a great saw that never let him or me down. My well meaning wife bought me a new ms311 for 40th birthday. Had nothing but problems with it, could never keep the chain tight. Stihl response was… Read more

that I was using the wrong chains( that they supplied ) Cut a moderate amount of wood with it , but never went out without my old one that got used nearly every time. It has done 4 seasons and now the crankshaft bearing has collapsed. Stihl response is that it is out of warranty and it is on me. I would not advise anyone to buy a stihl chainsaw. They are not built like they used to be and it now seems that with the crazy repair price they are a throw away item definitely not made to last like the old ones. I would not recommend anyone buy a new stihl chainsaw as the quality is just not there like the old ones.

February 26th 2018 Update: No backup support, very aggressive when dealing with problems, saw is terrible quality with problem

Purchased a farm boss as an upgrade to my existing saws. From the first use something just did not feel right. The saw vibrated really badly. I contacted stihl and was told to replace the chain which I did. The saw still felt terrible to use. I had all sorts of problems trying to keep the chain on as it keep getting loose. I stayed in contact at all times with stihl and was reassured that they would look after me. After the muffler fell off after a little over 12 months I had enough and let stihl know that I was not happy and that I had hung in there enough, I was met with an aggressive customer support operator who said it was my fault and that that the saw was out of warranty. All correspondence with stihl was met with aggression and accusations of me mistreating my saw. I would not recommend any one buy a stihl saw these days. If you want a crappy Chinese saw just buy one off eBay. At least you won’t be paying a premium for a stihl sticker.

Fantasic saw – Recently upgraded from a ms170 (owned for 5 years without an issue) to a ms 311. So far a fantasic saw, had it out on a few occasions, it starts easy even without using the decomp button, reliable and has plenty of power. Would recommend as a good all rounder.  Show details

This was far from the expectations that was offered – After buying this chainsaw as my first saw, I thought that a good mid range saw that could handle a reasonable workload would be the way to go. The saw ran amazing for a few months, then overheated and cooked the motor mid cut. Stihl replaced the saw begrudgingly, as I bought the saw from Bunbury, it was openly suggested the fuel mix could… Read more

have been wrong although an ex-stihl worker explained that the first thing done under warranty is check the fuel mix.

The second saw had 18-20 months of once again, brilliant running, cutting like a dream...

Mid-cut, nothing, dead in the water again. Still under warranty I headed back in to try and negotiate a replacement saw, with some reliability. Similar story, fuel mix was probably wrong, chain is slightly blunt with some burring on the bar.

The mechanical report indicated that the chain and bar were the root cause, therefore it was void of any warranty and would be $600-$700 if I would like it repaired. (Sorry I don’t have the quote on me).

I am dirty at the handling of it, but may choose another stihl, just a bigger one and I will avoid the Bunbury store.

Worst saw ever – I have cut 5 to 10 cords of wood from standing timber to "in" the wood shed every year since 1975. I have owned 4 saws during that time. This is my first (and last) Stihl. I have cut less than 1 cord and it won't start, won't run at idle. I always use fresh gas at 50:1 mix. I am very picky about cleaning and maintaining my saws. I have a 15 year… Read more

old "Husky" with a 20" bar that has more power than the Stihl 311 and it starts every time on second or third pull. I wanted a saw with a longer bar and a compression release start so decided to give this Stihl a try. BIG MISTAKE. Took the saw to my local Stihl Dealer and their reaction was " ya, these are hard starting saws". Save your money and buy a Huskavarna, Echo, Johnsered or anything but a Stihl 311

Excellent chain saw! – It is very easy to start once you figure it out,pops off every time like clock work and once warm....one pull every time. It has very good power and I'm running a 20" bar. Love It! quite baffeled with some of the negative responses???? ripped into some old very hard red oak last year, outdid my buddies comparable Husky. Again couldn't be happier. I run none oxy 91 and Steels top of line oil, never even changed plug yet.  Show details