How to Select the Right STIHL Chain Saw | STIHL Tips

If you're considering purchasing a new STIHL chain saw, but you aren't sure which one is right for the tasks you have, the STIHL How-To series can help.

Consider the following when making your choice:
1. How experienced are you with a chain saw?
2. What do you plan to cut?
3. How big is the wood you plan to cut?

For more information on STIHL battery and gas-powered chain saws:

#chainsaw
#cuttingwood
#howto

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*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2021 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers. **“Number one selling” claim based on 2007-2021 syndicated Irwin Broh Research of the U.S. professional landscaper market. ***A majority of STIHL products sold in America are made in America of U.S. and foreign materials.

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[Technie]

As a professional feller, I specifically use the Stihl 2018 MS 201 C-EM pro model with a 12 inch bar.For more power, I turbo charge it with a mini Garrett turbo and run a K&N filter on the intake.Stock it comes with 2.41 bhp, however after the turbo @ 10PSI of boost I get 269HP and 420Nm of torque on the dyno. With this mod I can easily outperform the Stihl MS 880 Magnum that only gets 8 bhp. The little saw shreds right through 50 inch logs in an instant and yet it stays light and very maneuverable. Just stay with the 201 and mod it, its all you need.

[timgiles]

I love my MS 180C. I can use either a 12'', 14'' or 16'' bar and chain. I use mine with a 14'' bar and chain. Plenty of power and very useful all around chainsaw. Always keep your chain sharp. That's the key to any saw you buy or use.

[DR]

I have always had stihl saws. Right now my favorite is my 461. Saw is a beast. I'd suggest it to anyone needing to cut a lot of big timber. Well worth the price. 

[GrainsOfJustice]

Thinking about a stihl this year, my 16" Husq. struggles on 12 to 14" oak trees. I live on a farm and routinely have to fell large trees and clear roadways.

[mynameisjonas]

I have an MS180C and I have cut stuff bigger that whats intended for it during an emergency and it handheld it just fine.

I've used it to cut a ton of firewood and have felled many 10 to 15inch trees with it no problem.


Yeah they smaller saws look like toys, but they work really REALLY well.

[jkshoals]

I have a Stihl 020WB that is over thirty years old and still runs great. This is the only saw that you need to buy.

[pbbeast]

i like that instead of pushing us to buy the bigger saws you put an emphasis on not buying too much saw

[KnorpelDelux]

There is no right or wrong with these...buy them all! I'd love to <3

[ryanbruner]

It was hard for me to decide over the years, I used to do a lot of firewood cutting, so I have an MS 171, 021, 028 Super, MS 271, and an MS 460.I don't know why I always want more, even if I can't use them??? :D

[johnmedeiros]

I'm only 30 seconds into this video and I'd trust this man with my life

[jamesgeorge]

I bought an MS290 back in 1998. Replaced the oil pump, and the fuel pickup tube. Has cut 70 cords+ is ready for a new bar, but otherwise fires on the second pull, don't know if I will ever need to replace it. As long as parts are available.

[mrdilligaf]

And chainsaws are like women, you don't loan them out or it will end in tears.

[chrishickey]

The best all around chainsaw is the 362 imo, can do small stuff and pretty large stuff depending on bar

[felurianmasters]

You guys make the best saw from my gathering. Family all owns them, I was still looking all over, they was right. Might I suggest a product line up Playlist.

[shawnbottom]

When you sell a saw to homeowner Joe, you should sell them at least one extra chain and inform them they'll be spending half as much as the saw cost at the dealer every couple of years. That's to put a carb kit in along with other tune up maintenance. Most won't learn how to do any of those tasks properly and they should know what the true cost of ownership is. Also they won't be as likely to get frustrated when they need their saw and it doesn't run right. That's when people blame the brand and it was actually lack of maintenance or operator error.

[st]

Wish they would do a video on all the stihl pro saws. This one is just for home owner saws

[edhorsegolfer]

he was saying "this saw has a reduced emission engine" Like that's a good thing.

[E-te]

I’m a Echo guy but Stihl makes some of the best chainsaws out there.

[troyeager]

I have the ms 180 and love it. It doesn't let me down. It is a older model so I don't know about the new ones.

[SeriousSchitt]

I bought my first saw back in April '95. I was new to chainsaws and decided on a Stihl 066 (the equivalent, I think, to today's ms661) I didn't want the 'daddy' saw (the 084, I think it was) for, like I say, I was just a novice and new to chainsaws. The 066 came with a 25" bar. If I want a bigger saw I simply put on my 30" bar, and if I want a smaller saw (like, for limbing or hedge cutting) then I revert back to 25".