are all stihl chain saws created equal

1948jr · Feb 23, 2014

I bought a new ms 170 for 179.00 and I see used ones on ebay bring over 200.00 + shipping. what is wrong ?

JD Seller · Feb 23, 2014

The same model numbered saws are the same but Stihl makes cheap saws and professional saws. It used to be the even number saws where the better saws over the odd numbered saws. Example: 028 over an 029. With the new numbering system I am not sure which models are the consumer grade and which ones are the professional ones.

PS make sure the model number is exactly the same. Different letter with the same number can be a completely different saw.

Any saw you bought new for $179 is going to be a consumer grade saw. Maybe good for a limb saw but not a heavy duty saw.

Super Trucker · Feb 23, 2014

Like Mr.Seller said they have 3 grades of saws right now. There is a homeowner[cheap],farm/ranch[mid],and pro[really f'n expensive]. The cheap ones are foreign built and some of the mids too. The pro's are made in Germany and are SUPERIOR in quality to the others with all metal case and a big azz motor to run the huge bars. What you have to ask is how much am I going to use it? I cut wood for heat so I bought a mid grade new stihl and don't really like it. So I found a late 80's 034 and love it. If you just cut a couple times a year no need in spending the big bucks for a better saw.

JDemaris · Feb 23, 2014

You saw used 170s on Ebay for over $200 or just other used Sthils? Stihl has been making "el cheapo" saws for years along with the good stuff. First "cheap" Sthil I ever saw when I worked for a Sthil dealer was the model 015 in the early 70s. No ball bearing for mains, USA R.E. Phelon ignition instead of Bosch, etc. Around 10 years later the 010 came out which was a real piece of junk when compared to other Sthils. Not long after many plastic saws came out and I lost track.

I've heard others mention theories as to even or odd numbers having meaning as to quality. I never noticed any such relationship. Back in the 60a-70s - the S10, 08, 030, 031, 040, 041, 045, 050, 051, 070, 075, 090, etc. were all similar in quality. First "cheap" homeowner saws were the 015 and 010 (odd and even endings). Maybe something changed later when I stopped paying attention. My old 040 was one of best Sthil saws I ever owned. 2nd to that was my 045 Super. I'm still using both.

Prawn Farmer · Feb 23, 2014

You got a really good deal if by chance your new saw came with a case, too. Maybe the new MS170 saws on E-Bay have a case, extra chain and shipping included in the price?
The MS170 is an "occasional use" saw and, if you are looking for a new hobby someday, sees use for chainsaw sculpting when equipped with the special carving bar and chain.
As others have said, Stihl has occasional use, mid-range and pro-model lines.

D beatty · Feb 23, 2014

1948jr the $179.00 has been the going price at all the dealers in this area for a little three years for the MS-170. I bought my 170 in about 2000 and gave $159.00 new. As far as people buying on Ebay I think some of them are brain dead and have no idea what stuff sells for new.

T in NE · Feb 24, 2014

Nope.
Know a guy who recently tore into his neighbor's Stihl because it wasn't oiling the chain. Found the gears that drive the oil pump are open, unlubricated, and plastic. That's on a newer pro model saw.

RGMartin · Feb 24, 2014

Please explain exactly how oil pump gears can be unlubricated?

8v92guy · Feb 24, 2014

oil pump gears on most chain saws are only lubed with grease. It is a worm gear style rotary pump not a gear pump. In most saws the worm gear is plastic and the pinion/pump gear are metal.

Bret4207 · Feb 24, 2014

The oil pump drive gear on many pro saws is plastic and unlubricated. That's nothing new. The pump section itself will get lubed of course, but not the drive. Same for the little roller bearing on the crank end of the clutch, that sucker never gets lubed.

No matter what brand you get, a $179.00 chainsaw is bottom of the line, big box store quality. A pro saw of any make these days is going to start in the $500-600.00 range for a little one. The big ones are over a grand.

RodinNS · Feb 24, 2014

You got a consumer grade saw. Period. AS someone else said, Stihl has three grades of saw... the consumer/light use like you got, a mid grade 'farm saw' such as the MS390 and then the pro grade saws. Pro saws are mixed through the lineup.... IIRC, the MS250 is the smallest, then the MS360 variants, then you move up to the 72 cc MS440 variants. All of those Magnum models have now gone through a couple of evolutions so it's actually MS442 today.... but you get the idea. Also... they've all got plastic drive gears in the oil pumps and it's been that way for a long time. The worm is plastic and the driven gear is steel. I've got one here in front of me from a firewood processor that uses a Stihl pump. This one seems to weep enough to keep everything lubed pretty well...

Rod

Ken Macfarlane · Feb 26, 2014

I haven't kept up but I thought the 260 was the smallest pro saw they had. The 250 was sort of mid grade wasn't it?

8v92guy · Feb 26, 2014

(quoted from post at 16:31:00 02/26/14) I haven't kept up but I thought the 260 was the smallest pro saw they had. The 250 was sort of mid grade wasn't it?

ken you are correct 260 has now been replaced by 261 but the 250 is mid range saw.

RodinNS · Feb 28, 2014

You guys could be correct. I thought it was 250 but I won't argue the point. It's quite a while since I looked at the literature. 361 is the smallest we have...

Rod

are all stihl chain saws created equal

1948jr

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Super Trucker

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JDemaris

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Prawn Farmer

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D beatty

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T in NE

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RGMartin

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8v92guy

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