A Best Selling Entry Level Saw From Stihl - MS170
The Stihl MS170 Chainsaw is a compact sized petrol chainsaw that is really well suited for domestic users.
If you only need a chainsaw for pruning trees and bushes in your own garden as well as tackling some light logging work, its well worth giving the MS170 a close look.
Despite having a small size this particular chain saw is one that can really give out a large punch, no doubt due to its high build quality and powerful two-stroke petrol engine.
Currently in the UK this particular model of Stihl chainsaw is supplied as standard equipment with a 30cm (12") bar and chain. As an accessory though you can also buy a slightly smaller 250cm (10") bar and chain if required.
To jump straight to the overall specification of the Stihl MS170 Chainsaw you will find that this model has:
- A powerful 30.1cc 2 stroke petrol engine
- The engine on the MS170 develops 1.6bhp
- A 12" cutting bar length
- Features a safety chain brake
- Has automatic oil lubrication
- Has a low weight of just 4.2kg
What makes this a recommended chainsaw for the home user?
There are several factors that make this particular model of chain saw ideal for the home user.
One factor is that when you purchase a Stihl item of forestry or gardening machinery you are obtaining a machine that has been developed and designed to perform exactly as intended.
For the keen home gardener this adds up to the Stihl MS170 Chainsaw being light in weight, manageable in size and balance, being reliable, and above all - offering good cutting performance as and when needed.
Add in useful features such as the machines automatic chain lubrication system and the safety chainbrake device, and you end up with a model of chain saw that surpasses a lot of other brands and model of chainsaws on several counts!
Talking of reliability, one thing that most homeowners fear when it comes to items of powered garden machinery, is how easy (or difficult) is it to start the chainsaws engine?
All too often petrol engined items of garden machinery can become hard to start, especially if they are of a poor build quality or have not been developed by the manufacturer to be easy to start in the first place!
When it comes to this individual model of petrol chainsaw you can rest assured that Stihl have made the MS170 as easy as possible to start-up.
What is the best small petrol chainsaw?
This is a question that a lot of people ask, especially by people that are looking to buy their first small petrol chainsaw.
In reality this question can be looked on in several ways; do you want the best overall small chainsaw regardless of price or cutting capacity? or do yo have a budget in-mind of what you want to pay? What size logs or trees do you need the saw to cut?
Once you have considered these points you will be in a far better position to see which make and model of small petrol chainsaw is right for you.
Need a saw that can cut-up to around a 10" capacity and which has a manageable weight with proven reliability and cutting performance? Our recommendation on the best small petrol chainsaw has to be the high quality and specification Stihl MS170.
Easy Operation Control:
Unlike older models of two-stroke petrol chainsaw, the Stihl MS170 is fitted with their likable "single lever master control".
This is a control which makes the tool easier to control and manage. The start, choke, throttle, and stop controls are all operated with this single lever.
Anti-Vibration Dampers:
This saw is fitted with anti-vibration dampers as standard equipment. These dampers reduce the amount of vibration that is transferred through to the operators hands whilst the saw's engine is being used. This feature allows the saw to be used for extended periods of time and prevents fatigue of the hands being experienced in an earlier timescale.
Engine Compensator Device:
This is actually a component that is within the carburettor assembly of this petrol chain saw. Its aim is to allow constant performance of the machines engine performance between service intervals. It works by preventing (amending) the fuel to air mixture from becoming "richer" as the air filter on the saw becomes soiled and starts to clog-up.
This compensator device permits the correct amount of fuel to be delivered into the MS 170's engine meaning the engine power is kept steady.
Loop Chain and Chainbar Lubrication:
This model of Stihl Chainsaw utililises their Ematic Chain Lubrication System. This is an automatic system that carries out the required delivery of a high quality chain oil to the saws chainbar as well as the links on the loop saw blade.
Correct lubrication to the cutting blade as well as the bar is essential to prevent early wear and tear on these two components as well as to aid the cutting performance of the tool.
The Ematic system allows the correct amount of oil to be pumped straight to where it is most needed, doing this as the engine is running and the loop blade is being driven around the saws guide-bar.
Technical data of the Stihl MS170 Chainsaw:
Below is the current (UK) full technical date of this model of 30cm chainsaw.
| Engine Displacement cm³ | 30.1 |
| Engine Power Output kW / bhp | 1.2 / 1.6 |
| Weight in kg | 4.1 |
| System weight kg | 4.57 |
| Power-to-weight ratio kg/kW | 3.4 |
| Sound pressure level dB(A) | 100 |
| Sound power level dB(A) | 111 |
| Vibration values left/right m/s² | 6.9/6.4 |
| STIHL Oilomatic saw chain pitch / type | 3/8" P PMM3 |
| Oil Pump | Automatic |
| Tank volume l | 0.25 |
| Chain pitch | 3/8"P |
| Chain tensioning | Manual with tensioner |
| Sprocket - number of teeth | 6 Z |
| Filter | Panel Type Element |
| Bumper / Log Spike | Yes (fitted as standard equipment) |
| Cylinder | Chrome Barrel / Cylinder |
| Oil tank volume cm3 | 145 |
| Sprocket | Matched to Chain Blade Profile |
| Anti vibration system | Standard AV-System |
| Filler cap | Screw Cap |
| EPA Certified fuel consumption l/h | 0.604 |
| CO2 g/kWh | 969 |
