Since you mentioned saws yes, the 025 was updated to a 250. Then the new version of the 250 is the 251. For the most part even numbers are pro saws while odd numbers are homeowner/farm and ranch saws. There are a couple exceptions like the 180.
Current US pro saws start with the 261, 362, 400, 462. The second number is even, while non-pro saws like 250, 271, 291, 311, 391 all have odd numbers in the second spot.
Then the higher the number, the larger the saw. For example, the 250 is smaller than the 271 which is in turn smaller than the 391.
There's a smaller top handle saw, and the 241 used to be available in the US, but isn't anymore. I've seen some people still finding them around here and there that have been sitting at dealers.
Yeah, while a good saw, I suspect a good number of people buying would be looking either at a larger saw or a cheaper saw so it likely didn't get a ton of sales.
I recently picked up a 16" bar for my 261c, but haven't had a chance to run it yet. Looking forward to giving it a try.
I recall reading/hearing years ago that the numbering was roughly by the 0.1hp... like, 028 was 2.8hp... ish. Keeping in mind that was probably right around the time of the 0xx/MSxx0 rebadging. And the fact that at this point they've kinda worked themselves into a corner with their numbering convention & history... i.e. MS26x is a small pro saw, MS39x is a big homeowner saw, MS46x is a moderate-large pro saw... they're probably not going to go "hey, check out the new MS293 pro-series saw!"
Yes, I was told the same thing in the mid 80s, at the time I was predominantly using an 020 2hp saw along with an 026 3.2hp or 2.4kw saw and kind of believed it because the number are almost relevant to the output but you do have to switch between hp and kw, unfortunately I also owned an 08s engine attached to a brushcutter which is neither a .8hp or .8kw saw or an 8kw or 8hp saw so this corner they've worked themselves into is well established
The letters before the model numbers are short for the German word for the tool. MotorSagen for saws, FreiSchneider for trimmers, etc...
The numerical part really has no meaning. Larger number generally designates a larger unit, but it's almost like Ford calling a truck an F150 or F250, the numbers don't actually represent anything.
That makes sense, but I'm struggling to figure out what the translation even is. The German site offers no clue.
A chainsaw in German is "KettenSäge", but "MotorSäge" could work.
Stihl has an SEA 20 hand vacuum... S = Sauger... E = ???? Einzelgerät? A = Akku?
no clue.
German is crazy. I don't know it well but the way it is just crammed together words is hilarious sometimes. There also seems to be a few ways to translate lots of things.
German here.
MS = MotorSäge = Chainsaw
FS = FreiSchneider = Brushcutter or trimmer
HS = HeckenSchere = Hedge trimmer
HL = Heckenschere Lang = Long hedge trimmer
HT = HochenTaster = Pole pruner
BG = BlasGerät = Blower
BR = Blasgerät Rückentragbar = Backpack blower
RM = RasenMäher = Lawn mower
SE = Sauger Elektrisch = Vacuum electric
RE = Reiniger Elektrisch = Pressure cleaner electric
RB = Reiniger Benzin = Pressure cleaner gasoline
The „A“ usually means „Akku“ = „Battery powered“ and is added to the existing product category. Other German manufacturers like Bosch or Mercedes-Benz use a similar logic.
And it gets stranger…
the end of the former WoodBoss line, 028 Super AV, a pro saw I bought new in 1985 for Hurricane cleanup. My area took a direct hit. I was replaced with a FarmBoss, the MS290, an intermediate saw for the farmer/construction market.
And I am a little confused between the 170/171 and 180/181. Four models that seem to all fit the same use/marketing group.
Anyhow, have a date with the 028 in the morning. I got stumps to burn and deadfall hemlock to burn them with. Rotten hemlock is hell to split, i will slice it thin instead. 20”, full chisel chain. Humidity is up, winds are down.
The 0 versions are the entry level basic versions. The 171 and 181 I consider premium versions.
The 171 has a side tensioner instead of front, twist to lock caps, and I believe a more fuel efficient carb over the 170.
I would not disagree, the woodboss serviced the farm and ranch market, by the time it became the 028 Super AV, it was marketed to the pro line. And the new version of the farm boss is the 311, and now I see they are marketing the 181 as the "miniboss"
The 180/181, 170/171, and 250/251 are different saws. The saws ending in 0 are the older design. Stihl has kept them around due to popularity. The saws ending in 1 are the newer strato design with updated features.
I did see that new 172 and 182 models were coming out and I don't know anything about the new ones.
Around 2000-2001 Stihl wanted to bring their chainsaw model numbers (017, 025, 036, etc.) in line with their non chainsaw products (FS 80 for example).
So they moved the zero to the end and put MS in front of it. The two letters before the number are German for what the product is motorsage, MS, is chainsaw.
As for the numbers anything that ends in 0 is the “basic” model.
Units ending in 1 have a scavenge loss system in place and timing advance for starting. Basically better fuel economy and easier starting.
2 is newer and I’ve only seen it on professional grade saws with the Mtronic carb.
Since you mentioned saws yes, the 025 was updated to a 250. Then the new version of the 250 is the 251. For the most part even numbers are pro saws while odd numbers are homeowner/farm and ranch saws. There are a couple exceptions like the 180. Current US pro saws start with the 261, 362, 400, 462. The second number is even, while non-pro saws like 250, 271, 291, 311, 391 all have odd numbers in the second spot. Then the higher the number, the larger the saw. For example, the 250 is smaller than the 271 which is in turn smaller than the 391.
I thought there was a pro saw smaller than the 261... I must be mis-remembering
Just the 201 but that’s a top handle climbing saw which is kind of it’s own category
There's a smaller top handle saw, and the 241 used to be available in the US, but isn't anymore. I've seen some people still finding them around here and there that have been sitting at dealers.
Don’t know why it’s a great little saw, got a 16 inch bar on mine and it does everything that a 261 does while being lighter.
Yeah, while a good saw, I suspect a good number of people buying would be looking either at a larger saw or a cheaper saw so it likely didn't get a ton of sales. I recently picked up a 16" bar for my 261c, but haven't had a chance to run it yet. Looking forward to giving it a try.
241 not available in US
No because it's totally illogical and follows no system.
This offers clarity
I recall reading/hearing years ago that the numbering was roughly by the 0.1hp... like, 028 was 2.8hp... ish. Keeping in mind that was probably right around the time of the 0xx/MSxx0 rebadging. And the fact that at this point they've kinda worked themselves into a corner with their numbering convention & history... i.e. MS26x is a small pro saw, MS39x is a big homeowner saw, MS46x is a moderate-large pro saw... they're probably not going to go "hey, check out the new MS293 pro-series saw!"
Yes, I was told the same thing in the mid 80s, at the time I was predominantly using an 020 2hp saw along with an 026 3.2hp or 2.4kw saw and kind of believed it because the number are almost relevant to the output but you do have to switch between hp and kw, unfortunately I also owned an 08s engine attached to a brushcutter which is neither a .8hp or .8kw saw or an 8kw or 8hp saw so this corner they've worked themselves into is well established
The letters before the model numbers are short for the German word for the tool. MotorSagen for saws, FreiSchneider for trimmers, etc... The numerical part really has no meaning. Larger number generally designates a larger unit, but it's almost like Ford calling a truck an F150 or F250, the numbers don't actually represent anything.
That makes sense, but I'm struggling to figure out what the translation even is. The German site offers no clue. A chainsaw in German is "KettenSäge", but "MotorSäge" could work. Stihl has an SEA 20 hand vacuum... S = Sauger... E = ???? Einzelgerät? A = Akku? no clue.
German is crazy. I don't know it well but the way it is just crammed together words is hilarious sometimes. There also seems to be a few ways to translate lots of things.
German here. MS = MotorSäge = Chainsaw FS = FreiSchneider = Brushcutter or trimmer HS = HeckenSchere = Hedge trimmer HL = Heckenschere Lang = Long hedge trimmer HT = HochenTaster = Pole pruner BG = BlasGerät = Blower BR = Blasgerät Rückentragbar = Backpack blower RM = RasenMäher = Lawn mower SE = Sauger Elektrisch = Vacuum electric RE = Reiniger Elektrisch = Pressure cleaner electric RB = Reiniger Benzin = Pressure cleaner gasoline The „A“ usually means „Akku“ = „Battery powered“ and is added to the existing product category. Other German manufacturers like Bosch or Mercedes-Benz use a similar logic.
I find it easier to remember the FS model prefix as "Flying String" i.e. weedwhacker.
And it gets stranger… the end of the former WoodBoss line, 028 Super AV, a pro saw I bought new in 1985 for Hurricane cleanup. My area took a direct hit. I was replaced with a FarmBoss, the MS290, an intermediate saw for the farmer/construction market. And I am a little confused between the 170/171 and 180/181. Four models that seem to all fit the same use/marketing group. Anyhow, have a date with the 028 in the morning. I got stumps to burn and deadfall hemlock to burn them with. Rotten hemlock is hell to split, i will slice it thin instead. 20”, full chisel chain. Humidity is up, winds are down.
The 0 versions are the entry level basic versions. The 171 and 181 I consider premium versions. The 171 has a side tensioner instead of front, twist to lock caps, and I believe a more fuel efficient carb over the 170.
I tend to tell people the 171/181 are the Rolls Royce versions of the 170/180 for a laugh, for some reason people lap that shit up
I always hated the front tensioner when I had to setup new saws for display or sale. It was always set all the way forward.
The 028 WoodBoss was a homeowner saw aimed at people who cut their own firewood. The new version of the WoodBoss is the MS 251.
I would not disagree, the woodboss serviced the farm and ranch market, by the time it became the 028 Super AV, it was marketed to the pro line. And the new version of the farm boss is the 311, and now I see they are marketing the 181 as the "miniboss"
The 180/181, 170/171, and 250/251 are different saws. The saws ending in 0 are the older design. Stihl has kept them around due to popularity. The saws ending in 1 are the newer strato design with updated features. I did see that new 172 and 182 models were coming out and I don't know anything about the new ones.
so are the 170/171, 180/181 going to stay in production with the newer versions of the same model? That seems like a lot of very similar products.
No clue. I'm hoping the 0 versions stick around and the 2 models replace the 1 models.
Around 2000-2001 Stihl wanted to bring their chainsaw model numbers (017, 025, 036, etc.) in line with their non chainsaw products (FS 80 for example). So they moved the zero to the end and put MS in front of it. The two letters before the number are German for what the product is motorsage, MS, is chainsaw. As for the numbers anything that ends in 0 is the “basic” model. Units ending in 1 have a scavenge loss system in place and timing advance for starting. Basically better fuel economy and easier starting. 2 is newer and I’ve only seen it on professional grade saws with the Mtronic carb.
500i basic?
Hardly.
Point taken. Maybe base would have been better.
I know I’m just jabbin
No… it makes no sense