Undoubtedly, Stihl is one of the leading manufacturers in the market, manufacturing the most reliable chainsaws. Therefore, purchasing a product from the brand is an assurance of reliability. 

Be it the Stihl ms 170 vs. ms180; you will encounter ultimate support and versatility within both chainsaws. There will be no task in which these chainsaws will fail to have your back. Whether you are within the premise of your home or outside in a forest, you would never have to worry about running short on fuel. 

However, despite being a product of the same brand, differences exist between both Stihl ms170 vs. ms 180, as they are different models. Where essentially you will only encounter significant similarities within the chainsaws, there will be minute differences too. So let’s identify them! 

Stihl 170 vs 180

We guarantee that Stihl ms 170 vs. ms 180 are excellent and ideal products for your cutting purposes. Regardless, before ordering yourself, one of the two, be aware of the difference.

This is because both models are dedicated to serving different purposes. For instance, Stihl ms 170 is considered more of a beginner chainsaw and helps the users cut firewood and clear rough branches of a tree.

On the other hand, the Stihl ms 180 is more of a chainsaw for professional users who would use the equipment to cut these woods and shape them in different shapes.

See the difference! Keeping this in mind, let’s compare other properties of these chainsaws. Remember, the properties we will discuss are available in both Stihl ms 170 vs. ms 180; however, there is a variance in their intensity. 

Stihl Ms 170 vs. Ms 180: Differences 

Engine

Since Stihl ms 170 vs. ms180 are the production of a single brand, there is no doubt that their engine composition would be somewhat similar. By similar, you must keep in mind that the sort of engine and its type installed will have the same characteristics but will differ in some aspect or another. 

This is evident by the fact that the power of the engine in Stihl ms 170 is 1.3kW, meaning it is a 30cc engine. Whereas in Stihl ms, 180 is the engine delivering a power source of 1.5kW, therefore an engine of 31cc. 

As we stated earlier that the difference is only going to be minor. Both the model engines differ by a 0.2kW difference which is a minute one. Truth be told, even though Stihl ms 180 is a bit more powerful when pieces of equipment are put to use, there is a rare chance that you will ever notice the difference. 

Weight 

Considering the weight of a portable object like a Stihl chainsaw is a requirement that should impact your final decision profoundly. No one wants to carry around a chainsaw that is not only heavy but poses a serious challenge regarding portability and convenience. 

Fortunately, weight Stihl ms 170 and ms180 are both convenient for portability due to their lightweight ability. Whichever model you choose for your final purchase, either, will come to the ease of carrying it around quickly! 

Ms 170 and ms 180 weigh moderately. They are not too heavy or too lightweight. This, though, is a feature that distinguishes Stihl products from the other alternatives in the market because chainsaws are usually heavy. 

Where Ms 170 weighs 8.6 pounds, ms 180 weighs nine pounds. Again the difference is bare and minimum, meaning you will have no problem with portability regardless of the model you choose! 

Fuel Capacity

Although the fuel capacity of the equipment is not a concern for most people, you should be making the mistake of neglecting this factor at no cost. Rest assured. You will suffer with your decision later on when the inconveniences materialize. 

Imagine you are in a forest and have walked hundreds of miles to reach your destination just to find out that after using the chainsaw for approximately thirty minutes, the fuel had run out even when you refilled the tank before pursuing your journey.

We want you to never come across such a situation, and taking into account the fuel capacity for both Stihl ms 170 and ms 180, you will be able to make a better decision. 

For ms 170 and ms 180, the guaranteed capacity of fuel for the tank is 8.5 ounces. This capacity is quite expansive and can hold large amounts of fuel at any given time. Also, it is more than enough to meet the demands of your chainsaw utilization for a day at least. 

With fuel capacity, you also consider chain oil because this is where there is a difference. Ms 170 holds 4.9 ounces of your chain oil but taking a look at Ms 180, it will have 5.1 ounces. 

This difference is a noticeable one. Not only in the form of numerics but also in how the chainsaw will be conditioned when implemented. So do not keep yourself unbothered by it. 

Budget & Affordability

Last but not least is the factor of budget and affordability, hence the price of a product. You would not want to go ahead with purchasing a product that is costly but also, at the same time, is not worthwhile. That only constitutes a waste of money, and you should avoid it. 

It may not sound surprising to you, but the latter model- ms180, is a bit more expensive than the prior model, ms 170. The costliness encountered in ms 180 is justified since the model offers you more prominent and enhanced features. 

If you are a professional looking for a chainsaw to satisfy all your needs efficiently, you should not be having an issue paying slightly more. Let those extra dollars you spend be justified because the model 180 is more fit and compatible for you. 

Stihl ms 170 vs stihl ms 180 Specs Comparison

Both the Stihl MS 170 and Stihl MS 180 chainsaws come from the same manufacturer and share quite a few similar specifications.

However, there are some key differences between the two that may impact their performance and usability. Here, we are comparing their specifications to provide a clearer picture:

Specification Stihl MS 170 Stihl MS 180
Power Source Gas Gas
Powerhead Weight 8.6 lbs. 8.6 lbs.
Guide Bar Length (Recommended) 16 in. 16 in.
Oilomatic® Chain 3/8″ PMM3 3/8″ PMM3
Chain Oil Capacity 4.9 oz. 4.9 oz.
Engine Power 1.7 bhp 2.0 bhp
Fuel Capacity 8.5 oz. 8.5 oz.
Displacement 30.1 cc 31.8 cc

Similarities:

  • Both the Stihl MS 170 and MS 180 use gas as a power source.
  • They both have the same powerhead weight (8.6 lbs.) which makes them equally portable.
  • Their recommended guide bar length is identical (16 in.), suggesting they are suited for similar types of cutting tasks.
  • Both models use the 3/8″ PMM3 Oilomatic® chain and have the same chain oil capacity (4.9 oz.), indicating similar chain performance and lubrication needs.
  • Their fuel capacity is also identical at 8.5 oz., meaning you can expect similar runtime from both models before needing to refuel.

Differences:

  • The engine power is different: the MS 170 has a power output of 1.7 bhp, while the MS 180 is a bit more powerful with 2.0 bhp. This may affect the cutting speed and overall performance, with the MS 180 likely being a bit faster.
  • The engine displacement is also different. The MS 180’s engine is slightly larger at 31.8 cc compared to the MS 170’s 30.1 cc. A larger displacement typically means the engine can generate more power and torque.

A Final Overview for Stihl Ms 170 vs. Ms 180

Before we conclude our discussion of Stihl ms 170 vs. ms 180, we would like to give you a final overview of both pieces of equipment. Despite mentioning the significant differences, you must also know about the equipment through an outline, as it will assist you in making a more comprehensive decision. 

Stihl MS170 

It is a definite challenge to find yourself a compact and sturdy chainsaw. Still, with Stihl Ms170, the job becomes quite simplified as the product excellently exhibits these qualities.

 

The ideal performance is as precise as you aspire it to be and is not affected by the small size of the chainsaw. The blade used in ms170 is versatile. It is suitable for a wide range of average domestic and household tasks you might want to undertake using your chainsaw. 

Again, the model’s compact size effortlessly compliments portability when considering clearing the untidy branches of your trees in the garden. Without any problem, the chainsaw will handle a lumber of 6×6 inches within a second, saving you time and effort.

Motor in the chainsaw is a two-stroke one that subsequently delivers a massive ratio of power and weight in a very moderate size. Along with this, the installed carburetor works to maintain and aid the balance of the proportion of air and fuel. 

Stihl MS180

Comparatively, with all the features and other components of the chainsaws for Stihl ms 180, is taking the lead. With its emetic lubrication system, the chainsaw reduces oil consumption with an average margin of fifty percent.

 

Additionally, the only level on the ms 180 is used for making the chainsaw’s utilization easy and quick. There is no need to attach more levers as the same one will start the throttle and bring the machine to a halt. 

As far as user safety is concerned, that too is covered by the ms 180, as there is an extra chain tensioner that provides its purpose by making the chainsaw function in a way where the user will have no contact with the blade when removing it. 

Also, do not worry about the chainsaw model’s vibrations, as this has been taken care of through the anti-vibration mechanism. The system will reduce the vibrations’ intensity and occurrences for you. 

Conclusion

We have listed all the differences between Stihl ms 170 and ms 180. Now it is on you to use this information and decide for yourself, keeping in mind to finalize a model ideal for your individual and personal use.