There is absolutely no doubt that Stihl
makes some of the best chainsaws on the planet. This is definitely a good thing. It is nearly impossible to lose as long as you stick with this company.
Quick Break Down Of The Stihl 170 Vs 180
| Stihl 170 | Stihl 180 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 1.3 kW power (30cc) | 1.5 kW of power (31cc). |
| Weight | 8.6 pounds | 8.6 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 8.5 ounces | 8.5 ounces |
| Chain Oil Capacity | 4.9 ounces | 5.1 ounces |
Engine Power
First and foremost, you should take the time to check out the engine power for both chainsaws. When you do, you will see that the power is almost identical. With the Stihl 170, you’re going to have 1.3 kW power (30cc). The 180 is slightly more powerful. With this chainsaw, you’re going to have 1.5 kW of power (31cc).
That might seem like a big difference, but it probably won’t be too noticeable during most applications.
With that being said, you shouldn’t feel obligated to buy one or the other based on this characteristic.
Weight
While you’re at it, you’ll want to look at the weight. Some chainsaws are too heavy and this makes them incredibly difficult to use. Thankfully, neither chainsaw is too heavy.
In fact, they’re both moderately light. Both chainsaws weight 8.6 pounds. This makes them pretty lightweight. You shouldn’t have any trouble lugging this chainsaw around or using it to cut through trees.
Capacity
The truth of the matter is that fuel capacity and chain oil capacity aren’t too important. Fuel capacity is definitely more important than chain oil capacity. Nevertheless, you should know the differences between the two chainsaws before making your final decision.
With the 170, you’re going to have 8.5 ounces of fuel capacity. This is identical to the 180. The difference is with the chain oil capacity. The 170 is only capable of holding 4.9 ounces of chain oil at once. The 180 is slightly better. It can hold 5.1 ounces of oil.
If this is something that you feel is very important, you should definitely make the upgrade to the 180. However, you shouldn’t spend a whole lot more to make the upgrade. After all, the difference isn’t that significant.
Affordability
Finally, you should take the time to consider the prices of both. The truth of the matter is that the prices are pretty much the same. There isn’t much setting these chainsaws apart from one another.
The price is no different. Therefore, you should not hesitate to choose the one that you like the most. If you want a little more power and capacity, you should go ahead and upgrade to the 180. Otherwise, you’ll still be happy with the 170.
You can check their prices out on eBay, you might be able to find them a little cheaper there than from a dealer, I’ll leave links to both saws. Stihl MS170 and Stihl MS180.
Summary
At the end of the day, you can guarantee that both chainsaws are going to satisfy. Still, it is tough to know which one is right for you. Since the prices are similar, the decision shouldn’t be too tough.
By the way, I found a seller on eBay (not me) who is selling chains super cheap. No, they’re not from China, there from here in the United States. Anyways, I’ll link to there chains and you can check them out. Chainsaw Chains on eBay
