Stihl debuts fuel-injection chainsaw, other products at GIE+EXPO

Stihl has released the first-of-its-kind fuel-injection chainsaw, MS 500i. This 25-inch bar saw was on display at the GIE+EXPO. (Photo: LM Staff)

During the GIE+EXPO, Stihl debuted a fuel-injection chainsaw, MS 500i. The chainsaw is available with a 25-inch bar and chain and as an optional wrap-handle version, the MS 500i R, also with a 25-inch bar and chain.

Both versions of the chainsaw have 6.7 phb engine power. The MS500i weighs 13.9 lbs. and the MS 500i R weighs 14.8 lbs. It also has a simplified starter procedure, where users only push the primer bulb and pull the starter cord.

First lithium-ion top-handle chainsaw

Stihl also released the MSA 161 T, the first lithium-ion top-handle chainsaw released by the company.

The MSA 161 T provides professional arborists long run times and fewer noise disturbances. It has up to 50 minutes of operation time when paired with the Stihl AP 300 battery. As a battery-powered chainsaw, it has a lower noise output which allows in-tree workers to communicate easily with ground crews and offers flexibility on time of use.

The MSA 161 has a brushless electric motor and comes standard with a ¼-inch Picco saw chain.

Other features include Quickstop Plus, with an electronically-controlled coast-down brake which stops the rotating saw chain when the rear handle is released. Also included is a built-in retractable carry ring and side-access chain tensioner.

More new chainsaws

Stihl also introduced the MSA 220 C-B, powered by the AP S 36-volt battery, to its battery-powered line. It comes standard with a 14- or 16-inch guide bar and 3/8 Picco saw chain. This saw is suited for felling and pruning small-diameter wood and has 15 percent greater cutting performance compared to Stihl’s MSA 200 C-B.

The MS 151 T C-E is a top-handle chainsaw with a 12-inch guide bar. It weighs 5.73 lbs. and is designed for in-tree use with its compact size.

The MS 194 T top-handle chainsaw has an anti-vibration system, 1.88 bhp and weighs 7.28 lbs. Guide bars range from 12 to 16 inches.

Brian Manke, product manager at Stihl, shows how small the Stihl Smart Connected device is. The device attaches to a piece of equipment to provide usage data in a smartphone or desktop application. (Photo: LM Staff)

Stihl Connected

While at the GIE+EXPO, Stihl also unveiled Stihl Connected, a new Bluetooth device that attaches to tools and equipment and records operational data accessible through smartphone, tablet or online portal.

Users can see usage data that can help develop planned maintenance schedules and make more efficient use of the tools in a fleet.

There are three components to the system: the smart connector, which attaches to each tool; the connected app and the connect pro portal, which provides detailed fleet information.