Just got the 162 yesterday. Went in to get the 170 since that is what was shown on the stihl website. Dealer told me the 162 replaced the 170. Ok then. Used it for about 45 minutes. Seems fine for me the homeowner. Cut some 16 inch diameter tree trunks. The saw seems under powered and gets hung up and stalls. Have to not push the saw and let the saw do the work. No real complaints for my needs. Might get a 10 or 12 inch bar since most of my stuff is usually smaller limbs
That's great. Thanks for sharing. You might want to check out our guide on bars and chains before buying the new bar. Here's the link: th-cam.com/video/y0bssbEHUAA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=d8fcGhfOH09W9oOM
45 minutes? You need at least 3 tankfulls of fuel before they are "Run in". I got an MS181 and it was dead flat for the first couple of hours or so, it's great now.
Well, I took your advice...I bought another 170 today since it's likely to be discontinued. I was considering the 162, but decided against the heavier, more emissions-choked model. I installed a side chain tensioner and metal bumper spikes on it, so the inconvenience of the front tensioner is no longer an issue. I like the 170 very much, better in fact than I do my MS 250 which I bought after my first 170, thinking that I'd like a little more power. The lighter, more compact nature of the 170 makes it easier to sling around and maneuver in tight spots, or take up a tree if needed. I'm just a home owner, not a pro, but the 170 suits me fine.
My "small saw" is a 170. I added a side adjuster and steel bumper spike (bucking dog) to the saw. Those changes made the saw nicer to maintain and use for pruning and small tree clearing tasks. If I need "more saw" I have a 261, 461 and a 661 on hand... The middle two saws see the bulk of the action but the other two definitely have their place.
Weight is usually an issue for heavy users, but for the home user it’s not a huge issue for low hours.😊 You can thank your EPA in California for the changes in new outdoor equipment 😊
I would buy the 162, the side tensioner and better suspension would out weigh the difference in the weight. Thanks, have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to hit LIKE ❤
Nice review but I was surprised that you didn’t mention that the 162 only has one chainbar retention stud. I just bought a162 to replace my broken 170 after 6 years but I’m definitely having second thoughts about my purchase. What do you 170 guys think?
If I had to buy one of these. It would be the 162 but the saw that I own. Is a 194T and I would take that any day compared to a homeowner saw with the same size bar. Yes I know these are not an Apple to Apple comparison.
I would buy the 170 and put the side tensioner and spikes on for the $10 - $12, and upgrade to the 50 gauge bar and chain. I have done that for a buddy and it's a whole different saw. I also have a 170 in my collection and it's getting those upgrades.
I'll take a front access chain tensioner screw any day before a single bar mount stud/quick chain adjust knob. The 162 is sleeker looking to satisfy the customer and, 'cleaner' (despite lower performance per same cc) to satisfy emissions standards. I'm not brand loyal (currently own a Stihl and an Echo) but if I were in the market for a basic home owner grade sub-45cc saw, it would be an Echo.
@@mainstreetmower Thank you for your response 🙂. It's strange, the FS 261 is built in Germany, it's the FS 240 with a bigger engine. Cylinder capacity : 41.6 cc 2.72 HP 17.2 LBS Knife diameter : 300 mm. Mowing diameter : 520 mm.
Please stop using pounds, and start using kg like the rest of the world 👍 pounds make no sense.... Otherwise great comparison, thinking of buying the 162 today.. not that I need it, just because I want a new model in my lineup 🤣🤣
Just got the 162 yesterday. Went in to get the 170 since that is what was shown on the stihl website. Dealer told me the 162 replaced the 170. Ok then. Used it for about 45 minutes. Seems fine for me the homeowner. Cut some 16 inch diameter tree trunks. The saw seems under powered and gets hung up and stalls. Have to not push the saw and let the saw do the work. No real complaints for my needs. Might get a 10 or 12 inch bar since most of my stuff is usually smaller limbs
That's great. Thanks for sharing. You might want to check out our guide on bars and chains before buying the new bar. Here's the link: th-cam.com/video/y0bssbEHUAA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=d8fcGhfOH09W9oOM
45 minutes? You need at least 3 tankfulls of fuel before they are "Run in". I got an MS181 and it was dead flat for the first couple of hours or so, it's great now.
Well, I took your advice...I bought another 170 today since it's likely to be discontinued. I was considering the 162, but decided against the heavier, more emissions-choked model. I installed a side chain tensioner and metal bumper spikes on it, so the inconvenience of the front tensioner is no longer an issue. I like the 170 very much, better in fact than I do my MS 250 which I bought after my first 170, thinking that I'd like a little more power. The lighter, more compact nature of the 170 makes it easier to sling around and maneuver in tight spots, or take up a tree if needed. I'm just a home owner, not a pro, but the 170 suits me fine.
I am glad you've found a machine that suits you so well. I personally love the 170 as well. Thanks for sharing 🙂
My "small saw" is a 170. I added a side adjuster and steel bumper spike (bucking dog) to the saw. Those changes made the saw nicer to maintain and use for pruning and small tree clearing tasks. If I need "more saw" I have a 261, 461 and a 661 on hand... The middle two saws see the bulk of the action but the other two definitely have their place.
Awesome
Heavier and less power? Props for keeping a straight face for the entire video. lmao
Yea, 1/10 of a hp 🤦♂️
Weight is usually an issue for heavy users, but for the home user it’s not a huge issue for low hours.😊
You can thank your EPA in California for the changes in new outdoor equipment 😊
Agreed
I would buy MS170.
Good to know, thanks for sharing.
I would buy the 162, the side tensioner and better suspension would out weigh the difference in the weight. Thanks, have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to hit LIKE ❤
Thank you, that's very nice of you. Hope you have a great weekend as well 🙂
I picked up a 162 today on sale for 179.99 maybe 1/2 an hour run time so far and it feels great .
That's great. Enjoy your new unit.
I just picked up an ms162 it won’t even cut a small limb lol is there a certain direction the chain has to be put on?
@@MINAR3L_GR3Y_2V Don't run a chainsaw if you're asking that question.
Just ordered one today for a tailgate saw I mean it’s so cute and cheap why not 🤣
Haha that's awesome. Do let us know how you like it after using it a while.
Looks like a good product, hope to see them down under
Hopefully soon
Im hearing more people saying the 170 is better but my local Ace hardware store has sale on ms162 for 159.00.
Definitely get yourself a MS170 while you still can, they will be gone by the end of the month
@@mainstreetmower I appreciate it 🙏
Nice review but I was surprised that you didn’t mention that the 162 only has one chainbar retention stud. I just bought a162 to replace my broken 170 after 6 years but I’m definitely having second thoughts about my purchase. What do you 170 guys think?
If I had to buy one of these. It would be the 162 but the saw that I own. Is a 194T and I would take that any day compared to a homeowner saw with the same size bar. Yes I know these are not an Apple to Apple comparison.
How can you not be biased when you've used a 194T. Love that unit.
I think this would go perfect with my ms 261 c-m and ms 362 c-m
Good looking lineup you have there
I would buy the 170 and put the side tensioner and spikes on for the $10 - $12, and upgrade to the 50 gauge bar and chain. I have done that for a buddy and it's a whole different saw. I also have a 170 in my collection and it's getting those upgrades.
I'll take a front access chain tensioner screw any day before a single bar mount stud/quick chain adjust knob. The 162 is sleeker looking to satisfy the customer and, 'cleaner' (despite lower performance per same cc) to satisfy emissions standards. I'm not brand loyal (currently own a Stihl and an Echo) but if I were in the market for a basic home owner grade sub-45cc saw, it would be an Echo.
Thanks
Absolutely. Hope it helped 🙂
If you have an older 170, is the bar and chain interchangeable with the 162?
Yes
C denotes EasyStart System 😊
Good to know. Thanks 🙂
First thing I would do is throw the bar in the junk pile and install a 12 inch bar with picco .50 set up.
Hello, nice product, thank you :) Please, could you make a video about the FS 261, if it's possible ?
That machine isn’t available in the US. We have the FS 240 and coming out soon the FS 251, but I’ve never heard of that one
@@mainstreetmower Thank you for your response 🙂. It's strange, the FS 261 is built in Germany, it's the FS 240 with a bigger engine.
Cylinder capacity : 41.6 cc
2.72 HP
17.2 LBS
Knife diameter : 300 mm.
Mowing diameter : 520 mm.
I'm in Georgia. When will Stihl southeast have these saws available for shipping?
We just got some last week down in FL
Stihl stopped the ms170 before to make way for the 171 they had to bring back the 170
im actually glad i own a couple ms170’s the new line of stihl lower end models are not as good as the 170 or 180. they suck really bad
Which ones specifically are you referring to?
@@mainstreetmower 162, 182, 172
You can rebuild the 170 to side tension.. it cost me 5 bucks.. new model, heavier and less hp? Cmon.... you can do better stihl...
How do you change the side tension mechanism ?
The MS 170 is GONE in most of Europe.
that's great the one i bought is a pices of #&@% at 320
Which one did you get?
170's air filtration system is garbage
Please stop using pounds, and start using kg like the rest of the world 👍 pounds make no sense....
Otherwise great comparison, thinking of buying the 162 today.. not that I need it, just because I want a new model in my lineup 🤣🤣
Hi 👋🏼 Chip & Stu, @albladez sent me across x x x
Hey Christina, welcome to the channel 🙂