An honest review of the Stihl MS 250 chainsaw - from technical characteristics to popular faults and their repair

Purpose

The Shtil 250 saw is perfectly balanced and combines such qualities as high power and at the same time low weight and ease of use. The power allows you to install larger tires on this model, which means sawing thicker tree trunks, which increases productivity. Weight affects comfort when working with a tool for a long time. Small dimensions allow the saw to work in places with limited space or in dense thickets. This saw is convenient for clearing branches from a fallen tree or cutting out small growth.

If necessary, Shtil 250 can cope with more complex tasks, but you should not work with maximum loads for a long time. The resource is still not the same as that of professional saws.

The Shtil 250 saw is designed using the most modern developments of German engineers, which we will talk about a little later.

Of course, the power unit of the Stihl MS 250 chainsaw cannot compare in power with the engine of a professional model, but it is also capable of a lot. The difference with a household chainsaw is felt as soon as you start making the first cut. If desired, buyers can purchase a richer package for the Shtil 250, in which it is additionally equipped with devices that increase the comfort of using the saw.

Cleaning the chainsaw

In order for the chainsaw to work faithfully for a long time, you need to perform very simple but necessary steps to clean the air filter, the mounting location of the guide bar and the grooves of the bar.

After each job, remove the filter and clean it of sawdust with a brush or compressor. The filter can be washed periodically in warm soapy water.

IMPORTANT. — do not wash the filter in flammable materials: gasoline, degreasers, solvents, etc.

Remove the tire and clean the area under the side cover with a brush or rag. Use a thin tool such as a screwdriver to clean the groove of the tire; this operation is convenient to do with a gauge for controlling the height of the plunge depth limiter.

We hope that in this article we have answered the main questions regarding the STIHL MS 180 chainsaw. If you have any questions, call us, we will be happy to share our knowledge. Our phones: +38(096) 484-62-61, +38(066) 689-23-54, +38(057) 781-74-87.

This article will be updated with text, graphics and video material. This version is from 02/20/2016

Specifications

The Shtil 250 chainsaw is supplied as standard to the Russian market with two tires of different lengths: 14 and 16 inches. Depending on the task at hand, you can choose any one, with luxury versions such as Shtil MS 250

When choosing a chainsaw, you should not focus too much on the length of the bar; if necessary, the bar and chain can be replaced with a longer one, or vice versa, after purchase.

The weight of the chainsaw is indicated without refueling fluids. Of course, it’s difficult to determine from the characteristics how a chainsaw will behave in practice; to do this, you need to try it at work and compare it with something. To find out how much a chainsaw costs today, we suggest looking at the most current offers from Yandex.Market:

Characteristics of modification C-BE

Due to the presence of a quick chain tension system, the weight of the saw is increased by 0.3 kg and amounts to 4.9 kg. The cost of the improved modification will be approximately 10% higher. Today the current price is 26,990 rubles. All other technical characteristics of the standard and improved model Stihl MS 250 C-BE are the same. Power 3.1 l. s., which translates into 2.3 kW. By the way, this is 0.8 more than the household model Stihl MS 180. Engine speed is 11 - 13 thousand.

STIHL - the emergence of the brand and modern assortment

The story began back in the 1920s.
The company was founded by Andreas STIHL, an engineer and designer from Stuttgart (a city in Germany). In Stuttgart there was a design bureau engaged in wood processing, the creator of which was STIHL. He realized how arduous the work of the woodcutters was, who felled the forest using ordinary axes, and he wanted to make their work easier for them. So, 9 years after the founding of the company, a chain saw appeared, weighing 46 kg - but the tool could be carried, and this was a big step forward in moving away from massive sawmills or manual forest cutting. Small-sized saws appeared even later, already in the 1950s, their power reached 6 horsepower, and their weight did not exceed 12 kg. With such tools, logging proceeded at a rapid pace, and woodcutters were able to produce more cubic meters of wood.

The ranking of global manufacturers of gasoline saws certainly belongs to two companies - STIHL and Husqvarna. The tools of these manufacturers have a good reputation in all countries of the world, they are distinguished by the highest quality and long-term operation without failures.

Often these days you can find a copy or fake of a famous chainsaw on sale. Such copies are stamped in factories in China, and the factory assembly is not always bad. It’s worse when saws are assembled in underground workshops - then it’s hard to vouch for the quality.

Features of the device 250 model and modification C-BE

To improve the performance of the Shtil 250, the designers installed several modern developments on the chainsaw, which best affect the comfort and quality of the chainsaw. The first thing we will talk about is the compensator.

Compensator

A special device installed in the carburetor cover and connected to the air filter housing by a separate small channel. The essence of the compensator is that it allows air to enter the carburetor in addition to the fuel filter. This is necessary in those moments when the air filter is extremely dirty and does not allow the amount of air required by the engine to pass through.

On chainsaws that are not equipped with a compensator, a dirty fuel filter can cause an increase in fuel consumption and an over-richness of the fuel mixture. As a result, everything can end with carbon deposits under the piston rings and scuffing of the CPG. Accordingly, the saw will require expensive repairs, and the compensator can protect against all this.

You cannot operate a chainsaw for a long time with a dirty filter, even if it has a compensator. We recommend cleaning the air filter after every working day.

Carburetor heating

This function is most useful in winter, as it prevents carburetor icing. The operator can turn the option on and off as needed. To change the mode, you need to move the valve, which redirects warm air flows to the carburetor or vice versa.

In the summer, you need to make sure that the damper is open, because otherwise the engine will cool worse and it can overheat.

Chain brake

One of the safety mechanisms when working with a chainsaw is a manual inertial chain brake. If for some reason the chainsaw bar makes a sharp rebound, the brake will engage and the chain will instantly stop spinning, thereby reducing the risk of serious injury. For the chain brake to operate correctly, the operator must comply with several conditions:

1. Hold your hands as instructed, i.e. left hand on the front handle, right hand on the back handle.
2. Clean the mechanism in a timely manner, since it is located in the side cover, which receives a huge amount of sawdust.

Vibration reduction system

The chainsaw engine vibrates strongly during operation. Vibration can cause discomfort and reduce operator work time due to fatigue. To solve the problem, German engineers equipped the Shtil 250 with an anti-vibration system consisting of effective shock absorbers. Thus, Shtil 250 can be used for work even by those who have chronic diseases of the hands.

Combined control

Another system that adds convenience and is designed to facilitate the operation of the Shtil 250 is a combined control lever. Thanks to which, turning the ignition on and off is done with the thumb of the left hand. The suction mode is also activated in the same way. You never need to look for the switch; it is always at hand, which is especially convenient in case of an emergency.

Ematic

This is an officially patented system by Stihl, which is designed to reduce friction and increase the service life of the saw set. The system includes not only the part that is installed on the chainsaw, this is the oil pump and transport lines, but also the bar and chain of the chainsaw.

Chain lubrication system

The chainsaw has stalled and will not start

If the tool stalls and does not start, you should first check the presence of fuel in the tank. As surprising as this may sound, many people forget about this and when a similar situation arises, they immediately try to repair the instrument, which can lead to serious damage.

In a situation where the saw has stalled and there is still gas in the tank, it is necessary to evaluate how the saw was working earlier. Maybe during work at the last moment an extraneous sound appeared, a grinding sound, a hum, a loss of power occurred, or the tool suddenly braked. All this will allow us to assess the situation in advance.

Problems in the fuel system

If upon inspection it is discovered that there is a spark, but the spark plug is dry, this means there is a problem in the fuel system. Checking it should start with the fuel filter

Next, you need to examine the fuel hose and its attachment to the carburetor, pay attention to fuel leaks from the carburetor and the presence of gasoline in the air filter housing. It is advisable to begin removing the carburetor only if a visual inspection does not allow you to find the cause of the breakdown.

A corresponding sign of a problem in the fuel system is an excess amount of fuel in the engine cylinder. Typically, signs of this are an extremely wet spark plug and the presence of a spark at the spark plug contacts. In this situation, you need to turn the chainsaw over so that the spark plug hole is oriented downward. If, with all this, gasoline flows from the cylinder, then the reason that the chainsaw does not start is that fuel has overflowed into the engine.

“Fills” with fuel, from time to time due to incorrect carburetor adjustment or malfunction.

You can familiarize yourself with the process of adjusting the carburetor using the example of the Champion 254 saw by watching the video annotation.

Spark plug

The spark plug is one of the main parts of the ignition system. A spark is formed at its electrodes, and if this element fails, it will be difficult to start, or even impossible.

The spark plug may completely fail, or work intermittently, or produce a weak spark. Checking the spark plug is quite easy; to do this, you will need to unscrew it from the engine, attach it to the cap of the high-voltage wire and, placing it on the cylinder, pull the starter. If the spark plug is in order, the spark will be powerful and blue. A weak spark with a red color is a sign of a problem. A defective spark plug must be replaced.

Violation of the sequence of actions when starting on a cold

If a brand new chainsaw does not start when it is cold, the reason may be due to the incorrect engine starting sequence. Typically, each manufacturer, in the annotation for the chainsaw, shows the procedure for starting the chainsaw when it is cold. Basically, it is identical for all two-stroke internal combustion engines that are installed on chainsaws, and represents the subsequent procedure.

• Closing the air damper (needed to enrich the fuel during startup).
• Fuel suction using a special primer for this (on some models of chainsaws, the primer is not provided by the design, and this item is not available for them).
• Turning on the ignition (if you forget about this, you may incorrectly consider the tool to be faulty).
• Carry out several movements of the starter until the first “flash” of the engine (it is important not to miss this moment, otherwise the engine may “flood”).
• Set the air damper to the open position.
• Start the chainsaw engine.

Malfunctions in the ignition system

If, upon inspection of the spark plug, it is found that it is wet and sparking does not occur at the contacts, this means that the problem should be looked for in the ignition system, inspect the coil, and check the gap between the flywheel and the coil contacts. You can also check how tightly the cap of the high-voltage wire sits on the spark plug, and the spark plug itself. Try replacing it with a new one.

Malfunctions in the ignition system

If, upon inspection of the spark plug, it is found that it is wet and sparking does not occur at the contacts, this means that the problem should be looked for in the ignition system, inspect the coil, and check the gap between the flywheel and the coil contacts. You can also check how tightly the cap of the high-voltage wire sits on the spark plug, and the spark plug itself. Try replacing it with a new one.

Stihl MS 250 C–BE

For even greater customer comfort, the Shtil company produces models equipped with an improved modification. Their letter designation can be deciphered by knowing what each specific letter means.

(E) – a starter with a special spring is installed on the saw, which reduces the load when starting the Shtil 250 chainsaw, making the start smooth and comfortable. The system is called ElastoStart.

(B) – the saw is equipped with a chain tensioning system without the use of additional tools. Thanks to which, the operator does not need to carry tools with him. And this is quite convenient.

(C) - means that the saw has modified gas and oil tank caps. It is not difficult to open such lids, but they have no chance of unscrewing on their own, as happens with ordinary lids.

Additional functionality

The Shtil 250 petrol saw has many advantages, namely an anti-vibration system that effectively protects the user, this is especially important during long and complex work. Among other things, it guarantees the most comfortable work possible. The master will be able to tension the chain without touching it, which is possible thanks to the side device. It is impossible not to note a positive feature, which is expressed in the presence of one lever, with its help the operator will be able to control all elements of the unit. “Shtil 250” will not let you down even in the coldest weather, since the manufacturer has taken care of preheating the carburetor; with this functionality you can work at any time of the year.

The choice between the 250th and 260th Shtil model

Readers have many questions about the choice between Shtil 250 and 260 chainsaws.

The answer can be unequivocal. The Shtil 260 saw is better for the reason that it is a saw for professional use and, during production, completely different requirements were placed on it than the Shtil 250, intended for agriculture.

Accordingly, the cost of these models has a significant difference. Shtil 260 is sold at almost 50% more expensive than Shtil 250. Of course, for those who don’t mind paying for a professional tool and using it in private households, it’s definitely better to buy Shtil 260, but the 250 also lasts for many years and practically does not kill if done in a timely manner. THAT and normal attitude.

We recommend reading an interesting, detailed review of the Stihl MS 260 chainsaw.

Chainsaws, gasoline, oil and its consumption

L + + + Note: When determining these standards, it is assumed that the mechanism operates 50 - 60% of the working time. CONSUMPTION RATES OF LUBRICANTS FOR GASOLINE SAWS (BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF PETROL GASOLINE USED) TTT ¬ ¦Saw brand¦For¦For lubrication of the saw¦Consistency¦ ¦¦preparation of ¦apparatus¦lubrication¦ ¦¦working mixture ¦¦¦ + + + + + ¦»Husqvarna » <1¦2%¦50%¦0.2%¦ + + + + + ¦"Taiga"¦5%¦35%¦0.2%¦ + + + + + ¦"Friendship"¦5%¦2 %¦0.2%¦ + + + + + ¦”Ural-5″¦5%¦16%¦0.2%¦ + + + + + ¦”Secor-3″¦5%¦-¦0.2 %¦ ¦("Secor-44")¦¦¦¦ L + + + <1 When using special Husqvarna oil. GASOLINE CONSUMPTION RATES in LITERS PER VEHICLE HOUR IN CUTTING CUTTING AND CLEARING TT ¬ ¦Saw brand¦Engine power,¦Consumption rate top¦ ¦¦hp/kW¦liv, l/motor.

Basic faults and DIY repairs

Like all gasoline units, the Shtil 250 chainsaw has basic malfunctions that most often occur with it. Let's figure out what these problems are and how to fix them yourself.

Why won't it start?

Sometimes there are situations when the saw may not start. As a rule, more than 50% of saws that did not start and were taken to a service center did not start due to a violation of the cold start algorithm.

The saw starting algorithm and the reason why the Shtil 250 may not start

The operating instructions describe in detail the process of starting the saw, according to which you first need to press the primer several times, then lower the control lever to the lowest position.

After this, pull the trigger several times until the saw grabs (it starts and stalls for a split second, this phenomenon is also called a flash). Next, you need to move the control lever up one position and start the saw, then press the gas once to set the idle speed.

To prevent the saw from starting, it is enough to violate only one point, namely, not to move the lever one position up after the flash has passed. Thus, the saw will not have enough air and fuel will flood the spark plug. To start the saw after the spark plug has been filled, it is necessary to bleed the engine. How this is done is described in detail in the operating instructions.

It starts and stalls when you press the gas - what is the reason?

If the saw operates normally at idle, but stalls when you press the gas, then the reason is either interrupted sparking or air leaks, or the carburetor settings. To find out the exact cause, it is necessary to conduct a complete diagnosis of the chainsaw engine. Information on how to diagnose the engine and carburetor can be found on our website. The same should be done in cases where the Shtil 250 starts and stalls.

Why is it hard to start?

If the saw is difficult to start, but after starting, it works normally, then you should pay attention to the cleanliness of the filter elements. Check the fuel and air filter. It is also worth inspecting the spark plug.

Important! A working spark plug on a properly running engine should have a reddish deposit on the electrode, and its gap should be 0.5 mm.

In some cases, the saw may have difficulty starting due to the mixture being too rich, which can easily be corrected by adjusting the carburetor.

Starter cord and spring faults

One of the most common breakdowns on any chainsaw is a broken starter cord or a broken return spring. Repairing these faults is quite simple. To do this, you need to remove the starter from the chainsaw (unscrew the four mounting screws). Next, using pliers, remove the stopper from the central shaft of the starter (in some versions, the mechanism is fixed with a screw), and then remove the washer and trigger pawl.

To replace the chainsaw cord, a reel is removed from the central shaft, onto which the cord is wound and the torn element is removed from the mount. A strong knot is made on the new cord, after which the cord from the end opposite to the knot is threaded into the mounting hole on the reel and pulled through it.

Next, the reel, followed by the pawl and stopper, are installed in their places, after which the lace is wound around the reel in a clockwise circular motion. The end of the cord is threaded through the starter body and a handle is installed on it, after which it is slightly stretched and secured with a knot. Thus, it turns out that the starter coil is under slight tension all the time, due to which the handle does not dangle, but is held in its seat.

If it is necessary to change a burst spring, it is convenient to do this after the cord reel has been removed. The new spring is installed with the body facing up. Next, the starter is assembled according to the algorithm described above.

Before installing the spring, it must be lubricated. Regular motor oil is suitable for lubrication.

Below is a video about repairing a starter on a Shtil chainsaw. The video is in German, but the procedure is shown in as much detail as possible and, if necessary, it can be repeated even by those who have never dealt with repairing a chainsaw.

Replacing oil seals

Oil seals are a rubber element with a spring that is installed on the motor shaft and protects against air penetration.

As soon as the seals become unusable (over time, this happens on all chainsaw engines, since the seals are made of oil-resistant rubber and lose elasticity over time), they must be replaced, since air leaks into the engine crankcase.

To replace the seals on the Shtil 250 yourself, you will need a special tool with which you can completely disassemble the chainsaw, as well as knowledge of all the nuances of disassembly and assembly.

Advice: if you do not have experience in repairing gasoline saws, it is better to turn to professionals.

Carburetor adjustment

The fuel system of the new saw provides the engine with maximum traction parameters and economical fuel consumption in all modes. The need to further adjust the carburetor arises when there are sudden changes in air temperature, the use of fuel with a different octane number, or when there is pronounced instability of speed.

If the engine does not start, you should first make sure that there is fuel in the carburetor and that the spark plug is working properly. The engine stalls when the gas is pressed - the reason is most likely a decrease in the performance of the main jet.

The fuel system is adjusted with the engine running after the cylinder has warmed up to operating temperature. By rotating the quantity and quality screws, the power unit is brought to optimal operating mode.

Reviews from real owners, as well as a little about fuel consumption per hour

We invite you to get acquainted with the reviews of real owners; the author of one of the reviews shares information about fuel consumption:

Alexander

City: Smolensk

Intended use: For work

I have been using the Shtil 250 chainsaw for more than two years. I work almost every day, but not all day, but for 3-4 hours including rest breaks. I'm happy with the saw. There are no problems with her at all. I filled up with gasoline and oil and went to work. Over the entire period of operation there was only one malfunction, the cord on the starter broke. I fixed it myself, the system is very simple, everything is done within half an hour. I only use branded oil and consumables, I don’t add any waste, so the tire is still original, and it’s preserved well, although the saw has already sawed through a lot.

The chainsaw's appetite is moderate for its class; per hour of operation, the chainsaw consumes about 1.3 liters of the finished mixture. You need to understand that consumption significantly depends on the nature of the work performed. For example, when cutting branches and other small things, I was able to use only 0.8 liters, and when sawing logs, fuel consumption increased to 1.7 liters per hour.

Grade: ★★★★★

Stihl MS 250 is a chainsaw that stands out for its quality and simplicity. It has enough power to cut trunks with a diameter of more than 50 cm. To increase the service life of the tire, only original Stihl adhesive oils must be used to lubricate the chain.

This saw is not suitable for professional use, but compared to a household saw, it can last much longer and has higher productivity.

Instructions for Chinese. Setup instructions

• N is the engine power, measured in kW;
• t – fuel consumption time, that is, 1 hour;
• G – specific fuel consumption of the vehicle, g/kWh;
• % – percentage of machine load during operation;
• p – fuel density.

How much gasoline does a chainsaw consume?

Another quite important indicator is how much fuel the chainsaw consumes during operation. The container for its storage can have a volume from 0.3 to 1 liter. The consumption rate depends on the following points:

1. Motor power. This indicator can vary over a fairly wide range. Household versions are characterized by less power, however, the volume of the tank is also reduced. Therefore, you need to prepare the required amount of fuel in advance, taking into account the consumption indicator indicated by the manufacturer.
2. Work intensity. When sawing, the idle and working cycles can change quite often.
3. Emerging load. When processing wood, for example, which is frozen, the load increases significantly. This is why frequent refueling is necessary. However, there is a certain limitation on the fuel indicator.
4. It is worth considering that when the structure wears out, fuel consumption increases significantly. That is why after a year or two of operation, refueling has to be done much more often.

When professionally providing services related to sawing building materials, models with increased power are often used. They can operate for a long period, which causes frequent consumption of fuel. In everyday life, models are used that are characterized by a lower performance indicator. With a power of 5-6 kW, the consumption rate can be 3 liters per hour. If the power is less, then the value drops to 0.6-0.8 liters per hour.

In conclusion, we note that new models are extremely intolerant of poor fuel mixtures.

That is why when buying an expensive chainsaw from a well-known manufacturer, you need to pay attention to what kind of fuel can be used when refueling