how to locate serial number on stihl chainsaw

How to locate serial number on stihl chainsaw serial numbers#

It will, specifically, tell you whether it's a 1970s, 80s or later design, which I think gives you more useful information as to what it will be like, as per my original post.The STIHL linked App is a central system module of STIHL linked. The dates aren't perfect, but they're a good indication and give an idea as to whether the date on a sticker is even possible. The most comprehensive list I know of is at:Ĭhain Saw Collectors Corner - Gasoline Chain Saws by Manufacturer Probably the best you can realistically do is get credible dates for introduction and sometimes discontinuation of models. No, this won't help you in judging a particular saw on fleabay.

How to locate serial number on stihl chainsaw serial numbers#

Yes, you can get a good approximation if you know how Stihl serial numbers work Yes, you could dismantle an 044 to establish whether it's the 10mm or 12mm wrist pin, and armed with that information you could establish whether the date on the sticker matches the model type, but realistically it doesn't make any tangible difference to how it performs in real-world use, and that was my original point, whilst I acknowledge that changes were made during production runs that can last decades, most of the changes don't make a lot of difference to the user.Īs such, in answer to your specific question:

Whilst Megatron's comments are technically correct, I don't think they help answer the question. The question I think you're trying to address is, before experiencing using a particular model, how do you work out roughly what it should be like, and then seeing whether the particular one you're looking at is a good or bad example. In other words, whilst you were 'had' over the year of the saw, if you hadn't been it wouldn't have made the saw behave any better! A little-used 1982 saw would out-perform a hard worked 1992 saw, so even if it had been a 1992 model that wouldn't have made things any better. The 038 you had didn't behave as it did because it was manufactured in a particular year - it behaved like an 038, minus some for condition, irrespective of which particular year it was made. The point I was trying to make was that I don't think the question you're asking will help arm you with anything useful in future relative to avoiding future issues like the one you experienced. (/from when the new parts will be installed) The changes are outlined in service bulletins and a serial number is given up to which the 'old' parts will be used. There are often quite big changes that have occurred through a saws production run that influence parts availability (OEM and aftermarket), reliability and performance. In my view, at first and even second pass, none of these are significantly affected by serial number. cc, HP and chain speed) so is it a racer or a slogger (design era plays a role here too) and also, by reputation, reliability and parts availability and finally condition- how does it measure up to it's original spec. which will give theoretical performance (mainly. weight, and complexity as well as factors like efficiency, noise emissions and vibration levels model spec. Design era, which will tell you a bit about performance vs. There are three factors I think you're trying to assess in secondhand saws. The characteristics of most models change very little throughout the production run - your 038 would still have been heavy and thirsty whether it was built in 1982, 1992 or 2002 - it would still essentially be based on 1970s technology. You can date them from the serial number, but I'm not sure it would help you very much.