STIHL® MS 162 Chainsaw w/ 16" Bar

The STIHL MS 162 is a lightweight entry-level gas chainsaw designed for homeowners who need a reliable saw for occasional firewood cutting, pruning, storm cleanup, and maintaining smaller trees around the property.

Powered by a 30.1 cc STIHL 2-MIX engine, the MS 162 produces 1.2 kW or approximately 1.6 hp and comes equipped with a 14-inch guide bar in its standard Canadian configuration. Its narrow-kerf 3/8" Picco cutting system is well suited to smaller branches and logs, helping the saw cut efficiently without requiring the larger engine, weight, or cost of a farm and acreage model.

The MS 162 is best understood as a practical first chainsaw. It is compact enough for occasional users to handle comfortably, but it still offers the fuel-powered portability and serviceability that many homeowners want for seasonal property maintenance.

Our Recommendation

We recommend the STIHL MS 162 to homeowners who need a chainsaw several times per year for manageable jobs around the yard, campsite, cabin, or smaller property.

It is a good fit for cutting fallen branches, pruning fruit trees, preparing small quantities of firewood, cleaning up after windstorms, and occasionally cutting smaller trees. STIHL specifically positions it as an entry-level saw for private grounds maintenance and occasional cutting.

The MS 162 is not the saw we would recommend for regularly processing several cords of firewood, cutting large hardwood, or completing extended acreage and forestry work. Customers expecting heavier or more frequent use should consider the MS 182, MS 250, MS 271, or MS 291.

For a homeowner who wants a straightforward gas chainsaw without buying more machine than they need, the MS 162 offers a sensible starting point.

Best Suited For

The STIHL MS 162 is particularly well suited to:

• Occasional firewood cutting
• Pruning fruit trees and larger branches
• Storm cleanup around a residential property
• Cutting fallen limbs into manageable pieces
• Campsite and cabin maintenance
• Smaller trees and light property work
• First-time chainsaw owners who want an entry-level STIHL gas saw

30.1 cc STIHL 2-MIX Engine

The MS 162 uses a 30.1 cc STIHL 2-MIX engine rated at 1.2 kW or approximately 1.6 hp. STIHL designed the engine to provide useful cutting performance while keeping fuel consumption appropriate for an occasional-use homeowner saw.

The saw operates on gasoline mixed with two-cycle engine oil. Straight gasoline must never be used.

For customers who only use their chainsaw periodically, fuel quality is especially important. Gasoline left sitting for long periods can deteriorate and contribute to hard starting, poor acceleration, or carburetor deposits.

What Can the STIHL MS 162 Cut?

The MS 162 works best when its cutting capacity is matched to its compact engine and 14-inch bar.

Typical jobs include:

• Limbs and branches
• Small fallen trees
• Smaller firewood rounds
• Fruit-tree maintenance
• Fence-line and trail clearing
• Light storm debris
• Softwood and moderate-diameter residential wood

STIHL notes that the MS 162 can be used for firewood, fruit-tree pruning, and even felling smaller trees.

The size of the guide bar should not be treated as the saw’s ideal cutting diameter. A 14-inch bar may physically reach through larger wood, but the engine, chain condition, wood species, cutting technique, and amount of continuous work all affect performance.

The MS 162 is most comfortable when it is allowed to cut at its own pace with a sharp chain. Forcing it through large hardwood will slow the cut, create excess heat, and place unnecessary strain on the engine and cutting system.

Narrow-Kerf 3/8" Picco Cutting System

The MS 162 comes with a 3/8" Picco saw chain designed to produce a relatively narrow cut. STIHL describes the system as supporting precise cutting while helping the compact engine deliver effective performance.

A narrow kerf means the chain removes less wood during each pass than a wider cutting system. That can help an entry-level saw maintain cutting speed when used for the lighter work it was designed to handle.

This cutting system is particularly well suited to:

• Pruning
• Limbing
• Small firewood
• General homeowner maintenance
• Users who value a smooth, controlled cut

Like any chainsaw chain, it must be kept properly sharpened and tensioned. A dull chain will make the MS 162 feel significantly less capable and can encourage the operator to push too hard into the cut.

Side-Mounted Chain Tensioning

The MS 162 uses side-mounted chain tensioning, allowing the operator to adjust chain tension from the side of the saw rather than working near the front of the guide bar.

Proper chain tension is important for cutting performance and safety.

A chain that is too loose may come off the guide bar. A chain that is too tight can create unnecessary friction, accelerate wear, and make it harder for the chain to move freely.

Chain tension should be checked:

• Before starting work
• After installing a chain
• After the first few cuts with a new chain
• Periodically as the chain warms during use
• After the saw cools

The engine should be shut off and suitable gloves should be worn before touching or adjusting the chain.

Simplified Combi Lever

The MS 162 includes a combi lever with a stop function.

After the saw is switched off, the control automatically returns to the operating position. This simplifies restarting a warm engine because the operator does not need to manually reset the control after every stop.

This is a small feature, but it makes the saw more approachable for occasional users who may not be as familiar with traditional multi-position chainsaw controls.

STIHL Anti-Vibration System

Chainsaw engines and cutting attachments naturally create vibration. The MS 162 includes STIHL’s anti-vibration system, which uses buffer and spring elements to reduce the amount of vibration transferred into the front and rear handles.

Reduced vibration can make the saw more comfortable to control during pruning, firewood cutting, and cleanup work.

It does not eliminate operator fatigue. Users should still take regular breaks, maintain a secure two-handed grip, and avoid operating the saw for longer than their experience and comfort allow.

Is the MS 162 a Good First Chainsaw?

The MS 162 can be a good first chainsaw when the work is modest and the owner is prepared to learn proper operation and maintenance.

Its compact size, 14-inch bar, straightforward controls, and homeowner-focused cutting system make it less intimidating than a larger farm or professional saw. However, a smaller chainsaw still requires the same respect, protective equipment, and training as a larger model.

A first-time owner should understand:

• How to start the saw safely on the ground
• How chain braking works
• How to avoid kickback
• How to inspect and tension the chain
• How to sharpen or replace the chain
• How to recognize when a cut exceeds their experience
• How to store and handle mixed fuel
• When to call a professional arborist

The MS 162 is approachable, but it is not a substitute for safe operating practices.

STIHL Homeowner Chainsaw Comparison

The MS 162 and MS 182 are STIHL’s lighter homeowner-focused options, while the MS 250 provides a substantial step up in engine output. The MS 271 and MS 291 are better suited to farm, acreage, and frequent-use work, while the MS 261 C-M is a professional saw with a stronger power-to-weight focus and electronic M-Tronic engine management.

STIHL MS 162 vs MS 182

The MS 182 is the closest step up from the MS 162 in this comparison.

The MS 162 is generally the better choice when the customer expects to use the saw occasionally for branches, smaller wood, and cleanup.

The MS 182 offers approximately one-third more rated engine power, giving it more authority in larger limbs and firewood while retaining a compact homeowner-friendly format. It also includes a fleece filter, compensator, transparent oil tank, tool-free fuel and oil caps, and a diagnostic socket for dealer servicing.

For customers unsure whether the MS 162 will be enough, the MS 182 is often the more flexible long-term purchase.

STIHL MS 162 vs MS 250

The MS 250 is a considerably more powerful saw than the MS 162.

The MS 250 produces substantially more power and is better suited to larger wood, regular firewood processing, and owners of small acreages or heavily treed properties. STIHL describes it as a mid-sized saw for domestic users and tradespeople, with winter and summer operating settings and a durable Rapid Micro 3 chain.

The MS 162 is still the more sensible option when the work is genuinely light. Buying a larger saw adds capacity, but also increases cost, fuel use, weight, and the consequences of poor technique.

STIHL MS 162 vs MS 271

The MS 271 belongs to a different class of chainsaw.

It uses a 50.2 cc engine producing 2.6 kW or 3.5 hp, compared with the MS 162’s 30.1 cc engine and 1.2 kW output. STIHL recommends the MS 271 for farmers, landscapers, tradespeople, firewood cutting, wood construction, and broader landscape maintenance.

The MS 271 is the better choice for:

• Acreage owners
• Regular firewood cutting
• Larger logs
• Farm and ranch maintenance
• Frequent property work
• Customers who expect their workload to grow

The MS 162 remains easier to justify for occasional residential use. A homeowner trimming branches a few weekends each year may gain little from carrying and maintaining a larger farm-class saw.

What to Know Before Buying the MS 162

It is intended for occasional use

The MS 162 is not designed as a daily forestry or commercial firewood saw. Its value comes from being compact, affordable, and appropriate for lighter work.

A 14-inch bar does not make it a large-tree saw

Bar length is only one part of cutting capacity. Engine output, chain type, wood condition, operator experience, and cutting technique also matter.

It requires mixed fuel

The MS 162 uses gasoline mixed with the correct two-cycle engine oil. Straight gasoline can quickly damage the engine.

A sharp chain matters enormously

A dull chain can make even a properly running saw feel weak. It also increases cutting time, heat, vibration, and operator fatigue.

It is not suitable for every tree job

Felling trees near buildings, roads, utility lines, fences, or neighbouring property requires training and careful planning. Larger, damaged, leaning, or hung-up trees should be handled by a qualified professional.

Protective equipment is essential

At minimum, operators should use approved chainsaw protective pants or chaps, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, sturdy boots, and suitable head protection for the work being performed.

Fuel and Chain Oil

The MS 162 requires two separate fluids:

• Correctly mixed gasoline and two-cycle engine oil for the engine
• Suitable bar and chain oil for the cutting system

These fluids serve different purposes and should never be substituted for one another.

For occasional users, STIHL MotoMix can simplify fuel handling by providing a premixed option designed for STIHL two-cycle engines. Customers mixing their own fuel should use suitable fresh gasoline and a quality two-cycle oil at STIHL’s specified ratio.

The chain-oil tank should be checked whenever the saw is refuelled. Running the cutting attachment without sufficient lubrication can overheat and damage the chain, bar, sprocket, and oiling system.

Chain Tension and Sharpening

A properly maintained chain should pull itself into the wood without the operator forcing the saw.

Signs that the chain may need sharpening include:

• Fine sawdust instead of larger chips
• The saw pulling to one side
• Increased vibration
• Slower cutting
• The need to push heavily into the wood
• Smoke despite correct lubrication and tension

STIHL recommends regular chain sharpening to maintain cutting performance.

The chain should be replaced if it is damaged, stretched beyond adjustment, or filed past its service limit.

Seasonal Storage

Chainsaws often spend several months unused, which makes storage preparation especially important.

Before long-term storage:

• Clean sawdust and debris from the saw
• Inspect the chain, bar, and sprocket area
• Follow STIHL’s fuel-storage procedure
• Fill or manage the chain-oil system as directed
• Sharpen the chain
• Fit the guide-bar cover
• Store the saw in a dry, secure location
• Keep it away from children and ignition sources

Starting the season with stale fuel, a dull chain, and a dirty air intake is one of the easiest ways to turn a small cutting job into a frustrating one.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance for the MS 162 includes:

• Cleaning or replacing the air filter
• Inspecting the spark plug
• Checking the fuel filter
• Cleaning the guide-bar groove and oil holes
• Inspecting the drive sprocket
• Rotating and dressing the guide bar
• Sharpening and tensioning the chain
• Cleaning cooling-air openings
• Checking the chain brake
• Inspecting the fuel and oil systems for leaks

The exact maintenance schedule should follow the current STIHL owner’s manual and reflect how frequently the saw is used.

Why Buy Your STIHL MS 162 From Arns?

Arns Equipment is a family-owned STIHL dealer with more than 80 years of outdoor power equipment experience. Our Calgary team helps homeowners choose a chainsaw based on the wood they are cutting, how often they expect to use it, and how much saw they can handle safely.

We can help you:

• Decide whether the MS 162 has enough capacity for your property
• Compare it with the MS 182 and MS 250
• Select the correct chain, files, fuel, oil, and protective equipment
• Learn how to check chain tension and basic saw condition
• Find maintenance and repair parts through PartsHouse.ca
• Arrange local warranty assistance and professional chainsaw service
• Choose a larger model when the MS 162 would be underpowered for the work

STIHL approved dealers provide product advice, instruction, original replacement parts, and expert after-sales service.

For homeowners who want a compact and dependable gas chainsaw for occasional pruning, small firewood, and seasonal cleanup, the STIHL MS 162 is a sensible entry point into STIHL’s gas chainsaw lineup.