Stihl 025 Chainsaw: Specs, Price & More

The Stihl 025 is a 45 cc gas chainsaw for homeowners and farmers. It came to market in 1991 and was later replaced by the MS 250.

In this article, I’ll lay out an overview of the saw, describe the specs and show you where you can get parts.

Stihl 025 Chainsaw

The 025 was one of Stihl’s best-selling chainsaws in the mid-professional category. Nowadays you can get a second-hand one for a good price but beware of the increased difficulty of finding parts and ensuring the saw is in good condition.

The most common guide bar for the 025 is a 16” one, but anything between 12-18” goes. Most users agree that it’s better to run with smaller-sized bars, rather than 18”.

The saw is suitable for processing firewood, dropping mid-sized trees, and clearing land.

Quick Overview

The 025 is a 45 cc, 3 HP chainsaw that weighs 10.4 lbs (4.72 kg). It had a very good power-to-weight ratio when it was in production. Over the years it’s proven to be a very reliable and durable chainsaw.

Some of the reasons for its popularity were its power, which was enough for an average homeowner, yet not too heavy to carry it into the woods. It was affordable as well, which always helps, doesn’t it?

The 025 has a clamshell design, which means the engine is self-contained and nestled inside the saw.

Who is it for?

The 025 was a popular pick among Stihl’s compact homeowner series. The company claimed the saw was designed for ‘demanding occasional use’. It had most of the features and technology that were available at the time. We’ll go more in-depth on features later on.

For more demanding users, there’s the 026, but it isn’t really in the same category so I won’t compare them. In a nutshell, the 026 is a crankcase design and is almost entirely rebuildable and much stronger.

What is it for?

The 025 is most often used for:

• Dropping small trees
• Cleaning up after hurricanes and storms
• Pruning and limbing trees
• As a light-use farm chainsaw
• Other light yard work

Another possible use case might be a backup chainsaw or one to keep in the boot or the tractor for dealing with downed trees.

Production years

The 025 was manufactured from 1991 until late 2002, at which point it was replaced by the MS 250.

A well-maintained piece can still hold its ground even after 3 decades.

Stihl 025 Specs

Series	1123
Year introduced	1991
Year discontinued	2002
Engine displacement	44.3 ccm (2.7 cu. in.)
Number of cylinders	1
Cylinder bore	1.65” (42 mm)
Piston stroke	1.26” (32 mm)
Cylinder type	Aluminum with chrome plated bore
Intake method	Piston ported
Manufacturer advertised HP	3.0
Operator configuration	One man operation
Handlebar system	Anti-vibration
Chain brake	Yes
Clutch	Centrifugal
Drive type	Direct
Construction	Injection molded plastic, die-cast magnesium
Magneto type	Electronic
Carburetor	ZAMA C1Q type
Air filter system	Nylon mesh cartridge
Starter type	Automatic rewind
Oil pump	Automatic, gear driven, nonadjustable
Maximum engine RPM	12,500
Idle RPM	2,800
Ignition timing	Fixed
Breaker point setting	None
Flywheel/coil air gap	0.008 to 0.016” (0.2 to 0.4 mm)
Spark plug type	Bosch WSR6F, NGK BPMR7A, Champion RCJ7Y
Spark plug gap	0.02” (0.51 mm)
Crankshaft main bearings	Ball
Fuel oil ratio	50:1 with Stihl oil
Recommended fuel octane	Regular grade
Mix oil specification	Stihl two-cycle chain saw mix oil

All 025 models are electronic ignition, unlike many other 0 series saws like the base model 015 or all versions of 031 AV, which have points ignition.

One of the ways to identify the older Stihl chainsaws is by the fuel tank and oil caps. Prior to the MS series chainsaw flip caps, the ‘0 series’ had screw-on caps that were a bit tougher to open at times.

Also, the older models have a red lever rather than a black lever.

If your saw has flip caps and a chain adjuster at the front, you might have a Stihl 250/025 transformer – this was just before the 025 was phased out and the MS 250 brought in.

Stihl 025 Features

There are several notable features and benefits of the Stihl 025.

• Fuel pump – fills carburetor with fuel to simplify starting.
• Twist lock – lock for the carburetor box cover.
• Chain brake – a device to stop the rotation of the chain if activated in a kickback situation by the operator’s hand or by inertia.
• Oilomatic saw chain – a loop consisting of cutters, tie straps and drive links.
• Guide bar – supports and guides the saw chain.
• Front chain tensioner – permits precise adjustment of chain tension.
• Side chain tensioner – permits precise adjustment of chain tension.
• Adjusting wheel – permits precise adjustment of chain tension.
• Chain sprocket – the other wheel that drives the saw chain.
• Chain sprocket cover – covers the clutch and the sprocket.
• Bumper spike – toothed stop for holding saw steady against the wood.
• Chain catcher – helps to reduce the risk of operator contact by a chain when it breaks or comes off the bar.
• Decompression valve – releases compression pressure to make starting easier.
• Muffler – reduces engine exhaust noise and directs the exhaust gases.
• Starter grip – the grip of the starter, for starting the engine.
• Spark plug boot – connects the spark plug with the ignition wire.
• Oil filler cap – for closing the oil tank.
• Fuel filler cap – for closing the fuel tank.
• Master control lever – lever for choke control, starting throttle, run and stop switch positions.
• Throttle trigger interlock – must be depressed before the throttle trigger can be activated.
• Throttle trigger – controls the speed of the engine.
• Front handle – handlebar for the left hand at front of the saw.
• Front hand guard – provides protection against projecting branches and helps prevent the left hand from touching the chain if it slips off the handlebar.
• Rear handle – the support handle for the right hand located at or toward the rear of the saw.
• Rear handle guard – gives added protection to the operator’s right hand.
• Guide bar nose – The exposed end of the guide bar. (Not illustrated, see chapter “Tensioning the Saw Chain”)
• Clutch – Couples engine to chain sprocket when the engine is accelerated beyond idle speed. (Not illustrated)
• Anti-vibration system – the anti-vibration system includes a number of bufflers designed to reduce the transmission of the engine and cutting attachment vibrations to the operator’s hands. (Not illustrated)

Stihl 025 Price and Parts

Since you can only buy the 025 second-hand, it’s hard to tell a specific price.

Factors such as condition, how much the owner values it, or who needs the money from the sale play a part. The price can range from $100 to $250.

So how hard is it to find parts?

Similarly to price, this is also hard to tell, you may be lucky and get what you need on day one, or be looking for a few weeks. But the 025 was a pretty popular chainsaw, so there will be a decent amount of sellers with parts.

You can look for parts on these websites:

• eBay – original and aftermarket parts, as well as the whole 025 chainsaws
• Amazon – a lot of aftermarket parts
• HL Supply – a great range of parts for all chainsaws
• Sears Parts Direct – may or may not have parts for the 025

Another good spot to ask around are local Facebook groups.

Stihl 025 Review

The Stihl 025 delivers on its promise. It’s simple yet effective. Its features support functionality and safety. It’s a great tool for personal use.

You won’t experience extremely rough vibrations when cutting, which enhances the experience.

Your local dealer probably won’t have parts, but you can still get them online.

• Pros
  • Powerful and gutsy
  • Reliable, durable, long-lasting
  • Great for around the home
• Cons
  • Doesn’t have the most modern features
  • Parts will become harder to find
  • No longer the best in class (duh)

By today’s standards, the 025 could be considered a bit heavy, but it’s still very easy to work with.

Stihl 025 C Version

There was also a Stihl 025 C model chainsaw – the ‘C’ meaning that it comes with additional comfort features.

In the case of the 025 C, this meant that it was easier to start and easier to operate compared to the standard 025.

Additional features of the 025 C include:

• Elasto start for an easier start
• Air purge to make starting easier
• Quick chain adjuster which made tightening the chain easier

Other than these 3 additional features, they were the same machine – same weight, ccs, horsepower, etc.

Related articles

• Where is Stihl made?
• Stihl chainsaw models
• Why were chainsaws invented?