028 super vs 026

[wigglesworth]

Let me start by saying I hate (saw vs saw) threads, just because some people are partial to their saw and everybody elses saw sux. But not to break the AS tradition of "my saw is better than your saw" lets have a go at this one. Somebody tell me some specs. Weight. Advertised power, real world experience etc, etc. I found an 028 super in decent condition that I can buy cheap. It runs but needs a bath. I have been wanting an 026 for some time now and have not been able to find one worth the money. So.....what do you think?

 

[warjohn]

I like my 026. It is a good medium sized saw. My brother has an 028 and I like it just as much. If the 028 is cheap and runs good I would get it. If you find an 026 you would rather have the 028 would be easy to sell. I might even be interested.

 

[Evan]

seems like theyre are 028 026 saws floatn around every corner you should have your pick at what you like best.

i havent ran the 028's but ive handles them. i like how the 026 feels better. i know where theres a 50 dollar project 028 and may grab it and have go at a 028 build onw of these days.

both seem to be great saws. the 028s seem to have following as strong as the 361 if not stronger

 

[Justsaws]

Let me start by saying I hate (saw vs saw) threads, just because some people are partial to their saw and everybody elses saw sux. But not to break the AS tradition of "my saw is better than your saw" lets have a go at this one. Somebody tell me some specs. Weight. Advertised power, real world experience etc, etc. I found an 028 super in decent condition that I can buy cheap. It runs but needs a bath. I have been wanting an 026 for some time now and have not been able to find one worth the money. So.....what do you think?

The 028 is bulkier for the same kind of power and speed. Some parts are getting harder to find. There are a couple of build differences in the 028 line up that make the newer ones much more popular if you are actually going to use it. I think it is the 28 Super that is the one most folks want.

The 026 is a easier saw to use than the 028. Parts are easily available in both OEM and AM. The 026 is the better choice if you want to use the saw a lot.

Locally good condition 026s usually fetch $200.00+ while 028 are usually under $200.00 with the reason being that the 026s are much more popular.

I own both and rarely ever pick up an 028. If it was to be a "go to" saw for me I would pay extra for an 026.

Hopefully someone can get you some actual spec numbers.

 

[Brushwacker]

Like the others said the 028 is a bit heaviar and feels it. I think it peeks powers at lower revs too. IMO its best as a farm or firewood saw and the 026 is better especially if for professional use. I would say it is at least as rock solid reliable as the 026, mabe more so.
The 026 has nimbler handling charecteristics and the air cleaner is easiar to service. 028 may have stiffer av dampners which would be better for 20" bar use which is the most I would care to go on either. I think you can even put 038 dampners on an 028 to make it stiffer yet.

 

[Brmorgan]

I've never run an 028 before, ran a friend's 026 for a little bit and was pretty happy with it though. A little small for most firewood jobs that I do, but great for all the beetle-killed pine trees.

There was an 028 Wood Boss at a local pawnshop for $100 "as-is" but in excellent physical condition a week ago, and would be more than worth it, problem is I have a few ~50cc saws already and don't need another $100 project. It's been there for well over a year at $280 - I guess he couldn't move a 25-year-old <50cc saw at that price. :monkey: I assume it's now been sitting so long that it won't start up, so nobody would even look at it and he had to either get it fixed or mark it down.

 

[wigglesworth]

So, does anybody know the HP rating on the 028 super? Im curious. The newest 260 is at 3.2 hp and 10.6 lbs. Acres shows the 028 woodboss at 11.5 lbs. Im not sure about the super though?

 

[mheim1]

So, does anybody know the HP rating on the 028 super?

Not exactly sure, but the the 028 is rated at 47cc and 2.8HP.
The 026 is 48.7cc and 3.2HP.
The 028S is 51.5c and HP.
I would 'guess' 3.3 or 3.4.
It also seems that it is about 1lb heavier than the 026.

 

[Bowtie]

I cant quote specs, but I have an 028 Super, and had an 026 in about the same shape, in stock form. Side by side the 028 Super had the edge in power over the 026 easily. Not by a hell of a lot, but it was there. I agree with posted above, the 026 is lighter and more nimble, but stock, the 028 felt stronger.

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

I have owned both and agree that the 026-260 is more nimble. The 028 that I had was a super and I stihl think that the 026 has more power. If you can get the 028 on a good deal then I would buy it and run the pi## out of it.

 

[FullCry]

I have an 82 model 028 Super that's been used very little. Ask Saw Troll how many cc it is.

 

[dsell]

My 028 Super is heavy (15lb with 16 in bar & chain), but I like the feel of it and the power, very solid saw. Way too heavy for me when I'm knocking off little branches. I can't speak for the 026.

 

[imc188222]

I have a 028 super and a 026 pro. I can't help you on specs, just how they feel running them. The 028s has more power, probably lower in the rpm range, it is harder to stall the chain on. It feels heavier and is not balanced quite as well. I use the 028 alot more than the 026. They are both great saws. Hope that helps.

 

[dave k]

Just had a look at a 1990 US "master reference catalog" and 026= 48.7cc and 2.6 kw 10.4lbs/ 028 Super=51.5cc and 2.5kw 12.3lbs.
Have had a couple of 026's and found them very revvy and you can tell Stihl have got the most out of it, I find the 028 has a broader power band and feels happier at full power.

 

[pioneerguy600]

The 028 AV Quick Stop I have is 43 cc. ,2.8 hp and 11.5 lbs powerhead only.
They are a slower torquey engine but once ported and muffler modded they come alive.
The 028 Super I have is 51.5 cc, 3.3 hp and 12.3 lbs powerhead only. It is faster and more powerful than the 028 AV and also benifits from porting and muffler modding.
The 026`s I have is 48.7 cc., 3.5 hp, 10.4 lbs powerhead , they are faster revving saws, don`t have the torque of the 028`s but can make up with cutting speed in small stuff, they also respond well to porting and muffler modding, the MS260`s are basically the same as a 026 but have the intella carb and a bit better air filter, need the carb replaced if ported and muffler modded.
I prefer the 026 and MS260 for smaller wood and limbing trees once brought down by a bigger felling saw.
The 028`s are better suited as bucking saws for smaller firewood but do an ok job of felling smaller trees in the 6-12" on the stump. IMO
Pioneerguy600

 

[Bowtie]

Just had a look at a 1990 US "master reference catalog" and 026= 48.7cc and 2.6 kw 10.4lbs/ 028 Super=51.5cc and 2.5kw 12.3lbs.
Have had a couple of 026's and found them very revvy and you can tell Stihl have got the most out of it, I find the 028 has a broader power band and feels happier at full power.

Stihl far from "got the most out of it" on the 026. There are tons of gains to be had on that setup!!

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

The 028 AV Quick Stop I have is 43 cc. ,2.8 hp and 11.5 lbs powerhead only.
They are a slower torquey engine but once ported and muffler modded they come alive.
The 028 Super I have is 51.5 cc, 3.3 hp and 12.3 lbs powerhead only. It is faster and more powerful than the 028 AV and also benifits from porting and muffler modding.
The 026`s I have is 48.7 cc., 3.5 hp, 10.4 lbs powerhead , they are faster revving saws, don`t have the torque of the 028`s but can make up with cutting speed in small stuff, they also respond well to porting and muffler modding, the MS260`s are basically the same as a 026 but have the intella carb and a bit better air filter, need the carb replaced if ported and muffler modded.
I prefer the 026 and MS260 for smaller wood and limbing trees once brought down by a bigger felling saw.
The 028`s are better suited as bucking saws for smaller firewood but do an ok job of felling smaller trees in the 6-12" on the stump. IMO
Pioneerguy600

My 260 PRO does'nt need the carb changed. Just remove the caps like the rest of the Stihls in the PRO line besides the 441.

 

[wigglesworth]

Well the 028 super came home today. Its DIRTY!!!. So far the only thing I found wrong is the top AV mount is stripped, but that is no biggie, ill fix it today. Nice saw, plenty of rev and seems build solid. It has a near new 18" rollomatic E and a saftey chain in .325 pitch. Anybody run 3/8 on theirs? I would like to keep all my saws the same pitch. Ill try for pix later.

 

[andrethegiant70]

The 026 is a great saw... the 028 is a dang good saw. You'll have a nice time with it. Solid and reliable as bricks and good power.

 

[Bowtie]

Well the 028 super came home today. Its DIRTY!!!. So far the only thing I found wrong is the top AV mount is stripped, but that is no biggie, ill fix it today. Nice saw, plenty of rev and seems build solid. It has a near new 18" rollomatic E and a saftey chain in .325 pitch. Anybody run 3/8 on theirs? I would like to keep all my saws the same pitch. Ill try for pix later.

In my opinion, .325 is better suited for that saw, but you can set it up with 3/8, and a lot of people do. Its a preference thing. Both the 028 supers I bought came set up with 3/8. If thats what ya like, run it!!