Most reliable Stihl chainsaw of all time?

[Wehr]

Found a "back in the hills" chain saw guy that got all the dead saws from a big retailer. He had all the parts from a donor saw.
The 028WB (Not the later 028 AV) came without a chainbrake or it was an option then later got one of the first? chainbrakes. It's a kind of simple thing but worked well during my ownship, had it trip a time or two during use. While it wouldn't have been an injury it was nice to KNOW it was on duty.
* The chainbrake from an 028AV will not fit an 028WB *
The manual with part numbers conveniently found here; https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/stihl-illustrated-parts-lists-ipl.317358/
028_IPL.pdf is the file you want, the chain brake is down a ways.
View attachment 1171115

View attachment 1171118

Install was not difficult. Note you need the hand guard #26 also, it's different from the non brake part.

Thanks. I believe mine will only take the inertia brake style. Not the overlap. Been doing some research. Thanks for the reply. This saw is awesome. Runs better than my other two. And it nice keeping this older model operational.

 

[jakey jake]

My vote is for the 028`s, they are as tough as a battle tank. The homeowners had more of them than most any Stihl chainsaw in their day and there is nothing worse than a regular homeowner that only needs a saw 3 -5 hours a year.Neglect ran rampant and those 028`s would chug to life each year to cut a random downed tree and usually a couple cords of firewood. They never seen any service til they quit cold and would come in with the airfilter plastered shut with old sticky oil and sawdust , most had no flocking left, the gas in the tanks was putrid, fuel lines melted into goo and fuel filters loose rattling around in the tank. With some cleanup, new lines and filter they went back out and ran again until they stopped starting. I have seen the same saws come back after 3-5 years in the same horrible condition just to be serviced over and over but the rest of the saw was super well built and with just a bit of care they would start and run every year. I have many of them that are still reliable starter/runners, kept cleaned and regular fuel serviced bits they continue to do duty when called upon. These days I have a stable full of 026`s and a few MS260`s, they were the replacements for the 028`s, ,they rev a bit higher and in some circumstances cut faster, weigh a bit less and are more ergonomic, fine saws in their own right. I see just as many of the 026`s neglected as the 028`s , they are also very reliable if just a bit of care is spent on fuel related parts, the carbs on any make of chainsaw suffers these days due to crappy fuel/gasoline additives so draining fuel and running carbs dry ,then adding canned fuel and start them up, let it fill the lines and carb if the saw is going to sit unused for months on end. The homeowner series of 170 and 180`s are just what they are intended for, occasional use and often discarded after not being cared for after several years but they can run very well if used frequently, fresh fuel used and of course proper fuel mix is used.

I like to read this I’m about to pick up a 028 AV in great condition for 225$ and iv heard great things about them so have a 180c right now and it’s a good saw don’t get me wrong but I need something with a bit more power and bigger bar something robust and can take a beating something with a metal grip bar and I found this one and iv heard a lot of folks say they are one of the best saws ! The one I’m looking at is very nice looking !!

 

[Wood Doctor]

I have an 028 Super and still love it:

Word got out that I had four of them and three were sold almost overnight for $200 apiece. I saved this one for myself. It runs fine and will pull a 20" bar and chain.. Not sure why the were discontinued. I thought they filled a nice gap between the 026 and the 036.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I have an 028 myself that I purchased over 40 years ago new and it still runs like a scalded dog, starts 2nd pull and also has a 20" roller nose bar. Mine has the unusual heated handle to keep your digits warm in the winter.

Good saw and I plan on keeping and using it until I don't need chainsaws anymore. Of course it's on canned fuel. All my saws are.

 

[2StrokeFondler]

Contra FTW!