Stihl 028

[StihlMS360]

There is a Stihl 028, with a 20" bar, about to up for auction near me. It is also being auctioned off with the protective safety case.
The saw is in amazing shape, cosmetically and engine wise.

So, my questions are:
How does this saw compare to another from that time period, say a 038?
How does it handle cutting firewood?
What are the common issues with this saw?
And lastly, would you buy a 028?

 

[WoodmanSr]

There is a Stihl 028, with a 20" bar, about to up for auction near me. It is also being auctioned off with the protective safety case.
The saw is in amazing shape, cosmetically and engine wise.

So, my questions are:
How does this saw compare to another from that time period, say a 038?
How does it handle cutting firewood?
What are the common issues with this saw?
And lastly, would you buy a 028?

Don't own one but would be on my short list ... if didn’t have other 50cc. Run a neighbors 028 AV Woodboss that service for him. Very likeable firewood saw, touch heavy, but very durable.
Some will come along with better info. Are either 3 or 4 variants: 028 AV (43cc), 028 Quikstop (46cc), 028 Super (52 cc ?).
Best clue of 028 AV is the chain brake lever. If open windows in lever handguard then should have a Chain Brake & electronic ignition.
The 028 AV (with or without Woodboss badge) will have solid plastic handguard, so no chain brake. Is just a torsion spring flex handguard. Then also 43cc and likely Points & Condensor Ignition. (top cover badging will not display either Quikstop or Electronic, as is neither).
FYI, I have seen replacement top covers on 028 AV... suggesting that Electronic Quikstop but telltale solid front handle guard (no chain brake version, so typically 43cc 028 AV regardless of badges).

All said I'd own an 028AV 43cc. Pull 18" bar .325 chain just fine, nice exhaust sound, oils well, good low price firewood saw. I like Tillotson on 028 across my bench. 028 Supers maybe are Walbro.

Locally is a really nice 028 AV Super for $250. Maybe a bit steep & don't need it. Would be nice if a 50cc need.

Obvious fact, parts are NLA. Many aftermarket or used salvage parts. Not found 028 need much attention. Solid units. Good luck.

 

[StihlMS360]

Here is the link to the saw of anyone is interested in seeing it.
https://steffengrp.hibid.com/lot/222627841/stihl-028-av-super-electronic-quick-stop?ref=catalog

 

[Wood Doctor]

At one time I owned four Stihl 028's, including the Wood Boss that did not have a chain brake. I sold three and kept the Super AV for myself. All the owners loved what they bought and the saws still tun today. I have no idea why Stihl discontinued these saws, perhaps because they brought in M-Tronic technology and did not want to spend the dough needed to convert the 028. Mine even pulls a 20" bar, but 18" is recommended. Here's the classic that I sold:

The new owner said he wanted one without a chain brake.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I buy them whenever they come along locally, have owned more than 15 of them in all varieties, oldest ones had metal rear handle/fuel tank configurations, the Supers have the most power and are the most sought out models, I put up 5 big plastic totes of spare running /most often wear related parts for the 028`s and have serviced many for local individuals . Fuel related parts are the most common items requiring replacement, carbs are easy to rebuild ,have loads of kits and fuel lines/filters and such so that I can keep my own 028`s running well into the future.

 

[StihlMS360]

I buy them whenever they come along locally, have owned more than 15 of them in all varieties, oldest ones had metal rear handle/fuel tank configurations, the Supers have the most power and are the most sought out models, I put up 5 big plastic totes of spare running /most often wear related parts for the 028`s and have serviced many for local individuals . Fuel related parts are the most common items requiring replacement, carbs are easy to rebuild ,have loads of kits and fuel lines/filters and such so that I can keep my own 028`s running well into the future.

Where do you buy your carburetor rebuild kits from?

 

[Marley5]

I serviced an 028 super some 20 years ago ...... perhaps the best saw I've ever had in my hands, no kidding.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Where do you buy your carburetor rebuild kits from?

Stihl dealer

 

[StihlMS360]

Stihl dealer

Thanks. There are a few Stihl dealers close to me.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I recently had a 028 Super come back to me, I had sold it to a local automobile mechanic about 7 years back, he wanted it bad, it looked brand new and he happily paid $350 for it just to use around his yard. He told me he always wanted a PRO model Stihl all his life and finally bit the bullet. He used the saw a handful of times til he hit a rock and about ruined the chain, put the saw back in its Stihl case and it sat many years. The mechanic passed away last year but had given his wife instructions to return the saw to me so it could be repaired and for me to keep it til I found a person that would care for it and have a need, it resides with my neighbor on the lake where we have summer cabins. A new chain and a bit of cleanup was all it needed but about 3 months after I gave it to my neighbor the module went wonky, I replaced that and it has been running fine since. They are one tough cookie.

 

[Hman1024]

One of my favorites from older saws. Not as powerful as 038 series but at the same time, not as heavy also. I put them in the “joy to work on” category, everything seems to be straight forward. They made a ton of them at Virginia Beach factory.

 

[fields_mj]

The 028 was a fantastic firewood saw. My dad bought one in '93 when he retired his 041. At the time we were still heating with firewood. That was my Sr year of HS, and while I was in college he replaced the old oil burner with a new NG unit and got rid of the wood add-on furnace that he installed in '78. After that, he just used the saw to maintain the neighbors property that we have always hunted on (about 200 acres). He still uses it some today.

Personally, I would prefer an 026. Same power, less weight. That said, if I needed a firewood saw and could get it for a good price, I wouldn't turn away an 028. As far as common issues, some models were known to have carb issues that made them a little harder to start. Dad's had that issue. The local Stihl dealer always blamed it on bad gas. That guy finally went out of business about 20 years ago. Dad ended up taking it to another small dealer the next town over (who happened to be a decent mechanic as well). He identified the carb issue right away. Its run fine ever since. I'm not going to say that it will fire on the 3rd pull after sitting all year, but I also wouldn't say that it has any starting issues.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I don't find my 'old enough to vote' 028 WB to be excessively heavy with my usual 20" bar on it. Guess the one thing I like about it is, it likes to run at high RPM and makes a wonderful sound, like a herd of angry bumble bees. Never done anything to it in over 40 years except I just put in a new sparkplug and renewed the fuel and oil caps. Of course as of the last 5 years, been on a canned fuel diet and it 'seems' to run better than on corn squeezed gas and Stihl bottle mix. I know it idles a ton better.

Having said that, I did open up the muffler a bit but I do that with every saw I own, brand not important.

 

[Wood Doctor]

The 028 was a fantastic firewood saw. My dad bought one in '93 when he retired his 041. At the time we were still heating with firewood. That was my Sr year of HS, and while I was in college he replaced the old oil burner with a new NG unit and got rid of the wood add-on furnace that he installed in '78. After that, he just used the saw to maintain the neighbors property that we have always hunted on (about 200 acres). He still uses it some today.

Personally, I would prefer an 026. Same power, less weight. That said, if I needed a firewood saw and could get it for a good price, I wouldn't turn away an 028. As far as common issues, some models were known to have carb issues that made them a little harder to start. Dad's had that issue. The local Stihl dealer always blamed it on bad gas. That guy finally went out of business about 20 years ago. Dad ended up taking it to another small dealer the next town over (who happened to be a decent mechanic as well). He identified the carb issue right away. Its run fine ever since. I'm not going to say that it will fire on the 3rd pull after sitting all year, but I also wouldn't say that it has any starting issues.

I believe the 026 PRO may have the same power as the 028 Super, but that would likely have to be decided at a GTG. The typical stock 026 did not have enough torque to comfortably pull a 20" bar or run even with an 028. I have to wonder if my 026 PRO with an 18" bar would stay even with my 028 Super AV. It would make for an interesting match. Just MHO.

 

[StihlMS360]

Of course as of the last 5 years, been on a canned fuel diet and it 'seems' to run better than on corn squeezed gas and Stihl bottle mix. I know it idles a ton better.

I always run Ethanol Free fuel. A few local gas stations sell it. And I agree the saws do run a lot better with it. One thing I noticed when I switched was the throttle response, it seemed quicker. Maybe it was just my imagination, though.

 

[fields_mj]

I believe the 026 PRO may have the same power as the 028 Super, but that would likely have to be decided at a GTG. The typical stock 026 did not have enough torque to comfortably pull a 20" bar or run even with an 028. I have to wonder if my 026 PRO with an 18" bar would stay even with my 028 Super AV. It would make for an interesting match. Just MHO.

I've run both side by side and I've not been able to tell enough difference to really be concerned about. I mainly use my 026 for limbing work, so lighter is better for me. I normally run an 18" bar on it, but it happens to have a 20 on it at the moment and I don't have any complaints about it. For bucking, the added weight of the 028 might actually be beneficial in helping the saw cut without needing to lean on it any. Never really looked into it that much. I mostly cut hickory and oak in the 12" to 20" range. The 026 and 028 are both a little slow when cutting on the bigger end of that range, but they still work, which is why I prefer an 036 for bucking. By comparison, the 028 and 036 are very close in weight. I've run them both side by side also, and the difference is obvious. Then again, so is their price tag. All 3 are really good firewood saws, but the 028 should be a lot easier on the wallet.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I always run Ethanol Free fuel. A few local gas stations sell it. And I agree the saws do run a lot better with it. One thing I noticed when I switched was the throttle response, it seemed quicker. Maybe it was just my imagination, though.

Stuff is hard to find around here and what is available is branded as 'Rec fuel' and costs almost as much as the canned fuel (Echo Red Armor 50-1) that I use. Closest Rec Fuel station is 30 miles from here actually.

I will say, the 028 I own as well as my Echo's run seemingly better on the canned fuel anyway and it might be my imagination as well but the 028 idles perfect on it and it always had a rough idle on corn squeezed with bottled mix added.

The EPA eliminated the choice so now we have to adapt.

 

[Sidecarflip]

At one time I owned four Stihl 028's, including the Wood Boss that did not have a chain brake. I sold three and kept the Super AV for myself. All the owners loved what they bought and the saws still tun today. I have no idea why Stihl discontinued these saws, perhaps because they brought in M-Tronic technology and did not want to spend the dough needed to convert the 028. Mine even pulls a 20" bar, but 18" is recommended. Here's the classic that I sold:
View attachment 1225529
The new owner said he wanted one without a chain brake.

Looks just like the one I bought new, 45 years ago. Mine has no chain brake either. Has the handguard but it connects to nothing. I did replace the spark plug finally, this summer and I had to replace the fuel caps with Sten copies. I really need to replace the nylon rear chain guide that pins to the side cover but according to my local Stihl dealer, it's no longer available. I'd pay a lot for another one in better shape than mine actually. Other than that, the saw is in really excellent shape. I tend to really maintain my power equipment anyway. Bought the 28 and the 075 and the 090 all at the same time from a Stihl dealer in North Ridgeville, Ohio. The 75 and the 90 are shelf queens, way too big for my infrequent use so they collect dust. At 75, I don't believe I could start them anyway...lol

I believe I have the original sales invoice out in the shop in a filing cabinet along with the owners manuals.

The 28 has always worn a 20" Stihl roller nose bar that actually has a grease hole in it and full tooth 325 chipper. One thing I did do to it years ago is I opened up the muffler a bit and for my use, it pulls that loop just fine, that and I replaced the OEM screws in the recoil housing with Holochrome socket head cap screws.

Other than that, it's never been touched at all. Still has the original fuel filter and oil tank filter in it. I'm really anal about getting swarf on the fuel and oil tanks on all my saws and I carry a small paintbrush in my pocket to clean around the filler caps prior to fueling or oiling in the field.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I might add that if the crank seals every fail (from age), I'll replace them. The fuel lines and the vent lines show no aging either and while I've never had any of the engine parts, apart, looking in the exhaust port shows no scoring or anything abnormal.

Too bad they don't build them like they did back then.

 

[Bigjimmythunder]

I recently acquired an 028 Super (18 inch bar) with heated handles, never seen heated handles in Aust so couldn't pass it up.

Its over 40 years old and has only had two owners before me, had some cosmetic damage but was able to source some used parts via fleabay. The heated handles didnt work either but that was just a broken switch on the side so an easy fix. I was actually shocked at how hot they get.
Its kind of replaced my trusty 025 which has been my go to everyday saw for over 20 years. Must say it just seems to run smoother than any other saw i own. Idles like a purring kitten.

Guy i bought it off told me it was purchased for the Snowy River hydroelectric project to help keep the roads an access trails clear all year round, which is the reason for the heated handles.
He said he hadnt used it in 5 years but some fresh fuel and it fired straight up.
I mainly cut for heating and wood size that only needs to be split in half to use. Its such a great saw, use it all day no problems and it certainly outperforms the 025.

Have an 036 and 044 for bigger stuff and for anything else the 056 Mag and 076 will pretty much take down anything the Aussie bush can throw at them.

Take away is....buy it, buy it now!