The Chainsaw of the Future to Arrive in May

The new STIHL MS 500i, the world’s first chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection and a never-before achieved power-to-weight ratio, will be available to forestry professionals in May 2019. 

Weighing only 6.2kg (only 0.2kg more than the STIHL MS 462 C-M), the STIHL injection technology (i) not only provides the chainsaw of the future with incredible torque, but also ensures rapid acceleration of the saw chain from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.25 seconds. 

Thanks to the intelligent lightweight design, the MS 500i is also outstanding with the best ever power-to-weight ratio - 1.24 kilograms per kilowatt, an exemplarily low value never achieved before by series-manufactured chainsaws. Although light in weight, its performance is class leading, with 5.0 kW/ 6.8 hp, meaning this chainsaw is suited to felling large stands and timber harvesting. 

Together with the many additional design optimisations, there is a substantial increase in operator comfort. Low vibration and the reduction of gyroscopic forces provides the 80 cm³-class high-performance professional saw with dynamic manoeuvrability, which is a particular advantage during limbing. This makes the professional big timber harvester easy to handle in all disciplines - from felling to cutting timber to length. 

The MS 500i has exceptional starting behavior and provides optimum engine power right from startup. The 80 cc 2-Mix engine does not need a carburetor, since the fuel metering is done using a sensor, and automatically adapts to the different operating conditions, no matter what the altitude and ambient temperature. 

The MS 500i is available with a choice of 20” or 25” ES light bar, keeping the overall weight of the saw to a minimum and optimising its balance.  

The details at a glance:

• First chainsaw with STIHL Injection 
  Huge advancement in engine development. The MS 500i is the first ever series-manufactured chainsaw with an electronically controlled fuel injection system. The high-torque machine provides optimum engine power right from startup. It provides powerful performance and the saw chain accelerates extremely rapidly - from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.25 seconds.

• Best power-to-weight ratio of all classes
  The STIHL MS 500i is a lightweight within the ranks of professional saws. Thanks to intelligent lightweight design, as well as an extremely high engine power, it excels with an exemplarily low power-to-weight ratio at 1.24 kg/kW. This value is unique within all displacement categories. 

• Easy starting and sensor-controlled fuel mixing 
  The MS 500i is very easy to start (no start button) in all operating conditions, and automatically adapts to different locations of use. The sensor-controlled fuel mixing ensures that the mixture is adjusted optimally for the oxygen content in the air right from the first ignition. 

• Improved ergonomics and practical details make work easier
  The innovative flywheel with a low centre of gravity and lower weight reduces the gyroscopic forces that arise during operation. With the low overall weight, this is a particular advantage for limbing, making guiding the MS 500i  along the trunk while snedding easy. 

This is also supported by the new bumper spike geometry. The raised plunge bar on the fan housing - parallel to the axis of symmetry of the guide bar - makes directional control and tool guidance easier when plunge cutting. Captive nuts on the chain sprocket cover make changing the chain straightforward. Professional big timber harvesting - from felling through cutting to length to limbing - is a simple task with the new professional saw.

System weight at STIHL

For professional users, every gram of weight in the hand counts. For this reason, STIHL applies lots of engineering know-how to reducing the system weight (i.e. the weight of the dry chain saw including the cutting attachment.) 

In pursuit of this goal, redesigned cylinders, slimmer chain sprocket covers and consistent changes of material for other components, in the engine units in particular, as well as the development of lightweight guide bars have enabled substantial weight savings – naturally without compromising on ruggedness or service life. The result is lower system weight and easier handling.