MS 881 – the world’s most powerful production chainsaw

Hannah Clarkein Woodland Management

The STIHL MS 881 is the world's most powerful series-produced chainsaw, ideal for professional heavy-duty felling, logging and mobile saw mills.

With 121.6cc of displacement and 8.6hp/6.4kW output, the MS 881 is not only 19% more powerful than the heavy duty MS 661, but also the only saw in the STIHL line-up to drive a 0.404 pitch chain. With standard bar lengths up to 41" and able to accept guide bars up to 59", the new saw is the ideal machine to tackle even the most demanding forestry jobs.

At the heart of the MS 881 is the STIHL 2-MIX engine that ensures the machine is the only chainsaw in its performance class that meets the strict requirements of the European Euro-5 (EU5) exhaust emission standard.

In addition to EU5 compliance, the MS 881 has been engineered with maintaining a great power-to-weight ratio. New construction of cylinders, slimmer sprocket covers, and the development of lightweight components have resulted in an impressive weight-to-power ratio of 1.55Kg/Kw, whilst maintaining robustness and durability.

In addition to outstanding power, the new chainsaw is designed with operator comfort in mind thanks to a one-touch stop button, ensuring the MS 881 is ready to start at any time, whenever it is warm.

Other design features include captive nuts on the optimised chain sprocket cover that offer additional convenience when changing the chain, as well as a new oil pump that regulates oil flow rate according to demand, guaranteeing optimum oil flow at all times.

A long service life and ease of maintenance are improved through the use of a HD2 air filter with a radial seal that provides excellent protection against fine dust often created when planking and in saw mill environments. The introduction of a diagnostic socket means that specialist dealers can quickly identify a fault and eliminate it quickly.

For more information on STIHL's extensive range of forestry saws please visit www.stihl.co.uk.