Stihl 028

[Dean Hylton]

Can anyone tell why the 028 went by the way side and how it ranks against other stihls and husqies in the same class? The reason I ask is that I bought one here last week that is about 90% condition but it occured to me that I know nothing of this model.

[Ianab]

I'd guess that the 028 has been replaced by the ms280 in the new line up.
It should be a good little saw if it's been looked after.

Ian

[WV_hillbilly]

  dean I have had one of them since 87. Would not trade it for any other . It is a strong running saw  and has never let me down. I run a 16" bar on it . The only parts I have replaced are 4 Bars , many chains,  2 sprockets, 2 spark plugs a year and 3 air filters in the 17 years I' ve been running it .  I traded a for a new  350 Husky last fall and haven't had any problems with it and it seems to be about the same amount of saw  as the 028  . But  I'm a stihl man so It will probably be the last Husky I get . .

[Rocky_J]

Lanab is mistaken. The 028 was sort of replaced in the lineup by the 026 back around '90 or whenever they quit making the 028.
The new 270/280 series introduced by Stihl last year shares nothing with the old 028 except a similar name. The two models are over a dozen years apart.
 :P
The old 028 had (and still has) an excellent reputation. Service parts are still available, although I'd be stocking up on spare air filters/ etc. if I owned one today.

[rahtreelimbs]

I always wanted an 028. I finally found one with heated handles. Good solid saw that I would not get rid of !

[Ianab]

I'll defer to Rocky's knowledge on this one then  ;)

It should be a VERY good little saw if it's been looked after

 :D

[Oregon_Rob]

The 028 has kind of a cult following. Folks get a real emotional attachment to them. I have a similar attachment to an older Jonsered saw. While these saws perform and hold up really well, they are heavy and underpowered by today's professional saws.

[tony_marks]

  dont even own an 028 rite now.. but if i was going in the wilderness for an yr or so..id pick a 028 in good shape ,have my stihl dealer go thru it looking for any weakness..that would be my choice..i know a fella tyhat has one that sounds like its wore slap out.. but it  still it in his hand evry time i see him cutting firewood.

[Dean Hylton]

Thanks guys. My computer has been on the fritz so I have not been able to get back here.  I cheated and asked the guys at Service Saw this morning what happened and what they said was that the 026 had such a great power to weight ratio that it just totally out classed the 028. I guess when the 026 first came out it was only $40 more than the 028 and with the added performance every just never really looked back.

By the way while I am here I sell parts on ebay and rebuild saws when I think it is worth it.  My question is; Every once in a while I get a guy who wants to know the specific pounds of compression. I have never worried about this ( just stiff or week) is it really necesary? and if so where do I find out specific tolerances for each saw?  thanks