Stihl 023 Chainsaw (Operator’s Guide)
The STIHL 023 is a 40.2 cm³ two-stroke chainsaw rated at about 1.5 kW (2.0 hp). Before use, confirm the manual and bar-and-chain fit for your exact saw, inspect safety parts, mix fuel correctly, and check chain tension and oiling. Start it on firm ground, cut with two hands, and stop if the saw behaves abnormally.
The benefit of a careful setup is simple: fewer avoidable starting, cutting, and wear problems. The 023 is an older saw, and parts or bars may have been changed during its life. I treat the markings on the saw and its installed bar as checks to make before relying on a listing, a seller’s claim, or a remembered specification.
Confirm the saw and its cutting equipment
This section explains what to verify before fitting parts or making a cut. The 023’s engine size and power do not identify every bar-and-chain combination it can use. Bar mount, chain pitch, gauge, drive-link count, and sprocket must agree, so inspect the actual parts and consult the manual for the saw’s serial number and market.
The 023 has a displacement of 40.2 cm³ and rated output of about 1.5 kW (2.0 hp). A 12–16 inch (30–40 cm) bar is a practical range when approved for that saw, but bar length alone does not prove fit. Use the shortest approved bar that reaches the work.
Before buying a chain, read the bar stamp. It should identify the chain’s pitch, gauge, and number of drive links. Pitch must also match the drive sprocket. Do not assume every 023 uses 3/8-inch low-profile chain or the same gauge. If markings are missing or unclear, take the bar and saw to a competent dealer rather than guessing.
| Check | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bar mount | Mount pattern and fit to the saw | A bar that does not fit securely is unsafe |
| Chain pitch | Bar stamp and drive sprocket match | A mismatch will not run correctly |
| Chain gauge | Matches the bar groove | Too loose or too tight can cause poor tracking |
| Drive links | Count matches the bar’s required chain | Length cannot be confirmed by bar length alone |
| Bar length | Approved for the saw and task | A longer bar adds reach but does not improve fit |
A used saw may have replacement parts that differ from its original setup. I would verify the installed bar, chain, and sprocket as a set, then check the manual before ordering. A seller’s description is not enough to establish compatibility.
Prepare the saw and protect yourself
Preparation means checking the saw’s safety controls, cutting parts, and work area before starting. It also means using protective gear suited to chainsaw work. A sound machine can still cause severe injury, so treat each inspection as part of operation rather than as optional upkeep.
With the engine off, inspect the chain brake, throttle trigger and interlock, stop switch, chain catcher, handles, bar, chain, and fasteners. Look for cracks, loose parts, damaged teeth, worn rails, or signs that the brake does not engage. Do not operate the saw if a safety part is missing or faulty.
Check chain tension with the engine off. Wear gloves. The drive links must stay engaged in the bar groove, while the chain should still pull around the bar by hand. If it sags, binds, or cannot be adjusted as directed in the manual, stop and find the cause. Do not check or adjust tension with the engine running.
Wear a helmet, eye and face protection, hearing protection, chainsaw-rated leg protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Clear the work area, keep bystanders away, and plan escape routes before cutting. Follow applicable ANSI Z133 practices. Where logging rules apply, comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.266.
Fuel and chain oil
Fuel preparation means using the correct two-stroke mix and a separate oil supply for the chain. These fluids serve different parts of the saw. The wrong fuel can damage the engine; poor chain lubrication can damage the bar and chain.
For suitable STIHL two-stroke oil, the stated mix is 50:1. Follow the manual for your saw and the oil maker’s directions; measure accurately and use fresh fuel. Never use straight gasoline in this two-stroke engine.
Fill the oil tank with quality bar-and-chain oil. The manual does not set one universal oil viscosity or fixed flow rate for every condition. Do not substitute engine oil or infer compatibility from tank size. Use the manual’s lubrication check, and stop if the chain does not receive oil.
Start the 023 and cut with control
Starting and cutting safely means using the correct control sequence and keeping the saw stable throughout the cut. The exact start control may vary by model or market, so follow the operator’s manual. Keep the bar clear, use two hands, and avoid positions that expose you to kickback or loss of balance.
For a cold start, set the chain brake and place the saw securely on the ground, with the bar clear of obstacles. Use the model’s choke and start-control sequence, hold the saw firmly, and pull the starter cord. Never drop-start the saw.
For a warm start, use the manual’s warm-start procedure. Avoid full choke on a warm engine. Keep the chain brake set until you are in position to cut, then release it only when ready. If the engine does not start or runs poorly, do not keep changing controls at random; stop and check the manual’s troubleshooting steps.
Cut only from stable footing, with both hands on the saw. Keep the nose of the bar clear of wood and other objects. Do not cut above shoulder height or operate from a ladder.
Kickback is a rapid rotation of the saw toward the operator. It can happen when the upper quadrant near the bar tip contacts an object. Keep that area clear, maintain a firm two-handed grip, and use a working chain brake and correct chain. Do not let the bar tip casually enter a cut.
For felling, first assess the tree’s lean, crown, wind, defects, escape paths, and nearby targets. A notch and back cut must leave a sound hinge, but dimensions and direction depend on the tree and site. A generic measurement cannot replace a competent assessment. Use a qualified tree professional for hazardous or complex trees.
Maintain, sharpen, and diagnose
Maintenance keeps the saw’s safety parts and cutting system in serviceable condition. Clean debris before it blocks airflow or oil delivery, inspect wear often, and follow the manual for adjustment. If a fault affects idle, cutting power, or lubrication, stop and diagnose rather than forcing the saw to work.
After use, clean the air filter, cooling passages, sprocket cover, and bar groove. Clear the bar oil hole. Inspect the bar rails, sprocket, chain, and brake for damage or wear. Replace or repair parts that do not meet the manual’s service guidance.
Check chain tension often, especially as a new chain runs in and as a chain heats during work. Retension only with the engine off and the chain brake engaged. Let a hot chain cool before making its final tension adjustment.
Sharpen with the file size and angles specified for the chain installed on your saw. Set depth gauges to the chain maker’s specification. STIHL’s reference depth-gauge setting is 0.65 mm (0.025 inch), but that value is not universal for every replacement chain. A chain that cuts poorly may need sharpening or inspection, not more force.
If the chain moves at idle, the idle is unstable, or the engine bogs, stop. Check for issues such as a dirty filter, blocked exhaust, fuel problem, air leak, or damaged cutting parts. Do not blindly turn carburetor screws to mask a fault. Carburetor tuning and maximum-speed checks need the correct service data and tachometer; a qualified technician is the safer choice.
Never force a dull chain through wood. It can increase strain and reduce control. Stop, inspect, and sharpen or replace the chain as needed.
Store the saw and return it to service
Storage care limits dirt, corrosion, and fuel-related trouble while the saw is out of use. The manual’s instructions take priority, especially for extended storage. Keep the saw clean, cool, protected, and away from ignition sources, then inspect it again before starting.
After use, stop the engine and let it cool. Clean the saw, inspect the chain and bar, and fit the chain guard. Keep the saw and fuel away from flames, sparks, and other ignition sources.
For extended storage, follow the manual’s fuel-system procedure. Use fresh, correctly mixed fuel when returning the saw to service. Stale or contaminated fuel can cause hard starting or poor running and may damage the engine. If you suspect lean running, do not continue using the saw until it has been diagnosed.
Setup examples to guide a parts check
These are practical scenarios, not claims about a particular owner’s saw. They show why it is better to verify the parts in hand than rely on a model name or a bar-length label.
- A used 023 with an unreadable bar stamp: Do not order a chain from the bar length alone. Have a dealer identify pitch, gauge, drive-link count, and sprocket pitch.
- A saw that cuts slowly despite a sharp-looking chain: Stop and inspect tension, chain direction, bar groove, oil delivery, and chain condition. Do not push harder to make the cut.
- A saw that moves its chain at idle: Stop using it. Do not try to solve the problem by turning carburetor screws without service data and the correct test equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below address common questions about setup, operation, and care. Because the 023 has been in service for years and may have replacement parts, confirm model-specific details in the correct manual and on the parts installed on your saw.
What is the engine size of the STIHL 023?
The 023 has a displacement of 40.2 cm³. Its stated rated output is about 1.5 kW, or 2.0 hp. Check the manual for the exact version and market.
What bar length fits a STIHL 023?
A 12–16 inch (30–40 cm) bar is a practical range when approved for the saw. The mount and cutting system must also match. Check the manual and the parts fitted to your saw.
How do I know which chain to buy?
Read the bar’s stamped pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. Confirm that chain pitch also matches the drive sprocket. Do not choose a chain using bar length alone.
What fuel mix does the 023 use?
The stated mix is 50:1 when using suitable STIHL two-stroke oil. Follow the manual and oil directions, measure carefully, and use fresh fuel. Do not run straight gasoline.
Can I use motor oil in the chain-oil tank?
Use oil intended for chainsaws, as directed by the manual. Do not substitute engine oil or assume oil suitability from tank capacity.
What should chain tension look like?
With the engine off and gloves on, the drive links should remain in the bar groove while the chain can be pulled around by hand. Follow the manual’s adjustment method.
Why does the chain move while the saw idles?
Treat chain movement at idle as a fault. Stop using the saw and have it checked. Do not try to correct it by blindly adjusting the carburetor.
What is the STIHL depth-gauge setting?
The STIHL reference value is 0.65 mm (0.025 inch). Use the specification for the chain installed, because replacement-chain requirements can differ.
How should I start a cold 023?
Set the chain brake, place the saw securely on the ground with the bar clear, and follow the exact cold-start sequence in the manual. Hold it firmly and pull the starter cord; never drop-start it.
When should I use a tree professional?
Use a qualified professional for trees with hazards, complex lean, nearby targets, defects, or difficult escape routes. Felling cuts depend on the tree and site, so a generic pattern is not a safe substitute for assessment.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Elliott Fowler. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
