Stihl 026 Used Chainsaw (Classic Buyer’s Guide)
A sound STIHL 026 is a 48.7 cm³ saw suited to trained users doing firewood, limbing, and moderate tree work. A 16–18-inch bar is a practical general-purpose choice; 20 inches depends on the exact setup and wood. Before buying, verify the model, test safety parts and engine condition, and confirm the bar, chain, and sprocket match.
If you are comparing used saws, the model name alone cannot tell you whether one is a good buy. Age, repairs, and replacement parts matter. I would treat each 026 as an individual machine: verify its identity, inspect it cold, and, if possible, see it run and cut before paying.
A clean appearance is not proof of a healthy engine. A worn or mismatched saw can cost more to put right than its purchase price suggests. The checks below help you separate a usable classic from a project, then confirm whether it fits your work.
Is a used STIHL 026 right for your work?
The 026 has 48.7 cm³ of displacement, meaning the volume swept by its piston. That figure identifies its engine size, but does not guarantee the condition or output of a used example. Consider your typical wood, cutting tasks, and the saw’s fitted parts before deciding.
For trained users, a sound 026 can suit firewood, limbing, and moderate tree work. A 16–18-inch bar is a practical general-purpose match. A 20-inch bar is conditional: the exact bar and chain setup, wood, and saw condition all matter. No bar length makes this saw right for every tree or felling job.
Typical fit by task
| Your work | Sensible starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Firewood and general property cutting | 16–18-inch bar | Correct chain fit; sharp chain; saw runs safely |
| Limbing and moderate tree work | Often 16-inch bar | Stable footing, clear work area, and suitable training |
| Frequent cuts in larger wood | Assess the specific 026 and setup | A longer bar is not a substitute for adequate power or skill |
| Occasional light trimming | Consider whether a smaller saw better fits the workload | Condition and safety still matter more than age |
I look first for a match between the work and the actual saw, not the seller’s description. If your work often involves large trees, complex felling, or wood beyond the saw’s practical capacity, do not treat a longer bar as the fix.
Identify the saw and verify parts
The model marking is a starting point, not a parts guide. 026 versions and replacement parts may differ. Check the saw’s markings and serial-era details, then use the matching operator’s manual or a qualified STIHL dealer to confirm parts and service information before buying replacements.
Inspect the bar, chain, and drive sprocket as a set. The pitch is the chain’s size standard; the gauge is the thickness of its drive links. A typical 026 setup uses 3/8-inch standard pitch, but the bar gauge may be .050 or .063 inch. Drive-link count must also match the bar.
| Item | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Model and serial details | Markings on the saw; confirm the relevant manual and parts | Versions and replacement parts can differ |
| Chain pitch | Match chain to bar and sprocket | Mismatched pitch will not run correctly |
| Chain gauge | Match the bar groove and chain | A wrong gauge will not fit the groove properly |
| Drive-link count | Match the specific bar | Bar length alone does not identify the correct chain |
| Bar length | Check the bar’s marking and intended work | Longer bars add demands and do not guarantee suitability |
Do not buy a chain based only on “026” or the bar’s length. Check the installed components and their markings; replace or correct parts that cannot be verified.
Inspect a used 026 before you buy
A cold inspection can reveal problems a quick warm start may hide. Ask the seller not to start the saw before you arrive. Look for leaks, damage, loose hardware, and worn safety parts; then request a safe demonstration if the seller can provide one.
In a used-saw inspection, I pay close attention to whether the parts appear to work together and whether the seller’s account fits the saw’s visible condition. A clean exterior cannot confirm engine health, and a saw that starts once has not passed a full inspection.
Buyer inspection checklist
Use this sequence before agreeing on a price. A compression gauge or a qualified mechanic can add useful information, but neither replaces a full inspection and safe run test.
- Check the body, handles, fasteners, and visible fuel or oil leaks. Look for cracks, damage, or loose parts.
- Inspect the chain brake, throttle lockout, and chain catcher. Do not accept a saw with a missing, damaged, or non-working safety part.
- Check the bar and chain for visible damage and excessive wear. Confirm that pitch, gauge, and drive-link count match the bar and sprocket.
- Ask about repairs and parts replaced. Compare the seller’s information with the model and serial-era details; verify uncertain parts with a manual or dealer.
- If safely possible, start it using the correct procedure. Check that it idles steadily and that the chain does not move at idle.
- Ask to verify chain-brake function and bar-oil delivery using the manual’s procedure. Do not rely on a guessed oil-flow rate.
- If the engine starts but runs poorly, leaks, or cannot be checked safely, pause the purchase and get a qualified inspection rather than guessing at repair cost.
A seller who will not allow a reasonable inspection is a reason to walk away, not a reason to skip checks. Price should reflect verified condition and any known repair needs; used prices vary, so compare local listings for similar condition and included parts.
Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation
Safe preparation means confirming that the saw, cutting gear, and work area are ready before starting. This classic model does not remove modern safety duties. Use the model-specific manual, inspect protective equipment, and plan where people can stand and where you can retreat before cutting.
Wear a helmet, eye and face protection, hearing protection, chainsaw-protective legwear, gloves, and boots. Clear escape routes and keep bystanders out of the work zone. Follow ANSI Z133 and applicable OSHA requirements. Logging work has worker-separation rules, including the two-tree-length rule where specified.
Before starting, check chain tension, the brake, throttle lockout, chain catcher, handles, fasteners, air filter, and visible fuel and oil leaks. Use purpose-made bar-and-chain oil. Confirm oil delivery by the manual’s procedure, and never assume it is working just because the reservoir is full.
Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation
Use the 026 only for work within your training and the saw’s condition. Start it on firm ground with the chain brake engaged, following the manual’s cold- or warm-start procedure. After starting, check idle stability, brake function, and oil delivery; the chain must remain still at idle.
Keep a sharp, correctly tensioned chain and a stable stance. Plan cuts for wood movement, and keep a retreat path when felling. Avoid the upper quadrant at the bar nose: contact there can cause rotational kickback, when the saw’s bar moves back toward the operator before there is time to react.
Keep two hands on the saw, use a working chain brake and suitable reduced-kickback equipment, and never cut above shoulder height. Do not fell near power lines or attempt complex, hung, heavily leaned, or large-tree work without qualified arboricultural expertise and required utility coordination.
A longer bar does not make a difficult cut safe or suitable. Stop if the chain binds, the saw behaves unexpectedly, or the work exceeds your skill. Do not force a dull, loose, or mismatched chain through wood.
Maintenance, Sharpening, and Tuning
Regular maintenance helps you spot wear before the next cut. Follow the manual for your specific 026, since versions and parts can differ. Use the installed chain maker’s specifications for sharpening and adjustment; do not assume every chain uses the same file or depth-gauge setting.
A depth gauge controls how much wood each cutter takes. About 0.025 inch (0.65 mm) is common, but it is not universal. Use the correct file and depth-gauge tool for the chain fitted to the saw.
For engine setup, approximately 2,800 rpm is an idle-speed reference. Maximum permissible speed depends on the version and specification. Use the correct manual and a tachometer for adjustment; do not tune by ear alone. For fuel, use a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil mix when using oil specified by STIHL for that ratio. Do not assume unknown or obsolete oil meets the requirement.
After cutting, engage the brake, stop the engine, and let it cool before service. Clean the bar groove, oil holes, sprocket area, and air intake. Recheck chain tension after cooling, and inspect for damage before using the saw again.
Storage and Seasonal Care
Store the saw clean and in a dry, secure place, following the manual’s directions for fuel and longer-term storage. Before putting it away, stop the engine, let it cool, and inspect the bar, chain, and safety parts. Check the saw again before returning it to work.
If fuel is left in the system, follow the manual and fuel-product guidance for storage and recommissioning. Do not guess at a storage procedure for an older saw. Before the next use, confirm the chain is correctly fitted and tensioned, the brake works, the chain stays still at idle, and oil reaches the bar as specified.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover common purchase and setup questions for a used 026. The right answer still depends on the exact saw, fitted parts, and manual. Verify uncertain model details or service limits with a qualified STIHL dealer before ordering parts or adjusting the engine.
Is the STIHL 026 a good used chainsaw?
It can be a useful saw for trained users if it is correctly identified, in sound condition, and suited to the work. Inspect it rather than relying on its reputation.
How large is the STIHL 026 engine?
Its displacement is 48.7 cm³. That measurement does not establish the condition or performance of an individual used saw.
What bar length should I use on an 026?
A 16–18-inch bar is a practical general-purpose match. A 20-inch bar depends on the exact setup, wood, and saw condition.
Does every 026 use the same chain?
No. Match chain pitch, gauge, and drive-link count to the installed bar and sprocket. Confirm parts for the specific saw.
What fuel mix does the 026 require?
Use a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil mix when using oil specified by STIHL for that ratio. Check the manual for the exact saw.
What should the chain do at idle?
It must not move. If it moves at idle, stop and have the saw checked or adjusted according to its manual.
Can I adjust the maximum engine speed by ear?
No. The permissible maximum depends on the version. Use the model-specific manual and a tachometer, or have a qualified technician do the work.
How can I tell if the bar is getting oil?
Check oil delivery using the procedure in the operator’s manual. Do not rely on a guessed flow rate or substitute engine oil for bar-and-chain oil.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
