Stihl MS 500i vs. Husqvarna 585 (Field Test)

The STIHL MS 500i and Husqvarna 585 are professional 3/8-inch-chain saws suited to demanding felling and bucking. The 585 has higher published displacement and power; the MS 500i uses electronic fuel injection instead of a carburetor. Those ratings are not a controlled field-test result. Choose by workload, approved bar-and-chain setup, service support, and handling in your hands.

The published power figures differ by 0.6 kW: STIHL lists about 5.0 kW for the MS 500i, while Husqvarna lists 5.6 kW for the 585. That is useful context when comparing specs, but the manufacturers may use different test conventions and rounding. It does not prove how much faster one saw will cut the same log.

When I assess a saw comparison, I separate manufacturer ratings from measured results. Without a controlled test using the same wood, chain condition, bar setup, and cutting method, claims of a field-test winner are not reliable. The practical question is which model and setup fit your work, and which one you can maintain and control safely.

At-a-Glance Comparison

This comparison puts the key published specifications beside the decisions they can inform. Displacement and rated output describe the engines, while fuel system and chain fit affect setup and service. None of these figures alone predicts cut speed, comfort, or suitability for every tree.

A 20- to 28-inch bar is a practical range for many jobs with saws in this class, not a universal recommendation or permission to fit any bar. Check the exact manual and the bar and chain makers’ specifications before buying. Bar length must suit the cut, saw configuration, wood, and operator’s skill.

Which Saw Fits Your Work?

This section matches each model’s known differences to common work, without turning ratings into unsupported promises. The better choice depends on the cuts you make, your preferred fuel-system design, and the service you can access. Treat the examples below as decision scenarios, not measured test results.

The MS 500i’s defining distinction is its electronic fuel injection. That does not make it maintenance-free, nor does it change the required fuel mix. The 585 uses a carburetor, so do not assume it adjusts itself like the injection system. Follow the proper manual for starting, adjustments, and service on either saw.

Scenario: You mostly buck large logs. Compare the approved bar and chain options for the log sizes you handle, then consider how often you will move the saw between cuts. A longer bar may help reach across a wider cut, but also changes handling. Do not choose by displacement-to-bar-length ratios; the correct setup depends on the actual saw, bar, chain, and work.

Scenario: You fell trees as part of professional work. Choose neither saw as a substitute for training, a sound felling plan, or an escape route. Tree lean, defects, overhead hazards, and site conditions shape the cut. Complex, hung-up, storm-damaged, or power-line-affected trees call for qualified help.

Scenario: You are deciding between fuel systems. Ask your dealer about model-specific service, parts, and technician support in your area. Injection versus carburetion is a real design difference, but neither system eliminates routine inspection or correct operation. Avoid applying carburetor adjustment instructions to the MS 500i.

Equipment Setup, Compatibility & Safety Preparation

Correct setup means verifying that the bar, chain, fuel, and safety parts match the exact saw and its manual. It also means checking the work area before starting. A mismatched chain or rushed site check can turn a capable saw into an unsafe one, regardless of its engine rating.

Before buying a bar or replacement chain, check the manual for your model and market. Bar groove gauge must match chain gauge, and the chain’s drive-link count must match the actual bar. Examples of gauges used in compatible setups include .050-inch and .058-inch, but availability and fit vary. Do not assume a size because another version of the saw uses it.

Both saws commonly use standard 3/8-inch chain, not 3/8-inch low-profile chain. Use suitable bar and chain oil, then confirm oil delivery before cutting. Oil-pump output, idle speed, and maximum governed speed are model-specific service data. I would verify them in the manual rather than tune to an internet “wide-open throttle” figure or assume a fixed oil-flow rate.

Pre-use check: Inspect the chain brake, throttle interlock, stop control, chain catcher, handles, bar rails, and chain tension. Look for visible fuel or oil leaks. Wear a helmet, eye and hearing protection, chainsaw-rated leg protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Identify the target, lean, defects, overhead hazards, escape routes, and exclusion zones. Follow applicable OSHA logging requirements and ANSI Z133 practices.

Start on stable ground using the maker’s procedure, with the chain brake applied as directed. Check that the chain does not move at idle, the throttle returns, the brake works, and the chain receives oil. Warm the saw as instructed. Do not rev it with the brake engaged.

Field Cutting and Landscaping Operations

Good cutting practice depends on the wood, support, and planned sequence, not a single power figure. Before a cut, decide where the wood is under compression or tension and where it may move. For felling, plan the notch, hinge, and escape route around the tree and site, and keep people outside the work zone.

The following are practical decision scenarios, not claims that I recorded timed cuts or measured vibration in a controlled comparison. I would not call one saw faster without matching wood species, diameter, moisture, bar length, chain sharpness, and operator technique.

• Bucking a supported log: Check how the log is held and where it may pinch the bar. Use a controlled cut sequence suited to the support and tension. Keep the bar nose clear of unintended contact.
• Felling a sound tree: Assess lean, defects, nearby hazards, and the planned retreat before cutting. Use a directional notch and hinge appropriate to the tree and your training. Get qualified help when the tree or site is beyond your skill.
• Working near people or structures: Establish an exclusion zone and account for the tree’s fall path and escape route. Do not proceed if you cannot control the area or identify a safe plan.

Rotational kickback can occur when the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts wood or another object. The saw can be thrown back toward you, causing severe injury. Keep that area clear when possible, use a firm two-handed grip, and maintain a functioning chain brake. The brake reduces risk; it does not make nose contact safe.

Maintenance, Chain Sharpening & Model-Specific Service

Routine care protects cutting performance and helps reveal problems before the next job. Use the model’s manual for service limits and adjustment steps. A sharp, correctly tensioned chain and sound bar rails matter more in use than guessing at a generic setting or changing a service adjustment by feel.

Set and check depth-gauge, also called raker, clearance using the chain maker’s specification and sharpening chart. There is no universal clearance that suits every chain and cutter length. Do not use a generic internet value as a substitute. Do not force a dull chain through wood; stop and sharpen it correctly.

For fuel, use a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-cycle-oil mix with oil approved by the respective manufacturer. The MS 500i’s injection system does not make straight gasoline safe. Do not use an unverified mix: incorrect lubrication can cause rapid engine damage. For either saw, follow the exact manual for fuel, service intervals, and adjustments.

After use, stop the engine before adjustments or clearing debris, and let hot parts cool. Clean the air-intake area, sprocket cover, bar groove, oil hole, and cooling fins. Inspect the chain and bar, then refuel and refill bar oil away from ignition sources. Store and service the saw as directed in its manual.

Shutdown, Storage & Seasonal Care

Shutdown and storage care reduce avoidable wear and make the next pre-use inspection more useful. Follow the specific manual for storage steps, especially if the saw will sit unused for a long period. Do not guess at fuel-system procedures, service limits, or seasonal adjustments.

After cleaning and inspection, note damage, unusual wear, or a change in operation for a qualified service provider to assess. Confirm that the bar groove and oil hole are clear and that the chain remains correctly tensioned. Keep fuel and oil handling away from heat and ignition sources, and use only approved containers and procedures.

Recommendation: Which One Should You Buy?

For a buyer comparing these two professional saws, the 585 has the higher published displacement and power rating; the MS 500i offers electronic fuel injection rather than a carburetor. That is the defensible spec-based distinction, not proof of a universal winner. I would choose by the manufacturer-approved setup that fits your cuts, local service support, and your ability to handle the saw safely.

Before you commit, verify the exact bar and chain options, gauge, and drive-link count for the model sold in your market. Ask a dealer about service for its fuel system, and compare the saws with the bar setup you expect to use. If you cannot confirm compatibility or safely manage the work, pause and get qualified advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Husqvarna 585 more powerful than the STIHL MS 500i?

Husqvarna lists the 585 at 5.6 kW; STIHL lists the MS 500i at about 5.0 kW. These are manufacturer ratings, not results from a controlled comparison, so they do not by themselves establish which saw cuts faster.

Which saw has more displacement?

The Husqvarna 585 has 86 cm³ of displacement. The STIHL MS 500i has 79.2 cm³. Greater displacement alone does not determine how a saw performs in a particular cut.

Is the MS 500i fuel-injected?

Yes. The MS 500i uses electronically controlled fuel injection. The Husqvarna 585 uses a carburetor. Follow each model’s manual; carburetor adjustment procedures do not apply to the MS 500i.

Do either of these saws use straight gasoline?

No. Both require a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-cycle-oil mix when operated on premix, using oil approved by the respective manufacturer. Do not assume injection makes straight gasoline safe for the MS 500i.

What bar length should I choose?

A 20- to 28-inch bar is a practical range for many jobs, but it is not a universal fit recommendation. Check the exact model and market manual, then match bar length to the cut, operator, and approved bar-and-chain combination.

Can I use any 3/8-inch chain?

No. Both commonly use standard 3/8-inch chain, not low-profile 3/8-inch chain. The chain gauge must match the bar groove, and the drive-link count must match the specific bar.

Is there one correct raker setting for both saws?

No. Set depth-gauge clearance to the chain manufacturer’s specification and sharpening chart, taking cutter length into account. Do not rely on a generic value.

Can I use a longer bar for felling?

Only if the bar and chain combination is approved for the exact saw and the cut, conditions, and operator skill support it. A longer bar does not replace training, a felling plan, or a safe escape route.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)