What Is the Stihl 038 AV Super (Specs & Guide)
The STIHL 038 AV Super is a professional, older-model chainsaw with a 72.2 cm³ engine and about 4.0 kW (5.4 hp) of rated power. Its powerhead weighs roughly 6.6 kg (14.6 lb) without the bar or chain. It can suit demanding cutting work when well maintained, but its age and setup make careful part checks and safe handling essential.
Chainsaw design has changed over time, but the basic questions remain: how much power does the saw have, which parts fit, and what checks should happen before cutting? I find that older model names can make these answers less clear, especially when the same saw appears with different bars or sprockets. The guide below separates core specifications from setup choices that must be checked on your particular saw.
What Is the STIHL 038 AV Super?
The STIHL 038 AV Super is a legacy, professional-grade petrol chainsaw. “AV” refers to an anti-vibration feature intended to reduce vibration passed from the engine to the handles. The “Super” version is commonly listed with a 72.2 cm³ engine, but some published figures and equipment details can vary by market or version.
The saw uses a two-stroke engine, which needs a fuel-and-oil mix for engine lubrication. It is not a modern, lightweight homeowner saw: the powerhead alone weighs about 6.6 kg (14.6 lb), before adding the guide bar and chain. The complete saw is heavier, and its balance depends on the cutting equipment fitted.
Its size and power make it suitable for properly assessed tree and bucking work in the hands of a trained operator. They do not make it a good choice for every job. Condition, operator skill, tree hazards, and correct equipment matter as much as engine size.
When I explain an older saw, I start with its identification plate and fitted parts rather than relying on a seller’s description. A model badge is useful, but it cannot confirm the bar mount, sprocket, chain pitch, or chain gauge on a saw that may have been repaired or altered.
STIHL 038 AV Super Specifications
| Specification | Commonly published figure or note |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 72.2 cm³ |
| Rated power | About 4.0 kW (5.4 hp) |
| Powerhead weight | About 6.6 kg (14.6 lb), dry, without bar or chain |
| Engine speed at rated power | About 9,500 rpm |
| Idle speed | About 2,500 rpm |
| Fuel | Fresh two-stroke mix; current STIHL guidance is 50:1 with STIHL two-stroke oil |
| Chain and bar | Configuration-dependent; 3/8-inch pitch is common, but must be verified |
Displacement is the volume moved by the engine’s piston. It helps describe engine size, but it does not tell you which chain fits. Rated power describes output under specified conditions. An incorrectly matched chain or bar can still make an otherwise powerful saw unsafe or ineffective.
The 50:1 fuel ratio means 50 parts gasoline to one part two-stroke oil. For this older saw, check the applicable manual and the oil maker’s instructions before mixing fuel. Do not assume that a current general recommendation overrides the instructions for a specific saw.
Bar, Chain, and Sprocket Compatibility
A compatible cutting setup is a matched set: the bar must fit the saw, while the bar, chain, and sprocket must use matching specifications. The most important checks are the bar mount, chain pitch, chain gauge, and drive-link count. Engine displacement alone cannot tell you which replacement parts to buy.
The bar mount is the shape and size of the connection between the guide bar and saw. Pitch is the spacing used to describe the chain and sprocket size. Gauge is the thickness of the chain’s drive links, which sit in the bar groove. Drive links are the links that travel around the bar and sprocket.
A 3/8-inch chain is common on 038 AV Super setups, and a .063-inch gauge is used on some compatible configurations. Neither figure is universal. Check the markings on the bar and sprocket, then confirm them against the saw’s manual or a qualified parts source. The drive-link count must also match the bar length and sprocket arrangement.
| Situation | What to verify before fitting parts |
|---|---|
| Replacing a worn chain | Pitch, gauge, and drive-link count |
| Replacing the bar | Bar mount, pitch, gauge, and suitable chain length |
| Changing the sprocket | Sprocket pitch must match the chain and bar setup |
| Buying a used saw with unknown parts | Identify each fitted part; do not infer compatibility from the model name |
There is no single bar length that fits every job or every 038 AV Super. Choose a bar suitable for the work and manageable for the operator, then confirm that the saw and cutting components support that setup. Likewise, do not assume one chain-sharpening angle, depth-gauge setting, bar-oil rate, or fastener torque applies to every configuration. Use the correct manual and chain maker’s instructions.
Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation
Before starting, inspect the saw and the work area. A safe setup includes protective equipment, working controls, a correctly fitted chain, and a plan for hazards around the cut. If the saw’s history or condition is unknown, have it checked by a qualified chainsaw service professional before relying on it.
Wear chainsaw-rated head and face protection, hearing protection, leg protection, gloves, and boots. Check the chain brake, throttle lockout, stop control, chain catcher, handles, chain tension, bar rails, and lubrication system. Do not use the saw if a safety control is damaged or does not work as intended.
Assess the tree or log before cutting. Look for lean, visible defects, overhead hazards, nearby people, and a clear work zone. For felling, plan the intended fall direction and escape route before making a cut. Follow applicable workplace rules and recognized guidance, including ANSI Z133 and OSHA requirements where they apply. If the tree’s condition or fall path is uncertain, stop and seek qualified help.
For a cold or warm start, follow the procedure for this model and its condition. Start on stable ground, secure the saw as directed, and engage the chain brake. Use the specified fuel mix and suitable bar oil. Once running, confirm the chain stops at idle and that oil reaches the chain before cutting. If the chain moves at idle, stop and have the saw checked rather than cutting with it.
Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation
Good cutting starts with a sharp, correctly tensioned chain and a bar suited to the job. Use a firm two-handed grip and stable footing, and keep other people clear of the work area. If a cut behaves unexpectedly, stop and reassess instead of forcing the saw through the wood.
A key hazard is rotational kickback. It can happen when the upper part of the guide-bar nose contacts wood or another object, causing the bar to move quickly up and back toward the operator. Keep the bar nose clear, avoid awkward cuts and pinching, and never cut above shoulder height.
For bucking, plan how the log may shift or close on the bar as it is cut. For felling, use sound methods suited to the tree and site, including a planned hinge and escape route. Those techniques require training; a specification guide cannot replace hands-on instruction. If the tree is hung up, damaged, under tension, or otherwise unpredictable, stop and call a qualified professional.
Illustrative setup examples: These are compatibility checks, not reports of completed jobs or approval for a specific saw.
- Replacing a chain for routine bucking: Read the bar markings and identify the sprocket pitch. Match the new chain’s pitch, gauge, and drive-link count to the actual setup.
- Fitting a different bar: Check the bar mount and confirm that its chain and the sprocket match. Then assess whether the bar is appropriate for the work and operator.
- Preparing an unknown used saw: Inspect controls, bar, chain, sprocket, and lubrication. If parts or service condition cannot be confirmed, ask a qualified shop to identify and inspect them before use.
Maintenance, Sharpening, and Tuning
Routine care helps reveal problems before the next cut. After use, switch off the saw and let it cool before cleaning. Check the chain and bar for wear, keep the lubrication path clear, and use the model-specific service data for adjustments. A worn or damaged safety part needs attention before the saw returns to work.
Clean debris from the cover, brake area, air filter, bar groove, and oil ports as directed in the manual. Check chain tension and inspect the bar rails and chain for damage. Sharpen the chain using the chain maker’s specifications. If the chain is dull, stop to sharpen or replace it; do not force it through wood.
Use the correct serial-specific STIHL service data when checking engine speed with a tachometer. The approximate 9,500 rpm rated-power figure is not a maximum no-load tuning target. Idle is commonly listed near 2,500 rpm, but adjustment procedures and service limits must come from the correct service information. If the saw runs poorly or the chain moves at idle, seek qualified service rather than guessing at carburetor settings.
Storage and Seasonal Care
Prepare the saw for storage according to its manual and the instructions for the fuel and oil you use. Clean it, inspect it, and store it in a dry, secure place away from children. Fuel-storage steps can depend on the product and storage period, so follow the applicable instructions rather than relying on a generic rule.
Before putting it away, switch off the saw, let it cool, and remove chips and debris. Recheck the chain, bar, and safety parts. When bringing it back into service, inspect it again, confirm the correct fuel and bar oil are available, and test the chain brake and other controls before cutting.
Conclusion and FAQs
The 038 AV Super is a powerful, heavy legacy saw with specifications that are useful for identification, not enough to determine a safe setup by themselves. Confirm the condition of the saw and match the bar, chain, and sprocket by their actual markings and the correct manual. If parts or safety systems are uncertain, get a qualified inspection before use.
Is the STIHL 038 AV Super a professional chainsaw?
It is generally described as a professional-grade legacy saw. Its condition and suitability depend on the individual saw and the operator.
What is the displacement of the 038 AV Super?
Commonly published specifications list displacement at 72.2 cm³.
How much power does the 038 AV Super make?
Commonly published figures list about 4.0 kW, or 5.4 hp. Figures can vary by market or version.
How much does the saw weigh?
The powerhead is about 6.6 kg (14.6 lb), dry and without the bar or chain. The complete saw weighs more.
What fuel mix does it use?
Current STIHL guidance is 50:1 with STIHL two-stroke oil, but check the manual and oil instructions that apply to your saw. It requires a correctly mixed two-stroke fuel.
What chain pitch does an 038 AV Super use?
Three-eighths-inch pitch is common, but it is not guaranteed for every saw. Verify the sprocket and bar markings before buying a chain.
Can I use any bar that fits the engine size?
No. Confirm the bar mount, chain pitch, gauge, sprocket, and drive-link count. Displacement does not establish bar compatibility.
What engine speed should I set it to?
Use serial-specific STIHL service data for tachometer checks and tuning. The commonly listed 9,500 rpm rated-power figure is not a no-load tuning target.
Why does the chain move while the saw is idling?
A chain that moves at idle needs attention. Stop using the saw and have its idle setting and condition checked by a qualified service professional.
What is the main kickback risk?
Rotational kickback can occur if the upper part of the guide-bar nose hits wood or another object. Keep the nose clear, use a two-handed grip, and avoid cutting above shoulder height.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Evan Bradley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
