The STIHL AP System of battery-powered tools has seen two exciting new additions this year. The STIHL MSA 300 cordless chainsaw is the most powerful cordless chainsaw available in the STIHL range, and the STIHL AP 500 S battery is the power behind it. Designed for professional tasks in forestry, arboriculture and landscaping, the MSA 300 battery powered chainsaw makes light work of felling, cross-cutting and snedding larger trees and is packed full of intuitive features.
With plenty of torque and a battery capable of delivering 3kw of power, the MSA 300 cuts quickly through large pieces of timber and is comparable in performance to the popular MS 261 C-M. We recommend the STIHL MSA 300 with the 16” Light 04 guide bar but it’s also available with a 14 or 18” bar too (just like the MS 261 C-M). The RS Pro chain cuts 20% faster than the standard Rapid Super (RS) chainsaw chain due to the narrower kerf of the teeth, maximising the amount of work achievable on each charge.
The new STIHL AP 500 S battery is the powerhouse behind the MSA 300’s world class performance. It’s the first battery in the AP System to use laminated battery cells capable of delivering a significantly higher power output of 3 kW, whilst also lasting up to 2400 full cycles before needing to be replaced. To put that into perspective the AP 300 S has a product life cycle of approximately 5 years on the basis that around 240 charging cycles are performed per year. In contrast the AP 500 S can be used for 10 years under the same conditions.
The AP 500 S battery is compatible with every other AP System tool, with around 20% longer working times compared to the AP 300 S. so it can be used in any existing cordless STIHL tools you already have. The MSA 300 should be used with the AP 500 S though to deliver the full performance level. The AP 500 S has STIHL Connected integrated into the battery housing too, meaning you’ll always know how much work the battery’s done, regardless of which machine you use it with.
The maximum chain speed of the battery powered MSA 300 can be adjusted to three levels ranging between 24 and 30 m/s and is controlled using an easy to reach button. This allows the user to match the power required to the job at hand and maximise the battery performance. We would recommend level 1 for cutting small logs, and level 3 for snedding or important felling cuts. The bright LED light makes it clear which power level is in use.
The MSA 300 is the first STIHL cordless chainsaw with a full anti-vibration system. Thanks to this, the MSA 300 is extremely comfortable to use and has the lowest vibration figures across all our cordless and petrol rear handle chainsaws. Additionally, the STIHL MSA 300 includes all the features you’d expect from a professional STIHL chainsaw – captive sprocket nuts, an adjustable chain oil pump, a tool free oil cap and durable, long-lasting magnesium components.
The notification cockpit on the rear handle displays useful information regarding the chain brake status, the on/off status of the machine, and even if the machine needs time to cool. The motor unit is air cooled and protected from dirt by a fleece air filter. This can be accessed easily for regular cleaning, which in turn helps to prevent the chainsaw from overheating. We recommend cleaning the filter with STIHL VarioClean, our cleaning spray specifically designed for removing dirt and oil residues. Spray on both sides and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse gently with water and leave to dry. You can find video instructions of the entire cleaning process here.
Another new feature is the automatic de-rating of the motor when the battery needs charging, or the unit temperature exceeds a set point. Instead of potentially cutting out mid-way through a cut, the MSA 300 lowers the amperage, temporarily reducing the performance, which then gives you enough time to finish the cut at hand.
Finally, the STIHL MSA 300 is ready for use with Smart Connector 2 A, an intelligent hour meter that transmits useful data from the machine to the user’s phone, including the total runtime, the runtime history, and even a record of which power levels have been used. This information can be viewed anytime in the STIHL Connected app, or the Connected Portal where information on your entire tool fleet is updated automatically for analysis.
Find out more in our video or visit your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.
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