The STIHL 048 Super is a rare, high-end variant of the classic 048 series from the early 1980s.
It shares most of its design and specifications with the base 048 (76.4 cc, 52 mm×36 mm bore/stroke), but includes performance upgrades. Enthusiasts report that the Super featured slightly different port timing and a larger Walbro carburetor – though the engine displacement and most parts remain identical to the standard 048.
I only realised how rare this saw was when collector Tom Gray recently messaged and said that he’d finally collected all the SUPERs. Here’s the picture he shared.
The 048 is second from the top on the right-hand side. I hadn’t realized there was an 048 SUPER, and when I went looking for more info, there was basically none out there!
Eidted to add some close-ups of Tom’s saw.
You know it’s a rare saw when the largest STIHL group on the planet, STIHL Chainsaw Fans on FB, only has 3 or 4 mentions of it. Here’s what I could find out from those posts.
(Links to each of the posts in the image caption, though you’ll need to be a member of the group.)
Most recently, Evan K. shared this picture of what was his dad’s chainsaw, and asked for some tips on restoring it back to full heath.
Roy said, “I have that exact same saw. They are rare. I don’t have a full wrap like you do though.”
Andrew said:
People are apprehensive to take on that particular model because it can be problematic.
There are not enough screws holding the case halves together and they are not long enough or large enough on most of those saws and this will over time allow them to vibrate loose and then the case half will not seal and it will start leaking both pressure and vacuum and eventually caused the saw to fail.
They also have issues with the oil line running from the tank to the oiler it’s located in a bit of an unpleasant place and likes to fail from Heat. Outside of that OEM parts are getting very very scarce and the aftermarket is crap so that can be an issue.
Roy F, whose comment we shared above, had earlier shared this picture including his 048 SUPER.
David commented, “The hell is that super??”
Roy replied:
Yes sir. An 048 Super. I thought I knew almost all Stihls but I was wrong.
Friend of mine who is a Husky fan was given the saw and he didn’t want it because it wasn’t orange enough. Wanted a 150.00 for it. It didn’t run. I literally just took the air filter off and reinstalled it and it fired right up.
It’s a rare saw. I believe it’s rare because it wasn’t a well liked saw. It’s odd with the gas and oil tanks on the same end. I don’t understand the rationale. I have a couple 028 wood bosses and my dad gave me his 038 he bought brand new in 1980 and it’s just odd to me why they didn’t just keep the same blueprint and just up the displacement.
From my research on 048s people say it’s power to weight ratio was pathetic at best. Have not found much information in the Super model. It isn’t exactly light but I’m not exactly light either so it’s a win win situation. Good work out dragging it through the snow to cut up some firewood. 😊
Jason N. shared this picture of his 048 S with the description:
Started work on this 048 Super almost 10 years ago. Had loose crankcase bolts as was generally a parts saw when I got it. Finally had the time and parts to finish it up…just to put it on the shelf for the winter. Feels good to have it done though. We’ll see how it does in the spring.
In the comments he added:
Nobody ever aftermarketed the 048 cylinders that I am aware of, so they would all be original.
The super cylinders had +++ marked on them. They do aftermarket the 042 cylinders for some reason.
The flat head screws held the crankcase halves together. They were eventually replaced with allen heads or torx.
Full wrap handles are pretty rare. I bought the last NOS full wrap I came across probably 8-9 years ago. Haven’t been watching real hard since.
AV mounts are plentiful in ebay. Aftermarket are available as well for the mounts.
And lastly from the STIHL group, Macario shared this picture of the cylinder when asking for an “OEM piston kit for 048 AV Super.”
We can see the +++ marks from the previous comment.
The next example comes from the Chainsaw Collectors forum.
Additional info from the page include these specs for the Super shared by user ‘jack-rijn.’
RPM are 12000
76 cm3 cylinder
bore 52mm
5.15 hp by 9000 rpm
And here’s another example shared with the caption, “Rare 048 AV Super with full-wrap handle found on Internet.”
There’s plenty more about the 048 AVE and AVEQ out there, but very little about the SUPER.
If you know more about it, let us know in the comments below!
