The 1963 STIHL 08 S engine was designed for multiple other attachment tools besides being used as a chainsaw.
This includes the BT 308 two-person auger (1964), the TS 08 as the first STIHL cut-off saw (1964), the BT 309 one-person auger (1966), and the FS 08 brush cutter.
We shared the above image of the STIHL TS 08 cut-off saw on Facebook, which comes from STIHL’s old history slideshow (now only on the Wayback Machine).
In the comments, Chris Goldman said:
I have been looking everywhere for 08 attachments. It seems that there is none left out there.
I will be restoring one for my collection this winter.
Christoph said, “I have a water pump as an attachment for the O8. I think that’s rather rare.”
And that’s the truth. It’s very difficult to find pictures or information about these attachments, let alone get hold of the actual products.
In our 08/08 S review, we shared Dan Hull’s comment, who said:
Production as a chainsaw is one thing but they built them as a multi function powerhead.
- TS
- TS 08
- FS
- BT 308 & 309
- BT 360 was a variant
They stopped selling them as a powerhead in California in 1996 and the rest of the country in 2000.
This is a 1973 STIHL brochure that calls out the “STIHL 08 S big power chain saw and the … new, lightweight STIHL FS‑08 Brush Cutter,” noting “the same high performance engine powers them both.”
The full text of this vintage STIHL advert:
STIHL 08 S
STIHL FS 08A perfect pair: The versatile STIHL 08S big power chain saw and the handy new, lightweight STIHL FS – 08 Brush Cutter. The same high performance engine powers them both.
The FS – 08 Brush Cutter does a real professional job in tough weeds, stubborn shrubs and small trees when using either the blade with rotating knives or circular saw. This brush cutter features STIHL’s famous AV anti-vibration system that absorbs fatiguing engine vibrations. Lets you cut longer and easier with less effort.
Ask your rental friends or your nearest dealer about STIHL’S better performance, lower maintenance & down-time and proven earning capacity.
Here’s another vintage advert that states that the “powerhead is designed to drive the variety of attachments…”.
They picture some of the attachments and say:
- For use with the 08 S powerhead:
- Brush cutters – with circular saw or rotary knife…
- post hole digger – a two-man earth auger…
- crumbler tool – for plant hole digging
- One-man auger – for drilling into wood, ice or ground
This next ad shows the 08 S with the cut-off saw attachment and calls it a “Cutquik.”
And this is another similar advert.
Get in touch with us if you have any more info or pictures on the 08 S attachments. Thanks!
