Stihl 090 Chainsaw Overview with Reviews, Basic Specs, and Version Details

The STIHL 090 was made in Germany from 1968 to 1977.

The 090 is arguably the biggest one-man chainsaw ever produced. It’s a 137 cc, 8.5 horsepower chainsaw, and the powerhead weighs over 25 pounds alone. Factor in the weight of fuel, oil, and the bar and chain, and you’ll understand why it’s not a saw anyone can pick up and use!

Alongside the STIHL Contra, which preceded it, the 090 is one of the world’s most well-known and sought-after chainsaws.

Images: 137 cc STIHL 090 G listed on eBay with seller goldilocks3791-0 – we have no relationship.

Stihl 090 Chainsaw

The 090 is well known as one of the most powerful chainsaws ever manufactured. It’s a beast.

It runs so well that alongside the 106 cc STIHL 070, it’s the chainsaw of choice for illegal logging. There’s a tower of confiscated 070 and 090 chainsaws in the Philippines!

Stihl likely still makes the 070 (and the 090) for “non-Western” countries like the Philippines, but either way, the largest current Stihl production chainsaw is the 122 cc MS 881.

STIHL 090 versions:

• Stihl 090 – standard version
• Stihl 090 AV – anti-vibration feature (also had handlebar coming down the middle)
• Stihl 090 G –  2-1 gear reduction drive
• Stihl 090 electronic – electronic ignition

The gear-drive version, the 090 G, was made from 1969 to 1985. It’s a rare and highly collectible version.

The stock 090 G was 106 cc with a 58 mm jug, but some, like the saw pictured throughout this article, have been converted into a 137 cc saw with a 66 mm 090 jug.

There are also the 090 G stone saws, another very rare version that deserves (and will get) its own article.

It certainly has a unique look!

Stihl 090 Reviews

Overwhelmingly, the 090 is reviewed positively. It’s an epic vintage chainsaw that rips.

In North America, the 090 is now mostly a collectors saw or “shelf queen.” It doesn’t get used but sits on display. You’ll commonly find them hanging from the ceiling of Stihl dealerships.

For those wanting to put it to work, the 090 is commonly used for milling. It’s a great saw for that task.

Now, here are some comments about the 090 from users.

• Alex said, “They are a true legend.”
• Jim said, “West Germany made. Nothing like the old saws.”
• Marzan said, “They’re heavy and low rpm. You’ll get tired easily. Sell it to me.”
• Stuart said, “The 500i is a toy in comparison. Get a big bar on it and ring up some big stuff.”
• Aaron said, “I’d kill to have this saw.”

Jeff said:

Nice saws. Keep in mind, they were built for torque and not speed back in those days.

It will cut anything, just not fast.

Mix fuel rich and make sure it’s always smoking.

About alternatives, Merle said:

Have used the 090. Big torque for long bars. Great mill saw but if not in very big timber, they are a load to tote.

Depending on what your cutting (diameter wise & volume), most will find a 661 or a 509 a bit much to sling about for firewood, but if you let the saw do the work, they are a dream.

Otherwise, a 400 or 362 should fit the bill. Both of the prior ported make a very nice saw. If porting is not in the sights, I personally would go with the 400.

Either way, you will not have to raw power or torque accompanying the 090. 090, 076s, and 056s we’re my go-tos back when they reigned.

About fuel, Ryan said:

20:1 was the recommendation with much lesser quality oils than today’s standards.

If you are running quality oils you can easily mix 32:1 and have zero problems.

And James said:

Never used one myself but Ive heard they’re like truck motors. I’d rather a lighter less powerful saw than an antique anvil that’s got more power.

Sorry 090 fans!

Some folk also warn about knockoff 090s or “clones.” Check out these fake vs. genuine 070s for help identifying what’s real and what’s not.

STIHL 090 G

We shared this old poster on our FB page recently and got some good comments.

Justin asked what today’s equivalent to the 090 is…

• Brad said, “There is no equivalent of the gear drive version being made today. Those big CC gear drive saws died when the harvesting of the early old growth died.”
• Eric said, “ms880 or ms881 or husky 3120xp.”
• And Richard said, “There is nothing.”

About the poster:

• Vaughn said, “”You can work with it for hours without getting tired” optimistic! I can barely get mine off the shelf without a hernia.”
• Dennis said, “That was the BAD boy when I was a cutter (70s)… I had an 075 with a 42″bar 🥸”
• Will said, “My family cut a lot of timber in Australia using those…”
• Rick said, “I still have one on the shelf in my basement my dad Grandpa bought it new in the late 1960s would definitely make a man out of you.”
• Shaun said, “When Stihl made saws, not the consumer crap that is sold everywhere by everybody.”

And Brad added: 

They ran 5, 6, and 7 foot bars pulling 1/2” chain. People talk about how todays saws can blow it away. Todays saws don’t have the power to pull that chain.

But there are plenty more great comments on the FB post.

Specs and Features

090 specifications:

• Displacement: 137 cc / 8.36 cu in
• Power: 8.5 hp / 6.3 kW
• Bore: 66 mm / 2.60 in
• Stroke: 40 mm / 1.57 in
• Max engine speed: 8000 rpm
• Mean idle speed: 1800 rpm
• Engagement speed: 2500 rpm
• Weight:
  • 090 – 11.5 kg / 25.4 lb
  • 090 AV – 12.3 kg / 27.1 lb
  • 090 G – 13.4 kg / 29.5 lb

• Throttle lock (making it good for milling)
• Decompression valve
• Speed-controlled oil pump, with manual hand pump for additional lubrication

Recommended bar lengths include 21″, 25″, 30″, 32″, 35″, 41″, 47″, or 49″.

Price and Parts

How much is a Stihl 090 worth?

They vary in price from $500 for a non-working model in bad condition to well over $3000 for a working model in excellent condition.

The 090 G pictured in this post is listed for US $4,350.00.

Prices also vary depending on the cosmetic condition of the saw, as many chainsaw shops are looking for a nice display model to hang up in their stores.

The average price on eBay at the time of writing is around $1000 for a working 090 in average cosmetic condition. However, there are not always many buying options.

Besides eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are good places to look. We’ve seen one or two in my local area over the past year or so.

Beyond that, the 100,000-member Stihl Chainsaw Facebook Group is the next best place to ask if anyone is selling. Plenty of owners are in there, and you never know when someone will be ready to send theirs to a new home.

Stihl 090 parts can be found:

• On eBay here – casings, rings, chains, bars, handles, etc.
• HL Supply here – a wide range of OEM chainsaw parts for Stihl
• On Amazon here – carbs, recoil assembly, ignition wires, flywheels, and much more

About pricing, Curt said this in the STIHL Fans FB groups:

As a collector condition is everything. You can either have really nice or cheap. Unless you stumble on a great deal which happens.

Keep in mind if you’re going to use it certain parts are NLA and the guys that do have them want good money.

Looking at them is the same as looking at any used saw really, general condition, obvious wear compression, etc.

090 Chainsaw

So that’s the Stihl 090 chainsaw.

It’s an excellent old saw that anyone would be lucky to own – but one that not everyone should try using!

Let us know if you have anything to add in the comments section below. We’re always keen to get additional information on these great chainsaws.

Also, check out the STIHL 720 and 780 for more saws that have come down the line from the 090!