The STIHL MS 240 is a compact professional chainsaw that often gets overshadowed by the better-known 026/MS 260. It was effectively part of the same small-pro-saw family as the 024, but with the later MS-series styling and updates.
At 41.6 cc, it was not a big timber saw, but it offered a useful mix of low weight, professional construction, and enough power for limbing, smaller felling work, and general farm or forestry use.
The lovely saw featured here was restored by C.S. Goldman’s Reaper Restorations. He had it shipped to him from a friend in France, and it completes his collection of STIHL series 1121 saws!
STIHL MS 240
The MS 240 is generally listed as being produced from around 2001 to 2012. It followed on from the older 024 and was later replaced in the range by the MS 241 C-M.
The MS 240 was mainly sold in Europe and other international markets, and wasn’t sold as a standard US model. It was available in places such as the UK and Europe, and examples also turn up in markets like New Zealand.
There does not seem to be a simple official explanation from STIHL as to why it wasn’t sold in all markets, but the most likely reason is lineup overlap.
In the United States, the 026/MS 260 already filled the small professional saw role very successfully, while the MS 250 covered the lighter homeowner and farm/ranch category. The MS 240 sat close enough to both that STIHL USA may have decided it was not worth adding another similar model to the catalogue.
For collectors and STIHL enthusiasts, the MS 240 is interesting because it is familiar and uncommon at the same time.
It shares a lot of family resemblance with the 024 and 026/MS 260 group, but it is much less commonly seen, especially in North America. That makes it a nice find for someone who likes the smaller professional STIHL saws.
Here are the rest of Chris’s pictures, obviously with the before restoration pics first, followed by the after. Also, there’s a table of specs at the end of the post.
| Spec | STIHL MS 240 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Single-cylinder 2-stroke |
| Displacement | 41.6 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 42 mm x 30 mm |
| Power output | 2.1 kW / 2.9 hp |
| Rated speed | 9,500 rpm |
| Idle speed | 2,800 rpm |
| High-speed setting with bar and chain | 13,000 rpm |
| Dry weight, no bar or chain | 4.7 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 0.46 L |
| Oil tank capacity | 0.29 L |
| Recommended bar lengths | 32, 37, 40 cm |
| Chain pitch | .325″ |
| Gauge | 1.6 mm / .063″ |
| Chain sprocket | 7-tooth .325″ |
| Sound pressure level | 101 dB(A) |
| Sound power level | 109 dB(A) |
| Vibration, left handle | 3.4 m/s² |
| Vibration, right handle | 4.4 m/s² |
