Owning an MS 170 means dealing with fuel tanks that crack, chains that stretch, and sprockets that wear out after a season of firewood work. The little 30cc saw punches well above its weight, but keeping one running means sourcing the right consumables and spares. This roundup pulls together ten replacement parts, chains, and sharpening accessories that fit the MS 170 platform, so you spend less time hunting and more time cutting.
The Lineup, Simplified
Cancanle MS170/180 Replacement Fuel Tank with Cap
Stihl 61 PMM3 55 Chainsaw Chain
Stihl 61PMM355 16″ Chain, Pack of 2
Stihl 7010 871 0395 Sharpening Files
Stihl MS 170 Chainsaw 30cm Bar
Stihl 1123 640 2003 Chain Sprocket 6T
8TEN Full Chisel Chain .050 3-Pack
Savior S44 Pole Pruner Chain 12″
Stihl 11236603001 Replacement Washer
Fuel tanks on small homeowner-grade saws tend to crack from UV exposure or simple age, and a leaking tank can shut down an MS 170 faster than a dull chain. The Cancanle replacement ships as a tank-and-cap set that fits the MS 170, MS 180, and their 017/018 predecessors. Owners restoring an older saw appreciate having both pieces in one package rather than tracking them down separately.
This is a straightforward swap that benefits anyone doing their own small engine repairs. It pairs naturally with the OEM chain sprocket (pick 7) if you are doing a full drivetrain refresh.
The Good Stuff
- Includes the cap so you avoid mismatched fuel caps from different sellers
- Covers four common Stihl models in one part number
- Costs noticeably less than buying a genuine tank
- Useful for getting a non-running saw back into service quickly
Things To Consider
- Not a genuine Stihl part, so finish and gasket fit may vary from batch to batch
- You may need to transfer your old fuel line and grommet during the swap
Who It Suits Best
Shed-side tinkerers restoring a parked MS 170 on a tight budget.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
Shops chasing OEM-grade consistency should grab the Stihl 61 PMM3 55 Chainsaw Chain (pick 2) instead and confirm tank condition later.
A genuine Stihl replacement chain is the closest thing to a factory fit for the MS 170, and the 61 PMM3 55 spec is the size the saw ships with from the dealer. The chain runs a 3/8″ pitch (the spacing between rivets), a 0.043″ gauge (the drive-link thickness that fits the bar groove), and 55 drive links to match the 16″ guide bar. Low-kickback and narrow kerf (the width of cut) make it forgiving for newer operators.
Buying a single chain works well when your current one just needs a swap after a rock strike or a long firewood session. You get OEM geometry without committing to a multi-pack.
Where It Delivers
- Factory-spec dimensions mean no filing or fitting on first install
- Picco Micro Mini profile cuts smoothly on small displacement saws
- Single-pack pricing suits one-off replacements
- Genuine part reduces the chance of premature stretch
Trade Offs
- One chain means you will be back at the listing when it dulls again
- Single-pack cost per link runs higher than the three-pack (pick 4)
Feature Snapshot
Made For
Homeowners who need a single replacement chain with zero guesswork on fitment.
Skip It When
You burn through chains faster than that and want better cost per cut, in which case the Stihl 61PMM355 Chain, 3-Pack (pick 4) makes more sense.
Two genuine Stihl chains in a single box is a sweet spot for MS 170 owners who cut firewood most weekends. The 61PMM355 spec is identical to pick 2, just doubled up, so a dulled chain mid-session has a ready backup waiting. Genuine OEM geometry also means the chain seats properly on the rim sprocket and the bar rails without forcing adjustments.
Anyone sharpening at home will also rotate the spare through the filing routine instead of burning one chain into a wedge before reaching for another.
Positive Points
- Spare chain in the shop means no downtime waiting for a delivery
- Per-chain cost drops below the single-pack (pick 2)
- Same OEM profile, so handling and cutting feel stay consistent
- Useful insurance during storm cleanup or major pruning jobs
Honest Caveats
- Both chains share a batch, so any factory defect hits twice
- Heavier on shelf space than the single option
Right Fit For
Regular users who keep a spare on the workbench rather than waiting until the chain fails.
Not Your Match When
You only need to replace a single worn loop, in which case the Stihl 61 PMM3 55 Chainsaw Chain (pick 2) is the leaner choice.
Three genuine Picco Micro Mini chains bundle up neatly for anyone burning through a chain every few months. The low-kickback, semi-chisel design (cutters with a small radius edge instead of a square corner) cuts smoothly and tends to stay sharper longer than full-chisel chain under normal homeowner use. Narrow kerf also leaves more power for the small 30cc motor to push through the cut.
This is the pick for shop owners, property caretakers, or anyone who would rather stock once and forget about chains for the rest of the year.
What Pays Off
- Lowest cost per chain in the genuine Stihl lineup covered here
- Forgiving cutting action for newer operators working around the yard
- Same OEM fit as the single and two-pack options
- Wide margin of safety thanks to the low-kickback geometry
Points To Keep In Mind
- Larger up-front spend than the single (pick 2) or two-pack (pick 3)
- All three chains will age on the shelf if storage humidity is high
Spec Overview
Best Suited To
Frequent cutters who want genuine Stihl chain in bulk without third-party substitutes.
Look Elsewhere When
You mostly cut clean softwood and want a more aggressive bite, in which case the 8TEN Full Chisel Chain .050 3-Pack (pick 8) is worth a look.
No chain stays sharp forever, and the MS 170 family runs on Picco cutters that need a 5/32″ round file to dress properly. This Stihl-branded three-pack of 4.0 mm round files fits both 1/4″ and 3/8″ Picco chains, so one pack covers the MS 170 and the smaller pole saw chains in your shed. The files also work in Stihl’s 2-in-1 Easy File holder for consistent angles.
Anyone maintaining their own chain rather than swapping it out weekly will wear through these in a season or two of regular filing.
Why It Works Well
- Three files per pack spreads the cost across a season of sharpening
- Factory diameter matches Stihl’s filing recommendation exactly
- Compatible with the Easy File guide for consistent rake angles
- Works across multiple Picco chain sizes, not just the 3/8″
Worth Noting
- Round files wear out and stop cutting true, so plan on replacing them periodically
- No depth gauge tool or filing guide included in this pack
Feature Snapshot
Who Will Love This
Backyard mechanics who prefer sharpening over replacing, especially across multiple Picco chains.
Another Choice May Suit
If your sharpening habit has lapsed, the Savior S44 Pole Pruner Chain 12″ (pick 9) lets you swap to a fresh chain instead of filing.
The MS 170 itself anchors this list, since every chain, sprocket, and sharpening file here exists to keep one running. It carries a 30cc two-stroke engine producing 1200 W of cutting power, paired with a 30 cm guide bar. A built-in chain lubrication system keeps the bar oiled, while an anti-vibration system (springs or elastomers that absorb handle buzz) softens long cutting sessions. The compensator in the carburetor holds the fuel-air mix steady as the air filter loads up.
Small property owners who want a light, approachable petrol saw for limbing, pruning, and occasional firewood cuts will find this saw comfortable and unintimidating.
A Few Strong Suits
- Lightweight enough for one-handed limbing at chest height
- Anti-vibration system reduces fatigue on longer property days
- Carburetor compensator helps maintain running quality as the filter clogs
- Wide aftermarket support with chains, sprockets, and files listed below
Less-Strong Areas
- The 30cc motor strains on dense hardwood rounds larger than the bar
- Not the right tool for continuous professional firewood production
Perfect Match For
Homeowners stepping up from a cordless pole saw to a real petrol cutter for the first time.
Swap It Out When
You mostly prune overhead limbs and want a shorter setup, in which case the Savior S44 Pole Pruner Chain 12″ (pick 9) pairs with a pole saw head for that use case.
The rim sprocket is the little toothed wheel that drives the chain around the bar, and it wears faster than the bar itself on a hardworking MS 170. This genuine Stihl 6-tooth, 3/8″ Picco sprocket fits the MS 170, MS 180, and a long list of related models. Replacing the sprocket at the same time as a fresh chain helps the new chain seat properly and prevents the uneven wear that chews up new loops early.
This is the part that comes out during a clutch-side service, not a casual swap, so it suits anyone already in the saw with the clutch cover off.
Notable Upsides
- Genuine OEM fit, so chain engagement matches factory spec
- Covers MS 170, MS 180, 017, and 018 with one part number
- Replacing a worn sprocket extends the life of the new chain in picks 2 through 4
- Six-tooth count pairs naturally with the 3/8″ Picco chain geometry
Possible Compromises
- Installation needs clutch disassembly and a special tool most home shops lack
- Easy to forget until a new chain starts skipping on the bar
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
Home mechanics already inside the clutch cover for a new chain install and noticing skipping on the old sprocket.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Casual owners who never open the clutch side should stick with chain and file replacements like the Stihl 7010 871 0395 Sharpening Files (pick 5).
Full chisel cutters (square-cornered cutting teeth) bite faster than semi-chisel, which matters in dirty, sandy, or nail-tinged wood where you want each tooth to clear debris and dive back in. The 8TEN chain runs a .050″ gauge (slightly thicker than the Stihl PMM3 chains) at 3/8″ pitch with 55 drive links, and a safety bumper link is included. The body uses 68CrNiMo33 steel with GCr15 rivets for toughness.
Property owners cutting reclaimed wood, storm debris, or rough hardwood rounds may get noticeably faster cuts than with the gentler Stihl Picco chain.
Strengths Worth Knowing
- Aggressive full chisel geometry for faster bite in hard or dirty wood
- Three-pack pricing keeps the chain bench stocked through busy seasons
- Safety bumper link limits kickback risk at the bar tip
- Heat-treated rivets hold up under heavy use
Where It Is Less Suited
- The .050″ gauge is thicker than the MS 170’s factory .043″ spec, so verify your bar groove before fitting
- Full chisel teeth dull faster in dirty wood and need more frequent sharpening than semi-chisel
Built With In Mind
Experienced operators cutting storm debris, reclaimed lumber, or rough firewood who can keep up with sharpening.
Reach For A Different Pick When
You mostly cut clean softwood firewood and want OEM fit, in which case the Stihl 61PMM355 Chain, 3-Pack (pick 4) stays the safer call.
Shorter bars belong on pole pruner heads, where a 12″ loop keeps the saw light overhead and easier to control. This Savior three-pack runs 44 drive links at 3/8″ low-profile pitch with a .050″ gauge, fitting Stihl’s MSE-series pole saw heads and several other compact saws. Semi-chisel cutters stay forgiving during branch work where the wood is rarely clean.
Anyone converting an MS-series powerhead to a pole pruner setup will lean on this chain for the initial install and the next two replacements.
Well-Handled Touches
- Three-pack covers several pruning seasons for typical homeowners
- Low-kickback profile suits overhead cutting angles
- Cross-compatible with Echo, McCulloch, and several Stihl pole heads
- Short loop reduces tip weight on long pole saw shafts
Small Caveats
- Link count (44) only fits 12″ bars, so it is not a direct MS 170 main-saw chain
- Always confirm drive link count before ordering, since pole saw bars vary
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Tree-trimming homeowners who already run a pole saw attachment and want spare loops ready.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
For ground-level firewood cutting the Stihl 61 PMM3 55 Chainsaw Chain (pick 2) is the better bar length.
Tiny stamped parts tend to vanish at the worst moment, and a clamping washer is exactly that. The Stihl 11236603001 washer fits several Stihl and Viking devices, including the MS 170 family. Keeping a couple on the bench avoids a project grinding to a halt because a single small disc rolled under the workbench.
This is a maintenance drawer part more than a featured upgrade, but for the cost of a coffee it removes a common shop bottleneck.
Real Benefits
- Genuine Stihl part avoids the poor-fit frustrations of generic washers
- Cross-compatible across multiple Stihl and Viking tools
- Small enough to toss in a parts drawer for the day you need one
- Lowers the risk of an interrupted repair over a single missing disc
Practical Considerations
- Easy to misorder since the same number serves several assemblies
- Single unit purchases can make shipping feel disproportionate
Who It Suits Best
Anyone stocking a small parts drawer for routine Stihl repairs around the property.
Consider Something Else When
The repair is bigger than a lost washer, in which case the Stihl 1123 640 2003 Chain Sprocket 6T (pick 7) addresses drivetrain wear in the same work session.
What Matters Most Before Choosing ms 170 stihl chainsaws
Match the part to the failure mode
Most MS 170 owners are not buying a whole new saw. They are replacing a worn chain, a leaking tank, or a lost washer. Look at what actually failed before browsing listings, and you avoid piling up parts that never get used. A blunt chain calls for either a swap (picks 2-4) or fresh files (pick 5), while a cracked tank calls for pick 1.
Pitch, gauge, and drive link count are non-negotiable
The MS 170 ships with 3/8″ pitch.043″ gauge, and 55 drive links on a 16″ bar. Any replacement chain has to match all three numbers or it will not seat on the bar or sprocket. The 8TEN chain (pick 8) runs a thicker .050″ gauge, so verify your bar groove first. The pole pruner chain (pick 9) runs a 12″ loop with 44 links for a different tool, not the main saw.
Sprocket, chain, and bar wear as a system
Putting a fresh chain on a worn rim sprocket chews the new chain out unevenly. If the sprocket teeth look hooked or asymmetrical, plan to swap the sprocket (pick 7) alongside the chain. The chain files (pick 5) extend chain life between swaps, but they do not fix mechanical mismatch.
Sharpen before you swap, swap before you over-buy
A short filing session with a 5/32″ round file often restores cutting speed without spending on a new chain. Stockpiling three or four chains (picks 3-4) only makes sense for heavy users; for lighter weekend cutting, a single chain and the file pack go further.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Mistakes Worth Dodging
The most common slip is buying a chain by name without checking pitch, gauge, and drive link count on the bar. The second is grabbing a full chisel chain like pick 8 without confirming your bar groove width, since .050″ and .043″ chains are not interchangeable. Always cross-check your owner manual before ordering consumables for a borrowed or unfamiliar saw.
When Paying More Pays Off
Genuine Stihl chains cost more than aftermarket chains, but they cut cleaner, stretch less, and match the bar geometry precisely. For occasional use, aftermarket chains are fine. For heavy firewood weeks or professional cleanup days, OEM chains (picks 2-4) and the matching sharpening files (pick 5) return that extra spend through longer service life and fewer replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chain fits a Stihl MS 170?
The MS 170 takes a 3/8″ pitch, 0.043″ gauge chain with 55 drive links on its 16″ bar. The Stihl 61 PMM3 55 (pick 2) is the factory-spec match, and the multi-pack versions (picks 3 and 4) use the same dimensions.
Can I put a full chisel chain on an MS 170?
Yes, but only after confirming the bar groove width. The MS 170 ships at .043″, so most users stay with semi-chisel Picco chain. Aggressive full chisel chains like pick 8 require a matching .050″ groove or a bar swap.
How often should I sharpen the MS 170 chain?
For typical homeowner use, a quick file pass every few tanks of fuel keeps the chain cutting clean. The Stihl 5/32″ round files in pick 5 match the Picco cutter geometry exactly.
Why does my MS 170 chain stretch or skip?
Stretch usually means a worn rim sprocket, loose chain tension, or both. A new chain on a hooked sprocket will skip on the bar until you replace the sprocket (pick 7) and re-tension properly.
Are aftermarket Stihl parts reliable?
Aftermarket tanks and chains vary widely in fit and finish. For wear items where dimensions matter, OEM parts tend to seat properly on the first install, while bargain-bin parts sometimes need extra fitting or grommet swaps.
Final Verdict
The MS 170 stays useful for years when you match the replacement to the failure. Stock a genuine 61 PMM3 chain for daily swaps, keep a small parts drawer with a sprocket and a few washers, and have a set of 5/32″ files within arm’s reach of the workbench. With those bases covered, your saw keeps cutting firewood and clearing limbs without sending you back to the listing every season.