This is not marketing blurb, it is information to learn a bit more about the history of some of our prominent Forest Engineering companies. In this issue we take a look at Stihl.
We all know that Stihl manufactures chainsaws and many other electric and petrol powered products. They are the worlds best selling chainsaw manufacturer and have a good reputation for quality products. But where did all this begin? Andreas Stihl (pronounced “Shteel”) was born in Zurich in 1896. In 1926 he founded his company called “A. Stihl Maschinenfabriek” in Stuttgart, manufacturing forehearth plants and washing machines! The following bullets provide some of the highlights of their chainsaw evolution:
-
In 1926, they produced a bucking (cross-cutting) saw with an electric motor. It produced 2.2 kW (3 hp) of power and weighed 48 kg (106 lb)! It required two people to operate it and was used in sawmill yards.
-
Shortly thereafter (1929), Stihl introduced their first felling machine (Type A). It required two men to operate, had a petrol engine, produced 4.5 kW (6 hp) and weighed 46 kg (101 lb)!
-
Stihl’s first portable chainsaw was introduced in 1930. It needed two people to operate and was also very heavy.
-
In 1938, Stihl buys a papermill in Neustadt on the River Rems, which is now the current head office.
-
During the 1930’s and 1940’s, Stihl introduced automatic chain lubrication and the centrifugal clutch.
-
In 1944 the Stuttgart factory is badly damaged during bombing in WWII. Stuttgart’s production is moved to Neustadt.
-
In 1950, Stihl introduced their first one man chainsaw, weighing in at 16 kg (35 lb). It had a manual swivel carburettor which meant it could fell and buck. This was improved upon in 1954 with the lighter BLK chainsaw, weighing “only” 11 kg (24 lb).
-
The 1950’s also saw the start of many attachments for Stihl’s reliable petrol engines, including augers. It also saw the innovative all position diaphragm carburettor, which meant the saw could be held in any position and still operate.
-
In 1960, Stihl’s one millionth chainsaw came off the assembly line. 1964 brought with it the anti-vibration system, which virtually eliminated the problems associated with chainsaw vibration on the hands and arms.
-
1966 was a milestone year for Stihl. The chainsaw 040 was introduced on Stihls 40th birthday. It weighed only 6.8 kg (15 lb) and produced 2.8 kW (3.7 hp)!
-
Some good innovations followed in the next few decades, including electronic ignition and the oilomatic saw chain in the late 1960’s; the throttle trigger interlock, quickstop chainbreak and handle heating in the 1970’s; and the lateral chain tensioner and catalytic converter for chainsaws in the 1980’s. In 1992, Stihl acquired the Viking (Austrian) brand of garden equipment.
-
In 2006, Stihl produced its 40 millionth chainsaw!
Continual improvement around environmental issues, safety, weight of the chainsaw, productivity and cost reduction have remained a focus for Stihl, with too many innovations and patents to mention. New manufacturing plants in many countries (including Brazil, USA and China in 2008) also occurred as the company grew. If you visit most forestry countries around the world today, you will find a battered old Stihl chainsaw still working, but more than likely some of their new products still doing the work at the hard end of the forestry business. Source: www.stihl.com