Description
STIHL MSA 60 C-B Cordless Chainsaw – 30cm Bar, AK System
The MSA 60 C-B is the lightest chainsaw in the STIHL AK homeowner battery system, built for anyone who wants dependable cutting power around the garden without the fuel, fumes or pull-starting of a petrol saw. Fitted with a 30cm (12″) guide bar, it is designed for home use — cutting firewood, pruning branches, woodworking projects and felling small trees up to 20cm in diameter.
At just 2.9kg without a battery, it is easy to hold at awkward angles and comfortable to use for longer sessions. The brushless EC motor needs almost no maintenance, runs quietly enough for noise-sensitive areas, and delivers CONSTANT POWER — cutting performance stays consistent as the battery drains, rather than tailing off towards the end of a charge.
The slim ¼” PM3 saw chain gives a clean cut with impressive performance for a saw of this size, while the variable-speed trigger lets you dial chain speed up or down — useful when working close to shrubs or on finer woodworking cuts.
Day-to-day maintenance is simple. STIHL’s Quick Chain Tensioning system lets you remove the sprocket cover and re-tension the chain without any tools, and the transparent oil tank means you can check chain oil at a glance instead of unscrewing the cap mid-job.
As part of the STIHL AK System, the same battery powers other AK tools — hedge trimmers, blowers, grass trimmers and mowers. If you already own AK kit, the bare unit is the sensible buy.
Key Features
- Lightweight at 2.9kg (without battery) — easy to manoeuvre and less tiring over long sessions
- 30cm (12″) guide bar with slim ¼” PM3 saw chain for clean, precise cuts and low vibration
- Brushless EC motor — maintenance-free, quiet running and energy efficient
- CONSTANT POWER — consistent cutting performance throughout the battery charge
- Tool-free Quick Chain Tensioning via an adjusting wheel; no spanner needed
- Transparent chain oil tank for instant fill-level checks
- Variable-speed trigger with potentiometer function for precise chain speed control
- QuickStop Super chain brake for fast chain stopping
- Ergonomic soft-grip handle with Ergo lever for comfortable, secure two-handed operation
- STIHL AK System compatible — one battery platform across the whole AK range
- Up to 40 minutes / around 160 cuts with the recommended AK 20 battery
- Zero exhaust emissions and low noise — suitable for gardens, allotments and built-up areas
Which Option Should I Buy?
| Option | What’s included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bare unit (tool only) | Chainsaw, 30cm bar, chain, chain guard. No battery or charger. | Existing STIHL AK System owners |
| 1 battery kit | Chainsaw + AK 20 battery + AL 101 charger | First-time buyers; typical garden jobs |
| 2 battery kit | Chainsaw + 2 batteries + charger | Larger properties, firewood sessions, minimal downtime |
The MSA 60 C-B can also run on the higher-capacity AK 30 S battery for extended run times.
Who Is the MSA 60 C-B For?
It suits homeowners, smallholders and allotment holders handling routine cutting: seasoning and sizing firewood, clearing storm-damaged limbs, thinning overgrown shrubs and light woodworking. If you regularly fell timber above 20cm diameter or work all day professionally, step up to a larger MSA model or a petrol MS saw.
Full Specification
| Model | STIHL MSA 60 C-B |
|---|---|
| Product type | Cordless (battery) chainsaw |
| Battery system | STIHL AK System |
| Rated voltage | 36 V |
| Maximum voltage | 40 V |
| Power output | 0.70 kW |
| Rated current | 25 A |
| Motor type | Brushless EC electric motor |
| Guide bar length | 30 cm / 12″ |
| Saw chain | ¼” PM3 (Picco Micro 3) |
| Chain pitch | ¼” P |
| Chain oil tank capacity | 110 cc |
| Weight | 2.9 kg (without battery, with bar and chain) |
| Vibration level, left handle | 3.2 m/s² |
| Vibration level, right handle | 3.4 m/s² |
| Recommended battery | AK 20 |
| Also compatible with | AK 30 S |
| Run time (AK 20) | Approx. 40 minutes / approx. 160 cuts |
| Max. recommended felling diameter | 20 cm |
| Chain brake | QuickStop Super |
| Chain tensioning | STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning (tool-free) |
| Oil tank | Transparent, with viewing window |
| Speed control | Variable, via potentiometer trigger |
| Chain lubrication | Automatic |
| Exhaust emissions | Zero |
Run times vary with cutting conditions, wood type and battery condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MSA 60 C-B come with a battery?
Only on the kit options. The bare unit is tool-only — no battery or charger included.
Which battery is best?
The AK 20 is the recommended battery and gives around 40 minutes of use. The AK 30 S offers a longer run time.
How long does the battery last?
Roughly 40 minutes, or around 160 cuts, with an AK 20 — depending on the wood and how hard the saw is worked.
How big a tree can it fell?
Trees up to 20cm in diameter.
Can I use my existing STIHL battery?
Yes, provided it is a STIHL AK System battery.
Do I need tools to tension the chain?
No. The Quick Chain Tensioning wheel is adjusted by hand.
