Easy-start petrol chainsaw for regular firewood cutting
The STIHL MS 231 C-BE is a powerful domestic petrol chainsaw designed for regular firewood cutting, grounds maintenance and felling appropriately sized small trees.
Its 42.6 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX engine produces 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp, providing a useful step up from STIHL’s smaller homeowner saws without moving into a full professional forestry machine.
The C-BE version adds two important convenience features: STIHL ErgoStart and STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning. ErgoStart reduces the effort required to pull the starter cord, while Quick Chain Tensioning allows normal chain adjustments to be completed without a separate tool.
Every petrol chainsaw sold by Masseys is assembled, inspected and test-run by our trained team before handover.
Browse our complete range of STIHL petrol chainsaws or read Masseys’ STIHL chainsaw buying guide for further advice.
Key features of the STIHL MS 231 C-BE
- 42.6 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine
- 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp power output
- STIHL ErgoStart for reduced starting effort
- Manual fuel pump to assist starting
- STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning
- Choice of 14″ / 35 cm or 16″ / 40 cm guide bar
- 3/8″ P Picco Micro 3 saw chain
- 1.3 mm chain gauge
- STIHL anti-vibration system
- Carburettor compensator
- Tool-free fuel and chain-oil caps
- Automatic guide-bar and chain lubrication
- 5.1 kg without fuel, guide bar or saw chain
- Suitable for regular domestic and land-maintenance work
Who should choose the STIHL MS 231 C-BE?
The MS 231 C-BE is suited to homeowners, landowners and smallholders who regularly use a petrol chainsaw and want more output than an entry-level domestic model.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Regular firewood processing
- Cross-cutting manageable logs
- Clearing fallen branches
- Maintaining larger gardens and smallholdings
- General landscape and property maintenance
- Felling appropriately sized small trees
- Users who find conventional recoil starting difficult
- Customers who prefer tool-free chain adjustment
It is not intended as a replacement for a professional forestry chainsaw used continuously for commercial felling or timber harvesting.
For a lighter easy-start homeowner saw, compare the STIHL MS 212 C-BE.
For heavier domestic and land-maintenance work, compare the STIHL MS 251 C-BE.
What does C-BE mean?
The letters following a STIHL model number identify additional equipment and comfort features.
- C – Comfort: the model includes additional features intended to make starting, operation or maintenance easier.
- B – Quick Chain Tensioning: the chain can be adjusted using a side-mounted wingnut and adjustment wheel without a separate tool.
- E – ErgoStart: a spring-assisted starting mechanism reduces the force and speed required when pulling the starter cord.
The MS 231 C-BE therefore provides the same core engine performance as the standard MS 231 while offering easier starting and more convenient chain adjustment.
STIHL ErgoStart
STIHL ErgoStart uses an additional spring between the starter mechanism and the crankshaft.
Instead of requiring a fast and forceful pull, the starter cord can be drawn out more slowly and smoothly. The spring stores the energy from the pull and releases it to turn the engine.
ErgoStart can be particularly useful for:
- Users who find sharp recoil resistance uncomfortable
- Customers who use a chainsaw periodically rather than every day
- Cold starting
- Repeated starting during firewood or clearance work
ErgoStart reduces starting effort but does not replace the correct starting sequence or a secure starting position.
Manual fuel pump
The manual fuel pump allows the operator to press the primer bulb before starting.
This draws fuel towards the carburettor and can reduce the number of starter-cord pulls required after storage or when the fuel system has been emptied.
Follow the operating manual for the correct number of presses and starting sequence.
STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning
The MS 231 C-BE uses STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning instead of the tool-adjusted tensioning screw fitted to the standard MS 231.
The sprocket-cover wingnut can be released by hand and the adjustment wheel turned to increase or reduce chain tension.
Before adjusting the chain:
- Switch off the engine.
- Allow hot components to cool.
- Wear suitable protective gloves.
- Release the chain brake.
- Loosen the sprocket-cover wingnut.
- Hold the guide-bar tip upwards.
- Turn the adjustment wheel until the chain sits correctly against the bar.
- Tighten the wingnut securely.
- Check that the chain can move freely around the guide bar.
Tool-free adjustment is more convenient, but correct tension and safe handling procedures remain essential.
Choosing a 14-inch or 16-inch guide bar
The STIHL MS 231 C-BE is available with either a 14″ / 35 cm or 16″ / 40 cm guide bar.
Both versions use the same 42.6 cm³ engine and produce the same 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp output. The longer bar provides additional reach but does not increase engine power.
14″ / 35 cm guide bar
The 14-inch version is easier to manoeuvre and is the balanced choice for many domestic users.
Choose it when:
- Ease of handling is a priority
- You mainly cut ordinary domestic firewood
- You regularly work around branches or confined areas
- You do not require the additional reach of a 16-inch bar
16″ / 40 cm guide bar
The 16-inch version provides additional guide-bar reach for larger logs, stems and branches.
Choose it when:
- You regularly encounter larger-diameter material
- The additional reach will be useful
- You are comfortable handling a longer cutting attachment
Guide-bar length is not a substitute for correct saw selection, training or safe cutting technique.
42.6 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX engine
The MS 231 C-BE is powered by a 42.6 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX two-stroke engine producing 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp.
STIHL 2-MIX technology is designed to provide strong cutting performance while using less fuel and producing fewer exhaust emissions than older conventional STIHL two-stroke engines of comparable output.
The engine provides enough capacity for repeated firewood cutting and larger property-maintenance tasks while retaining manageable domestic handling.
3/8″ P Picco Micro 3 cutting system
The chainsaw uses a 3/8″ P STIHL Picco Micro 3 saw chain with a 1.3 mm drive-link gauge.
The semi-chisel PM3 chain provides a combination of:
- Strong domestic cutting performance
- Low vibration
- Reduced kickback characteristics
- Good edge durability
- Controllable cutting behaviour
The correct replacement-chain length depends on whether the saw has a 14-inch or 16-inch guide bar.
Browse Masseys’ replacement chainsaw chain range or contact us before ordering if you need help identifying the correct chain.
STIHL anti-vibration system
Spring and buffer elements reduce the amount of engine and cutting vibration transmitted to the handles.
This can make the chainsaw more comfortable to control during appropriate firewood and property-maintenance work. The system does not remove all vibration, so correct technique and regular breaks remain important.
Carburettor compensator
The carburettor compensator helps maintain consistent engine performance, fuel consumption and exhaust quality as the air filter gradually becomes contaminated.
This allows the chainsaw to continue operating effectively for longer between filter-cleaning intervals. The air filter must still be inspected and maintained according to the operating instructions.
Tool-free fuel and chain-oil caps
The fuel and chain-oil tanks use bayonet-style caps that can be opened and closed without a separate tool.
Always check that each cap is correctly aligned and fully locked before starting the engine.
Fuel and chain-oil requirements
The MS 231 C-BE requires two separate fluids:
- A 50:1 petrol and approved two-stroke engine-oil mixture for the engine
- Dedicated chain oil for lubricating the guide bar and saw chain
For self-mixed fuel, use suitable fresh petrol with approved STIHL two-stroke engine oil at the correct 50:1 ratio.
STIHL MotoMix can also be used as a ready-mixed 50:1 fuel. It offers consistent formulation and longer storage life than ordinary self-mixed petrol.
The cutting attachment requires separate STIHL chainsaw chain oil. Two-stroke engine oil must not be placed in the chain-oil tank.
Fuel, two-stroke engine oil, chain oil and personal protective equipment are not included unless specifically stated.
MS 231 or MS 231 C-BE?
The standard MS 231 and MS 231 C-BE use the same 42.6 cm³ engine and provide the same core cutting performance.
| Feature | STIHL MS 231 | STIHL MS 231 C-BE |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 42.6 cm³, 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp | 42.6 cm³, 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp |
| Starting system | Standard recoil starter | STIHL ErgoStart with manual fuel pump |
| Chain adjustment | Side-mounted screw using a combination tool | Tool-free Quick Chain Tensioning |
| Machine weight | Approximately 4.8 kg without fuel, bar or chain | Approximately 5.1 kg without fuel, bar or chain |
| Best suited to | Customers prioritising lower weight and purchase price | Customers prioritising easier starting and adjustment |
Choose the standard STIHL MS 231 when you are comfortable with conventional recoil starting and tool-adjusted chain tensioning.
Choose the MS 231 C-BE when ErgoStart and tool-free adjustment will make regular ownership more convenient.
Compare similar STIHL chainsaws
| Model | Best suited to | Why choose it? |
|---|---|---|
| STIHL MS 212 C-BE | Regular lighter domestic firewood and garden work | Lower weight with ErgoStart and tool-free chain tensioning |
| STIHL MS 231 C-BE | Regular firewood, land maintenance and small-tree work | Greater engine capacity combined with comfort features |
| STIHL MS 251 C-BE | Heavier domestic firewood and more demanding property maintenance | Additional engine output for larger regular workloads |
Technical specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | STIHL MS 231 C-BE |
| Product type | Comfort-equipped domestic petrol chainsaw |
| Engine | STIHL 2-MIX two-stroke petrol engine |
| Displacement | 42.6 cm³ |
| Power output | 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp |
| Machine weight | 5.1 kg without fuel, guide bar or saw chain |
| Power-to-weight ratio | Approximately 2.6 kg/kW |
| Guide-bar options | 35 cm / 14″ or 40 cm / 16″ |
| Chain pitch | 3/8″ P |
| Chain gauge | 1.3 mm / .050″ |
| Recommended chain type | STIHL Picco Micro 3 |
| Starting system | STIHL ErgoStart with manual fuel pump |
| Chain adjustment | STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning |
| Fuel mixture | 50:1 petrol and approved two-stroke engine oil, or STIHL MotoMix |
| Chain lubrication | Automatic |
| Fuel and oil caps | Tool-free bayonet caps |
| Sound-pressure level | Approximately 103 dB(A) |
| Sound-power level | Approximately 113 dB(A) |
| Vibration level, left/right | Approximately 3.9 / 3.9 m/s² |
| 14″ variant MPN | 11432000219 |
| 16″ variant MPN | 11432000359 |
What is included?
The standard package should include:
- STIHL MS 231 C-BE petrol chainsaw
- Selected 14″ or 16″ guide bar
- Matching STIHL saw chain
- Guide-bar scabbard
- Operating instructions
Fuel, two-stroke engine oil, chain oil and protective equipment are not included unless specifically listed as part of an offer.
Maintenance and service parts
Regular inspection and maintenance help protect engine performance and cutting efficiency.
Checks should include:
- Chain tension and sharpness
- Guide-bar condition
- Chain-oil delivery
- Air-filter cleanliness
- Starter mechanism
- Chain brake operation
- Fuel and oil caps
The STIHL Service Kit 15 includes routine service components for the MS 231 and MS 251 platform.
Chainsaw safety and protective equipment
ErgoStart and Quick Chain Tensioning make the chainsaw more convenient to own, but they do not remove the risks associated with a high-speed saw chain.
Before use:
- Read the operating and safety instructions
- Understand the chain brake and kickback risks
- Receive appropriate operating instruction
- Check chain tension and lubrication
- Inspect the work area and escape route
- Keep bystanders and animals clear
Suitable protective equipment should include:
- Chainsaw protective trousers
- Chainsaw boots or suitable cut-resistant footwear
- Eye or face protection
- Hearing protection
- Protective gloves
- A suitable helmet where falling material presents a risk
Browse Masseys’ chainsaw trousers and wider range of chainsaw accessories and PPE.
Never operate a chainsaw from a ladder. Tree felling should only be attempted by a competent operator with a suitable working area, planned escape route and understanding of the forces involved.
Warranty
The standard domestic warranty is two years, subject to STIHL’s current terms, correct use and appropriate maintenance.
Eligible domestic customers can extend the warranty from two to three years by purchasing five litres of STIHL MotoMix with the chainsaw and having the extension registered by the STIHL Approved Dealer at the point of purchase.
Why buy the STIHL MS 231 C-BE from Masseys?
Masseys is a STIHL Authorised Dealer based in Woodville, near Swadlincote.
Every petrol chainsaw sold by Masseys is assembled, inspected and test-run by our trained team before handover.
Buying from Masseys gives you access to:
- Help choosing between the 14-inch and 16-inch versions
- Advice comparing standard and C-BE models
- Genuine UK STIHL products
- Product setup and operating guidance
- Warranty registration and support
- Replacement guide bars and chains
- Fuel, two-stroke oil and chain oil
- Chain sharpening and workshop support
- Local collection and delivery options
Our garden machinery servicing and repairs workshop can assist with maintenance, repairs, chain sharpening and genuine STIHL replacement parts.
For advice about the correct chainsaw or guide-bar length, please contact Masseys before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What does C-BE mean?
C identifies a comfort-equipped model, B means STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning and E means STIHL ErgoStart.
What engine does the MS 231 C-BE have?
It has a 42.6 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine producing 2.0 kW / 2.7 hp.
How much does it weigh?
The machine weighs approximately 5.1 kg without fuel, guide bar or saw chain. Its complete operating weight is higher once the cutting attachment, fuel and chain oil are added.
Is it more powerful than the standard MS 231?
No. Both models use the same engine and provide the same core cutting performance. The C-BE adds ErgoStart and tool-free Quick Chain Tensioning.
Is it suitable for first-time chainsaw users?
The comfort features make starting and adjustment easier, but first-time users still require proper instruction, suitable protective equipment and an understanding of kickback and safe cutting techniques.
Should I choose the 14-inch or 16-inch version?
Choose the 14-inch version for easier handling and ordinary domestic firewood work. Choose the 16-inch version when additional guide-bar reach is useful. Both have the same engine and power output.
What chain does it use?
It uses a 3/8″ P, 1.3 mm STIHL Picco Micro 3 chain. The required chain length depends on whether the chainsaw has a 14-inch or 16-inch guide bar.
Does it have tool-free chain tensioning?
Yes. The wingnut and adjustment wheel allow normal chain-tension adjustments without a separate tool.
What fuel does it use?
It uses a 50:1 mixture of suitable petrol and approved two-stroke engine oil. STIHL MotoMix ready-mixed fuel can also be used.
Does it need separate chain oil?
Yes. Dedicated chain oil must be added to the chain-oil tank to lubricate the guide bar and saw chain.
Is fuel or oil included?
Fuel, two-stroke oil and chain oil are not normally included unless specifically stated as part of an offer.
Is it suitable for cutting firewood?
Yes. Regular domestic firewood cutting is one of its principal intended uses.
Can it fell trees?
It can be used to fell appropriately sized small trees by a competent operator. Larger trees, difficult conditions and commercial felling work require suitable training, planning and potentially a more specialised chainsaw.
Can Masseys service and sharpen it?
Yes. Masseys provides chainsaw servicing, repairs, replacement parts and chain sharpening through its on-site garden-machinery workshop.
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