Suggestions for a brushcutter, please
Discussion
We have a Dewalt 18V electric trimmer, which is idea for cutting the grass where the mower can’t reach and for tackling some of the areas of nettles and smaller brambles.
However, one part of the garden has some much more substantial foliage which I think will break the strimmer, so I need something more robust - potentially a stronger electric tool with metal blade, rather than cord, or even a petrol one.
Any suggestions? Happy to spend a few £000 but not more than £500 max.
However, one part of the garden has some much more substantial foliage which I think will break the strimmer, so I need something more robust - potentially a stronger electric tool with metal blade, rather than cord, or even a petrol one.
Any suggestions? Happy to spend a few £000 but not more than £500 max.
Anything my mains hedge trimmer won't cut needs a proper saw.
Or some decent loppers, machete, whatever....
A pole hedge trimmer is more versatile than a brushcutter IMHO. I have a cheapo mains one, and a 3 in 1 strimmer/polesaw/hedgetrimmer of the Chinese 2 stroke flavour. The mains one is easier to use and destroys anything up to about 20mm thick. The strimmer also came with a brush cutting blade, but it's prone to grabbing and is very physical to use on strong brambles. I tried it once and don't want to do it again! It has a lot of leverage against you!
I have a Parkside 12V LiIon hedge trimmer which is quite effective for when it's not enough to unravel the long mains cable or faff with petrol.
I reckon a decent 18 or 24 V hedge trimmer would be ideal, but what I have was very cheap and is light and easy to use.
I also inherited a heavy pair of hedge shears which, when sharpened, do anything from grass to woody stuff up to about 8mm thick with no fuss.
Or some decent loppers, machete, whatever....
A pole hedge trimmer is more versatile than a brushcutter IMHO. I have a cheapo mains one, and a 3 in 1 strimmer/polesaw/hedgetrimmer of the Chinese 2 stroke flavour. The mains one is easier to use and destroys anything up to about 20mm thick. The strimmer also came with a brush cutting blade, but it's prone to grabbing and is very physical to use on strong brambles. I tried it once and don't want to do it again! It has a lot of leverage against you!
I have a Parkside 12V LiIon hedge trimmer which is quite effective for when it's not enough to unravel the long mains cable or faff with petrol.
I reckon a decent 18 or 24 V hedge trimmer would be ideal, but what I have was very cheap and is light and easy to use.
I also inherited a heavy pair of hedge shears which, when sharpened, do anything from grass to woody stuff up to about 8mm thick with no fuss.
In a previous house we had a paddock that needed a regular cut. Bought a cheap Titan brushcutter which literally fell apart after 15 minutes. Went to a local dealer and bought a Stihl one that came with a dual line cutter and a double headed blade you could swap as required. Did a good job over the couple of years I used it.
Most councils and landscaping companies I've seen seem to use Stihl products.
Petrol, battery and electric options too.
Most councils and landscaping companies I've seen seem to use Stihl products.
Petrol, battery and electric options too.
skyebear said:
In a previous house we had a paddock that needed a regular cut. Bought a cheap Titan brushcutter which literally fell apart after 15 minutes. Went to a local dealer and bought a Stihl one that came with a dual line cutter and a double headed blade you could swap as required. Did a good job over the couple of years I used it.
Most councils and landscaping companies I've seen seem to use Stihl products.
Petrol, battery and electric options too.
This Most councils and landscaping companies I've seen seem to use Stihl products.
Petrol, battery and electric options too.
We have a collection of Stihl gear - all using the same battery, so cheaper to buy 'bare'. The strimmer (FSA86) is very versatile and I've put blades on it to use as a brush cutter which will clear tough ferns and similar. If the strimmer can't cope, then I either use a hedge trimmer or chainsaw.
I've used Mitox for years (strimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers and hedge cutters). Good value, reliable and spares easily/cheaply obtained (most critical!)
https://www.gardenmachinerydirect.co.uk/shop/mitox...
For example
I do also have a couple of Stihl bits of kit, but not much in it in my opinion, apart from the price.
https://www.gardenmachinerydirect.co.uk/shop/mitox...
For example
I do also have a couple of Stihl bits of kit, but not much in it in my opinion, apart from the price.
Buying a petrol tool for one area of your own garden can be a mistake.
Once you've done the area once, it will be under control and you'll barely need the tool again.
I've found that after a couple of years, the vegetation is under control and only needs trimming, for which cordless tools are ideal, apart from the odd tree dying. I didn't use my petrol tools at all this last winter, cut a few branches with a decent manual pruning saw. Mostly used cordless trimmer, shears, loppers. I did use a 'sawzall' type recip saw to cut some branches into firewood. About 20 minutes use in a year.
The tool will then take up space in your shed for 2 years, and then it will decline to start.
These things are great, if you need them often.
My mate down the road has the final solution, a cousin with a flail thing mounted on a proper tractor.
Once you've done the area once, it will be under control and you'll barely need the tool again.
I've found that after a couple of years, the vegetation is under control and only needs trimming, for which cordless tools are ideal, apart from the odd tree dying. I didn't use my petrol tools at all this last winter, cut a few branches with a decent manual pruning saw. Mostly used cordless trimmer, shears, loppers. I did use a 'sawzall' type recip saw to cut some branches into firewood. About 20 minutes use in a year.
The tool will then take up space in your shed for 2 years, and then it will decline to start.
These things are great, if you need them often.
My mate down the road has the final solution, a cousin with a flail thing mounted on a proper tractor.
There was a recent thread on this:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm pleased with my Bosch jobby.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm pleased with my Bosch jobby.
DonkeyApple said:
Is there a reason for not renting the tool?
Yes, that is a possible option.I’m also looking at the Ego power multi-head tool, as we’ve been looking for a lawn edger amongst other things.
https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/multi-tool
What area of brambles etc are you needing to sort out?
There's a lot to be said for just cracking on and getting through a hundred metres of strimmer cord with what you have. It may be a bit slower, but it will probably get through nettles easily enough, and maybe brambles in time. Strimmer cord in bulk is very cheap.
There's a lot to be said for just cracking on and getting through a hundred metres of strimmer cord with what you have. It may be a bit slower, but it will probably get through nettles easily enough, and maybe brambles in time. Strimmer cord in bulk is very cheap.
biggiles said:
What area of brambles etc are you needing to sort out?
There's a lot to be said for just cracking on and getting through a hundred metres of strimmer cord with what you have. It may be a bit slower, but it will probably get through nettles easily enough, and maybe brambles in time. Strimmer cord in bulk is very cheap.
Also a fair point - last time I was down there, the strimmer jammed and now the motor isn’t working - I’ve taken it for re-air, so the outcome of that might affect the next steps!There's a lot to be said for just cracking on and getting through a hundred metres of strimmer cord with what you have. It may be a bit slower, but it will probably get through nettles easily enough, and maybe brambles in time. Strimmer cord in bulk is very cheap.
Hawksmoor 52cc 48cm Petrol Brush Cutter (toolstation)
Thing's a beast, especially paired with :
Oregon Universal Mulching 2 Tooth Tapered Brush Cutter Blade 3.0 x 300mm for Grass and Vegetation in Gardens
From Amazon, for brambles.
I'm on year two with it now. Starts 1st pull, built well, big enough engine not to bog down. I bought a decent harness as the one it comes with is rubbish. With the Amazon blade it cuts down small trees!
Thing's a beast, especially paired with :
Oregon Universal Mulching 2 Tooth Tapered Brush Cutter Blade 3.0 x 300mm for Grass and Vegetation in Gardens
From Amazon, for brambles.
I'm on year two with it now. Starts 1st pull, built well, big enough engine not to bog down. I bought a decent harness as the one it comes with is rubbish. With the Amazon blade it cuts down small trees!
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