Best trimmer w steel brush blade?

davo727 · Jun 3, 2009

Hello, I figured you all would know what model is best , gas handheld weed trimmer that will accept an attachment with a steel blade for cutting brush and small saplings ?

I just need something to enable me to cut stuff to walk through my property and stake out where I want the tree clearing guy to work. Thanks all, Dave

woodlandfarms · Jun 3, 2009

Stihl, but look around for a blade that looks kinda like a very thick circular saw blade.

The Stihl blades look like Ninja throwing stars and I find marginal in our environment (blackberry bushes). But there are guys out there who sell what looks like circular saw blades but made out of 1/4" steel. The one I have is made by a local guy in Vancouver Washington and at the moment I cannot find a website..

edit
Well, this is the dealer I bought the blade from a couple of years ago. My buddy says it is a custom made job for the logging industry.... All I can say is it works

18004 NE 72nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98686
360-574-0043

quicksandfarmer · Jun 3, 2009

I've had good results with the Beaver Blade: Beaver Blades for Brush Cutters

davo727 · Jun 4, 2009

Thanks

4Kings · Jun 4, 2009

You need to look for a trimmer/brushcutter with a solid steel driveshaft. The flexible steel shafts tend to twist when using a blade and cause excessive vibration. I'm partial to Stihl and would think at a minimum you should be looking at the FS90.

skipmarcy · Jun 4, 2009

I agree on the straight shaft unit, the cable drive units won't hold up to it. I have something similar to the "beaver blade", it's just a single disk and has the chainsaw teeth permanently attached, not a replaceable chain. Have had it for years, can't remember where I bought it but it was less than $30. It resharpens very easily just as a chainsaw with a few quick strokes of the file.

davo727 · Jun 5, 2009

Looks like I will be way over $400 by the time I get out of the Stihl shop with a fs90 or fs110 with blades, harness , etc, Well, I need it so hopefully it will last 10 times longer than a cheap one.

woodlandfarms · Jun 5, 2009

Given the fantastic economy, I would suggest looking on Craigslist or other types of free classifieds in your area. I see a number for sale in both of my hoods...

MarkV · Jun 5, 2009

Echo also makes some good heavy duty trimmers with blade attachments if you want to compare. Either brand will serve you well.

MarkV

2manyrocks · Jun 6, 2009

I had a sthil FS80 with the bicycle type handlebars and the straight cutting shaft I used for many years. It was lightweight, easy to handle, and did a great job.

After it became rather tired and I no longer needed that good of a unit, I bought a Ryobi "commercial" with a straight shaft that was about $120. I think it may be a refurb--can't remember. It accepts a steel cutting blade. In my opinion, it isn't of the level of the sthil and I think it is actually weighs more, but it does an acceptable job. IMO, it's not the unit that you'd want to use everyday for cutting brush if that were your job, but for occassional clearing, it will work.