Need a good "weed eater" for brush other tough stuff

[Scooby074]

Your going to want something that can run a blade. Straight handle is better for brush.

Something like the fs130r or 110 from Stihl. Or Husky 327Rx or 535rx.

Personally I use a 252RX. Which is a true spacing saw (can cut trees as apposed to brush) . Get something with a 4pt harness as well.

 

[flusher]

I have a lightweight weedeater brand weedeater I use for my lawn. I need something more powerful though for cutting weeds and brush around my trees in the wooded area of my property. I also want one that can have a pole saw attachment. I was looking at the troy bilt units at lowes, but all the negative reviews have scared me away from those. What is a good one to get?

I have a commercial grade Tanaka that I've used for 7 years. No problems-- just do normal maintenance on the unit.

Tanaka TBC-245PF Grass Trimmer / Brush Cutter

It's twice as expensive as the junk you find at Home Depot or Lowes, but it outlasts them 10 times or more. My original whacker was a Ryobi from HD with a Homelite engine. It crapped out after less than 15 hours use. The authorized repair outfit the HD told me to use wouldn't touch it because of that Homelite engine. The guy said that those engines are good for about 25 hours use and then problems occur especially when trying to use the mower for any heavier than lawn trimming.

I mow a half-mile of ditch and fence line with that Tanaka 3-4 times per year plus all the in-tight mowing around the yard and in the almond orchard (a few dozen trees). Never had a moment's trouble with the Tanaka.

 

[planters49]

Thanks for all the comments. The price of the stihl and the add on attachments are too expensive for me at this time, although I think I'd get one if money was no object. I ended up buying a husqvarna 128ld today. I'll see how it goes.

 

[Scooby074]

A good grass trimmer... but im not sure id use it for brush. Hope for the best though.

 

[planters49]

A good grass trimmer... but im not sure id use it for brush. Hope for the best though.

I got the "trimmerplus" brush attachment and polesaw attachment. All came from lowes. Everything has good reviews. If the stuff breaks I'll take it back. I'm hoping everything will hold up since I'm not really doing commercial type stuff with it.

 

[PapaPerk]

Stihl FS-90 :thumbsup:

 

[RollingsFarms]

I use Redmax commercial grade blowers, edgers, trimmers, etc and love them. Stihl is also a very good choice and you'll probably find more dealers nearby for them then you will Redmax. My main reason for using Redmax stuff is that a very good friend of mine owns and operates a lawn care business and I have seen the reliability and toughness Redmax equipment offers for the commercial landscaper and that sold me on the stuff. I use nothing but Stihl chainsaws and pole saws though.

 

[flusher]

I use Redmax commercial grade blowers, edgers, trimmers, etc and love them. Stihl is also a very good choice and you'll probably find more dealers nearby for them then you will Redmax. My main reason for using Redmax stuff is that a very good friend of mine owns and operates a lawn care business and I have seen the reliability and toughness Redmax equipment offers for the commercial landscaper and that sold me on the stuff. I use nothing but Stihl chainsaws and pole saws though.

I bought that Tanaka trimmer I mentioned earlier in this thread at my local Ace Hardware 7 years ago. A few weeks ago I checked them out again. No longer carrying Tanaka. Changed to Redmax. When my Tanaka bites the dust, I'll take your recommendation and try the Redmax.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I bought that Tanaka trimmer I mentioned earlier in this thread at my local Ace Hardware 7 years ago. A few weeks ago I checked them out again. No longer carrying Tanaka. Changed to Redmax. When my Tanaka bites the dust, I'll take your recommendation and try the Redmax.

I like Redmax because they are the only one(or so I'm fairly certain) that still uses two stroke engines as opposed to four stroke. They use what's called Strato-Charged engines. The only complaint from folks with Redmax is they do take a bit longer to warm up then their four stroke counterparts, but it's very minimal in my experience with them. They used to sell ONLY commercial equipment, no homeowner or box store stuff, it was ALL professional grade. I'm not sure if they still do this since Husky bought them out several years ago or not. I know some Husky equipment is just rebadged Redmax stuff. they are very popular among pro landscapers that earn their living with the stuff. I'm lucky to have 3 dealers very close by me that carry Redmax so I've been sticking with them over the years.

Tanaka makes some of the best, if not THE best hedge trimmers on the market though.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

We have an Echo that had been good. :thumbsup: