Anybody use a Milwaukee M18 Brush cutter?

[MinnesotaEric]

Given how neat their telescoping pole saw is, I'm thinking about purchasing a Milwaukee M18 brush cutter but am wondering what people think about it? The purpose-built brush cutter is this model (link to Amazon). I have a gas-powered Stihl that is basically the same format with the whole harness and large grab handles, but getting it out is a bit of an event.

I'm also wondering about saving some money and getting Milwaukee's M18 weed-whacker and putting a saw blade adaptor on it would make sense (both links to Amazon).

Thoughts?

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

I don't know about the brush cutter but I have an M18 string trimmer and don't really care for it much. It certainly doesn't have enough power to run a blade.

 

[chim]

It would be interesting to try one (although I'm big into DeWalt). My experience with blades on a few different platforms has been less than great. I have a blade for the Stihl Kombi that dulls very rapidly. The shape of it is less like the propeller in the link you posted and more like a disc with lobes. There's another failed one from a previous whacker. I made an adapter for a carbide circ saw blade once. With the weight of the blade, it took a while to get up to speed. I waved it at a sapling and there was a "ding" sound as though someone tapped the blade with a tiny hammer. The sound was the only indication that it had zipped through a sapling that seemed to represent the bones in my lower leg. I shut it down, removed the blade and never put it back on.

For woody-stemmed weeds I've been using either the Stihl Power Scythe attachment for the Kombi or the DeWalt 20V Max Pole Hedge Trimmer. These both work well for brush that's under 1" but not grass. They will cut grass, but it's way more work than a string trimmer.

 

[George2615]

I recently bought a bunch of Milwaukee tools, batteries, and chargers to replace my worn out cordless tools but I don't have enough use to justify the price of the brush cutter Eric mentioned. My riding mower and Worx string cutter do all I need.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have the string trimmer and I put a Milwaukee brush blade on it and it cuts plenty good enough to suit me, I think when used within reason you would be satisfied.

 

[IH3444]

I've also been debating Eric between the Milwaukee M18 dual battery fuel brush cutter or the Stihl FS 131 brush cutter. The Stihl is much lighter, by about 4 pounds. I now have a much older Stihl FS85 Pro with "bike" handles. A friend has the 4 MIX Stihl FS111 and loves it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...881SC-48-11-1881/331592590#product-section-qa

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs131/

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs111/?aqid=2b290a5a8babf0354823f39af57b8cfc

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I have the 4 stroke (mixed gas) Stihl FS91 trimmer with the bike handles ...

With the tri-blade it will snip through 1" stuff easily, barbwire too!

I've cut 3" stuff with it too, but it takes a few "wacks" to get it down!

It's reversible, and re-sharpenable too.

 

[kenmbz]

I have the quicklock M18 with weed trimmer and pole saw.

I use both all the time, but have a Stihl FS110 with handle bars for my brushcutter.

It matters what you use the brushcutter for.
I cut up to 2" bushes and lots of brambles, heavy enough it can even stop the gas cutters blades every now and then.
The trimmer works well, love the trimmer head feed system, but wow does it go through batteries.
The pole saw is great for trimming branches and smaller trees and a quick solution out in the field for cutting downed branches and small trees.
I looked at the M18 brushcutter and decided to stick with the gas one, can't image the battery one surviving the abuse I would give it.

I also have the pole saw extension, don't use it too often, but it works and don't have to carry that extra weight on the saw if I'm not using it.

 

[Minsid]

Haven't looked at their brush cutter but their pole saw disappointed me badly. There is a little bitty warning to keep dry (unlike other tools) or the electronics will (and did) die. Thats unacceptable in an outdoor tool IMO.

 

[Dan Hunter]

I've tried Stihl products, chain faced, but this is the toughest...doesn't throw teeth.