Best trimmer w steel brush blade?

[DieselAddiction]

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.

Stihl makes blades that look like circular saws also.STIHL Incorporated USA -- Products -- Trimmers -- Manufacturing the World's Number One Selling Brand of Chain Saws

 

[davo727]

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.

How bout the Fs550 brushcutter- retail $1300!!!!!!!!!! Cant swing that but I think im gonna go with a Fs110 in a week or two.

 

[shane]

Sure glad to see the link to the Beaver Blade. I have a similar blade with the chainsaw type teeth. I used to work awesome until a friend thought it worked so well he would try to cut ROCKS with it. I've been looking for a replacement like it for a long time. Dumb me, never thought to do an online search (or even easier ask here).

I'm a trim carpenter by trade. I have plenty of old saw blades. I've been using an old 12" 40 tooth miter saw blade on my husky brush cutter for the last 3 or 4 years. Although a little heavy (who needs to go to the gym), that sucker will cutter like a tasmanian devil.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Stihl makes blades that look like circular saws also.STIHL Incorporated USA -- Products -- Trimmers -- Manufacturing the World's Number One Selling Brand of Chain Saws

Those blades look like the same, except that they are a bit thinner in construction than the one I got.. But exactly the same idea. But the beaver looks interesting. Not sure how it would perform on blackberries as my chainsaw gets tangled by the berries all the time...

 

[mongo]

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.
...

That's good news. I just bought an FS80 on eBay.

I wanted a Kombi to get the pole trimmer but this one will hold me for a while, and I can rent the big Stihl pole trimmer as needed for $25 for 4 hours. I see that some of the pro models take accessories, too. Next time.

 

[two_bit_score]

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.

It will. And you will like it 10 times more.

 

[davo727]

Just got a used Stihl FS250 off craigslist for $210. Tried it with its string head and its works great.

I checked the price online from Stihls website and it shows $529 for a new one at our local dealer!

Im going to get a new air filter, brush blade, guard and harness for it and hopefully be good to go.

 

[Coyote machine]

That's a great deal on the stihl unit vs. new price!
Make sure to lube the shaft. It may have a grease fitting- check it over to see....
I have the beaver blade on a Dr.mower trimmer/ 6.5 hp walk behind and it will take out small saplings no problem and blackberry/blueberry/greenberry, whatever color berry bushes without a sweat....
Also fresh fuel to the right mix for that specific machine- check with stihl dealer for proper mix ratio...
Enjoy it - get knee high chaps too for trimming work- makes way less mess of your legs, feet, boots, etc.

 

[davo727]

Thanks Coyote!!