So what do you know about backpack brush cutters?

[tomplum]

More specifically is there a big difference in handling when rousting blackberries and light brush from slopes, ravines and such? The current beast is a FS Stihl w/ handlebars. We're actually using the Rhino blade set up from the Home Depot instead of the various blackberry type blades.

 

[JamesHW]

Never heard of these prior to your post so can’t say how much of a difference the backpack would make. I use the full harness with our Sthil and the motor and cutting blade are well balanced making the work fairly effortless (aside from taking it off and on for replacing/sharpening blades or trimmer line) compared to when I had a brush cutter with just a sling style harness.

 

[atsah]

Never heard or of them either. I have a full harness Honda 4 stroke Versa attach with all the heads, works like a dream,

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[atsah]

That looks okay for weed whacking but for brush cutting? A harness with the two handles is the way to go for a brush cutter head.

 

[tomplum]

I use the harness too. I'm thinking that the wand would be easier to work on the hill side. Heavy brush cutting wouldn't be good, no. More really for blackberries and scrub brush . I did talk to a guy that had the Stihl who felt that it was an improvement on his blackberries. I have to say that when I bought the FS Stihl, that I might have liked the 2 stroke better. That was 15 years ago. They have the 2 strokes yet overseas.

 

[Wagtail]

That backpack would, indeed, work better on slopes.

I run a 2-stroke Stihl FS-85 around my property, which is relatively flat... any slope or having to lift the cutter at a different angle tends to defeat the purpose of the bike-handle & harness for balance.

I would wonder at the vibration that your hands would absorb which, for me, at least, would equal days of pain. The bike-handle & harness set-up eliminates that. I'd have to give it quite a 'test drive' to see for myself.

 

[radios1]

this is better on the back. Brushcutters | Billy Goat a backpack brush cutter is only good for small areas because of the pain you get..

 

[tomplum]

I had a bIlly Goat a while back and they really have a purpose, but not in the terrain I'm on. Horsing them around in ravines etc isn't fun. I kind of wish I kept it though for the flats. I have some narrows that would be better than the tractor. I always thought the FS in a Stihl model meant it was a four stroke. I don't even know if you can buy a 2 stroke anymore, but that isn't my field. I think my brush cutter is maybe an FS110? and it is a four stroke. You mix the oil w/ gas. I guess that I should swing into the Stihl dealer and see what they're all about. I see on the EBay there were a bunch of Chinese models and a couple of Italian models. Made in Italy or the Chinese homeland, I dunno. I bought a handheld Chinese posthole digger that runs up real well.

 

[Wagtail]

... I think my brush cutter is maybe an FS110? and it is a four stroke. You mix the oil w/ gas...

A two-stroke engine is the one where you mix the oil with the petrol.

Four-stroke is straight petrol.

 

[tomplum]

A two-stroke engine is the one where you mix the oil with the petrol.

Four-stroke is straight petrol.

On the Stihl it is.Or is on mine. You use their 4 Mix. They have little valves and everything. I've seen other trimmers w/ an oil filled crankcase.

 

[tomplum]

Doesn't this look fun? It could be a genius thing for blackberries?

 

[radios1]

View attachment 591649

Doesn't this look fun? It could be a genius thing for blackberries?

you have to hope the chains never break free, though!. having that rotating at thousands of RPMs makes it very dangerous!.

 

[aczlan]

A two-stroke engine is the one where you mix the oil with the petrol.

Four-stroke is straight petrol.

Stihl uses a 4 cycle engine with 2 cycle gas for their FS trimmers. No separate oil, it uses 2 stroke fuel/oil to lubricate the bottom end.

Aaron Z

 

[radios1]

Stihl uses a 4 cycle engine with 2 cycle gas for their FS trimmers. No separate oil, it uses 2 stroke fuel/oil to lubricate the bottom end.

Aaron Z

there is no sense to that!. I wonder if the Engineer was on drugs when that was thought of??.. make an engine that's twice as heavy, and more complex, with half the horsepower, and needs to burn 2 cycle oil?. that's nuts..

 

[4570Man]

there is no sense to that!. I wonder if the Engineer was on drugs when that was thought of??.. make an engine that's twice as heavy, and more complex, with half the horsepower, and needs to burn 2 cycle oil?. that's nuts..

I think any 4 stroke I have to carry is stupid. Strap some bricks on that thing while you’re at it. Not getting rid of the mixed gas which would be the only advantage “advantage” is insanity. I’ve personally never understood the “hassle” of mixing gas. Are you the same people that pay twice as much for pre diluted antifreeze?

 

[ArlyA]

I agree with this. We had 2 Honda whackers that were fine, powerful units but my spouse refused to used them again, after using one for several full days. Just to heavy. We now only have high performance 2 strokes. And mixing fuel does not make them unfriendly to use.

I think any 4 stroke I have to carry is stupid. Strap some bricks on that thing while you’re at it. Not getting rid of the mixed gas which would be the only advantage “advantage” is insanity. I’ve personally never understood the “hassle” of mixing gas. Are you the same people that pay twice as much for pre diluted antifreeze?

 

[tomplum]

I've had the FS for many years now. Someone could certainly prove me wrong, but they just don't perform like a 2 stroke to me. In most instances, that's fine. Say if you are actually zinging little trees off a path. Wind it up, jab the blade into the base and off it comes. I felt that the 2 stroke did a better job. They seem to wind out more. It starts great, runs great and has been dependable. Weight difference? Maybe , but it isn't detectable for me. I'm not a two stroke fan in many things, but do wish that this was one.

 

[aczlan]

there is no sense to that!. I wonder if the Engineer was on drugs when that was thought of??.. make an engine that's twice as heavy, and more complex, with half the horsepower, and needs to burn 2 cycle oil?. that's nuts..

Per Stihl ( 4-MIX engine: Lightweight with good lugging power | STIHL | STIHL ) there are 3 reasons:
1. Emissions
2. Low end torque
3. Quieter

Aaron Z

 

[tomplum]

Per Stihl ( 4-MIX engine: Lightweight with good lugging power | STIHL | STIHL ) there are 3 reasons:
1. Emissions
2. Low end torque
3. Quieter

Aaron Z

I wouldn't disagree with that. They just miss the zing....