String Trimmer/ Brushcutter Recommendations

[jbrumberg]

I have a FS130 with a autocut string trimmer head as well as a circular chisel tooth saw blade. I am not unhappy with its power. I have taken out some pretty nice size trees with it, and it is still lightweight enough to allow me to cut a hiking/snowshoe path down my very steep hillface . Jay

 

[Champy]

Open Questions for everyone.......

Would you recommend getting the bike handles or the loop handle?

Is smaller diameter string better for cutting weeds - or go larger?

 

[Unregistered2013]

i have the husqvarna 265Rx --

-- it's 65cc's and 2-stroke --

- the blade rarely, if ever, gets worn -

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

Open Questions for everyone.......

Would you recommend getting the bike handles or the loop handle?

Is smaller diameter string better for cutting weeds - or go larger?

If you're planning on using a brush blade, bike handles.

Second question: Larger.

Mike

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I'll through in another vote for Stihl, after much abuse my FS 86 the controls finally are worn out, the motor still works fine. Once it is running it stays at full speed, I felt that it was unsafe to use as a brush cutter anymore. So now it does the trim work around the house. To buy a new handle and speed control trigger on a 15 year old machine was more than the value of the machine so I bought a new FS 130 a month or so ago. loads of power to cut through things.

jbrumberg, if you are doing brush cutting I would get the bicycle type handle bars.

steve

 

[jbrumberg]

Steve- I do have the bicycle type handle bars. My dealer would not sell a brush cutter without them for safety reasons. The FS130 is a well balanced bear ! Jay

 

[RobertN]

You have to have handle bars if you run any kind of blade. If you hit something, the whole trimmer will kick back or deflect; very hard to control with the loop handle.

I use my Husky and Honda mostly for cutting weeds, mostly with string. It goes so much faster, and is much more comfrotable, to use the machine with the with handlebars and a full shoulder harness for lots of weedeating.

I use my Stihl with the loop handle for tiny area's, or for detail work. It can do large area's but is not as easy to control or carry.

I have 5 acres and can only access with the tractor to about 2/3rds of it. I mow those 2/3rds, and weedeat the other 1/3rd. For that I use the bigger machines with the handlebars and full shoulder harness. I used to do work for other people too; use the big handlebar machine for work in the field.

Open Questions for everyone.......

Would you recommend getting the bike handles or the loop handle?

Is smaller diameter string better for cutting weeds - or go larger?

 

[jbrumberg]

I have a double full shoulder harness for my FS130. Jay

 

[RobertN]

I have a double full shoulder harness for my FS130. Jay

I think I have the same thing. Goes over both shoulder, has a strap and buckle on the front. A strap hangs down on the right side, with a hook(usually a pad behind the hook) that rests kind of on your hip. Trimmer hooks in there.

I have one that came with my Husky 225R, and another that came with the Honda. They are similar; I have seen the Stihl version and it is about the same.

When I get harnessed up, I can weedeat for hours. All you are doing is directing the trimmer; you are not supporting it with your arms. That Honda will go about an hour on a tank of gas, the Husky about 45 minutes.

 

[jbrumberg]

RobertN:

With a setup like ours and a balanced trimmer you can literally cut for hours without fatigue. It did get a little cumbersome when I was traversing down one of my steeper hill faces when I was cutting my tail . Jay