String Trimmer/ Brushcutter Recommendations

[scott_vt]

I gotta add that the line on a trimmer makes a world of difference. The new 4 square or triangle line will cut grassy brush better than a blade. If you new to cut woody brush and saplings then a blade will be required.

Afternoon Shaley,
I will second that, I have an Echo and since switching over to the new line, it makes a world of difference IMO !

 

[RedRocker]

I have the FS110, great tool.

 

[benji]

husqvarna 232r is about as good as it gets. i paid $469 for mine this spring and it is incredible. lots of people like the stihl fs250, too. stick with a husqvarna, stihl, shindaiwa, echo, redmax or other commercial brand. get it from a dealer, not lowes or home depot. ask the local dealers, they can help you.

 

[Toiyabe]

I just bought an Echo 261T for about $300. I got it because that's what all the local landcapers are using, and because I like the dealer. The newer emissions compliant trimmers seem to have more problems than the ones sold a few years ago, so dealer support is a big plus.

I have about 10 hours on it, and it works great, but I don't have much to compare it to other than cheepo Ryobis. I use string made by Oregon. It's round but has a metallic core. It's a heck of a lot better then the stuff that the trimmer came with.

 

[RobertN]

Good point. Buy quality line. Store it in a cool dark place. When we did some lawn maintenance for a couple years, I left some line in the truck; it dried out and got kind of funky. Even after only a few days in the sun, it degraded. It cut, but wore very fast. I got a fresh roll of the same stuff, and it worked great.

I do not buy large rolls; buy smaller rolls and keep 'em fresh.

Afternoon Shaley,
I will second that, I have an Echo and since switching over to the new line, it makes a world of difference IMO !

 

[flusher]

I need a string trimmer / brushcutter. I would like to have a straight shaft, shoulder strap and two handle one like the one I used working for state park 15 years ago. I started looking and the choice now is daunting. If anyone has any input on choices or 2 or 4 cycle, engine size/output, string trimmer head design, safety guards, durability, cost etc. I would welcome it. (I hope this is the right place to post this.) Thanks in advance.

I have a $350 Tanaka string trimmer I bought from my local Ace Hardware guy. Supposed to be pro quality. Way better than the Ryobi I had before. The Tanaka starts easily and doesn't vibrate like some of the cheaper stuff. I use it to mow about 1/4 mile of ditch and fence line that fronts on the road and for general landscape maintenance chores.

 

[_RaT_]

Good point. Buy quality line. Store it in a cool dark place. When we did some lawn maintenance for a couple years, I left some line in the truck; it dried out and got kind of funky. Even after only a few days in the sun, it degraded. It cut, but wore very fast. I got a fresh roll of the same stuff, and it worked great.

I do not buy large rolls; buy smaller rolls and keep 'em fresh.

Robert, this is like deja vu all over again. I just had this discussion with our maintenance guys. They had some big thick blue line in the back of the truck, been there a long time. I bought some new stuff for them up at ACME off Auburn Blvd in Carmichael. Supposed to outlast anything by 10X. Anyway, I told them, keep it in a cool dark place and in fact, I was told you can store it in a bucket of water.

 

[rox]

I need a string trimmer / brushcutter. I would like to have a straight shaft, shoulder strap and two handle one like the one I used working for state park 15 years ago. I started looking and the choice now is daunting. If anyone has any input on choices or 2 or 4 cycle, engine size/output, string trimmer head design, safety guards, durability, cost etc. I would welcome it. (I hope this is the right place to post this.) Thanks in advance.

Surgeon,
A couple months ago I was able to demo a brand new design in brush cutters, made by Stihl. I don't knwo if they are for sale in the US or not but I'll try to expain it. You wear a harness, and there is a heavy clip that clips the saw to the harness. Instead of swinging the brushcutter like a golf club, you move it up and down. I'm a woman and the balnce ont he thing was fnatastic and there is virtually no fatigue, and although it is a ery heavy machine the way you wear it you can literally move it up and down with one finger.

When you cut side to side it is frustrating because the blad gets hung up in what you jsut cut therefore you have to make many extra swings to "free up" the blade in order to cut again. This new Stihl model is really a mulcher. You swing it up by pushing down on the shaft near your hip, and then gravity lowers it and it mulches the heck out of the brush. This thing was super super powerful and easily easily mulched down 2" bushes, and it was so easy and non fatiguiging. I cut down a big heavy bush probably 7ft tall. It is much more powerful than our current Kubota Brush cutter. If you can find a Stihl Dealer, and get a demo of that new cutter you might want to at lest try it out. It is a whole different concept. Plus after you are done cutting you have small mulch and you don't need to gather up the debrise and burn. You jsut have a nice piece fo land that has mulch all over it. We demoed it at our local Dealer who had a "Field Day" with the factory reps on hand and we could try out all the equipment.

I think it is ideally suited for clearing virgin land that is heavy heavy undergrowth. I'm not sure what kind of speed you would get with touch up type work, the traditional swing side to side brush cutter might be faster.

I also really really like my Combi System from Stihl, where you can change out the tools at the end of the shaft. Currently we jsut have the chain saw which we I do use for pruning trees, but I do hope to get the brush cutter attachment in the not to distant future. My husband can only work with the Kubota a couple hoyurs with the bicycle handles, but I know I could work that new Stihl model all day long. It does seem to me and I could be wrong, to be a tad slower but with no effort or fatigue being the trade off.

 

[Sigarms]

Another bote for Stihl (I have the Combi system as well).

In high school at my parents place, we had a couple of acres. My dad never really liked spending a lot of money on tools (I know know why he lives very comfortably now, doing what he wants now that he no longer works ) however, we always had a weedeater (what I still call them) from a box store. After a couple of months, the string release always never seemed to work properly.

Since having a Stihl for four years, working on my property, with both string and blade, I have never once had an issue with the Stihl product, and this is after some heavy use. I'm sold on it.

 

[AlanB]

Several good one's mentioned here, and really, I would say go with a good dealer, that can let you demo one.

Right now we have a Redmax, A shindawa and a Tanaka I think. I saw one of the older Kawasaki's sitting in the shop last night (they stopped making that model I think it was the 23)

We have run Stihl's (a long time) and echo's (never liked them as much)

But what I really wanted to say about this thread was the comment about cutting small tree's.

Soundguy may appreciate this a bit as well.

I was in the market for a brush cutter about 90 or so, and was at the shop, and the guy returned the Demo unit for me to try... I think it was a big TORO, something like 50 cc or so, just a hoss... Anyway, he had demo'ed it on his old very run down, central florida fence line, I think they use natural cedar poles that was badly overgrown, and he was saying how nice it worked with that blade, had to clear back every now and then as the overgrowth would be just falling down, and he could tell when he bumped the posts etc, said he had went maybe 100' or so and turned around to admire his handiwork, and how great it looked, and as he stood there, he watched the entire fence fall over. Come to find out every time he thought he "bumped" one of those old swamp rotten posts, he was actually cutting them off..............

I had the experience when we got our first Stihl FS44 and that was a first with the plastic blades. I was doing a new construction house, and proud of getting right in there close to the little 2 gallon boxwoods,,,, Till I realized they were falling over cause I was cutting them off Hanna was none too impressed with me that day.... back to a line head the next.

 

[kenmac]

I also own one of these MultiCutter System trimmers commerical grade.O', Did I also mention I also own a husky ?

 

[RobertN]

I have two... Oner is an older Husky 225R 2-stroke. It is getting worn from TONS of use. Awesome mid size machine though. I have used the string head, wet grass bade, and brush blade.

A while back I got a new Honda 31cc 4-stroke. The 4-stroke is quieter, has tons of power, and cuts like crazy. It sounds like an old Honda Trail-50 motor bike ;-) I have been really happy with it.

I spent a couple hours on the trimmer yesterday, and will be out there in a few minutes today.

I am a confimrmed Husky/Stihl pro line kinda guy. But, I tell you(IMHO, of course), that the Honda 4-stroke is THE WAY to go.

I was on the Husky, and my son was using the Honda. When he stopped, I switched over. As much as I like the Husky, and reliable as it has been, that Honda was definitely nicer!

I also have a Stihl Combi system, but it has the regular oval handle setup, not the handle bar like the Husky and Honda I have. The Stihl system works very well; we have the string trimmer, edger, hedger, and rototiller heads.

Well, gotta go; got a couple hours of weedeating and bushhog'n awaiting

 

[_RaT_]

I spent a couple hours on the trimmer yesterday, and will be out there in a few minutes today.

I am a confimrmed Husky/Stihl pro line kinda guy. But, I tell you(IMHO, of course), that the Honda 4-stroke is THE WAY to go.

I was on the Husky, and my son was using the Honda. When he stopped, I switched over. As much as I like the Husky, and reliable as it has been, that Honda was definitely nicer!

I also have a Stihl Combi system, but it has the regular oval handle setup, not the handle bar like the Husky and Honda I have. The Stihl system works very well; we have the string trimmer, edger, hedger, and rototiller heads.

Well, gotta go; got a couple hours of weedeating and bushhog'n awaiting

After my Shindawa goes I will replace it with a Honda as well. Noise, power, smell all going in its favor. Surprised too how much lighter they have gotten from previous models. When you finish weedeating with it, you may smell like grass but not 2 stroke gas.

 

[fishman]

I've had a Stihl FS85 for about 6 years now (think the current model is an FS90) and really like it. No issues at all. Get the bike handle bars if you are going to use a blade.

Speaking of blades, the "scratcher" blade Stihl advertises to cut trees isn't worth squat in my opinion. It gets dull quick and can't be easily resharpened. The other blade they sell is sharpened with a round file similarly to a chain saw. They work great and will cut a tree around 5" in diameter or less. To sharpen, I clamp it in my vise and run a few strokes from a round file on each tooth. I bought two and can work a long time before they get dull, as long as you keep out of the rocks. Sharpening takes about 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure the blades will outlast the trimmer, as they are designed to be sharpened a LOT. I highly recommend this style of blade for cutting bigger brush.

I use their "brushcutter" blade for heavy grass and brush or in rocky areas. It is also well worth the money.

 

[Champy]

I've had a Stihl FS85 for about 6 years now (think the current model is an FS90) and really like it. No issues at all. Get the bike handle bars if you are going to use a blade...................I use their "brushcutter" blade for heavy grass and brush or in rocky areas. It is also well worth the money.

Fishman - I was looking at the Stihl's and the salesman said only the FS100 and higher could take the brush cutting blades. Evidently you are using them on your FS85........am I getting fed a "line" by the sales guy?

FYI - I am looking for something to cut down thistles; milkweed, reeds, thornbushes. Will an FS85 be strong enough?

Thanks

 

[1bush2hog]

Fishman - FYI - I am looking for something to cut down thistles; milkweed, reeds, thornbushes. Will an FS85 be strong enough?

Thanks

If you have a good bit of this type of stuff to cut then go with the FS250 - I have both the 85 and 250. While the 85 will do the job, the 250 will do it longer and better

 

[fishman]

Champy,

I checked the website because I'd just been looking at the Stihl catalog and knew I saw the FS90 with bike bars approved for blades. And I was right. Look here:
STIHL Incorporated United States -- Products -- Trimmers -- Manufacturing and Selling The World's Number One Chain Saw

When I bought mine I went in with the idea of buying something along the lines of a 250. My salesman essentially said "Why, when the 85 will do all of that also?" I bought it with the understanding that if it didn't do a good job, I could bring it back. I still have it and am very pleased with it. I'm sure it's no 250, and I'd bet anyone who owns a 250 is extremely pleased with their purchase. However, the FS90 they're selling now is likely half the cost of a 250 and it has the solid driveshaft just like the big boys. Sometimes I wish for a little more power when cutting bigger brush, but as long as I keep my saw blade sharp, the trees are no match. For smaller brush, perennials and tough annuals, the FS85 is all you need and more. If you can afford bigger, then go for it but if not, buy the FS90 and you will be happy.

You will need to remove the string trimmer guard and replace it with a blade guard, which is smaller. You will be frustrated if you don't. Personally (and I'm not recommending this to anyone), I find it works best with no guard when using the blade. There's no way the blade can ever get close to a part of my body, and I always wear a full face shield and helmet with ear protectors, so anything slung at me isn't going to hit me in the face.

 

[Champy]

Thanks Fishman.........I was debating between the FS80 and the FS110...looks like the 110 might be the way to go (bigger is always better - right?)

 

[Toiyabe]

Stihl doesn't seem to list the FS 90 (not FS 90 R) on their blade compatibility page. Presumably it will take the circular saw blades.

The FS90 and FS110 are four-stroke engines that still use gas/oil mix. Some folks say they don't have the grunt that the two-strokes do.

 

[RobertN]

I have the 31cc Honda. It has a different grunt than the other two 2-strokes I have(Husky trimmer/brusher and Stihl combo head). Reminds me of dirt bikes; 4-strokes have a different torque curve and power band than a 2-stroke; it isn't a bad thing, just different and takes getting accustomed to.

FWIW, my Honda came with a brush blade and string head.

Stihl doesn't seem to list the FS 90 (not FS 90 R) on their blade compatibility page. Presumably it will take the circular saw blades.

The FS90 and FS110 are four-stroke engines that still use gas/oil mix. Some folks say they don't have the grunt that the two-strokes do.