Weed Eater/ Brush Cutter

[Mousefield]

I bought a used Shindaiwa about 25 years ago, use it with a blade for cutting brush. About 8 years ago bought a new Shindaiwa for trimming grass/weeds. Both work very well. Both are straight shaft. Doubt you can get them for under $200.00 but they are worth the money. The older one has only been in the shop once for a tune up and a new fuel tank. Don't know how many hours are on it but it is a few hundred and it has cut tons of brush. My chainsaw is a Stihl and am very happy with it. Both these brands seem very well built.

 

[FarmerEddy]

FS76 Stihl owner here. Lots of abuse & running like a champ for 5-6 years. Using cutter blades & line trimmer head as well.

 

[Skyco]

I bought an Echo Brush Cutter this year...very pleased with it, their top of the line most powerful model- SRM410-U 43cc. They can be had for around $500.
One thing that sold me is the 5 year warranty.
I'm glad I didn't buy one of the ones with a smaller engine...I can still load the 43cc down pretty good in heavy stuff.

No connection to this outfit but they shipped fast and the best price I could find-
Echo Brushcutter SRM-410U

 

[WH401]

For a quality trimmer that can handle brush cutting your going to have to up your price limit a little. The best Stihl trimmer with that kind of capability at the lowest price would be the FS90R at around $300. It has the 4-mix engine, which is very torque-y compared to a conventional two stroke, it has a solid steel drive shaft, and a gear box that can handle attachments or blades. I have this same model and have been using it for the last few years. Putting it through it's paces in grass trimming and brush cutting, it has worked flawlessly.

If you want heavy brush cutting though, I would step up to a FS250R, but there closer to $400+, but well worth it.

 

[whistlepig]

For a quality trimmer that can handle brush cutting your going to have to up your price limit a little. The best Stihl trimmer with that kind of capability at the lowest price would be the FS90R at around $300. It has the 4-mix engine, which is very torque-y compared to a conventional two stroke, it has a solid steel drive shaft, and a gear box that can handle attachments or blades. I have this same model and have been using it for the last few years. Putting it through it's paces in grass trimming and brush cutting, it has worked flawlessly.

If you want heavy brush cutting though, I would step up to a FS250R, but there closer to $400+, but well worth it.

The weight of a weed eater is not only a factor but it is the major factor for me. The lightest Stihl Pro series that will run their brush cutting heads is the FS80 which is what I have. I would consider the FS90R as it is only 1# heavier than my FS80 and I know the 4 mix motors have a lot more torque. The FS250R would be too heavy for me. Three or four pounds of difference on a weed eater is pretty huge when you are using one for many hours.

 

[doall]

I had a fs110 that was borrowed out of my garage last year and I loved it, but replaced with fs 130 and it is even better. can cut 4" trees down with it after you figure it out a little. (approach angle and such) The 250 will run you closer to $500 than 4. The 130 is about 425. If I would have known they were that close I would have opted for the 250. I have the handlebars and padded harness so the weight is really not an issue.

 

[Ken45101]

I've had various weed eaters over the years. Last year I got the weed eater attachment for my Stihl KM-55 pole saw. WOW! The difference in how well it works! Much faster than any cheap weed eater.

You probably get what you pay for.

Ken

 

[6thgpSF]

I've got the FS90 with handlebars.It's got plenty of power for what I need although it was well over your $200.00 price limit. russ