WeedWhacker/Brush Cutter

[charlessenf]

Looking to cut some weeds small brush large grass and thought of weed whacker but wondered if they were up to such, relatively, 'heavy' work. I have a gas-powered GREEN MACHINE by John Deere 'weed whacker/string trimmer' Model 2600 (Mfg. Mitshubisi Heavy Equipment) 26.6 cc Displacement engine, straight shaft. Label says Green Machine Charlotte, NC USA then L/T 260321, a bar code, and S/N GR1360632 that I use a saw blade on but the gas cap leaks if you tilt it this way or that and there is no replacement I can find.

I saw a "Milwaukee M18 Fuel QUIK-LOK Brush Cutter Blade — Model# 49-16-2757" for $29 - but they want $200 for the Milwaukee Trimmer (Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer Kit — With Battery and Charger, Model# 2828-21) that may not be strong enough to handle the blade.

Now, I have a 3pt Brush Cutter on the tractor, but this is intended for areas too small for a riding mower much less a tractor with a FEL and bush-hog mounted.

Its a walk about job I need to do before the weeds have a chance to obscure this little bit of land come Spring.

Anyone swear by this brand/model or that? Or swear at/kick/donate a particular unit? Looking for some ideas (or a cap for my little Green Machine - it's a duesy when it's working - but it can't hold its liquid.)

Thanks for looking.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I used one when I was in the military. It was 3.5 horsepower, never seen another like it. It was a hoss. Had four individual strings and spools on the head. I have used many since. Just get a commercial grade trimmer. Stihl makes a good one, and get a straight shaft gear drive head. I worked at a place that used Red Max and they were top notch. Take the guard off and adjust strings to cut a two foot wide swath, you are bush hogging then. I know people that cut cemetery and yards commercially, used the same trimmers over 20 years now. I'm talking about graveyards that pay 1000 bucks every two weeks to cut, big ones. But, they don't use wally marks equipment. I have a Red Max, and some type of 4 stroke Wacker I got out of a junk pile and figured out. Red Max was put together out of a junk pile too. Both run good and have for years.

 

[bcp]

K&T Parts House - Green Machine - Fuel Line & Accessories Gas Caps, Fittings,Filters,Primer Bulbs

Bruce

 

[stumblinhorse]

I owned one of these and it was up to the task of anything I was. Will cut anything the blade diameter reaches, so I would say easy 8” diameter. Including your own legs and your dog and anyone standing too close.

After I got everything done I traded it in on a chainsaw at the Stihl dealer.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/brushcutters-and-clearing-saws/FS561CEM/

 

[charlessenf]

I used one when I was in the military. It was 3.5 horsepower, never seen another like it. It was a hoss. Had four individual strings and spools on the head. I have used many since. Just get a commercial grade trimmer. Stihl makes a good one, and get a straight shaft gear drive head. I worked at a place that used Red Max and they were top notch. Take the guard off and adjust strings to cut a two foot wide swath, you are bush hogging then. I know people that cut cemetery and yards commercially, used the same trimmers over 20 years now. I'm talking about graveyards that pay 1000 bucks every two weeks to cut, big ones. But, they don't use wally marks equipment. I have a Red Max, and some type of 4 stroke Wacker I got out of a junk pile and figured out. Red Max was put together out of a junk pile too. Both run good and have for years.

Went looking at Red Max and found $400 trimmers. Not the kind of cash I was thinking of spending!

TRZ230S​

FROM MSRP: $ 309.99

K&T Parts House - Green Machine - Fuel Line & Accessories Gas Caps, Fittings,Filters,Primer Bulbs

Bruce

OUTSTANDING! If these folks can get my Green Machine gas tank functioning (capped) you will have done an old man a great service! I hope I can find some identifying numbers on my trimmer! Thank you very much.

 

[ericm979]

I have a Stihl FS240 that I use for areas I can't get the tractor and rotary cutter to. Heavy duty string works well for small stuff and is less likely to spark a fire than a steel blade.

It's not so useful for brush. Even with a sharp blade the stem size it can cut is pretty limited. If the brush is very thick, cut material falls in the way of getting to the uncut material. Then you have to remove the cutter from the harness, set it down and hand pile the brush. Might as well use a chainsaw then, and that can cut any size stem.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have a Stihl FS240 that I use for areas I can't get the tractor and rotary cutter to. Heavy duty string works well for small stuff and is less likely to spark a fire than a steel blade.

It's not so useful for brush. Even with a sharp blade the stem size it can cut is pretty limited. If the brush is very thick, cut material falls in the way of getting to the uncut material. Then you have to remove the cutter from the harness, set it down and hand pile the brush. Might as well use a chainsaw then, and that can cut any size stem.

Mount a chain saw on a two wheel dolly, rigup a hand throttle, push away.

 

[ponytug]

I have a Stihl FS110 that I have put a sharpened Stihl three blade brush knife on. I sharpened the knives and that makes a tremendous difference. You can't get close to nothing that you care about, but it chews down all of my brush. I found that tall mustard and thistle just laughed at the strings.
https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-25-4mm-Brush-Fulfilled-Amazon/dp/B07DMZ6JJR

If you are going after woody brush, I recommend one of the more saw like blades;

https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-Chisel-Tooth-Circular-Blade/dp/B001CCW2AG

However, I have found the the saw blades are easily dulled by ground contact. YMMV.

I use a tractor mounted brush cutter for big things (mine will do 4" oak trees) and large areas.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Sigarms]

If you are going after woody brush, I recommend one of the more saw like blades;

https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-Chisel-Tooth-Circular-Blade/dp/B001CCW2AG

I went up to my local shop looking to get one of those as my local guy stocks them.

He convinced me to buy one of these Oregon blades as he mentioned he loves his...

No regrets, and sharpens up with you chainsaw file, but it goes a pretty good while before having to sharpen.

 

[polo1665]

I owned one of these and it was up to the task of anything I was. Will cut anything the blade diameter reaches, so I would say easy 8” diameter. Including your own legs and your dog and anyone standing too close.

After I got everything done I traded it in on a chainsaw at the Stihl dealer.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/brushcutters-and-clearing-saws/FS561CEM/

This is what I have. Use it mainly to cut multiflora rose bushes and small brush. Works great.

 

[Hay Dude]

I remember running a Green Machine back in the day. As was said, an indestructible hoss of a heavy machine. Most were abandoned when nobody wanted to fix them and the newer lighter Echos took over.
I run Stihls now and overall pretty pleased with them.

 

[charlessenf]

This is what I have. Use it mainly to cut multiflora rose bushes and small brush. Works great.

Das ist ein scharf aussehendes Sägeblatt!

Ich habe eine, die wie ein Tischkreissägeblatt aussieht

 

[charlessenf]

This is what I have. Use it mainly to cut multiflora rose bushes and small brush. Works great.

polo1665​

Super Member​

Thanks, but an MSRP of $1,600?

Wow, talk about inflation!

Let us hope I can find a gas cap for the Green Machine!

Way above my pay grade!

 

[ponytug]

polo1665​

Super Member​

Thanks, but an MSRP of $1,600?

Wow, talk about inflation!

Let us hope I can find a gas cap for the Green Machine!

Way above my pay grade!

You might want to double check that price. Currently $28/ea on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-41-931-Brush-Blade-Teeth/dp/B0018U2ALS

 

[CobyRupert]

I’ve never used the blade that looks like it belongs on a table saw on my trimmer, but it has its uses in brush, trees and saplings.

I’ve always used the “4 blade” blade on my trimmer. It seems to do well in a variety of grass, vines, weeds, branches, saplings and trees up to about 2.5” diameter (if you hit it hard enough a few times.)

I’ve debated getting the “3 blade” trimmer blade. I believe that blade is a little better in grass and weeds, and can still handle brush and saplings, but to a lesser degree.

That is: I think fewer teeth are better for grass and weeds, fine teeth are better for wood. What’s the right amount? Opinions vary.

 

[ponytug]

I’ve never used the blade that looks like it belongs on a table saw on my trimmer, but it has its uses in brush, trees and saplings.

I’ve always used the “4 blade” blade on my trimmer. It seems to do well in a variety of grass, vines, weeds, branches, saplings and trees up to about 2.5” diameter (if you hit it hard enough a few times.)

I’ve debated getting the “3 blade” trimmer blade. I believe that blade is a little better in grass and weeds, and can still handle brush and saplings, but to a lesser degree.

That is: I think fewer teeth are better for grass and weeds, fine teeth are better for wood. What’s the right amount? Opinions vary.

That's my thinking as well.
String=grass
Three lobe blade = tough stemmed weeds
Saw tooth = shrubs, woody stemmed plants, small trees.

If there are lots of woody stems/saplings, I personally prefer a brush hog (if it fits), or a long handled brush axe. I find the latter is great for severing stems below ground, which kills most plants.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Jstpssng]

Just out of curiosity, what are you guys running those blades on? I have an Echo with bicycle handle bars and a harness. They can get away from you and make some pretty nasty wounds.

 

[ponytug]

I use a Stihl FS110, with handle bars, and a harness, which helps keep the whole setup stable and the blade parallel to the ground. IIRC, Stihl designates some trimmers as "trimmers" (no metal blades, and some as "trimmer-brushcutters" (suitable for brush cutting blades).

I can't speak to other manufacturers, but I assume that it is similar. I know that I wouldn't want to use a blade at the end of one of those stick trimmers, because I would be sure that I would lose control of the unit if the blade hit something substantial. YMMV.

All the best,

Peter

 

[jyoutz]

I have an Echo wheeled string trimmer and a hand held trimmer. Both are excellent. Home Depot carries the hand held trimmers but the Echo wheeled string trimmers are usually handled by small equipment dealers. These trimmers are very popular with commercial landscaping companies and they hold up well. One thing the dealer pointed out to me about the wheeled trimmer is that the Echo is the only brand with a steel string head and the other brands are plastic. He said he’s always replacing the plastic heads on the other brands, and they cost a couple hundred dollars each. The wheeled trimmer has the option of taking blades for brush cutting and would be a lot safer to operate than the hand held models.

 

[CobyRupert]

Just out of curiosity, what are you guys running those blades on? I have an Echo with bicycle handle bars and a harness. They can get away from you and make some pretty nasty wounds.

I have a Husqvarna straight shaft, bicycle handle trimmer.
I don’t understand how it can get away. It clips into the harness that’s around your shoulders and chest.
When clipped, there’s no way you feet or legs can reach the blade.
Even with the blade up in the air, it’s takes effort to reach out your arm to touch the head.