Better than Echo 225 for brush cutting?

tillers · Apr 28, 2018

I have been using an Echo 225 for trimming but would like to Hack Down a couple acres of weeds etc.

so what to do.

been thinking of getting a brush head for the Echo at Home Depo and then adding perhaps the 3 blade steel head.

will this work great?

or do i need more power? a different bigger trimmer? or Long Shot a walk behind?

advice is not to run the Lawn tractor over these kinds of things, but sure is tempting.

thanks.

lpigott · Apr 28, 2018

All I have ever done with my Echo 225 is string trimming and recently got a Stihl FS131 for brush work since I have a ton of it to do and wanted to keep the Echo for just grass. Cheap route is to try the heads you mentioned on the Echo and if disappointed then move up to a larger powerhead. I will say the FS131 with the handlebars and harness is really smooth and easy to run and has a ton of power but it cost $500.

LMychajluk · Apr 28, 2018

A couple of acres with a weed wacker? How thick are these weeds? Is this a one-shot deal or do you plan on keeping those acres mowed once done? Do you have any other equipment that could be useful (you mentioned a lawn mower, but maybe an ATV or tractor?).

IMO, a couple of acres of just 'weeds' I would just mow with my 23hp Simplicity ride-on mower with the deck raised to its highest position (as long as the ground was relatively even w/o alot of rocks hidden in those weeds), with the expectation that it might be a bit slow and I would probably have to replace or at least sharpen the blades after. Your TroyBuilt might be able to do it. If there was thicker brush in there (say, 1" small saplings), I would consider renting a self-propelled brush mower (or tow behind) to use once and then maintain it with the ride-on. If the ground is more uneven, you might want to get someone to come in and clear and level it (again, depending on what you want to do with it going forward).

tillers · Apr 28, 2018

LMychajluk said:
A couple of acres with a weed wacker? How thick are these weeds? Is this a one-shot deal or do you plan on keeping those acres mowed once done? Do you have any other equipment that could be useful (you mentioned a lawn mower, but maybe an ATV or tractor?).

IMO, a couple of acres of just 'weeds' I would just mow with my 23hp Simplicity ride-on mower with the deck raised to its highest position (as long as the ground was relatively even w/o alot of rocks hidden in those weeds), with the expectation that it might be a bit slow and I would probably have to replace or at least sharpen the blades after. Your TroyBuilt might be able to do it. If there was thicker brush in there (say, 1" small saplings), I would consider renting a self-propelled brush mower (or tow behind) to use once and then maintain it with the ride-on. If the ground is more uneven, you might want to get someone to come in and clear and level it (again, depending on what you want to do with it going forward).

thanks. i am inclined to do that: just raise the deck. it seems the experts say not to do that as i am supposed to have a Garden Tractor style to do that. my Backtold mower is down, so trying to come up with alternatives.

for now i am shopping for a Lawn Tractor or sub compact tractor with bush hog. hard to figure out what will be tough enuf to get thru a few years of service. seems like people are not to happy with the durability of normal Lawn tractors. we are making do with a couple of Honda self propelled mowers now. funny thing, these little hondas just keep running ....

and without repairs.

grappling with the concept of just buying a mower or what not and being done with it. sure routine maintenance is fine, but it seems that most tractors just come up with weird problems to cope with. not a good way to spend a weekend. no?

rgr33 · Apr 28, 2018

Your situation, as I read it, screams for a sub compact tractor and a small bush hog for the rough stuff in the field. A used cutter shouldn’t be overly expensive, and will make your life a lot easier.

Maybe a Kubota BX, or the LS mt 125

LMychajluk · Apr 28, 2018

How much are you planning to let that acreage go between mowing? Depending on how 'thick' that brush is, and how often you plan on mowing it, if you go w/ a new tractor and mower, consider a flail mower. You may not be able to get into the thicker stuff like a brush hog would, but it could do double duty as a finish mower. Depends on what you want to do with that area, but if you're planning on maintaining it, I don't think you need to own a brush hog. Just rent one once to knock it all down, then maintain it with a flail or finish mower (including the one on your current lawn tractor).

tillers · Apr 29, 2018

thanks all.

i am shopping for a tractor now, but in the mean time will be using a trimmer and thought echo may have something better than a 225 to work with.

eventually this will all be mowed but with 8 acres, the back stuff just goes undone. kind of a natural habitat for everything.

we mow with a couple of honda self propelled mowers around the house and both of us running them get a lot done in an hour. think 42 inch mower type of productivity.

and good exercise.

so we don't mind Real Mowers and exercise. the deal is getting more productivity and capability. sure a tractor would be better, but finding one that will be durable AND afordable.

not sure they exist. and probably don't exist from what i read.

my guess is there is a better trimmer on the Planet some place, but of course which one. as far as a tractor, we may just go with a cheap Big Box store tractor till i figure out what to get.

seems like some of you get by with these kinds of mowers and trimmers...and that will fit us too.

tillers · Apr 29, 2018

so again: anything better than the echo 225?

thanks

Tompet · Apr 29, 2018

tillers said:
so again: anything better than the echo 225?

thanks

I had an very old straight shaft Echo that was not made for a blade set up. So I wound up with a 266, forgot which sub model, but with the blade kit works great clearing brush in odd places. Then got rid of the old trimmer and replaced it with 225 for strictly string use.

You could try the three blade plastic head on the 225, or the metal blade kit if it will accept it. If it lacks the power then upgrade. When I was doing this a few years ago, as I recall, the 225 wasn't really recommended for the steel blade cutter head.

I just leave blade on 266.