Better than Echo 225 for brush cutting?

[tillers]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

so again: anything better than the echo 225?

thanks

 

[Tompet]

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.

 

[Coyote machine]

Look at Dr. Trimmer/Mowers with a Beaver Blade. You can use string line OR the Beaver Blade for brush type vegetation.

 

[Tompet]

Rereading your post, maybe hire someone with brush hog to go over it then use your mower. If you have the time, you could do the thicker areas with a trimmer and blade, chop out with ax, etc., then run mower on highest height setting over some areas and whittle away at it to not stress your mower.

Sometimes it's surprising what steady manual labor will accomplish...of course takes the fun out using the power of machinery!

Posting a photo would help to see what you are up against.

 

[tillers]

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.

Tompet, been looking at the 266 at Home Depot and used online. that is kinda why i started a thread.

a lot of us have these low powered weed eaters, perhaps a bit more power is the ticket to Real Production. i bought the brush kit but have not installed it yet from Depot.

we do a lot of manual work here, but a lot of the cheap equipment or used just fails. the forums are challenging me to rethink a bit. much of the work we do is kinda like the pioneers, clearing, tilling and planting.

been reading a lot about Garden tractors, sub compact tractors and Compact tractors, trying to figure out the best move.

in general, anything would be an improvement, so i tend not to worry about getting the wrong stuff. my real job is hog farming currently, so have plenty of exposure to equipment.

 

[tillers]

Look at Dr. Trimmer/Mowers with a Beaver Blade. You can use string line OR the Beaver Blade for brush type vegetation.

those things seem interesting, perhaps time to watch a few videos. my local dealer has a used Billy Goat for 1300, but that may be over kill.

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).

getting a good tractor is good advice. they just seem to hold their value; been thinking lately that it would be my preference to own a new tractor instead of a new car.

after 10 years the car is worth little, but the 10 year old tractor will probably have the same dollar price paid or near that.

the bush hog and finisher would make this all a non issue. i use to run these when working maintenance.

the hard part is deciding new or used, brand x or brand z, and how much power.