Brush cutter, string trimmer recommendatons

[rbstern]

I've managed to get along with entry level Weedeater and Ryobi branded string trimmers over the years, but I've accumulated some land, and need heavier duty equipment that will handle both light string trimmer duties around the house, but also deal with seedlings and heavy grass in the woods and fields.

The last couple of outdoor power machines I've bought have been Husqvarna (chain saw), and Hitachi (blower). Both have now seen a couple of seasons of service, and I am sold on the better quality machines. I have also been borrowing a neighbor's Honda tiller, and have been completely impressed by how good a machine it is.

So, ready to spend a bit more, I'm hoping to get some feedback on better quality, heavy duty string trimmers/brush cutters. What do you have? What do you recommend?

 

[dave1949]

I have a Stihl FS 250 model. I can't give you a comparison, it's the only one I have had.

I think it's a very good machine. Starts easy, runs good, tank of fuel lasts a good while, the handle bar style and support harness work fine.

I have a string head, bump style feed works good, a brush/heavy weed blade, and a saw blade with the chainsaw style teeth that can be sharpened with a file. The saw blade will rip through 3" saplings quickly.

I'd buy another.

 

[Will_C]

I have 2 Stihl's-a FS 85 and a FS 250. The 85 has a loop handle and is used for trimming with a line head, and the 250 has bike handles and is used with line, poly-cut blades, a triangle metal blade and a circular saw blade depending on the application. Both are good units-the loop is handier for "up close" trimming, like around a house, and the bike handle is used for fencelines, ditches, and property edges that are too rough for a bush hog.

'I bought the 85 11 years ago, and the 250 2 years ago. Both have been completely trouble free. I think I paid $300 for the 85, and $550 for the 250 with three heads. I sure there are other good units, that's my experince.

Will

 

[rbstern]

Thanks, gents. Not surprised to see positive testimonials for Stihl. That seems to be the brand I see most often on landscape trailers.

 

[whistlepig]

I bought a Stihl 4-mix last year. I'll never buy another 2 cycle and I have had many 2 cycles.

 

[Loadstar]

I have a stihl FS90. I got tired of screwing with disposable weed eaters so I moved on up. IT has been abused more than I would like to admit to. It has plenty of power and when I put the saw blade on it, it doubles as a pole saw, pruner, and land clearing machine. I really couldn't be happier with it and I have let many people borrow and demo it.

 

[sklunk]

I have the previous version of this:

Outdoor Power Equipment Attachments, Trimmer or Edger Attachment | ECHO USA

It's been going strong for almost 15 years now and I abuse it. I only have a few attachments but they held up better than I expected.

 

[hslogger]

I have a top of the line blue Shindawa with a metal blade, and super regular non ethanol gas mix. It has been faultless and perfect running for five or six years. I maintain all my hot wire fence and general maintenance.

 

[mikehaugen]

I bought a used ryobi at a garage sale for $20 and have used it for about 6 years. That thing wouldn't die. I hated it because it had a curved shaft and kind of a cheap feel and I kept saying that when it dies I would buy another "better" one. Well finally last week I had a fuel line break... easy fix but it finally gave me the excuse the go buy another . I went to a local dealer that used to sell Stihl and Echo. I was planning on buying an echo because I had seen them at HD and liked them, but would rather support a local guy. So when I got there I found that they had stopped selling Echo, so I bought a Stihl, which is what I had been wanting for a few years anyway but was going to "settle" on the echo because it was slightly cheaper. Then I decided to get the kombi head (km90) and a trimmer attachment. I love it... lots of torque, which I am sure is because of the 4mix engine. It also has a a much more quality feel than the cheaper ones, though maybe a bit heavier but it comes with a shoulder strap. I have a couple Stihl chainsaws and there are lots of dealers in the area so I think I made the right choice. I can't give you much as far as longevity, but if it's anything like any of the other Stihls that I have, I have a lot of faith. It has plenty of power and think it will do well with a metal brush blade on it, which is what I plan to get next for it. Also if you buy a 6 pack of their oil with it ($15) they double the warranty to 4 years.

 

[bcp]

Echo



Echo



Bruce

 

[JimRB]

I like the handlebar handle and a shoulder strap. I have a Stihl FS66 with handlebar that was running great until it broke the plastic fuel inlet on the carb. The Husky I have has more power but no handlebar. If it had a handlebar I would really like it. I have a KM110 with lots of attachments and a carbide brush cutter blade. I need to get handlebars for it. When running brush blades they recommend a harness that for the most part reduces the chances of your legs getting wacked by the blade. Also a metal blade guard instead of the plastic weed wacker guard. The sound of the 4mix is too cool.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have the Stihl Kombi unit. I think 110.

String trimmer, blade trimmer, pole saw, and hedge trimmer. All work well, and only one engine means it runs more often and runs better because of that.

I have two different kinds of harness to hold it while I work, and they really add to safety of use by letting me guide the machine while the harness takes the weight.

 

[flusher]

I've managed to get along with entry level Weedeater and Ryobi branded string trimmers over the years, but I've accumulated some land, and need heavier duty equipment that will handle both light string trimmer duties around the house, but also deal with seedlings and heavy grass in the woods and fields.

The last couple of outdoor power machines I've bought have been Husqvarna (chain saw), and Hitachi (blower). Both have now seen a couple of seasons of service, and I am sold on the better quality machines. I have also been borrowing a neighbor's Honda tiller, and have been completely impressed by how good a machine it is.

So, ready to spend a bit more, I'm hoping to get some feedback on better quality, heavy duty string trimmers/brush cutters. What do you have? What do you recommend?

Any of the Tanaka professional quality trimmers will work for you. Right now I have a Red Max trimmer with the straight, solid shaft. Works as well as the Tanaka and was about $50 less expensive. I use 0.155" line and one of those heads that take individual 16" long pieces of line. I can trim 1/4 mile of fence line with one piece of that thick line and still have plenty left to continue work in the ditches along the road..

 

[8N Ren]

(Straight) Shaft driven are better machines than (curved) cable driven. I bought a Stihl FS 130 because it's light but also has the bike bars and harness. I used that thing to clear 2 or so acres for our house in 2010. I beat that cutter really hard and it's still works great.

 

[rbstern]

Thanks to all who replied. When I factored in price, it was between a Tanaka, a Hitachi, and a Husqvarna. I had coupon for Northern Tool, and they had a reconditioned model (223L) with a straight shaft on sale, so I went with it.

In a word...wow! I spent several hours today clearing heavy brush. I bought a metal cutting head, but never switched from the string head because I was wiping everything out. The machine starts easily, idles perfectly and accelerates beautifully. So much more powerful than what I am used to, and the straight shaft works better than a curved shaft.l Wish I had done this years ago and stopped messing with Ryobi.

Thanks again for all the comments. Taken me a long time to learn to by quality...it's worth it.

 

[JohnfromPA]

I just replaced my Ryobi with a Tanaka and wish I had gone that route in the first place. Best of luck with your new Husqvarna trimmer.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I've been very happy with this:
Amazon.com: Tanaka TCG22EASSLP 21.1cc 2-Stroke Gas Powered Straight Shaft Grass Trimmer Brush Cutter (CARB Compliant): Patio, Lawn & Garden

this:
Amazon.com: Tanaka 32308 No Brainer Quick Load Cutting Head for Straight Shaft String Trimmers: Patio, Lawn & Garden

and this:
Amazon.com: Oregon 22-355 Heavy-Duty Professional Magnum Gatorline Round String Trimmer Line .155-Inch Diameter 1-Pound Donut: Patio, Lawn & Garden

All together.

 

[ssls6]

I have owned several echos (chainsaw, blower, two trimmers, hedger) and will never buy another. I think they are junk. Stihl from now on and 4stroke if possible. I currently have a 4stroke Troy built that let's you change heads from trimmer to chainsaw to edger to ....it's been great and I may actually wear it out before it rots like the echos.

 

[Soundguy]

have you looked at those walk behind string trimmers?

I looked at the swisher and crapsman.. liked the swisher MUCH better. have had mine ? 2-3 ys. works great... will cut stuff that is green and the size of your thumb. and if dry like monkey or pompus grass.. if you take it slow .. it will eat the entire clump...

 

[Bird]

I, too, have a Stihl, an FS55RC that's only a little over 8 years old. I changed the spark plug after the first year and decided that was a waste of time and money, so I haven't changed it since. I did change the air filter last year.