Petrol Strimmer Recommendation ?

[Arc Tourist]

That`s always a nightmare and a machine killer,long term it would be worth getting these into a more manageable/mowable condition. Those push alongs can do high cuts if you push down on the handlebar, you would get about 300mm of high cut.

Bob

The weeds are on a slope, so a push type machine would be awkward for me at this point. Once the weeds are knocked back I'm going to get the debris shifted and the area sorted once and for all.

 

[Miranda]

My small 18” chainsaw and hedge trimmer are both Stihl 2 stroke offerings. Both have done a lot of work and are still as good as new.

I’d probably look at Stihl if I was buying a strimmer today

 

[Arc Tourist]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Blobber]

We have a couple of the Husqvarna brush cutters, not cheap but spares are easy to get and the shops local, starts every time even after its winter dormant periods!

Ive just been clearing loads of brambles and the best result seems to be chop them off at the base and poke them through a shredder, ive got a freebie ride on mower that then gets abused trundeling over
the area to keep any new growth down, seems to be working so far!

 

[zzr1200]

I've had the first one for a couple of years trouble free I even use a tungsten tipped circular saw blade on it, feed it with Aspen style fuel and eats brambles.

Theres a few forum members who use these,

52cc Petrol Brush Cutter, Grass Line Trimmer | ParkerBrand

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www.parkerbrand.co.uk

or

52cc Multi Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool - Brush Cutter, Grass Trimmer, Chainsaw, Hedge Trimmer & More | ParkerBrand

Our ParkerBrand high-performance 52cc engine—one of the most powerful in its class—is at the heart of this unrivalled multi-tool, built to handle even the toughest garden tasks with effortless power and precision. Thi

www.parkerbrand.co.uk

 

[Arc Tourist]

Haven't heard of Parker brand before, will check it out also. Fortunately I don't have trees or bushes to deal with any longer, but the accessory package seems good for the included price for someone who does.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Not derailing the thread but the proper way to use a brush cutter is to put throttle on as you start to swing it and release at the end of the swing. Repeat for each swing. You get far more control and you can fire the cuttings directionally and lay them which makes clear up a lot easier.

It is also better for you and there is less vibration and noise from having it balls out all the time, and it is better for the machine also.

I do not subscribe to the American theory at all, but there is a reason the engineers at Stihl development use engines that are the thick end of 100cc for clearing saws and sub 30cc ones for the bent shaft strimmers in old biddies gardens. You need a decent CC to get through the undergrowth especially with brambles and thick dry grass as there is a large drag on the cutting head. As an aside, for the application of the OP a flail such as the Brogio would be the better choice. A blade will work well on bramble, but not so great on grass. The flail will do both very well.

Spend as much as you can on a harness. Not a stupid neck strap. If you have a decent harness you won't know the trimmer is there and all you need to do is direct it. You should not be holding the weight of it in your hands at all

Back on topic - have a look at the 4-mix. Stihls answer to the 4-strok - they are very good.

Yeah. Agreed. And you should only be cutting with the first inch or two of cord/blade each pass

Spent many years on the end of a strimmer/brush cutter

 

[gaz1]

merry tiller for me and it has loads of adaptions to be used with it

so its not one machine for one job but one machine for loads of jobs into one

Merry Tiller - Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club

www.vhgmc.co.uk

 

[Miranda]

Don’t overthink. Just bash on through it.

 

[Arc Tourist]

merry tiller for me and it has loads of adaptions to be used with it

so its not one machine for one job but one machine for loads of jobs into one

Merry Tiller - Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club

www.vhgmc.co.uk

I had the equivalent of one of those many years ago, looked just the same. It would beat you half to death just trying to hold it back to keep it from walking away from you, and I was young and much stronger then.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I had the equivalent of one of those many years ago, looked just the same. It would beat you half to death just trying to hold it back to keep it from walking away from you, and I was young and much stronger then.

That's what the anchor is for

As long as it's down and you have weight on the handles it should hold it back

 

[Arc Tourist]

That's what the anchor is for

As long as it's down and you have weight on the handles it should hold it back

It had the anchor hook, but wasn't worth a toss on the soil we had.

 

[Miranda]

I

It had the anchor hook, but wasn't worth a $81t.

Awful things!!! I’ve used one…..

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

It had the anchor hook, but wasn't worth a toss on the soil we had.

I was spoiled.
One of these was my weapon of choice

 

[Arc Tourist]

I was spoiled.
One of these was my weapon of choice

View attachment 294260

Now that's a proper walking tractor.

 

[Miranda]

We have a 350 Howard with modern Koehler engine and a revised clutch which I designed and built. and a BCS thing. Howard every time until last year when it seems to have broken a gearbox cog. Yet to pull it apart to find out what is wrong… other things have got in the way.

 

[daf45]

If it's not too late to chime in, another vote for Tanaka here. I've had one for years and if you can find one they're great. Maybe there was a re-branding thing that went on with Hitachi you'd have to look into that. If you can't find Tanaka or equivalent personally my second choice would be Husqvarna.

Also like to emphasise the importance of good fuel. When i bought both my brush cutter and chainsaw they told me 80 percent of the small 2 stroke machines they see back in for repair have some sort of fuel related issue - and since yours is likely to get a once a year thrashing in between long lay ups i think the (relatively small) added expense of something like Aspen, or at least a good fuel stabiliser would be worthwhile

Good luck!

 

[gaz1]

I had the equivalent of one of those many years ago, looked just the same. It would beat you half to death just trying to hold it back to keep it from walking away from you, and I was young and much stronger then.

yeah but that had a 3.5 engine on mine has the 5.5 and dont i know it

 

[Arc Tourist]

If it's not too late to chime in, another vote for Tanaka here. I've had one for years and if you can find one they're great. Maybe there was a re-branding thing that went on with Hitachi you'd have to look into that. If you can't find Tanaka or equivalent personally my second choice would be Husqvarna.

Also like to emphasise the importance of good fuel. When i bought both my brush cutter and chainsaw they told me 80 percent of the small 2 stroke machines they see back in for repair have some sort of fuel related issue - and since yours is likely to get a once a year thrashing in between long lay ups i think the (relatively small) added expense of something like Aspen, or at least a good fuel stabiliser would be worthwhile

Good luck!

I've always made up fuel by the gallon, using premium petrol and the exact recommended oil in the mix. When the job was done for the season I'd dump the tank and run the engine dry, then clean and prep it before putting it away until next time needed. That way I never had an issue with the carb filter screen getting gummed up or the engine not starting.

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Miranda]

I never bother dumping fuel from anything, nor do I throw away last years petrol. The only thing I do is to put additive in my bulk diesel tank with each new fill. 3300 litres of gone off diesel would be slightly hard to lose on a bonfire.