Strimmer or brushcutter

[cotswoldcs]

Sorry if this isn't in the right place. Looking to replace our ageing Stihl strimmer which has been nothing but trouble recently. I'd really like a split shaft multi-tool so I can put different attachments on. I'd really like a pole saw as well as a strimmer.

Anyway have been strimming nettles, thistles and some very long grass today and wonder if I should look at a brushcutter blade rather than a line trimmer. Would a brushcutter be the best tool for this job? Never used one so don't know. What's the advantage/ disadvantage over trimmer wire?

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

To me a strimmer or weed eater type thing is for gardens. Has a wimpy little engine and a bent shaft (cheap and light).

Brushcutters are heavier duty, straight shaft with an angled gearbox at the end. You can fit a blade or nylon line. Much bigger engines, more power but heavier. Proper job has cow horn handles and a heavy duty harness to distribute the weight better or even shift the engine onto your back.

 

[Shavings man]

Was using friends brushcuter other day with star shape blade on was brilliant going through nettles and docks + don't get covered in mess like you do with strimer.

 

[curlietailz]

I’ve just replaced a Honda 4 stroke brush utter.
Lovely 4 stroke engine, harness, handlebar grips and the metal blade
Really easy and comfy to use

 

[Farmer_Joe]

careful with brush cutter, those blades if hit hard stone used/possible still can shatter, guy lost his fingers with one always put me right off, i just get really heavy cord.

 

[Fruitbat]

careful with brush cutter, those blades if hit hard stone used/possible still can shatter, guy lost his fingers with one always put me right off, i just get really heavy cord.

You can also get shards off the blade if you hit stone/rock. I've got a nice scar on my chest from a piece that peeled off and embedded itself in me. Casualty nurse had a lovely time getting it out, pea sized, like a butter curl. Still use one though with tri-star blade or those heavy duty plastic swing blades when you want more than just line. Worth spending a bit more on decent line, square profile has a bit more bite.
FB

 

[Tomr10]

Have two of the big husqvarna bushcutters about 10 year age between them. Run heads like these

https://images.app.goo.gl/pM2cAX4pkJv2zNkZ7

https://images.app.goo.gl/56SY4ZTLZL7ghZnE6

Good fast to swap cords out

 

[SilliamWhale]

Anyone use a polycut head?

 

[Lincoln75]

One bit of advice , wear full face protection if you are strimming where dogs **it.

 

[Jameshenry]

Anyone use a polycut head?

Yes, good tool for long grass and nettles etc ,

 

[Shavings man]

True wot they saying about behing carefull I court a fence post nearly took machine out of my hand !

 

[milkloss]

Anyone use a polycut head?

Yes, very good imo. I have the old one with the white blades and it’s a fantastic tool.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Anyone use a polycut head?

Yes, love it, you'd use packs of line to cut the same amount of stuff as one set of blades.
They whack through things like hard thistles easily, which the line head would struggle with.

I don't use it on really gnarly stuff as I have a big brushcutter for that.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Hopefully Honda will put their new 50cc engine into a proper brushcutter sometime soon.

Might give the big Stihl’s a fright

 

[Kevtherev]

I have one of these Bessertrim heads good tool.

 

[pycoed]

I find these mulching blades a 1000 times better than the star shaped "flat blades":-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSA...481246&hash=item34086906c0:g:YuAAAOSwYpVcr5hX

They cut better than the flat blades, don't get long brambles etc tangled around the head & don't splatter you with as much stuff as the string heads (but a bit more than the flat).
I'm a big fan of the Hyundai 51cc brushcutter I bought a few years back - I've done a lot of work with this & though the switch & controls feel a little plasticky compared to the "name" makes, it's much better than the Stihl & Kawasaki ones I've used down the years, mainly because the engine starts so readily hot or cold. Cheap as chips too - I think you can get the multitool version now for the price I paid for the straight brushcutter.
Even better, I got a mint multitool version from Ebay for my son for £80 & only the string head had been used.

 

[holywell farmer]

careful with brush cutter, those blades if hit hard stone used/possible still can shatter, guy lost his fingers with one always put me right off, i just get really heavy cord.

You can get thick cord which cuts better,

 

[MaryKolibri]

Sorry if this isn't in the right place. Looking to replace our ageing Stihl strimmer which has been nothing but trouble recently. I'd really like a split shaft multi-tool so I can put different attachments on. I'd really like a pole saw as well as a strimmer.

Anyway have been strimming nettles, thistles and some very long grass today and wonder if I should look at a brushcutter blade rather than a line trimmer. Would a brushcutter be the best tool for this job? Never used one so don't know. What's the advantage/ disadvantage over trimmer wire?

Maybe try checking here. From my experience, something GreenWorks electric weed eater would suit your needs, it's also possible to use attachments by other brands with it. Though if you really need a pole saw feature then I would recommend a gas-powered Husqvarna 128LD.