↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Off Topic > Strimmer / grass cutter / brush cutter help
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
Strimmer / grass cutter / brush cutter help
I'm looking at getting a decent strimmer, after looking at a few in a local shop I came out a bit bemused - straight shaft, bent shaft, cow horn or loop handles, different makes, sizes etc.
I'm after advice on a good quality either Stihl, Efco, Hasqvarna, Makita etc strimmer for between £200 - £400, mainly to do banks, clear under hedges, paths etc - what should I be asking/looking for in a shop?
Is it worth getting one that can take attachments such as hedge trimmers etc or is it best going for individual items?
Post #422277 9th May 2015 9:31pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1581

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
The combi engine ones are good as hedge cutters and general strimmers. Not strong enough to be a brush cutter. The combi engines are easy to store as well.
Post #422281 9th May 2015 9:51pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
We use an echo as our main brush cutter ( chop saw like blade capable of cutting down small trees) and a stihl for grass. In short, straight shaft and cow horn handles. The straight shaft for longevity and the cow horns for comfort, especially when doing anything remotely resembling a slope.

Our echo is a 2002 model and is still going strong. We have a dedicated stihl strimmer and two stihl multi tools as well. All of which have been relatively trouble free and are also serving us well. The two multi tools have ring handles which are fine when using the chainsaw and hedge cutting attachments but get a bit tiresome when using the strimmer attachment. I wouldn't use the multi tool with the brush cutter on as they aren't up to the strain.

I would stick with echo or still as that's what I know but would probably have a Husqvarna if it came to it.

Go for a bigger engine than you think you'll need as then it will always meet your needs and expectations and if it's only for occasional use it'll last forever Thumbs Up 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #422284 9th May 2015 10:00pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
Honda 4 stoke , cow horn handle , harness

best ive had so far
Post #422309 10th May 2015 6:24am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dave Bellis



Member Since: 21 May 2014
Location: Shrewsbury
Posts: 133

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Agree with Munch90 but I have a Kawasaki....must have cowhorns and harness especially on banks and also hard hat and visor a must.....

Dave
Post #422368 10th May 2015 10:57am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
Echo for me, cow horns and harness. Almost a Stihl but 60% of the cost. Looked after they will last .
Post #422378 10th May 2015 11:47am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
And.......
You can use cow horns and harness one all day. They most you can fit a blade too, but with experience and care can edge a fine lawn with ease. A 'D' handle is good, but the most i'd want to use it for is an hour, more suited to small areas, and edging. Thumbs Up
Post #422380 10th May 2015 11:53am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Muddybigdog



Member Since: 11 Apr 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1018

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Stihl with "ergo start" cow horns, harness, ear protectors (borrow from a defender owner) Smile plenty of attachments available, dealers are normally pretty good, Jumped ship to reliability - Mitsubishi L200
Puma 90 XS - Sold
D3 - 2.7 S x2 (both Sold)
Freelander 2 HSE - Sold
Freelander 1 - Sold
Disco 2 - Sold
Post #422387 10th May 2015 12:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Romadog



Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Powys
Posts: 1749

Right here is the answer...

Makita 4 stroke strimmer/brushcutter......quieter, no need to mix fuel, very comfortable harness. Run a fleet of them at work and the guys love them. less vibration than Stihl, Echo and Husqvarnas. We run all these as well.

http://www.makitauk.com/makita-mini-4-stroke-engine.html

Dont get a multi tool as the vibration levels are higher and struggle to do the job correctly.

Makita have also brought out a long reach hedge trimmer in 4 stroke with a much stronger gearbox than that of the Stihl etc.

Agree get something a bit bigger than you think. Cowhorn over loop for strimmer. When using a blade you must have cowhorn as it is a lot safer and easier to operate.

http://www.makitauk.com/products/outdoor-p...cc-4s.html
http://www.makitauk.com/products/outdoor-p...html?new=1
Post #422403 10th May 2015 3:15pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Romadog



Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Powys
Posts: 1749

Right here is the answer...

Makita 4 stroke strimmer/brushcutter......quieter, no need to mix fuel, very comfortable harness. Run a fleet of them at work and the guys love them. less vibration than Stihl, Echo and Husqvarnas. We run all these as well.

http://www.makitauk.com/makita-mini-4-stroke-engine.html

Dont get a multi tool as the vibration levels are higher and struggle to do the job correctly.

Makita have also brought out a long reach hedge trimmer in 4 stroke with a much stronger gearbox than that of the Stihl etc.

Agree get something a bit bigger than you think. Cowhorn over loop for strimmer. When using a blade you must have cowhorn as it is a lot safer and easier to operate.

http://www.makitauk.com/products/outdoor-p...cc-4s.html
http://www.makitauk.com/products/outdoor-p...html?new=1
Post #422404 10th May 2015 3:15pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
Thanks for all the replies, looks like I've got some research to do this week, I've been on my hands and knees today with a pair of shears, my backs killing me now! I've got a garden machinery shop not too far away so I'll go in this week, but he tends to sell Stihl, I'll drop in and have a play in the shop, but thanks again for the help and advice.
Thumbs Up
Post #422455 10th May 2015 6:41pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8037

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
harness, cow horns, visor, ear defs are a must in my experience.

i haev a four stoke sthil combi which works well as the hedge cutter, long reach pruning but i wouldnt of thought it man enough for brush cutting as indicated above.

i have a kawasaki brush cutter, around 50cc, 2 stroke. make sure you get a decent size cc so you can fit the proper sized wire to them smaller cc's wont spin up the thicker nylon fast enough and maintain enough torque in my experience. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #422507 10th May 2015 9:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
a13x



Member Since: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Burton on Trent
Posts: 553

United Kingdom 
We have the Stihl fs250, 2 stroke which is good to turn slow for more delicate but also a great brush utter, will even cut down trees with a disc.

Sometime the 4 strokes can't do the delicate stuff for when you don't want the thing spinning full whack.
Post #422582 11th May 2015 9:25am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
I find the opposite , find the 4 stroke will do more without revving the nuts out of it then 2 stroke

I got both 2 and 4 stroke ( wife uses 2 stroke as a bit lighter ) , much prefer the 4 stroke
Post #422584 11th May 2015 9:51am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Romadog



Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Powys
Posts: 1749

Just to confirm

Honda tried a 4 stroke years ago and it was gutless.

Makita have produced a 4 stroke range years later with better technology and it does have the power and it it uses far less fuel and produces a lot less fumes in the vicinity of the operator due to better and more efficient design.

Thumbs Up Thumbs Up
Post #422711 11th May 2015 6:15pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums