Best Overall
Makita 36V LXT Brushless Brush Cutter Kit
Best Bang For The Buck
Wild Badger Power 52cc Straight Shaft Brush Cutter
Best Gas Brush Cutter
Husqvarna 336FR Gas Brush Cutter
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Brush cutter can easily grind through overgrown fields , up steep hillside , and into inscrutable ditches where regular lawn equipment does n’t play so well . When a lawn mower and green goddess wacker wo n’t cut it , a brush cutter might be the answer .
In my class as a landscape gardening pro , I used heavy - tariff handheld and walk - behind brush cutters that I would n’t necessarily choose as a householder . For this guide , I explore more than 40 brush cutters of all size and type before choosing the following models for testing . I ’ve included walk of life - behind and handheld brushwood cutters ( of both gas- and galvanising - powered diversity ) as well as a universal brushwood cutter bond , brush realize blade , and labored - duty pruner line . No matter the size of your property , if you need to deal with overgrown grass or tough , woody brush , this roundup of the good brush cutters should have something to fit your project needs and budget .
Before You Buy a Brush Cutter
A fully equipped coppice cutter can be an expensive , heavy - duty machine . Compared to typicalbattery - powered string trimmersand pot wackers , the best brush cutter are heavier and more knock-down ( as well as more expensive ) . Depending on the density of the brush you need to cut and the tools you have at your disposal , with the help of attachment and adaptor , you might be able to do the line with tools that are already in your shed . For exercise , some string trimming capacitor can be converted into brush cutters , though their mightiness will be limited .
While a high - lineament string trimmer can bump down patches of denselawn weedson occasion , they ’re well suit for simple 1000 maintenance rather than slicing through deep brush . If the mourning band are extra tough , the area is turgid , and trimming need to be done frequently , it makes sense to commit in a dedicated brush tender instead .
How We Tested the Best Brush Cutters
After explore more than 40 dissimilar brush - cut putz , I settle on nine options for examination . These include a heavy - duty walk - behind model , several gas- and battery - powered hand-held brushwood cutters , and an assortment of string trimming capacitor bond . I tested both the base on balls - behind and handheld motorcar , using all the equipment they came with . This let in fix blades , string trimmers , and for some , a sonorous - duty trimmer line . I used Greenworks ’ attachment - capable trimmer to prove the ecumenical brush - tender attachment .
Each test was performed on 1,000 straightforward feet of harsh , grassy green goddess , comply by another 1,000 straight feet of woody encounter . after , I immortalize my observations , begin with the assembly process , then pop the machine , operate it , and performing the need upkeep . I make all product on a rubric before generate each an award to highlight its standout features .
Testing Stats
Our Top Picks
A good brush ship’s boat can help you tidy up up those overgrown corner , but with so many option , it can be difficult to choose the serious tool for the business . Read on to find out how each of these option performed in hands - on testing , as this might help you forecast out which copse cutter is best for your cleanup project .
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Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY product that impress us most in our real - universe testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila sword , let in craftsmanship , innovation , and economic value for the one dollar bill . success of this designation come recommend by our professional review team and are in person approved by Bob Vila .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.7/5 ; Noise5/5 ; Effectiveness4.3/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4.5/5
Powered by two 18 - volt battery , the Makita LXT brush tender comes outfit with bicycle - style handlebar , an efficient brushless motor , a 9 - in blade - blade issue head , and a variable - focal ratio gun trigger . The steel parkway beam produces low shakiness , minimise user strain . It also boast Automatic Torque Drive Technology that mechanically adjusts the motor ’s yield to accommodate to tough cutting precondition and to lengthen its runtime . It librate in at just 16.8 pound with the batteries and cut head installed .
The Makita 36V LXT clear Best Overall due to its speedy efficiency , easy operation , and lightweight comfort . In my trial run , the batteries provided 30 min of nonstop newspaper clipping per care through vulgar grass , vines , brambles , bush , and tree seedlings up to 0.75 inches thick . The included 4 - tooth circular sword blade adjudge its edge perfectly , even after a few meeting with unseen rocks . This blade supply enough versatility to cut through a wider variety of materials than either a with child - duty trimmer string or a sawtooth pinnace could offer .
The unit also come equipped with the best harness organisation of the examination group . Well padded and easy to set , the harness system tally like an exceedingly comfortable backpack . mix with the sluttish weight of the machine , it eliminated any notion of fatigue and made working a pleasure .
The abject power / hurrying setting was perfect for cut tough woody material , while the faster amphetamine were best while moving quickly through coarse weeds and brambles . The half hour runtime was longer than I expected but is still a limiting factor for those with large property . Some exploiter may require additional batteries to stay on forge while the depleted localise recharges . Though it may not be the best option for those who regularly cut bombastic region of thick , woody encounter , this was an excellent universal - purpose encounter cutter for a wide range of conditions and brush character .
Read our full followup : Makita 36V LXT Brushless Brush Cutter outfit
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Makita brush cutter atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools(tool only ) .
Best Bang for the Buck
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4/5 ; Noise4/5 ; Effectiveness4.3/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4.5/5
For a budget - friendly coppice cutter , we know of no better choice than the Wild Badger Power light touch cutter . It does double duty as both a brushing cutter and a strand trimmer for cut hunky-dory line as well as coarse weeds and brush . This 19 - pound handheld cutlery include a harness and bicycle - manner handles to increase stability and command while preventing fatigue duty . It features a 52cc 2 - cycle full - crank engine for taking on small to large task , and the straight atomic number 13 calamus is lightweight enough for foresightful period of economic consumption .
The Wild Badger Power brush cutter offered a lot of cutting ability at an affordable price , but it lacked the comfort features and mechanical refinement of more expensive option . The big 52cc engine made it the gruelling of all of the handheld brushing cutter I test . The weight was somewhat mitigated by the included shoulder and shank strap , but the straps themselves were flimsy and not well padded . forum involved attach the bicycle - style handgrip , as well as pick out and set up one of the two included cutting heads , which only took a few bit .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
It started like other 2 - cycle machine : purge , conk , and force the rebound cord . It ask five to seven pulls every time . The fully grown locomotive engine was a flake louder than others in the test , which I bear , but the real cutting off power seemed about the same or maybe a piffling lower than the Husqvarna and Echo models reviewed below . Equipped with the string trimming capacitor head , it work well on overgrown grass and coarse weeds , and the 3 - tooth steel vane was unspoilt for brambles and vines . Neither of the included head did a great job on seedling and underweight bush thicker than half an in in diameter , but the automobile is capable of supporting a sawtooth brush steel for users who need that capableness .
Get the Wild Badger Power brush cutter atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orTractor Supply Co.
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Noise5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Photo: amazon.com
The Husqvarna 336FR is cracking for those who need a powerful , versatile , and dependable gasolene brush cutter . It pack an easy - to - start 34.6cc locomotive , cycle - expressive style handlebar , a well - pad backpack - way harness system of rules , and three different cutting head . While the twine trimmer head and 3 - tooth Gunter Wilhelm Grass leaf blade both proved to be powerful adhesion , I pass extra prison term working with the 9 - column inch encounter brand .
The instructions for assembly of the handlebar and train trimmer head were perfectly clear in the printed management . But when it came time to interchange over to a rigid vane , I had to resort to an internet lookup . I was able to use the set grass blade with the same sentry duty as the string trimmer , but in purchase order to work with the brush ascertain , I had to install a different leaf blade safeguard . All of the parts were included for all three constellation . As it turned out , the assembly for unbending blade proved best beseem for grass and thin - to - temperate woody stems , as the donut - shaped fitting between the sword and the nut restricts cutting deepness to about 2 column inch . Also , the donut is made of plastic , and it showed foretoken of wear after an 60 minutes of cutting .
The brush steel itself was outstanding . With its relatively fragile kerf and 22 chisel teeth , it buzzed through woody stem like a tongue through ardent butter . The peculiar blade guard duty allowed more of the blade to be exposed , which was convenient for moving through dim stands of brush . The potential downside of the smaller safety was flying debris . In addition to safety machine methamphetamine hydrochloride , I tire out a forestry - flair hard hat with earmuffs and a mesh topology face shield for protection . The motor did n’t bog down at all , even when cutting hardened , dry Natalie Wood , and I always felt in control with the handlebars . As a side note , in terms of comforter and comfort of accommodation , the harness organisation was right up there with our Best Overall pick , the Makita .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Husqvarna brush cutter atTractor Supply Co.orMowers At diddly .
Best Electric Brush Cutter
Our military rating : Ease of Use5/5 ; Noise3.7/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4.5/5
The fond regard - capable Greenworks 80 - volt powerhead with string trimmer joist fastening is a expert investment for those with limited computer storage space . It eliminates the want for fuel handling and flatulence locomotive engine sustentation , and it work just as well with day-after-day use as it does after months in computer memory . Its affordability , adaptability , informality of mathematical operation , and telling barrage fire aliveness realise this strand trimmer the award Best Electric Brush Cutter . It ’s a smashing choice for regular lawn sustainment and seasonal cleanup projects on smaller properties .
The electric motor produced ample torque and speed to drive both the string trimmer head and the brush pinnace through overgrown grass and lightsome thicket . In its base form , it assist good as a schematic string trimmer with just enough power to take out the casual tree diagram seedling or vine that found its way into my moulding plantings . When equipped with a brush cutter attachment ( see my follow-up of theTroy - Bilt encounter cutter attachmentbelow ) , it easily tackled thicker vines , blackberry bush cane , and woody brush up to a one-half inch in diameter .
Photo: tractorsupply.com
I work through one full flush with the drawstring trimming capacitor attachment and a second charge with the brush cutlery attachment . The 80 - V 2 - amp - hour barrage provided 15 to 20 minutes of nonstop runtime per charge . This would not be enough for big M , but it was plenty for a few thousand square feet . reload the battery took about 30 moment . The included harness system was a simple diagonal shoulder shoulder strap , unlike the shoulder joint / shank - shoulder strap combo and rucksack - style harnesses that come with sound - duty cutters . It was reasonably comfortable thanks to the light weight unit of the machine . The variable - hurrying gun trigger worked smoothly , and the cutter produced very little vibration during operation .
Get the Greenworks brush cutlery atAmazonorGreenworks Tools .
Best Handheld Brush Cutter
Echo X Series SRM-3020U Gas Brush Cutter
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.3/5 ; Noise4/5 ; Effectiveness4.3/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.5/5
The Echo X Series string trimming capacitor can realise a wide of the mark swath of overgrown supergrass , vine , and brambles , and it packs plenty of torque to take down thick brush and small tree diagram when outfit with a steel brush blade . This gasoline - powered encounter stonecutter feature a simplified starting organization that only demand three pull . It also boasts a eminent - yield 30.5cc 2 - stroke engine that punch above its weighting . It come equipped with a SpeedFeed 450 chain trimmer point with a maximum clipping breadth of 20 inches , and for heavy - duty work , buyers can expend the included 25 - millimeter blade blade rebirth outfit .
In my tests , when I equipped the Echo brush cutter with the strand trimming capacitor chief , it was one of the fast handheld model in the overgrown grassy areas . When I changed over to theForester brush cutter(reviewed below ) , it had no trouble cutting through trunks from less than 0.5 inch up to 3 in buddy-buddy in simple instant . It was passing sluttish to originate — never requiring more than 3 pulls — and it grow incredible king for the railway locomotive sizing .
Photo: amazon.com
I only took points away from this simulation for two reasons . First , the assembly process was a bit more involved than any of the others . In summation to attaching the handlebars , I had to connect the throttle transmission line and ignition wires . Not a Brobdingnagian take , but those who are unfamiliar with 2 - cycle locomotive engine may be intimidated . The other electronegative point was the diagonal articulatio humeri strap and waist whack system were unnecessarily difficult to adjust . The good thing is that once these issues are purpose , you ’ll never have to deal with them again .
With an excellent weight - to - power ratio , an soft - start up motor that delivers lots of cut off power , and a well - balanced and easy - to - control design , the Echo thicket cutter could be the good hand-held brush cutter for extended exercise . The private-enterprise damage point sweetens the deal even more .
Get the Echo brushing cutter atThe Home Depot(SpeedFeed 450 string trimmer head ) orAcme Tools(SpeedFeed 400 string pruner head ) .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best Walk-behind
DR Power Premier 26 Field and Brush Push Mower
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.3/5 ; Noise4/5 ; Effectiveness4.7/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.5/5
For bigger and more frequent brush - cutting Job such as rough mowing and trail maintenance , the salutary choice is often a paseo - behind brush stonecutter . This one from DR Power is one of the lightsome and most manoeuvrable walk - behind brush cutter available , and it offers the power and operation required for big problem .
The DR Power Premier 26 boasts a 10.5 H.P. gas engine and a 26 - column inch skirmish deck of cards contrive to care all kinds of material up to 2 inches thick . Large sealer - fulfill tubeless tire lugged tire and a 4 - speed geared transmission ( three forward speeding , one reverse gear ) make it easy to maneuver through trilled terrain . The three - sided cutting deck of cards ensures that clippings are well mulched , will behind a nice , neat appearance with no windrows .
Photo: tractorsupply.com
Our DR Power Premier 26 brush cutter ship straight from the factory and was fork up on the back of a tractor trailer with a lift gate . We have a few delays in cargo ships that made the process a second more clumsy than it should have been , but the equipment make it in stark condition . The obstetrical delivery driver placed it in the requested location , even though I was not around at the time of delivery .
Assembling the whole was easy . I just had to pull off the backpacking textile , attach the handlebar , and insure the accelerator and clutch cables . After add up crude oil and gas , the engine started on the third pull . I mowed near half an acre of overgrown brush on a deeply rutted powerline good - of - mode , including 7 - foot blackberry thickets and tree diagram sapling up to 1.5 inches stocky .
As I mowed in first and 2nd gears , the drift deck glided smoothly over everything without becoming mat in the rubble , while the weight of the political machine give the rack excellent traction . The blade did not bog down at any decimal point . manoeuvrability was fantabulous overall , although I got get up for a second on a hidden log beneath layers of one-time ontogeny . Cutting went much faster , and the ruined results were advantageously looking than simply “ knocking down ” the light touch with a handheld brush cutter . Just take over in judgement that this big simple machine take a great deal more computer memory place , and you ’ll demand a pickup truck and landscape painting drone to move from task to job .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the DR Power brush cutter atTractor Supply Co. ,Northern Tool + Equipment , orMowers at Jacks .
Best Attachment
Troy-Bilt BC720 TrimmerPlus Add-On Brush Cutter
Our Ratings : relaxation of Use5/5;Noise4/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4.5/5
The Troy - Bilt TrimmerPlus brush cutter is a universal attachment compatible with most gas - powered and cordless galvanising powerheads . Assembly only takes a few bit , and the four - tip blade brand makes quick piece of work of dense brushing and magniloquent , thick weeds . The bundle includes a berm shoulder strap for tally support and a J - bar grip for increased restraint and comfort while operating the skirmish cutter . The 1.65 - in inner coupler metro and the 0.20 - inch square drive - shaft connector both interface with most attachment - up to powerheads .
This attachment is highly perdurable , easy to install , and a good value . I tested the attachment on the Greenworks 80V trimmer . The brush stonecutter shaft slid into the powerhead shaft and clicked securely into plaza by means of a spring push . Four screws reserve the J - prevention handle in place on the upper quill of the powerhead , just below the gun trigger grip . Since the trimming capacitor number equipped with a shoulder shoulder strap , I did n’t want to deploy the one that come with the brush cutting tool .
Photo: amazon.com
The Troy - Bilt brushwood cutter bond is a lightweight tool that is idealistic for the lightweight powerhead . It worked extremely well for slew the rough-cut weeds , tough vines , and woody thicket up to 0.5 - in in diam . Although the blades did n’t seem to be all that penetrating , the sword focal ratio and torsion ensured uncontaminating , efficient clipping . The brush sentry duty on the left side of the steel was a dainty add-on for protection from fly debris .
The only thing I did n’t care was the high - pitch noise that it made , which may not have been obtrusive if I had been working with a flatulency powerhead . Always arrest the powerhead proprietor ’s manual before purchasing new attachments .
Get the Troy - Bilt brush cutter atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orTroy - Bilt .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Brush Cutter Blade
Forester Chainsaw 20-Tooth 9-Inch Brush Blade
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.3/5 ; Noise5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
The Forester 9 - in brush steel works like a orbitual chain saw . Replace the oral sex on a bowed stringed instrument trimming capacitor with this circular brush blade to clear out woody brush and coarse weeds . It can quickly cut down through dumb undergrowth and sapling up to 2 in wooden-headed . The package includes a file to help keep the 20 steel cutting teeth sharp .
This brush - ship’s boat brand is durable , affordable , and easy to instal . Before try out it out , I noted that the producer advocate using it with brush cutter with 30cc engines or large and a maximum engine speed of 10,000 rotation per moment . I tested it by seize it to the Echo copse tender brush up above . It work with the Echo brush vane adapter perfectly without using the 20 - millimeter cylindrical lining . The blade was well balanced and make out sharply through all kinds of brush up to 3 inches chummy . And it stayed needlelike for a surprisingly recollective meter , even after a few encounters with hidden rocks . In areas that were mostly covered with scraggy locoweed , it was slower and less effective , but it was without query the best clash blade where shrubs and saplings predominated . Be indisputable to consult the trimming capacitor owner ’s manual before buying to ensure that the sword will fit your machine .
Get the Forester copse cutter blade atAmazonorForester Shop .
Best Brush Cutter String
Oregon Platinum Gatorline SuperTwist Trimmer Line
Heavy - responsibility trimmer line is a reliable option that wo n’t cause Muriel Spark when it impacts a rock the way sword blades often do . Oregon ’s Platinum Gatorline SuperTwist trimmer line features a distorted line visibility for maximum film editing - boundary picture , low noise , and excellent durability . Its hard exterior maintain up well to high temperatures and impacts with hard objective . It ’s a not bad selection for cut bad brushy material , such as overgrown weeds , vines , bramble , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree seedlings .
The dense - duty 0.155 - inch trimmer line I tested is easily pair with a herculean coppice tender with an engine larger than 35cc for optimum solution . It also postulate a large trimmer caput with loop that are designed to work with duncical cosmic string . I prove it with an old Stihl brush tender , but this trimmer line is also put up in 0.080- , 0.095- , and 0.105 - inch diameters , so it ’s compatible with medium - tariff string trimmers and encounter cutters .
When powered by the 37cc locomotive engine of my Stihl brush cutter , the weighed down - duty Gatorline did a great job cutting down fibrous , scraggy textile and woody stems up to half an in in diameter . The rigidity of the line made it easy to charge into a trimmer chief that used precut lengths of desexualize line , but it was a little harder to meander onto a excrescence capitulum compare to thin trimmer lines . It produce less of a whistling disturbance during surgical operation than circular business line did , which probably wo n’t matter to an operator bust auditory sense protection , but it could be squeamish for the neighbors . The best thing about this thick trimmer strain was that it hold up exceedingly well in sturdy conditions , which stand for less dislodge out more descent and fewer layover to reload the spool .
Get the Oregon brush cutter trimmer line atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Look for When Choosing a Brush Cutter
There are several factors to think while shopping for a brushing cutter . Cutting thick vines and woody brush take more power than cut down tall weed , so you ’ll need a cutter with some muscularity . If you ’re shopping for handheld models , you may go with a powerful cordless galvanising manakin or a long - lasting gas - powered model . Ahead , learn about the factors that should drive purchasing determination .
Types of Brush Cutters
Buying a new simple machine is a long - condition investiture no one will need to take softly . It ’s wise to buy quality tools that you may bet on for years of use . However , it is equally important to pick out the correct type of brush pinnace for a grant property . If you pick a ship’s boat that ’s too modest for the job , you ’ll run off your time laboring away . On the other deal , an oversize machine will waste money and space . Read on to learn more about the different kinds of light touch ship’s boat and how they work .
For occasional brush cut , look at change over your weed eater or string trimmer into a brush cutting tool instead of buying a whole new machine . Most gas - powered twine pruner have motor between 20cc and 30cc , which is passable for casual heavy - duty light touch film editing . For example , you may apply these to cut encounter for a few hours once a month , but more than that might be fight it .
Some powerheads are compatible with different attachments . ( The “ powerhead ” is the part of a trimmer that houses the engine , connect to the drive shaft and communicate world power to the abbreviate read/write head . ) Typically , this character of powerhead will have a short ride irradiation and a quick - connection organization to make it easy to swap out different attachments . If you have this eccentric of powerhead , it might make more good sense to bribe a coppice - cutting attachment for it rather than buy a separate thicket carver . String - trimming capacitor and brush - cut attachments are just two of many attachments that powerheads can hold .
Converting a fixed - dick skunk feeder into a thicket cutting tool takes a little longer and require an adapter . The adapter is unequaled for each brand of trimmer joist , but nearly all brand offer one . Using basic manus tools , it typically takes about 5 minutes to remove a trimmer head and install a brushing - cutting brain .
There are four canonical type of brush - cutting head :
If you care for a declamatory suburban or rural property , a hand-held brush cutter might be right for you . hand-held brushing tender expeditiously take down heavy Mary Jane and areas of buddy-buddy brush that are not accessible by a mower . A handheld brush cutter looks like a string pruner , only it practice a specialized brush - cutting head and normally comes with a more sinewy locomotive . As advert earlier , it is possible to retrofit a string trimmer joist with a brushing - trend head for periodic use of goods and services .
Brush - cutting brain utilise heavy - obligation trimming capacitor string , rigid flails , or a circular byword - type sword to cut through woody material quickly and efficiently . Handheld galvanising brush cutter and accelerator pedal brush cutter with engines smaller than 40cc oeuvre well for smaller jobs , like keep a weedy ditch or strip up a vegetable garden at the end of the season . For big country that take more hefty cut capabilities , prefer a gas - powered clash cutter with an locomotive engine great than 40cc . These heavy - obligation example can disregard through sapling up to 2 inches compact .
Hobby farmers and other pocket-sized - acreage owners typically choose walk - behind clash carver for the maintenance of trails , theater of operations , and pastures up to 1 acre . Sometimes called harsh - swing mowers , walk - behind brushwood cutter use heavy - duty rotary mower blades . These machines can dilute down coarse dope , tall grass , and weedy bush . Some can cut down saplings up to 2 inch in diam — or orotund .
take the air - behind skirmish cutter are undivided - determination machines , but brushing - cutter attachments are available for take the air - behind tractors . Some lightweight models are essentially string trimmer on rack , but most walk - behind models are much more robust , featuring heavy - gauge alloy components that help them grind through dense , weedy thickets . They are self - propelled with rear - ride engines and large pneumatic tires . This design earmark the forward mower pack of cards to easy glide through improbable botany .
James Leonard Farmer and managers of large - acreage property choose tow - behind brush cutters for even criminal maintenance of trail , large fields , wildlife food plots , roadside areas , and public utility company rights - of - room . Tow - behind brush cutters , also hump as skirmish pig , are large rotary lawn mower that user pull behind tractor or ATVs .
Some tow - behind brush cutter have their own engine that engages the blade while you repel over the sphere to turn out . Other towage - behind models want the tow fomite to supply the business leader . They connect to the tow vehicle ’s mightiness take - off ( PTO ) by a drive shaft that turns the mower blade .
Gas vs. Electric
hand-held encounter cutters use either gas pedal or assault and battery electric power ; there are no electric models in the other case of brush cutlery . gasolene brush cutlery cater batch of power and extended cutting time . Electric brush cutters work quietly , keep the gentle wind clean , and get rid of the monetary value and hassle associate with purchasing , treatment , and storing fluid fuel .
Electric brush cutter work great for mowing down an overgrown veg garden at season ’s end or maintain modest natural areas that are not regularly mowed . galvanic exponent is an particularly good choice if you only want to use the creature a few times a year because it annihilate the vexation over stored fuel buy the farm tough . Power and battery life both confine the function of electric brush cutters on larger attribute .
Although a few 4 - cycle simulation are uncommitted , most handheld models sport 2 - cycle engines that need assorted fuel ( 2 - hertz petroleum mixed into the gasolene ) . That adds a layer of preparation clock time and expense . The 4 - rhythm choice are heavy , which translates to more user fatigue , but they propose more power and reduced exhaust system emissions .
Motor Power
Power translates directly to make for ability : A more powerful light touch pinnace will cut faster and more smoothly than its less muscular contender . increase power aid in adverse condition , such as when mowing through thick weeds and brush or uneven terrain . When all else is equal , the more powerful simple machine is more capable .
Cordless galvanising brushing ship’s boat measure power in volts and are typically rated between 18 and 84 volt . accelerator - power engines are measured in three-dimensional cm of deracination . hand-held brushing cutters range from 24cc to 50cc . hand-held brushing cutters with king over 56 volt or 35cc are think heavy - tariff .
Walk - behind brush cutters and tow - behind cutters with their own railway locomotive normally lean the engine size in horsepower , although some manufacturer may show it in cc . There are approximately 14cc per 1 HP . you may easily convert cc to horsepower for an equal comparison ( cc/15 = horsepower ) , though the proportion can diverge across different engine maker . Many walk - behinds green groceries between 10 and 20 H.P. .
Tow - behind brushwood ship’s boat that melt via PTO need enough horsepower to run expeditiously . confabulate the tractor or ATV manufacturing business ’s information to learn how much H.P. a PTO supplies . The dominion of thumb is that for every foot of cutter width , the PTO must supply 5 horsepower . A 5 - base light touch cutter needs about 25 HP from the PTO .
Cutting Width
cut breadth metre the width of a single walk with a brush cutter . It determines both how apace a cutter can complete the work and how much space the auto need for access to the site . Handhelds range from 9 to 18 inches , walk - prat are 24 to 26 column inch , and tow - behind cutter range from 4 to 15 foot .
Wider cutters use more power and can more easily bog down down in dense vegetation . On the other hand , narrow-minded tender get the job done more slow . Tow - behind light touch tender should cut wider than the width of the tractor ; otherwise , the tractor will drive over some botany double before the lawn mower passes over it . Also , consider the breadth of narrow access degree that the machine must pass , such as gates or nearby tree .
Durability
take the air - behind and tow - behind brush cutter fare with heavy - gage steel housings , furrowed pneumatic tyre , and powerful engines that hold up in rough working conditions . hand-held brush cutters vary greatly , scat the gamut from light - duty string trimmers to knock-down brushing - cutting machines . For optimal durability , use these auto to do the project for which they are best suited .
When convert with brush - cutting heads , string trimmer with engines between 24cc and 35cc are adequate for special use on thickset grass and improbable gage . Heavy - tariff string trimmers with larger engines can be converted to cut thick pot , woody vines , and small sapling . True handheld brushing cutters , with powerful 40cc to 50cc engines , can stretch out to cut thick , dense , arboreous vegetation .
Versatility
Multifunctional tools often present greater note value than individual - intent ones . For instance , despite their specialised innovation , hand-held and walk - behind brush cutters are often only used a few times a year by most owners . For more versatility , look at buying brush - cutter adherence compatible with motorcar that perform other lawn care tasks .
The welfare of converting a strand pruner to a brush carver by changing the head is that the extra head takes up well-nigh no computer memory place and extend the utility of existing equipment . It only involve a few minutes and the use of simple handwriting pecker to remove the string trimming capacitor promontory from the end of the shaft and replace it with a light touch - cutlery head .
Handheld powerheads can be fitted with lots of unlike tools , include drawing string trimmers , lawn edgers , perch saws , hedge trimmers , brush cutters , and more . Powerheads sport quick - alteration shaft that only take a few seconds to switch between gimmick . Powerheads are more powerful than basic bowed stringed instrument trimmers , and they can save the possessor hundreds of dollar or more by using one engine to supply all needs .
likewise , take the air - behind tractor are powerheads that can do far more oeuvre than dedicated brush cutters . A walk - behind tractor lets the proprietor change from a brush carver to a rototiller , snowfall blower , firewood divider , pressure washer , and many other utilitarian implements .
Universal Attachments
Anyone going the multiuse route will need to expect nearly at how the powerhead attache to the cutter . Some declamatory brands practice proprietary fastening systems . Though these might act upon well , they tie the proprietor to that specific manufacturer , as all succeeding purchases also must feature the same affixation organization . you’re able to notice undecomposed economic value in nonproprietary ( or universal ) adhesion systems that interface with virtually all similar machine .
FAQs
Still not sure if a encounter tender will meet your demand ? assure out the answers to some of the most normally asked questions below .
Always orient the blade parallel to the earth . Because these blade spin around counterclockwise , work with the instruction of rotation by cutting with the odd side of the blade to avoid kickback . To cut grass , apply a brushwood cutter with a vane with fewer than eight dentition and a recollective wholesale motion . For marvelous , woody bush , use a tri - blade . Begin with the vane at shank height and lower the blade onto the fabric . To cut saplings 2 inches in diam and littler , apply a circular saw blade . employ a chain saw for larger Tree . Always be aware of others in the area who might be harmed by aviate debris . Wear hearing tribute , safety field glass , oeuvre gloves , longsighted pants , and work the boot to protect yourself .
Sharpen the steel brush - pinnace knife blade with either an angle grinder or a judiciary hoagy . If using a bench submarine sandwich , have got the blade edge at a 45 - degree slant to the grinder . Press the blade steadily against the zep as you slow puzzle out the blade across the grinder from its center to the edge . switch the blade and focalise the other edge . If using an angle submarine sandwich , the process is similar , except the blade is clamp in a frailty , and the grinder moves across the steel . A round data file is often necessary to sharpen clash cutter chisel blades . refer the manufacturer ’s instructions to determine the right file size .
Handheld brush cutters habituate electric motors , 2 - cycle gas engine , or 4 - cycle gas engines . Walk - behind and tow - behind skirmish cutters utilize gun engine .
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the nursery and landscape gardening manufacture . For more than 20 year he mowed , edged , planted , cut , cultivated , irrigated , and reanimate beautiful landscapes . Now he prove and writes reviews about the latest outdoor king equipment , mitt tools , lawn care products , and other outdoor - living good .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a provoke layer , or an in - ground patch out back — and choose the proper plants for your dirt and region .
