In the market for a brushcutter.

My mother is in the market for a brushcutter. I have never owned one so looking for some help. Looking for things in the 350 price range. She just wants to cut down some brush small diameter nothing to large. I would not be expecting to cut things larger then 2" diameter.

Now some of you may be asking yourself seriously capetownkg? Your going to let your mother use a brushcutter. The answer is no her getting a brushcutter means I will be doing the work. Which is good because then I can use it at my house where I have a ton of brush I need to get after to thin out the undergrowth.

I was looking at something along these lines. All other suggestions and info is helpful

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-223...F8&qid=1398118981&sr=8-1&keywords=brushcutter

 

You need a easy start one for her.
The Stihl FS56RC?

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs56rce/

 

From what I read above I don't think Mom is actually using it.

 

I have a couple Stihl FS 55R trimmers and they have been great.

 

You guys know I lean towards Husky more times than not . BUT..........I have heard of a lot of the Husky trimmers / brush cutters not holding up too long . For me personally.....its Shindaiwa all the way . My family has been using them for about 30 years.......never a prob . My dad just replaced his a few years ago...after 25 years of hard service ! I use mine to trim and brush/small tree cut . Never had a spark plug yet......but now that Im braggin......it wont start the next time I need it Good luck with whatever you chose !!

 

Keep in mind that the lesser weed whackers have a wound wire type drive shaft. This is probably better for the inexperienced operators? My Stihl FS 55R's and Echo SRM 2100 and 2400 all have this type drive shaft. I've never had a problem but these whackers just do regular yard trimming around tree trunks and fence rows.

If you have high heavy weeds out back including cat tails and multiflora rose, you are going to need one of the sharpened steel bar cutters or a saw blade. These work better with a solid shaft and this means a bigger PRO style brush cutter?

 

Agreed !!!

 

2" brush is getting big!!! i have a trimmer/brushcutter addiction along with chainsaws and the smaller stihl trimmers(fs45,55,56 or older fs76,85,90) wont have enough power to turn a saw blade threw large brush. I have a fs200 and it works great with every metal blade you can strap to it, i like the three blade the best or the saw blade for small trees. you are on the right track with the bike handles, but i would get the most power you can afford.

 

My buddy bought an Echo straight shaft BC w/bike handles in this price range - I'll hit him up on the model. He has run the heck out of it and it has held up fine.

It's a lot lighter than my old FS353 - that sucker will wear you out.

 

Thanks for all of your input. I might just have to tell my mother to up her price range. Im partial to husqvarna equipment and lowes is close by and thats what they stock.

I will let you a know what she/me get.

 

Don't forget to look and Shindy and Redmax...both make excellent trimmers.

 

Bummer.

 

Shindaiwa trimmers are very much still available here. The saws are not though