Brushcutter and Line Trimmer Review – Includes replacement heads
Brushcutters and Line Trimmers are used widely in the home garden as well as in commercial gardening operations.
They are manufactured by many companies with Stihl, Honda, Ego and Ryobi Brushcutters and Line Trimmers being popular with both the home gardener, commercial operator and local councils as well.
We review different styles of brushcutters and line trimmers including bent shaft and straight shaft, petrol and electric. We allso look at replacement brushcutter heads and line replacement.
Review of Brushcutter and Line trimmer characteristics.
Straight Shaft, Bent Shaft Brush Cutter – whats the difference and which is best ?
Straight shaft brushcutters are designed for heavy work and will run a blade as well as as line. With a straight shaft brushcutter the head attatches to the shaft via a gear box. Many users find Straight shaft brushcutters are also easier to use on sloping embankments.
Bent shaft line trimmers are ideal for lighter use, the head is designed to be at an angle that is best suited for trimming.
So if you are after a brushcutter for commercial use or for heavy duty use, probably a straight shaft brushcutter is best. If you are after a machine for light work around the home, a good quality bent shaft line trimmer will do the job and may even be easier to handle.
As for brands of Brushcutters, we have owned 4 brushcutters first a Stihl which we used for clearing blackberries and it recieved a lot of hard work. We then moved and traded in for a lightweight smaller machine, it failed after about 18 months, was replaced and failed again. We went back to a more expensive, heavier, but easy to start and reliable Stihl and have not regretted out choice.
What to choose ?
Our advice, buy a quality brushcutter every time… cheap machines are just that. And what brands have we trialled that we have liked. Stihl and Honda are the two that stand out to us. We are waiting to trial a few more at present.
Review of Brushcutter and Line Trimmer Heads
Four main types of brushcutter heads, auto feed, bump feed and blade.
Auto feed Brushcutter or line trimmer head.
Auto feed heads work on centrifugal pressure to automatically feed out line, as the line gets shorter, it feeds out more line.
Bump feed Brushcutter or line trimmer head.
Bump feed heads require a ‘bump’ on a hard surface to release more line, not as convienient as auto feed, but may save on line, as some auto feeds tend to let out a little to much each time.
Blade Heads
These are for heavy work, blackberries and the like.
Fixed length line heads
A recent development now used by many local councils, they come with easy line replacement and seem to last longer without needing new line, up to 2 hours cutting between line replacement.
Petrol or Electric line trimmer?
Electric line trimmers that are corded are fine for light work in a small area, close to the house and power outlet. Otherwise its a battery operated line trimmer or petrol line trimmer.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BRUSHCUTTER or LINE TRIMMER
Determine what you will use it for. Look for a reputable name. Check out the ease of reloading the line.
A cheap line trimmer or brush cutter is usually that, ‘cheap’. You get what you pay for.
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