Back Pack bush cutters

[Charlieh]

Hi All,

 

 

I have been looking to get a smaller strimmer to use for jobs where i dont need the power of my stihl FS420, as this drinks a tank of fuel about every 15mins (although the awesome power is worth it, its costly to run) I do quite a bit of work on sites such as river banks and as such stability is always an issue and when just controlling stuff like himalayan balsam then i dont always need a huge amount of power, and lighter and more mobile machine would be great

 

so does anyone have any feedback on these type of machines plus and minus points i just like the idea of having my balance made easier by not hanging a powerhead off one side of my body, also will it involve less swinging of my body to move the cutting head as i wont have to twist my whole body.

 

what are the vibs like compared to a bigger machine,

 

and finally what are the like for wearing for longer periods of time, as tbh im glad when the big FS runs out and needs a top up as it wears me out quickly and im not the smallest of people

 

Cheers for any help,

and sorry for sticking this in the chainsaw section,

[jrose]

I've used one of the Echo backpacks, it was very nice to use and didn't have any problems with the engine being on my back. Didn't have as much power as my big 45cc Kawasaki but managed a grass blade (one of the 3 pronged ones) through thistles, nettles etc...

 

 

one very nice thing was it had some sort of electric start button on the handle. So if you turned it off to talk to someone you could start it again while warm without having to take the backpack off and yank the cord (I don't think this worked with a cold engine, but can't really remember!)

 

cheers,

Joe

[porky]

I was hoping to see some replies to this thread as I had been considering one but mainly for hedging. I guess not many people on here have experience of them.

I had a mate who had one and he didn't like it. I can't remember why.

I think there may be a "turning action" on the shaft which may be hard on the arms and wrists.

[log supplier]

i would have thought with any strimmer / brushcutter / back pack cutter they would all have the same twisting action in the body.. the more you twist and sweep, the greater the area you would cover?..

 

instead of having all that weight on your back or carrying a huge lump of f420 around, id be inclined to go for a little stihl.

dont cost the earth to buy or run, very light and with metal blades available for them, why look any futher...

[liamjordan]

i frigging hate himalayan balsam!!!!

 

i've always wanted to try a backpack brushcutter, so this thread will be interesting

[doobin]

Not a big fan of backpacks. Mainly due to vibration- after you've used a Stihl 400 series, you won't want to use anything else. Also because the shaft takes a lot more effort to hold- you're hands are supporting all the weight. And if you use a blade, be prepared to keep replacing the flexi drive.

 

I've always though that what is required for bank work is harness with some way of adjusting the height of the machine by pressing a couple of buttons on the handle! Any ideas? Would need some sort of electric adjusting strap I guess.

[Stephen Blair]

i have had 1 for over 10 years now, the biggest stihl one. Engine wise and vibration it is great, holding onto is hard work since their are no big handlebars, it all goes on your forearms. The flexishaft broke the first week i had it, it was replaced and i keep it well greased and turn it round every once in a while, as the kink in it is about 8 inch from the engine.

You cant get to the head to untangle stuff with out taking the back pack off, which is a bit of a pest.

[doobin]

i have had 1 for over 10 years now, the biggest stihl one. Engine wise and vibration it is great, holding onto is hard work since their are no big handlebars, it all goes on your forearms. The flexishaft broke the first week i had it, it was replaced and i keep it well greased and turn it round every once in a while, as the kink in it is about 8 inch from the engine.

You cant get to the head to untangle stuff with out taking the back pack off, which is a bit of a pest.

 

The biggest Stihl one is the FR480- didn't think that had been out ten years?

 

Do you mean the FR130?

 

They're not bad for hedgecutting actually- only big, long hedges with no curvy corners though!

[Stephen Blair]

the biggest one over ten years ago, couldnt tell you the model number.

[doobin]

the biggest one over ten years ago, couldnt tell you the model number.

 

If you can take the attachment off like a combi tool, then it's the 130. Or maybe the 120 if it was ten years ago. Who knows?