Which brushcutter

[Stubby]

As I mentioned earlier I have the 545 ( 45cc ) and my bud has the 55cc version . His is obviously slightly more powerful but I think mine has the best power against weight ratio

[hedgesparrow]

I recently used my FS55 to clear a large area (approx 100m square!) of chest heigh brambles, I fitted the stihl "grass cutting blade" and to be honest it did a cracking job! I have used FS400`s in the past and I recon that it wasnt much slower and a hell of a lot lighter! To make it easier and to stop it getting snagged on the brambles I took off the guard (naughty!) and by using an "up and down"motion instead of a "side to side" motion it went through the brambles fine! Might be worth trying this before you buy a new machine!?

 

when i did my Lantra brushcutter course we were shown the mashing of brambles to cut them down. much quicker and less snagging. sthil do a blade like a mower blade and it does a cracking job better than a triblade or clearing saw.

worth doing this course learn a lot i thought i could use one but Tony Darbyshire showed a lot i did not know so worth doing has been of help when securing contracts having the paperwork.

[TreeswingerPerth]

I have 2 fs400 and a fs500 , 400's are superb , take some abuse to IMO the best by far .

TS

[Stubby]

when i did my Lantra brushcutter course we were shown the mashing of brambles to cut them down. much quicker and less snagging. sthil do a blade like a mower blade and it does a cracking job better than a triblade or clearing saw.

worth doing this course learn a lot i thought i could use one but Tony Darbyshire showed a lot i did not know so worth doing has been of help when securing contracts having the paperwork.

 

I use the Oregon mulching blade with the turned down ends for bramble .

[bobh]

Thanks for all the replies

Looks like something in the 40-45cc range is about right then.

I've done a few figures and still can't see how I can justify a new one so it's looking like my ebay account is going to get busy. Had a look last night and the larger Huskys are in short supply on there but plenty of FS400's so looking more like one of them.

Not dismissing the Echo either but again there is a limited number available on ebay.

Not convinced about the Honda, I've used one in the past and it worked fine but I just don't see the point of a 4 stroke, more to go wrong and the weight is an issue. Also I usually have plenty of 2 stroke fuel mixed up so fuel is never going to be an problem.

Big T, I love the little FS55 an if I was only clearing a patch of 100 meters then I wouldn't be changing but last summer I did just over an acre with it in one job and there's more than that to do this year so I think it's time to change.

[bobh]

Anyone got experience of the FS450?

[jrose]

I'd go for a 40cc or bigger, with a mulching blade. I like Kawasaki as I am quite tall, and the shaft on these is longer than usual so no stooping, but others will differ!

 

There's a chap on ebay called harrythecat who has a lot of ex council, EA etc kit for reasonable prices, I brought a couple of saws from him and they've been good. At the moment there's an Echo which would do the job for £195...

 

harrythecat178 | eBay

[jrose]

FS450 are OK, but in my experience tend to have a couple of issues - if you get one of these, the screw which holds the handlebars onto the plastic likes to snap off in there when you adjust handlebars, so get a couple of spare screws for your toolbox! Also heads seem to break quite easily, but maybe I'm just too rough.

[Eddy_t]

I can't remember if its fs400 or 450 I used when volunteering at the wildlife trust, either way they were good, just fuel tank seemed a bit small

 

 

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[FriarsGorse]

I needed a brushcutter at the start of the year but pennies were a problem ! I couldn't afford a bigger Stihl machine so on recommendation I bought a Tanaka. With a Stihl cutting blade it has so far done about an acre of established head high brambles and been incredibly good ... still loads guarantee left !!