Best brushcutter for clearing (shredder blade)?

[mattveg]

Not chainsaw related but this forum was the closest match!

 

Got a Husqy 235R, with a mulching/shredding blade which is getting tired, looking at a Stihl FS460 to replace it with. Don't do any grass work with it, mostly ditch bank clearance involving 3ft bramble etc.

 

I've go access to a new (unused) FS90, but not sure it'll be up to the task, and don't want to wreck it!

 

Any views?

[woodyguy]

FS90 is a bit diddy. Now my 560 with a mulch blade is more than a match for any brambles and one purchase I never regret.

[Stubby]

545RX is a goodun for that sorta thing .

[Andrew McEwan]

Any of the Husky FX or FXT series clearing saws, paddle thumb throttle and shorter shaft. Have an 555fxt, is epic on bramble/scrub with a mulching/shredding blade

[maria warwick]

I wouldn't want to go less than my FS300

[TurtleWoods72]

I have an FS90, great with a Grass Gator/Portek Power Strim type head. (Top tip, cut 13" lengths of your fave line and store in a bucket of water, it softens them, prevents brittle breakages and gives you quick changeovers)

 

Anyway, back on topic, I have used it with a metal blade in various guises and it's not really meaty enough. It's the first Stihl in the range to have a solid drive shaft, and as such is very much 'entry level pro'.

 

I love the 4-mix deep burble and reduced smoke combined with the low down torque. When I've got a real job to do I reach for my Kawasaki engined Kaaz Danarm. The thing is a beast with line on but I've never run it with a blade (not needed to yet).

 

I toyed with the idea of getting a real Brushcutter and think this is direction you need to go.

 

Buy a nice head for the FS90 and keep it 'for best'.

[openspaceman]

FS90 is a bit diddy. Now my 560 with a mulch blade is more than a match for any brambles and one purchase I never regret.

 

Back a while it was only the three bigger Stihls that were suitable for the mulcher blade, the 410 was too gutless.

[miker]

husky 545 or bigger or stihl equivalent

[mattveg]

Thanks for the replies folks, looks like I need either the Husqy 545 or the Stihl FS460. About £650 is my max budget. I've got 4 Stihl saws and not had much trouble with them and only the the one Husqy above.

Any views on preference currently, is quality better one way or the other at the moment?

[woodyguy]

Dont forget that you need a mulching blade and not just a flat blade that cuts them off and leave you with 9 foot peices of barbed wire to displose of!