Brushcutter/trimmer - Stihl vs Tanaka vs Kawasaki

[carpenter1]

Will 300-400 buy a decent brushcutter? Don't need massive power

[Stubby]

Will 300-400 buy a decent brushcutter? Don't need massive power

 

Yes you do ! . A good bigun will always beat a good littlun

[carpenter1]

Yes you do ! . A good bigun will always beat a good littlun

 

I have got a big one, so do not need another of similar size, its for lighter duties

[Stubby]

I have got a big one, so do not need another of similar size, its for lighter duties

 

Ok . Sorry . .......Glad you have a big one

[Lee Winger]

The Kawasaki or an Echo - best Jap 2-strokes money can buy, end of.

 

Spot on! But I also rate Shindaiwa

[HertsWood]

We run Stihl 410C clearing saws with Supercut 40-20 heads. M-tronic engines! Fuelled with Aspen2.

They always start, low maintenance, lots of power to tackle all types of vegetation. My oldest one is now 4 years old and still going (used all year)

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Your mate must think so!

 

He has them plural, not one! He gets 2 or 3 years out of one and then it's had it, dunno why he keeps buying them, just refuses to see the light. Every Echo machine I've bought has never needed to be replaced, so I've only one for each catagory / purpose i.e one clearing saw, one hedge cutter, one strimmer/brushcutter. Oldest machine is nigh on 30 y/o and in perfect condition, only sharpened as neccessary.

[GardenKit]

I don't question that Echo is very good. Its probably every bit as good as Tanaka and if I were forced into changing brand I would give it serious consideration along with Kawasaki.

 

I work on hundreds of machines of all makes including, but I do prefer the Tanaka for its reliability, simplicity and cost effective parts.

 

But to be honest, even though I sell lot of Tanaka machines, my spares turnover is minimal and warranty claims are virtually non existant.

 

When comparison of machines is made it is very important to compare like with like, both on the model and size of the machine and also the use it gets.

 

Its very easy to praise a 30 year old heavy duty machine that is seldom used and condemn a 3 year lighter machine that has been thrashed every day.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I don't question that Echo is very good. Its probably every bit as good as Tanaka and if I were forced into changing brand I would give it serious consideration along with Kawasaki.

 

I work on hundreds of machines of all makes including, but I do prefer the Tanaka for its reliability, simplicity and cost effective parts.

 

But to be honest, even though I sell lot of Tanaka machines, my spares turnover is minimal and warranty claims are virtually non existant.

 

When comparison of machines is made it is very important to compare like with like, both on the model and size of the machine and also the use it gets.

 

Its very easy to praise a 30 year old heavy duty machine that is seldom used and condemn a 3 year lighter machine that has been thrashed every day.

 

There's not doubt some users have a way of busting machines and others just keep them sweet. My 30 y/o echo has worked every season for all those years tho; I just look after it, it's not difficult.

[TORNADOS7]

Got a 'Stihl FS55' 2006 model and have used it extensively over the last 9yrs, it'll make mince meat of any of the ones we have at work it just seems to cut no matter how big the task is and I finally decided to give it it's first ever clean and service today so to say it's reliable is an understatement as it's put up with my abuse for the last 9yrs !...

 

Oh, and they come with a blade as part of the deal, uhh well mine did anyway !...

Edited August 4, 2015 by TORNADOS7