Brush cutter purchase

[BrianF]

Looking for some advice/opinions on getting a brushcutter. I am essentially narrowed into Husqvarna, Stihl and maybe Echo. These are what dealers I have available locally.

Looking for something with bike handles, heavy duty enough to run some sort of saw blade but can run string line as well.

We have a couple miles of fence line that has to be maintained from grass, weeds, brush and saplings. Will see some 1" maybe larger.

I prefer 2 stroke for weight and simplicity. Eyeballing the Husky 336FR, and Stihl FS 131. Although I think the Stihl uses that 4 mix.

Anyways, just looking for some guidance, thanks.

 

[Jdeere562]

Find your best local dealer and go with that brand.
Parts and service mean a lot!

 

[#18FAN]

Sthil FS 240 true 2stroke I wouldn't go any smaller.

 

[2009Caraman]

Stihl FS 460. Very versatile. Enough power for anything you’re gonna see

Dont be afraid to buy used. You can save quite a bit. I used to slash and brush for a living. This saw was always enough.

 

[#18FAN]

Stihl FS 460. Very versatile. Enough power for anything you’re gonna see

Dont be afraid to buy used. You can save quite a bit. I used to slash and brush for a living. This saw was always enough.

Are they available new in the US market I never see them.

 

[doitmyself]

My older workplace FS 250 (now 240?) is plenty hp for a saw blade, but still not too heavy to do lighter string trimming. In emergencies, I've used a FS 131 sized trimmer with a blade and it, too, is ok for occasional woody use.

In addition to a string head, I use this head for somewhat woody weeds: the plastic blades are easy to replace when you hit a metal fence post, etc..

This style stihl blade sharpens similar to a chain saw tooth (easy in a vice) and is best (IMO) for true woody stuff:

The FS 460 is silly over kill for those who also drive a bro truck that NEVER gets used as a truck. At some point, a chainsaw is the appropriate tool for occasional bending over, woody brush removal.

 

[#18FAN]

My older workplace FS 250 (now 240?) is plenty hp for a saw blade, but still not too heavy to do lighter string trimming. In emergencies, I've used a FS 131 sized trimmer with a blade and it, too, is ok for occasional woody use.

In addition to a string head, I use this head for somewhat woody weeds: the plastic blades are easy to replace when you hit a metal fence post, etc..
View attachment 238460

This style stihl blade sharpens similar to a chain saw tooth (easy in a vice) and is best (IMO) for true woody stuff:
View attachment 238459


The FS 460 is silly over kill for those who also drive a bro truck that NEVER gets used as a truck. At some point, a chainsaw is the appropriate tool for occasional bending over, woody brush removal.

Whooo I would have pulled the trigger if I could have found a 460 settled with the 240 it's powerful but 460 I bet takes it to the wood shed.

 

[BrianF]

Likely Stihl has the best support in my area. There is a nice mom and pop small engine shop locally that is well stocked and nice people.

Stihl Canada only has up to the 361 listed.

 

[2009Caraman]

Are they available new in the US market I never see them.

Hmm. Never thought of that. Im north of you.

Id bet any authorized Stihl dealer can order it for you or the equivalent.

 

[2009Caraman]

Likely Stihl has the best support in my area. There is a nice mom and pop small engine shop locally that is well stocked and nice people.

Stihl Canada only has up to the 361 listed.

https://www.stihl.ca/en/p/brushcutters-grass-trimmers-clearing-saws-fr-460-backpack-brushcutter-1901

They got expensive! They were about $1100 before covid.

 

[BrianF]

So, not sure... actually I am sure, I'm moderately inept online. Not sure why those clearing saws did not show when I was searching. Thank you.

So this is the majority of what I'm cutting, mileage wise but I have to ensure it's capable for the nasty stuff.

 

[ironman_gq]

I use the Renegade Razor carbide blades, I cut miles of wrist poplar and mullberry up to 3". Gone through 3 blades in 5 years. Cutter is a Shindaiwa 44cc, that's blown out one set of gears due to my non existent maintenance routine on greasing them. Other than that it's been flawless.

 

[Cujet]

I purchased the Echo PAS saw blade attachment for my Echo 21cc weed trimmer. That was pretty much a failure. It took a while to spool up the blade and quickly lost RPM and stopped as soon as it hit anything substantial.

I suppose I should try it on the larger 26cc Echo. That thing has quite a bit more power.

Honestly, it was such a failure, I forgot about it. I'm glad you reminded me. Now that I have the larger power head it's worth playing with.

 

[E150GT]

I purchased the Echo PAS saw blade attachment for my Echo 21cc weed trimmer. That was pretty much a failure. It took a while to spool up the blade and quickly lost RPM and stopped as soon as it hit anything substantial.

I suppose I should try it on the larger 26cc Echo. That thing has quite a bit more power.

Honestly, it was such a failure, I forgot about it. I'm glad you reminded me. Now that I have the larger power head it's worth playing with.

Thats why I was afraid to buy any of the echo 225 power heads. went right for the 2620

 

[jeepman3071]

I purchased the Echo PAS saw blade attachment for my Echo 21cc weed trimmer. That was pretty much a failure. It took a while to spool up the blade and quickly lost RPM and stopped as soon as it hit anything substantial.

I suppose I should try it on the larger 26cc Echo. That thing has quite a bit more power.

Honestly, it was such a failure, I forgot about it. I'm glad you reminded me. Now that I have the larger power head it's worth playing with.

I have both the PAS-225 and PAS-266. The PAS-225 works well with the trimmer and edging attachments, the pole saw too being slightly lighter. The PAS-266 is needed for the brush cutter and sweeping attachment I have.

 

[jeepman3071]

Thats why I was afraid to buy any of the echo 225 power heads. went right for the 2620

Yeah if I could only have one, I'd pick that 2620. I have the 225 and the 266, both bought used for pretty cheap.

 

[ripcord]

My old FS200 has plenty of power and still truckin even with gobs of hours on it. Handlebars and a shoulder harness are highly recommended if you're putting a brush blade on something.

 

[nwjones18]

After doing my research I went with Echo and haven't regretted it. I cut around a 2 acre pond with string and clear saplings from around deer hunting areas with a blade attached. Its unbelievable how quick you can clear small trees (under 3-4in) with the blade attachment. I've had no issues with it. My only gripe is it takes a couple min to swap between blade and string because you have to swap guards.

https://www.echo-usa.com/trimmers-brushcutters/srm-3020u

These are the blades you want. Skip the ones from the dealer: (make sure you pick the ones sold by Kurt Saw Blades. Pretty sure the cheaper ones are fakes)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XWNSWK5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also want a nicer harness and I have been happy with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M4NGN4C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[nwjones18]

I purchased the Echo PAS saw blade attachment for my Echo 21cc weed trimmer. That was pretty much a failure. It took a while to spool up the blade and quickly lost RPM and stopped as soon as it hit anything substantial.

I suppose I should try it on the larger 26cc Echo. That thing has quite a bit more power.

Honestly, it was such a failure, I forgot about it. I'm glad you reminded me. Now that I have the larger power head it's worth playing with.

The Echo blades are junk even on my 30cc Echo brush cutter.

Here's a review on some different ones:

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

I purchased the Echo PAS saw blade attachment for my Echo 21cc weed trimmer. That was pretty much a failure. It took a while to spool up the blade and quickly lost RPM and stopped as soon as it hit anything substantial.

I suppose I should try it on the larger 26cc Echo. That thing has quite a bit more power.

Honestly, it was such a failure, I forgot about it. I'm glad you reminded me. Now that I have the larger power head it's worth playing with.

The blade on that attachment, if what you actually used, has quite poor performance. I have a chain saw style OEM Echo blade on my SRM 230, and it can handle 1.5 inch brush no problem. Has to be sharp though, or it'll bog down. More CC's is always better for this application.