Comments on: Gardening Product & Review – Stihl Brushcutters

By: aussiegreenthumb

aussiegreenthumb — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:03:01 +0000

To be honest, to answer those questions you will likely want to ask the manufacturer as I am not sure. However I will say that balance is definitely more important than overall weight. Weight matters but you may find one with better balance that weighs more FEELS lighter than some other lighter models. On a slope you want one which is most comfortable and balanced for you.

By: gman

gman — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:49:12 +0000

How accurate are manufacturer listed weights on the website? I find that for the same engine, shaft specs etc, there is a wide range in weights – e.g. 6.0 vs. 6.8 kgs. What weight can an average homeowner manage if using a full harness and bike-handle bars? Is balance more important than overall weight (esp. if I need to use the brushcutter on a slope – which is too steep for my lawnmower)?

By: aussiegreenthumb

aussiegreenthumb — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:56:32 +0000

Stihl is easily the market leader in brush cutters though I can see Husqvarna starting to get a good name as well. I myself just bought a Husqvarna combi unit (review to come) and am over the moon with it.

I’d still say Stihl is ahead but if you ready don’t want t go Stihl again, you could try Husqvarna.

By: Gozz

Gozz — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:24:10 +0000

I have a Stihl FS45R just over two years old (6 weeks past warranty) and the workshop tells me they have found it to have a bent con rod. Has anyone else heard of this happening?
I’m told it has been caused by excessive force from hydraulic block due to starting when flooded. I don’t believe I did this, but I guess it possible. You’d think if it was an issue the operating manual would provide instruction or warning about it.

Anyway, I’m told the repair will be worth $120 (vs $249 new)

Should I fix it or ditch it and get a new trimmer – not sure I can buy Stihl again though.

Thanks

By: Matt' Mowing and Maintenance

Matt' Mowing and Maintenance — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:14:33 +0000

I love Echo wipper snippers at $300 and they don’t miss a beat. I recommend a bent shaft for home use and a expereinced person can do a finer better cut with a bent shaft. Don’t follow the sheep new Echo wippersnippers have a 5 year warranty and commerical 2 year. Lot cheaper, better product Stihl is coke of soft drink.

By: Terry Laybourne

Terry Laybourne — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:52:53 +0000

We have the big brush cutter and we have been using it on a couple of acres of kikuyu. (We are working on converting a farmland gully back into bushland) It has been doing an amazing job. The grass is up to waist high but the machine never misses a beat. I have even worn out the blade because it has been such tough work.

By: aussiegreenthumb

aussiegreenthumb — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:42:34 +0000

For a small suburban block and low use (every couple of weeks to months) electirc will be fine. They definitely are usually quieter than the petrol varieties.

I have only seen the Flymo ones in action and they seemed to work very well. They were also very strong, you could jump on top of them and they would not break.

Good luck!

By: Justin Weathers

Justin Weathers — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:28:37 +0000

What’s your thought on electric trimmers? I was thinking of getting a corded electric one for my father. He’s got a small suburban block in a built up area. There were a couple reviewed on http://whippersnipperreviews.com.au/ that claim to be quite quiet. You see I’m worried about noise levels on petrol powered units which may disturb the neighbors. Electric models also seem to be cheaper than petrol ones and easier to start and maintain. I don’t want to get my dad something that he has to worry about.

By: aussiegreenthumb

aussiegreenthumb — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:24:16 +0000

4 stroke (straight gas) are usually considered to be more powerful than 2 stroke (mixed gas/oil) but for most home gardeners nothing more than a 2 stroke is needed.

The key I’d be looking for is a straight shaft over a bent shaft, simply because it allows you to do slightly more heavy duty than required and you can buy attachments for a straight shaft for other jobs, you can’t do that for bent shaft brush cutters and line trimmers.

By: T D

T D — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:37:51 +0000

Curious to know if theres a real difference between using a motor which uses straight gasoline rather than a gas/oil mix? I’ve seen a few of them but it appears as if the only thing that I can tell is that the straight gas ones actually become much more odorous and also sucks up more gas. Read a few reviews on http://www.brushcutterreviews.com and saw that a lot of people seem to be opting to do the line trimmer if they are just using it for really light jobs around the home. Still not too sure if I should upgrade to a more powerful one. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.