Best Thing To Clear Plot

[Rhona]

Mr R's Birthday is nearly here and whilst I will make him a lovely cake, and give him one or two slightly more romantic pressies, his main one is going to be something to clear the wild bits of our allotment (bit of a Homer's Bowling Ball of a gift, but anyway).

Some of the lottie is fine but there are huge areas with well established brambles, weeds, triffids (thas what they look like), and hedges.

Our next door plot holder has just bought an electric hedge trimmer which is brill, and quite fancy one of those, but we need something pretty heavy duty I think to deal with the rest of the plot. What do you think I should go for? A strimmer-type thing? I'm not sure what to order and your input would be very helpful.

Whatever I get, when he opens it, his eyes will undoubtedly light up as he realises that I've just bought him days and days of hard graft clearing a year's worth of wild growth. "Darling, you shouldn't have...No, really, you shouldn't have."

[piskieinboots]

and he, in return, will buy you a new faster better sucker hoover for your Christmas pressie

[Alison]

If you've not got one (although it depends on how much you want to spend) a bush cutter is invaluable to hack everything back down to ground level. You need to get a decent one otherwise it won't cope with anything more than grass and a decent petrol one isn't a cheap investment.

[Glutton4...]

I'll second that Alison.

My strimmer/brushcutter is my favourite tool - petrol obviously, best thing for the job IMHO

[Headfry]

what about one of those Ryobi electric start cutters, you can get different heads for it. Bit pricey though .....about £179 from 'nailfix' direct but hey no more pulling the cord, better for us ladies too!

[Alison]

what about one of those Ryobi electric start cutters, you can get different heads for it. Bit pricey though .....about £179 from 'nailfix' direct but hey no more pulling the cord, better for us ladies too!

Not much use if it's electric on my plot though

[SarzWix]

It's just the starter that's electric, the thing itself runs on petrol

[binley100]

Perhaps I'm being a bit thick here but how do you use an electric starter if there's no power. Does it have a battery ?

[Alison]

Perhaps I'm being a bit thick here but how do you use an electric starter if there's no power. Does it have a battery ?

Glad it's not just me! Am easily confused

[Headfry]

Yes it is just the starter that is electric, more more pulling and pulling! it runs on petrol.
Some have them on our plots and love them!
I dont have one but am very tempted - as I can not start our one EVER!!!!! and that bugs me.
my guess is that it has a battery?

[SarzWix]

I really struggle to start ours too Headfry, and it makes my back hurt - bend down, grasp starter, stand up while pulling hard; doesn't work, try again... Ouch!
An electronic ignition doesn't use much power, so I assume it's a battery. I don't know if they're re-chargeable ones, or just a standard battery. Must look into it, might make a good pressie for my OH's 40th, seeing as I can't afford to get him British Grand Prix tickets...

[SarzWix]

Here we are; 12v rechargeable battery, £175.
Ryobi RLT30CET 30cc 2-Stroke Bent Shaft Line Trimmer - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys