petrol brushcutter

[Fugazi]

Hi all - Not sure if this is the right place to put this but I am looking for a petrol brushcutter to keep my allotment under control - I would like to get a decent one that will last more than one season but I don't really want to spend much more than about £150 - can anyone offer any reccomendations?

Ta,
Fugazi

[chris]

I have a ryobi power train unit- when I can get it running its great.

I had it cheap, as it was on offer online at the time and poked up all the tool attachments via eBay for cheap too.

[Fugazi]

I have looked at Ryobi models, but a number of the reviews said that getting it started was a bit problematic - and it seems you have had the same issue, Chris.

[chris]

Apparently it's to do with the fuel mix, and using fresh fuel. I'm too tight to throw it (fuel mix) away, so I just persevere.

If you do buy one, the advice from Ryobi is to run it on high for 30 mins, but they're bleeding noisy!

I'll be taking mine into a machinemart (or similar, if they don't exist anymore) to get them to have a look at it, as when it works, it's wonderful - and being able to change from a strimmer, to a hedge cutter is great.

Petrol ones are quite heavy too, despite the straps you're provided with.

[datz]

I had a petrol brush cutter (Einhel) and found it a pain to start and incredibly heavy to use, though it had lots of good reviews. I now use an electric Stihl strimmer, which cuts just about everything I need including bramble stalks and it's light!

[starloc]

Ive tested and broken any I have touched this year....But im not being well behaved, the best seemed to be the cheap b&q one, it came with a strimmer attachment and the brushcutter blade

I got the Macallister one, about £120 last year, also broken a few others, a JCB one, a Ryobi one, another one i cant remember the name off!

They are all strong enough if used correctly, but unless you spend a lot to get a realy tough one bits will fall off! , I found the Macallister one lasted best

Im putting it to far too much work for it, It manages most things but I broke it by my method of use

Within 20 minutes most of them destroyed there own blade guard , I have none with a blade gaurd now, various bits of plastic trim fall off , such as the bits that hold the airfilter on, the worst bit on all of them was bit that holds the handle on, it has fallen apart , various methods are used on them all and they all failed as im doing too much work with it too forcefully.

I brush cut the floor most times and chop the roots out now...( avoiding bits of stone and bottle that fly out due to broken blade gaurd) the only one that keeps going is the Macallister so it must be quite good, Im going to buy another one of them and try to behave myself from swinging it rapidly from side to side marching through forests of 6 foot plants

Im always chopping this down, its bigger than it looks...about 7 foot high, its rock hard wood not greenwood like it looks, its southern European elder, I prefer the cheapo Macallister one it chops it with no problems ( other than the blade gaurd and other plastic bits but that is me snapping things not the cutters fault!) , I even took a couple of peach trees down by accident so its got a lot of power

[rustylady]

Hi all - Not sure if this is the right place to put this but I am looking for a petrol brushcutter to keep my allotment under control - I would like to get a decent one that will last more than one season but I don't really want to spend much more than about £150 - can anyone offer any reccomendations?

Ta,
Fugazi

Maybe I'm just being a "girl", but why do you need a brushcutter to keep an allotment under control? I've never had to use one despite the allotment being covered with brambles and docks when I took it over.

I do use an electric rechargeable strimmer to trim the paths, and any grass weeds and nettles that get out of hand.

[cptncrackoff]

Maybe I'm just being a "girl", but why do you need a brushcutter to keep an allotment under control? I've never had to use one despite the allotment being covered with brambles and docks when I took it over.

I do use an electric rechargeable strimmer to trim the paths, and any grass weeds and nettles that get out of hand.

The people either side of my plot cut in between us, leaving only a few bits for me to do... I say me... I caught Mrs Cc with a large pair of scissors on her hands and knees a little while ago! lol

Back on topic... dealing with parts for grass machinery, I'd suggest that aftersales, service and being able to source parts when warranties run out are very important things to consider.
for those reasons I personally would go for an entry level Stihl Strimmer, perhaps FS40, if you really shop about you can pick it up for £115 -£120 ish.

[Fugazi]

thanks for all the advice everyone - i think I am going to go for the stihl. It looks like it will cope with the grass and weeds i need it to clear and I would rather go with a bottom of the range model from a quality manufacturer than on that is likely to break after not much use.

[mrgrower]

Ive been offered one free don't know the make just that it's not working so may be something simple to sort at little cost.

[Aberdeenplotter]

thanks for all the advice everyone - i think I am going to go for the stihl. It looks like it will cope with the grass and weeds i need it to clear and I would rather go with a bottom of the range model from a quality manufacturer than on that is likely to break after not much use.

buy a second hand good un

[Stan79]

I have a Makita RST210. I got it free from work as "apparently" it was broken. Spark plug cleaned, fresh fuel and it now starts first time every time. I think it's quite light and so far can't fault it. You can buy them new for under £150

Just a thought!