Safety Warning

These are powerful machines and you should always read the manual in full before using them. Follow all instructions and wear safety gear.

I will not cut without:

• Sturdy boots (steel capped if using a chainsaw head)
• Thick leg coverings such as jeans or overalls (chainsaw chaps if using a chainsaw head)
• Safety glasses
• Helmet with a visor and earmuffs or at least a hat and earmuffs

If you don’t think you need to wear this type of safety gear, you don’t need a machine like these.

2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke?

I have both. My 2 stroke is a Stihl FS450. The 4 Stroke is a Honda U425. In laymans terms the Stihl is a beast and the Honda is a medium machine. They each have their pros and cons. I’ve also used the Husqvana 325Rx 2 stroke machine which feels the lightest and more powerful than the Honda. Lets start with what they have in common.

Common Points 

Serious brushcutters : 

• have straight shafts and bicycle handlebars.  Anything less is not a serious machine.
• have comfortable harness (See photo)
• take enough fuel to last for more than an hour of hard work.
• are designed for use with a blade.

Specs of models I’m comparing.

It’s all about power and weight. These are all metric figures taken from the manufacturers website and are dry weights without cutting heads.

 Main Differences 

2 Stroke

• More powerful for same weight
• Lighter for same power
• Smelly
• Noisy
• More expensive to buy and run
• You have to mix the fuel and if you get it wrong, you break the machine.

4 Stroke

• Less power for same weight
• Usually smaller and less powerful than the biggest two strokes
• Cheaper to buy and run
• Much quieter in idle. Probably more pleasant for observers to listen to

Heads 

There are 3 basic types each with some variations.

Cord or Line Heads

Automatic or bump feed (photo)

Pro:

• Easy to add release more line as it wears out
• Best around things that a blade would damage e.g. paths, poles, caravans
• Best when it’s very rocky or stony ground

Con:

• Can’t use very thick line so you’re limited to ‘cosmetic’ work.

Manual feed (photo)

Pro:

Allows thicker cord that can get closer to matching it with a blade

Con:

• It takes longer to replace than a bump feed
• You have to replace the whole lot at once
• You may have to take the brushcutter off and put it down to make the change
• You may have to remove your gloves

Blades

3 Blade (photo)

Pro:

• Best all round serious option – can handle anything

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy so you need a bigger machine
• Requires sharpening on an angle grinder to make the best use

4 Blade Grass (photo)

Pro:

• Absolute wiz at tall rank grass and woody weeds thinner than a finger.
• Cheaper
• Lighter
• Easier to sharpen

Cons:

• No good if it’s thicker than your thumb

Chainsaw Head (photo)

 Pro:

• Best at woody weeds
• Perfect for thickets of lantana

Con:

• Expensive
• Dangerous
• Less control for direction of fall than a chainsaw

Weed Whacker (photo)

 Pro:

• OK at most things
• Saves your clutch

Con:

• Expensive
• Still clogs
• Not for really tough going