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Best Brush Cutter Reviews

February 1, 2017 By Scott Harper Leave a Comment

Does your property look something like this?
Does your property look something like this?

Are you considering purchasing a new brush cutter for your property? Is your lawn or garden ridden with weeds? Many best brush cutters can get the job done. Below you’ll find a list of buying criteria with product recommendations tailored to your needs. A quick note before you dig in is I just wanted to clarify that a brush cutter is a more powerful version of the strimmer/weed eater.

Power

When buying a brush cutter, power is an instrumental metric that should be evaluated before purchase. A reader sent us a question about using a brush cutter to clear underbrush from a forest to prevent wildfires. He said that his brush cutter should have enough power to cut through saplings and vegetation with ease.

Type of engine

The four main types of engines are electric, battery-power, two-stroke, and four-stroke.

Electronic brush cutters are best for small tasks such as cutting the edges of a lawn or a flower bed. They are not as loud and more straightforward to use. They are also easier to maintain than petrol brush cutters. Inexperienced gardeners or lawn professionals can take advantage of the corded brush cutter for small tasks.

Battery powered engines are ideal for larger gardens and for gardeners who want a more flexible product. The majority of battery powered trimmers use hi-tech lithium ion battery technology that ensures a high cutting action into the hard to reach areas.

Two-stroke engines are more powerful and robust than four-stroke engines. They are also quieter.

Four-stroke engines have separate oil containers to lubricate the motor. A downside to this mechanism is that if the trimmer is tilted, then there is a risk of oil dripping out of the oil pan to other areas which can result in a costly repair bill.

Other metrics to look for include the power source, wattage, RPM, and cc.

Shaft and Handle

A strong shaft and handle are instrumental to selecting the best brush cutter. A steel shaft is necessary. A solid steel shaft helps to drive the cutting head.

Brush cutters are sold with a straight shaft and flexible shaft. Flexible shafts let you get into the tricky areas. However, bent shafts have a mechanical linkage between the engine and cutting head. As a result, this does reduce the power of the cutter.

The two types of handles are D-shaped and U-shaped also called bike handle and loop handle. Choosing a brush cutter with the right handle will ultimately determine its manoeuvrability and suitability for tougher jobs such as clearing vast areas with long grass. U handles are more suitable for prolonged or heavy duty usage, and they stand the test of time. U-handles also produce less vibration.

Blades

Many manufacturers will supply a set of standard blades with the brush cutter and later upsell you new blades as accessories.

When assessing a blade type, you want to take certain things into consideration. Firstly, the larger the diameter and width of the blade, the more powerful it is. You will encounter blades that are 20 – 25 centimetres or 8-10 inches in size.

brush-cutter-blades-typesLarger blades require a more robust engine to keep it spinning at a high RPM. Slower blades can cause a lot of headaches, especially when cutting through tough woody weeds and shrubs. A slow turning blade will also produce increased kick back which is considered a safety concern.

The next component of a good blade is dependent on the teeth. No-teeth blades work best in areas with little vegetation while blades with 30-40 teeth are apt for medium sized tasks such as cutting through brambles, blackberries, ivy, thick grass, and small trees. If you intend to cut tall, thick vegetation, then a blade with 80-120 teeth is required. 80 to 120 teeth blades are the best value for money because they can handle any cutting job that may require pruning or hedging.

Another metric you want to keep in mind is the type of steel. A blade made out of carbide steel is far superior to a blade made out of regular steel.

Carbide is longer lasting and more versatile.

Vibration and Noise

Brush cutters that vibrate less also produce less noise. Therefore, it is best to stick with a trimmer that has anti-vibration dampening technology.

Moreover, a two-stroke engine, U-shaped handle, and steel shaft are useful features for making the best choice.

Based on the above criteria we have scored each of the top brush cutters in their respective categories, all of which are priced under $300.

Have a look!

Bosch AFS 23-27 Electric Brushcutter

bosch-afs-23-27-trimmerThis Bosch brush cutter with a combi-cutting system is the best choice if you are looking for a trimmer that runs on electricity. Even though it is electric, it still has a considerable amount of power built into it. The approximate wattage is 1000 W.

The power units and the attachment are fitted together without any other tools, using the knurled nut and the locking button. The adjustable shoulder strap and strap mount provide optimum tool balance for various body sizes. The combination cutting system makes it easy to change blades.

The AFS 2337 brush cutter uses 3.5 millimetres fixed, extra strong cutting lines to ensure high endurance cutting without having to modify the line frequently. Spare cutting lines can be stored in the safety bar. The line is suitable for long coarse grass and weeds. It can cut through brambles, nettles, and other woody weeds.

This product carries a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Draper Expert 45576 32 cc Petrol Brush Cutter

draper-expert-32cc-reviewThe Draper Expert 45576 has a two-stroke engine with a single piece shaft. It produces 32 cubic centimetres of power. There is a safety lever lock to prevent accidents. Moreover, it has a U-shaped bike handle made for easy cutting. It also comes with a hip pad for added support.

Here is what you get with your purchase

  • 8-metre double line spool
  • 18-millimetre box spanner
  • 5-millimetre hexagon key
  • 1.5 litre two stroke stirring container
  • Four-tooth brush cutting blade

Draper is an excellent manufacturer of tools, and they’ve been in business for the past 90 years. They are committed to providing excellence and quality products that are pre-checked by their engineers.

AOSOME 52CC Multi-Function Brush Cutter

aosome-trimmer-petrol-pruner-reviewAnother best brush cutter on the market in the United Kingdom (UK) is the AOSOME.

AOSOME is a 5 in 1 garden tool that works as strimmer, pruner, hedge trimmer, chainsaw, and extension pole. It has a 52cc two-stroke engine with a vertical cylinder. It has a maximum output of 2.2 kilowatts to 7500 RPM.

With each purchase, a Bosch spark plug, safety goggles, gloves, ear defenders, toolkit, funnel, belt strap, fuel stirring bottle, and user’s manual is supplied.

The hardened carbide steel blades with strong teeth make it apt for larger cutting jobs such as an acreage.

Black + Decker GLC3630L20-GB 36V Cordless Brush Cutter

black-and-decker-glc3630l20-cordless-strimmerThe Black and Decker GLC3630L20-GB is the best lithium battery powered hedge cutter.

The head of the cutter is largely of plastic construction, and it has a flip down bar which helps in trimming along the edges of a garden. It also features a clamp which lets you slide the cutter up and down to adjust the length.

Furthermore, it has a trigger mechanism with a safety sliding catch on both sides for added security. Moreover, a dial near the battery lets you adjust the speed.

The lithium battery pack is a 36 volt two amp per hour, and it comes with a gauge that shows the state of charge. The battery also features a high-torque gear mechanism that lets you cut through the toughest of vegetation. A fully charged battery will cut up to 4000 linear metres. The automatic feed system (AFS) strings out single line spool without the need to press a button.

That’s it! If you found this article helpful, help us by sharing this page on your favourite social media site or leave a comment below.

For a similar article, read about the weed wiper.

Filed Under: Lawn Care, Weeding Tools

Best Rotavator 2017: Petrol, Electric, or Manual?

January 30, 2017 By Scott Harper Leave a Comment

What does a rotavator do?

what-does-a-rotavator-doA rotavator also called a cultivator or tiller is a machine that breaks up, stirs, churns, and aerates the soil before planting to ensure a balanced seedbed. It can also be used to kill weeds by uprooting them. For instance, rotavating an allotment, field, vegetable path, or garden will bury leaves from a weed to disturb its ability to make energy through photosynthesis so that it is practically dead.

Furthermore, rotavating warms the soil to promote plant growth and clears up the area to expose insects to birds.

Other things rotavators are useful for include:

  • Digging unused land ready for cultivation
  • Digging space for fruit trees
  • Digging trenches for potatoes
  • Ploughing/tilling the plot to turn over the soil
  • Cultivation of the ground by getting rid of weeds on the surface
  • Mixing mulches into the soil to fertilise it.

What is the difference between a rotavator, cultivator, and garden tiller?

When assessing the different types of rotavators, you will come across terms such as rotavator, cultivator, or garden tiller. Essentially, all three terms are the same and refer to a machine that mechanises the process for crops to be planted into, churn the soil to increase water, add nutrients to the soil, to control weeds, and to warm the soil before planting.

Nowadays, large agricultural commercial cultivating tasks are performed by tractors that are equipped with hydraulic wings, but for the purposes of this article, we will only discuss rotavators that are made for the gardener who handles small to medium tillage jobs.

The main difference between cultivators and rotavators lies in their tine blade positioning.

More affordable, smaller rotavators are called cultivators because their front-tine is slightly smaller and is located in the front. The tines which dig into the soil propel the cultivator forward.

Higher end models have tines located at the rear side mounted behind the drive wheels. The engine on these rotavtors is mounted on the front of the machine which gives the machine better control and traction. Because of their wheel, they are easier to handle and work more smoothly than front-tine cultivators. These models are best for maintaining larger gardens.

Best rotavators for sale

When purchasing, keep these buying criteria in mind:

  • Avoid buying second-hand rotavators because minor damage can pose serious health risks. Making an extra 10% investment can ensure you have a solid product that will last for years
  • Choose a rotavator size depending on how often you use it and the size of your garden or allotment
  • Make sure your cultivator has a good engine that has at least 3.5 BHP (brake horsepower).
  • Check to make sure if there are extra accessories that are available to purchase because added accessories can transform you rotavator into a machine that can handle far more other tasks.
  • Read product reviews

Here is a list of the best rotavators for sale analysed by Weedicide.:

Best Manual Rotavator

Wolf Garten Multi Change Soil Miller

If you do not find a machine cultivator suitable for your garden related tilling tasks, then you may be interested in using a manual rotavator. The manual rotavator is the Wolf-Garten multi-change soil miller. It has a 10-year guarantee and is manufactured with cold-rolled steel with a silver finish.

wolf-garten-manual-cultivatorMany small allotment owners have used this product and have garnered close to 150 5 star review on Amazon.co.uk.

The Wolf Garten Multi Change Soil Miller has an oscillating hoe at the rear and sharp tines to cut through soil effectively. It not only breaks up the soil, but it also mixes it to get a nice blend of nutrients. One thing you need to take a note of is that this Wolf-Garten manual tiller requires you to purchase the handle separately which costs about 10 GBP.

Best Electric rotavator

VonHaus Electronic 1050W Cultivator

vonhaus-electric-rotavator-reviewThis garden tiller is equipped with four strong blades and can turn soil up to 22cm in depth. It is a very easy to use machine suitable for small to medium sized gardens or allotments. It extended 10-metre power cord allows give you a farther reach. It includes a 2-year warranty.

Vonhaus electric rotavator has a full control ergonomic grip and an overload protection system that prevents you from damaging the tiller.

Best Petrol Rotavator

Hyundai HYT140 4-Stroke Petrol Garden Tiller & Cultivator

hyundai-hyt140-review-cultivatorThe Hyundai HYT140 is a top of the line petrol rotavator that has a cutting width of 37 centimetres and is suitable for any soil. It is self-propelled with its 4HP 139CC 4-stroke engine with a robust gearbox that drives the four steel blades mounted behind the wheels. It is perfect for garden use where aerating is required before plant cultivation. The product currently ships for free within the UK and is at a discounted price. It includes a 1-year warranty

Best Heavy Duty Rotavator

Titan TP1000 9HP Diesel Tiller

heavy-duty-garden-tiller-titan-pro1The Titan Pro TP1100B rotavator is a top of the line product suitable for heavy duty gardening tasks. Although it runs on a 9HP diesel engine, it has an entirely electronic starting system. Also, it has a fully adjustable handle which lets you adjust to your height/size. Similarly, it even has adjustable blade tines that can be changed from 8 centimetres to 13 centimetres

This a heavy-duty rotavator with 3-speed options through a gearbox.

How to use: Instructions

When we are using a rotavator on the soil, it is called tilling. A rotavator helps to break up the soil for planting, and at the same time, you can blend in nutrients for a well-cultivated garden. We’ll show you what you need to start a good planting bed such as evaluating your soil, adding amendments and operating the rotavator. Now, if your planting bed is small, you can use an electric cultivator.

  1. If you are not tilling on bare ground and starting a new garden in turf, you should first remove the sod. Also take some time to remove the weeds or apply a weed killer a couple of weeks before using the rotavator. Use the best brush cutter to clear the area of excess vegetation.
  2. For existing gardens, pull up any thick weeds but don’t bother with pulling smaller weeds. The tiller will chop them up.
  3. Make sure you check with your municipality to make sure you are not digging near any utility lines.
  4. Before you start tilling you will need to evaluate the soil. If the ground is usually wet or has high clay content, you can add sand or gypsum. This helps to stir and allow moisture and nutrients to travel through the soil. You can test the soil for other conditions with a soil testing kit that will check things such as pH levels, and nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content
  5.  If the soil test gives a low pH reading, the soil is acidic. Add lime or wood ash to balance it. If the test reveals a high pH reading, the soil is alkaline. To balance it, add some peat moss, composted leaves, or sawdust.
  6. After you have added the amendments, it’s time to mix them into the soil with a rotavator. It will blend organic material deep into the earth where it is needed the most. The optimal time to till is a day or two after it rains, so the soil is somewhat dry.
  7. Get your rotavator and set the depth at a shallow setting if your soil is hard and compacted. If your soil is soft, adjust to a medium setting.
  8. Start the cultivator after following the manufacturer’s instructions
  9. Work the tines in slow strips across the garden.
  10. After you have tilled the entire allotment, adjust the cultivator to its highest setting and make perpendicular passes while walking slowly. Keep tilling until the organic material is mixed thoroughly to a depth of 10 inches.
  11. Now you need to leave the soil alone for a few days or if possible, several weeks. The materials will begin to decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients.
  12. Once the land has rested, it is time to till it again to aerate it to make sure the nutrients are well-mixed. Therefore, adjust the rotavator to medium setting and make passes across the garden. By now the soil will be loose, soft, and adequately textured, ideal for planting.

Conclusion

Rotavators can help your garden or allotment when it is in need of soil therapy. The tilling effects of a cultivator are appreciated gardeners see their effort pay off in the form of positive plant growth. The right rotavator can be a great investment not only for yourself but your garden where a thriving ecosystem has the potential to exist. Remember to follow all safety precautions outlined in your rotavator’s user manual. All things considered, rotavators continue to be helpful machines used to ensure soil quality.

Filed Under: Lawn Care

Using Iron Sulphate as a Moss Killer

January 28, 2017 By Scott Harper 4 Comments

iron-sulphateMosses can be found from the Arctic region all the way through to the tropics and sections of the Antarctic. Even though they mostly live in damp, shaded areas in temperate climates, some survive in deserts while others live in bogs and streams. As a result moss can be categorised as a aquatic weed such as blanket weed.

In forests, mosses commonly form a mat that inhabits the ground or surfaces of rotting tree logs.

Mosses are capable of storing large amounts of water in their cells, but if a drought continues for an extended time, they become dormant until it rains. Most mosses reproduce asexually by fragmentation. Essentially, any part of the moss plant can grow and produce leaflike thalli.

While there are many ways to control moss, there is a single organic/natural product that is an effective moss killer, iron sulphate.

Iron/Ferrous Sulphate

Iron Sulphate also called ferrous sulphate or sulphate of Iron is a type of salt that exists as a heptahydrate. Heptahydrate is a chemically combined compound that has seven molecules of water just the same as magnesium sulphate. Its chemical formula is FeSO4.

sulphate-of-ferrousIron sulphate is used in a wide variety of industries including the medical, manufacturing, and horticulture sectors. Iron sulphate is also used as a granular fertiliser.

Ferrous sulphate’s use as a moss killer helps to acidify alkaline soils to provide ideal conditions for a range of ericaceous plants. It is also effective and cost efficient means of controlling moss and algae and as an ingredient in both lawn sand and lawn dressings.

Iron causes moss to go black. In fact, iron sulphate causes a burn effect on the moss so that the plant becomes fragile and eventually dies. Because iron sulphate is good for use as a fertiliser, it will benefit your lawn and make it greener. Essentially, it has a selective mechanism that only targets moss.

An important key point to keep in mind is that moss does not kill lawns but grows on the surface of the grass. Over time, grass will have to try hard to compete for sunlight which can cause the lawn to go astray. Moreover, moss is an opportunist and thrives where grass does not.

Key benefits

Some key benefits of using this product are:

  • The sulphate acidifies the soil and promotes fine leaved grass growth. High alkaline soil hurts grass growth.
  • Controls unwanted moss that ruin the appearance of your lawn
  • Reduces that chance of turf disease
  • Fertilises the soil

Best Iron Sulphate Moss Killer

moss-killer-sulphateThis ferrous sulphate of iron is the best and most popular one in the United Kingdom. It has rave reviews totalling close to 400 five-star ratings. It is a highly effective product and works to get rid of moss but keeps the lawn healthy. Furthermore, it has the power to make your lawn look greener.

How to use Sulphate of Iron

Before you begin treating your lawn or garden, you need to aerate the lawn to remove dead leaves and thatch. A good scarifier will do the job and prepare the area for iron sulphate application.

The two ways you can apply ferrous sulphate to your lawn and garden are through a spreader or a garden sprayer.

The best time to use iron sulphate is during spring or autumn.

Here are the instructions:
  1. Aerate the lawn using a lawn scarifier and remove dead vegetation and thatch.
  2. Choose whether you want to use a garden sprayer or spreader (check our garden sprayer reviews or choose the evergreen spreader). The Evergreen spreader is meant to spread granular lawn products so it is a perfect match of iron sulphate. From our standpoint, we do not recommend using a garden sprayer because often the salts from iron sulphate do not mix well with water and result in a clogged nozzle.
  3. If you choose to use a sprayer, then pick a day when there is little wind and ensure rain will not fall within a 24 hour period. To use, measure 17 millilitres of ferrous sulphate and mix it with 4.5 litres of warm water. This mixture will be able to treat 200 square metres. Next, position your sprayer and treat affected areas.
  4. If you choose to use a spreader, then you will need to water the treated area thoroughly or let the rain do it for you after using. No weather restrictions are using this method. To use: separate the iron sulphate into two halves, fill the spreader with enough substance and begin performing the spreading over the lawn.
  5. After the moss is dead, re-scarify the lawn or use a rake to remove the excess debris.
  6. Check the acidity of the soil with a soil pH test kit. The best soil pH for grass is between 6.5 to 7. If your soil pH is above 7, it is too alkaline, and if it is below 6.5, then it is too acidic.
  7. Apply five to ten pounds of lime per 100 square metres to neutralise the soil’s pH level (given the test indicates an acidic soil).
  8. Add organic compost to fertilise the lawn or garden.

Safety and Precautions

Following these pointers to maximise safety when handling ferrous sulphate

  • Wear protective gear including overalls, gloves, goggles, and face mask
  • Mix the iron sulphate in a separate container, then fill sprayer
  • Handle carefully and avoid drift to concrete patios, paths, and driveways.
  • Read the safety data sheet supplied with your purchase.

Laws and Legislation Controversy

There seems to be a workaround iron sulphate manufacturers are using to avoid legislative action to their products. By law, every form of pesticide, whether it be a herbicide, fungicide, or moss killer requires registration with the UK Health and Safety Executive. The catch is iron sulphate can be marketed as a fertiliser or a moss killer.

Companies who market iron sulphate as a moss killer must first get government approval. However, companies who market iron sulphate as a fertiliser do not need any permission whatsoever. In theory, the ferrous sulphate in these products is the same but are marketed for a different purpose and different price.

Conclusion

Moss does not compete well with a healthy lawn. And if you use ferrous sulphate to create a lush garden or yard then you will get your money’s worth. However, when treating moss one should take all the contributing growth factors such as season, climate, shade levels, rain levels, soil type, and nutrient content of the soil into consideration. By approaching garden problems in a holistic way, you can ensure your success as a gardener.

Filed Under: Lawn Care

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