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.
Larger 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
This 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
The 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
Another 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
The 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.
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For a similar article, read about the weed wiper.
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