Weedeater for cutting brush?

[MushCreek]

The blackberry canes are pretty tough. You can gnaw through them- slowly- one at a time. The Echo PAS looks pretty good, although it adds up by the time you buy attachments. I guess I could buy the head and the brush cutter, then start saving up for the string trimmer for when my old Husky finally croaks.

 

[Hohn]

The blackberry canes are pretty tough. You can gnaw through them- slowly- one at a time. The Echo PAS looks pretty good, although it adds up by the time you buy attachments. I guess I could buy the head and the brush cutter, then start saving up for the string trimmer for when my old Husky finally croaks.

When I looked at the Stihl version of the modular system, it looked to me like you saved little to no money at all over buying separate tools. Apparently the engines are super cheap and all the cost is outside them.

So I made the decision to go with dedicated tools. So far it's worked out OK not having all my eggs in one basket.

 

[Firebrick43]

and presumably a shear pin in there somewhere.

No there isn’t. The brush blades are held on by a nut and blade rider but not splined so it will slip some if it comes to an instant stop. Also the engine has a clutch. While I have never broken one it’s not unheard of to break a shaft or head.

The shafts are pretty small diameter.

Both the bevel gear head and shaft are easy disassemble and replace

When I looked at the Stihl version of the modular system, it looked to me like you saved little to no money at all over buying separate tools. Apparently the engines are super cheap and all the cost is outside them.

So I made the decision to go with dedicated tools. So far it's worked out OK not having all my eggs in one basket.

I assume you have one of the homeowner 2 stroke kombi like a KM56?

It’s significantly cheaper on the larger machines for the kombi if you have several different attachment.

I have a km131r and a trimmer, brush cutter (really same thing but saves time swapping) blower, and cultivator. The power heads are a little north of 400$ and the attachment are 105$ for the trimmer heads, 150$ for the blower, and 205$ for the cultivator. If I wanted to add a pole saw it 200$. An HT131 pole saw is 750$.

 

[Hohn]

No there isn’t. The brush blades are held on by a nut and blade rider but not splined so it will slip some if it comes to an instant stop. Also the engine has a clutch. While I have never broken one it’s not unheard of to break a shaft or head.

The shafts are pretty small diameter.

Both the bevel gear head and shaft are easy disassemble and replace


I assume you have one of the homeowner 2 stroke kombi like a KM56?

It’s significantly cheaper on the larger machines for the kombi if you have several different attachment.

I have a km131r and a trimmer, brush cutter (really same thing but saves time swapping) blower, and cultivator. The power heads are a little north of 400$ and the attachment are 105$ for the trimmer heads, 150$ for the blower, and 205$ for the cultivator. If I wanted to add a pole saw it 200$. An HT131 pole saw is 750$.

I might not have been clear-- I didn't buy the Kombi setup because it seemed like it didn't save money.
I have an FS90 or FS91 straight shaft IIRC, I'd have to confirm.
I also have an edger but don't remember the model.

 

[Firebrick43]

I might not have been clear-- I didn't buy the Kombi setup because it seemed like it didn't save money.
I have an FS90 or FS91 straight shaft IIRC, I'd have to confirm.
I also have an edger but don't remember the model.

Fs91R is $360 + FC91 is $400 = $760

KM91r is $360 + trimmer attachment $105 + Edger $200 = $665

So there is some savings. But if you bought a lower line edger as most people that are not lawn pros, then yea they would be somewhat comparable in price but it’s not an apples to apples comparison

When I was mowing lawns on the side 10 years ago I had a FS90r. I used an edgit rotary guard on it which allowed easy maintenance edging.

https://edgit.com/products/edgit-pro

It is the berries for trimming fence post, chain link fences and foundations, much faster, easier and less frustrating than a standard back guard.

I would swap out the speed feed trimmer head for the tri brush blade when knocking back brambles, multiflora rose bush, and young russian olives sprouts but you had to remove the edgit as well. With the kombi I just swap heads.

I do really miss the flippy gas cap on the FS90r

The blackberry canes are pretty tough. You can gnaw through them- slowly- one at a time. The Echo PAS looks pretty good, although it adds up by the time you buy attachments. I guess I could buy the head and the brush cutter, then start saving up for the string trimmer for when my old Husky finally croaks.

If you are only going to swap between trimmer heads and a brush blade for brambles it’s pretty quick to swap on a standard trimmer with a solid shaft. You just insert a rod into the head and turn off the trimmer head. Install the blade with a blade rider and nut and tighten with the scrench and remove the rod. Take 2 mins.

Echo x series trimmers can be bought with a solid shaft such as the SRM-2620. Be aware they sell the same machine with a flexible shaft, the will have a T at the end such as the SRM-2620T. You can not use the T models with brush blades.

 

[Sumboodie]

Best I've used was an old Jonsered that was something like 50 or 60cc. Was HEAVY but a beast, probably weighed 30lbs. Sucked gas too, easily go through 5 gallons in an afternoon.
Don't remember the model now though.

 

[alfadan]

The type of brush cutter that is not recommended for weedeaters are the type shown in post #4. There are blades that look like the ones used on table saws that do not shock the motor. I use those on my Stihls. The downside is they get dull very quickly. I'm considering modifying a carbide tooth blade for the purpose.

Stihl sells a carbide tip one. I get 2 or 3 years out of it, but putting a new one on is very noticeable.

 

[racecougar]

I've logged just over 75-1/2 hours on this Wild Badger 52cc brush cutter using the Forester 9" blades. It rips right through invasive bush honeysuckle, burning bush, jet bead, multiflora rose, privet, autumn olive, and so on. I don't think you can beat it for the price point (less than $200 shipped).

 

[Hohn]

What you typed:

When I was mowing lawns on the side 10 years ago I had a FS90r. I used an edgit rotary guard on it which allowed easy maintenance edging.

https://edgit.com/products/edgit-pro

Where my mind went:

Edgit/idgit, I'm probably both in turns.

I've seen pros with that circular attachment and always looked in jealousy, thanks for the link!