texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,768
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,995
Posts9,719,275
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Anyone use a Brush Cutter? #5330079 09/28/14 01:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 246
R
Rockfish Dave Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
R
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 246
I'm looking specifically at this:

http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Brushcutters/SRM-410U



Has anyone used something like this?

If so what are your thoughts on the good and bad?

Thanks

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330112 09/28/14 01:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,898
C
Csddarden Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,898
With that much exposed blade, it kinda freaks me out. I've used husqvarna's similar one, and it's bit more enclosed, but when you hit something kinda large, it still kicks back around. I found that a good ol heavy weight string trimmer usually does the job fine, then come back with something else to get the big stuff.

Granted, i was in a hurry with the husqvarna, and wasn't paying allot of attention when I hit a mesquite stump, but it still gave me a "WTF!?!?!?" reaction. It's like a circular saw on the end of a pole.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330149 09/28/14 02:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,197
T
tdecker22 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
T
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,197
I use the one that has a little bit bigger teeth all of the time. It works amazing and I can take down 3"-4" trees with a slow cut and a 1 1/2" tree with just one swipe. I have never experienced any kickback when using this and I have never felt unsafe while using the blade.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330174 09/28/14 02:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,025
J
jetdad Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,025
I have a Stihl that I use when it's hard to get a chainsaw on something or in tight spots like up against a fence. It's much easier on the back not having to bend down to cut numerous small trees. It works great but I do get some kickback. The kickback I get doesn't make me feel unsafe but it will kickback into a fence or something that dulls the blade. Mine was just an attachment for my trimmer. I do have a heavy duty trimmer. Is someone suggesting you need a dedicated unit? I think mine was about $30 plus the cost of the blade. It's worth it if you have a lot of saplings. It will make short work of them.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330274 09/28/14 04:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
D
don k Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
I also have the Stihl. Just put the blade on the weed eater body. Works great. Best thing they ever made for cutting little cedar. 100 times faster than the old nippers we used to use. Takes about 5 minutes to resharpen the blade on the bench grinder.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: don k] #5330354 09/28/14 06:06 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,119
G
GUTIT Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
G
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,119
I use the hell out of mine building fence, lease work, etc. No kickback or problems if you run it right.

not good on grass though


Stronghold Construction Group
Commercial and Residential Project Management
Managing all your construction needs
Kent@StrongholdConstructionGroupDOTcom


Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: GUTIT] #5330410 09/28/14 06:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 246
R
Rockfish Dave Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
R
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 246
Originally Posted By: GUTIT
I use the hell out of mine building fence, lease work, etc. No kickback or problems if you run it right.

not good on grass though


That's kind of what I wanted to know. I want to use it to cut saplings, and vines. I also want to use it to clear the fence row. My property had been neglected for nearly 20 years and has gone feral.

Also has anyone tried the carbide blades? Like had mentioned I am more interested in clearing the woody stemmed stuff than the grass.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330441 09/28/14 07:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Be very careful on what you try and cut.. Also it's a touch and go process not just swipe across a bunch of saplings at one time..

I see way to many gears bust in the head assembly from people trying to bite a little more than a trimmer wants to handle... A machete will save you a lot of $

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330611 09/28/14 09:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,112
R
Ranch Dog Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
R
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,112
I've used a Stihl FS250 for a decade, I'll bet I have trimmed several hundred miles of pasture barbed wire fence with it.


[Linked Image]
Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330635 09/28/14 09:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530
H
Hunt n Fish Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
H
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530
Yep! Works like a champ on that stuff that's just too big for a weed eater!


HnF

"Prayer is when you talk to the Lord, Meditation is when you listen to what he says"
Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5330670 09/28/14 10:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 230
duckhunter55 Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 230
The carbide blade works best. Bigger is better. Don't buy a small weed eater. We use a commercial grade Sthil. Get your rpms up and let it eat.


This country is stuck on stupid!
Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5331301 09/29/14 03:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,269
S
swmays Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,269
I have used the Stihl as well. Works very well. It has my undivided attention when being used...

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5331335 09/29/14 03:42 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
G
grout-scout Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
G
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
I had an Echo but I never tried the brush cutter on it but I will give you some advice, get one with a big blade guard! My echo had a tiny guard and it threw every rock and stick at my face. I hated it so much that I almost broke it against a tree on several occasions. I finally gave it away because of the hatred I had for it. Stihl for me next time.

Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5331358 09/29/14 04:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333
H
Hirogen Online Content
Pro Tracker
Online Content
Pro Tracker
H
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333
I use a Tanaka.

I did a lot of research on straight shaft trimmers before I bought and the Tanakas seemed to be what most of the professional foresters were running.

The warranty on the Tanakas is also the best out of all the makes that I looked at. It is 7 years "bumper to bumper" for private use or 2 years for commercial use and the shaft has a lifetime warranty.

Mine will take down a 3 inch maple no problem but as others have stated you have to approach it properly or it will kick. Mine also came with multiple heads so I can switch it to string if cutting non-woody plants.

Last edited by Hirogen; 09/29/14 04:01 AM.

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.

-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5333645 09/30/14 01:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
M
MELackey Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
M
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
we have a couple of the bigger commercial Stihl that have the motorcycle U shaped handles. We found that the carbide blades are very effective on them. Good for practically anything you need to cut down. In addition to vines and fence rows, we walk through the pastures cutting down the little cedar saplings.




Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5333750 09/30/14 02:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,955
kry226 Online Content
The General
Online Content
The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,955
May have to try something like this. The tumbleweeds laugh at my Husqvarna trimmer with "titanium" line. whip


[Linked Image]
Re: Anyone use a Brush Cutter? [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5333996 09/30/14 04:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,381
T
TXMachinist Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,381
I use a DR Walk behind trimmer with a 10" "Chainsaw Blade". It is a beast and will cut down anything up to 3-4" quickly. I think it's a lot safer than the weedeater with a blade.

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3