View Full Version : Stihl brush cutters / clearing saws
Is there a difference between the two?
I am looking at getting a new brush cutter / clearing saw for sorting out the woodland, which is about half an acre. It is mainly long grass, weeds, brambles and small saplings.
I am tempted by the FS410 as this looks more than up to the job and does not have the complex electronics of the FS460 and up.
Would this be overkill?
nonuffin
14-05-2018, 18:33
When it comes to those sort of jobs there is no such thing as "overkill" as these machines have a very tough life.
As careful as you can be, you will always hit rocks and thick wood which does the head, shaft and engines a whole lot of no good. All I do is cut the grass with my 50cc Partner cutter and today I used up around a metre of 2.4mm line because of hidden rocks and bits of discarded barbed wire.
Always best to go for overkill as it usually makes the job easier and quicker!
You could always go for the Fs560 clearing saw - that looks a series piece of kit.
Interesting how stihl move from strimmer to brushcutter to saw as they go up the range, it must be to do with power and ferocity!
The issue with going above the FS410 is the electronics and additional weight for not much more power.
This will be my third brush cutter. The other two still work, one is a back pack job which is great for awkward stuff and is powered by a Kawasaki TJ45e motor. The other is a straight shaft Ryobi “professional” trimmer that had so much vibration it broke the fuel tank mountings, which then fell off. I have rebuilt it, and it is better but still not great.
The Stihl would replace this.
The issue with going above the FS410 is the electronics and additional weight for not much more power.
This will be my third brush cutter. The other two still work, one is a back pack job which is great for awkward stuff and is powered by a Kawasaki TJ45e motor. The other is a straight shaft Ryobi “professional” trimmer that had so much vibration it broke the fuel tank mountings, which then fell off. I have rebuilt it, and it is better but still not great.
The Stihl would replace this.
Weight is a big issue with these tools especially if your using them for long periods and complex electronics are never good. Sounds like you have had a fair bit of experience with these Kevin, you must have a beast of a garden!:eek:
About 2 acres with just over half an acre of oak woodland.
It takes me about a day to clear the woods, which is why I need something robust.
Then there is the boundary and the ditches to do....
About 2 acres with just over half an acre of oak woodland.
It takes me about a day to clear the woods, which is why I need something robust.
Then there is the boundary and the ditches to do....
Must keep you fit!:)
I try not to do it too often, but if I let it grow the snakes come closer to the house.
hifi_dave
15-05-2018, 11:26
Weight is a big issue with these tools especially if your using them for long periods and complex electronics are never good. Sounds like you have had a fair bit of experience with these Kevin, you must have a beast of a garden!:eek:
I would agree with the weight problem. I have several items of Stihl and they are excellent but the hedge cutter and strimmer are very heavy. I have just given away the hedge cutter because I just can't use it with arms outstretched as I need to do with deep hedges. Also, the long pole hedge cutter is just too heavy for me now. The strimmer is manageable and does a very good job.
I am still young, so a bit of weight does not bother me at the moment.
I went to a shop today. I asked for some advice. I was told that the assistant would be with ,e in a couple of minutes.
Twenty minutes later, no sign of bloke, so I informed the cashier that if they were not interested in selling a €800 brush cutter, then I would go elsewhere and I left. She looked quite shocked....
I have been doing some reading, and I may opt for a Husqvarna 545RX as it seems pretty good, and is a bit cheaper than the Stihl.
hifi_dave
16-05-2018, 16:51
Being a Stihl owner and observing that every gardener and tree surgeon we have employed use Stihl, I would recommend you buy that and not save a few Euro on the cheaper model. Must be a good reason all these professionals go with Stihl..:chainsaw:
Ninanina
16-05-2018, 18:28
We had a Kawasaki brush cutter in France which was very good indeed however I know the Stihl ones are also very good and was our second choice, at the price point, to the Kawasaki but the Stihl one you mention is much heavier duty to the one we had, it looks excellent
Thanks for the feedback. My backpack brush cutter is Kawasaki powered. Kawasaki only make the engines now. They have stopped manufacturing garden machinery.
Having spoken to several pros you have a 50/50 split between Stihl and Husqvarna being the better machine. The Husqvarna I am looking at is their equivalent model to the Stihl.
I have started to look at Brush cutting mowers. This maybe the answer, as I don’t have to carry the weight and already have two 40cc + brush cutters. The mower could save me a lot of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9pFG68pvMs
This is the type of thing that would be useful.
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