Brushcutter

[Keith Gandy]

Lookin at a few brushcutter but dont know much about them. Will be cutting 1 to 2 " trees , vines, brush and wanna be able to run a blade on it occasionally.
Wanna keep it brushcutter /trimmer with bars. Anyone know advantages/ disadvantages to these?
FS 130
FS 310
HUSKY 336 fr
Echo 410u

 

[Simondo]

Worked on plenty of the FS 400 ..now the 410... Good mid ranger and robust. Personally i would go 2 stroke rather than 4 mix and keep the cc size as close to 40cc or above if your running blades and line in heavy stuff whatever make you go for.
The anti vibe gets better up around that end of the ranges to as there deemed to be more pro use machines.

 

[Keith Gandy]

I figured the 4 mix would have better torque for blades?

 

[junkman]

Do those blades actually cut small trees down on the weed eaters ? I have been using my ht101 4 mix pole saw for that kind of clearing ,it does plug up the chain cover though.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Of those I would go with the Husqvarna 336FR. The Stihl fs130 and 310 are the same power head. Both 4-mix. Just the 310 has more antivibe. The Stihl FS240 is the best power to price/vibes. The Husqvarna 345FR is the next step up in power. The 345FR is overkill for anything less than trees. But If you are using a shredder blade, the FS240 is a little underpowered . It will do it though.

I have a KM-130. That thing is the bomb with a pole pruner head. But I don't like using it with a blade. It doesn't rev like a 2-stroke. I really missed that.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Ive been using this Shinny t270 with a blade for awhile and it will put more on the ground than anybody wants to drag

 

[Keith Gandy]

Of those I would go with the Husqvarna 336FR. The Stihl fs130 and 310 are the same power head. Both 4-mix. Just the 310 has more antivibe. The Stihl FS240 is the best power to price/vibes. The Husqvarna 345FR is the next step up in power. The 345FR is overkill for anything less than trees. But If you are using a shredder blade, the FS240 is a little underpowered . It will do it though.

I have a KM-130. That thing is the bomb with a pole pruner head. But I don't like using it with a blade. It doesn't rev like a 2-stroke. I really missed that.

I talked with Stihl tech today and the 310 has a better air filter system, beefier clutch , shaft, and gearhead than the 130 plus antivibe

 

[czar800]

I have a older fs120 2 stroke with a gutted muffler and it doesn't have any problems cutting trees. Are you buying new or use? Btw nice stool.

 

[Keith Gandy]

I have a older fs120 2 stroke with a gutted muffler and it doesn't have any problems cutting trees. Are you buying new or use? Btw nice stool.

New . My buddy has a stihl 460cm brushcutter but he isnt budging on selling it !! Lol! My t270 does good but its with rpm and not torque and is only 27cc

 

[Milkman31]

We have the fs250r at work and it's a bulldog!!! As for the other models I've not used them.

 

[Simondo]

I figured the 4 mix would have better torque for blades?

They are full of torque but there seems to be the odd problem with the cam followers and they can be a bit on the critical side oil sort and ratio. Iv serviced a few of the 130 combination units but i feel a brush cutter on a 3 pt harness and bars is better with a higher power 2 stroke motor. I use a Husq 244 gx myself ..had it from new ..and at near 3 hp its a capable of being a clearing saw as well as brush cutting. Still think you want to be thinking 40 ish cc bracket or you may find wet and clingy stuff is a pain.

 

[czar800]

I'm on kid duty so I was sitting here going through some old pictures. This one made me think of you.
I believe that michine was a 11? I can't remember, it was at a strip mine I was hauling rocks from. I'm on the right.

 

[Keith Gandy]

I'm on kid duty so I was sitting here going through some old pictures. This one made me think of you.
I believe that michine was a 11? I can't remember, it was at a strip mine I was hauling rocks from. I'm on the right.


View attachment 31380

Yep thats a hoss!! They use a few 12s a the local strip mine here

 

[Keith Gandy]

They are full of torque but there seems to be the odd problem with the cam followers and they can be a bit on the critical side oil sort and ratio. Iv serviced a few of the 130 combination units but i feel a brush cutter on a 3 pt harness and bars is better with a higher power 2 stroke motor. I use a Husq 244 gx myself ..had it from new ..and at near 3 hp its a capable of being a clearing saw as well as brush cutting. Still think you want to be thinking 40 ish cc bracket or you may find wet and clingy stuff is a pain.

What was the cam problem in the 4 mix? How about the Echo 420? Thats a 42.5 2 stroke brushcutter

 

[Simondo]

What was the cam problem in the 4 mix? How about the Echo 420? Thats a 42.5 2 stroke brushcutter

This is what i have been told by a contact who has had the situation on his bench. The material choice in some of the components can give wear issues and that throws the valve timing out causing start and tune agro. Running the right oil and mix is thought to have some effect on this but there a more complex motor with valves/springs/cams .........more to keep adjusted. Cant comment on the Echo Keith..no actual hands on with them.

 

[stihl saws]

My choice would be a good FS250r, if you can find one. I've cut a lot of big brush/trees with no problem. I don't think the FS130 would let you down if you must have new.

 

[Keith Gandy]

This is what i have been told by a contact who has had the situation on his bench. The material choice in some of the components can give wear issues and that throws the valve timing out causing start and tune agro. Running the right oil and mix is thought to have some effect on this but there a more complex motor with valves/springs/cams .........more to keep adjusted. Cant comment on the Echo Keith..no actual hands on with them.

Ya I know the 4 mix well. The cam is plastic and subject to wear but can be replaced in 10 minutes. I have a br600 and ht100 but hadnt had any trouble with either. Theres also a auto decomp arm on the plastic cam thats subject to wear

 

[Nitehawk55]

It's too bad the FR brush clearing saws never caught on , with the engine mounted like a backpack they are great for uneven ground and you only hold the weight of the shaft .
Put a ton of hours on that one in my avatar and was lucky to get it .
<<< Stihl FR 350

 

[Simondo]

Ya I know the 4 mix well. The cam is plastic and subject to wear but can be replaced in 10 minutes. I have a br600 and ht100 but hadnt had any trouble with either. Theres also a auto decomp arm on the plastic cam thats subject to wearView attachment 31395

With your background in the 4 mix engine i guess it comes down to if you want more power and the style of that power.

 

[Keith Gandy]

With your background in the 4 mix engine i guess it comes down to if you want more power and the style of that power.

I want one that when u put a blade on a 2.5" to 3" tree it doesnt have any give up in it!!! Lol