Unless you are truly passionate about landscaping, trimming bushes and removing weeds is a chore. Who wouldn’t love to be chilling on a chaise or cooling inside whilst watching a good TV show?
Well, when you are the proud owner or a yard or a garden, caring for it really isn’t optional. However, when you invest in the right bush cutter, this activity seems less like a chore. But what makes a bush cutter “good” and what are the things you should know before you buy one? Stay tuned, we’re about to clarify everything bush cutter-related.
Top 3 Picks
Best Overall: Husqvarna 336FR 966604702 Bush Cutter
With impressive features, a harness for even weight distribution, an adjustable handle, quick line feed, and many other specifications that depict power and quality, the Husqvarna 336FR 966604702 bush cutter is a product that’s worth every penny.
Most Powerful: PROYAMA Bush Cutter
“If you’re looking to do some serious cutting, this is the one I would recommend any day of the week if you’re not wanting to spend a bunch of money.” (Customer review)
Customer’s Choice: Remington RM2700 Ranchero Trimmer
“I love this brush trimmer. This is way better than my other one. This has multiple attachments. Works and starts up beautifully with no issues. Highly recommend this.” (Customer review)
What Is a Bush Cutter or Trimmer?
Even with these terms being used interchangeably, there are some differences between a bush cutter and a string trimmer or weed whacker. Bush (or brush) cutters are power tools meant to help you trim weeds and other foliage that you would not be able to trim using a lawn mower. They are made from a power unit (which usually sits close to your body as you hold the tool), a pole (used to transmit the power from the motor to the blades), and a cutting head (located at the bottom side of the bole and made with powerful blades).
The power unit of the bush cutter belongs to one of three categories: it can be a gas engine (a two or a four-stroke) which is generally found on more powerful units, an electric motor (which requires plugging into a power outlet to work), or a cordless electric motor (which is a fancy way of saying it’s powered by rechargeable batteries).
The second component of the bush cutter is the shaft, which can also be one of three main types:
- Units designed for basic around-the-house use come with curved shafts.
- Professional units are equipped with straight shafts that have a gearbox located near the end with the blades.
- Expert units are made with split shafts that allow you to replace the cutting head with other accessories that could turn the unit into a hedge trimmer, an edger, or a cultivator.
The cutting head on these units usually consists of circular saw blades. The majority of bush cutters will allow you to replace the head, and this feature is one of the things that make bush cutters so versatile. The cutting sides of the machine usually come with deflectors that are protective parts meant to keep the user safe.
What to Look For
Picking the right bush cutter isn’t a complicated process if you take into account the following:
- Some products are better for individual use, while others are more suitable for professional use. So, consider what you’re going to use the cutter for in the first place. Professionals should pay attention to products that have a long service life and excellent warranties.
- The size is also important, so don’t always go for the strongest model even if you have money to spend. A strong engine will reap tougher vegetation but it’s also going to weigh more and might be more difficult to handle. When you work for long hours, this can be very cumbersome and it won’t be long until fatigue makes an entry.
- Medium range bush cutters are perfect for landowners with small to medium estates. You can easily find a bush cutter that allows you to switch heads to have all the necessary accessories that are suitable for the intended job.
- The ease of use is another thing to take into consideration, and we’re not just talking ease of manipulation here. It has to be a unit that allows you to easily switch heads and blades. When you’re using a trimmer, you also want to be able to change the line easily, which means the feed mechanism has to be practical and intuitive.
- You absolutely need a harness that can distribute the weight evenly, otherwise it will be very cumbersome to use.
- The handlebars need to be adjustable, and you also want to make sure they are angled relative to the shaft. This helps prevent an uneven load on your back.
Tips for Using a Bush Trimmer
Bush cutters are extremely versatile tools but it might take a while to adjust to them. They are useful for brushes, shrubs, saplings, small trees, tall prairie grass, ferns, reeds, and for trimming loads of other vegetation that you have to get out of the way. If this is your first bush trimmer, here are some tips that might make the experience smoother:
- Always make sure that you invest in safety gear. You are going to need at least a hard hat, hearing protection, and a pair of goggles. It is also advisable to use gloves and even a solid pair of boots.
- When you change the blade on your bush trimmer, you also want to change the deflector. This is actually a debris shield that covers the string/blade closest to your legs. There are different kinds of deflectors suitable for different bush cutter attachments: deflectors with cutting blades are to be used with string trimmer line; high-visibility deflectors are meant to be used with string trimmer lines and grass blades’ skirt deflectors can be used with brush blades, glass blades, and string trimmer lines; limit stop deflectors are good for circular saws.
- When you want to use the cutter from trimming weeds and grass clusters, the best motion is sweeping it back and forth, just as you would with a scythe. The cutter should be held with the blade positioned just a little above ground level.
- When you have to cut thick shrubs, don’t start at the base, what you can do is raise the head of the bush cutter to the same level as your waist, with the blade parallel to the ground (keep in mind that you should never raise the blade above your waist level) and then lower the cutter’s head on the bush to start cutting.
- Whenever you want to cut saplings and small trees, use a bush trimmer with a circular saw blade. In order for this setup to work, the trunks need to measure less than two inches in diameter (for larger trees, you’re going to need a chainsaw). To process, hold the cutter so that the blade is placed two to eight inches above ground level. Turn the unit on and bring the blade’s left side against the side of the tree. By doing so, you are allowing the limit stop deflector’s left side to hold the cutter in place by leaning against the tree. All you have to do is keep the cutter steady so that it makes it all the way through the trunk.
Best Bush Cutters
Troy-Bilt Straight Shaft Gasoline String Trimmer
The TB25S is a product that promises simple operation at a price that doesn’t compromise your budget by a lot. It comes with a two-cycle lightweight engine to help you manipulate it with ease. The engine works together with the trimmer head to load the line in seconds and have this baby ready for action without too much effort on your behalf. The details on this cutter will ensure that fatigue won’t be an issue anytime soon, especially thanks to the adjustable handle that can be moved to different positions. The SpringAssist technology makes it easy to start the unit with a simple pull. It provides efficient cutting thanks to the 14-inch cutting swath.
Remington RM2700 Ranchero
Very similar in design, but with features distinct compared to the aforementioned Troy-Bilt unit, the Remington cutter is another trimmer that’s easy to manipulate and built around features that are meant to eliminate fatigue as much as possible. Powered by a 27cc two-cycle engine, the unit is designed to eliminate vibrations and offer a great experience whenever you power it up. The system produces fewer vibrations compared to lower-quality units. It has a large bump feed trimmer and a robust metal glade that will cut mercilessly through weeds. With easy pull start and an adjustable handle, this baby has everything you can ask for in a product within its price range.
Husqvarna 336FR 966604702 Brushcutter
Husqvarna is no stranger to power tools that are useful around the garden, so it should come as no surprise finding out that they make a really mean and sturdy bush cutter. The features are impressive, to say the least. It packs an ergonomic harness that distributes the load on your shoulders, back, and chest, to avoid fatigue up to a great level. The adjustable handlebar will provide you with optimal comfort while the unit is being used. It is powered by an X-Torq engine meant to reduce emissions with up to 60 percent, while also increasing fuel efficiency to a maximum of 20 percent. It has a quick feed system for the line, a 1.9 HP power output, and weighs a total of 14.5 pounds.
PowerSmart String Trimmer
The PowerSmart cutter and trimmer is a cordless more that uses the power of a 25.4cc two-stroke engine to provide you with just enough power for removing nasty bushes and doing yard work that mowers and gardening scissors can’t handle. It has a super shock absorbing design that makes it easier to use this for tougher projects without experiencing too much fatigue. The translucent fuel tank grants clear visibility of the fuel status so you’ll always know when it’s time to stop and refill. It also comes with a shoulder strap that’s meant to make it easier to hold the unit and work with it.
PROYAMA Brush Cutter
The last product that we wanted to show you today is the PROYAMA brush cutter. It is a quality product that features a 42.7cc two-cycle engine with 2 HP, making it a powerful tool that works for removing stubborn vegetation. The engine is EPA certified, which means less discharge and less pollution. What’s even more interesting about this purchase is the fact that it comes with all kinds of accessories designed to protect you while doing yard work, from gloves to goggles, and even ear protectors. It weighs almost 21 pounds, so it’s not that lightweight, but it is to be expected considering the power of the engine.
FAQ
What is the best bush trimmer?
Gas-powered trimmers are usually recommended by landscapers and people with gardening know-how because they come with more powerful engines and you don’t have to rely on batteries that tend to get weaker in time.
How much does a bush trimmer cost?
There are many variables that determine the price of a bush trimmer. If you were to opt for a simple manual trimmer, you could end up paying as little as $10. Gas-powered bush trimmers, which are more powerful and durable, can cost anything between $150 and $700.
What are the best hedge trimmers to buy?
There are plenty of good bush trimmers on the market, but some of the brands that are most recommended by clients and experts alike as Husqvarna, Remington, and Black+Decker.
What is a bush trimmer called?
Bush trimmers go by many different names. They are commonly called hedge trimmers or brush cutters.
In Conclusion
Bush cutters are great power tools to own, especially if you’ve had problems with landscaping and yard cleaning due to vegetation being all over place. They will also come in handy whenever it’s time to trim those parts of the yard that are not aesthetically pleasing, so that you can enjoy and admire your yard work every time you go outside.
Operating a bush cutter isn’t complicated if you know how to pick it right, so make sure that you go through all the bits of information we’ve provided today so that you can figure out what separates a good bush cutter from a bad one, but also discover a list of tips that will help you make the most out of this tool.
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