Heavy duty brush cutter/saw recommendation

I posted this on the Hunting side as well, but wanted to broaden the audience.

After ruthlessly beating up my Husqvarna 128 straight shaft trimmer the past few seasons, I’ve decided I’d better upgrade to a dedicated brushcutter. I broke the quick-detach coupling on the 128 from the torque caused by the head twisting as it saws through brush and I’ve determined that this is really not designed for the merciless pounding I’m dishing out and for constant use with a metal blade.

Also, the ergonomics just aren’t there, even though I added the J handle. I want the full bicycle handles with the handle-end throttle.

My primary need is to cut and maintain miles of trails and shooting lanes on various hunting properties. Mainly I’m cutting popple and buck/adler bursh up to 3 inches thick. Using a chainsaw is just too hard on the back and too slow on the small stuff. Once the brush is cut, coarse grass and brambles grow up and need to be cut down yearly. Ideally, I’ll be getting a walk behind brush hog in the future, but for now this too is a job for the brushcutter.

I’m considering the following and wonder if any members own or use these and can advise:

– Stihl FS460 – 46 CC and 18.7 pounds
– Echo SRM410 – 43 CC and 18.3 pounds
– Husky – I’ve looked at husky, but I’m not sure I want to deal with the weight of their dedicated brush saw.

I am lukewarm on Stihl products having had bad experiences with my two most recent Stihl purchases, both of which turned out to be bad out of the box. Not surprisingly, I don’t bond very well with my local Stihl dealer. They seem to have a blame the customer mentality for everything and I think they kind of resented it when I rubbed their nose in it a little bit after 2 bad products in a row. Is it setting myself up for problems if I buy Stihl from another dealer that’s farther away from me?

I’ve never tried Echo, but all the Echo guys I know of absolutely love them and if you look at what the lawn pros use for trimmers, it’s Echo or Stihl.

Any advice from the folks out there?

Grouse

I am using a Stihl FS80 for the exact purpose you want to use it for. I have had great luck! I take this thing out once a year just to cut lanes and break a few new trails. The only trouble I have had was a recoil this year and slightly bent shaft. The shaft was bent due to a dull blade and swinging it to hard to cut the brush. I think it comes with a star or square looking blade which will work but if you update get the one that looks like a skill saw blade. It is easy to sharpen in the field with a flat file and will last.

Quote:

---

The only trouble I have had was a recoil this year and slightly bent shaft. The shaft was bent due to a dull blade and swinging it to hard to cut the brush. I think it comes with a star or square looking blade which will work but if you update get the one that looks like a skill saw blade.

---

Yes, it’s this “torking” issue that broke the quick-detach coupling on my Husqvarna. When that blade touches something like more solid brush, it torques pretty violently clockwise. Do this enough with a machine not made for the task, and I can see that the lifespan will be very short.

I spoke with my Husqvarna dealer yesterday and he confirmed that while the Quick Change series of trimmers HAS a brushcutter attachment, what I’m doing with it (running it for 5-6 full hours per day) is really beyond what it’s designed to handle.

So time to upgrade. But upgrade to what?

I have to say that if I’m going to REALLY have to drag myself in to a Stihl dealership. I have a bad taste in my mouth regarding Stihl, but they used to make good stuff so hopefully this was just bad luck and a bad dealer.

Grouse

A torking issue huh? Intredasting…

How about an elephant?

I pull a Swisher 44 inch brush cutter behind my 4 wheeler. Only have replace the belt a couple times over the last 2 years. keeps the deer trails, food plots cut down very nice!

I have the 460 and love it!I can clear a large area quickly. I bought a back up blade to reduce stress on it, I would tend to go a little long with a dull blade. I also have the weed whip attatchment to keep areas clear after the big stuff is down. I’m pretty rough on it and it’s still going strong.
It’s very comfortable and well balanced.
The only issue I’ve noticed is it’s a little cold blooded but once warm is just fine.

Bottom line-if mine died I’d buy another the next day. (two thumbs up!)

Appreciate the advice.

Just called my fun friends at the Stihl dealership and HOLY FREAKING moses. They want exactly double the price of the same-sized Echo and Husky.

Sorry Stihl there is no way I can justify paying $1100 + tax for what the other guys want $550 for.

WOW! I got mine used 9 years ago for $125 I used to be a Realtor and got so much stuff that people didn’t want to move. I’ll take better care of mine!

Quote:

---

WOW! I got mine used 9 years ago for $125 I used to be a Realtor and got so much stuff that people didn’t want to move. I’ll take better care of mine!

---

I’ll give you $250 for it. Double your money…

Just ordered a top of the line Echo. Stihl prices are just crazy plus I can get the Echo this week, Stihl would have to be orderd.

Grouse

If I were you Id rent one then you wont have the maintenance and you wont have to store it i used one and it cost me 75.00 for the day figure it out how many times a year you would use it and figure if renting is a better option

Here is what I did –

I cut or re-opened my trails with a Bobcat / Forestry attachment.

Then, I run a DR pull behind trail / brush cutter behind the ATV – this maintains them very nicely.

Chainsaw for any fallen timber that needs to be removed.

Dog

Have you checked into Renting a Big Walk Behind or Pull Behind Brush-Hog?

Should be much easier on your back and just shred everything down to the level you set.

Quote:

---

Have you checked into Renting a Big Walk Behind or Pull Behind Brush-Hog?

Should be much easier on your back and just shred everything down to the level you set.

---

That’ll be the go to option once I have trails cleared, but I can’t run over 3 inch popple trees with a walk-behind, they need to be cut down first.

The Bobcat is another great option, but having rented bobcats before, I can say that the cost is going to be the issue with that one. For right now at least.

Grouse