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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Swannie on January 07, 2017, 05:05:41 PM

Title: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 07, 2017, 05:05:41 PM
To the experienced lawn scientists on this site. In the last week after 12 years the  old Stihl blower & whipper snipper seem to be dying. As I'm now needing some more "heavy duty" gear for 2.5 acres what do people reccomend  for a brush cutter needs to be straight shaft. I'd prefer to buy both the same brand. The only local is husqvarna are they any good? Want to stick with 2 stroke

Swannie
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: V8CRSA on January 07, 2017, 08:35:49 PM
Stihl all the way for 2 stroke but Honda stuff is great too.
Alfa mcdelta in Kilmore can sort you out with the stihl stuff
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Railey on January 07, 2017, 09:48:44 PM
30 years in the business I have used it all and never go past a Shindaiwa.....First to start, last to quit.

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Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: D4D on January 08, 2017, 05:24:48 AM
Shindaiwa/Echo for the blower, mine was made in 1997 and still starts 2nd pull. Works even better after a Brett B tune :)

Honda for the brush cutter or a Stihl kombi, depends on what other tools you need, for example a pole chainsaw.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: speewa158 on January 08, 2017, 06:10:04 AM
What they said , Honda or Husqvarna l run both . Tuff stuff Also get into 2.7mm diamond cord it to is battle proved .
Then you can come to " Speewas Shed of Perloved Ride on Mowers " we will deck you out with some top gear  :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:             Bring Grog     :cheers:
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Paddy16 on January 08, 2017, 07:14:42 AM
Owning a Husky chainsaw and blower both two stroke - I narrowed it down to the Husky 135R - a bike handle 35cc unit. Easier to get service from one place and use the same fuel. Looked at the Honda and Shindaiwa too but I need a two stroke mower so the Husky makes it easier for me. My Husky dealer is 5min away. Been to both Stihl shops and they aren't interested in business.....
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: tryagain on January 08, 2017, 01:34:52 PM
Bulk of guys doing it commercially use Stihl blowers and shindaiwa brush cutters, Stihl also make decent brush cutters and Echco (same mob as shindaiwa) also make good blowers, have a look and see what you like the look of the most. A word of warning though is that Stihl now also have some rather cheap entry level products, probably fine for domestic use but not comparable with theirs or other brands commercial grade products. 
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: kylarama on January 08, 2017, 02:53:43 PM
I picked up a  Shindaiwa T250 brush cutter 13 years ago 2nd hand. Picked up a Sthil 017 chainsaw 2nd hand 3 years ago. Plus a Mccullough blower from new about 6 years ago.

The Shindaiwa is a beast that cannot be killed no matter how old the fuel... The Sthil is a great little saw and could take or leave the McCullough, it was cheap.

The biggest issue owning different brands is different fuel mixes.  25:1, 50:1 & 40:1.  PITA having 3 different jerry cans.

If you're going to pick one from different brands, try and get the same fuel mixes.

I'd get another Shindaiwa brush cutter in a heatbeat, but the Sthil combi range would be massively tempting.

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Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: tryagain on January 08, 2017, 03:13:14 PM
I'd get another Shindaiwa brush cutter in a heatbeat, but the Sthil combi range would be massively tempting.
Shindaiwa also have their multi-tool range, I have both Stihl Kombi and Shindaiwa Multi-tool set ups, I don't think I would saw one is necessarily better than the other but the Multi-tool is probably my personal preference.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: kylarama on January 08, 2017, 03:26:55 PM
Shindaiwa also have their multi-tool range, I have both Stihl Kombi and Shindaiwa Multi-tool set ups, I don't think I would saw one is necessarily better than the other but the Multi-tool is probably my personal preference.
Thanks. Just googled it.  5 year domestic warranty (2 year commercial) is pretty good.

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Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: D4D on January 08, 2017, 03:38:03 PM
Thanks. Just googled it.  5 year domestic warranty (2 year commercial) is pretty good.

Yup, same as Echo :cup:
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: robali on January 08, 2017, 05:29:45 PM
I run Honda or should i say it gets flogged to death daily... Can't beat it.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Mudguts on January 08, 2017, 09:14:39 PM
I have a Makita brushcutter,  Stihl blower and a Husqvarna 445 saw.

Bloody hard to beat the Makita for me, so easy to start. Having said that, no dramas with any of the others.

Regards,
Dicko.

Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: rags on January 08, 2017, 09:31:49 PM
I have a Makita brushcutter

Regards,
Dicko.

I've been using a Dolmar brush cutter (along with chainsaw and blower) for approx 20 year. It has been ultra reliable but can't buy Dolmar anymore except for badged as  Makita product and not sure of the Makita quality and whether you would get similar life as my Dolmar. Also have a Shindiawa commercial machine that I use for heavier scrub clearing using a blade which also been a good machine.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Mudguts on January 09, 2017, 06:15:10 AM

I'm not a small engine guru but I think the quality is outstanding - I would personally go Makita over the others.

I've been using a Dolmar brush cutter (along with chainsaw and blower) for approx 20 year. It has been ultra reliable but can't buy Dolmar anymore except for badged as  Makita product and not sure of the Makita quality and whether you would get similar life as my Dolmar. Also have a Shindiawa commercial machine that I use for heavier scrub clearing using a blade which also been a good machine.


Regards,
Dicko.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 13, 2017, 02:44:43 PM
Thanks guys ended up grabbing some husky gear. They are local, were alot more helpful than the Stihl shop and also threw in oils, free services and safety equipment plus 4 year warranty. Those husky rideons look good too

Swannie
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Bird on January 13, 2017, 03:01:32 PM
Quote from: Swannie
Those husky rideons look good too
go on, ya know ya gonna do it.... :P
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 13, 2017, 05:27:47 PM
go on, ya know ya gonna do it.... :P

Yep I like organge. That's my only criteria 😂
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: speewa158 on January 13, 2017, 06:20:44 PM
Get something about 20 HP with a 42 in deck , hydrostatic drive  , with a stubbie holder  .
That works for me , about 2.5 stubbies to the acre        :cup:               :cheers:
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Paddy16 on January 14, 2017, 09:01:52 PM
Get something about 20 HP with a 42 in deck , hydrostatic drive  , with a stubbie holder  .
That works for me , about 2.5 stubbies to the acre        :cup:               :cheers:
Its called the Husqvarna TS342 ;)
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: speewa158 on January 15, 2017, 06:56:40 AM
That will do nicely  as long as the local mower shop is involved , for service & parts  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: SambOz on January 15, 2017, 07:02:32 AM
12 years from STIHL.............what's wrong with that ?
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 15, 2017, 07:10:48 PM
12 years from STIHL.............what's wrong with that ?

Nothing I would have gone Stihl again if the shop actually served me after 30 mins and then couldn't be bothered seeing if the had one to show me out the back! No biggie I'm sure the husky bloke will now enjoy taking my $$ instead.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: achjimmy on January 15, 2017, 07:20:56 PM
Yeah I like stihl too but one of our local shops the guys must moonlight as Toyota salesmen. Totally arrogant.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 15, 2017, 07:22:46 PM
Yeah I like stihl too but one of our local shops the guys must moonlight as Toyota salesmen. Totally arrogant.

Yeah they did remind me of a Toyota dealership. 😂
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: SambOz on January 15, 2017, 07:40:14 PM
Hmm,  don't blame yer Swannie, did the Stihl gear need much shop attention after
purchase, mine has been very good, but I'm a  little one eyed  ;D



Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 15, 2017, 07:47:48 PM
Hmm,  don't blame yer Swannie, did the Stihl gear need much shop attention after
purchase, mine has been very good, but I'm a  little one eyed  ;D

Nope no real issues recshop attention  I actually checked today and it wasn't 12 it's been 17 years! Really came down to husky dealer being closer, price a little less and the free service and promise to look after me when I need the dude on, they sell John Deere gear as well.

Used the husky blower today starts second pull, worked it hard for 2 hours and was happy with it. Time will tell if it's any good
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Bad Scott on January 15, 2017, 07:56:20 PM
Get something about 20 HP with a 42 in deck , hydrostatic drive  , with a stubbie holder  .
That works for me , about 2.5 stubbies to the acre        :cup:               :cheers:
Or mine where you can do in in style. 1976 MTD 3 forward 1 reverse gears 10HP B & S compact tractor with wheelie bar. Now the fun specs  ;D port n polished, yep the rats chewed a heap out ;D. twin plugs to ensure burning of all fuel ;D, custom throttle body with big injector, custom EFI system that supports NOS (NOS removed >:D), Sandblasted, 2k paintwork, polished items (grill, deck lowering arms) Solid M/C'ed pulleys with quality brgs(pulleys were crappy 2 piece , spotwelded type), beefed up cutting deck.
This monster is insane, for a belt drive that grips, spits tyres off the rims. (bead locks need to be done) :cup:.
Problem was when cutting the grass, you had to do it a few times as the front wheels wanted to go sky ward bound and ended up with a sawtooth profile cut grass ;D ;D
Sadly the monster sits in the garage and hasn't moved in 6 years.
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Swannie on January 15, 2017, 08:02:55 PM
Sounds awesome scott
Title: Re: Blowers & brush cutters
Post by: Fizzie on January 16, 2017, 08:49:19 AM
Or mine where you can do in in style.

But as always :worthles: