Author Topic: Blowers & brush cutters  (Read 8856 times)

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Offline Swannie

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Blowers & brush cutters
« 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
« Last Edit: January 07, 2017, 05:13:19 PM by Swannie »
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Offline V8CRSA

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #1 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
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Offline Railey

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #2 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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Offline D4D

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline speewa158

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #4 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:
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Offline Paddy16

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #5 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.....

Offline tryagain

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #6 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. 

Offline kylarama

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #7 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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Offline tryagain

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #8 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.

Offline kylarama

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #9 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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Offline D4D

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #10 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:
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Offline robali

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #11 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.

Offline Mudguts

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #12 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.

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Offline rags

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #13 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.

Offline Mudguts

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #14 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.
Regards,
Dicko.

'Slow & right beats fast & wrong'

Offline Swannie

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #15 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
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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #16 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
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Offline Swannie

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #17 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 😂
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Offline speewa158

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #18 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:
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Offline Paddy16

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #19 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 ;)

Offline speewa158

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #20 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:
You can go your own way . Treg Up & Make Dust

Offline SambOz

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #21 on: January 15, 2017, 07:02:32 AM »
12 years from STIHL.............what's wrong with that ?

Offline Swannie

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #22 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.
1994 80 series RV Land Cruiser  (Frank the Tank)
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Offline achjimmy

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #23 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.
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Offline Swannie

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Re: Blowers & brush cutters
« Reply #24 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. 😂
1994 80 series RV Land Cruiser  (Frank the Tank)
2015 200 series gxl TTD (Bruiser The Cruiser)
2015 Jayco Starcraft 17:58-3 OB (Starsky)