Brush Cutter
The brush cutter is a very similar gardening tool to the petrol strimmer. The brush cutter takes on a similar appearance as the petrol strimmer, is used in pretty much the same way and requires similar levels of maintenance. However, where the petrol strimmer is mainly used on grass and gentle weeds, the brush cutter is a step above and can be used to clear tough undergrowth and bushes as well as having the capability of being more finesse and simply being used to trim grass.
The brush cutter is more robust than the petrol strimmer and comes with many different head accessories and blades that can all be used on different types of vegetation and wild growth. As well as being more robust, the brush cutter is also a lot stronger and comes with a longer shaft than the petrol strimmer. This longer shaft gives the operator an increased working range.
Brush cutters come with a range of engine sizes, so the denser the vegetation you have to deal with will determine which engine size is suitable for you. The tougher the areas you have to clear, the more powerful you will want your brush cutter to be.
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You want a brush cutter that is efficient. In order to obtain maximum efficiency your brush cutter must have high power and high torque. Rapid acceleration will also add to efficiency of the machine and assist in user ease of use.
You need to ascertain the type of work you will be doing with the brush cutter. Check out the vegetation you will be working with and ensure that the brush cutter is powerful enough for it.
Using a brush cutter for an elongated period of time will place a lot of strain on your body. You want comfort and efficiency when working with the brush cutter, so choose one that comes with an ergonomic harness. You will be glad that you did!
Check out the handlebar on the brush cutter. It needs to be angled from the shaft. If it is not then you will experience an uneven load placed on your back which can cause you back pain further down the road.
It is also better if you can have a brush cutter with a foldable handlebar. This makes it easier to store and transport the machine.
Vibration can place all sorts of strain on the human body and cause you many problems in the long run. So opt for a brush cutter that has a very good anti vibration system applied to it.
There are many accessories available for the brush cutter. So opt for a model that can use the greatest number of accessories. The more accessories you have at your disposal the more varied work you can carry out.
Heavy Vegetation
When it comes to cutting dry and tough grass, particularly bunches of it, then this steel blade that has 8 cutters is what you should be looking to use. These types of blades are also very efficient with cutting down nettles and reed like vegetation.
Trimming Grass
For cutting and trimming grass around obstacles or lawn edges you need a basic type of string mowing head. These are pretty much identical to the types that you find and use on the petrol strimmer.
Cutting Attachments For The Brush Cutter
Light Vegetation
This light vegetation can prove to be a little tougher than grass. However you can still use the mowing head attachment for this. But if you find that the string is breaking when you cut then you can opt for a mowing head that has thermoplastic blades instead of line. These are particularly good for thinning jobs and working large areas.
When using the brush cutter it is crucial that you have the right cutting attachment for the job in hand. Below we shall give you an indication of the type of attachment you require for certain specific jobs.
Bushes And Small Trees
When it comes to cutting small bushes and small trees you want to have a steel cutting attachment. These blades are for the brush cutter that is in the mid to high power range. The blades are good for sawing and clearing. There are blades available that are carbide tipped which prove to be very good for cutting at ground level.
Before you use your brush cutter you should always check over the work area where you will be and ensure that the brush cutter is up to scratch regarding all the safety and control issues.
So before starting go over the work area and check the floor. Keep your eyes open for any obstacles that you could trip over such as stumps and rocks. If the ground is uneven or wet then it does pose a risk of slippage. So tread carefully if this is the case.
You do not want any distractions in your work area either. So ensure that here are no young children or pets in the area. An ideal working circumference for a brush cutter is approximately 15 metres. This allows for your movements and any possibly of flying debris that can cause injury. You also want to keep away from cars and windows with a 15 metre distance when working with a brush cutter.
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What To Look For When Choosing A Brush Cutter
Preparing To Use The Brush Cutter
Safety Equipment You Need When Using The Brush Cutter
Face Protection - Always wear goggles when working with the brush cutter. Try to protect the face as well from flying debris and wear a face mask of some sort to protect from dust.
Hearing Protection - The brush cutter is not a quiet piece of gardening equipment. You need ear defenders or ear plugs to protect your hearing.
Hand Protection - Whenever using gardening machinery you should protect your hands. A good quality pair of gardening or work gloves are a must. Leather is much preferred.
Leg Protection - There is a possibility that the brush cutter will come in to contact with your legs. So you need to protect them. Specialized protective trousers should be worn. Ensure that they are tight fitting.
Foot Protection - Whenever working outdoors you need to have adequate foot protection. A sturdy pair of work boots or shoes are a must. A pair with steel protective toe caps are ideal.
Any safety gear you wear when using the brush cutter will go a long way to keeping you injury free. However you must also follow all working safety procedures as well when using the brush cutter. Remember that just because you have safety gear on does not mean that the are immune from injury. Be safe, not sorry.
A brush cutter will give off fumes when the engine is running so never use one in an enclosed area or indoors.
Once you have thoroughly checked out the working area to ensure that it is safe you need to give the once over to the brush cutter.
Ensure that all the attachments have been fitted correctly and are compatible to the brush cutter.
The throttle trigger must easily move and return to the idle position on it’s own.
The master switch must move to the stop position without any resistance.
The spark plug cover must be properly attached and secured to prevent sparks from flying out.
All of the protective items on the brush cutter must be functioning properly and attached properly.
The handles of the brush cutter must always be dry and clean to enable safe control of the machine.
Ensure that the harness is adjusted properly and correctly for your body and working position.
You are now pretty much set to begin working with your brush cutter as long as everything is in the correct working order.
Operating Technique For The Brush Cutter
When you use the brush cutter you will gain much better results with the correct operating technique. The basic technique is to swing the brush cutter from right to left in a semi circle as you slowly move forward. The reason for this is that the cutting attachment rotates in an anti clockwise movement and any cuttings that result from your action will drop in to the area where you have cut.
When you are cutting long grass and weeds which are tough you should mow in two directions. A movement to the right can cut off all the top of the growth followed by a movement to the left which in turn finishes off the cut with what is left.
When you are working on a large area with the brush cutter it is advisable to adopt the so called square method. This is where you divide the area in to squares and work each square separately by cutting the outsides and working inwards.
When working slopes you should adopt the strip method. What this involves is cutting a strip that is parallel to the slope and then return along the swath. You then cut the next strip above the strip you have just finished.
If you have an area with many obstacles in it such as tree stumps you can work up close to these obstacles using a string attachment on the brush cutter.