Brush Cutter

[Jeff Gaines]

I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.

Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.

Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?

Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I
ended up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.

I have a 36V makita with "bicycle handlebar" style shoulder-harness, it
can take strimmer line for grass and lighter weeds, or a brush-cutter blade.

I use a flat blade which I crudely sharpen once a year by angle
grinder. Recently John Rumm mentioned a "3D" blade that was good for
brambles etc.

[John Rumm]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to
the end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of
brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on
my hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why
I ended up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.

I have a 36V makita with "bicycle handlebar" style shoulder-harness, it
can take strimmer line for grass and lighter weeds, or a brush-cutter blade.
I use a flat blade which I crudely sharpen once a year by angle
grinder.  Recently John Rumm mentioned a "3D" blade that was good for
brambles etc.

Yup it minces brambles, and small saplings :-)

You can stick that style of blade on most straight shaft line trimmer
heads. So I expect it would go on something like:

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/makita-191n49-6-line-trimmer-attachment-for-makita-split-shaft-systems

(or any other makers split shaft system). With the Stihl tools (and
likely others) the basic shaft and bearing is the same with the line
trimmer head and the brush cutter one - so you can swap the heads over.

The cutting action relies mostly on the momentum of the blade- so it
might not be that critical that the machine has massive power. (my 21cc
power head is probably only a bit of 1kW of output). I would expect a
36V trimmer to do it relatively easily so long as spinning it up does
not trip the overload protection. There are also two versions of that
Oregon blade - one 3mm thick and one 4mm.

As you say they are relatively pricy (about £250 "body only") though.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Theo]

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

It'll mostly depend on what battery platform(s) you have. They tend to need
power, which means you're talking 40V (or 2x18V) systems - chunky batteries
for chunky amounts of change. If you already have power tools, look to see
if that brand does a brush cutter - may be cheaper to buy one of those than
invest in a new battery platform.

Makita do some which take 2x 18v LXT batteries, which means you can use 18v
batteries you might already have rather than buy new 40v/54v/60v batteries.
But they're often in the £200 bracket just for the tool.

Some of them have adjustable systems where there's a motor pole and then you
swap in brushcutter / strimmer / hedge trimmer / pole saw ends. Makita has
one of those, but it's no cheaper than buying the regular brushcutter (but
handy if you also wanted another tool it supports). Parkside have one of
those on at Lidl at the moment (battery and charger extra):
https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/p/40v-cordless-multi-tool/p10005365
but only in Northern Ireland.

There's also lethal weapons available for cheap:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313566461174
(and very nasty)

Theo

[Andy Burns]

Post by Theo
They tend to need
power, which means you're talking 40V (or 2x18V) systems - chunky batteries

Mine goes through a pair of 5A or 6A batteries much faster in strimmer
mode than brushcutter mode, the heavy blade maintains angular momentum
unlike the line.

[fred]

Post by Theo
Some of them have adjustable systems where there's a motor pole and
then you swap in brushcutter / strimmer / hedge trimmer / pole saw
ends. Makita has one of those, but it's no cheaper than buying the
regular brushcutter (but handy if you also wanted another tool it
supports). Parkside have one of those on at Lidl at the moment
https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/p/40v-cordless-multi-tool/p10005365 but only
in Northern Ireland.

Superb! Almost worth a trip over at that price. Why not here I wonder?

A relative has their petrol version but is unable to use it due to size and
weight.

Post by Theo
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313566461174
(and very nasty)

Quoted "Low noise", bar the involuntary amputation screams I assume.

That said I did buy (and safely use) a similar saw blade in a battery AG
recently as there was no other way to do the job at a remote location -
fence post trims.

[Theo]

Post by fred

Post by Theo
Some of them have adjustable systems where there's a motor pole and
then you swap in brushcutter / strimmer / hedge trimmer / pole saw
ends. Makita has one of those, but it's no cheaper than buying the
regular brushcutter (but handy if you also wanted another tool it
supports). Parkside have one of those on at Lidl at the moment
https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/p/40v-cordless-multi-tool/p10005365 but only
in Northern Ireland.

Superb! Almost worth a trip over at that price. Why not here I wonder?

Brexit (probably). Likely they have an island-of-Ireland supply chain,
while their UK supply chain is separate. Easier to supply the handful of NI
stores by a lorry from over the border from the Republic than take them on a
ferry from GB.

I was hoping some enterprising individual was buying them and selling on
ebay, which they are... at £299 (including battery and charger). Err,
perhaps not.

Post by fred
A relative has their petrol version but is unable to use it due to size and
weight.

There was a petrol brushcutter at Aldi (Scheppach) at a similar bargain
price, which I've got. But actually so far have managed to keep the
brambles down with a hedge trimmer, which is less faff than setting up the
petrol.

Post by fred
Quoted "Low noise", bar the involuntary amputation screams I assume.
That said I did buy (and safely use) a similar saw blade in a battery AG
recently as there was no other way to do the job at a remote location -
fence post trims.

Circular saw not an option?

Theo

[fred]

Post by Theo

Post by fred

Post by Theo
Some of them have adjustable systems where there's a motor pole and
then you swap in brushcutter / strimmer / hedge trimmer / pole saw
ends. Makita has one of those, but it's no cheaper than buying the
regular brushcutter (but handy if you also wanted another tool it
supports). Parkside have one of those on at Lidl at the moment
https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/p/40v-cordless-multi-tool/p10005365 but
only in Northern Ireland.

Superb! Almost worth a trip over at that price. Why not here I wonder?

Brexit (probably). Likely they have an island-of-Ireland supply
chain, while their UK supply chain is separate. Easier to supply the
handful of NI stores by a lorry from over the border from the Republic
than take them on a ferry from GB.

I just don't know, surely an outfit like Aldi would have resolved such
issues<?>. I suspect given the much reduced price that it is a supply
issue and that they have volume in NI but not in UK.

Post by Theo
I was hoping some enterprising individual was buying them and selling
on ebay, which they are... at £299 (including battery and charger).
Err, perhaps not.

. . . indeed, hopefully all here will be on-page with chancer alert/dar

Post by Theo

Post by fred
A relative has their petrol version but is unable to use it due to
size and weight.

There was a petrol brushcutter at Aldi (Scheppach) at a similar
bargain price, which I've got. But actually so far have managed to
keep the brambles down with a hedge trimmer, which is less faff than
setting up the petrol.

It's in a rural location and for a relative of short stature so mains
power and weight are compromising factors. I'd suggest a high powered
battery option but don't want to propose a high cost option that may
result in further disappointment for whatever reason. I should prob visit
(it's some distance) and try out the existing petrol powered tools before
making a suggestion/recommendation. It's a mix of long stemmed grasses
and tougher brush so it really needs a test of blade over whip to decide
on an effective solution. In the mean time the jungle grows.

Post by Theo

Post by fred
Quoted "Low noise", bar the involuntary amputation screams I assume.
That said I did buy (and safely use) a similar saw blade in a battery
AG recently as there was no other way to do the job at a remote
location - fence post trims.

Circular saw not an option?

Nah, no other requirement for a batt circ saw and I've been around the
block enough to know when what might go wrong in such situations
(kicks/jams etc). It was a fine-ish toothed blade in a guarded Lidl batt
AG which had speed control to moderate risk and admirably had stall
mitigation to cope with grab in the required slots. Excess PPE in place
to cover the bases I might have missed.

Wouldn't have considered such in an old-school full speed and
uncontrolled AG but felt this was a decent option for an experienced
user. And I am very much risk averse.

[Tim+]

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.
Many thanks.

Have you considered an Austrian scythe? A joy to use.

Tim

[John Rumm]

Post by Tim+

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.
Many thanks.

Have you considered an Austrian scythe? A joy to use.

I gave it some consideration, but on reflection concluded that the
amount of woody saplings tangled up in the brambles would be enough to
spoil the fun.

(that and that kind of twisting motion seems to wind my back up!)
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Paul]

I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.
Many thanks.

Is there nothing a Bobcat cannot do ?

https://forestcitylandworks.ca/land-clearing-equipment-rental/

You would want enough power for a job like this, so that
you don't injure yourself with the effort.

*******

I did permanent damage to my back, by swinging a tool in a way
that I was not used to. I did the work for maybe three hours,
and while I felt OK at the time, later I could feel that something
had changed. And now my back is a constant nag. The back doctor
just gave a glib "you've got a bit of wear there", and said he
wasn't going to do anything. This is why we have doctors, to
state the obvious like that.

My opinion on using the "he-man" approach to vegetation control
has changed. You should at least use a tool that has an artificial
power source, whether it's petrol or mains powered. If the tool is
heavy, you'll get properly tired after a few hours, call it quits
for the day, and come back another day for another session.

They only give you one spine. And the doctor will not agree to fix
your spine, if you damage it. I have bought the Tshirt for this.

Paul

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)

I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

[charles]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

I also have Ryobi sabre saw, chain saw, chainsaw on extension pole, hedge
trimmer + other diy things

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by charles

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

I also have Ryobi sabre saw, chain saw, chainsaw on extension pole, hedge
trimmer + other diy things

And are you a happy customer?

Did you get a mortgage and buy a high capacity battery?

[charles]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by charles

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

I also have Ryobi sabre saw, chain saw, chainsaw on extension pole, hedge
trimmer + other diy things

And are you a happy customer?
Did you get a mortgage and buy a high capacity battery?

I have tended to get batteries from ebay suppliers - which seem to work
very well. I started with Ryobi in the NiCad days and had a lout of tools
so I just converted to their current battery technology (Lithium).

And yes, I'm as happy as I could be,

[Peter Able]

Post by charles

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

I also have Ryobi sabre saw, chain saw, chainsaw on extension pole, hedge
trimmer + other diy things

I'll never buy Ryobi petrol again. Cheap, plastic carbs disintegrate
before your eyes - and no support whatever from Ryobi if you are one day
over their pathetic warranty.

[John Rumm]

Post by charles

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

I also have Ryobi sabre saw, chain saw, chainsaw on extension pole, hedge
trimmer + other diy things

I'll never buy Ryobi petrol again.  Cheap, plastic carbs disintegrate
before your eyes - and no support whatever from Ryobi if you are one day
over their pathetic warranty.

Sadly I would second that... my limited experience with two Ryobi petrol
power heads was very poor. The first 2 stroke, seemed to ingest a part
of its own carb after a few months. The impulse purchase of a 4 stroke
replacement (it was very cheap!), did not turn out much better. It was
temperamental, would not run reliably at some angles, and slowly drifted
out of tune. It was impossible to keep running due to critical wear
parts made out of plastic! I felt a wave of relief come over me the day
I lobbed it in a skip!

I have not tried their battery tools - they are probably better than the
petrol ones.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[alan_m]

I'll never buy Ryobi petrol again.  Cheap, plastic carbs disintegrate
before your eyes - and no support whatever from Ryobi if you are one day
over their pathetic warranty.

I have a Mountfield mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine. This has a
totally plastic carb (except for the jet and a spring). Third party
replacement carbs are around ten quid (incl gaskets and postage) and
this is the route I took last time the mower needed some service as it
was much easier than trying to service the existing carb and only a few
quid more expensive than buying a service kit.

[Chris Green]

Post by alan_m

I'll never buy Ryobi petrol again.  Cheap, plastic carbs disintegrate
before your eyes - and no support whatever from Ryobi if you are one day
over their pathetic warranty.

I have a Mountfield mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine. This has a
totally plastic carb (except for the jet and a spring). Third party
replacement carbs are around ten quid (incl gaskets and postage) and
this is the route I took last time the mower needed some service as it
was much easier than trying to service the existing carb and only a few
quid more expensive than buying a service kit.

Yes, I found this for my Ryobi, replacement whole carb was
ridiculously cheap.

[Theo]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I ended
up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)

This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.

But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Theo

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only
have 1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to
something better!

[jon]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell
them profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested
very much in raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on
their garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only
have 1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to
something better!

Makita is pricey but good.

[RJH]

Post by jon

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell
them profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested
very much in raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on
their garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only
have 1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to
something better!

Makita is pricey but good.

I went Makita - from Lidl/Aldi - battery tools largely because of the range of
tools, and they seem to stick with the same battery format.

The Makita tools are a bit nicer/quieter - can't say I've noticed a huge
difference.

And I buy other not often used mains powered versions from other makes - a
router and jigsaw for example.

[Paul]

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only have
1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to something better!

I'm more interested in what you're trying to cut first.

With enough horsepower, you can just drive through it :-)
It's when plant material refuses to be knocked over
by your vehicle, you need to switch tools.

"MOWING TALL GRASS"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EfSlK4HxtYY

Paul

[John Rumm]

Post by Paul

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only have
1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to something better!

I'm more interested in what you're trying to cut first.
With enough horsepower, you can just drive through it :-)
It's when plant material refuses to be knocked over
by your vehicle, you need to switch tools.
"MOWING TALL GRASS"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EfSlK4HxtYY

Nice, but that is only grass...

If you want a real mower:

(you have got to love any tool which has a warning to stand back 300' on
it!)
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Chris Green]

Post by John Rumm

Post by Paul

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only have
1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to something better!

I'm more interested in what you're trying to cut first.
With enough horsepower, you can just drive through it :-)
It's when plant material refuses to be knocked over
by your vehicle, you need to switch tools.
"MOWING TALL GRASS"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EfSlK4HxtYY

Nice, but that is only grass...

Grass is by far the hardest work to mow. Even my tractor mounted
flail mower will struggle with thickly growing grass but can sail
through heavy brush and brambles without any effort at all. Grass
tends to budle up into tough lumps and clogs almost any sort of mower
if it's long and tough.

[John Rumm]

Post by Chris Green

Post by John Rumm

Post by Paul

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only have
1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to something better!

I'm more interested in what you're trying to cut first.
With enough horsepower, you can just drive through it :-)
It's when plant material refuses to be knocked over
by your vehicle, you need to switch tools.
"MOWING TALL GRASS"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EfSlK4HxtYY

Nice, but that is only grass...

Grass is by far the hardest work to mow. Even my tractor mounted
flail mower will struggle with thickly growing grass but can sail
through heavy brush and brambles without any effort at all. Grass
tends to budle up into tough lumps and clogs almost any sort of mower
if it's long and tough.

Yup dense grass does suck lots of power... Not sure a flail mower will
lop off 3" saplings with that kind of ease though?
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Theo]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Theo

Post by Jeff Gaines
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Ryobi is 'cheap', in that they sell the tools at bargain prices at Home
Depot in the US. We get the same tools but without the bargain prices.
(although sometimes we get versions they don't and vv)
This makes me think they aren't good value, because if they can sell them
profitably in the US at half the price they can't have invested very much in
raw materials.
But I only have one Ryobi tool I've barely used so can't comment on their
garden tools.

Do you have a recommendation for a make that you are happy with? I only
have 1 x Ryobi (an electric drill) so now would be the time to move to
something better!

The top 'general' brands are:

Makita: very wide range, good selection of garden tools, some use 2x18V
batteries rather than making you buy into their separate 40V system.

Dewalt: good range of DIY tools, perhaps slightly less wide range of garden
tools. High power tools are on the (more expensive) 54V system, although
their Flexvolt battery will also work in 18V tools.

Milwaukee: good for construction, not so good for garden

Bosch: good range of garden tools. I'm not clear on the battery situation


I'd probably think of Ryobi on a tier below those big players. One other
thing is that most brands have their batteries as roughly a brick shape,
while Ryobis have a tall stalk to the 18V battery. The stalk makes them
compatible with their older NiMH/NiCd tools, but makes it hard to use a
different brand tool with a Ryobi battery via an adapter. So if you're
going to mix and match tools, better to have a different brand of battery.
(their 40V battery is a more conventional brick, but not sure there's much
of a 40V adapter ecosystem yet)

Theo

[John Rumm]

Post by Jeff Gaines

Post by Jeff Gaines
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on
my hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why
I ended up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.

Many thanks for all the input on this :-)
I have a Ryobi electric drill with 2 x batteries and charger. Is that a
reasonable make for gardening tools or should I cut my losses and start
again?

Probably depends a bit on how many tools you plan to add, budget and
various other factors like the level of performance you seek. My
electric garden tools are all Makita - but that was a choice influenced
primarily by already being invested in the platform, and secondly
because they have such a vast range of 18V tools. (probably only
rivalled by Milwaukee[1])

You can run battery adaptors to power other brand tools on the batts you
have, although that may not always work as smoothly as the OEM batts.


[1] Vast range of cordless tools, and many very high performance ones.
Somewhat let down by poor repairability (expensive parts, or some parts
not available, or many parts bundles together into "assemblies" that
cost nearly as much as the tool etc). In the US this is less of an issue
with a 5 year warranty often as standard. Only 1 year here (although
IIUC, free extension to 3 year if you register the purchase with them
within 30 days)
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[alan_m]

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I
ended up with a hedge trimmer with  lead. Definitely not petrol.

In my experience electric (battery or leaded), at a reasonable cost, is
only suitable for tasks where you have first tamed the grass/meadow and
are only using the tools to keep the tamed grass/meadow that way.

For overgrow grass/meadow you need petrol and/or something in the
expensive price range that a professional would use.

[RJH]

Post by alan_m

Post by Jeff Gaines
I need a brush cutter, mainly to cut long grass (I am just coming to the
end of no-mow 2024) but also overgrown plants up to the size of brambles.
Most of the on line stores translate brush cutter to strimmer for some
reason.
Any suggestions for make/model or an online seller to look at?
Battery would be best or the lead will end up as short as the lead on my
hedge trimmer, problem is they tend to be expensive - which is why I
ended up with a hedge trimmer with lead. Definitely not petrol.

In my experience electric (battery or leaded), at a reasonable cost, is
only suitable for tasks where you have first tamed the grass/meadow and
are only using the tools to keep the tamed grass/meadow that way.
For overgrow grass/meadow you need petrol and/or something in the
expensive price range that a professional would use.

Agreed - I hired a brush cutter (£10) to level a vastly overgrown allotment in
half a day. I now deal with the unruly bits with a bottom of range Makita 18V
strimmer.