The Best Brush Cutter For A Cleaner Lawn

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We all know how annoying brushes are in your gardens and lawns. Not only are they eyesores, but they just mess up with the fresh and relaxing feeling that this wonderful oasis gives us. 

To get rid of them, it’s recommended that you use the best brush cutter.

And that’s just what we’re going to talk about in this article. So sit back, relax, and listen to what we have to say.

The great things about using a brush cutter

1. Powerful cutting tool

The first and most obvious reason why a brush cutter is a great buy for you is that it’s a powerful cutting tool.

It is specifically made to cut brushes, which is why they’ll surely do a good job with that task.

The design, the mechanism, and the overall function of this tool exactly focus on the cutting of brushes.

This makes them the perfect equipment to get to take care of your annoying brushes.

2. No need for manual labor

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We all know how tedious and exhausting it is to manually uproot and cut those pesky brushes that suddenly grow in your garden or lawn.

It would even take you an entire day or even a whole week to cover your entire lawn! That’s how tedious the manual process is. But thankfully, we’ve got these brush cutters that automate the task.

It does it in a very efficient way, speeding up the process of cutting the brushes. It would surely free up a lot of time in your schedule, allowing you to do other more important tasks aside from cutting brushes.

3. Safe to use

These brush cutters are safe to use because of the way it is designed.

The blades that cut the brushes are found on the opposite end of the equipment, away from your hands. This is the reason why you don’t have to worry about getting accidental cuts.

Compare that to if you were using garden scissors or similar tools where you come in direct contact with the brushes.

With the help of a brush cutter, you don’t have to worry about all of those. It keeps you away from risk.

4. Durable machines

Brush cutters are also durable machines. They are built in a way that can take a lot of beating.

It doesn’t matter if dried leaves, soil, or even rocks hit the body of these brush cutters because they’re made just to receive all of those projectiles.

When you’re cutting brushes, you need to expect that there will always be flying debris all over the place, and that’s what just the designers and makers of brush cutters did.

They ensured that the body of the cutter could tolerate all of those flying projectiles. Just be careful because there are also a lot of cheap brush cutters that aren’t made of quality materials.

5. Less stress

If you don’t want to get stressed, then having a brush cutter is one of the best things you can do.

It’s because holding it and just letting it hover above a brush is way easier instead of manually pulling out or cutting brushes.

It doesn’t need a lot of effort when you’re working on it because everything is automated.

That’s how cool these brush cutters are. Plus, they’re easy to use too! So newbies and first-timers will surely be cool with this.

Top 6 best brush cutters on the market

#1. Husqvarna Gas Straight Shaft String Trimmer 128LD – Best overall

Topping our list today is the 128LD straight shaft trimmer of Husqvarna – a trusted brand in the industry. Do not mix it up with the 128CD, which is a curved shaft weed whacker.

First off, this unit features a 28cc 2-stroke engine for optimal performance.

To be specific, the engine has an output of 1HP, which is powerful enough to trim bush-like lawns quickly and effectively. Of course, this power output is higher than those of most corded string trimmers. Coupled with the 17-inch cutting width, you are able to have an effortless and time-saving landscaping experience.

However, do not expect the 2-stroke engine to be as efficient as a 4-stroke one.

The long, straight shaft is particularly useful when you need to access tight corners that short trimmers cannot reach. What’s more, the straight shaft allows for better maneuverability.

The best thing this 128LD Husqvarna offers is probably the Smart Start technology, which enables you to start the device effortlessly, even in unfavorable conditions.

Pros
  • High performance
  • Low fuel consumption and emission
  • Large cutting width
Cons

#2. Remington RM2700 Ranchero Gas Powered Brush Cutter – Best for cutting width

This Remington RM2700 is a strong competitor of other brush cutters on the list. It is ideal for residential uses.

Let’s talk about the motor first. This weed eater runs on a 27cc 2-cycle engine, like the Troy-Bilt model above. 27cc is enough to tackle various foliage and give you an attractive lawn.

The engine offers great power and less vibration at the same time. You will not feel like there is an earthquake whenever you start the device.

The heavy-duty metal blade even increases the strength of this Remington unit. To be specific, it can cut through an area that is 18 inches wide. Therefore, you will be able to finish your trimming job in less time than ever.

We appreciate the user-friendly design of the RM2700. Aside from the straight shaft, J-handle, and shoulder strap, it features a quick-change head for converting from blade to bump head in seconds.

Isn’t it brilliant?

This Remington brush cutter can function exactly like a blower, hedge trimmer, edger, cultivator, etc. However, to take advantage of the versatility, you have to purchase the attachments separately.

Pros
  • Amazing power
  • Heavy-duty metal blade
  • Cutting protective shield included
Cons
  • Quite heavyweight

#3. Husqvarna 129R String Trimmer & Brush Cutter – Best for easy start

Now, we want to introduce you to another Husqvarna model. It has a lot of brilliant features to expect.

This 129R model is powered by a 27.5cc 2-stroke engine, offering over 1.1HP output. The whole thing eats a variety of foliage, such as heavy weeds and grass in your yard.

Like the 128LD counterpart, it also features the Smart Start feature for a quick and effortless start. The resistance in the starter cord is lowered by 40%, while the stop switch equipped will reset automatically to the ON position.

It is a straight-shaft brush cutter, so reaching tight corners must be a breeze. That is not to mention the grass bevel gear with high torque. Plus, the device cuts while staying parallel to the ground for the best performance.

The 129R comes with a double harness, which helps distribute the weight more evenly. That said, you will feel more comfortable when using it.

The only complaint would be the awful instruction. It is really confusing.

Pros
  • Quick and effortless start
  • Grass bevel gear
  • Double harness equipped
Cons
  • Useless assembly guide

#4. Troy-Bilt TB42 Brush Cutter – Best for versatility

The Troy-Bilt TB42 is another excellent brush cutter that we highly recommend. Let’s see what it got to offer.

This unit is no less powerful compared to the 128LD Husqvarna we reviewed above.

Featuring the 27cc 2-stroke full-crank engine, it is able to handle all the trimming chores that your current weed eater cannot. Plus, the 8-inch 4-tooth steel blade is there to take on heavy vegetation as well.

Starting this mighty whacker is not difficult at all. You don’t have to pull the cord multiple times as you do with other models, thanks to the JumpStart system.

However, this useful feature is sold separately.

The J-handle is another thing we love about the Troy-Bilt brush cutter. In particular, the ergonomic handle allows both right and left-handed users to control the device with ease.

It would be a big mistake if we didn’t mention the ultimate versatility of this model. It can be used with other attachments to serve different purposes. For example, you can put this brush cutter in a garage and keep this tool effortlessly.

The TB42 is not without drawbacks, however. It seems more heavyweight than other competitors on the market.

Pros
  • Powerful full-crank engine
  • Low-vibrating operation
  • Amazing versatility
Cons
  • Heavyweight

#5. TrimmerPlus BC720 Brush Cutter – Best for the price

The next candidate on our list is the BC720 model from Trimmerplus. It has plenty of useful features that will ease your landscaping experience.

Like the Troy-Bilt TB42, this unit comes with a J-handle. On top of that, there is a shoulder strap for improved control and maneuverability during your yard job.

This BC720 arrives with a steel blade, which has 4 tips and a cutoff guard. The blade allows the brush cutter to slice through bushes in no time.

However, we received a dull blade and had to sharpen it. After that, it worked well in our garden and backyard. Note that the blade might keep spinning long after the throttle is released.

Rest assured about the compatibility of this model. It can be used with the most popular brands, including Craftsman, Ryobi, Remington, etc.

The whole thing is backed with a 2-year limited warranty from the manufacturer. Quite a short time, but we find it acceptable. Something is still better than nothing, right?

Pros
  • Shoulder strap included
  • 4-tip blade
  • Compatible with most brands
Cons
  • Dull and low-quality blade
  • Narrow cutting width

#6. Blue Max 52623 Brush Cutter – Best for power

This is a 2-in-1 monster brush cutter from Blue Max. We are not overrating it, just check out the specs, and you will see.

We call this Blue Max 52623 a monster for good reasons. It runs on a 42.7cc 2-stroke engine that puts out 1.6HP. This is far more powerful than most devices in the same price range. Such a motor enables the trimmer to handle heavy weeds and grass with ease.

Believe it or not, we find this brush cutter fuel-efficient. We would not expect a 42.7cc motor to save a lot of fuel consumption.

However, you have to sacrifice quiet operation and weight. This model is relatively heavy, about 17 pounds. And when it works, it does produce loud noise and vibrates a lot.

There is an anti-vibe handle and a harness available. However, we do not think the one-strap harness is good for such a heavyweight device. The device might end up straining your shoulder.

This Blue Max brush cutter can work as a trimmer also. Feel free to use the bump and feed string trimmer head for edging and trimming effectively. A bargain, right?

Pros
  • 2-in-1 brush cutter and trimmer
  • The mighty power of 1.6HP
  • Fuel-saving operation
Cons
  • Vibration and noise
  • Heavyweight

Tips before buying a brush cutter

1. Choose a powerful cutter

what is the most powerful brush cutter

Of course, you want to make sure that the brush cutter you’re getting is a powerful machine.

It should not only be functioning properly, but it should also have the capability to cut even the thickest of brushes.

In fact, a good brush cutter can cut down a small tree. That’s the standard that you need to instill within you.

If it can cut down a small tree, then there’s no doubt that it can cut any brush, weeds, or whatsoever.

In also doing so, you need to consider the vegetation that you want to clear.

Is it hard to cut or not? It’s by asking these questions that you can make sure that you’re getting the best brush cutter.

2. Prioritize ergonomic handles

The last thing you want to experience when using a brush cutter is to have tired and exhausted hands. This is why you need to choose one which has ergonomic handles.

A brush cutter that has ergonomic handles is easier and more comfortable to hold. It’s because its handles are shaped similarly to your hands, thereby allowing your hands to hold and grab them easily.

However, it’s not just about the ergonomic design because it’s also important that it has soft padding cushions.

This will give your hands even more comfort when using it for an extended amount of time.

3. Having an adjustable handlebar

The handles or handlebar should not only be comfortable and easy to hold, but it should also have the right height.

With this, it would be great if the brush cutter had a handlebar that could have its angle changed. 

Having a foldable handle would also be better because this makes it more convenient and portable.

If you are always on the go and you need your brush cutter with you, see to it that it’s got foldable handlebars.

4. Has less vibration

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It’s important to make sure that the brush cutter you’re choosing doesn’t vibrate very strongly.

It should have less vibration so that you won’t easily get tired.

This is very important, especially if you’re going to use it for a long time. The less vibration, the better the user experience for you.

5. Proper pricing

The price of a brush cutter plays an important role in its quality.

This is because affordable and cheap cutters usually also have cheap quality; that’s why it’s not recommended that you get the cheapest one. 

But then again, it doesn’t mean that the expensive brush cutters are also of quality because there are cheaper brands that have a similar quality to the more expensive ones.

So it’s a matter of balancing price with the product’s quality when you’re choosing one.

The bottom line

The winner must be Husqvarna 128LD brush cutter. It is lightweight, powerful, and affordable, which fits small and medium lawns best.

You might be tempted to buy the Blue Max for its power, but keep in mind that you need to sacrifice the weight and vibration-free operation.

Ben Bareja

Ben Bareja, the owner-founder-webmaster of CropsReview.com. This website was conceptualized primarily to serve as an e-library for reference purposes on the principles and practices in crop science, including basic botany. Read more here

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