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Brush cuttters and weed trimmers - what to ask before you buy

If you're trying to decide what kind of brush cutter or weed trimmer you need, but you don't know what questions to ask before you buy, these questions will help you determine which brush cutter or weed trimmer is best for you.

Click on a question below for more information.

Usage: How will I use the brush cutter or weed trimmer?
Type: Should I get a petrol or electric brush cutter or weed trimmer?
Shaft: Is it better to have a bent or straight shaft on the brush cutter or weed trimmer?
Head: What kind of head should I choose for the brush cutter or weed trimmer?
Replacing cutter:: How difficult is it to replace the blades or line in the brush cutter or weed trimmer?
Maintenance: What other maintenance is required?
Safety: Can I use the brush cutter or or weed trimmer safely?

1. How will I use the brush cutter or weed trimmer?

This will determine which type you buy. A brush cutter is typically a more sturdy version, often heavier and better suited to big tasks.

A weed trimmer is usually better suited for a domestic or smaller scale work.

You can also buy combination tools that do more than just trimming - with the addition of optional attachments, these machines will prune, cut, brush, cultivate, sweep and more. Of course, the price goes up when you choose one of these.

2. Should I get a petrol or electric brush cutter or weed trimmer?

Electric powered machines can either be plug-in (to the mains) or cordless (rechargeable).

The plug-in versions have the disadvantage of the extension cord, but they are generally relatively light and easy to use for small areas. They are better suited for maintenance, not clearing.
The cordless versions are very low in power and would be suitable for very limited areas. They can also be heavy, making them less easy to use.
If you have to deal with large areas or really tough weeds, petrol has much more power. They come in either 4-stroke or 2-stroke versions. The 4-stroke may run smoother and generally require less maintenance and start more easily. They also don't require the oil additive that is needed in a 2-stroke, but the 4-stroke versions usally cost a lot more.

3. Is it better to have a bent or straight shaft on the brush cutter or weed trimmer?

For heavy duty cutting, consider the brush cutter with a straight shaft. This enables the power to be transmitted directly to the head.

Otherwise, a weed trimmer with a curved shaft will be lighter and may provide better access around garden features.

4. What kind of head should I choose for the brush cutter or weed trimmer?

You can choose a brush cutter with a blade head, which is for really tough cutting. The blade head can only be used with suitable safety devices.

Alternatively, you can get either an automatic line feed, which 'spins' out more line as it's required, or a 'bump' line feed, which lets out more line when you 'bump' the line head on a firm surface. These 'bump' heads are inclined to tangle when grass gets caught up in them.

5. How difficult is it to replace the blades or line in the brush cutter or weed trimmer?

Check this out before you buy. If it is very involved and you have to do it a couple of times on a hot day you may wish you'd bought a different one! It is possible to buy separate heads without the complicated feed mechanisms that come with weed trimmers. Look for plain discs with either two or four short lines being fed in from the outside, which can be easily replaced by removing the 'used' end of line.

6. What other maintenance is required?

A petrol brush cutter will require suitable fuel. If it's two-stroke it will require appropriate oil as well as petrol. Some will specifically require synthetic oils. Check this out before you fill it up. Do you have the right blades for the brush cutter, or the correct thickness of line to suit the weed trimmer? Do you have an extension cord for a plug-in electric weed trimmer?

7. Can I use the brush cutter or or weed trimmer safely?

Make sure you have any required safety gear - for example, protective eyewear and footwear.
Check that it is not too heavy for you to operate on sloping ground.
Avoid using it on wet and slippery ground.
Look for possible hazards (for example, the garden hose or plastic plant pots which can easily be damaged!) before you begin using the brush cutter or weed trimmer.
If the brush cutter or weed trimmer is heavy, you may need to use a shoulder strap to take some of the weight when you're using it.