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  1. johnsopi Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 1, 2006
    638 posts
    MD near DE&PA;
    I need a brush cutter. I have a echo trimmer and am pleased with it. Are the Echo brush cutter as good.

    Thanks
    #1

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  2. 'bert Minister of Fire

    I have a Stihl FS200 that i have had for many years now & just bought a FS 110 for my kid so he canhelp me out. The FS110 seems slow but runs nice. It's the 4 mix thing. I still like my FS200 seems to rev out better and just plain have more umph. I doubt you will get anything now a days that is not 4 mix technology but if i seen something I would grab it.
  3. Flamestead Member

    joined: Nov 9, 2011
    168 posts
    Windsor County, Vermont
    I also have a Stihl FS (not sure which model, but at least 5yr old, plain 2-cycle). We use it all summer for cleaning under electric fences, and also use a blade for small brush. Used hard and no troubles. I'd buy another without a second thought.
  4. JOHN BOY Member

    joined: Sep 20, 2012
    232 posts
    Western Mountains ,NC
    Stihl fs130 tons of power. You'll never look again ! ;)
  5. TreePointer Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 22, 2010
    1,366 posts
    Western PA
    Another happy FS130 (bike handle) owner here. Wear the double shoulder harness and you can clear for a long time.

    Accessories: Speed-Feed string head, Stihl metal brush knife, Stihl chisel tooth saw blade
  6. Stubborn Dutchman Member

    joined: Jan 11, 2010
    119 posts
    Southern Michigan
    Luv my FS130 (bike Handle) Check out Bailey's shredder blade. It's like a lawn mower blade with ears that hang down at each end. Those ears catch the weed stalks and shred them into mulch so there is no need for clean up afterwards. It will also cut thru a 1" sapling like it wasn't even there. Great set up for clearing fence rows on the farm.
  7. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,970 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    For a true "Brushcutter", check out Stihl's FS250. The FS130 is kinda the "poor man's" FS250 [Both are awesome units]. If you're really gonna have it out with some saplings, the FS350-FS550 clearing saws are rather intimidating as well. ;)

    It all depends on your budget and the job ahead of you. I wouldn't be looking at a FS450 to go knock down some high grass. The FS130/FS250 will do that just fine.

    As far as the Echo brushcutters go, I dunno since I have no experience with the big 'uns from them. If they follow the rest of the line, they can't be bad tho. ==c
  8. Boog Powell Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 31, 2012
    563 posts
    NE Ohio
    I've got to jump on the Stihl bandwagon of course. I have an old FS65 from the early 80's that has never seen the shop. Use it with the brush blade and string trimmer. Its a little underpowered with the blade but works. After 30 years it finally was starting to dog it a little this summer so I put a $12 rebuild kit in its Walbro carb and its running great again. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with any of the newer models the other guys are referencing here.
  9. simple.serf Member

    joined: Dec 7, 2011
    184 posts
    Chautauqua co. NY
    I have an Echo that I use to knock the brush down around my 1 acre farm pond. It struggles in the tough stuff. Additionally, the carb was improperly assembled when I got the unit and it has always been tough to start. I am planning to go with a husky 343 next time.

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