Recommended Electric Brush Cutters for Tough Jobs?

rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 11:11
Last edited 15/11/2023 - 11:34

Hi folks,

Looking to get an electric whipper snipper / brushcutter to tame some steep bush and paddock- needs to be fairly gutsy. I'm dealing with about an acre of land, a third of which is paddock, another third is lawn, and a third is steep bush, and I'll also be lending it to my parents, who have a fair bit of steep paddock. Hoping that there's a Black Friday deal on? My budget is around $1000.

We already have a Ryobi 36v lawnmower, but I've heard mixed things about the line trimmers. Ecosystem isn't super important, though if there's a matching lawnmower in a bundle, I can pass on the mower to my parents. I'm in Tassie, so Sydney Tools is a no go.

I'm well aware that the performance is lacking in comparison to petrol, but we're pretty set on a battery powered system.

Options I'm considering:

EGO Brushcutter: https://www.totaltools.com.au/201816-ego-power-56v-commercia…

EGO Line Trimmer: https://www.totaltools.com.au/186604-ego-power-56v-brushless…

AEG Lawn Mower https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-58v-18-brushless-lawn-mower-… (and redeeming for the line trimmer)

Ryobi Line Trimmer https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-36v-4-0ah-40cm-straight-sh…

Honda Brushcutter https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/models/lawnandgarden/brushcutters/hht36#!

Poll Options

  • 17
    Ego Brush Cutter
  • 0
    Ego Line Trimmer
  • 0
    AEG Mower + Line Trimmer
  • 3
    Ryobi 36v Line Trimmer
  • 8
    Obligatory "Go for Petrol" option
Home & Garden Brushcutter Line Trimmer

Comments

  • apsilon on 15/11/2023 - 11:14

    Brush cutter or whipper snipper/line trimmer? Two very similar but different things. Brush cutters are typically more powerful and have steel blades rather than line.

    • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 11:16

      Oops, you're very correct. I suppose my expected usage would overlap, both would be useful, so I'll take any and all recs!

      • apsilon on 15/11/2023 - 11:21

        I'm very happy with my Ryobi 18v brushless line trimmer but I use it for maintaining a residential block and would never consider it a brush cutter. Would your use possibly be clearing/brush cutting the first time then just maintaining? If so I'd say go the 36v if you already have batteries for it but maybe hire a proper brush cutter for the initial slash. If you'd prefer to get something different I think Ego are the only ones I know of that make an electric brush cutter with steel blade and they also do mowers etc but no personal experience with them.

        Brush cutter I have used was a Stihl though I don't recall the model, not electric though.

    • donga100 on 15/11/2023 - 18:17

      It's more of a marketing term, most people who use brush cutters will use them with the string head as it's still more effective than blades for anything other than dry woody weeds or saplings and won't break the blade or the machine when you hit a rock or log. Machines labelled as brush cutters are usually more powerful though. Even the EGO brush cutter delivers more power than the EGO whipper snipper that uses the same batteries and has a much bigger cutting width.

  • Protractor on 15/11/2023 - 11:16
    +3

    Go fuel version, or go home.
    ;)
    Stihl

    • Muzeeb on 15/11/2023 - 11:19
      +1

      Husqvarna 135R 2T used heavily for 11 years and never missed a beat.

      • Protractor on 15/11/2023 - 11:57
        -1

        Makes sense.
        They'd be the 2 better brands, for sure.
        Not sure I could be arsed with battery for real brush cutter /whipper snipper duty.
        Some things need to make "that noise."

      • Nugs on 15/11/2023 - 11:58

        ebay jobby 'yukon' branding but same/similar to giantz. it's 10 years old and still ning ning ninging (used infrequently as brushcutter, mostly used as a polesaw)
        line trimming is done with a Stihl FS36 that is 25 years old
        .

  • sumyungguy on 15/11/2023 - 11:27

    Honda HHT36 $777 including charger & 6AH battery

  • kale chips suck on 15/11/2023 - 11:32
    +3

    I'm on my second Ego brush cutter. I also have a Stihl petrol one, and a Husqvana - also petrol. I also have a Ozito multi tool, which includes a whipper head attachment.

    I've done a lot of commercial whippering, with industrial gear. Large scale public facilities maintenance type stuff.

    I have my steel blade on the Ego unit and a whipper head on the Stihl. When I can get a deal on the Ego multi tool head and a whipper attachment I'll buy that and be all Ego for normal usage.

    Petrol will be retired. Can't be stuffed with the fuel mixing & storage, remembering what tool has what oil:fuel ratio, blocked jets, etc.

    • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 11:33

      How have you found the battery life on the Ego? I've heard a lot of things about the battery failing outside of warranty.

      • kale chips suck on 15/11/2023 - 11:39
        +1

        I bought into Ego in 2015. I think I've had two batteries fail since then.

        I have a mate who runs a Total Tools store and I asked him about their return rate, particularly on batteries. He said he hasn't noticed it heard anything particular to Ego

        I suspect though that all brands will be seeing increased failure rates as batteries get more capacity. More capacity is gained through adding cells to the pack and the more cells the outer had the greater the chance one will fail, rendering the pack itself unusable.

        I keep my failed batteries so that I can get them rebuilt when the rebuilder market appears. I did speak to a Melbourne company who specialise in rebuilding batteries and they hadn't done any Ego stuff, but were open to it and interested. That was maybe 12 months ago and I didn't proceed but it does indicate it'll happen.

        • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 11:48
          +2

          There are some people around now that will replace cells, as you say, it is normally just one cell that causes the problem for all of the brands.
          I know there is one in Sydney where I am that advertises on Gumtree I think.

  • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 11:36
    +2

    I have the EGO BC3800E Commercial Brushcutter -https://egopowerplus.com.au/power-30cm-brushcutter-38cm-line-trimmer/
    It would be our most used tool hours wise. We've had to for 2 years now, and love it.

    We still have a 4 stroke petrol unit (Shingu with Subaru engine) and I do not use it anymore. The EGO has all of the power, but none of the noise, no need to yank on starter cord, the smell etc… plus a huge drop in vibrations.

    We use it with 7.5Ah and 5Ah batteries, and it balances nicely. We use it with both cutting line for grass, and the blade for brush, easy enough to change over when required.
    We also have the Link Backpack to have the batteries on, but I haven't used it much - https://egopowerplus.com.au/power-backpack-link-battery-harn…

    I would guess we get about 45mins out of the 7.5Ah when just cutting grass, and that can drop of a fair amount when hacking through brush.

    I recently tested the BCX4500 you linked to, that thing is a beast and I am seriously considering to buy that too.

    • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 11:39

      Thanks for the input! The battery backpack certainly looks interesting. Have you experienced any issues with the batteries? I've read a lot of reports that Ego's batteries are prone to failure after 2 or 3 years.

      • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 11:46
        +1

        Zero issues and the wife just dropped the 7.5Ah into a puddle the other day.
        I have 3 x 5Ah and 1 x 7.5Ah.
        I am on a few EGO FB groups and also see reports of issues, but, I would say that it seems no higher an issue than anything else. For every post of a complaints, there are replies full of people who have had batteries for 3458 years with no issues. So yeah, hyperbole will exists from all sides.

        For EGO I have the brushcuuter, 18" chainsaw, self propel mower and blower. The blower would be the second most used item. We are on 13 acres, so ride on mower gets sued everywhere, then the push mower only on a few areas.

        The new backpack is better than my one, better support around the hips, and they now also offer the hip pad to work with the brushcutter. They didn't bring in the hip pad for my backpack, so I need to use original harness as well as backpack, and that is annoying sometimes, hence not use it often. Still looking to get a hip pad to connect and use it more in future.

      • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 12:05
        +2

        If you think EGO will be the go, make sure to follow their FB, as they are having Demo Days around the country, and they haven't done Tassie yet.
        Maybe even shoot them a message asking if they plan to do Tassie. Not only will you be able to try all of the product, but they hand out 20% off cards to use at any official retailer - https://i.imgur.com/pRX7TKV.jpg

        • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 12:06

          Thanks, that's super helpful!

        • rcgy on 19/11/2023 - 12:02

          Messaged them, there’s none planned in tassie :( the commercial brushcutter is tempting, but having to buy the charger sucks.

          • snuke on 19/11/2023 - 12:04
            +1

            @rcgy: That sucks, see my other message, you will get. free 7.5Ah battery, chargers can be picked up form FB marketplace a dime a dozen. I have had one listed for aeons, with no luck in selling because there are so many I am a bit regional.

            New deal to get a free 7.5Ah battery with EGO commercial gear, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/812622#comment-14576397

            That will work nicely with that BCX4500

  • ozzieblue on 15/11/2023 - 11:55

    I do not own one, but the petrol honda gets very good reviews. I did a bit of research a while ago. [Honda 25cc 4 Stroke Bent Shaft Line Trimmer]

    • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 11:59
      +3

      Bent shafts are cute and all, but you don't want that for a brush cutter. They are for lightweight work.

  • EightImmortals on 15/11/2023 - 12:09

    I've got the EGO whipper snipper and am quite happy but as others have said yo might need a brush cutter to get through the thick stuff. Still on the original battery 2.5 and it gets around 45minutes continuous use. Also have the small chainsaw and hedge trimmer and have had no problems. Still have a larger petrol chainsaw but otherwise I have zero regrets moving to electric.

  • stumo on 15/11/2023 - 12:16
    +1

    I have the older EGO commercial handlebar brushcutter that was clearing out a few years back…

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/533335

    It is very good. I don't use the brushcutter blade though, just the line trimmer head. I'd imagine its fine with the blade as well because it is seriously grunty with the line.

    • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 12:27

      Wow! What a ripper deal. Wish I'd seen it.

  • Tomcruise on 15/11/2023 - 14:05

    I paid $149 for the EGO from memory. Was always heavily discounted. It came with a Whipper Snipper head as well. It's ok.

    Would go Petrol all day long though. and i have every Piece of EGO gear.

  • Shitforbrains on 15/11/2023 - 14:33

    If you are switching between line trimming and brush cutting, the Ryobi you linked is suitable because it allows quick tool-free changing between different attachments. I use a brushcutter attachment from eBay that includes the lower shaft and a metal blade. You can easily detach it and put the original Ryobi line trimmer attachment back on.

    • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 14:44

      Awesome, thanks so much shitforbrains :P

      • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 16:01
        +1

        Similar note if you want multi tool instead of dedicated,
        https://toolkitdepot.com.au/ego-power-56v-brushless-multi-to…
        Plus:
        https://toolkitdepot.com.au/ego-power-56v-multi-tool-30cm-br…

        There is a big difference though between this and the commercial grade brush cutter you linked to. Obviously one designed for commercial use vs these multi tools designed for home user, plus dedicated simply do the job better, while not as convenient.

        • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 16:10

          Very good point. Is it really a huge gulf in performance? Because the flexibility would be nice, but could also get that same swappability from the Ryobi.

          • stumo on 15/11/2023 - 16:17

            @rcgy: I have the Ego multitool as well as the old style commercial brushcutter, and the devices look and perform pretty much identical.

            • rcgy on 15/11/2023 - 16:22

              @stumo: Awesome, thanks!

              • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 16:40
                +2

                @rcgy: Also think about style, the bull horn/bicycle handle style vs regular and what you may like. We're fully in the bull horn camp now. Each has pros and cons.

            • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 16:39

              @stumo: Cool, I guess for longevity though, the commercial should run longer.

              That new one though, is a lot more powerful

              • stumo on 15/11/2023 - 16:45

                @snuke: I'm not sure. I read somewhere the old commercial one could pull 2kW, same as the multitool. Thats easily into <100cc 2 stroke territory, considering the torque curve. I doubt you'd be getting much more than that out of wieldable size battery packs anyway.

                But that backpack thingo on the new commercial gear can probably supply more.

                • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 17:06
                  +1

                  @stumo: Interesting. New one says:

                  35cc petrol engine equivalent with 10% more power than leading petrol brush cutter models
                  Brushless motor delivers 1,600W max power, 900W rated power

                  All I know is that it felt like it had more torque when just firing it up in the air at full tilt. We didn't actually cut anything with it. I liked the larger shield 45cm vs 38cm, but I also know that some remove them for better visibility and don't care about safety.

                  Weight was about the same, trigger is different, new electronic controller. i would say both better and worse, but ultimately probably slightly more comfortable for longer use. Only worse because of the different safety trigger, but that should only take a day to get used to the difference.

                  Apparently there is a new app coming that will connect to all these new commercial tools via Bluetooth and be able to give diagnosis on any issues.
                  I have a 20% off card, so seriously thinking about it. I also got the other one when Trade Tools were clearing them out.

                  • stumo on 15/11/2023 - 17:26

                    @snuke: Hmm its possible they may have downgraded the motors on the newer model to cut their costs/increase profits. 1.6kW is still pretty good for brush cutting.

                    The main difference is the torque increases as the tool slows down against a heavy load, which is the opposite of what happens on petrol. So it can supply that 1.6kW at all speeds, so it can get away with slightly lower outright maximum power figures than a petrol one.

                    • snuke on 15/11/2023 - 17:39

                      @stumo: Lower RPM on new model too.
                      Our BC3800E no load RPM is 4500-6000, new BCX4500 is 3 stages, 3,500 / 4,500 / 5,200 RPM

  • Franc-T on 15/11/2023 - 16:49

    I have the EGO its pretty nice.

    Might want to consider a hedge trimmer as well they can be super good for smashing through big tangles of weeds

  • donga100 on 15/11/2023 - 18:11

    The EGO brush cutter is going to be the most powerful out of all of those options, with the Honda in second but with less efficient batteries due to the higher power drain on lower voltage battery. Definitely don't go the 36V Ryobi for thicker weeds and paspalum type grasses. How thick are we talking though? I do commercial slashing and residential mowing and use an EGO whipper snipper for most residential jobs, even with thick grass/weeds. However, for jobs where I'm dealing with really thick growth or areas that will take over an hour I use a Stihl FS250 and the difference in speed and power is not even close.

    If you go for the EGO consider getting a second battery and a fast charger as you'll probably need the second battery for an area that big. The fast charger can fully charge a battery faster than you'll discharge one. They have a good ranger of mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers, etc. too.

  • badg3rz on 16/11/2023 - 11:33
    -1

    If you want "gutsy", don't go electric.

  • Euphemistic on 16/11/2023 - 11:52

    Have you looked at stihl battery powered? They seem to have commercial grade stuff.

    I’ve just spent an hour on a Honda 4 stoke whilper snipper. Does the job well, easy to start BUT it still requires fuel and is noisy. My home 18v brushless Ryobi does almost as well for power without the boise, heat, fumes or messy refueling. Really a shame the Honda is in such great condition because I’d have them buy a battery one in an instant.

    I’ve also used a 2x18v makita multi head unit. Only used the pole saw but it was amazing in comparison to the 36v Ryobi i used a while back. Pretty sure the line trimmer would be plenty powerful for ‘heavy residential’ use.

    Having said that, my Ryobi isn’t really suited to clearing land, but I’m sure one of the modern brushless commercial grade units will do the job.

  • ozbargainoid on 16/11/2023 - 16:15

    Have an AEG line trimmer 54V model, and it rips!, I use 3mm trimmer line.
    Can do the whole yard using only about half the battery capacity.
    Had a Shindaiwa petrol type before, and the AEG is just as powerful.
    Only down side is that its a bit heavy.(because of the battery size)
    I don't know how good is the mower, as I still use my old Honda 4 stroke.

  • drewbytes on 16/11/2023 - 18:01

    EGO tools are awesome. I don't have the brush cutter but do have mower, blower and whipper snipper. Love them.

  • snuke on 17/11/2023 - 15:19
    +1

    New deal to get a free 7.5Ah battery with EGO commercial gear, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/812622#comment-14576397

    That will work nicely with that BCX4500

  • noideaa on 17/11/2023 - 20:09

    I have the EGO one mainly because of the powerload feature.

    I don't have to deal with the annoying pain in the ass string anymore. They have a built in button that does all the job putting it in.

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