Strimmers / brushcutters

[munky]

I need a petrol one - but my question is, does a £80 Flymo strimmer do the job or is it worth spending say £250 on a husqvarna - what's the difference, will the flymo break after a few uses? Or is the difference that the cheap ones do grass and that's it, whereas the pricier ones deal with tougher vegetation? Also are the multitools any good - the ones that you can get different attachments for like strimmer, hedge timmer, pruner, scarifier, blower, edger etc, or is it better to get something designed for one job only? In any case I already have an Echo petrol leaf blower/sucker/shredder and a cordless hedge trimmer, so maybe there's not much benefit in that anyway

And are Husqvarna any good or is Stihl the only option worth considering?

Any advice gratefully received!

Edited by munky on Sunday 17th May 16:10

[astroarcadia]

Stihl FS 50 is a great tool. Light, well balanced and cuts through rougher weeds with ease. I bought mine a few weeks ago for £145 and love it.

[Dogwatch]

£250 unit won't do the job three times better than an £80 Flymo or Ryobi but will obviously outlast them. Attachments link on the cheaper machines (I don't know about the upmarket ones) is standardised so several share the same range (strimmer, brush cutter, blower, tiller etc).

[sparkythecat]

I bought a Makita petrol strimmer 7 years ago.

Despite a complete lack of maintainance :hangs head in shame:
it has been unfailingly reliable

[mrmaggit]

astroarcadia said:

Stihl FS 50 is a great tool. Light, well balanced and cuts through rougher weeds with ease. I bought mine a few weeks ago for £145 and love it.

We bought the Stihl FS55 three years ago, it has the handlebar control. If you've got serious weeds/scrub to clear, get one of these. You get a brush cutting blade and a strimmer head included. Spend a bit on a helmet with faceguard and earmuffs.

[Eggle]

Anything with a curved shaft will be for light use. ( You are only to use it for say 15 mins at a time and need to rest it )
The straight shaft are the ones to go for if you want a decent machine.
I have Stihl and I don't think you can beat it.

[Coco H]

I would buy either Stihl (our strimmer must be 15 years old) or Husqvarna - thewy both seem to last ok