Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Work in the garden and front garden requires a lot of attention, effort and time. A variety of tools come to the aid of gardeners. Their correct set will help to make a certain type of work much faster and more efficiently. Reliable helper of amateur gardeners – hand brush cutter. This article will tell you about the diversity of models, their features and selection rules.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Manual brush cutter: a variety of models and characteristics

The modern market is represented by a wide range of models of brush cutters. The tools are divided into groups and types depending on the power source and the functionality of the various options for devices. Based on the method of energy consumption, brush cutters are divided into four types. The most popular are manual (or mechanical) models. Quite common are devices that use petrol, battery, or electric power.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Mechanical brush cutter is the easiest option. It is similar in structure and function to ordinary garden shears. A distinctive feature is a long handle, which increases the efficiency of work.

Manual brush cutter is easy to use. The tool does not need servicing, and its cost is significantly lower than gasoline, electric or battery models. The average size of the device reaches half a meter in length, while the cutting part is almost half of the product – up to 0.25 m.

The main disadvantage of a hand tool is the need to use physical force, therefore it is impossible to work with it for a long time, and also with its help it is difficult to process large areas. The advantages of the device are much greater than the shortcomings: it is light, compact, silent, inexpensive, suitable for use in all weather conditions, without requiring power and fuel.

Manual brush cutters are convenient to cut low hedges from bushes with thin branches. It is difficult to care for thick and tall plants using this tool, as hands get tired quickly, which negatively affects the result.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Choosing a mechanical tool, it is better to give preference to a brush cutter with rubber pads, thanks to which the hands do not slip, and the quality of work increases. The best models of this type are the Garden Garden Brush Cutter, as well as the products of the German company RACO and the Chinese firm GRINDA.

Helpful advice! Before you buy an electric brush cutter, you must inspect the tool, paying particular attention to the blade and the handle, and it is recommended that you first try it out in practice.

According to the functional features, the brush cutters are divided into two groups. The first one is made up of tools resembling gaskeepers. The mechanism is a crossed knives working in the same plane. Cutting with such scissors can be in the forward and reverse directions. If you need to give a certain shape to the bushes or you need to often align the hedge, then it is better to buy a gasoline brush cutter.

The second group of brush cutters includes devices, the functionality of which makes them look like trimmers or gas mowers. Tools of this type are equipped with gasoline or electric motors, special rods that transfer energy to the head, and the cutting part — in fact, it is a circular saw. The best among these options is considered gasoline brush cutter Stihl.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Brush cutter Shtil 450 (Stihl FS 450) belongs to a number of professional models that mow large volumes of hard and thick grass undergrowth. With their help, clearing the roadsides of roads and railway tracks from overgrowths up to 12 cm in diameter. The device has a powerful engine and a relatively low weight of 8 kg. Motokosa handle is adjustable to the height of a person. The system is equipped with an anti-vibration device.

The most famous professional models include Husqvarna products. Huskvarna brush cutters are lightweight, but very strong units designed for long and hard work to clean the forest.

The electric brush cutter is a more powerful device than a mechanical tool, which makes it possible to use it to perform complex tasks.

Identical (with electric model), the principle of operation has a battery brush cutter. Buy such a device is worth if you can not use the electric cable. The absence of a cord makes the device more maneuverable, but in terms of prices such brush cutters are the most expensive.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Brush cutters, regardless of the principle of operation, have such general technical characteristics as power, size of knives, speed of turns. The power of the electrothread cutter is on average 0.5 kW. The device that runs on gasoline, has a capacity of up to 1.6 kW. The optimal value of this indicator device – 0.6 kW.

The knife or tire is the main cutting element of the device. Its length determines the area of ​​capture and the number of processed bushes. Thus, the longer the tire, the more bushes will be processed in one pass. But at the same time, too long a knife reduces the maneuverability of the brush cutter. In gasoline devices and electric models, the length of the knife varies from 40 to 70 cm, and in battery rooms, from 10 to 60 cm. The most popular knife sizes are 50 cm.

In the operation of the device an important role is played by such an indicator as the number of revolutions of the knife per minute. The stronger the rotation, the more perfect the cut. This characteristic in different models ranges from 1600 to 3500 revolutions per minute. The most powerful are Vosch electric brush cutters.

Choosing the right model, you need to consider the following nuances:

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

  • size of the treated area and the amount of work;
  • plant types and sizes;
  • frequency and duration of work;
  • distance to the source of electricity;
  • material of which the tool is made;
  • age and gender of the gardener.

The use of electric brush cutters is advisable if the distance from the power supply network to the area to be treated does not exceed 30 m – it is this maximum length that the cords of electrical appliances have. Under the condition of a longer distance, it will be necessary to use an extension cord, which significantly reduces the level of work safety.

Helpful advice! Do not use an electric brush cutter after rain. Such work is risky.

In addition, the very likelihood of electric shock causes a potential hazard in the use of the device. Its power is an order of magnitude less than that of a gasoline counterpart. Complicates the work of a long cord. During the use of electrical equipment can be tangled in the wires.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

At the same time, electrical appliances have several advantages. Their advantages, in comparison with the gasoline counterpart, are the absence of the need to purchase fuel and lubricants and regular inspections, as well as a lower cost. They are eco-friendly, lightweight, multifunctional, have high performance and work quietly. The list of the most popular models belong to the brush cutters of the Italian company Alpina, the American Black & Decker, German AL-KO, Metabo and Bosch.

One of the most popular models is the Bosch AHS 45-16 electric brush cutter. The tool is designed for cutting bushes, with its help it is easy to give the desired form to the hedge. Motor power – 450 watts. The length of the tire is 42 cm, the gap between the blades is 16 mm, the number of revolutions is 3400 per minute. The device is compact enough, its weight is only 2.9 kg.

The principle of operation of battery brush cutters is an autonomous battery, which must be periodically recharged. The tool is used in cases where the bushes are far from the mains or the hedge is small.

Cordless brush cutters can not cope with thick branches, they can not afford large amounts of work. The device must be constantly recharged, approximately every 40 minutes. With a very heavy load on the blades of the blades, recharging may be required after 20 minutes of work.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Therefore, such a brush cutter is best suited for cutting branches with a thickness of 2 cm. For cutting high plantations, it is better to use telescopic brush cutters with folding rods. With their help, even shoots 3 m high can be cut.

The best among these models are rechargeable brush cutters Bosch and Gardena from Germany, as well as Japanese counterparts Hitachi and Ryobi.

Bosch cordless hedge trimmers are wireless devices for trimming hedges and bushes. Most models are equipped with a removable lithium-ion battery pack, which needs to be charged in just under an hour. Tools have anti-lock system for smooth operation. These are lightweight and compact designs that have been working for quite a long time. However, they have virtually no effect on human fatigue. The cutting system, thanks to special teeth in the front of the knife, allows you to quickly remove branches up to 25 mm thick.

Helpful advice! You can not use the device for cutting branches having a thickness greater than that provided by the technical characteristics of the device.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Brush cutter-trimmer is used for mowing grass in hard-to-reach places, where the wheel mower is not able to reach. These are places near trees and bushes, walls, fences and paths. When purchasing a tool, you need to proceed from the tasks facing the tool. The gasoline unit is perfect in cases of harvesting hay or removing a large number of weeds.

Cutting elements should be selected depending on the type of plantings. If there are trees, bushes and stones, then you should use a special cutting line. Its use will prevent damage to the knives and preserve the integrity of the trees. If the trimmer is used only for mowing weed vegetation, then electric models from companies like Viking, Jonsered or Bosch are suitable. The choice of a particular tool is influenced by the thickness of the grass and branches.

Trimmers are of two types. They are distinguished by the shape of the handle, which can be T-shaped or in the form of the letter “D”. The second option is used when maximum maneuverability is required. The device with the T-shaped handle serves to perform a large amount of work in an open area. Powerful models are equipped with a three-blade knife capable of cutting branches up to 15 mm thick.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

Modern trimmers are equipped with connectors for additional attachments. The tool can be used not only for mowing grass, but also as a lopper, snow blower or a cultivator.

A great alternative to shredders for handling small areas is the cordless shears for grass and shrubs. As with any garden equipment, this tool can have an amateur or professional purpose. What is better to buy a cordless scissors for cutting grass and shrubs, we shall understand below.

Manual brush cutter: tool selection criteria

  1. Knives need regular sharpening. To do this, use only the method of laser sharpening.
  2. When buying a tool, you should give preference to models with a lithium-ion battery, which is used even at low temperatures.
  3. For devices with a removable battery, it is advisable to buy a spare battery that will provide the possibility of continuous operation.
  4. Some models have rotating knives, which allows cutting grass in hard-to-reach places.
  5. The battery charge time depends on the capacity of the battery. It works longer – it takes longer to charge.
  6. You should take care of your own safety and in no case work without gloves, as the knives are very sharp.
  7. For recharging, you must use only a “native” charger: other charges can lead to rapid deterioration of the battery.

When buying a brush cutter or garden shears, you should consider the amount of work, the frequency of use of the tool, the ability to connect to the network. You should also pay attention to the manufacturer, to listen to the advice of experienced gardeners. Choosing the right brush cutter model directly affects the degree of comfort of the garden work. Reliable helpers, which include the brush cutters, will help turn hard work into pleasure.

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