Grass trimmer, brushcutter or clearing saw?

Whether for the home garden, a country property, or for a professional job, how do you select which STIHL tool is most appropriate for keeping vegetation growth under control?

From maintaining tidy gardens to clearing large areas of heavy growth, the versatile and powerful STIHL range of grass trimmers, brushcutters and clearing saws provide home and professional gardeners with the power, precision and reliability they need.

Especially when coupled with the ingenious range of STIHL mowing head and cutting tool attachments that not only make the job easier, but more effective as well.

But which tool is best suited to what task?

GETTING STARTED: IT’S AS EASY AS 1,2,3!

When choosing the most appropriate tool for your trimming, mowing or clearing you need to identify three key factors:

1. What kind of vegetation is to be cut or trimmed? Lawn edges? Brush? Or is it tough and gnarled undergrowth?
2. How large is the area that is being cut or trimmed? Is it a typical urban garden? A public garden, park or green space? Or a larger rural or regional block?
3. Is noise a factor? Are you trimming, mowing or clearing in an urban area? Will you be close to hospitals, schools or other noise sensitive locations?

Knowing the scope of your clearing project means you can match it to the most appropriate tool.

STIHL GRASS TRIMMERS

The STIHL grass trimmer range is ideal for urban requirements. Lightweight, with superb balance and easy manoeuvrability, these tools are perfect for trimming lawn edges and thinning garden grasses and undergrowth in smaller to medium sized gardens.

Different shaft lengths enable users to find a size that’s comfortable for them. Speaking of comfort, the battery powered AK System Grass Trimmers are low on noise and don’t require the use of earmuffs, a feature which minimises user fatigue and keeps neighbours happy!

STIHL BRUSHCUTTERS

For the clearing of more dense vegetation across larger sized garden blocks, public gardens, open paddocks and the like, the STIHL brushcutter range delivers in spades. The professional AP Battery System range not only delivers the power and run-time that garden professionals and those with larger blocks need, the low noise level makes them ideal for professional use in noise sensitive areas.

STIHL CLEARING SAWS

For mowing and clearing of tough grass and strong shrubs typically found on roadside embankments, and the thinning of saplings to promote forestry health, STIHL Professional Clearing Saws deliver incomparable power, precision and performance; so much so that they are often easier and more comfortable to use than chainsaws when clearing at low heights.

MAKE THE RIGHT ATTACHMENTS!

The quality range of STIHL Mowing Heads and Cutting Tools will help you work quickly and efficiently. Each attachment is designed to deliver the highest cutting performance for the specific task at hand. The same tool can also be used for simpler jobs: as example, a brush knife can easily be used to cut weeds as well. Read on to get a handle on what attachments you can match to your STIHL tool to get the rewarding results you’re after!

CLEARING OBSTACLES WITH EASE: STIHL AUTOCUT MOWING HEAD

For light mowing and trimming around typical urban obstacles such as trees and fences, and for perfecting your edges, the STIHL Mowing Head is the go.

The most popular mowing head for STIHL grass trimmers and brushcutters is the STIHL AutoCut head. When trimming grass, Mowing Line allows for more control and freedom and gives a perfectly neat finish. And the days of frustrating interruptions caused by fiddly line changing are now gone, thanks to the easy-to-use AutoCut ‘bump head’ which allows the operator to feed more line through by literally bumping the head against the ground.

TRIMMER TIP 1:

When mowing against hard surfaces such as fences lines and tree trunks, be sure to leave enough distance between the two to avoid leaving marks or causing any damage.

TRIMMER TIP 2:

If you find your line is breaking very easily when mowing close to obstacles, soaking the line in water overnight before you begin your trimming will give it more flexibility.

LIGHT VEGETATION: STIHL POLYCUT AND DUROCUT HEADS

Mowing heads that can take a thicker diameter of line will do well on most grass types and dense weeds. However, you’ll quickly learn if mowing line isn’t cutting it. If you’re churning through more line than necessary, it might be worth considering a PolyCut or DuroCut head for your grass trimmer or brushcutter.

A PolyCut head features two replaceable polymer blades that are designed to work in a similar way to a metal grass blade, but with greater flexibility, especially where obstacles are present. Many new STIHL PolyCut mowing heads also have the option to use lengths of nylon line for mowing around obstacles.

A DuroCut head runs serrated line pieces up to 4mm thick that are easy to replace and ideal for cutting through taller vegetation and woody species.

MAKE LIGHT OF HEAVY VEGETATION: STIHL METAL GRASS CUTTING BLADES

When the going gets tough, be it dense clusters of grass, paddocks or areas that feature a large concentration of weeds, the STIHL metal grass cutting blades get going! With multiple options available, choose from two, four or multiple tooth varieties. The two and four toothed blades are the most popular, as they are engineered to cope with green, heavy vegetation. The sharp edges allow the thicker stems to be cut instead of bludgeoned, resulting in a neat and quick finish.

Blades are also better suited to long term use, as they tend to vibrate less, making the task more comfortable for the operator.

BUSHES, REEDS & WOODY SHRUBS: STIHL BRUSH KNIVES AND SHREDDER BLADES

If you need to clear areas of thick and woody vegetation, it’s time to consider a more substantial cutting tool. To tackle tough, thick and unruly growth, brush knives and shredder blades are your best option. Both attachments are designed to be used in a vertical motion, working from the waist downwards to remove the vegetation in stages. The end result of this approach is a mulch like material, which rewardingly reduces the overall size of the cuttings generated.
Shredder blades are to be fitted to those STIHL range of clearing saws with bike handles and appropriate guard only.

Speak to your local STIHL Dealer about fitting the correct guard to suit the machine and blade options you go with.

THIN TREES & BUSHES: STIHL SAW BLADES

You don’t always need to reach for the chainsaw when cutting thicker branches and thin trees. The right cutting tool on a brushcutter or clearing saw may be just as effective. Working in a similar way to a circular saw, the chisel tooth, scratcher tooth and carbide tipped saw blades are perfect for this kind of work, moving horizontally instead of vertically. Using a brushcutter or clearing saw instead of a chainsaw for small, thin trees and bushes also allows you to cut nice and close to the base, without having the bend down. This is a great option for thinning out large areas of mixed scrub and plantations.

KNOW-HOW FROM THOSE WHO KNOW: VISIT YOUR LOCAL STIHL DEALER

An informative visit to your helpful local STIHL dealer will provide you with the confidence that you’re the tools you’re choosing are those best suited to your needs.

They’ll ensure you have the right tool for the job and be able to advise the correct head and blade option for the task at hand. You’ll also receive knowledgeable advice on the best way to tackle the job, including how to fit your attachments to your tool, the correct safety guard to suit and what PPE is required.