strimmer not working/ cutting

[lord mud of the flyes]

Hello!

I have a Bosch Strimmer Combi Trim Art 26. please see first photo.

But the blades keep snapping. please see second photo. These are the blades I bough  https://www.toolstation.com/alm-trimmer-plastic-blades/p15836

It wont cut the blackberry horthorn, please see the 3rd and 4th photo

 

[lord mud of the flyes]

Im not even sure  if the blades are attached correctly. please see photo hear

Also the battery only lasts about 10 minutes

 

Anyway hear is a video of what I need to cut down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlNtiyb_kg

Any ideas on moving forward please?

[dpmiller]

need a brushcutter, not a grass trimmer.

[crispy_wafer]

Spray it and tear through it with a small excavator, small tractor with a bucket or ride on mower is what I’d do.  If I couldn’t do that then the brush cutter with blade would come out to play!  Being honest, the Plastic grass trimmer isn’t the tool for this job.

[Onoff]

I've one of these bad boys:

 

https://www.howetools.co.uk/makita-dur368az-twin-18v-brush-cutter

[Beau]

You need fairly robust kit to handle a thicket like that. I've got a 7HP wheeled strimmer and think it would struggle with whats in the video

 

Some suggestions 

 

 

A brush cutter with a mulching blade 

Get a slashing hook 

Lots of waving around a decent hedge trimmer

 

 

[-rick-]

That looks like quite a large area. Might be worth paying someone who has the right equipment to come and do it. Be done in an hour or two if they have a small tractor/skidsteer with the right attachment.

[lord mud of the flyes]

would this do the job?

Hawksmoor 52cc 48cm Petrol Brush Cutter | Toolstation

 

Are the battery ones no good then?

[lord mud of the flyes]

what about this one?

Petrol Brush Cutter | Travis Perkins

[crispy_wafer]

Yep, but still expect it to be tough going, long stuff likes to tangle and snag round the head.  Patience and technique.

[Beau]

6 hours ago, lord mud of the flyes said:

would this do the job?

Hawksmoor 52cc 48cm Petrol Brush Cutter | Toolstation

 

Are the battery ones no good then?

That will probably do the job. Mulching scrub is hard on the gear housing on the end as it gets jolt when you suddenly hit something that it can't cut through.

The mulching heads like this are less prone to getting wrapped up. You work them more up and down and less side to side. https://skylandequipment.com/products/oregon-3-tooth-shredder-mulcher-blade-4mm-thick-fits-25-4mm-and-20mm?currency=GBP&variant=34618267336842&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&stkn=d85a26c18b7e&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=22742976425&gbraid=0AAAAADvDybxZVzZPipNlU5V_8GLdBVwEZ&gclid=CjwKCAjwpOfHBhAxEiwAm1SwEqcAqNTCKEDt7gvSnht1gPrO1nJTAf_dFIU9WkC60K7r6Ewo0HnXpRoCEp0QAvD_BwE

 

I like my battery tools but be surprised if there is a battery brush cutter than can handle that unless is it's a fully pro jobby with a price to match

[lord mud of the flyes]

8 hours ago, Beau said:

That will probably do the job. Mulching scrub is hard on the gear housing on the end as it gets jolt when you suddenly hit something that it can't cut through.

The mulching heads like this are less prone to getting wrapped up. You work them more up and down and less side to side. https://skylandequipment.com/products/oregon-3-tooth-shredder-mulcher-blade-4mm-thick-fits-25-4mm-and-20mm?currency=GBP&variant=34618267336842&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&stkn=d85a26c18b7e&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=22742976425&gbraid=0AAAAADvDybxZVzZPipNlU5V_8GLdBVwEZ&gclid=CjwKCAjwpOfHBhAxEiwAm1SwEqcAqNTCKEDt7gvSnht1gPrO1nJTAf_dFIU9WkC60K7r6Ewo0HnXpRoCEp0QAvD_BwE

 

I like my battery tools but be surprised if there is a battery brush cutter than can handle that unless is it's a fully pro jobby with a price to match

Will this fit my strimmer?

Hawksmoor 26cc Petrol Hedge Trimmer | Toolstation

 

Or would a be better with one of these?

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-easyhedgecut-18-14-11-44cm-18v-li-ion-power-for-all-brushless-cordless-hedge-trimmer-bare/739AG?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605979379&gclid=CjwKCAjwpOfHBhAxEiwAm1SwEsIH-Vm88_D6mOWBmKto_AURPfwxdbnZDDUCoLnjzN6elBZhErfLYhoCr8wQAvD_BwE

 

 

https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-26cc-petrol-hedge-trimmer/p90364?store=null&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21434767320&gclid=CjwKCAjwpOfHBhAxEiwAm1SwEuJbeojPcK4aS3K6dwWAyhk44uZrU3Bl8MwaKc0O5LnvDj7QybgPdhoCh1AQAvD_BwE

[JamesP]

Depending on the area and frequency you wish to cut back the overgrowth, I would rent a 40cc +  Husqvarna or similar for starters.

It will need heavy duty strimmer line or a metal 3 tooth blade for dense and heavy grass and small woody stems.

You will need a harness and eye / ear protection. Fuel and oil.

I have a Huqvarna 545 RXT, it's a brute, yes expensive but will last me out if maintained.

It can be exhausting clearing large areas so be realistic about your goals.

[Kelvin]

All that will do is grow back so your options are hire a small digger and properly clear the area. If you don’t mind cutting it back a few times a year then you need a proper petrol brush cutter that can take a blade for the initial cut back then good trimmer line to stay on top of it.
 

You want a two handled one (also called bull horn) and a harness as it’s easier to use and less physically tiring. You’ll also need a helmet with ear defenders and a visor. I recently bought a Honda commercial brush cutter  which came with a blade cutter and harness. Not cheap at £470 but not too dear either as it will see a lot of use. It has the advantage that it just takes E10 petrol so no need to pre-mix. I also have an Echo strimmer that can also take a blade. It’s much lighter and I can get into more awkward areas with it. 
 

I cleared a huge area by hand using a bladed brush cutter then stayed on top of it with the lawn tractor. You eventually win the battle and the grass establishes and takes over. Looking at the field now you’d never know it wasn’t always grass. Gorse on the other hand! I have a lifetime battle with it unless I get a goat. 
 

If you are going to buy a hedge trimmer buy an electric one with two batteries. They are much lighter to use. I have a Stihl one and it’s great. 

Edited 21 hours ago by Kelvin

[JohnMo]

You need a decent machine first and then a 3 blade cutter.

 

Clear area rake it up, the spray with decent weed killer.

 

I'm using

https://www.stihl.co.uk/en/p/brushcutters-grass-trimmers-clearing-saws-fs-561-petrol-clearing-saw-183336#fs-561-c-em-petrol-clearing-saw-183336

 

With either this for first cut a 3 blade brush knife

Part No. 41482000194

 

And a duracut for maintenance 

https://www.stihl.co.uk/en/ap/durocut-40-4-107595

 

Anything else just spend all day changing cutters.

 

The above generally runs out of fuel before anything breaks.

[Kelvin]

My rule of thumb is I fill the tank and run it dry. That gives me enough time to cover a good area without overdoing it and means I never leave the machine with petrol in it as it doesn’t take long for it oxidise and gum up the fuel system. 

[JohnMo]

22 hours ago, lord mud of the flyes said:

Bosch Strimmer Combi Trim Art 26

Not fit for purpose - ok for grass only.

[lord mud of the flyes]

Hay! I found on of these for sale on special offer 

 

Webb Webb WEPHT26 26cc Petrol Split Shaft Long Reach Petrol Hedge Trimmer

 

 

 

That is just a direct link to there the manufactures site, not where I saw if for sale on offer. But do you think it would be up to the job? or up to the job ish? or not? I mean compered to my battery powered BOSH?

Thanks

[crispy_wafer]

Others may, or may not agree.  But my honest opinion is to go for a ‘brand’ for tools to do this kind of job.  Stihl, Husqvarna, Tanaka, Echo, Honda etc.  This isnt borne out of snobbery, but rather all that wasted effort, and sore elbows/shoulders spent trying to start and use machines that are poorly built have crap weight distribution and whose carburettors need swapping after 2 years because they are cheap pattern parts from some low cost country.  A lot of my equipment is ex council/grounds clearance company bought 2nd hand from the same shop on eBay, so can be done on budget.  I’ve been bitten by the buy cheap buy twice thing.  Mculloch chainsaws, Ryobi 2 stroke split shaft trimmer/brushcutter multi tool thing, cobra long reach trimmer!

 

Hire something for the weekend, smash through it. Keep on top of it.  Spray it with a selective weed killer when it shows signs of coming back ( Grazon something or other) is what I use, then mow it, and keep mowing it!

 

Been at this game for long enough, and reading replies from others they have similar experiences too!

[lord mud of the flyes]

1 hour ago, crispy_wafer said:

Others may, or may not agree.  But my honest opinion is to go for a ‘brand’ for tools to do this kind of job.  Stihl, Husqvarna, Tanaka, Echo, Honda etc.

And would that include buying Bosh?

[crispy_wafer]

only bosch kit I've encountered is the bosch professional range, but that's woodworking/joinery, not groundscare/maintenance, sorry!

[JamesP]

41 minutes ago, lord mud of the flyes said:

And would that include buying Bosh?

Not Bosch. Lots of good advice on thread, if not ready to spend  I would recommend again hiring for a weekend at least 40cc + machine.

 

Fill it up, plug in your AirPods / headphones and keep clearing until the tank is dry, repeat and see how you feel. 

 

The site needs clearing by you or others and then kept cut back, mown using a flail / topper, ideally.

Edited 7 hours ago by JamesP

[Tetrarch]

I've got the DeWalt 54v multi-tool and it is excellent, I look after hedges and some brambles on another property that means that the extra attachments are a real boon . Super powerful. In fact too powerful as a rogue bit of 2.5mm strimmer cable whipped off and gouged a lovely 2" channel in my shin - socks ruined by bloodstain. 

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcmas5713n-xj-54v-li-ion-xr-flexvolt-brushless-cordless-split-boom-bare/831pg

 

The brushcutter attachment is an evil looking piece of kit - small, but very effective

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcmasbc1n-xj-garden-multi-tool-brushcutter-attachment/373pg

 

Highly recommended

 

Regards

 

Tet

[Kelvin]

7 hours ago, lord mud of the flyes said:

Hay! I found on of these for sale on special offer 

 

Webb Webb WEPHT26 26cc Petrol Split Shaft Long Reach Petrol Hedge Trimmer

 

 

 

That is just a direct link to there the manufactures site, not where I saw if for sale on offer. But do you think it would be up to the job? or up to the job ish? or not? I mean compered to my battery powered BOSH?

Thanks

You’ve been given good advice already. Not entirely sure why you’re ignoring it. If it’s a cost issue then hire some professional kit to get on top of it for the winter when it won’t grow much then work out how to maintain it before the spring. You buy cheap you buy twice especially with garden tools as they are worked quite hard. 

[saveasteading]

Heavy duty strimmers need masks, gloves,  steel toecap,  the lot.

 

My compromise is to use a hedge cutter on the scrub that my strimmer can't deal with. It looks silly, crawling around, but works.