Brushcutters any advice?

[sar]

I have just under 5 acres some of which is being overtaken by scrub. Since my aim is to maintain mainly grassland I need to control the brambles from encroaching too much. Also have hawthorn seedlings and vicious dog rose. A recent walkabout with the WLT conservation manger has persuaded me that at least in the beginning I need to invest in a good brushcutter Stihl or Husquavarna. Any models best? Preference is for as quiet and as light as possible. I will be needing to use a bow saw on some of the hawthorn and ash seedlings. Bearing in mind that I need to fork out on fencing and a planned new hedge budget is always a factor. Any advice from your experiences would be welcome.

[eeyore]

I run task teams managing rights of way and my prefference is for the sthil FS400 - none of the lighter models in the sthil range will be up to driving a brushcutting blade through small trees etc (note that you need the 3 pointed brush knife blade not the 2 blade or plastic/nylon heads) while the heavier models are unreasonably heavy for the extra power (though if you want to use a clearing saw you might want the FS450)

I dont know anything about huskie brushcutters but they are an equally good make - dont be tempted to buy cheaper brands because they will break more often.

I'd also note that for five acres you definitely need the full body harness not the shoulder sling.

In fact if you arent used to it brushcutting five acres will really take it out of you - and you might be better off looking at hiring a power scythe or two wheel tractor and flail to do the initial cut (you can then stay on top of it with a brushcutter - buying a decent power scythe is likely to be prohibitively expensive) - Something like this BCS 32" Flail mower

[Jim Ford]

How about putting goats on the land?

Jim

[nightshade]

How about a wildlife assessment first? and wear PPE

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by nightshade

How about a wildlife assessment first? and wear PPE

I presume that if sar has had LWT ( i presume thats lincs/ lancs wildlife trust rather than the television company) walk round then the wildlife assesment is in hand

re ppe the only necessary for brushcutting is face and ear pro - you can get integrated visors for about 20 quid. If you have the likelyhood of hogweeds or wild parsnip you should also wear long sleeves, a high collared jacket and gauntlets.

Steeltoed boots are also a good idea for any reserve work - but you'd have to be pretty stupid to catch your foot with a brushcutter (its not possible to get the head that close once the harness is on)

Re the goats thats a good idea for the long term maintenance - you can find graziers willing to pay for the priviledge pretty easily - but in my experience they take several years to make a decent impact on an overgrown site - better to knock it all down with a flail or brushcutter then put goats in to control the regrowth.

[sar]

Thanks for your replies. I did have a botanical survey done by the the wildlife trust and have been taking advice from them- Herts and Middlesex tho'. I have taken my time observing and talking to local nature lovers to find out what has been seen, before deciding what is appropriate. Fortunately one part (about 2 acres) just needs judicious mowing. The second bit is the neutral grassland which is being overtaken by ash, hawthorn,rose and bramble. I know it has been used as hunting for owl and looks to have a good small mammal pop. I have considered using animals but since I am distant from the field wouldn't be able to do the regular checks required and besides I need to sort out the parlous fencing.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by sar

I have considered using animals but since I am distant from the field wouldn't be able to do the regular checks required and besides I need to sort out the parlous fencing.

in my experience you can generally get the grazier tio be responsible for the checks - tho fencing wood indeed be your responsibility (be a good move to get that sorted anyway as you dont want neighbours livestock invading your site)

btw - i'd reccomend "creating a wildflower meadow" by yvette venter , isbn 1-900322-08-0 which is not just instructional but also the story of the author and her husband mike taking the same journey that you are embarking on.

[muldonach]

Originally Posted by sar

I have just under 5 acres some of which is being overtaken by scrub. Since my aim is to maintain mainly grassland I need to control the brambles from encroaching too much. Also have hawthorn seedlings and vicious dog rose. A recent walkabout with the WLT conservation manger has persuaded me that at least in the beginning I need to invest in a good brushcutter Stihl or Husquavarna. Any models best? Preference is for as quiet and as light as possible. I will be needing to use a bow saw on some of the hawthorn and ash seedlings. Bearing in mind that I need to fork out on fencing and a planned new hedge budget is always a factor. Any advice from your experiences would be welcome.

We run a pair of husqvarna 250 and have had one for over 10 years without too many problems or complaints.

Looking at the vegetation you describe I would recommend you take a look at a Broglio chain flail head which is the bees knees on brambles and seedlings (but hopeless on grass)

Get yourself a chainsaw helmet with mesh visor - above all use some form of eye and ear protection and if you are using a chain flail leg protection as well.

Use a good pair of leather gloves and break yourself in easily - a couple of hours at a time is plenty to start with.if it is already well away from the level of control you are looking for then a tracked bobcat with a mulching head will go through it in a day - can be hired in for self drive.

Have fun
mac

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by muldonach

Get yourself a chainsaw helmet with mesh visor - above all use some form of eye and ear protection and if you are using a chain flail leg protection as well.

one point on that - its better to use a clear plastic visor if you have any hogweed , wild parsnip or other plants with caustic sap (or any ammount of dog poo) as the mesh visor of a c/saw hat wont protect your eyes/face from flying liquids

we use these http://uk.catalog.stihl.com/katalog/...c+visor+3.html

[APC]

If you have thicker material to get through, maybe consider a clearing saw. I would always recommend Stihl but that is what I am used to.

If you are happy to cut down woody stuff by hand, then I would recommend a Stihl FS450 as a minimum for doing the job efficiently.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by APC

If you have thicker material to get through, maybe consider a clearing saw. I would always recommend Stihl but that is what I am used to.

If you are happy to cut down woody stuff by hand, then I would recommend a Stihl FS450 as a minimum for doing the job efficiently.

at work we have the FS400 and FS350 (though i am selling the 350s off and replacing them with new 400s which have the more efficent 4 mix engine) and we use both of these with clearing saw blades as well as the 3 point brush knife.

we used to have two FS280s as well but i sold those last year (in fact i bought one myself for personal use) as they are fine for garden use but they dont have the vibration absorbtion system found on higher rated ones and thus arent insurable for proffesional use for more than 90 mins at a stretch

[nigel_b]

I've used a Stihl for 8 years now and would highly recommend the make.

For one acre field I get in a local farmer with a topper. Five acres?

[Jenny W]

Stihl for me too - I find Huskys a bit awkward and unbalanced compared to the Stihls.

[Johnny Redgate]

3 acres of brushcutting sounds like a lot of work for one person. Might be cheaper and easier to ask your neighbouring farmer to take a tractor and topper or flail over it then look to your ongoing management (grazing/haycutting etc).

[nigel_b]

1 acre field cost £30 cash to top.

Coincidentally 160m of hedgerow alongside road cost £30 cash to flail (different farmer).

Jobs that size are just to big to be manageable by one man and a hand-held machine.