Brushcutters are amazing tools that can help you maintain and transform your gardens and outdoor spaces in no time. This landscaping tool allows you to easily convert your unruly lawn and weeds into a neat, organised garden space. But just like any handy tool you own; they need proper maintenance and upkeep to ensure they always perform their best.

 

If you own a brushcutter, then this is a must read for all the tips to maximise the lifespan of your machine. We’ll guide you through the best methods for cleaning, fixing wear and tear, when to see a professional and much more.

 

What Are Brushcutters Used For?

 

Brushcutters are garden tools that can be helpful in a range of diverse jobs, but mainly they’re used to cut back lawns, weeds, or overgrown shrubs and bushes. They’re especially useful since they can reach the areas that aren’t accessible by lawnmowers and give you the freedom to work on both small and large areas.

 

They’re cordless and designed to be light and easy to hold and manoeuvre. Some models have an additional shoulder harness, making them easy to carry. They are powered by a small petrol engine, or by battery, depending on the model you choose. Whether you’re interested in brushcutters for your home garden, or larger agriculture and horticulture projects, you’ll benefit from its efficiency.

 

 

Brushcutters work effectively on many different tasks: From cutting back thick vegetation, to getting rid of unwanted weeds. They can also be used to trim small shrubs and lawn edges. For more commercial use they can be effective at clearing roadsides, fence boundaries and areas that have thick vegetation coverage.

 

Tips To Maintain The Brushcutter’s Lifespan

 

The lifespan of your brushcutter can vary depending on how often you use it and proper maintenance, but a well looked after brushcutter can easily keep working effectively for many years. Keeping your machine clean and following the best storage methods will make a world of difference to its lifespan.

 

Taking proper care of your brushcutters has many benefits, including enhanced performance. Ensuring regular upkeep will make sure your machine is running at its best at all times, so you can trim weeds easily whenever you need.

 

Regular maintenance can also prevent small issues turning into bigger ones, in this way you’ll increase the lifespan of your tool and make the most out of your investment. Equipment that’s well looked after is also safer to use, and taking care of your brushcutters can prevent possible safety issues or injuries caused by malfunctions.

 

The first steps to maintaining your brushcutters include:

 

Cleaning

 

It’s important to thoroughly clean your brushcutter after each use, not only will this keep your machine looking good, but will increase their lifespan exponentially. Gardening is messy, and your brushcutter will quickly become covered in dirt, dust, and vegetation. This can get stuck in the small, complex parts of the machine and cause damage over time. A clean brushcutter ensures optimal performance at all times, keeping it running smoothly for longer.

 

Before you start the cleaning process, make sure your brushcutter is completely turned off. For electric brushcutters, make sure you’ve unplugged the machine before starting, switch off the engine for petrol brushcutters and remove the battery on cordless versions.

 

When cleaning your brushcutter it’s useful to have the following on hand. You can use a large work brush, soft cloth, multi-purpose cleaner, some work gloves, and a combination socket tool that will allow you to get into the inner parts of your machine.

 

As soon as you’ve completed working with your brushcutter, start the cleaning process by cleaning the protective guard. This will prevent any vegetation and residue drying and becoming difficult to remove. Using the brush to remove debris and a soft cloth to clean the guard and housing, an all-purpose cleaner can help get rid of any stubborn marks left behind.

 

Most brushcutters are equipped with an air filter, which cleans the air going into the carburetor, over time this becomes filled with dust which can prevent airflow and cause damage to your brushcutter. It’s necessary to clean these filters after every few uses. Some brushcutters have a fleece filter, these can be removed, and you can tap most of the loose dirt out. However, fleece filters have deep grooves and most of the fine dust is left behind. Most brands will suggest a special cleaner such as “STIHL Varioclean” to remove all residue from your filter. Certain brushcutters have metal filters which can be cleaned by running them under hot water and rinsing dust and residue out.

 

Petrol brushcutters can sometimes have issues with their spark plugs. If your brushcutter is battling to start, it could be because your spark plugs need cleaning. It’s important to follow your machine’s operating instructions to remove the spark plug safely, and we recommend cleaning it using a lint free cloth. If you start noticing signs of wear and tear on your spark plug, it might be time to replace it. Spark plugs generally last for 1 season, depending on how often you use your machine, they should be replaced after every 25 hours of use. Dirty air filters and overfilling your fuel tank can damage the spark plugs.

 

To keep your brushcutter running smoothly, we also recommend cleaning the cooling fins on the side of the cylinder regularly. If you notice that they’ve become clogged you can carefully clean them with a soft brush.

 

Ensure It’s Properly Lubricated

 

It’s important to keep key components of your brushcutter properly lubricated. Proper lubrication ensures your machine is running smoothly and will prevent wear and tear on the engine. You should check your gearbox weekly if you use your brushcutter often, as it may need to be topped up with a good quality grease.

 

The bevel drive needs to be regularly greased, as this is the component that rotates the cutting attachment on your machine. You should regrease this after 30 uses of your machine. Other parts of your brushcutter such as the drive shaft will also need to be kept lightly lubricated to prevent rust and ensure optimal performance. Refer to the user manual for specific instructions about keeping your brushcutter well lubricated.

 

Drain The Fuel Tank After Use

 

Once you’ve cleaned your brushcutter, it’s important to drain the fuel tank before storing it. Once you’ve drained the excess fuel, you can empty the carburetor by starting the engine with an empty fuel tank. The engine will run for a few minutes until it completely runs out of fuel.

 

It’s recommended to dispose of used fuel after draining the tank as the fuel can lose a lot of gases in the process. Using fresh fuel will keep your engine healthy and protect your fuel tank. Don’t overfill your fuel tank, you’ll save fuel this way but also protect your machine. It’s recommended to fill half a tank at a time, adding more fuel when needed.

 

Replace Parts When Necessary

 

It’s important to regularly inspect your machine and replace parts when necessary. Machine parts that commonly wear down are the blades and teeth, as well as the bearings. Keeping these parts in good condition will keep your machine working at its best for longer and prevent any issues or breakdowns.

 

Consistently Upkeep The Hydraulic System:

 

You should regularly check the fluid levels and the condition of your hydraulic system. Check the manufacturer recommended fluid for your brushcutter before topping up the hydraulic system. It’s also recommended to inspect any hoses and connecting parts for any cracks or leaks that could occur with wear and tear.

 

Store your brushcutter properly

 

Storing your brushcutter properly makes a huge difference improving its lifespan, especially of you are only using your machine once or twice per month. You should always store your brushcutters indoors, in a dry room like your garage or garden shed.

 

Drain the fuel tank before storing or add a fuel stabiliser to the tank. Inspect the blade on your brushcutter, sharpening or replacing it if needed. Cleaning your brushcutter and greasing all the necessary parts before storage will ensure it’s ready to use when you next need it and kept in great condition.

 

 

When Do I Need Professional Assistance?

 

Good quality brushcutters are designed to be sturdy and durable machines, capable of working efficiently even with heavy workloads. You shouldn’t encounter problems with your machine too often, especially if you follow the maintenance tips listed above.

 

Although, if you notice serious issues with your machine, it might be time to send it in for a professional service. If you’re having trouble starting the brushcutter, or your machine is making unusual noises, and not performing as effectively as usual, could be signs that you need professional assistance. If you encounter any issues with the fuel tank or carburetor, we also suggest leaving it up to someone with experience, as these can be a bit more difficult to fix, and you don’t want to mistakenly damage your machine further.

 

How To Choose The Best Brushcutter

 

When choosing a brushcutter it’s important to consider how it is going to be used. If you’re running a garden service for example, or maintaining a farm, you’ll need a professional brushcutter made for heavy duty work and long working hours. If you’re a homeowner and only intend to use your brushcutter to maintain and improve your garden, you could invest in something smaller, that’s easy-to-handle. If you’re handling the cutting work yourself, you should consider how easy it is to change the cutting blades and trimmer heads on your machine.

 

A few things to keep in mind when choosing brushcutters include: If you’re inexperienced or new to using this tool, choose a machine that’s easy to start. Look for a machine with high power and torque if you need to work through heavy vegetation.

 

Choose a machine that’s not too bulky and heavy, especially if you are using it for long hours at a time. You can test out the harness that comes with your machine to ensure it’s comfortable and manageable for you. Test the handlebars for comfort or check if they are foldable for easy storage.

 

 

BS Power Brushcutters

 

BS Commercial Power is one of South Africa’s leading importers and manufacturers of high quality, durable equipment for commercial and home use. We supply a versatile range of brushcutters, from the world’s most trusted brands like Husqvarna and STIHL. With over 25 different brushcutters and trimmers in our range, you are bound to find the perfect machine, fitted to your job.

 

Whatever your landscaping needs, from light trimming to heavy duty clearing, we have brushcutters with features specific to your task. Our team of professionals are ready to help you find the best model, all at affordable prices. So don’t hesitate to visit our website today to find out more.