Maintaining a well-manicured landscape in South Africa is no easy task; the challenges are numerous and diverse as the terrain itself. Perhaps you have to contend with stubborn kikuyu grass, often chosen for its hardiness in the suburbs, or perhaps some dense and shrubby undergrowth which needs an urgent seeing to. Whatever the task, you need not be constrained to standard lawnmowers, which, let’s be frank, often fall short.

 

Enter the wonderous brushcutter, an essential tool for seasoned gardeners, landscapers and farmers. BS Power firmly believes that with the right equipment, no matter how wild and unkept your African terrain, our brushcutters are up to the challenge!

 

The following article will act as a comprehensive guide to explore our range of brush and weed cutters, how to choose the correct model according to your needs and why we believe our range stands head and shoulders above its competitors.

 

Understanding The Power And Versatility Of A Brushcutter

 

To a novice, a brushcutter may just look like a heavy-duty string trimmer; these machines are far more than simple edge trimmers. Line trimmers are the perfect call for soft grass around a flower bed, but are no contest for thicker vegetation capable of snapping the nylon line in seconds.

 

Brush and weed cutters, on the other hand, are expertly engineered with powerful engines which are able to easily switch between high-tensile nylon heads and more robust, metal cutting blades. With this versatility at your fingertips, you will be able to transition from mowing long grass to clearing out saplings and dense thickets.

 

Providing robust torque and durability, at BS Power, our brushcutter options are the perfect solution for all kinds of land management. From clearing out a firebreak on a farm to cleaning up a neglected roadside, these machines will take you the distance. As such, commercial contractors find them extremely useful for daily use.

 

Investing in one of BS Power’s professional brushcutter options means investing in a tool which will bridge the gap between a humble domestic trimmer and a full-sized, heavy-duty tractor-mounted slasher.

 

Presenting Our Different Types Of Brushcutters

 

Choosing between a wide range of brushcutters can be a daunting task if this is your first introduction into the landscaping world. Especially if you are at a loss for what to look for. In the following section, we will lay out a comprehensive guide to understanding what you should look for when purchasing your next brushcutter.

 

As a general rule, brush cutters are categorised according to their power sources, engine types and handle configurations. This can seem overwhelming, but that is why we stock such a variety at BS Power so that you have a plethora of choices to assist you in finding your perfect match. The most commonly sought-after models are petrol-powered brush cutters, which offer ease of mobility and the raw, uncapped power needed for larger properties where power outlets are hard to reach or non-existent.

 

Our petrol-powered brushcutters have 2-stroke and 4-stroke options, which will typically be on the lighter side; however, they still deliver a high power-to-weight ratio. This is why professional landscapers often prefer to use these 2-stroke options for embankments or other steep terrain.

 

Alternatively, the 4-stroke brushcutter runs at a much quieter frequency, it is cleaner, and you do not need to worry about mixing oil and petrol. This makes the 4-stroke a favourite for residential use where noise pollution can be a concern.

 

Next, we have our electric and battery-powered brush cutters. While petrol-operated brush cutters are the reigning choice for heavy-duty work, our battery-powered cutters are gaining momentum in the small-scale landscaping sphere.

 

This is because our modern battery brushcutters are able to deliver similar levels of power as small petrol engines without the fumes or maintenance requirements. Additionally, for smaller landscaping needs, electric cutters are the perfect solution for an easy-to-start and lightweight alternative to heavy petrol cutters.

 

 

Key Features To Consider When Buying Your Professional Brushcutter

 

When you are browsing through our collection of brushcutters, there are several technical key features which you should consider when making your decision. First and foremost, you need to consider longevity. This is largely based on the quality of their internal components and the ergonomics of the design. Other key factors to consider include shaft design and handle configuration.

 

This differs from straight to curved, with the heaviest-duty brushcutters featuring a straight shaft. This allows for longer reach and is usually accompanied by a gearbox which has the capacity to support metal blades. The need for metal blades is particularly essential when dealing with densely shrubbed areas like thick brush.

 

Having access to a curved shaft brushcutter means more manoeuvrability and a lighter load. These are more typically limited to nylon line heads, and thus, are not suitable for the dense and intense clearing work which a straight shaft brushcutter is able to excel at.

 

When it comes to handling configurations, the key differentiating factors are the bull-horn vs. loop. This is where ergonomics is an essential consideration in how effectively you are able to operate the brushcutter.

 

The bull-horn of the bike handle brushcutter is designed in such a way that it can be used with a full harness. This is useful insofar as the operator is able to swing the brushcutter in a wide, scything motion, which is ideal for clearing large and flat areas. It is also the preferred choice where all-day clearing is concerned, as it is ergonomically designed in such a way that it best reduces operator fatigue.

 

Contrastingly, loop-handle cutters are the premium choice for better control in tight spaces where trimming needs can be precarious or in tight spaces. This is also the preferred choice for technical precision work in a crowded garden space.

 

Presenting The BS Power Range With Husqvarna, STIHL, And Baumax

 

Offering only the highest quality equipment at BS Power, our catalogue includes some of the finest and most well-respected names in the brushcutting business. Brands like Husqvarna are well-renowned for their legendary X-Torq engine engineering, which markedly reduces harmful exhaust emissions while maximising fuel efficiency.

 

Presenting Swedish engineering at its best, operating a Husqvarna brushcutter means first-rate balance and minimal vibration levels. This brushcutter is engineered to perform heavy-duty work with sturdy gearboxes and intuitive controls. Husqvarna brushcutters are truly an unbeatable choice.

 

In South Africa, STIHL brushcutters are a household name. Robust and reliable, they are favoured for the ease of service they offer.

 

Featuring the M-Tronic engine management system in their higher-end models, these brushcutters are able to automatically adjust altitude and fuel quality. As a result, STIHL brushcutters are viewed as consistent performers for all terrain, whether coastal or in the highveld.

 

Added to this is that the Stihl brand is well-revered for its durability and, as such, does very well in a municipal tool shed, for example, or in storage for professional gardening services. For individuals who are looking for exceptional value without compromising on performance, BS Power presents the Baumax and BS Power Brand brushcutters.

 

These brands are specifically designed with the price-conscious consumer in mind and thus are a popular choice among South African clientele. The Baumax and BS Power brushcutters are great for providing reliable power in residential areas or when utilised for light commercial use. A further benefit of opting for these brands is that they are both fully supported by our service department, which means that your brushcutter will stay in good nick for years to come.

 

Expanding On The Capabilities Of Brushcutters With Cutting Attachments

 

One of the factors which make brushcutters such an indispensable asset for any aspiring or established landscaper is their variety of attachment options. With multiple heads which can be outfitted, these maximise efficiency for various uses.

 

These brushcutters are fitted with nylon line heads, which are perfect for trimming/cutting grass and light weeds. Our high-quality and thick-gauge nylon lines are robust and resist fraying for use near walls, fences and trees. Additionally, they are the safest option for preventing damage to structures if accidentally nicked, as the nylon line is flexible and easily manoeuvrable.

 

When you are working in densely shrubbed areas where vegetation is thick, it is best to choose a steel-blade brushcutter. This is ideal as its three-toothed blade structure is excellent for thick reeds and grass, while its circular saw-style blades are ideal for cutting through small trees and woody saplings.

 

It is, however, very important to ensure that your brushcutters are designed to accommodate blade use, as it requires a higher level of resistance and a robust gearbox with a solid drive shaft in order to accommodate the heavier blades over the nylon alternative.

 

 

Safety First: Operating Your Brushcutter Responsibly

 

Brushcutters are high-powered machines with sharp and fast-moving parts. As a result, ensuring that they are used with the required caution is non-negotiable to prevent injury. At BS Power, when you purchase one of our tools, we advocate for more than just its sale; we make sure that it is used safely.

 

Safety precautions for their operability include eye and face protection, as these tools can easily disturb loose stone and debris at high speeds. This can result in serious injuries. We also strongly suggest the use of hearing protection, especially petrol brushcutters, as they can be particularly loud and cause hearing damage over time. A further precaution we also advocate for is the use of shin guards and sturdy boots, as the cutting head is often positioned close to one’s feet.

 

Finally, we suggest the standardised use of a safety harness. Using an appropriate harness, especially with a bull-horn brushcutter, is essential to reduce back strain and extra weight on your arms. Added to this is that it makes it easier to adjust the brushcutter so that it can be kept at a safe distance from the operator’s body. When used correctly, the harness should allow the operator to use the brushcutter with minimal effort.

 

The Trick To Prolonging The Life Of Your Brushcutter With BS Power

 

Getting the most out of your investment requires regular and standardised maintenance of your brushcutter. Just as any engine-driven tool needs some TLC to keep it running efficiently, so too does the brushcutter.

 

For example, the 2-stroke brushcutter needs to run on an optimal fuel mix. This means that if you use the incorrect oil-to-petrol ratio, you can run the risk of seizing the engine. This would essentially relegate your expensive and prized brushcutter to an expensive paperweight.

 

Thus, it is important to ensure that you use high-quality fresh petrol as well as routinely checking on the air filter after each use. This is especially important in a dusty environment like South Africa, where a clogged air filter can make a brushcutter run poorly and become more fuel reliant.