Brushcutters are without a doubt one of the most indispensable tools for landscapers, farmers, and even homeowners with a green thumb and a knack for the perfect upkeep of their gardens. They allow us to easily clear those overgrown areas, maintain fields, and intricately shape any landscape with perfect efficiency. As the outdoor spaces in our modern world have become demandingly complex to manage thanks to the spread of invasive species, and tougher vegetation, the demand for high-quality brushcutters has inevitably skyrocketed.

 

For many decades, renowned brands such as Stihl and Husqvarna have easily dominated the brushcutter market thanks to their reliable engineering, and nifty, innovative features that make the job so much easier. That being said, newer, emerging, budget-friendly brands have popped up such as Wild Badger, KisanKraft and Makita, offering consumers cheaper alternatives to the well-established brands.

 

But do these fledgling brands really offer comparable performance, or do the long-trusted premium brands still lead the charge in terms of durability, quality, efficiency and value in the long run?

 

In this BS Power guide, we will analyse the differences between these two market segments, to help you decide on the best brushcutters for your wallet and unique needs. So, whether you’re a professional landscaper or simply a homeowner on the hunt for a decent tool to trim your hedges and beyond, we’ll take you through everything you need to know before making an informed decision.

 

The Industry Leaders: Stihl and Husqvarna – Why Do They Dominate the Market?

 

For as long as we can remember, Stihl and Husqvarna have been synonymous with robust power and celebrated reliability. These two brands’ commitment to quality has made them household names, fond favourites and the go-to choice for contractors and landscapers who rely on dependable equipment that always perform well, even under the most rigorous of conditions.

 

The Brand Reputation & Heritage

 

The Germans and Swedes truly understand engineering and brushcutters. STHIL, which was founded in 1926, has been, for lack of a better term, a dominant force in the outdoor power tool game for almost a hundred years. The brand is renowned and celebrated for its precision engineering and German craftmanship, and STIHL brushcutters are all meticulously crafted to give the user unmatched reliability, raw power, a level of efficiency that we all desire.

 

The German company actually also pioneered several innovations including fuel-efficient two-stroke engines, durable and lightweight frames, and even user-centric ergonomic designs, which has made them a staple among professional landscapers and homeowners. Stihl’s amazing reputation isn’t one that is solely built on performance, in fact, it’s also their stringent commitment to quality control at every level of production, as they make sure that every brushcutter they produce meets the highest standards of safety protocols and durability.

 

Then there is Husqvarna, a brand with a history that dates back even further, to 1689, with a legacy of proud innovations that has spanned over three decades. This beloved Swedish brand has come a long way from developing rifles and sewing machines, to becoming the global conglomerate and leader in producing quality outdoor power equipment.

 

They’re known and lauded for their Scandinavian engineering prowess, and Husqvarna brushcutters put their focus into producing products that have rugged durability, superior handling, and advanced tech features.

 

It’s no surprise that both professionals and homeowners worldwide have trusted Husqvarna for their patented technology, like their LowVib anti-vibration technology, which makes extended use of their products significantly more comfortable.

 

But it’s also this company’s unbridled commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and the safety of the user that have kept Husqvarna among the world’s most sought-after brands in the outdoor power tool market.

 

Performance & Innovation in Tech

 

STIHL and Husqvarna’s brushcutters have both introduced the world to several revolutionary technologies that have set them apart from their competitors:

 

STIHL’s 4-MIX

 

STIHL’s 4-Mix engine technology takes the best aspects of two-stroke and four-stroke engines to give the user much better fuel efficiency and lower emissions without any compromise to the power.

 

Husqvarna’s X-Torq

 

Husqvarna’s X-Torq engines also vastly reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20% and also reduce emissions by an astonishing 60%, which makes them both an eco-conscious and powerful purchase choice.

 

Both these brands have a distinct focus on ergonomics, designing systems with anti-vibration technology and easily adjustable harness systems that genuinely minimise the strain put on the person using the tool.

 

Durability & Longevity of Stihl and Husqvarna

 

Both the German and Swedish brands that are Stihl and Husqvarna produce brushcutters using reinforced materials that make them highly resistant to wear and tear. Both companies use steel drive shafts, durable gearboxes, and top-tier quality plastic housings to ensure product longevity, even if you make frequent use of them in the most challenging of environments.

 

Outstanding Customer Support & Warranties

 

Three things, or better yet, three key advantages to purchasing products from premium brands: availability of spare parts, service centres, and extended warranties. Both STIHL and Husqvarna boast strong support networks, making sure that their customers have access to repairs and maintenance that is hassle-free. On the other hand, many of the newer, emerging brands come with limited-service options, and much shorter warranties, which in the long run can be a major pain point.

 

 

The Rise of Smaller Brands: Are They Worthy Contenders?

 

So, with the rise of smaller, more affordable brands, homeowning garden enthusiasts and the budget-conscious now have more options than ever before. Several new brands on the market including Makita, KisanKraft and Wild Badger have entered the landscaping market with promises of cost-effective solutions, but how do they actually measure up against the many legacy brands out there, such as Stihl and Husqvarna?

 

Cost Effective Tools vs. Tools That Have Long-Term Value

 

Emerging, newer outdoor power tools and brushcutter brands do attract potential clients with lower upfront investment costs, which does make them the tempting choice for people with smaller-scale needs. That being said, lower prices do commonly come at the expense of longevity and performance. Now, while these new, lower-price conscious brands are suitable for light use in the residential market, they more than often lack the robust engineering, and powerful motors that Stihl, Husqvarna, and other legacy brands possess.

 

The Quality of The Build and Materials Used

 

Perhaps one of the most significant differences between premium and entry-level, emerging brands is the construction materials used. Today, in most segments, power tools and otherwise, budget-friendly brands often use much cheaper parts, be they cheaper plastic housings, aluminium shafts, and allow components of a lower grade. Of course, these tend to lead to much faster degradation of the products over time. Which of course means that while they work fine, even great at first, frequent repairs and replacement of parts might occur, which essentially negates the initial cost savings when you purchase them.

 

What About Performance and Efficiency?

 

Okay, so many budget brands do offer brushcutter models that produce pretty impressive power, but they commonly fall short in many other aspects such as fuel efficiency, vibration control, and the precision of how they cut.

 

Many users might find that cheaper brushcutters use more fuel over long periods of time compared to Stihl and Husqvarna’s engines which are optimised. They often don’t come with vibration control features, which make them far less comfortable to use, especially for longer periods of time. The cutting performance might dwindle even faster thanks to weak drive shafts and shoddy gearboxes.

 

The Availability of Spare Parts and Great Support

 

Your budget brands out there commonly come with much shorter warranty periods, with many only offering 6-12 months. Then you have Stihl and Husqvarna which have stellar, extended warranties. Not to mention, finding replacement parts for newer brands can be tough, which often leads to downtime when you’re in need of replacement parts or repairs.

 

Brushcutters: Legacy Brands or Budget?

 

When you compare trusted brands with a good history to that of more affordable, newer brands, there are several factors that stand out that you should consider:

 

The Engine Performance:

 

Both Stihl and Husqvarna engines have been fine-tuned to have excellent power, great fuel efficiency, and emissions control, while budget brands often sacrifice these in the name of affordability.

 

How Durable:

 

As mentioned above, premium brands commonly use reinforced steel and industrial grade materials, which of course, make them last longer.

 

User Comfortability:

 

A big one for companies that employ operators to work on large spaces is ergonomics, and both Stihl and Husqvarna boast awesome anti-vibration systems that give unmatched user comfort.

 

Long-Term Investments Win:

 

While cheaper brands do cost when you initially make a purchase, those pesky maintenance costs and shorter lifespans can often make them cost more in the long run.

 

Our Favourite Brushcutters at BS Power

 

Here at BS Power, we are proud to offer only the best in outdoor power tools including brushcutters that effortlessly blend power with efficiency and durability, and that’s why stock Stihl and Husqvarna, so whether you’re in the professional landscaping business or in the game of keeping your garden looking better than your annoying neighbours, we’ve got you covered:

 

STIHL FS 235 Petrol Brushcutters

 

Our absolute favourite set of brushcutters has to go STIHL’s FS 235 Brushcutter as its ideal for getting to work on dense vegetation and overgrown areas. It boasts a bad boy of a durable two-stroke engine and genuinely offers users a perfect blend of raw power and fuel efficiency. It also has an ergonomic handle design that guarantees comfortable operation, even during those long hours of use, and it also has anti-vibration tech to reduce strain on the user.

 

Husqvarna 143R-II Brushcutters

 

Another brushcutter that has been developed for heavy-duty use is the Husqvarna 143R-II, a true powerhouse in the world of brushcutters. It comes standard with Husqvarna’s X-Torq Technology, which reduces fuel consumption while ensuring maximum output of power. It’s the ideal model for landscapers in the commercial space, and those at work on larger properties as it guarantees superior cutting efficiency and very little requirement for maintenance.

 

STIHL FS 55 Petrol Brushcutters

 

If you’re someone who’s in need of a much more lightweight albeit still powerful brushcutter, then the STIHL FS 55 should be up your alley. It’s nifty because it has a very balanced weight distribution, which makes it so much easier to move around with, but doesn’t sacrifice on power, so you’ll still be able to use it for tackling tough vegetation.

 

 

Why Should You Choose BS Power Brushcutters?

 

Here at BS Power, we don’t simply sell brushcutters and other outdoor power tools, we provide our world-class, expert guidance so that every customer gets the right tool for their needs. Our entire range includes top-tier brands, such as Stihl and Husqvarna, who are known and celebrated for their reliability and great tech, and we also provide friendly, after-sales support and expert advice to ensure that your tools last for years to come.

 

So, if you are looking for brushcutters you can trust visit our website today, to find the best in the South African market has to offer.