clearing saws

[Exeldama]

Mine seems to be dead..... (very sad). Its a Stihl fs400 and i lent it out to a numpty who forgot the oil.. (and he is a tree surgeon...duh)... end result been quoted £300 to fix it (parts about £200) ..... is it worth it, i cant decide, lots of money ...too much. Can you believe they want to charge £45 an hour labour, im in the wrong buissness.....

Anyway, what does everyone else use, does anyone have any bright ideas...

Given my chainsaw died to....well never worked from day one and is a piece of Japanese junk, im looking at hard labour.

That said if anyone has a second hand one for sale please please let me know.

Oh is Shindawai any good....??

[DaveTaz]

I have a Husqvarna 240 (I think - 14 years old and still going strong). Great for brush-cutting and as a clearing saw. The new models are probably even better, and you should be able to pick a new one up for £400 max. I guess you need to figure out if it is for general brush cutting or as a proper clearing saw, as this will determine the engine size/power requirement and therefore the cost. I'd buy another husky straight away if mine was to die .

[Darren]

I would get the numpty to pay for the repair.

[Exeldama]

Numpty should pay i guess... but best mate and its a loyalty thing, he doesnt know. He would do the same for me...so my prob. Anyway i think it has to be stihl or husky..everyone says they are the best of everything, shoes, handbags....wine.. amazing what they have branched out into.

Oh it is a cleraing saw i need something heavy duty.... thanks .

[wood troll]

Hi Exeldama

My preference is for a Stihl jobbie. Have you thought of looking at one of the new ones that has the motor on a backpack arrangement with a flexible drive shaft ( FR450 for example). If you are working for longer periods of time it might be easier on your shoulders/back (never used one yet, anyone else had experiences?). If you do go for a normal brushcutter type I would recomend one that has "cow horn" handles, I have used smaller ones and my hands were left so numb that it was a problem several days later... I presume prolonged use could give white hand.

wood troll

[The Sawyer]

Having used both Husky and Stihl brushcutters I would say unless you are built like king kong go for the Stihl an as you have had an fs400 I would say stick with what you know I use one with a chain flail from Lamberhurst engineering

http://www.lameng.com/uk-specialist-equipment/brogio.html

Not for the faint hearted (gaiters and overalls a must) they will clear a line 3m X 50m in 20mins.

regards kester

[Exeldama]

Thanks peoples... the idea of looking like King kong is strangely appealing. So is the flail..