The brushcutter is a versatile power tool: useful in the well-maintained garden but also for clearing grass and brambles or undergrowth. For the different uses of this machine, there are different cutting equipment that can be attached to the pole. The most used is undoubtedly the head with nylon line, but when the game gets tough it is better to switch to the brushcutter equipped with a blade.
To achieve a high level of performance and work quickly and safely, it is important to know how to choose the right cutting equipment. Knowing the characteristics of the blade and the wire, it is possible to correctly decide in which situations one solution is better, and in which the other.
The blade or the line are accessories of the brushcutter, on the machine itself you can decide which one to mount and with the help of a key you can change the cutting tool in a few minutes.
Contents [Ocultar]
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cord trimmer
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Blade or disc brushcutter
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other heads
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In short: how to choose
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cable sweeper
When wire is used . The brushcutter equipped with a cord head is mainly used to cut grass: it is very comfortable because it cuts quickly and is not dangerous, even if you use this motorized tool you still have to be careful and use the right protections .
head mechanism . The cutting mechanism is very simple: you have a head that contains a skein of nylon thread, with two ends coming out. As the motor begins to spin, the head spins rapidly causing the two pieces of wire to swing outward like the blades of a propeller. Spinning Wire is able to cut through grass stalks, while struggling to make its way through brambles and small bushes. When the line hits hard obstacles, it often breaks, making it a less suitable cutting tool than the blade when dealing with hard wood.
Types of threads. Depending on the type of grass to be processed, you can opt for a smaller or larger diameter wire, and opt for different shapes. The diameter of the nylon wire is generally around 2 or 3 millimeters, the most common shapes are the classic wire with a round, square, star or toothed section. Round wire is more comfortable as it gets less stuck inside the head and with the same material and diameter it breaks less than other types, while sharp wires have the advantage of being more sharp.
head type. There are different types of heads, both with fixed wire clamps and mechanisms for easily extending the wire. The most common models are of the “Tap and go” or “beat and go” type, which allow the nylon to be extended without stopping the tool, but simply by hitting the accelerated brushcutter on the ground. As detailed in the article on how to change the line, this feature is a must-have convenience for those who use the trimmer a lot.
Knife or record cleaner
Use of the blade. The cutting disc is used when the line is difficult, i.e. when the grass is particularly resistant because it is very dense, or to cut brambles, weeds and small bushes. To effectively mount a cutting attachment with a blade, the brushcutter must have good power.
Which blade to choose. Double or triple blades are generally used in grassland or for brambles, while toothed discs are suitable for cutting woody shrubs. To better crush the brambles, there is also a special disc called “grinder” or “grinder”, with staggered blades.
Precautions for use. The blade requires special care when using it, as it is clearly more dangerous than the wire, both because you are using a sharp tool and because any stone or other small object that is struck can splatter at higher speeds .
other heads
Crazy head. There are heads with floating blades in plastic or metal, they are intermediate solutions between the wire and the blade.
chain brush cutter . The chain trimmer replaces the line with two or four chain segments attached to the brush head. The chains can be classic, with oval rings, but also with pointed teeth, like those of a chainsaw. This second variant cuts very well but is extremely dangerous and therefore not recommended, in case the teeth break and leave like balls. Due to its dangerousness, this type of cutting equipment has been banned by the decree of April 26, 2012 of the Ministry of Development. The traditional chain effectively cuts brambles and, unlike wire, lasts longer, since being flexible it impacts less than the blade and this is a considerable advantage on rocky slopes, but it must always be considered that turning metal parts at high speed is not safe.
Summary: how to choose
To conclude in a schematic way we can distinguish some typical cases of use of the brushcutter and identify the best cutting equipment.
- When the brushcutter is small . If the tool is not very powerful, it is better to use it with the cable. Small brushcutters are not suitable for brambles or bushes, but they also struggle in dense grass.
- Mow lawn edges . For cutting lawn edges that stay neat and tidy in the garden, the wire is fine, which ensures good precision and fast cutting.
- Cut medium or medium-high grass. If the grass is not maintained and is mowed only occasionally, it can always be cut with a corded brushcutter, provided that it is at least of medium power and possibly by choosing a wire of constant diameter. Alternatively, you can choose a head with floating blades. If the grass is thick, you can decide to use the blade.
- Cut brambles and tough bushes . When cutting more demanding vegetation than grass, it is best to mount a blade, usually a three-tooth blade, to the brushcutter. For complex burrs that tend to twist on the machine spindle, the ripping disc is excellent. The chain head can also be used on brambles, especially if the ground is very rocky.
- Cut small woody bushes and suckers . For bushes, it is better to use a blade disc with many teeth, which allows precise cuts. This type of cutting device exerts strong pressure on the bevel gear, do not overdo it, in particular avoid insisting on cutting logs of too large a diameter.