4-stroke Strimmer / Brushcutter

Im looking to add a new brush cutter to my arsenal, mostly for one-off clearance jobs on recently occupied houses etc. Before I plumb for the FS130 which is currently my main choice, I was wondering has anyone seen / tried or have an opinion on any of the 4-stroke Strimmers out there;

One Im looking at is the Honda UMK 435 UE - It has similar low vibrations to the FS130 and being a Honda spares are easy to get at short notice - Not having to mix 2 stroke does appeal to me and If it was any good I can see myself moving towards all 4-stroke for simple fuel arrangements.

Also From what I've been told by a few sales reps- the fuel consumption is alot lower, depending on how heavy the use, from 20% to 50% lower - Any experiences?

I have been looking at 4 stroke gear too, I bought a Honda tiller, the FG110, which is very quiet, pleases the client no end, and saves digging.

I looked at brushcutters and saw the Honda ones which look good, they have fairly low vibes, but check the Honda spec carefully, some have highish vibes.

I saw that Makita also make 4 stroke brushcutters. Don't quote me but I think all Makita gear has pretty low vibes. I bought a Makita 4 stroke blower which is relatively quiet, economical on fuel, and always starts first pull without needing choke unlike a certain Stihl blower I used which was a real pig to get going. And no hideous 2 stroke fumes or screaming engine annoying everyone within 100 yards. I could have bought the Honda blower but the Makita was 75 quid cheaper. I think Honda spares are more available, but there are plenty of Makita spares suppliers and parts diagrams on the web.

An advantage of certian Honda brushcutters is that you can add pruning saws, hedge trimmer attachments etc.

4 stroke gear is sometimes heavier than 2 stroke, bear this in mind. I don't really see the problem mixing two stroke fuel, it's the noise and toxic emissions that bother me.

Replies

Andrew Baker December 1, 2011 at 5:01pm

I have been looking at 4 stroke gear too, I bought a Honda tiller, the FG110, which is very quiet, pleases the client no end, and saves digging.

I looked at brushcutters and saw the Honda ones which look good, they have fairly low vibes, but check the Honda spec carefully, some have highish vibes.

I saw that Makita also make 4 stroke brushcutters. Don't quote me but I think all Makita gear has pretty low vibes. I bought a Makita 4 stroke blower which is relatively quiet, economical on fuel, and always starts first pull without needing choke unlike a certain Stihl blower I used which was a real pig to get going. And no hideous 2 stroke fumes or screaming engine annoying everyone within 100 yards. I could have bought the Honda blower but the Makita was 75 quid cheaper. I think Honda spares are more available, but there are plenty of Makita spares suppliers and parts diagrams on the web.

An advantage of certian Honda brushcutters is that you can add pruning saws, hedge trimmer attachments etc.

4 stroke gear is sometimes heavier than 2 stroke, bear this in mind. I don't really see the problem mixing two stroke fuel, it's the noise and toxic emissions that bother me.
Richard Thornton December 1, 2011 at 6:03pm

Can recommend the FR130T, low vibes and although the same Db as a two stroke, the lower engine tone somehow seems quieter. Fuel consumption is lower, and I've shaved an hour of a strimming job compared to my old FS80.