[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Ponyakr have you tested any of the 12" UpStart economy priced chains yet ?

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Ponyakr have you tested any of the 12" UpStart economy priced chains yet ?

Yep. Have one on both 40v Kobalt saws. Cut great. The original chain on the 20v Dewalt is gettin real dull. I'm gonna put the newest 12" bar on the Dewalt. That way it can use the cheap chains.

Gonna try the original Echo 16" .043 gauge bar/chain on one of the 40v Kobalts. Since it's a narrower chain it MAY do OK on the 40v Kobalt. Don't really need another 16" saw, since I have 2 WEN 16" saws. But, if it cuts OK, I will probably use it 'til the chain gets dull, then buy another 12" bar for that saw.

I like the weight & convenience of the 12" saws. They will easily take care of most of the stuff we cut. Can't see paying more for Oregon chains, when the UpStart & Tri Link chains cut just as good & cost much less.

BUT, when HD sells an Oregon bar AND chain combo for less than $15, that's different. I've bought 3 of those.

[ponyakr]

Well, the President signed the bill with the $600 checks.

So, as of right now, I plan to spend up to $300 for an attachment capable brushless weed whacker, + a brush cutter attachment & good blade for it.

In my price range, so far, it appears that either a 40v Kobalt or a 40v Ryobi will work. Obviously, Lowes sells the Kobalt & HD sells the Ryobi.

Was thinkin of buying the Kobalt as a "tool only", since I have 3 batts & 3 chargers. BUT, as we've discussed before, when you buy the whole tool/batt/charger kit, it makes the price of the batt & charger so low that it's almost dumb to buy the "tool only". Plus, the batt that comes with the trimmer is a 4Ah.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-40-V...ded/1001768536

The 40v Ryobi is the same price(went up $20 since Christmas) & also comes with a 4Ah batt. So, I can't see that there would be any advantage to me buying the Kobalt, just because I already have some batts that will work. I can't hold out to work a string trimmer or brush cutter long enuff to completely drain a 4Ah batt. So, one batt is enuff.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-40...0VNM/310463558

So, lets hear some opinions. Which of these 2 trimmers would be my best choice ?

For the brush cutter attachment, I can buy either the Ryobi or the Trimmer Plus brand.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Ex...RC77/100313611

https://www.amazon.com/TrimmerPlus-B...01834508&psc=1

Both seem to get good reviews. Neither of them come with a blade I can use. Will have to buy a Renegade, or something similar. The Ryobi shows to be in stock at my local HD. The Trimmer plus is a little cheaper, from Amazon. But, with my 10% HD discount for the Ryobi, the price difference between the 2 brands is not enuff to factor in.

So, which brush cutter attachment should I buy ? Anybody here ever buy either one ?

I've probably already mentioned this. There are cheaper trimmers, which have the motor in the front. And there are cheaper trimmers that have a brush type motor. But, I want a brushless motor, because they are said to have more power than the brush type, using the same batt. They are also said to be more efficient & last longer. I want the motor in the rear, so that the head will be smaller. That will make it easier to move thru vines & brush. Will be easier to get to the base of the small trees/bushes, without getting hung up or having to take the extra time to cut off branches, in order to get down to the base of the tree/bush. Have noticed this problem when using limb loppers. Many times we can't even get to the base of the tree/bush to cut it, until AFTER we cut several of the limbs out of the way. And, if it's big enuff to require a saw, sometimes even more limbs must be removed, in order to get to the base.

BUT, with the small head of a rear motor tool, it should be much easier to get the blade where it needs to be, in order to do the most good. You can just "come in low" UNDER most of the limbs, to cut the tree/bush just above the ground. That also makes clean-up easier(fewer limbs to pick up). Just grab the whole tree/bush & drag it out. After having cleared quite a few areas which had heavy vines, briers, bushes, & saplings, I can see how just the right brush cutter will save us lots of time & work.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Agree with all the rear-motor benefits.

Doing a write-in vote for the Echo, Tool-Only and use your 58v Chainsaw battery.
That battery will probably need some more exercise to last longer, down the road.
The chainsaw is probably being kept in a glass showroom display case, or on the mantle above the fireplace.
58v = More Pow-Wow ,,, Hand-Held Bush-Hog Trimmer

If no write-ins allowed , vote for Kobalt since you are pretty well stocked with Blue Tools, might as well keep with the same company.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Yep. Have one on both 40v Kobalt saws. Cut great.

That's good to know.
Thinking about up-fitting my electric pole saw from 8" to 12" .

There are some pretty good deals on eBay for 12" Bar&Chain Kits - if you don't care about looks/names.

And for 18" - they have a deal where you get a Bar and 2 Chains for $26 shipped.
That one is the UpStart brand.

[ponyakr]

"...Doing a write-in vote for the Echo, Tool-Only and use your 58v Chainsaw battery..."


Yeah, I've considered that. BUT, from what I've read, Echo has their own brush cutter attachment, which is much higher priced.

The bare tool will cost me around $220 @ HD.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-58-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Brush cutter attachment is around $135 on Amazon. More @ HD.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-99944200...ct_top?ie=UTF8

That puts me up to over $350. And that doesn't include a batt or charger.

If I'm gonna spend that much, I may as well consider an 80v Greenworks. Right now, TSC has 'em for $270 + tax. Add a Trimmer Plus attachment & a good blade & you're in the 80v brush cutting business, for around $350 or a little over.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...0aAp66EALw_wcB

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TrimmerPlus...hment/50129056

Now, will the 80v Greenworks be better than the Echo, in any way ? I don't have a clue.

I suppose I could just try to mount a blade onto the Echo trimmer head, rather than buying their brush cutter attachment. That would give me an Echo brush cutter for around $220 + a good blade.

Quite a few choices. But, like with the chainsaws, I'm enjoying trying to figure it all out.

Wonder when our plague checks will arrive ?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

I suppose I could just try to mount a blade onto the Echo trimmer head, rather than buying their brush cutter attachment. That would give me an Echo brush cutter for around $220 + a good blade.

Quite a few choices. But, like with the chainsaws, I'm enjoying trying to figure it all out.

Wonder when our plague checks will arrive ?

Bare-Tool is Under $200 @ HD in NC

And figured you could mount a blade like you did with your Kobalt experiment.
Trimmer Kit was around 350 with 2Ah Batt, so not much of a bonus on that Kit.
{Suggestion - pick "your HD store" as zip code 27406 - Greensboro NC , S.Elm-Eugene St. HD Store ... see if that gets the price down under $200 (was $18x or $19x) }

You can get by with those other 40v brands, but Echo ... well, it's Echo
Always going to be a lot better machine than the mid-range brands.
And 58v

If you can get the NC Price , plus your Military 10% , and Free Shipping -
you'd be all in for under $200 tax included.
+ Renegade

Those checks ................................................

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Continued -
$197 Bare-Tool
$330 Kit with 2Ah Battery

$99 Brush Cutter Attachment (Echo)

Zip Code 27406

[ponyakr]

I think my HD price is around $198 + tax. I think tax in Monroe is around 10%.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-58-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Last time I checked, the vet discount don't work at HD, for online purchases. Must be in-store, in stock items only.

It does work at Lowes, for online purchases. But, I couldn't find the Echo listed there. Lowes is now pushing the EGO stuff.

Amazon has some "renewed" units for sale. I suppose that's another word for "rebuilt", or "refurbished".

https://www.amazon.com/CST-58VBT-58-...9228742&sr=8-4

The warranty is only 90 days. I think I'd rather spend a little more & get a longer warranty. But, one of these renewed trimmers might outlast me, with no problems. Who knows.

[ponyakr]

Always running across good YouTube videos.

This one shows a guy using an Echo brush cutter attachment. It's on a gas powered head. But, the video has some real good footage of cutting some small bushes, along a fence. As you can see, the blade slices thru the small stems very easily. Plastic trimmer line wouldn't do anything but tickle those stems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOyLp6q1fUo

It also shows how/why it's best to cut ONLY from one side of the bush/tree, & NOT the other. If you saw from the wrong side, the saw can kick back. It's not really a big issue if the tree/bush is small. But, as the diameter gets larger, the kickback can get more severe. I think I mentioned that my Kobalt trimmer rotates in the opposite direction from many other popular models. So, I need to come at the stems from the opposite side, when possible.

Hey, it's not like a chainsaw, where you are real close to the chain. With a trimmer/brush cutter, you are several feet from the blade, while cutting with it. But, it's probably a real good idea to make sure there are no people or pets in the immediate area where you are cutting.

Another thing you can see from this video is how close to the ground it will cut. Can't do that with a chainsaw, without gettin it in the dirt at times. Probably don't hurt the circular saw type blades that much, if they hit the dirt, occasionally.

I also figure that the blade will be a LOT easier to maneuver in really thick vines, if I remove the guard. It only keeps a small amount of junk from flying back towards you. I'll probably try that, when I have some thick stuff to clean up.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Last time I checked, the vet discount don't work at HD, for online purchases. Must be in-store, in stock items only.

That's practically un-American !

Whenever you make the final decision - and if it winds up being with HD - don't forget about the discount/coupons on eBay for HD.
Right now they have 10% - 15% - 20% offerings to choose from.
One of them is $20 off $200 - so you'd have to add a small item if total was under 200.

eBay search =
Home Depot discount
Home Depot coupon
Home Depot %

Don't know if you saw my late edit add-on for the NC price of the Echo brush cutter attach @ $99. Thats a big difference.

I think they have errors on their Kit price.
The front and rear motor versions of Echo trimmer are only a few dollars apart as Tool-Only.
But then the Front Motor Kit is about $40-50 cheaper than the Rear Motor Kit.
Makes no sense.

[ponyakr]

"...NC price of the Echo brush cutter attach @ $99. Thats a big difference..."


Yeah, there are other online vendors that have that price. So, I suppose HD will match it.

https://www.rcpw.com/equipment/power...RoCwD4QAvD_BwE

Here's a used one up for bid or offer, on Ebay. Min bid $40. Shipping $22.55.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECHO-80-Too...kAAOSwV0Vf56LZ

Here's another video of the Echo brush cutter attachment in action. If you are careful, you can use one of these as a short pole saw, to cut overhead branches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCI4jNyopT0

May have posted this video. If you wanna use an Echo trimmer head, but a Ryobi or Trimmer Plus attachment, here's how to make it work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N-4KUAeczI

There are LOTS of ways to turn a string trimmer into a brush cutter.

[ponyakr]

Hey, if the senate votes for the $2000 plague checks, I MIGHT buy one of the cheaper brush cutter attachments(or maybe BOTH), add a good blade, then buy several attachment capable trimmers, & just see what works & what don't.

After using my old brushed motor 40v Kobalt, with the skilsaw blade, I think a 40v brushless motor will provide all the power I'll need. So, I suppose I should start with the 40v brushless Kobalt, followed by the 40v brushless Ryobi.

Then, if for some unforeseen reason neither of these have enuff power for what I need, there are stronger trimmers out there. Right now, I don't really think I'll need more power. BUT, you never know 'til you try something, where it will be what you need, or not.

[ponyakr]

"...I think they have errors on their Kit price.
The front and rear motor versions of Echo trimmer are only a few dollars apart as Tool-Only.
But then the Front Motor Kit is about $40-50 cheaper than the Rear Motor Kit.
Makes no sense."


Yeah, should be about the same.

Here's a price to show HD, in order to get one of their price match deals. It's $289, in stock, & ships free.

https://www.rcpw.com/equipment/echo-...xoC1coQAvD_BwE

Here's one thru WM, for $289.99.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ECHO-CST-...erId=101005196

Same price from Max Tool & several other online vendors. No reason why HD wouldn't price match.

https://www.maxtool.com/products/ech...ng-trimmer-kit

https://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet....ng-trimmer-kit

https://www.generatorfactoryoutlet.c...ng-trimmer-kit

https://sleequipment.com/echo-cst-58...34&fep=2705334

I wish you could buy all of these trimmers with which ever attachment on 'em you want. But, for most, if not all, you buy 'em with the trimmer attachment, then have to buy a separate brush cutter attachment, if you want one.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Here's a price to show HD, in order to get one of their price match deals. It's $289, in stock, & ships free.

https://www.rcpw.com/equipment/echo-...xoC1coQAvD_BwE

I checked out that rcpw.com link and saw it said "savings on 2 or more Echo products"
So for kicks i put the trimmer kit and a brush cutter in a Cart.
Discount was a whopping $1.94 = = wow lol

I'm getting an EGo RearEngine power head , or complete trimmer - sometime soon.
Have numerous broken gas trimmers - some given to me - some i broke myself.
Most have the "click-it together" lower shaft.
Hoping i can modify/convert one of those lower shafts to fit the EGo,
and make it a dedicated brush cutter that can just click-on / click-off.

EGo doesn't offer a brush cutter attachment in USA
but they do in Australia.
Probably less lawsuit potential there than the USA, especially California.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Hot Deal Alert

$46 with Free Shipping on eBay
LiTHELi 40volt 14" Chainsaw Kit with Chain Brake and Metal Spikes
Weight- RPM- Chain Speed are inline with 40v WEN
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LiTHELi-40V....c100010.m2109

Just a 14" Oregon Bar & Chain Kit is $30+
For another $20 you get a whole saw with battery and charger - to your door.
These retail for around $200+
Guy must have found a tractor trailer full of them and just liquidating them.

[ponyakr]

" I'm getting an EGo RearEngine power head , or complete trimmer - sometime soon..."

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-POWER-M...tem/5000886991

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-MH-15IN...ATT/1003130764

Looks like about $270 + tax, minus whatever discounts & coupons you can come up with.

Assume there will be some of the ST1534 kits available soon. Can't find any right now. But, at $369, with a 5Ah batt & charger, the kit is definitely a better value. That's only $100 + tax for the batt & charger.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4DMV7Y

"...Hoping i can modify/convert one of those lower shafts to fit the EGo,
and make it a dedicated brush cutter that can just click-on / click-off..."

Looks like it's no problem to put a blade on an EGO STA1500 trimmer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvkxoqraJYg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M4hGO-snQs&t=20s

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Think that ST1534 is a 1-piece shaft
I want the 2-piece "click-it" type shaft
MST1501
https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-POWER-M...ger/5000199079

What i want in the end - is a separate lower half shaft dedicated for brush cutter.
Just click/click to go from trimmer to brush cutter.
Thats why i hope one of these old half shafts i have laying around will hook up to the EGo - one way or another.

Knowing EGo ... they probably have propeitory specs that won't mate with other products. Time will tell
One thing for sure - i don't mind returning something if it doesn't suit me.

[ponyakr]

Didn't even see that 1501 combo. It's $349 on Amazon. So, I assume Lowes will match that price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071J8N3PW

Hey, if the $2000 plague checks come thru, I might spring for one of those, instead of the cheaper units. I can get my 10% off @ Lowes, which would pay the tax. So, for around $400, I could have that 1501 combo plus a good brush blade.

But, that's double the price of going the cheaper route. So instead, I'll probably consider buying 2 of the cheaper models. That way, I could compare say the Kobalt brushless 40v vs the Ryobi brushless 40v, as well as the Ryobi brush cutter attachment vs the Trimmer Plus brush cutter attachment.

Would love to test all 4 pieces, as well as several blades, & report back my findings.

We had rain here most of the day, some pretty heavy. More predicted for tonight & tomorrow. So, it may be next week before we can get back to work on our Big House clean-up project. This project will include plenty of work for brush cutters, chainsaws, pole saw, hedge trimmers, limb loppers, the Kioti tractor, & manual laborers. Hope to have it all done by Spring. But Spring comes here in March. So, I don't know if we can get it all done before then, or not. But hey, it'll be good exercise & will cost less than trying to drag race my Pontiac, which I can't afford to do right now.

Speakin of racing, I now have a pair of brand new, never used 10" Hoosier slicks I'd like to sell. I think they cost over $200 each. And they're mounted on 10" CL wheels, if I remember correctly. Would love to get $500 for tires & wheels. That's a smokin deal for anyone who is planning to buy new slicks that size & don't have any wheels yet. Cost too much to ship. Might try to sell locally, if our track opens this year. I suppose I should put an ad on Craigslist, pretty soon.

Forgot to mention this. I took some empty oil jugs to a local oil change place. They gave me 6 gallons of used oil. That's all they had. Said I could check back with them. Said that sometimes they change oil in 18 wheelers & have lots of used oil on hand, if I catch 'em just right. Another oil change place would have given me some. But, they said their catch tanks only holds 10 quarts. So, they dump those into a larger hold tank, after every oil change or 2. Told me to come back later & I might catch 'em before they dumped the catch tanks. But, by then TJ was thru shopping, so we didn't stop. There is at least one other place in town that changes oil. I plan to check with them next week. That oil really helps to get the fire going, when burning green/wet wood & limbs. Diesel works good, too. But it's $2 a gal. So, even if I had to pay $1 a gal for used oil, that would be cheaper. Gas is a bit less than $2. But it burns too fast. I only use it to start the fire. Diesel & especially the oil, will keep it burning long enuff to get a good fire goin.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

,,,Would love to test all 4 pieces, as well as several blades, & report back my findings.

You'd need to start a YouTube channel.
I think you can get kick-back-cash if your channel is a good draw.
You could easily do a chainsaw channel already.

What do you think about that $46.00 40v 14" Chainsaw
That's a better deal than even any of the SecretSquirrel Clearance saws i got at Lowes.
The 20v 12" Craftsman's were $45+tax at their lowest point.

I'm not planning on a $400 trimmer/brush cutter. yowch
Gotta try to work a deal with my Lowes Guy.

And i have a line on what is supposed to be a Like-New used one.

All else fails go the Tool-Only route and get 20% via my Dad's Lowes Card and a Coupon. Then pay him cash.
That would be $54 off of $270 = $216
Kit would be $74 off of $370 = $296

If i end up going Tool-Only , will start with just the PowerHead $149-$30 = $119
And see if any of my old half-shafts will work with EGo.
If they will, i have several of them, and that would cover me on a trimmer shaft with line spool - and a separate brush cutter shaft.
Then buy a Renegade Blade and up-fit it.

If my old shafts just will not work - well
guess I'll have to buy 2 EGo Trimmer Half-Shafts
$240-$48 = another $192
Gonna need about a $2000 Check for all that hardware