As its name suggests, a brushcutter is a machine that ... clears brush, understand who will cut the brush into small pieces. And like who can the most, can the least, cut the grass too.
There are wheeled brushcutters, resembling a large mower, and others, said to be backpacks because they are carried by the user. It is of the latter that I will speak here.
The backpack brushcutter is equipped with a heat engine at one end and a cutting module at the other end, the two parts being connected by a rigid tube in which a flexible hose is incorporated in order to rotate the cutting module. On this tube are fixed two handles to direct the machine and activate the rotation speed of the cutting module, as well as the on/off button.
If the vegetable to be shortened is only a herbaceous mixture, very tender, a rotofil is enough. It is a coil of nylon thread often, which lets out two threads. The rotation of the spool is such that the lines cut the grass without problems. My preference is for semi-automatic reels. In this case, the spool releases a length of line following a slight tap on the slider bowl. While working, tap the spool lightly on the ground and a spring system releases a sufficient length of line to continue the work. Guaranteed time savings. Be careful, however, to handle the machine with precision, because the wires can damage the plaster of the house, the borders of the garden, the bark of the trees...
If it is brush with woody parts, wood in fact, you will need a metal blade. Several models exist. I have a preference for the blade with 3 or 4 teeth. In fact, the choice of the blade is determined by the type of vegetation to be cut but also by the power of the engine of the brushcutter. Depending on the model you own or are planning to buy, check with your garden advisor (equipment seller) on the types of blades you can use on your brushcutter, after specifying the type of vegetation to be cut. Again, watch out for flying stones, or pieces of wood that become real projectiles.
You can continue reading about using the U-blade to shred straw and brush and compost.
We are never careful enough. Operating a brushcutter requires a minimum of preparation and attention. Let’s first look at PPE, personal protective equipment. The brushcutter is held to the body by a harness. This must be properly adjusted. The arms and forearms must form a 90° angle. Adjust the harness and the height of the handlebars to avoid excessive fatigue. The user must wear trousers, closed shoes, or even safety shoes when clearing woody undergrowth, and a helmet with visor. Remember that a pebble is quickly gone, like a rifle bullet. Of course, wearing gloves is also mandatory. I know, when it's hot, it's not necessarily pleasant, but many accidents could be avoided with the right equipment. And warn those around you not to approach when you are working...
And it is good to warm up a bit before work. Do some rotation exercises, wrists, head, pelvis. When clearing brush, avoid rotations of the pelvis; put one foot slightly forward and move your arms to guide the machine, without shrugging your shoulders. The pelvis remains almost motionless. This is to avoid pain in the lower back…
