Recommend a brushcutter for a hobbit.

beveragelady

I need something in the brushcutting line that meets as many as possible of the following criteria:

Non-electric. I have a very large area to deal with and it's just not practical to run power to the outer reaches.
Powerful enough to tackle rough grass, rushes and brambles.
Ergonomically suited to a lady of five foot two. This is a big problem. Everything in the power tool line is designed for long arms and big hands. Prolonged use by the short-armed and small-handed quickly becomes very painful and just isn't safe. *

It looks like I'm going to have to compromise on one of the above, but realistically they're all deal-breakers. Suggestions?

(Don't bother reading the next bit.)
*I'm not just being pernickitty about this. Think about how much easier it is to hold a tennis-ball than a volleyball in one hand. Even things like power drills are designed for a bigger grip, which means I'm straining all the time I'm using them. Goddammit, even my wheelbarrow gives me problems because if I try to use it in the conventional way the leg-things drag on the ground when I walk because I'm not tall enough to lift them without bending my elbows. This means I'm taking the weight with my arms rather than my shoulders so I get tired much more quickly than somebody who can keep their arms straight.
I'm worried that I'll splash out on a brushcutter only to find that I have to hold it at a weird angle and I can only tolerate it for minutes at a time.

Roen

Was going to recommend the 36v Makita strimmer but it doesn't collapse down like the 18v version (which my 5'3" wife uses a bit).
The 18v would suit you but it's really a grass trimmer rather than a brush cutter.
It struggles with heavier weeds like bracken and brambles.

Would it be possible to torch the area?

On the wheelbarrow a 5'2" friend uses a dumping cart. Can be pulled along handy and her taller husband also prefers it to a barrow.
If you've got a ride on you can also attach a trailer.

Hoagy

Maybe a wheeled strimmer would suit.

Try hiring one first.

http://www.azhire.ie/wheeled-strimmer-petrol,offer/

_Brian

Hoagy wrote: »

Maybe a wheeled strimmer would suit.

Try hiring one first.

http://www.azhire.ie/wheeled-strimmer-petrol,offer/

We have one of these at work, the big problem is that the driven speed is too high and so if the vegitation is tough it can't keep it cut and gets snarled up.

Hoagy

One of our neighbours uses one and is happy with it, but it is mostly long grass he deals with.

Eckman do one with a three bladed cutter which might be better.

http://www.eckman.ie/shop/p-850-eckman-2-stroke-petrol-wheeled-brush-cutter-and-line-trimmer.html

beveragelady

_Brian wrote: »

We have one of these at work, the big problem is that the driven speed is too high and so if the vegitation is tough it can't keep it cut and gets snarled up.

Looks like that might be the answer. As somebody suggested I'll hire one for a couple of days to see it it's a viable solution and if it works I'll splash out.
Thanks very much for your help. I had no idea this existed, but in fact I was in the process of inventing it. I was going to see if I could combine a very powerful brushcutter and a hand dolly!

Edit! Quoted the wrong post. Thanks Hoagy for your suggestion, and thanks Brian for your input.

looksee

That is great information, thanks!

beveragelady

Hoagy, because you're the boss of me I bought the Eckman online. You're going to be in so much trouble if it's anything less than a glorious success.
I decided not to bother getting a rental as a trial because I'm impatient and because I need to get to work as soon as possible.
I'll let you know how I get on.

beveragelady

Update.
I waited and waited for my new toy to be delivered and I fired off a polite inquiry email last night. Turns out the Eckman wheeled strimmer has been discontinued and they're going to refund me. They just weren't bothered letting me know or updating their website or anything. So I've wasted all this time waiting, and it looks like I may have to wait for the refund too. Very annoying.
So I got on the phone and rang places withing a moderate radius of my house, thinking I could get my hands on one this evening and start work tomorrow. I had the following phone call conversation four times:

Me: Hello, I wonder if you stock wheeled strimmer brush cutters?

Person: Well now, how do you mean wheeled?

Me: I mean a strimmer brush cutter with wheels.

Person: ...

Me: They definitely exist.

Person: What you're talking about there is a lawnmower.

So I'm back on the internet and now I'm looking at this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheeled-strimmer-brush-cutter-trimmer/dp/B073QVWZP4/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i but I need to find out if something like this can be fitted to it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-633965-Brush-Cutter-3-Tooth/dp/B0015NSTTK/ref=pd_sim_60_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2Q84J0A7CZ0F6HFRG5FV.

Hoagy, in the back of my mind I have the feeling this is all your fault.

Hoagy

Cobra do this one

http://www.cobragarden.co.uk/WT56B_Wheeled_Trimmer.html

and they have an Irish dealer network

You might be out of luck with the saw blade though.

beveragelady

Hoagy wrote: »

Cobra do this one

http://www.cobragarden.co.uk/WT56B_Wheeled_Trimmer.html

and they have an Irish dealer network

You might be out of luck with the saw blade though.

Dammit Hoagy. Too late. I've ordered the other one from Amazon. I have a limited time in which to get these outdoor jobs done and I'm using that as my excuse for being an impatient spendthrift.

beveragelady

OP back again.
The strimmer arrived a few weeks ago.
I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't have to sense to buy one when I bought this house. The sawblade is a non-runner but it turns out that's not a problem.

It starts easily.
It's simple to replace the cord, but the 4mm cord is quite hard to get so I turned to Amazon again. Sorted. Anyway it is able to do most jobs with 3mm cord.
It's very easy to manage on flat ground and quite easy on slopes or rough ground.
It's well able to cut through waist high grass, brambles and rushes.
I don't have to faff around mixing oil and petrol.
I bloody love my strimmer. I can spend a day strimming with no real fatigue. Money well spent.
Thanks everyone!

Hoagy

Phew.

beveragelady

Hoagy wrote: »

Phew.