Brushcutters

Our reviewers take an in-depth look at a range of new and easy-to-operate models. Sally Drury reports

TESTED THIS WEEK

Efco DR 52 VBR6 37

BearCat EZ TrimMower WT160S 37

Husqvarna 335Rx 39

Jonsered BC2236 39

Echo SRM-265 ESL and SRN-265 ESU 41

Efco 8400 and Efco 8550 Boss 41

Echo SRM-350 ESU 42

THE REVIEW PANEL

Andre Gardner, grounds manager, Cannington Campus, Bridgwater College

Peter Withycombe countryside management learning support co-ordinator, Bridgwater College

Josh Butterfield, apprentice greenkeeper, Cannington Golf Club (Bridgwater College)

They are great for trimming around trees and obstacles, ideal for mowing banks and reducing vegetation under hedges and along fence lines, even capable of clearance work - what would we do without brushcutters?

Coming in many different formats to suit various situations, brushcutters may be handheld or wheeled.

In this test we look at two new wheeled machines: the BearCat comes from the US and is a pramwheel type but with a surprise or two; the Efco is made in Italy and has a steel blade to decimate thick vegetation. We also look at the latest handheld machines, including low-vibration units from Echo, Husqvarna, Jonsered and Efco.

The test took place around the edge of Cannington Golf Club, part of Bridgwater College facilities. Conditions on the day were dry and sunny.

Efco DR 52 VBR6

Gardner takes his machinery seriously. He knows what he likes and what he does not. He loves the DR 52 from Efco.

This is a truly professional rough cutter. It's designed for anyone needing a workhorse to maintain vegetation - be it in forestry, on amenity sites or even on fields. The steel blade gives a firm and effective cut in thick undergrowth and even faces up to medium-sized brushwood without a complaint. What's more, the 6hp Intek OHV engine packs a punch this machine has muscle.

The DR 52's versatility is reflected in the fitment of deep-tread pneumatic tyres. This machine will grip on all types of surface, wet or dry, rough or steep. It also has two speeds - selected via a foot-operated lever at the rear of the machine. It means speed can be set to match the vegetation, terrain and soil type. Height of cut can be set to one of...