The Cutting Edge: Weed Eater, or Brush Cutter?

In the world of lawn care and landscaping, the names used to describe lawn tools can be a little confusing. Various terms like weed eater, string trimmer, and brush cutter are regularly used interchangeably but are they the same thing?

The origin and evolution of the Weed Eater

The weed eater originated in the 1970s when George Ballas, invented the Weed Eater. This ingenious machine was marketed by the Weed Eater brand, and revolutionised lawn care by offering a convenient solution for trimming grass along edges. The saddest of all is that this was inspired by a snake bite incident using pruning shears and Ballas crafted a makeshift device using a tin can and wires, which eventually led to the development of the weed eater.

While the original invention was dubbed the Weed Eater, trademark issues and marketing strategies have led to other manufacturers to use terms like string trimmer, weed whacker or brush cutter. These terminologies can also vary based on geographical location, brand preferences and even personal habits. So let us have a look at the differences between these machines.

The Weed Eater

A Weed Eater, also known as a string trimmer, features a rotating head with a nylon cutting line. It is designed for precision trimming and edging tasks.

This machine is lightweight, manoeuvrable and suitable for small-scale trimming but may struggle with tougher vegetation. It is best used for precision trimming around your flowerbeds, sidewalks and areas that are inaccessible to larger machines.

The Brush Cutter

The Brush Cutter is a powerful machine equipped with a metal blade, ideal for tackling dense vegetation and woody plants. It is powerful, versatile and durable but can also be heavy and noisy and slightly more dangerous due to the metal blade. This machine is used for clearing large areas of dense vegetation and can tackle tough overgrowth. It can even cut through small trees and shrubs.

Optimal performance:

For the optimal machine, choose a curved or straight-shaft design, based on your personal preference or comfort.

Most of these machines in South Africa are petrol-powered and offer more power but these machines can be heavier and produce more vibration and noise when compared to electric or battery-powered options.

The edge trimmer or brush cutter should be maintained regularly to ensure longevity and efficiency. It needs to be cleaned and greased after every use, as well as on the first use.

When you buy a petrol-powered edge trimmer or brush cutter, you will need to ensure that you use the correct fuel mixtures as some come in two-stroke or four-stroke engines and you will need to ensure the machine is well-greased and lubricated before the first use. It is also advisable to check the spark plug of the machine before using it for the first time. Some machines are in transit for such an extended period that the spark plug starts to deteriorate so it is advisable to have an extra on hand.

For more information on the fuel mixtures of two-stroke machines, read our blog, but your best bet is always to refer to the owner's manual that you receive with your machine upon purchase.

At AgMarket we’re committed to providing valuable resources and solutions for all your agricultural and lawn care needs. Whether you are a homeowner looking to beautify your backyard or a professional landscaper seeking top-quality equipment, we’ve got you covered. Below we have a brief overview of the available edge trimmers on our online marketplace for your convenience.

52cc Tanaka Pro 52 Brush Cutter Heavy Duty Shaft

Husky 143R11 HD Brush Cutter 41.5cc

Husky Pro 30 Bent Shaft Trimmer 26cc

LINE TRIMMER, 26CC 4-STROKE WITH BENT SHAFT | RYOBI

ELECTRIC LINE TRIMMER, 550W | RYOBI

AgMarket also offers a range of spare parts for these machines as well as a selection of two-stroke oil, trimmer line and replacement engines for these machines. Shop online today to purchase your Brush Cutter or Wead Eater and get your purchase delivered straight to your door.