Best Shindaiwa Whipper Snippers and Edgers

Great value brushcutter with U handles – This is the best value brushcutter with U shaped handles, it's 2 stroke and made by Yamabiko Corp (same model as the Echo SRM-222ES/U although that… Read more

one doesn't appear to be available for some reason).

I got this model after extensive research and it doesn't disappoint for my use case to cut reasonably tall grass/weeds. Yes it's only 21.2cc so it's the baby model but it's stronger than all but the biggest cordless/electric models in my view. It's also very light weight.

It's a straight shaft brushcutter and comes with a very basic harness that does the job, could be an item to upgrade in future though. It only comes with a 3 point blade (but does include a second guard for a nylon head). I fitted mine up with an Echo SpeedFeed head straight away, 375 variant and it's flawless with 0.080 line.

It's assembled in China (I know...but only the pricey models are Made in Japan) but I suspect the engine parts are actually Japanese. Fit and finish is good, plastics are good, metal bits seem nice (either they're shipped from Japan or the QC is up to scratch in the Yamabiko China factory). Only the harness looks and smells of typical Chinese junk.

In closing, I really do recommend any Echo/Shindaiwa whipper snipper and especially in the value category, you cannot go any better (in fact you can do a lot worse). In the pricey commercial category then you have more options from Stihl and Husqvarna as well, but their homeowner models are crap.

Delicate and Fragile – The B450 certainly looks like it should be tough, the body of the brushcutter is all metal construction and everything has a solid feel to it. But… Read more

... the head supplied with the B450 is a weak and flimsy thing that cannot tolerate any sort of impact. As soon as it hits anything, the head flies apart shooting the internal guides and springs everywhere.

I previously owned a Shihl FS200 for 10 years, which would cut grass, weeds and Lantana on our property with ease.

The problem with the B450 is that it cannot even be used on long grass ... if there is a small rock or twig in among the grass, the head will fly apart on contact.

I've discussed with the dealer (The Mower Place in Brisbane), but they're not interested. The most infamous comment from the Mower Place was that "I was using it wrong". They were unable to clairfy how the use of the B450 differs from a Stihl.

There is only one head that will fit the B450, so there are no alternatives. I'm now on the third head, and they're all the same.

The only thing this "Brushcutter" can be used for reliably is lawn edging, but I could have bought a cheap whipper snipper for that.

I've now purchased a Stihl FS240 as a replacement brushcutter, and it is brilliant.

Don't consider using the B450 for anything heavier than light trimming work. As a brushcutter, it is useless. All metal construction, seems to be built to last Weak and flimsy head means it cannot be used as a brushcutter