Honda UMK435 Bike Handle

good reliable quiet powerful just a little heavy – very powerful compared to the 25cc honda " toy whipper snipper" unfortunately a lot of my trimming ( with a 4 sided blade ) is overhead so the extra weight of a 4 stroke brushcutter ( although probably only 1 kg or so) tires you out quicker .. very easy to start & powerful enough for the big jobs .. so far so good Show details

Reliable and Versatile – Have owned and used the UMK 435U for over 10 years both commercially and domestically. It has never failed. Extremely reliable and powerful. Cannot fault this brush cutter. Show details

$800 piece of rubbish – Pros Looks good Cons Unreliable Poor service Pathetic trigger mechanism Pathetic line trimmer attachment that falls apart Harness is … well… frankly, it’s pathetic too, if you compare it to a stihl. When I first got my Honda UMK435U I was impressed by the power. But the control trigger was problematic. Sometimes it wouldn’t lock the… Read more

trigger in for starting, but when operating, if I needing to idle the machine while moving an obstacle, or opening a gate, or something like that, the trigger would not come out and the brush cutter would just keep revving. I would have to hit the side of the control handle to get it to idle. I took it back to where I bought it and they said there wasn’t any thing wrong with it. But it kept playing up. So I took it back again. They bent the yellow rear trigger a bit and that made it a somewhat better. Frankly the whole trigger mechanism is pathetic and I would expect better on a toy brush cutter. Also the harness is a disappointment, nowhere near as good as the stihl harness. But the worst was yet to come. My UMK435 started losing power. It was okay with a full tank of fuel, but as the tank emptied the power got less and less. Fill the tank and away it would go again, but by the time a quarter of a tank was gone it was pathetic, and under half a tank and it just coughed and spluttered and periodically cut out. It went back to where I bought it, and they fiddled with it and tuned it and said it was right. I used it, and it went ok for the first tank but half way through the second tank it started playing up again. I put up with it for a while because I needed it. Eventually I had to take it back to where I bought it. This time they found a problem and ordered a new carburettor and some other parts from Honda. Well it took months for the parts to arrive, and I had to get a loan of a Stihl form the repair shop while they were waiting for the parts. Eventually I got my brush cutter back. I used it for half hour the day I got it back and it went ok, but it just didn’t seem to have the power it had when it was new. But it was doing the job, so I just used it. About a month after the warrantee ran out it started playing up again. It was absolutely pathetic once it had used quarter of a tank. I have been putting up with it because I have not needed it as much since then. But I used it again today and it was cutting out and coughing and spluttering. I got to where two minutes after starting on a full tank it would be coughing and spluttering and cutting out. I had been using it for about two and a half hours, and I had just about had enough. I was considering weather I would turn it into a boat anchor or a letter box (two things I have absolutely no use for), when something changed. All of a sudden it had power again, and I mean real power, it was ripping through the grass, it was braking the trimmer cord (3.1mm) like when it was new. This went on for about twenty minutes, then it started coughing and spluttering and cutting out again. So if you buy a Honda. You may get a good one, but you could get one like mine – in which case you will have an $800 piece of rubbish.

Update 04-01-2025

Have been using it on and off all this time. Some days it works okay but you need to keep the tank full, other times it is no use persisting with it, just put it away and reschedule the job. Very occasionally it works fine.

A friend bought one a few years ago (since I bought mine) and he was impressed, so he bought a second, so he could have a blade on one and a line trimmer on the other. Unfortunately his second one is a dud, like mine. He figured he would buy a third, he thought the odds would be on his side, but alas, he now has one good one and two like mine.

Excellent machine – Upgraded to one of these from a Ryobi straight shaft; The pros for the Honda: Low noise and vibration. This was the reason I had to leave the 2 stroke Ryobi; after an hour or so on the little Ryobi, my hands were tingling and my ears were ringing. My neighbours were probably sick of it as well. But I can use the Honda all day without a worry.… Read more

As it's a 4 stroke there's no need to have it screaming at high revs to get sufficient power for most jobs.

Quality. Honda parts and good service are readily available, in contrast to the Ryobi and Bunnings' disinterested staff, which means that Ryobis etc are really throwaways. A quality unit like a Honda should last many years.

The Cons;

Cost. I can only justify spending $700+ because now I use a brush cutter a lot. If I was just doing my domestic garden the cheap Ryobi was fine. In fact it was pretty good.

Power. This is the biggest Honda, but it doesn't feel THAT much more powerful than a 25cc two-stroke Ryobi- it can still struggle in really heavy going. The big 2 strokes from Stihl etc. probably have more grunt at peak revs, but I reckon the quietness and the lack of vibration of the Honda more than compensate.

Weight. It is a heavier unit, relative to some others, but only a kilo or two difference. With a good quality harness (not the Honda one), weight is barely noticeable, even after several hours.

great line trimmer replaced my Stihl with this one – I am really happy with is unit I replaced my Stihl FS76 that I bought in 1995 (its still running), with a Honda UMK435L.I have had it now for 6 weeks Its now run in and you can get a really good idea of the power and pedigree of this great machine. It is heavier by 1.2 kg but with a harness on you don't notice the weight difference at all and you… Read more

will spend much less time trimming simply because this unit has the POWER and its where you really want it in the mid range of the power band of the motor

What you do notice is the power, the quietness, really easy starting and good fuel economy.

I now have tried it in a variety of situations being edging, trimming around the house fence lines etc, long grass dead shrubs At best it only needs half throttle and it destroys whatever you point it at A really easy machine to use and best of all hardly any annoying vibrations

It is well made and solid I also bought the hedge trimmer attachment that fits in place of the trimmer head easy to remove and replace

What a piece of work this is I would hate to be a hedge it just eats up the hedges with ease.

I have been a Sthil and a 2 stroke motor fan on line trimmers for along time and was going to buy another one but I just couldn't do it I really couldn't see the money in the equivalent Stihl or the quality The Honda dealer I went to had both brands and according to him he sells an awful lot more Honda. Price wasn't an issue and the Honda was cheaper.

If you are in the market buy this one its second to none and I haven't seen anything better in the market but I have seen a lot worse for the money

Fuel cap – I have two brush cutters and both leak from the cap if not held or stored level. Very disappointing because everything else seems top grade. An easy fix I would gave thought to get 5 stars. Show details

Easy to use and start – recently purchased a Honda line trimer UMK425U for the garden, this trimer is very quite and easy to use as with most Honda's this comes with a easy start engine simply prime and pull the start cord, i have used this for a few weeks and normally starts first time, this is the quietest petrol trimer i have ever used and when you need more line the… Read more

easy release cord supply makes it simple just tap the base of the cord despiser whilst running and the cord is feed from the spindle awesome machine

Under powered – Just bought brand new has a lack of power at full throttle dealer not interested has my money not happy have had three of these previous with more power than this one

The Beast!!! – After years of using quality 2-strokes, I finally purchased a Honda and what a difference... So easy to start, very reliable, well built and a great machine to use. My only complaint (if I have to be picky) might be the extra weight, but that’s no real issue for me. Honda, you’ve won me over for sure. I’ve replaced my Mower, Whipper, Hedger and… Read more

Edger with Honda over the last few years whilst still keeping a Stihl blower and Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws.

Perfect commercial trimmer – Split shaft 35cc trimmer purchased online what can I say it cuts through the thickest grass and does not slow down even in extreme heat can get heavy but I'm used to it the best trimmer on the market Show details

What a great addition to my yard tools – I have lived on small acreage for 30 years and have thrown away quite a few 2 stroke brushcutters through hard to start problems and spare parts supply. My Honda 35cc with bicycle handlebars and body harness a has been fantastic. It's now aprox 5 years old and I always marvel at its first or second pull start ability. I am cursed with poor soil… Read more

and rocky ground but the little Honda just cuts a swathe through paspalum and other stubborn clumps.

The line head is easy to load and with all of the rocks it bounces off they give me a couple of years of use.

As usual my Honda dealer has replacements at a reasonable price.

I also have the 25cc break shaft model with a hedge trim attachment as well as a blower head.

With the harness the machine whilst solidly built is comfortable to use but my wife prefers the slightly lighter 25cc.

If you are after a brush cutter to last for years I would recommend a Honda.

The problem doesn't seem to be vacuum – Mine is 10 years old now. When working it is a great machine, problem is it was always dying under full throttle when hot and then other times it wouldn't run from cold. Last year I had one last go a playing around with carby, pulled it apart and scratched out a bit of gum, didn't replace any diaphragms only main gasket onto cylinder. Replaced… Read more

ignition coil and spark plug, no difference. Had spark so fuel had to be the issue. Put compressed air back through the pick up filter in the fuel tank. Like a new machine, not sure what was clogging it as it didn't look dirty but can say for certain that was the problem. Annoying as like many I have searched for answers for several years and cursed the pig of a thing for longer than that.

I have had many brands of trimmers, this one is THE BEST – Bought mine 2nd hand, it had not been serviced for over 6 months and the guy who sold it to me was upgrading to a new Honda, I have only cleaned the filter, replaced the fuel , this Honda starts 2nd pull from cold and 1st pull on hot, runs and cuts like a dream, less vibration then other brands, less engine noise , more power at lower revs, well built, what more can i say, its so good to have a nice piece of quality equipment that is reliable.  Show details

For the money, its fairly average – When you pay $700 for a whipper snipper you think that it will be absolutely bullet proof for many years to come. The bump feed on this whipper snipper has stopped working twice. The first time we took it back to the dealer and they were able to fix it, and now it doesn't work again. So I have to wait until I can make the trip to my honda dealer again to get the issue resolved. It's not a very reliable machine.  Show details

This is a great machine – I have used it professionally for years.. Cant fault it.. 2 Strokes make no sense for this kind of work , I see my stupid council in Cairns using 2 strokes burning my rates money and laugh/cry. Thanks Honda for showing us how it is done...  Show details

Awsome Bit of Gear – I picked up a 2 yewr old second hand unit from our local Hon. da small engine dealer. I can only say I am impressed, it starts so easily and does not miss a beat. I have used both blade and cord on it in some very heavy going and it handles it with ease. The only downside I can see with this machine is that it is probably a bit too heavy for my wife to use.It would have to rate as a "big tractor" in the world of brush cutters.  Show details

excellent, quick start one pull machine – lightweight and easy to carry. no awkward handle parts. Good on petrol it last me my full yard. That's new because I have had to refuel with my old whipper-snipper. Only downside is it was a little bit ore expensive. Guess you get what you pay for though with these machines.  Show details

Keep losing top bolt/screw – I have owned this machine for about 4 years and find it is an excellent brush cutter around my 2 acre property. It easily manages anything I throw at it. However, I have just lost, for the second time, the top bolt/screw that holds the red plastic top cover in place. This is so very annoying. This screw obviously vibrates loose over time and needs… Read more

to be constantly tightened. I don't think I should have to check all screws/bolts for tightness prior to every use... should I? Anyway, had to buy one of these screws about 12-18 months ago and now it seems I need to buy another one. I have searched and searched the area I have just cut but to no avail. Does Honda make metal detectors? Very, very annoying. May need to 'loctite' it in place I think!

This certain brushcutter lets me down – This is the 3rd time i have purchased one of these has plenty of grunt but every year lets me down the carburetor ceases. Litterally once a year this happens 3rd machine and sane problem,dealer says doesnt cover warranty at all which is upsetting due to buying these machines thinking they are durable and so on. I wouldn't purchase one of these… Read more

machines again.

Honda needs to fix this problem no one helps with these problems.

I love honda but when it comes to this certain machine never again.

Better than a Shindaiwa T270 - Simply Put - Buy One! – Lucky We Mow Located in South Brisbane providing Lawn Mowing Services to Logan Residential Home Owners and Surrounding Suburbs have been using the UMK435U Honda Edger now for two months (beginning 14th-Sep-2016) and we will never look back. Previously, we used the Shindaiwa T270 Top of the Line Edger. The UMK435U is so much quieter, does not… Read more

need oil added to its fuel (Fuel is pricey enough!!) because its a hefty 4Stroke Motor with what we feel has at least 2x the power of the T270. The UMK435U Edger has to be the best on the market. Get yourself one.

Out of date review – The time difference between now and my original review makes my opinion moot. I was sent a replacement fuel cap so that a vacuum would not be created in the fuel tank during use of the machine. However, I have not had reason to use the machine in the last few years, neither am I sure I am physically capable of using it any more. Assuming the… Read more

fuel cap has solved the choking problem, it is a very useful brush cutter.

My apologies to Honda for taking such a long time to respond.

Nice machine – I love the machine. Quiet. Economical. Starts first go. No smoke. Heaps of low down power as you would expect from a four stroke. I have generator with a Honda motor, a zero turn mower with a 20 hp twin fitted and Honda outboard motor. I just love Honda machinery. Being a retired mechanic gives me an appreciation of good engineering. The harness… Read more ·  1

is hard to adjust to a comfortable position though. Lucky I didn't get rid of my husky harness. The harness to shaft ring should be fixed, and not able to swivel around the shaft. I'm always fighting the balance. The diameter of the cutting head seems to be too small and always jambs the cutting cord, so tap and go becomes stop and manually introduce more cord which is very painful on a two hour session. perhaps there is a better cutting head out there somewhere

Excellent except for non-durable parts – Spool and bottom line housing cover are both non-durable. Expect to spend ~$25 replacing either sporadically, timing depends on a user's technique. Even the professionals need to replace these parts eventually because friction is needed to feed the line and friction is what erodes the plastic and metal. Based on price the use of non-genuine parts… Read more ·  2

is suggested but they also have their own pros and cons. If you do change of to non-genuine never thrown out the genuine product - those 2 small metal parts that guide the trimmer line out of the bottom line housing cover cost about ~$25!

The combination of a loop handle, no harness and two strong arms allows the professional to quickly adjust their position when trimming residential lawn edges.

Honda horsepower giddy up! – I purchased my Honda UMK 435 bike handle a week ago! I have used Husqvarna, Eco and Tanaka Brushcutters in the past and haven't been able to fault them but I needed something with more grunt for my 2 acres. It lives up to it's hype. Powerful and starts first time every time. It's only been a week but I am very satisfied so far. Only negative was… Read more

the dealer and their lack of information and demonstration. They were only interested in getting my money and seeing me out the door. This almost caused me to take my business elsewhere.

Nothing but honda – This is my second year in doing gardening work, all my tools are honda, and overall review is that honda is nothing but the best!! I love all my honda specially whipper snippers and lawn mower , but i think the company should work harder on making a bigger line up of tools and keep on innovating more and more new products (example 4 stroke… Read more ·  1

chainsaw) i suggest everyone to not hesitate of getting any honda tool even if its used coz its long lasting and less maintenance

Great when running - but that's not often – I bought the UMK435U two years ago, based on reputation and the reviews on this site and others. In use, the Honda is great - easy to start, quiet and plenty of relaxed power. Once everything is adjusted to suit, it sits well on the harness, and is easy to use and control. The bump feed head is as annoying and useless as everyone else's, so I've… Read more

changed it to a Juey. Other than the cheap, flimsy throttle controls on the handlebar, the build and finish quality are excellent.

The same can't be said of the reliability. The brush cutter has done less than 30 hours work over two years, but has spent at least the same number of hours at the dealers, being fixed.

The first problem has been mentioned by others on this site - that is, fuel starvation due to a dud fuel cap breather design. This happened after the warranty ran out, but my dealer/service agent is great, and modified the cap to stop it clogging again, for free. The next problem came with the motor starting and idling fine, but then choking and dying when you tried to rev it up to working speed. That required a carb rebuild with a factory carb kit, plus $80.00. This worked perfectly for the next few hours, but has recently started up with the same symptoms. Haven't got the verdict on this repeat problem yet, but whatever the outcome, I reckon three breakdowns after only thirty hours, is crap.

I acknowledge that many others have had a good experience with Honda brush cutters, and it could be that I've just been unlucky and bought a one-off lemon. Whatever the case, I wouldn't recommend them and can't imagine buying another one.

Great machine with heaps of torque – I've had my honda UMK435U bike handle model about 2 years now, it gets used every weekend on my place and my mother in laws place, I originally had the shindaiwa C350 which was 33cc 2 stroke, and the honda has way more torque at lower rev range, notably yes it is a 4 stroke so torque and rev range would be different to the 2 strokes, yes the honda… Read more ·  1

is heavier not by much though but no more mixing fuel, carrying seperate fuel containers and it starts if not first pull then defiantly 2nd it will fire up and going all day vertually no vibration unlike my old shindaiwa, only thing I done recently was put the speed feed 4.5 bump head on it, now I can re load roughly 20 feet of line in about a minute and I don't have to pull it apart to do so, people say honda are expensive but in my opinion you get what you pay for, and for longevity and reliability I'd highly recommended the Honda 4 stroke brush cutters and trimmers.

Good machine – This is the unit we use for maintenance of local government parks and reserves in the FNQ tropics. Operators prefer the bike handles over the loop, and we use desert hawk heads which last much longer than standard heads. These Honda's go flat out all wet season with few problems, and the workshop mechanics prefer working on them too anything else.  Show reply

What a Hunk Of Machinery – I actually bought this off eBay thinking it was the UMK425 (as advertised) but after I had bought and started to use it, I suddenly saw the 435 sticker which added to the delight. All I can say is that it lives up to all of the hype and great reviews it gets. After having used Stihl monster brush cutters in the past for my work, the Honda seems… Read more ·  1

relatively light (my wife and daughter still finds it a little heavy), but it is a pleasure to operate. Being able to start first pull is such a change from the big Stihl bench press we use to do and controlling the motor was very intuitive and precise.

My only criticism would be that the idle-up nob and throttle mechanism should be made from stronger material/plastic as I could imagine that breaking or giving way over time. When a company produce such a strong and versatile (and expensive) unit, I would expect a lot more than what the cheaper brands try to get away with. Like anything you buy, a product is only as good as it's cheapest/weakest component, if that fails, it's useless (or dangerous) and frustrating for the consumer.

Having said all that, I can see the 435 has a lot going for it, least of which being a 4-stroke with unleaded fuel, torque/power to do any job around your property with ease and the versatility to change from grass-cutter to brush-cutter within a minute or two.

Bottom-line: don't waste your money or time on cheap rubbish, pay a little extra and buy something that will last for years to come, and for me, the Honda UMK435U is a bloody good unit and worthy of 5-stars.

Great powerful unit – I have a mowing business and use to use the Honda umk425 and then bought the more powerful honda option the gx35 for the more serious stuff. What a machine I love it, have since purchased another one and no longer use the older smaller Hondas as they just don't have the power I need. Learnt never to buy eBay versions not because of the engine… Read more ·  1

there the same but because of the [censored word removed] shafts and attachment they sell with them are cheap and lasted no more then a week. Great power and use for everything. Little heavy when your working with it all day 4-5 hrs straight

Great purchase starts easy plenty of power so you do not have to rev the crap out of it and will work inverted or upright. Over all great easy and reliable. Show details