An ordinary mower or weed trimmer is no match for a thick, eye-level stand of weeds, grass and overgrowth. Tackle this tough job with a brush mower, a mower specially designed to knock down a path through the overgrowth without clogging and stalling every few feet.
Ordinary mowers have enclosed decks that work very efficiently to cut a typical lawn, but it is not the right tool for cutting brush. A brush mower has an open deck and is often equipped with a more powerful engine for its size in order to cut a swath through the toughest fields. Residential walk-behind machines are made small enough to be highly maneuverable yet they pack a wallop in the power department. If you’re heading into a thicket dense with brambles and saplings, be sure to choose a machine that can handle the thick, strong material it’ll be required to collect. These mowers chop up the overgrown plants and trees for mulching, composting or compact disposal. Smaller walk-behind models are light enough to maneuver around trees, fences and structures and are light enough to be used in wet or boggy areas. These useful tools can open up a new view for you, clear a trail for family walks or clear dangerous underbrush or overgrown fields before the dry season brings the threat of a brush fire. Some push-behind models offer attachments that allow you to convert them into snow blowers or lawn mowers for added value.
For the professional, a tow-behind model can clear brush with amazing power and speed. These heavy-duty brush cutters go beyond mowing. Some can cut and chop trees more than 18” in diameter and serve as a chipper/shredder as well. Look for cutting swaths as wide as 52” for maximum brush clearing productivity. Some models offer an optional hydraulic trimming saw for tough clearing jobs and a remote spot herbicide applicator to discourage future growth.