Introduction

Husqvarna is a big name in power tools.  Husky chainsaws are legendary.  Does that prowess in bringing down spruces carry over to brush cutting and weed whacking?  This is how we figure out if it’s good or not.

The research suggests that once you get the carburetor dialed in, the unit runs very well.

Specs and Assembly

This is a two-stroke engine 28 cm³ of displacement. It puts out 1 horsepower. Like every two-stroke engine, the string trimmer requires 100% gasoline with no ethanol.  You can mix this yourself, or buy some of the premixed fuel gas.  This is particularly important for Huskies as we will discuss below.

It has straight shaft. So far this has the makings of a decent brush cutter, but a better string trimmer.

The shaft is detachable. But one of the issues is that it’s not easy to attach genuine Husky parts to this particular model. For that you need the 128LDX.  Users have found that they could attach parts from other manufacturers. This goes into the overall design as well.  The unit is easy to put together.  Overtime, the plastic coupler of the split shaft wears out, making it hard for other attachments to stay attached.

On Amazon, we only found 1 user that had a dead on arrival unit.  Over at Home Depot, there were many users that ran into these issues.

Start, Idle, Ergonomics, and Usage

Most users found it was very easy to start, and easy to restart. And once it was started it kept going very easily.

However a lot of users found the idle to be very rough, and the trimmer would just stop running. If the unit is not idling properly, the unit might be running lean or rich  Adjusting the carburetor is accomplished by a special carburetor tool which is not available at your local tool store.  It’s interesting that this is the case given that Husky leaf blowers and chainsaws do not run into these issues.

After adjusting, the unit should run correctly.

When it does run, most users found that it was relatively quiet and not a lot of awful vibration.

In terms of using it to trim the grass, most  found that the bump head was not very good.  It could be that the internal parts are made from plastic.  And for the prepared, buying some additional trim line

With respect to ergonomics many found this unit was heavy and it does not ship with a strap or harness. This is a unit that benefits from having a shoulder strap or harness. In terms of balance those over 6 feet said that they had to bend over in order to use it.

Operators were able to handle 3/4 of an acre and 1 acre of jungle.  But not on one tank.

Long Term

The warranty is limited

Some users reported the overall longevity of this unit at 2 years.  Others have not been so lucky

Conclusion

It seems that users that did not do well with the 128LD mainly had issues with it working properly every time.  Our analysis of the complaints point to what are probably carburetor adjustment issues.  When those can be surmounted with proper adjustment, the 128LD lives up to the Husky reputation.

Introduction

Now we’re talking.  Big 2 stroke motor, bike bar handles, hefty debris shield, straight shaft…lemme at that fence line with this baby.  But who is Blue Max? Are they reliable?  This is our general criteria for all brush cutters.

Just on the features, this is a good option, but what did the users have to say?

Specs, Assembly, Starting

This is a monster brush cutter. It is a two-stroke engine with 42.6 cm³ of displacement putting out 1.6 HP.  This is definitely not made for puttering around the petunias.

Since there is a two stroke engine you need to mix the gas and the oil.  That means true gasoline no ethanol. Ethanol will degrade carburetor and also eat up the fuel lines.

Most found this unit was easy to assemble and easy to start.

Idle, Ergonomics, and Usage

True to form, with any 2-stroke engine, chances are good that you will have to adjust the carburetor for it to run and idle properly.

In terms of ergonomics incident with that handlebars but many found it was not very balanced. It does come with a harness just not a very good harness.  And that’s a problem because the unit is considered heavy by most users.  The design flaw is that it’s only a one strap harness, instead of two or multi-strap harness. With only one strap holding up the weight, the machine ends up digging in to your shoulder.  That’s not anything that an aftermarket harness wouldn’t fix, but it’s those small user friendly details that a lot of manufacturers drop the ball on.

And many users found that the vibration from such a big motor was a little more than they bargained for.  One user even commented that the vibe shook a bolt loose.  With the bolts and screws, a little Loctite never hurt anyone.  But the vibration also affects the user.  That’s something to keep in mind when you’re thinking about using this for a full day.

It will run for a good long time. In terms of how long it can keep going, surprisingly for such a large unit many found it was very fuel efficient. I would not expect a 50 cc engine to be so parsimonious.  Now if you have a lot of dense or heavy foliage, opening up the throttle to full will not be as fuel efficient.

If you’re going to do a big job or work for a long time most found it was a good idea to sharpen the blade comes with or swap out for better blade.  The big motor and fuel tank plus a sharp blade will make short work of any thing that needs clearing.

And with all of that brush being cut, the debris guard is larger than most.  Some users found that size notwithstanding, the guard was actually flimsy.

Long Term Concerns, Maintenance, and Serviced

With all power tools, especially those running on gasoline and bought via the internet, there are bound to be issues.  Maybe there was some jostling of the parts during the shipping process.  As always, before you make a purchase, investigate whether you there is an authorized service center near you.  Blue Max products are manufactured and distributed by North American Tool Industries.

Conclusion

In general, we think this brush cutter is a buy because

• The Motor
• The Power
• The Shaft
• The fuel tank capacity and efficiency

Our main concerns are

• Lack of harness
• Vibration

 

Now this is a brush cutter!

At the motor, it puts out a nice 1.4 horse power.  Weighs in at 20 pounds.  That power works the cutting head through a single straight shaft. And you control the monster with bike bar handles.  This is generally the sort of numbers we look for when it comes to a consumer/pro-sumer grade brush cutter.

And turns out that we liked it as much as the other users out there. Recommend.

With stats like that, what did the regular users think?

Assembly and Start Up

This unit is considered easy to assemble.  The shaft and the gear set come assembled. All you need to do is put on the handles and bump head/brushcutter. Though it is always a good idea to give it a once over before you start operating.  You never know if a piece got bumped on the delivery. Once put together, it’s time to start it.

Many users found it was easy to start.  Easy start is a general industry advancement.  When we were kids, you had to be John Bunyan to get some of these machines to start.

Once it got going, most found that this motor did not idle well.  As is the case with many modern 2-stroke engines, for emission reasons, the carburetors are not always tuned to local conditions.  Maybe you’re not at sea level.  Maybe you operate in an environment that is hotter than most or colder than most.

You need to be able to adjust the carburetor.  For that, you’ll need a carburetor tool, many of which you can find on ebay. 

Most found that this motor did not idle well, so that means to me that you need to adjust it. That’s rather annoying if I may editorialize.  I wonder if there is that much emissions savings in comparison to what can happen if you do not manage the brush and foilage?

 

 

 

 

Ergonomics and Use

With a unit this heavy and this powerful, after you manage to get the thing running, can you operate it?

So to deal with the weight, you have to use a harness. Luckily the unit does come with a harness.  Many users found that the harness was not an obvious thing to put on. One user found that if you were hooked into the harness, it actually made it difficult to start the unit.  Damned if you do…

Brush Cutting

When everything has been assembled, fueled, harness put on correctly, started promptly, idles perfect – how does it cut?

Most found that it worked quite well.  Goes through 2-3″ saplings, high grass, and bushes.  Though it still weighs 20lbs, it makes the work easy.

Weed Eating

This is primarily a brush cutter site, but many of you will just want to change out the heads and turn this monster loose on your backyard.   Many of the Tanaka weed eaters that we cover have the same issues.  The string feeder tends not feed well, hard to refill, and hard to disassemble and reassemble.  We would suggest getting an aftermarket string feeder to go with this wonderful engine.

Longevity, Warranty and Repairs

Like most brushcutters and 2 stroke gas trimmers, making sure that you use 100% gasoline and absolutely no ethanol is crucial.  Ethanol does quite a number on the internals of a typical two stroke.  It will gum up the carburetor as well as corrode the fuel lines.

So when it comes to fuel, just some reminders

• Always use 100% gasoline
• Add a gasoline stabilizer in the container that you store your fuel in
• When the season is over drain the tank.
• Remove the spark plug
• Clean the air filter
• keep out of reach of children.

When it comes to warranties and after-purchase service, there are countless tales of the staff at Tanaka coming through.  A good stop gap is also to check to see if there’s a Tanaka service center near you. In terms of after purchase service many were okay with.

Conclusion

Overall, we do recommend the TCG31EBSLP.  For brushcutting, the main downside is the weight.  But that’s the story with every brush cutter.  As a weed eater, we think there are better choices.

2016 Update

 

For most people, keeping a neat and healthy lawn is just one more part of home ownership, and especially suburban home ownership. In fact, it can grow to be a form of outright competition with one’s neighbor – whose lawn is the greenest, the lushest, the most free of bush, leaves, and other debris? Indeed, some might say that the quest for the picture-perfect lawn is the closest equivalent modern man has to sallying forth for the Holy Grail… and for those people, a well-stocked garage full of top-flight lawn care tools are the swords and shields of the new millennium. If you ever run into such a person, it’s a good bet that they’ll have their own. Read on to find out why.

 

The  Husqvarna 323R is a lightweight machine designed for user comfort while quickly and effectively clearing brush. Perfect for home use, it is also strong enough to be used in a commercial setting with ease. With a harness, ergonomically designed handles, and a trimmer head that accepts both line and blades, this versatile tool is well suited to many conditions.

 

Technical Specifications

The Husqvarna 323R is lightweight at just under ten pounds, and yet comes with a powerful 2.4cc, 2-cycle engine that runs at 1.2 horsepower. The machine is designed with a strong, inflexible straight metal drive shaft. Vibration on the Husqvarna 323R has been measured at an industry standard of 4 m/s2, and the machine costs an average of just under $400.

Pros

Powerful and reliable, the Husqvarna 323R is a long-lasting tool. Though it comes with a limited warranty, customers report many years of reliable use from this machine. A convenient smart start system means the brush cutter starts quickly and easily week after week and year after year. Users also report solid construction and an infrequent need for maintenance and repair.

This lightweight machine is also comfortable to use. Long hours of brush cutting can take their toll, but the Husqvarna 323R makes getting the job done as comfortable as possible. The tool is lightweight at just under 10 pounds making it more easily maneuverable. In addition, a fully adjustable double harness and angled handlebars take the strain off the back.

The Husqvarna 323R is also versatile. Not only does it clear weeds and grasses but saplings are cut down to size as well. A combi-guard trimmer head accepts both line and blades making the Husqvarna 323R reliable in many brush cutting conditions.

Brush clearing tools including weed eaters and brush cutters average between $150 and $800. More powerful than a weed eater, and longer lasting, the Husqvarna 323R comes with a reasonable middle-of-the-road price tag of just under $400 on average.

Cons

The Husqvarna 323R is lightweight and impressively powered, but comes in as just average on antivibration. At 4 m/s2, the machine is just meets the industry average for vibration on brushcutters. The best antivibration cutters on the market are able to meet a 2 m/s2 standard.

While most customers report being highly pleased with the performance and reliability of the Husqvarna 323R, a few customers have reported missing or loose parts in new units. This problem seemed to occur most often with online orders. In addition, at least one customer reported having difficulty receiving those missing parts after contacting Husqvarna customer service. Customer support also appears spotty, as some report excellent experiences with Husqvarna customer service, while others do not.

Conclusion

Overall, customers are impressed with the convenience, reliability and performance of the Husqvarna 323R. Lightweight, comfortable, versatile and reasonably priced, this hard-working machine fits a variety of brush cutting situations and lasts for years. While some minor problems – including missing or lose parts and spotty customer service – were reported, purchasing this machine from well-known retailers and investing in extended warranty coverage is likely to resolve these issues. Overall, the Husqvarna 323R is considered a good investment and a great tool for both homeowners and businesses.

Ah, summertime. Warm breezes, the come-hither scent of steaks on the grill, and… landscaping? That’s right, landscaping. There are plenty of folks in the world who take great pride in and care with their lawns, treating them like museum exhibits or works of art. There are also plenty of people who see lawn care and related tasks as something to flee from, like visits to the dentist or a Nickelback album. Whichever group you happen to find yourself a part of, there is good news to be had: How much tasks like this feel like work is directly inverted against the quality of the tools one possesses, and it just so happens that this is a review of that very thing: A quality tool. In other words, if your tools suck, so will the job they’re meant to help you complete… or not, if you’re prudent. The fact is, there are plenty of great tools out there for whatever your job may be, the Husqvarna 223R Brush-Cutter among them. Read on to discover what it is exactly that makes this tool so great.

THE PROS

No one really likes yard work. Even the landscaping companies who do it day in and day out are only really in it for the profits, and who can blame them? Average Joes and seasoned pros alike all get tired of mowing and trimming and all the rest of it at some point. But what if mowing the lawn or trimming the hedges is only as fun (or not) as the tools used to get the job done? If that’s the case, and the “work” in yard work is inversely proportional to tool quality and ease of use, then the Tanaka TBC-340PFD Dual-Handled Trimmer / Edger should turn a Saturday of lawn care into a day at the park – or at least see that your yard ends up looking like one! Read on to find out some pros and cons attached to the device.

THE TANAKA TBC-340PFD: THE PROS

“Safety first” is a good ethos to work by, so it should please prospective buyers to learn that the Tanaka-340PFD Dual-Handled Trimmer/Edger is equipped with multiple handles, providing a sure, even grip and the ability to precisely control one’s movements while edging, trimming, cutting, and so forth. Speaking of which, trimming is accomplished by way of a string-trimmer attachment (think “weed eater” style heads), while more strenuous and heavy-duty cutting may be performed through the use of the Tanaka TBC-340PFD’s nine-inch sawblade, a swappable head in its own right. The engine itself is a 32cc, low-emission, commercial-grade affair, which provides all the power a user could ever wish for or need, especially when that engine’s output is delivered through the smooth action of the machine’s stainless steel drive shaft.

For another way to look at it, consider that this machine weighs just north of fifteen pounds, yet manages to output 1.6 horsepower and carry 23.8 fluid ounces – 1.5 lbs. and change – of fuel, providing power enough for multiple applications, while still remaining compliant with environmental regulations in all fifty states in the USA. The Tanaka TBC-340PFD comes standard with heavy-duty anti-vibration technology built in, which means that both user and machine can stick around for the long haul. A two-year / seven-year warranty is also standard and applicable to commercial and home use respectively.

THE TANAKA TBC-340PFD: THE CONS

The Tanaka TBC-340PFD Dual-Handled Trimmer/Edger is a machine that’s high on pros and low on cons, but some cons do exist. Users have reported frayed and otherwise defective throttle cables. This may prevent the machine from powering / throttling down upon the cessation or reduction of applied power. This can present a minor annoyance at worst, and a severe safety risk at worst. Thankfully, the Tanaka corporation seems to have above-average customer service; replacement cables are easy to come by, and shouldn’t cost the end-user anything to procure. Still, it’s a real shame to see such an easily corrected oversight in product engineering mar what is, overall, a solid product. It also makes one wonder if this is the only defect a user might encounter in this product. Finally, a word about price. This is not necessarily something that fits in either the plus or minus column, but because of its expense, the average user may balk at first. The Tanaka TBC-340PFD retails for around $560 USD, with fluctuations of ten to twenty dollars, depending upon where and when you buy it. The good news, though, is that this is primarily an in-store, brick-and-mortar price. Prospective purchasers can find steep savings in several places if they’re willing to shop online.

THE TANAKA TBC-340PFD: CONCLUSION AND CLOSING THOUGHTS

Professional reviews, past users, and the Tanaka TBC-340PFD Dual-Handled Trimmer/Edger’s own stellar specifications and sterling track record show that this machine is well worth consideration, whether the prospective purchaser is a homeowner who just needs a reliable tool for residential application, or a commercial customer whose needs are more exacting. The fact that this offering from the Tanaka company is designed along commercial-grade specifications means that no matter the setting, this machine should treat its owner well for years to come, provided that adequate care is taken in maintenance of the equipment itself. The verdict? It’s simple. If you find yourself in need of a new tool for the purposes discussed, you could do much worse than the Tanaka TBC-340PFD Dual-Handled Trimmer/Edger.