5 Best Brush Cutters For Blackberries

In this guide, I take a closer look at the 5 best brush cutters for blackberries on the market and explain how to pick the right one for your garden. A lightweight trimmer might not be tough enough to clear out dense foliage, but brush cutters have strong frames, beefy heads and powerful batteries. Even the thorniest blackberry bush stands no chance against a high-quality brush cutter.

The immediate risk of working with blackberry bushes and other brambles is sharp thorns. You need a long cutting tool that’s light enough to maneuver from one end but strong enough to slice through thick branches at the other. Not only that, but your brush cutters need to be comfortable or you’re going to end up tapping out halfway through the job.

How To Find The Best Brush Cutter For Blackberries

Brush cutters are similar to standard string trimmers (or weed eaters) but there are some key differences. They tend to be heavier at the cutting end so look out for a brush cutter with a harness or strap to aid maneuverability.

If possible, choose brush cutters with handlebars that can be angled relative to their shaft for even weight distribution. Otherwise, you could end up carrying all the weight on one part of your back.

Other things to think about are emissions and the degree of power needed to tackle the vegetation in your outdoor space. These two features are linked, and you might have to compromise on one for more (or less) of the other.

It’s no good splurging on a gas-guzzling monster of a machine if it’s too unwieldy for you to handle. So be smart about the balance between power and mobility.

My brush cutter product reviews take into account build quality, cutting ability, engine power, value for money, overall design, safety features, and other details. They’ll help you find the perfect pair of brush cutters for battling beastly blackberries in thorny corners.

Top 5 Brush Cutters For Blackberries

1 – Makita Four Stroke Brush Cutter

Key Features and Specs:

• Weighs 12.1lbs
• Gas-powered engine
• 9-inch star cutting blade
• Multi-position lubrication system
• Mechanical auto-engine decompression
• Fuel tank capacity 20.3 oz

Having recently used Makita’s 4-Stroke Brush Cutter to clear thick foliage around a drainage easement area, I can say there’s some impressive stuff hiding beneath this machine’s plastic exterior.

The tool’s Mechanical Automatic Engine Decompression System means it starts effortlessly every time. If you’re inexperienced with powerful brush cutters, it’s a great option because this tech reduces the incidence of misfires.

Even when constantly starting and restarting to access different parts of blackberry foliage, the engine fires up quickly and smoothly.

I pushed Makita’s multi-position lubrication technology to the max and was similarly impressed. This function enables the tool’s engine to be inclined at any angle so it can be twisted, turned, rotated and tilted to reach awkward areas.

I was skeptical at first, but I ran the engine upside down for over ten minutes and there was no change in performance.

I also liked the thumb trigger for the shut-off lever. It means a user can be holding onto blackberry branches or brushing away foliage with their hands and still shut the machine off quickly in an emergency.

The brush cutter’s steel drive shaft stays steady and vibrates only minimally when slicing through extremely dense materials. Plus, the transparent fuel tank makes it almost impossible to run out of juice at inopportune times.

Pros

• Can be used at an angle (even upside down)
• Transparent fuel tank
• Auto-Engine Decompression for quick starts
• Steel drive shaft for minimal vibrations
• Powerful 9-inch star cutting blade
• Meets EPA and CARB emissions

Cons

• Short 1-year warranty
• Oil may leak if stored incorrectly

2 – Husqvarna 128LD Detachable Gas Trimmer

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Key Features and Specs:

• Weighs 11lbs
• Gas-powered engine
• 17-inch (cutting width) trimmer head
• Fuel tank capacity 13.53 oz
• 28cc 2-cycle engine
• Tap ‘N Go line release

Husqvarna’s 128LD Detachable Gas Trimmer is a little less powerful than Makita’s 4-Stroke Brush Cutter but much lighter and easier to move around.

This makes it suitable for small-statured gardeners and those who aren’t used to operating gas-powered tools.

Though the brush cutter’s straight shaft design was awkward in tight corners, it was long enough and sturdy enough to reach over hedges and cut blackberry bushes on the other side.

I found it less fuel-efficient than the Makita and had to stop to refill the tank a couple of times. However, I was tackling thick, overgrown blackberry bushes in a big garden. The Husqvarna is designed to be relatively lightweight.

If you’ve got a small space, you shouldn’t have any problems getting the job done on one tank. It’s not going to fell a tree but, for a residential trimmer, it’s reasonably powerful.

One downside to using Husqvarna’s trimmer is it needs a user-upgrade before it can handle blackberry bushes (and other thorns) for longer than 20 minutes or so. It comes with a standard string cutter (a wire line, not a blade) and the blackberry thickets in my garden ate through this in the blink of an eye.

So, I strongly recommend you boost this trimmer with a brush cutter blade kit. This supplementary blade kit from Honoson is one of my favorites because it’s designed for heavy-duty thistle and thorn work.

On the plus side, Husqvarna’s brush cutter comes with an edger attachment for pathways and flowerbeds. This makes it a versatile tool that can go from blackberry clearing to border maintenance in minutes providing you have the right attachments to hand.

Pros

• Clear fuel tank for easy refilling
• Hands-free line release (just tap)
• Attachments add edging capabilities
• Air purge primer bulb for carburetor management
• Very long pole saw
• Strong braided wire cable drive

Cons

• Needs a blade for thick foliage
• Can’t be angled into corners

3 – Coocheer 58cc Brush Cutter

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Key Features and Specs:

• Weighs 17lbs
• Gas-powered engine
• Converts from line to blade
• Fuel tank capacity 35 oz
• 58cc 2-cycle engine
• Adjustable shoulder strap

Coocheer’s 58cc Brush Cutter is a blackberry destroying machine. It’s exceptionally powerful with a large fuel tank and a beastly cutting blade that can go for hours.

I was pleasantly surprised by this tool because I presumed it wouldn’t perform as well as some of the more mainstream brands. I was wrong. The Coocheer Brush Cutter is designed for stubborn vegetation and slices through thorns as easily as it trims grass borders.

The cutter’s air-cooling system, ergonomic adjustable U-handle and shoulder harness do a great job of adding comfort to offset its weight and bulk.

When operated correctly, with the shoulder harness, its weight gets distributed evenly across the back to enable even the slightest of landscapers to trim thickets with ease. Even when twisting and turning to reach tricky spots, the support from the harness meant I never felt fatigued.

One of the best things about Coocheer’s Brush Cutter is it comes with three different cutting options. It isn’t just a brush cutter. Users can switch between the star blade, round blade and wire line to tackle everything from blackberry bushes to hedges and borders.

It’s a major, advantage particularly when compared with something like Husqvarna’s 128LD trimmer which needs a blade before it can handle thorns.

Pros

• Includes three different cutting tools
• Slip-resistant U-handle
• Max speed of 9300r/min
• Straight shaft for narrow areas
• Spare parts (spark plug, pull rope, etc)
• Adjustable shoulder strap

Cons

• Product manual lacks detail
• Hand grips are on the wide side

4 – PowerSmart Gas String Trimmer

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Key Features and Specs:

• Weighs 19.6lbs
• Gas-powered engine
• Fuel tank capacity 16.9 oz
• 31cc 4-stroke engine
• Swap between trimmer line and 13-inch blade
• Telescoping shaft for easy storage

This PowerSmart Gas String Trimmer is even heavier than Coocheer’s Brush Cutter so you know it’s designed for heavy-duty landscaping work. The tool’s four-stroke 31cc engine isn’t quite as powerful but the heft and sharpness of its blade makes up for it.

Of the five brush cutters I tested, this one had the best construction in terms of balance and ergonomics.

It’s not as maneuverable as the Makita but everything from the adjustable auxiliary handle to the removable safety baffle felt like the ideal size and weight.

It’s just as well because this chunky blackberry cutter has a super-wide head and extra-long shaft. The telescopic pole almost looks too long, as I expected the cutting head to feel off-kilter, but it’s sturdy and doesn’t swing around as much as you’d think.

One thing I did notice is the blade picked up some minor scuffs and scratches after several uses. There’s a chance it may not be as durable as some of its competitor’s models.

PowerSmart’s Gas String Trimmer comes with a cutting blade and a line head so it can be adjusted to accommodate heavy-duty brush work.

This is an important feature for anybody who’s got variable terrain on their property. Lightweight weed eaters come with just a string cutter that isn’t strong enough to cut through thorny bushes or thick branches. With the PowerSmart, there’s a cutting head to fit every task.

Pros

• Adjustable auxiliary handle
• Removable baffle to deflect debris
• Switch between a blade and a line
• Incs. hex key, spark plug, oiler, wrench and more
• Adjustable pole to reach a variety of spaces
• Ultra-wide 13-inch cutting width

Cons

• Very heavy machine
• Cutting blade picks up scratches

5 – PROYAMA 26cc Extreme Duty Brush Cutter

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Key Features and Specs:

• Weighs 20.9 lbs
• Gas-powered engine
• Quick-release split shaft
• Fuel tank capacity 35 oz
• 26cc 2-cycle engine design
• EPA certified (low emissions)

PROYAMA’s 26cc Extreme Duty Brush Cutter is another heavy machine but it doesn’t pack anywhere near as much punch as something like the Coocheer.

It’s a great starter tool for those who haven’t used a heavy-duty brush cutter before.

The split shaft is a handy feature for transportation and storage. When you’re finished with gardening work, you can just fold the tool right in half. It’s something I appreciated after spending the afternoon working at the far edge of a large property with a lot of blackberry thickets.

There was a significant amount of vibrating when I forced the brush cutter through thick branches. Because the tool’s shaft is in two pieces, I felt the shaking in my hands more than I did with some of the other models.

While it stood up well under tough cutting conditions, I worried about losing my grip in some moments. Fortunately, the double shoulder strap prevented PROYAMA’s brush cutter from swinging to the sides and provided much-needed support while I was bending and twisting to reach awkward areas.

The model’s 2HP 2-cycle 26cc engine is just the right size for landscaping small to medium spaces.

Plus, the tool comes with a switchable cutting blade and line trimmer. It took me just over two minutes to swap between the two so, even if your terrain is highly variable, you should have no problem meeting all its challenges.

What’s more, this brush cutter is EPA certified and meets low emissions standards.

Pro

• Reduced emissions (EPA approved)
• Double shoulder strap for comfort
• Dual handlebar design
• Split shaft for easy storage
• 1-year warranty guarantee
• Easy installation and set-up

Cons

• Rumbles at low torque (bit noisy)
• Quite a heavy machine

Best Brush Cutter Blade For Blackberries

I’ve already mentioned one of my favorite blade kits from Honoson but there’s another that deserves a closer look. I tried it with a few of the blackberry brush cutters referenced in this guide and was impressed with its durability and ease of use.

I also think the shape is highly efficient. The extra-wide spaces between the blade tips leave plenty of room for thick, thorny foliage such as blackberry bushes and other dense plant matter.

It’s worth considering if you want to upgrade your string trimmer or need a replacement blade for your heavy-duty brush cutter.

AITE 12-inch 3-Tooth Heavy-Duty Steel Brush Blade

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Key Features and Specs:

• Compatible with 1″ (25.4 mm) or 20 mm arbor
• 300 mm (12-inch) diameter
• 3.0 mm thick blade
• Product includes two blades

Atie’s AT0708-1 Brush Cutter Blades are among the largest and thickest I’ve seen on the market. While they’re not suitable for every job, these blades are heavy and extremely handy when you encounter a blackberry bush that’s so dense it threatens to bend your lightweight blades in half.

Maybe you’ll never have to clear anything this tough from your garden. However, if you do commercial landscaping, I recommend keeping a beastly blade to hand for overgrown thickets and strong materials like brushwood.

Make sure the engine on your tool can handle their specifications. Go slow and steady and reserve them for those extra-exhausting jobs.

Having these blades to hand can mean the difference between a blackberry removal that lasts all afternoon and a task that’s done and dusted within an hour.

Pros

• Extremely strong heavy-duty blades
• Capable of cutting through almost anything
• Wide spaced teeth cut more branches per stroke
• Product includes two blades
• Very flexible (bend-resistant)

Cons

• Very heavy (not easy to carry/transport)
• Prone to rust in wet conditions

Will A Brush Cutter Cut Blackberries

The biggest obstacle to clearing out blackberry bushes is their prickly thorns. They don’t look like much, especially if you’re accustomed to handling dense scrub, but they can tear up bare skin with ease.

While the risks posed by thorn punctures are admittedly very slight, there is a small chance of infection if a puncture site comes into contact with soil.

Plus, blackberry bushes are not like roses. They grow in much thicker, denser clusters which are difficult to remove by hand. Anything larger than a single small shrub is going to be painful and time-consuming to clear without a tool.

Fortunately, gas-powered brush cutters are designed to cut down whole thickets in minutes.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for a brush cutter is it needs a conventional blade. There are lots of lightweight string trimmers on the market, and some of them are sturdy enough to do the job, but they need a blade.

To remove blackberry bushes efficiently, you need a heavy-duty brush cutter like the ones reviewed in this guide or an upgraded trimmer. The good news is most manufacturers combine the two.

The majority of tools reviewed here can be used for lightweight and heavy-duty cutting tasks because they come with a blade and a line head.

If you want to use one device for clearing grass and removing blackberry bushes, it has to come with a detachable blade. Standard string trimmer lines are not strong enough to cut through thick branches.

How To Cut Blackberries With A Brush Cutter

Step 1 – Put on a suitable pair of gardening gloves, preferably leather. Even though the goal is to steer well clear of blackberry thorns, it’s always a good idea to protect your hands and forearms. If possible, wear a pair of goggles as well. Getting hit in the eye with flying debris hurts. It hurts a lot.

Step 2 – Check the fuel compartment on your brush cutter to make sure you’re running at full capacity.

Step 3 – Put on the shoulder harness and adjust it until you feel comfortable and secure. You can test its tightness by dropping (with care) the brush cutter right out of your hands and checking it doesn’t hit the floor. The harness is there to distribute the machine’s weight and ensure it doesn’t go crashing to the ground if you lose your grip.

Step 4 – Grasp the brush cutter in both hands and toggle the ON switch. Position it approximately 30 to 36-inches above the floor. Begin gently sweeping the cutter from side to side making sure to focus on the outermost layer of the blackberry bush. Even if your tool is long enough to penetrate deep into the thicket, you should still clear dense foliage from the outside in.

Step 5 – Continue to sweep the brush cutter from side to side in an arc shape. This helps the blade cut more efficiently by reducing the bush’s density a little at a time, rather than forcing it to chew through very thick branches. Try to cut layer by layer so that you’re slowly thinning the plant material out.

Step 6 – If you need to return to a landscaped blackberry thicket for additional pruning, the optimum time is in the winter. This is when it’s easiest to trim back or completely remove those pesky lateral shoots. Sticking with the same arcing motion, sweep the brush cutter approximately 12 to 14-inches from the ground. Switch between horizontal and vertical movements to make sure you capture as many vines as possible.

Helpful Tips To Choose The Best Brush Cutter For Blackberries

Things to Consider When Choosing a Brush Cutter:

• If you’re inexperienced with heavy-duty landscaping tools, you need a straightforward quick start engine.
• High power, high torque and rapid acceleration are very useful but don’t prioritize strength over a cutter you can comfortably carry. Choose a sensible weight.
• Use a shoulder harness when working on extensive jobs. It will prevent injuries and reduce aches and pains caused by poor weight distribution.
• Make sure your brush cutter’s handlebars can be angled relative to its shaft to increase safety and comfort.
• If ease of storage and portability is important for you, look for a brush cutter with a foldable shaft.
• Consider investing in a brush cutter with low emissions to avoid polluting the environments you’re trying to maintain.

Final Thoughts

This guide to the best brush cutters for blackberries has covered the factors you should consider when browsing for a landscaping tool of this size and strength. Brush cutters are sizable machines capable of cutting through dense materials, so they need to be fairly weighty and robust.

However, you should only buy a brush cutter or string trimmer that you can comfortably and safely operate. Power is important but it’s just one feature of these tools. Consider safety accessories such as shoulder harnesses and baffles, as well as the length of cutting poles and the overall weight of your machine.