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For scrubland

The best brush cutters for scrubland

Scrubland mixes tough grass, gorse, brambles and woody stems that line can't touch. You need torque and a metal blade. These are the machines we'd use to clear it.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Scrubland needs a metal blade, a bike handle and a harness. The Stihl FS 131 (1.4 kW 4-MIX, 5.8 kg) and Makita EM4351UH (43 cc, 1.5 kW, very low vibration) suit regular clearing; the Stiga BC 545 B (1.25 kW, 3T blade, double harness) comes ready; the 52 cc Einhell GC-BC 52 (1.5 kW) and Fuxtec FX-MS152 (2.95 hp) are budget workhorses; and the twin-18V Makita DUR369AZ (255 mm blade) is the quiet option for lighter scrub. Gorse and woody stems need a saw blade where the manual allows.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Stihl FS 131 semi-pro petrol brush cutter 36cc 4-MIX brambles heavy use
    Semi-pro

    STIHL · 36.3 cc · 4-MIX

    Stihl FS 131

    For tough land and heavy use: a 36.3 cc, 1.4 kW 4-MIX brush cutter with a bike handle, 5.8 kg and a 420 mm cut — Stihl's semi-pro petrol benchmark.

    8.7/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Stiga BC 545 B 42cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter 3-tooth blade double harness
    Complete 42cc

    STIGA · 42.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Stiga BC 545 B

    A strong 42.7 cc petrol brush cutter supplied complete with a 3-tooth blade, Tap&Go head and double harness — ready for tough, regular clearing.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Makita EM4351UH 43cc 4-stroke MM4 professional petrol brush cutter bike handle
    Pro 4-stroke

    MAKITA · 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4

    Makita EM4351UH

    A professional 43 cc MM4 four-stroke petrol brush cutter, 1.5 kW, with handle vibration of 2.1–2.2 m/s² — mix-free power for long working days.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter with 3-tooth blade
    Big value 52cc

    EINHELL · 51.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS

    A powerful 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW petrol brush cutter with a split shaft, 3-tooth blade, twin-line head and carrying strap included — a lot of clearing power for the money.

    7.8/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Fuxtec FX-MS152 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter 3-tooth steel blade harness
    Value 52cc

    FUXTEC · 52 cc · 2-stroke

    Fuxtec FX-MS152

    A 52 cc, 2.95 hp petrol brush cutter with a metal blade, line head and padded strap included — huge cutting capability for tough, overgrown land.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Makita DUR369AZ 36V LXT brushless cordless brush cutter bike handle 43cm cut
    Pro cordless

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR369AZ

    A professional twin-18V brushless brush cutter with a bike handle, 430 mm nylon cut and a 255 mm metal blade in the box — sold bare for LXT owners.

    8.6/10
    Read the review

Tough, mixed and woody

Scrubland mixes coarse grass, gorse, bramble and young woody stems, often on rough ground with hidden stones. It’s long, physical work, so you need torque, a metal blade, a bike handle and a harness.

Our picks

  • Stihl FS 131 — semi-pro 36.3 cc 4-MIX, 1.4 kW; 5.8 kg without guard or tool.
  • Stiga BC 545 B — 42.7 cc, 1.25 kW, 45 cm cut, 3T blade and double harness.
  • Makita EM4351UH — 43 cc MM4, 1.5 kW, universal guard and 2.1–2.2 m/s² vibration.
  • Einhell GC-BC 52 — 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW, 25.5 cm 3-tooth blade, split shaft; 8.5 kg.
  • Fuxtec FX-MS152 — 52 cc, 2.95 hp, metal brush blade and padded strap.
  • Makita DUR369AZ — twin-18V brushless, 255 mm blade, 430 mm line; for lighter scrub near homes.

Clearing gorse

Gorse is dense and prickly. Cut it in sections from the outside, taking the top growth first, and wear thick gloves and a visor. Gorse is often important for nesting birds — avoid the nesting season and leave some stands. Heavy, old gorse may need a saw blade or a clearing saw.

Safety

Wear a forestry helmet with visor and ear defenders, cut-resistant trousers and boots, and keep people at least 15 m away. Walk the ground first for stones and wire. See safety gear, brambles and dense undergrowth.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Stihl FS 131 Petrol 36.3 cc · 4-MIX 5.8 kg (without guard and cutting tool) 8.7 / 10
Stiga BC 545 B Petrol 42.7 cc · 2-stroke — 8 / 10
Makita EM4351UH Petrol 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4 8.5–8.6 kg (retailers) 8.4 / 10
Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS Petrol 51.7 cc · 2-stroke 8.5 kg (listing) 7.8 / 10
Fuxtec FX-MS152 Petrol 52 cc · 2-stroke — 8 / 10
Makita DUR369AZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 5.9–6.3 kg (retailers) 8.6 / 10

Weights are as stated by the maker, UK retailers or Amazon, so some include a battery or cutting gear and others don't — see each review for details.

Compare our picks head to head

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a metal blade for scrubland?

Yes. Gorse, brambles and young woody stems shred line. Fit a 3- or 4-tooth blade for brambles and mixed scrub, and a saw blade for woody stems, as your manual allows.

Is a 25–30 cc machine enough?

For light scrub cut regularly, perhaps. For thick gorse and established woody growth, choose about 1.2 kW or more — the Stiga BC 545 B, Stihl FS 131 or a 52 cc machine.

2-stroke or 4-stroke for scrub?

Either, with the right blade. Four-strokes like the Makita EM4351UH avoid fuel mixing; the 4-MIX Stihl FS 131 is the lightest for its power.