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The best brush cutters for vineyards

Vineyard rows reward control over raw power: a manoeuvrable, precise machine that won't nick a vine trunk. These six are ranked with that specific job in mind.

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What matters for vineyard work

Vineyard rows are narrow, repetitive and full of things you can’t afford to damage — vine trunks, drip irrigation, posts and wires. The job calls for a manoeuvrable, precise machine you can start, stop and reposition constantly without tiring, rather than one built for raw brute force. A light head and good balance make it easier to work close to a trunk without a slip, and instant-on cordless machines suit the stop-start rhythm of moving row to row. Where you do need bite for mid-row weeds or brambles between vines, a machine that can also take a blade adds useful flexibility.

Our picks

The Makita DUR368LZ is one of the lightest pro-grade cordless machines around at roughly 3.9 kg, which makes it easy to work precisely along a row without arm fatigue building up over a long session — ideal for careful trimming near trunks.

The Stihl FS 70 C-E brings genuine versatility: it ships with both a line head and an 8-tooth blade, so you can run line close to the vines and switch to the blade for tougher mid-row growth, all with Stihl’s easy ErgoStart.

The Einhell Agillo 36/255 is the value cordless option for anyone already on Power X-Change — a brushless 36V motor and metal blade give it real capability for mid-row scrub at roughly half the price of the premium brands.

The Husqvarna 128R is a comfortable, easy-starting petrol machine with a bike handle and harness included, a sensible choice for smallholdings and vineyards where the growth stays mostly grass and light weeds between vines.

The Ryobi RBC36X26B pairs a hardened TriArc steel blade with a generous 4 Ah battery, giving cordless users enough bite for tougher mid-row brambles without giving up the quiet, instant-on convenience that suits stop-start row work.

The Makita DUR190LZX3 is a rare 18V machine that still accepts a metal blade, making it a light, single-battery option for smaller plots or quick top-ups between rows where you occasionally need more than a line head can offer.

Which should you choose?

For careful, precise work right up against vine trunks, the ultra-light Makita DUR368LZ is hard to beat. If you want one machine that handles both delicate row work and tougher mid-row growth, the Stihl FS 70 C-E’s included blade makes it the most versatile all-rounder. Budget-conscious Power X-Change owners should look at the Einhell Agillo, while those wanting real cutting power on a battery should consider the Ryobi RBC36X26B. For a smaller vineyard or occasional top-up work, the Husqvarna 128R or the compact Makita DUR190LZX3 keep things light and simple.

Frequently asked questions

Line or blade for working between vine rows?

Line is usually safer close to trunks and irrigation lines, since it flicks off contact rather than biting in. Save a blade for the mid-row growth away from the vines themselves, where a nick matters far less.

Is cordless or petrol better for vineyard work?

Cordless suits smaller plots and frequent starts and stops along rows — no fuel mixing, instant on-off. For long days across larger vineyards, petrol's continuous runtime still has the edge.

How much weight matters when working rows all day?

A great deal. Vineyard work means constant start-stop, turning and repositioning between vines, so a lighter, well-balanced machine reduces fatigue far more than it would on open, uniform ground.

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