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Easy start

The best brush cutters with easy starting

Cold pulls that won't fire are the top reason people give up on petrol. These machines use spring-assisted starting, decompression or automatic chokes to make it easier.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Easy-start petrol brush cutters include Stihl's FS 70 C-E and FS 55 C-E with spring-assisted ErgoStart, the Stihl FS 131 with Easy Start and automatic decompression, Husqvarna's 128R and 122C with Smart Start and a fuel pump or purge bulb, and the Einhell GC-BC 52 with automatic choke and electronic ignition. For no pull at all, a cordless machine such as the Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V (4.1 kg with battery, 23 cm blade) starts at the trigger.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Stihl FS 70 C-E petrol brush cutter with ErgoStart and bike handle
    All-rounder

    STIHL · 27.2 cc · ErgoStart

    Stihl FS 70 C-E

    20% more power than the FS 55 (0.9 kW vs 0.75 kW), effortless ErgoStart and an AutoCut 25-2 head — the best Stihl compromise for homeowners.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Husqvarna 128R 28cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter Smart Start bike handle harness
    Entry petrol

    HUSQVARNA · 28 cc · 2-stroke

    Husqvarna 128R

    Husqvarna's 28 cc petrol brush cutter with Smart Start, a bullhorn handle, double harness, trimmer head and grass blade — for grass and light growth.

    7.9/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    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
  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
    Husqvarna 122C 21.7cc 2-stroke petrol curved-shaft grass trimmer with loop handle
    Light Husqvarna

    HUSQVARNA · 21.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Husqvarna 122C

    A light, easy-handling petrol curved-shaft trimmer for grass and light growth — quick to start but line-only, so it's not built for brush or brambles.

    7.8/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V cordless brush cutter lightweight line and blade
    Entry 36V

    BOSCH · 36V Power For All

    Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V

    A brushless 36V cordless brush cutter with a line head and a laser-cut metal blade in the box — 4.1 kg with battery, sold bare or as a kit.

    8.3/10
    Read the review

Why easy starting matters

A machine that’s hard to start is a machine you won’t use. Spring-assisted pulls, decompression valves, automatic chokes and primer pumps all reduce the effort and the number of pulls — especially after the machine has stood for a while.

Our picks

  • Stihl FS 70 C-E — 0.9 kW, ErgoStart spring-assisted pull, bike handle.
  • Husqvarna 128R — 28 cc, Smart Start and a fuel pump to prime the carburettor; grass blade and double harness.
  • Stihl FS 131 — 1.4 kW 4-MIX with Easy Start and automatic decompression, which matters on a bigger engine.
  • Einhell GC-BC 52 — 51.7 cc with an automatic choke and electronic ignition.
  • Husqvarna 122C — 21.7 cc trimmer with Smart Start and an air purge bulb; 4.4 kg.
  • Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V — no pull at all: cordless brushless with a 23 cm metal blade.

Start first time

  1. Use fresh fuel mixed at the manual’s ratio; stale fuel is the main cause of hard starting (fuel ratio chart).
  2. Follow the sequence: primer, choke, pull, then choke off as it fires.
  3. Don’t flood it: if it won’t fire after several pulls on choke, open the choke and try again.
  4. Store it right: run the tank dry or use alkylate fuel before long storage.

Step-by-step: how to start a brush cutter. Troubleshooting: brush cutter runs only on choke.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Stihl FS 70 C-E Petrol 27.2 cc · ErgoStart 5.4 kg (without fuel and cutting tool) 8.4 / 10
Husqvarna 128R Petrol 28 cc · 2-stroke 5.8 kg excl. cutting equipment 7.9 / 10
Stihl FS 131 Petrol 36.3 cc · 4-MIX 5.8 kg (without guard and cutting tool) 8.7 / 10
Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS Petrol 51.7 cc · 2-stroke 8.5 kg (listing) 7.8 / 10
Husqvarna 122C Petrol 21.7 cc · 2-stroke 4.4 kg excl. cutting equipment 7.8 / 10
Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V Cordless 36V Power For All 3.4 kg bare, 4.1 kg with battery (Bosch) 8.3 / 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

Why are petrol brush cutters hard to start?

Usually stale fuel, the wrong choke sequence or a flooded engine — and stiff compression on bigger engines. Fresh fuel and the manual's starting sequence solve most problems; easy-start systems make the pull lighter.

Are ErgoStart and Smart Start the same?

They're each brand's own system. Stihl's ErgoStart uses a spring to make the pull smoother; Husqvarna's Smart Start reduces pull resistance and is paired with a fuel pump or air purge bulb. Stihl's Easy Start on the FS 131 adds automatic decompression.

What's the easiest of all?

A cordless machine: no pull cord, no choke, no fuel. The Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V even takes a metal blade.