Set up first
- Fit the harness and adjust it so the machine hangs balanced at a comfortable height, with the head just off the ground.
- Choose the right head — line for grass, a metal blade for brambles and scrub. See our blade and line guides.
- Put on protection — eyes, ears, gloves, boots and long trousers. See our safety gear guide.
The correct cutting technique
Hold the machine with both hands and keep the head parallel to the ground. Sweep from right to left, cutting with the left side of the head — this throws debris away from you and drops cut material into the area you've cleared. Move forward in a steady arc, letting the cutter do the work rather than forcing it.
Long grass and brambles
- Long grass: cut in layers — skim the top, then lower the head in passes. This avoids wrapping and stalling.
- Brambles and scrub: fit a metal blade, keep engine revs up, and cut with controlled sweeps. Don't plunge the blade in — let the edge slice through.
- Near obstacles: slow down and use the line tip, keeping clear of stones and wire that damage the head or cause kickback.
Finishing up
Let the engine idle before switching off, and let a cordless machine stop fully before setting it down. Clean grass off the guard and head, and check the line or blade for the next session. See our maintenance guide.
Working on slopes and rough ground
On a slope, cut across it, never up and down, with the head on the downhill side and your weight on the uphill foot. On rough ground, use line rather than a blade until you can see the ground, and walk the area first for stones, wire and glass. See the best brush cutters for slopes.
Edging and trimming around obstacles
For lawn edges, tilt the head vertical or use the edging mode many trimmers have, and walk slowly with the line just touching the edge. Around trees, posts and fences, slow down and cut with the very tip of the line — it does the cutting and is less likely to damage bark or the line itself. Never use a blade close to walls, kerbs or tree trunks.
Pace yourself
Brush cutting is physical work. Take short breaks every 20–30 minutes, switch your stance, and keep sessions short in hot weather. Petrol machines vibrate: low-vibration machines and padded gloves help, and you should know the declared vibration of your machine — see vibration and HAVS. Wear ear defenders with petrol machines; sound power of 110–115 dB(A) is typical, as declared for the Honda UMK 425 and Husqvarna 129R.
Line or blade: switching safely
Stop the engine (or remove the battery) before changing the cutting tool. Use the spindle lock and the tools supplied, fit the guard specified for that tool, and tighten the nut in the direction shown in the manual — on many machines the thread is left-handed. See line vs blade.