LeeAnne wrote:

Have any of you out there had to clear a large area of smallish brush?* I
don't want to dish 1K++ on a big @ss piece of power equipment ... I'm
looking for more of a gas powered trimmer/brush cutter that's a few hundred
bucks.* I know you get what you pay for and I'm not looking at the $150
Sears model.

The trimmer part doesn't even have to be an option as I have a trimmer - but
unfortunately it doesn't accept a trimmer attachment.* Rather have gas than
2 stroke and would like something that's not going to crap out on me after a
good amount of usage.* I'm going to need a shoulder strap system and prefer
a straight shaft rather than curved (I don't want that blade anywhere near
me).

I know Husqvarna is a great name, also Toro, but I'm looking for real world
experiences here.

Opinions, recommendations (for or against)

Thanks in advance
LeeAnne

Try renting one or more from your local rental center and try them.
If you only need to do heavy de-brushing twice a year then rental is
all you'll need.** Plus, the advantage of not having one more piece
of seldom used equipment hanging around.
I borrow a friend's DR Brush Cutter in exchange for his use of my
Patriot chipper.**** That one works fine on some pretty heavy
shrub and scrub.
*