I need a weed eater/string trimmer that I can put a brush cutting blade on. Not looking to cut any small trees but more big tough weeds and the occasional briars and brush.

I'd like something battery powered. I have some of the 18V Ryobi tools and the 40V(?) dewalt batteries.

Thoughts?

I'd like to hear folks thoughts on this as well.

I'm considering something a little bit different than a string trimmer with a brush blade. Currently I've been toying with the idea of taking the EGO HT2411 56 volt hedge trimmer (1" capacity cut), some 1/2" EMT electrical conduit, a conduit bender, a few nuts and bolts and a remote switch, and making myself a nifty little ditch cutter for johnsongrass and the like.

If it works, I'll post back. If you never hear another thing on it, either (i) it was a miserable failure, (ii) I got lazy or (iii) I sprayed everything with RM43 and let it die until next year.

When I was a kid we had a TroyBilt sickle bar mower, that's exactly what I need right now (thanks a lot government safety regulations!). Your approach reminded me of that.

I have a ryobi 40v with a brush cutter blade that works really well for thick material Johnson grass etc.