Mitox 43U Select Cow-Horn Brushcutter

Yes. 43U-A is Mitox’s model code for the 43U Select, and some suppliers list it under that name. It’s the same machine, with the same specification and warranty.

A strimmer, or grass trimmer, cuts with nylon line and is made for trimming grass along edges and around obstacles. A brush cutter is a heavier machine with a gearbox at the head, built to take a metal blade as well as line, so it can deal with thick grass, nettles, brambles and scrub. The 43U is a brush cutter that comes with both, so it does a strimmer’s job too. If you only ever trim the edge of a lawn, a lighter petrol or cordless strimmer will be easier to live with, and we’re happy to point you to one.

Yes, that’s what the 3-tooth metal blade is for. Fit the blade for brambles, nettles, rushes and coarse growth, and take long bramble canes down in sections from the top rather than forcing the head into the base of a thick clump. The blade isn’t designed for woody saplings or branches, though. For those you’ll need a pruning saw, or a professional clearing saw, and we can advise on both.

The 43U comes with an auto bump-feed nylon line head, a 255 mm heavy-duty 3-tooth metal blade and an adjustable twin shoulder strap harness. You’ll need to add a two-stroke fuel mix, and we’d always recommend proper safety gear before you start.

Cow-horn handles, sometimes called bike handles, let you hold the machine with both hands out to the sides and sweep the cutting head in a wide, steady arc. That’s the most efficient and least tiring way to clear a large area of long grass or brush, which is what a brush cutter is for. A loop handle is better for precise trimming around flower beds and obstacles. If most of your work is clearing rather than edging, cow-horn handles are the right choice.

A 40:1 mix of unleaded petrol and two-stroke oil, which works out at 25 ml of oil per litre of petrol. Use a good-quality two-stroke oil, mix it in a proper fuel can rather than in the machine’s tank, and only mix as much as you’ll use in a few weeks. Old two-stroke mix is the most common reason a strimmer or brush cutter won’t start. Ready-mixed two-stroke alkylate fuel, such as Aspen 2, is a cleaner alternative that stores far better. Ask us and we’ll confirm the right fuel and oil for your machine.

Set the choke to the cold-start position and give it steady pulls on the SmartPull recoil, which takes much of the effort out of starting. Once it fires, pulling the throttle returns the choke automatically. When the engine is already warm, use the hot-start position instead. The owner’s manual has the full sequence, and our team will happily show you when you collect it.

It weighs 8.2 kg, and the twin shoulder harness spreads that weight across both shoulders rather than hanging it from one. The soft grip controls with padded inserts reduce the vibration reaching your hands. Even so, take regular breaks on long jobs. Brush cutting is physical work, and a short rest every so often keeps you in control of the machine.

At 113 dB(A), ear defenders are essential, and you’ll need eye and face protection, as a brush cutter throws stones and debris. Add sturdy boots with good grip, gloves and long trousers, and keep people and animals well clear while you work: the owner’s manual sets out the safe distance. We stock PPE in store, so we can kit you out at the same time.

The auto bump-feed head lets out more line when you tap it on the ground with the engine running, so you only need to replace the line when the spool runs empty. It takes 2.4 mm strimmer line, sometimes called strimmer wire or cord. Re-wind the spool as shown in the owner’s manual, or bring the head in and we’ll re-load it for you. We stock replacement line in store.

You can, but be aware that the 3 year warranty applies to domestic use, and commercial use is covered for 90 days. The 43U is a well-priced machine for homeowners, smallholders and occasional heavy work. If you’re cutting every day for a living, a professional brush cutter will be a better long-term investment, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation either way.

Keep the air filter clean, check the spark plug, keep the blade sharp and clear any grass wrapped around the head. The gearbox at the cutting head needs greasing from time to time, as set out in the manual. Before storing it for winter, drain the fuel or run the tank dry, so stale fuel doesn’t gum up the carburettor. An annual service in our workshop catches problems before the season starts, and we can sharpen or replace the blade while it’s in.

Yes. Call in to our Stratford-upon-Avon showroom and try it with the harness on to get a feel for the weight and balance. Give us a ring before you travel to check it’s on display.