Husqvarna 336FR 966604702 Bike Handle Pro Brushcutter with Line/Brush and Saw Blade, 34.6 cc , Orange

BACKGROUND ON LAND SIZE, TYPE OF USE, AND PRODUCT SELECTION:This is a great product. This is my second brush cutter that I have bought since moving into my home about 4 years ago, which has about 2 acres of land to clear each year. For reference for those in similar situations, I live in Southern California, where local laws require you to clear your land every year to avoid the county randomly doing it for you and sending you a bill. After encountering estimates from companies that I can only characterize as highway robbery, I decided to find the right equipment to do it myself. At first, I went on Amazon and bought the Troy-Bilt TB42 BC 27cc 2-Cycle Gas Brushcutter, which Amazon was recommending adventure the product of choice back then, and which had great pricing of under $200. At first, not having used a brush cutter before, that thing made me very happy for various clearance jobs around the property. But it felt very heavy even with a harness l, and it was only good for the first year or so, after which the quality and efficiency of the product declined (and yes, I have it the right gas/oil mixture always and maintained it right).Anyhow, after having bought a Husqvarna 445e chainsaw, I knew I wanted to replace that brush cutter with a Husqvarna brushcutter, which would hopefully be something better that I could use to get through my two acres without too much pain. At first, I told myself that I’d be prepared to drop a bunch of money on the highest end, highest powered Husqvarna brushcutter I could find, since I wanted something I could use to clear my 2 acres for another 20 years. But then, the best one I could find on Amazon was this 336FR model, which on Husqvarna’s website appeared to be lower on their totem pole of brush cutters. I had encountered a similar limitation when buying a chain saw, because apparently Husqvarna has a large range of models within each type of product they sell, but many of them are only available overseas or by special order through a local certified distributor (which you know means that you are going to pay a jacked up price if you try to go that route).PERFORMANCE OF 336FRAnyhow, I went ahead and purchased this 336FR and I couldn’t be happier. I tossed on the three point grass blade and it simply destroyed all the brush in front of me in record time. With ease, I literally could cut the brush down to the dirt to a level of shortness that I could never have achieved with my old push lawnmower back in the day growing up in Kansas. The thing is a beast to be sure, and such a pleasure to work with. Starting it is super easy as well, because they changed the pull on this thing so that you aren’t sitting there yanking and yanking forever to get the engine going. Overall, I would estimate that I cleared about 1 acre in about 2 hours, but that was also because I wanted to be extra meticulous to get everything nice and short since I wanted to improve the visibility of any rattle snakes when my son plays outside.One thing I’d add though about the weight and how to use this thing. After reading a bunch of reviews, I separately purchased the “Husqvarna 523048201 Balance XT Trimmer Harness“ instead of using the included Balance 35 Harness. So I cannot speak to how good the included harness is, although it looks as though it’d be pretty darn good on its own. But still, based on reviews of the Balance XT Harness, I went ahead and bought that more advanced harness to use with this thing. And boy, I am not disappointed. Once you adjust that harness to fit based on the instructions, I could cruise around cutting brush with this thing all day long without complaint. One of mhmm concerns in buying this brush cutter was that it was listed at about the same weight as my original Troy-Bilt. The weight concerned me, because the Troy-Bilt always felt heavy and exhausted me early on in the process, which left me only doing clearance in small batches. However, my concerns were completely alleviated by using the XT harness, because somehow that harness distributed the weight so well that I never felt any pain or fatigue in using the 336FR. Instead, I was just on auto pilot making neat piles of brush on both sides of me as I walked an easy path.The local wildlife also was intimidated by this thing. The moment I got within 20 feet of a hidden rattlesnake, the snake would visually pop up out of the brush and start running away like a bat outta hell. Although not unduly noisy in my opinion, the sheer sound of the motor while cutting was enough to scare them off.BE AWARE - ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL ARE SOMEWHAT DEFECTIVE FOR THE INEXPERIENCEDWhen I received the 336FR, I started to install the grass blade based on the instructions of the manual. However, I found multiple problems with the manual (including the online version of it), which could confuse the inexperienced user or even the experiences user who doesn’t bother doing the extra homework to discover the correct way to install things. I am going to discuss them in this section so that anyone buying this item doesn’t possibly install things incorrectly.First off, on Page 12 of the manual, there is a diagram at the bottom left-hand part of the page, which attempts to show the order in which the grass blade, support cup, support flange, and the nut should be placed onto the output shaft. In the diagram, it incorrectly shows the support flange being placed on top of the grass blade BEFORE the support cup is installed. When I followed this diagram initially, I was very concerned because when I tightened the nut on top of the support cup, there was not much of the output shaft coming through the nut. Out of fear that this blade would fly off, I resorted to reviewing online videos on YouTube, which eventually led me to a video from Husqvarna Australia that happens to show the change from Stringer to Grass Blade, and if you watch closely, the video shows the support flange being placed on top of the support cup rather than before the support cup is installed. In the manual itself, if you look at the text preceding the visual diagram, it lists the parts in the correct order. However, the diagram conflicts with that description and the diagram is more likely to be the thing that most users will follow. Since this presents a danger to consumers, I wanted to mention it in case the diagram confuses someone else.Second, also on Page 12 of the manual, as well as on the 2nd page of the manual where it has a diagram of all the parts, the visual depiction of the drive disc (B) is very poor. For the uninitiated, it is very difficult to ascertain and distinguish the drive disc from the flange, or, even if the user can distinguish it, the fact that the locking pin will not lock up the drive disc until after the support flange is added in a later step, makes the user second guess whether the user has identified the drive disc correctly or properly installed it. This is especially true because the smooth housing on one side of the drive disc is the part that goes directly up against the grass blade, which makes one very skeptical that such a way of installing the part is correct. In other words, the drive disc naturally appears like something that would be a final part to put over a washer or something else, rather than directly up against a blade. With the poor visual depiction of that part, it makes one very uncertain about the proper installation.Third, on Page 12 of the guide on the right-hand column of the page, it has a section entitled "To install the blade guard". Unfortunately, there is no specification that it is referring to the removal of the grass blade guard and the subsequent installation of the blade guard for purposes of installing the scarlet saw blade (i.e. the small circular saw type blade). It literally is just telling you how to install the blade guard without specifying what blade you are installing it for. Since Husqvarna also calls the grass blade a "blade", this is confusing because it follows the grass blade install section and it also doesn't talk about the installation of the scarlet saw blade whatsoever. In fact, nowhere in the manual does it tell you how to install the scarlet saw blade. Maybe it assumed that you would figure that the install of the scarlet saw blade would be similar to the install of the grass blade, but for the overly cautious user, the lack of instruction makes one fear that one will incorrectly and unsafely install the scarlet saw blade.Some more experienced users may find these comments unnecessary, because those users may have a very clear knowledge and familiarity with the types of flanges, drives, shafts, etc., used on one of these things. But I grew up on a farm in rural Kansas and used all sorts of heavy machinery and tools, which didn’t necessarily lead me to familiarizing myself with the actual terms for the different components of the tools. So even with my familiarity with equipment, I naturally rely on the visual diagrams and depictions in manuals when I assemble a product. Since the diagrams are inaccurate and sub-par in this manual, I am sure that others might simply rely on the manual alone, incorrectly install the blades, and put themselves at greater risk of injury. For these reasons, while I give the actual product 5 stars across the board for its quality and excellence, I did feel compelled to list these safety concerns so that future purchasers of this brush cutter can enjoy using the product in a safe manner.I’m hopeful Husqvarna modifies the manual, but even if they do, I’m sure some already packaged products sitting in warehouses like Amazon’s will still have the current version of the manual that was included with mine.

This item arrived in non-operational condition. Amazon offers no customer support, item is nonreturnable.Seller will not respond. Husqvarna support is limited to suggestions of authorized repair facilities. Of the five suggested one no longer deals Husqvarna equipment, one services Husqvarna equipment only if purchased through them, one has no service department. One, at a distance of 45 miles, looked at the item, diagnosed a locked-up engine, and refused to work further because of difficulty he has had with Husqvarna warranties. The last was very professional, took the item and after several days concluded the engine was locked-up. They will attempt to get the item repaired using Husqvarna warranty, but warned that this will take an unknown amount of time. This facility is 48 miles away.I gave the Husqvarna 336 FR Brush 3-stars hoping someone would read the review and be forewarned about the risk of purchasing this brush cutter. It deserved 0 stars at best.Update, February 4, 2023. Still have not received a repaired item. Repair facility waiting for back-ordered part (new engine).

Speaking as a proud owner of a Husqvarna Z254 (zero turn mower, a R322T AWD articulated mower, 340 pressure washer , 2 chainsaws, 2 weed eaters, a walk behind mower and finally a backpack leaf blower, I can say I’m well versed in the operation an maintenance of the brand. To date I’ve been pleased with the products I’ve owned this far, never having to utilize a factory warranty. Until NOW.I purchased this item this last fall with intent to clean up the perimeter of my 4 acre rural property as well as a project to locate and restore rural cemeteries. Not 3 hours into my project(s), my new acquisition decided to fall well short of the Husqvarna name and reputation. The motor starts relatively easily as with all the powered equipment I own, it the shat would not turn. Being rather handy with the maintaining the brand, I disassembled the power unit to check the clutch only to find the issues was with the drive shaft and the internal guides having become fused and no loner capable of rotating to drive the cutting head. Here’s where the warranty comes in.I contacted Husqvarna customer service (now offshore) as none of the local service providers listed on their website are currently providing warranty support. The service centers cited issues getting paid by Husqvarna and replacement parts. I was then pointed to a service center 60 miles away. The service center got to my equipment quickly and verified my diagnosis indicating a manufacturing defect in assembly and parts back ordered for two months. I contacted elevated customer support on shore this time to request a replacement only to have Chris firmly deny my request citing the warranty POLICY and that there were no replacements regardless of the failure of parts or the assembly process. Chris went on to indicate there was no individual within the entire company to override the decision.So be cautious of your Husqvarna purchase if you have work to do and cannot wait a couple of months to get parts if it fails for any reason.Good luck!

So seemless and very professional. Love this company