Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brush Cutter

We reviewed Milwaukee's Quik-Lok brush cutter attachment back in 2022, and now they are releasing their first dedicated brush-cutting tool. We’re looking at how the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brush Cutter compares to the attachment version and what else it brings to the table for landscaping Pros.

The Milwaukee brush cutter reaches full throttle in under a second thanks to its PowerState brushless motor and RedLink Plus intelligence. Not only that, but it sustains its power under load without bogging down. Maintaining its speed is crucial, especially when you’re clearing dense grasses and overgrowth.

This brush cutter keeps the same two speed settings that we saw in the Quik-Lok attachment system, at 4900 RPM and 6200 RPM, respectively. Its variable speed trigger lets you feather the speed to match your application.

During our testing here at the shop, it proved very effective at trimming both thick baihaiagrass as well as some unwanted Oak saplings growing around our crepe myrtles. The 9-inch trimming blade does have its limitations though. Milwaukee recommends limiting its use to small saplings and brush. Any larger than that may cause damage to either the blade or motor.

This tool allows you to use the 9-inch metal brush cutter blades or attach the included string trimmer head for trimming lighter brush. The string trimmer head accepts both 0.080 and 0.095-inch line diameters and gives you a cutting swath of 14 or 16 inches depending on your preference. The quick-load trimmer head also takes the hassle out of line changes. Simply feed your preferred trimmer line though the head and twist it clockwise to load the line.

The 3015-20 features a rear mounted motor that provide a balanced design for added maneuverability. As a bare tool, it weighs 12.6 pounds and 15 pounds with an 8.0Ah battery. From tip to tail it measures 72 inches long. Milwaukee includes a dual shoulder strap harness that hooks onto the tool and helps bare the weight of the tool onto your core to relieve some of the fatigue that comes with long-term use.

The shoulder strap really stood out to me for a few reasons. First, the shoulder and chest straps are fully adjustable to fit most body types and feature a large plastic buckle for added support. Second, a stiff plastic backing plate adds rigidity to the harness for a more secure fit. Last, Milwaukee's harness includes a padded hip guard for increased comfort during prolonged use.

This brush cutter retails for $399 as a bare tool. It includes the brush cutter blade and guard, string trimmer head and guard, and an adjustable shoulder harness. At the time of writing, there are no kit options available.

Milwaukee backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.

The big deal here is that the Milwaukee 3015 is a dedicated brush cutter rather than an attachment-capable system. Adding in the bike handle controls and adjustable shoulder harness goes a long way toward elevating this tool beyond a simple string trimmer. With this setup, you can take on everything from your average weekend lawn care to clearing trails through the back forty with ease.

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