Those with larger gardens will know that keeping everything looking spick and span can sometimes feel like a full time job, especially when using conventional garden tools. The temptation under such circumstances is perhaps to hire a contractor to do the work for you, but this is often expensive and deprives you of the satisfaction that a day’s work in the garden provides. Thankfully, Efco’s ‘Tough-Tech’ machinery has been developed specifically for home users who need machines tough enough to tackle demanding workloads. The DS 3500 S, for example, is a powerful petrol brushcutter which delivers professional quality results without ever falling short on operator convenience.

Supplied as standard with both an effective dual nylon line trimmer head and a tough metal brushcutter blade, the versatility of the DS 3500 S is certainly a virtue when working in a large garden with a variety of cutting conditions. The trimmer head, on the one hand, is ideal for edging lawn borders and trimming grass in areas inaccessible to a lawnmower, such as under bushes and around ornaments. The brushcutter blade, on the other hand, provides a quick and efficient method for clearing patches of dense undergrowth, weeds and rough grass. Switching between these cutting options is made quicker and simpler by the new design of the DS 3500 S’s bevel gear, while both options also benefit from the inclusion of a protective plastic blade guard which deflects clippings, stones, soil and any other debris accidentally thrown up during use.

For added convenience, the trimmer head also incorporates a couple of handy design features. A practical semi-automatic ‘Tap & Go’ line feed system, for example, provides effortless line advancement via a simple tap of the cutting head against the ground to save valuable time and effort. Similarly, Efco’s ‘Load & Go’ technology offers excellent convenience, especially for less experienced users, by allowing you to reload the cutting line in a matter of seconds without having to dismantle the trimmer head. This, in conjunction with the DS 3500 S’s ergonomically designed high-grip loop handle, helps to ensure magnificent ease of operation at all times.

Power, meanwhile, is supplied via an eco-friendly 36.3cc two-stroke petrol engine. As well as providing reliably smooth running power, the clever ‘Burn Right’ technology used in the design of this engine improves the combustion process, thus increasing fuel efficiency and reducing particle emissions. This allows you to enjoy lower running costs and high performance levels with fewer stops for refuelling, while also reducing service requirements by preventing the accumulation of carbon deposits caused by unburned gas. Moreover, as the engine is also protected by an efficient air filter and tough but lightweight aluminium casing, the DS 3500 S is reassuringly robust, capable of offering many years of reliable performance even when faced with the most demanding garden maintenance tasks.