String Trimmer to Brush Cutter Conversion Kit

Features

  • Converts a string trimmer into a brush cutter for heavier cutting tasks
  • Compatible with models DCST980 and DCST981

Specifications

Manufacturer Part Number DWZST981
Sku 1069523
Compatible Models DCST980, DCST981
Price $69.99
Stock Status In stock

A conversion kit that adapts a compatible string trimmer so it can be used as a brush cutter for heavier vegetation. Intended for use with the listed compatible string trimmer models.

Model Number: DWZST981

DeWalt String Trimmer to Brush Cutter Conversion Kit Review

3.6 out of 5

I spent a few weekends turning shoulder-high tangle into manageable ground cover using DeWalt’s brush-cutter conversion kit on a DCST981 trimmer. It’s a simple idea: swap the string head for a metal blade, add a guard and a J-handle, and your trimmer becomes a brush cutter. In practice, this kit is a capable upgrade with some quirks you’ll want to know about before you bank on it for heavy reclaiming work.

Setup and compatibility

This is a purpose-built kit for DeWalt’s DCST980 and DCST981 trimmers. If you don’t own one of those, stop here—this won’t fit. If you do, installation is straightforward:

  • Remove the line head and grass guard.
  • Install the brush guard with its forward-pointed “feed” tip.
  • Mount the four-tooth blade with the included hardware.
  • Bolt on the J-handle and clip on the shoulder strap.

It took me about 10 minutes with the supplied hardware and a hand wrench. The guard and blade interface cleanly with the gear head; alignment is foolproof if you follow the manual’s orientation. The handle placement is worth a couple extra minutes of trial and error—getting it right makes a big difference in control and posture.

A note on the strap and handle: both work, but they’re basic. The strap is a thin single-point sling with minimal padding and limited adjustment range. It’ll do in a pinch, but a padded double-shoulder brush-cutter harness transforms comfort on longer sessions. The J-handle has broad “wings” that give good leverage but can feel wide when you’re threading between saplings; repositioning it closer to the trigger handle helped me.

Cutting performance

With the conversion kit installed, the trimmer’s character changes from finesse to force. I used it on a mix of tall grass, blackberry and greenbrier, privet, and volunteer hardwood saplings. Here’s how it behaved:

  • Grass and weeds: It eats through tall grass and thick weeds far faster than string, especially when the grass is wet or fibrous. The blade doesn’t bog the way string can.
  • Vines and brambles: Excellent. The toothed blade bites and doesn’t wrap vines around the head. I was able to sweep through blackberry canes with one controlled pass.
  • Woody brush: Up to about 3/4 inch hardwood and 1 inch softwood, it’s confident and clean. Past that, it can do the job with patience, but it’s not a saw. On 1-inch-plus hardwood, you’ll sometimes see a scorch or rub mark as the blade body drags after the cut starts. That’s a sign you’re forcing it—ease off and let the leading edge do the work.
  • Over-ambitious cuts: Two-inch green pine will go with a steady feed and full RPM, but you’re at the edge of the system’s comfort zone. It’ll stall if you lean in, and it’s tough on edges.

The trick is to use the left side of the guard tip as a stop and pivot, feeding the work into the blade’s lower-right quadrant as it rotates toward the guard. That keeps kickback in check, stabilizes the cut, and prevents the blade from biting too deep. Keep the revs high and make shallow, sweeping cuts for thicker stems rather than trying to chop straight through.

Ergonomics and balance

Because this is a conversion, the shaft length and weight distribution come from the trimmer. For my height (5'11"), I could get a comfortable wrist angle by adjusting the J-handle lower and wearing the strap tight enough to hold the head at waist level. Taller users may find themselves a bit hunched over in brush-cutter mode; a better harness helps, as does raising the handle slightly to flatten the cutting arc.

The guard’s pointed nose is functional—it’s not just a bumper. Use it as a pacing tool. Pressing it gently against the left side of a sapling gives you a reference so the blade doesn’t surge through and grab. It also keeps chips from riding up the shaft toward you.

Fatigue-wise, the blade adds a little rotating mass but it’s not dramatically heavier than a large string head. Vibration is modest; the blade runs truer than some budget brush heads I’ve used. After an hour in mixed brush, my hands weren’t buzzing, but my shoulders appreciated a break. That’s where a padded harness pays off.

About the blade

Out of the box, the four-tooth blade isn’t razor sharp—and it shouldn’t be. Brush blades are designed to strike and chip, not slice like a table saw. A keen edge will cut a bit cleaner in fibrous vines, but over-sharpening makes the edge fragile and can throw off balance. I gave each tooth a couple of light strokes with a file to freshen the bevel and remove a manufacturing burr; the bite on blackberry improved without introducing chatter.

Plan on touching up the blade after each session if you’re working rocky soil; glancing blows on stones dull the leading edge quickly. The steel holds up, and because it’s a symmetric four-tooth design, keeping it balanced is straightforward—equal strokes on each tooth, same angle. If you ever feel increased vibration, stop and check for bends, missing chunks, or packed debris behind the blade.

Battery draw and pace

Your runtime will depend entirely on the battery and what you’re cutting. Dense brush at full throttle drains packs faster than trimming grass at partial trigger. In practical terms, I found myself swapping batteries about as often as I would when heavy edging with thick line. High-capacity packs stretch the work window, and the efficiency gain versus string in brush is real—you can clear more per charge because you’re not re-spooling or babysitting feed.

Safety and technique

Switching from string to steel ups the stakes. A few reminders that mattered in the field:

  • Wear eye and face protection, sturdy boots, and long pants. Wood chips and small stones fly farther with a blade.
  • Keep both hands on the tool and the guard pointed forward. If the blade nicks wire or a stake, it can kick.
  • Don’t freehand above ankle height around your feet. Clear in a controlled sweep; never swing upward.
  • Let the blade do the work. If you hear the motor lug or see smoke on a cut, back off and make multiple passes.
  • Retorque the blade nut after the first hour of use and check it each day thereafter.

Value and who it’s for

At $69.99, the conversion kit is an affordable way to extend a DCST980/DCST981 beyond lawn care. If you already own the compatible trimmer, the math is easy. You get:

  • A metal guard with a proper feed tip
  • A four-tooth brush blade
  • A J-handle
  • A basic sling
  • The mounting hardware to tie it all together

There’s nothing exotic here, and that’s the point—it’s a solid, purpose-made path into brush cutting without buying a dedicated unit. If you don’t own one of the compatible trimmers, however, you should weigh the cost of a full brush-cutter package or a trimmer that accepts a true saw blade for frequent sapling work.

My only gripes are ergonomic and accessory-related: the strap is too minimalist for longer sessions, and the wide J-handle wings won’t suit everyone. Neither is a deal-breaker, and both are easy to fix with aftermarket options.

Pros

  • Quick conversion from string to brush capability
  • Effective on vines, brambles, and saplings up to about an inch
  • Guard design helps pace cuts and control feed
  • Blade runs smoothly and is easy to maintain
  • Good value if you already own a compatible trimmer

Cons

  • Basic strap; upgrade recommended for comfort
  • J-handle shape can feel bulky in tight brush
  • Not ideal for frequent cuts over 1 inch; it’s a brush blade, not a saw
  • Fixed shaft length means taller users may fight posture

Recommendation

I recommend this conversion kit for owners of the DCST980 or DCST981 who need to clear vines, brambles, heavy weeds, and occasional saplings without buying a dedicated brush cutter. It installs quickly, cuts convincingly within its lane, and offers a lot of capability for the price. If your property maintenance regularly involves thick hardwood stems or you’re particularly tall and sensitive to tool length, you may be better served by a purpose-built brush cutter with a longer shaft, a padded dual-shoulder harness, and the option to run a true circular saw blade. For everyone else, this kit is a practical, effective upgrade that turns a lawn trimmer into a capable brush tool with minimal fuss.



Project Ideas

Business

Curb Appeal Brush-Down

Offer a flat-rate pre-listing yard refresh for realtors and sellers: cut back overgrowth along walkways, beds, and fences in half-day or full-day packages. Upsell debris haul-away and mulch installation. Emphasize quick before/after transformations.


Fence Line & Right-of-Way Maintenance

Provide recurring brush control for farms, HOAs, storage facilities, and utility easements. Price per linear foot with seasonal contracts, focusing on fence lines, sign visibility, and access paths. The conversion kit handles woody stems that string trimmers can’t.


Invasive Species Knockback

Specialize in cutting and managing invasives like blackberry, buckthorn, and kudzu. Offer eco-forward plans: mechanical removal, cut-and-cover, and scheduled follow-ups. Partner with native plant installers to provide full restoration packages.


Trail & Lot Prep Service

Target recreational property owners, campgrounds, short-term rentals, and hunting leases. Clear brush for new footpaths, campsite pads, and shooting lanes, then maintain them seasonally. Bundle services with mapping and simple signage installation.


Before/After Content + Affiliate

Build a microbrand on YouTube/TikTok around overgrowth transformations and tool tips. Post conversion demos for compatible trimmers (DCST980/981), link the kit via affiliate programs, and sell local brush-clearing gigs sourced from your audience.

Creative

Secret Garden Trail

Use the brush cutter kit to carve a meandering footpath through overgrown corners of your yard. Edge the trail with straight saplings and branch cutoffs, add stepping stones or mulch, and create small clearings for birdbaths or planters. The heavier cutting capability lets you open space without damaging desirable shrubs.


Backyard Meadow Makeover

Selectively brush-cut woody weeds and thick grass to prepare a native wildflower meadow area. Use the cleared brush to build simple insect hotels and habitat piles, then overseed with native species. The kit helps knock back tough stalks so seedlings get light and space.


Kids’ Adventure Loop

Clear a mini trail or balance-bike loop by cutting back brambles and saplings. Define turns and berms with bundled brush, add log step-overs, and create a playful, safe route that weaves around trees. Refresh seasonally as growth returns.


Rustic Reading Nook

Open a tucked-away alcove in a thicket to make a quiet outdoor reading spot. After clearing, craft a simple bench from straight cut saplings, hang a shade sail between trees, and line the ground with wood chips for a tidy, cozy feel.


Wattle Fence or Compost Corral

Harvest flexible brush while clearing and weave it into a low wattle fence, garden edging, or a circular compost corral. The brush cutter makes uniform lengths from thicker stems, giving you sturdy, rustic panels with almost no purchased lumber.