Multi-tool systems make it easy to maintain more landscaping tools for less money. For example, a Stihl trimmer attachment for the Kombi System costs about half as much as a stand-alone trimmer. That doesn’t include the initial expense of a Kombi Powerhead, of course, but when you spread the cost of the powerhead out over two or more tool attachments, the cost-saving benefits become more and more impressive.
Multi-tool systems are also easier to store and maintain. You only have one powerhead to perform engine maintenance on, instead of working on an engine for each tool. The attachments take up less room and are easy to transport if you’re maintaining multiple properties.
Echo PAS
Echo’s multi-tool Pro-Attachment Series offers four powerheads and 17 different attachments. Not every attachment will work with each powerhead. The smallest, least expensive PAS-225 powerhead will power 12 attachments, but doesn’t work with one of the edgers or most clean-up tools. PAS-230 and PAS-266 are the most versatile powerheads since they’ll work with all the attachments except the Bed Redefiner. If you want to use the Bed Redefiner, you’ll need the PAS-280 power source, which isn’t compatible with the hedge trimmers.
The available attachments include lawn de-thatcher, two edgers, two hedge trimmers, three string-line trimmers and a brushcutter. There’s also a blower, sweep and brush attachments for yard cleanup, and a 3-foot extension if you need extra reach. For garden work, Echo offers a mini tiller/cultivator. Click here for an attachment compatibility chart so you can double-check which attachments work with which powerheads before you buy.
Stihl Kombi
Stihl’s Kombi System offers four different powerheads, which all work with the available attachments. The homeowner powerhead, KM 56 RC-E, is a low-emission engine featuring Easy2Start technology. It supplies 0.8 kW of power. The commercial powerheads offer more power: KM 90 R (0.95 kW), KM 110 R (1.05 kW) and KM 130 R (1.4 kW).
There are 16 attachments available for the Stihl Kombi System. Like the Echo system, available attachments include shaft extensions, hedge trimmers, string line trimmers, edgers, a blower, and clean-up tools. There’s also a mini-cultivator, bed redefiner and a power scythe available. Attachments twist on securely, and you can switch to a new attachment easily without needing any additional tools.
Stihl Yard Boss
The Yard Boss is a powerful cultivator with a Stihl HomeScaper Series engine. It’s a compact tool with handles that fold for easy storage and transportation, and it only weighs a little over 20 pounds. The fact that you can switch between eight different attachments only makes it more versatile and useful.
The Yard Boss comes standard with a pick-tines cultivator. You can also purchase a bolo tines cultivator, a lawn aerator, a bed edger, trimmer, lawn de-thather, and bristle brush and power sweep clean-up attachments. Like the other Stihl multi-tools, switching attachments is fast and simple.
