Stihl dealer told me this...

[Mowbizz]

I was inquiring about a de-thatching attachment for my Kombi system. Stihl makes one for their "Yard Boss" machine but not for the Kombi...
Anyway the dealer, over the phone, says that lots of LCO's use their bristle brush (Kombi attachment) for dethatching. I said hmmmm...ok, I have one of those...guess I'll try it out (on my lawn) and see how it works...
Anyone ever use the brush/sweeper for a dethatching tool???

[RedSox4Life]

I'm pretty sure if you look in the stihl catalog at the bristle brush it says specifically "DO NOT USE ON GRASS".

I'm not saying whether it'll work or not, just letting you know.....

[Mowbizz]

I'm pretty sure if you look in the stihl catalog at the bristle brush it says specifically "DO NOT USE ON GRASS".

I'm not saying whether it'll work or not, just letting you know.....

LOL...like I said, this was a Stihl DEALER telling me this...I'll try it on my own lawn and see what happens. I'm trying to work a deal on a used JRCO 36" that I'll try and retrofit to my Quick 36.

[Runner]

Please get with your Stihl dealer and have him show us the dethatching attachment that goes on the end of the Yard Boss. If it goes on there, it will go on the end of some of the larger power units, as well. I researched this (for a friend that wanted one for his Stihl units), and found that they are not available. Echo is the the only one that have them available.
If one is available, he would certainly be interested. He just wanted it to do trim work for his JRCO rakes. He has one of my walk behind EZ Rakes right now, and I explained to him that he could pretty much use one of his paddle sweepers to do the same thing (as far as just a bit of trimming goes). I also told him that as far as trimming goes, his crews could also use rakes every now and then - for what it's worth.

[Mowbizz]

Please get with your Stihl dealer and have him show us the dethatching attachment that goes on the end of the Yard Boss. If it goes on there, it will go on the end of some of the larger power units, as well. I researched this (for a friend that wanted one for his Stihl units), and found that they are not available. Echo is the the only one that have them available.
If one is available, he would certainly be interested. He just wanted it to do trim work for his JRCO rakes. He has one of my walk behind EZ Rakes right now, and I explained to him that he could pretty much use one of his paddle sweepers to do the same thing (as far as just a bit of trimming goes). I also told him that as far as trimming goes, his crews could also use rakes every now and then - for what it's worth.

The Yard Boss is a different tool than the Kombi System...there's a differential with shafts that the dethatcher "wheels" slide onto...The guy said these dethatcher wheels do not fit the Kombi unit...I don't know why they don't offer one for the Kombi system...

[Runner]

Nope...not the combi system, but the regular attachments. For instance, I have a power head (FC95, I believe). I got it when I purchased my stick edger, and at the same time, I also purchased the rubber powersweep attachment. It was either that, or vice-versa...I know there was a bit of a price difference when I bought one or the other. Anyway, this is a regular power unit that is available with a particular model of trimmer, as well. All these end attachments are interchangeable among this model series of power units. Now, with the combi-system, they are completely different. Now, with the Yardboss,...all the attachments from the trimmers (like the edger and paddle powersweep attachment) will go right on there. I thought about purchasing the Yardboss just for the main purpose of using it for the powersweep for doing ditches, but as I thought about it, I don't think it would be any easier than the stick power unit, since with he sick, you can operateit one handed and even switch hands if you want (I mount the powersweep 180 degrees upside down so it is pulled instead of pushed).
But what we were looking for was a tinned dethatcher like this, but without the combi-style setup.
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200563&Category=PROATTACH

[Mowbizz]

Nope...not the combi system, but the regular attachments. For instance, I have a power head (FC95, I believe). I got it when I purchased my stick edger, and at the same time, I also purchased the rubber powersweep attachment. It was either that, or vice-versa...I know there was a bit of a price difference when I bought one or the other. Anyway, this is a regular power unit that is available with a particular model of trimmer, as well. All these end attachments are interchangeable among this model series of power units. Now, with the combi-system, they are completely different. Now, with the Yardboss,...all the attachments from the trimmers (like the edger and paddle powersweep attachment) will go right on there. I thought about purchasing the Yardboss just for the main purpose of using it for the powersweep for doing ditches, but as I thought about it, I don't think it would be any easier than the stick power unit, since with he sick, you can operateit one handed and even switch hands if you want (I mount the powersweep 180 degrees upside down so it is pulled instead of pushed).
But what we were looking for was a tinned dethatcher like this, but without the combi-style setup.
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200563&Category=PROATTACH


This is the Stihl Yard Boss dethatcher...I'm not sure what your point is because I know what I wanted...a dethatcher to fit the Kombi...not gonna happen because they don't make one...I don't own an Echo so why would I buy a whole new power head just for a dethatcher...??? (unless what you're saying is the Echo unit will fit the Stihl Kombi power head??)

[gene gls]

Nope...not the combi system, but the regular attachments. For instance, I have a power head (FC95, I believe). I got it when I purchased my stick edger, and at the same time, I also purchased the rubber powersweep attachment. It was either that, or vice-versa...I know there was a bit of a price difference when I bought one or the other. Anyway, this is a regular power unit that is available with a particular model of trimmer, as well. All these end attachments are interchangeable among this model series of power units. Now, with the combi-system, they are completely different. Now, with the Yardboss,...all the attachments from the trimmers (like the edger and paddle powersweep attachment) will go right on there. I thought about purchasing the Yardboss just for the main purpose of using it for the powersweep for doing ditches, but as I thought about it, I don't think it would be any easier than the stick power unit, since with he sick, you can operateit one handed and even switch hands if you want (I mount the powersweep 180 degrees upside down so it is pulled instead of pushed).
But what we were looking for was a tinned dethatcher like this, but without the combi-style setup.
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200563&Category=PROATTACH

That Echo thatcher head is a waste of money. I bought one and used it for 10 minuets. I took it back to the dealer and told him to give someone a deal. its still setting in his showroom.

[Mowbizz]

That Echo thatcher head is a waste of money. I bought one and used it for 10 minuets. I took it back to the dealer and told him to give someone a deal. its still setting in his showroom.



Good to know...looked kinda weak to me too.

[lawnproslawncare]

Try turning the brushes gear box around so your pulling it backwards for de-thatching. DO NOT, DO NOT use it like that for debris! Unless you want a face full and workers making work comp claims!

Best part about turning the gear boxes around and even with the paddle broom, when you walk forward to the next pass you give it a little throttle and no picking the heavy beast up!

[Mowbizz]

Try turning the brushes gear box around so your pulling it backwards for de-thatching. DO NOT, DO NOT use it like that for debris! Unless you want a face full and workers making work comp claims!

Best part about turning the gear boxes around and even with the paddle broom, when you walk forward to the next pass you give it a little throttle and no picking the heavy beast up!


Yes...that's the first thing I did when assembling it! I used it for sand with both the rubber paddles (on grass) and bristle brushes on pavement and it works like a charm. BTW it took me about a 1/2 hour to "discover" the "walk it forward" feature...my dang arms were getting a workout! I am going to try it for thatch very soon if it ever stops raining...:cry:

[gene gls]

Good to know...looked kinda weak to me too.

If it had 4 wheels and you could set the proper position, it would work. You can't maintain a working angle by holding it in your hands.

[Runner]

Ok. See, the dethatcher brushes just go on to the same gearbox that holds the plastic axles (held with pins) that the powersweep drums slide onto.
What I was referring to was just the gearbox/dethatcher assembly - that would also just slip onto the end of a trimmer power unit. The reason I mentioned the Echo one was just for an example...not implying that you would have the need to or should purchase one.
If it is deducted that these things aren't all that great anyway, then that rather influences the choice, as well. lol This guy just wanted one to do trim work for his JRCO dethatchers, anyway. And I agree...the Echo dethatcher units look a bit flimsy. Personally, I think they look like a waste of money, as what little they would be good for would be easily done by something else (i.e. ez-rake, powersweep, hand rake, etc.).