Are "combo" handhelds worth considering???

[chopshop]

What's your opinion of these "combo" handled setups i.e. Stihl's KombiSystem??? I need a trimmer and edger minimum, and would also like to have a hedge trimmer... I was thinking this would less expensive and sufficient for starting up, that it could be a backup later on...

[dan1a1984]

I have a couple of them (trimmer and edger) and love them, however make sure you have a back up. If one breaks you are down 2 machines.

[grntmbfisher]

The gearbox attachments for stihl trimmers would be worth considering too. I use the edger and articulating hedge trimmer all the time on my trimmers. The rototiller attachment works great on small plantings, basically just like a mantis but you have a little more leverage on it. They change out pretty fast and you don't need to spend extra money on more machines.

[lawnpro724]

Stay away from them unless your doing this part time or are a homeowner. Buy dedicated commercial equipment for your business you will be much better off.

[STIHL GUY]

it seems like a good idea because it is only one engine to wory about. on the otherhand, if that one engine breaks you have no equipment

[LouisianaLawnboy]

I have the Shindy version of the Kombi, and I like it.

Switches out easy, cheaper, less storage, good equipment.

[cgaengineer]

Stay away from them unless your doing this part time or are a homeowner. Buy dedicated commercial equipment for your business you will be much better off.

With the exception of one powerhead, all Kombis are commercial.

The Kombi is great, I have two powerheads the trimmer, straight edger, curved edger, and tiller...zero problems with any of it.

Nice thing is, I have a aluminum tool box mounted to a frame on the front of my trailer and all the Kombi equipment fits inside box and can be locked and kept out of the rain...no trimmer racks needed.

[Jason Rose]

My opinion... Buy a standard trimmer, and then a combi unit with the edger attachment. Then all the other tools you want for that one, hedger, tiller, whatever. When doing lawns it would be a PITA to have to swap lower shafts every lawn to trim and then edge. For things you don't do at every lawn, like hedge trimming, etc. then it would be handy to have the kombi or similar.

[cgaengineer]

My opinion... Buy a standard trimmer, and then a combi unit with the edger attachment. Then all the other tools you want for that one, hedger, tiller, whatever. When doing lawns it would be a PITA to have to swap lower shafts every lawn to trim and then edge. For things you don't do at every lawn, like hedge trimming, etc. then it would be handy to have the kombi or similar.

Not arguing with you Jason, but I bet $50 I can change out an attachment before you can start up a second piece of equipment.

[lawnpro724]

it seems like a good idea because it is only one engine to wory about. on the otherhand, if that one engine breaks you have no equipment

That was the point I was trying to make. You put all your eggs into one basket and if it breaks you have none. I have dedicated commercial equipment for every job we do and backups for everything. Those combination units seem like a good idea until they break down and you lose several pieces of valuable equipment until the unit is fixed.

[Jason Rose]

Not arguing with you Jason, but I bet $50 I can change out an attachment before you can start up a second piece of equipment.

I'd take you up on that... I'm not wanting to "fight" about it either, but I can grab a ready to go trimmer or edger off the extreme rack in a second (literally) and have the trimmer running in a few pulls, which I'm usually doing as I walk to the starting point, so figure another 10 seconds... If you can totally change an attachment head in 11 to 15 seconds... :dizzy: Including the little protectors on the ends to keep the dirt and grass out of the shaft end.

It works for you, your happy and making money, that's all that counts! :)

[larryinalabama]

Not arguing with you Jason, but I bet $50 I can change out an attachment before you can start up a second piece of equipment.

I recently bought the Kombi with a curved edger and string trimmer, so far I like ok. It is actually faster to change out heads, rather than grab a nother peice of equiptment.

I also have the Lowes virsion for a back up and have all the attachments for it. I like it because the attachments are cheap and most dont get much use anyway. I keep my Trench Blade ont the edger attachment and that works out great.

[cgaengineer]

I don't even power my unit down...I leave it running. As far as the covers...I don't use them. If you have one trimmer and one edger and either one goes down you cannot finish the job and have to return...yes with a dedicated unit you can do 1/2 the job, but you still can't trim with an edger. As far a backups are concerned...I don't carry a second 40" hydro WB on my trailer for "what if's", I keep my equipment maintained and hope it doesn't go down.
Posted via Mobile Device

Second time I will say it. All Kombi tools are the exact same engine used in the commercial units and are 2 year commercial warranty, they even have the same model number except they have a "K" in front of the number. The exception to this is the KM55.

[airsoftamazon]

it seems like a good idea because it is only one engine to wory about. on the otherhand, if that one engine breaks you have no equipment

Just like those TV/VCR combos :hammerhead::dizzy:

[airsoftamazon]

I'd take you up on that... I'm not wanting to "fight" about it either, but I can grab a ready to go trimmer or edger off the extreme rack in a second (literally) and have the trimmer running in a few pulls, which I'm usually doing as I walk to the starting point, so figure another 10 seconds... If you can totally change an attachment head in 11 to 15 seconds... :dizzy: Including the little protectors on the ends to keep the dirt and grass out of the shaft end.

It works for you, your happy and making money, that's all that counts! :)

But does 1 or 2 seconds matter? I like to do things fast, but I'm not that desperate to go that fast. I have a combo unit that I used to use for switching from edger to blower. Now I have a rechargeable hand held electric blower (quick clean ups) and backpack. I only use the edge on the combo now. I just use the dedicated hardware and the combo accessories for back-up. I don't like the idea of loosing two for the price of one.

[chopshop]

at least I don't hear anyone saying that quality is an issue with a combo... I got so much feedback in my previous post saying I should rethink purchasing a lot of equipment to start, that I thought this was a good compromise... as of now I only have my house and 1 other residence to handle, and I'm loading all my equipment in the back of my pickup... btw... I had a combo, Green Machine, that worked fine for over 20 years at my house... unfortunately it recently stopped running, probably the carburetor, so I need at minimum a trimmer and edger... roughly $650 for the two, and then another like $400+ for a stick hedge trimmer... I was thinking that could get all 3 going the combo route for around $700-800...

[HighGrass]

If it's your first piece of equipment, it might be a good idea. It allows you to get a few pieces right off the bat without shelling out the cash for a lot of different power heads where you are basically paying for the motor every time you want a specific tool.
That said, as soon as possible, I would buy a dedicated trimmer. Then your combo becomes part of your back-up system.
I have an SRM-230 that's a dedicated trimmer and a PAS-230 with edger, power paddle, brush cutter, and articulating hedge trimmer.
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=PAS-230&Category=PROATTACH
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200475&Category=PROATTACH
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200595&Category=PROATTACH
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200620&Category=PROATTACH
http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=99944200600&Category=PROATTACH

[hackitdown]

I have a Stihl Kombi system. I love it. I went to the dealer to buy a 2nd trimmer, and he talked me into it. So I bought it set up as a trimmer, but added stuff as needed for jobs. I have the edger, hedge clipper, string trimmer, and brush cutter. I also got an extension for high hedges. Even now, 90% of the time I use it as a string trimmer, and it works great.

[airsoftamazon]

Don't get me wrong, I'm still using it after six years, yes, it's a Homelite that I bought from Home Depot when I first started. I haven't done a darn thing to it except spray it down with cleaner. I just now, this weekend replaced the original spark plug, after six years! It's older than my echo trimmer and is running strong. I wont get rid of it until I can't find parts for it.

[LouisianaLawnboy]

I'd take you up on that... I'm not wanting to "fight" about it either, but I can grab a ready to go trimmer or edger off the extreme rack in a second (literally) and have the trimmer running in a few pulls, which I'm usually doing as I walk to the starting point, so figure another 10 seconds... If you can totally change an attachment head in 11 to 15 seconds... :dizzy: Including the little protectors on the ends to keep the dirt and grass out of the shaft end.

It works for you, your happy and making money, that's all that counts! :)

The M242 is not the main trimmer, but just a backup. I use my other trimmers for everyday use.

[Lawn Pawn]

I have the Kombi system with most of the attachments.

Power-head pooped out on me once. Just went and bought another one! They are cheap enough!!! Repaired it myself.... bad coil... under warranty... now I have a backup.... I do rotate them.

Love my Stihl equipment.... the company is darn good to deal with most of the time. But that is just my opinion!