Multi Attach Trimmers (specifically Echo)

[C4VETTE]

Hey guys, I'm having a hard time deciding which multi-attach powerhead to buy. I think I'm going to buy an Echo, as my local dealer is great, and I deal with them on many other products. My Sthil dealer is good too, I just don't have as much experience dealing with them and the product is more money.

I'm torn between the Echo Pas-225, and the Pas-2260. I will mostly trim, and brushcut a bit, but I do want to be able to rent the paddle broom attachment in spring to clean off my lawn. I saw a guy in YouTube with the PAS-225 using the paddle broom in a commercial setting, even though Echo recommends against it.

Do any of you have experience with these models? Is the PAS-2260 worth the 1.75 times the price of the 225?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

My dad has the 225 and it's been a solid performer in the 5 or so years he's had it. He uses it as a string trimmer, brush saw and leaf blower. As a trimmer and brush saw it works great, the leaf blower is handy not having another engine to maintain but it's not a great performer. He's always run a little rich on oil, about 45:1 vs. the recommended 50:1 and the plug consistently looks a light chocolate brown, no unusual carbon build up to speak of. This is always done with a quality synthetic 2 stroke oil, usually whatever lowes has on sale. I have noticed that using it as a brush saw, with anything but a brand new blade it can feel a bit under powered in heavy brush and saplings. I have a Troy Bilt very similar to a number of other chinese machines that leave quite a bit to be desired and the Echo is put together far better than cheaper machines. I have very limited experience with Stihl but if you get a good one, they seem to stay that way barring abuse, if you get a lemon, well they seem to end up on Craigslist.

 

[OKDave]

I have both heads. Really do not notice any difference between them. Have a ton of trimmer pluss attachments for old Ryobi's and troybilts. You can make them fit Echo with a little modification.
Dave

 

[OKDave]

Here is a video showing how to adapt the trimmer plus heads. This is really nice because it opens up the Echo to a really large group of attachments.
Dave

 

[fourjeepin]

Here is a video showing how to adapt the trimmer plus heads. This is really nice because it opens up the Echo to a really large group of attachments.
Dave

Thanks for this. I have the 225. It came with the edger and weed eater. I recently bought the hedge trimmer but it is good to know I can use attachments from other brands.

 

[C4VETTE]

I have both heads. Really do not notice any difference between them. Have a ton of trimmer pluss attachments for old Ryobi's and troybilts. You can make them fit Echo with a little modification.
Dave

Thanks for the information and the video link!

 

[C4VETTE]

My dad has the 225 and it's been a solid performer in the 5 or so years he's had it. He uses it as a string trimmer, brush saw and leaf blower. As a trimmer and brush saw it works great, the leaf blower is handy not having another engine to maintain but it's not a great performer. He's always run a little rich on oil, about 45:1 vs. the recommended 50:1 and the plug consistently looks a light chocolate brown, no unusual carbon build up to speak of. This is always done with a quality synthetic 2 stroke oil, usually whatever lowes has on sale. I have noticed that using it as a brush saw, with anything but a brand new blade it can feel a bit under powered in heavy brush and saplings. I have a Troy Bilt very similar to a number of other chinese machines that leave quite a bit to be desired and the Echo is put together far better than cheaper machines. I have very limited experience with Stihl but if you get a good one, they seem to stay that way barring abuse, if you get a lemon, well they seem to end up on Craigslist.

Thanks for the great info, I have no interest in using the leaf blower as I have a Husqvarna handheld blower already.

 

[Zewnten]

I'd goo with echo over stihl just for the warranty, the multi tools get used pretty hard

 

[C4VETTE]

Well I was able to try out a PAS-225 before buying on Friday, it was pretty good, but I was able to bog it out on a few occasions only using the trimmer head. I opted to go with the PAS-2060, with the straight trimmer, and the brush cutter. I hope it works well!
Thanks for the help guys!