Earlier this year I was loaned a complement of EGO Multi-tool attachments to try out.
Included were the STA1600 line trimmer; PSA1000 pole saw; CTA9500 cultivator; BBA2100 bristle brush and EA0800 lawn edger attachments; EP7501 extension pole and the PH1420E multi-tool power head.
They all came in well-packed cardboard boxes with instruction manuals and a couple of 2.5 Ah batteries and a CH5500E - rapid charger.
Over a period of several months I tested each attachment, using them for a variety of tasks in friends’ and customers’ gardens.
First up, was the chance to use the pole saw to crown reduce the canopy of a Gleditsia tree in my friend’s garden.
Both Rob and I soon got working to reduce the height of the tree and remove any weak growth. We erected some scaffolding to help us carry out the work. We used the extension pole to increase the length of the saw.
We got to grips with the handling of the saw, which effortlessly cut through the branches. After a couple of hours, we had completed the job of reducing the canopy of the tree.
The next piece of equipment to try was the EA0800 grass edger. We used it to reform a grass edge on a lawn, finding it ran quickly, soon cutting a neat edge.
Next up was the cultivator which we used to prepare a vegetable plot. I was not sure at first if it would do the job, but once underway, it soon became clear this tool has the power and torque to cultivate the hardest of soils. Once you get used to how it works, the job becomes easy and efficient.
As for the bristle brush, I used it on one of my customers’ brick paver drives. Again, a powerful attachment, that once you get to grips with how to use it, soon gets the job done.
The strimmer tool was also good, working really well to cut some long grass and nettles.
EGO also has additional attachments, such as the short and long-reach hedge trimmers, the RTA2300 rotocut, the BCA1200 brushcutter and even a snow shovel, that are compatible with the PH1420E multi-tool power head. This is powered by EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium batteries ranging from 2.5Ah to 12.0Ah to offer different running times, they are interchangeable with the entire range of EGO products.
I’d say the EGO multi-tool is a compact, powerful, and neat system that would be a great investment for self-employed gardeners and small landscaping contractors.
I was especially very impressed with both the bristle brush and cultivator attachments. Both are powerful tools that made the job of cleaning paths and cultivating soil easier.
Changing the tools is quick and easy and, for people like me, having the ability to carry a range of attachments means I can be prepared for any job that comes my way.
EGO also sell four varieties of multi-tool kits that come with a selection of attachments, batteries, and charger. For example, the MHBC1204E multi-tool kit comes with the PH1420E power head, STA1600 strimmer, PAS1000 polesaw, BCA1200 brushcutter and long-reach HTA2000 hedge trimmer. It also includes a single-shoulder harness, 5.0Ah battery and CH5500E rapid charger, selling for around £1129.00.
As for the individual tools, they range from £100- £200 depending on the type of tool it is. All good value for money I feel, when you compare it with buying a single use battery powered tool.
These types of systems are getting more popular with several manufacturers now bringing out their own ranges of power tools - meaning customers have plenty of choice when making purchasing decisions.
