Having reviewed most of the EGO cord trimmers, it seemed like a logical next step for us to get our hands on the EGO 56V Power Head Attachment System. It contains so many great products. You can get a power head to operate a string trimmer, edge trimmer, chainsaw, and more.
advantage
- Powerful Compatible Accessory System
- Deep Line of Lawn Care Equipment Compatible
- sufficient strength
- 2 speeds plus variable speed trigger
- Excellent ergonomics in the design of the control system
- Multiple combo kits to get you started
shortcoming
- Not compatible with standard universal accessories
- Straps not included (sold separately)
The Value of Attachment Systems
Of all the battery-operated outdoor power equipment I've reviewed, string trimmers are my top choice for introducing gardeners to the technology. The EGO 56V powerhead that drives everything continues to use a brushless motor. However, it moves the motor to the rear of the tool so you can change attachments. Currently, add-on accessories range in price from $120 to $180 each.
The great thing about the EGO Multi-Head attachment system is flexibility, but it's also powerful. Moving the motor to the back — closer to the battery — improves efficiency. You don't send all the battery power through the wiring harness to the head. Since the tool now uses a rotary axis, it also allows the aforementioned attachments. This allows you to buy only what you need, giving you a very powerful battery powered system without having to buy a complete tool for every function. Of course, if you already own an EGO cord trimmer, then you could probably go into that system for a pole saw, articulated hedge trimmer, tiller or edge trimmer.
EGO 56V Power Head Overview (PH1400)
To cover all the features of this product, I'll start with the actual EGO powerhead and then go through all the accessories we've reviewed.
The EGO 56V Power Head (PH1400) is the engine behind any tool you'll connect to it. Your edger, trimmer, tiller or chainsaw attachment won't be much use without a solid power train here. Fortunately, EGO seems to have done an excellent job designing the drivers of its multi-head system. It performs with enough speed and torque to cut, trim, or otherwise bite through anything the attachment encounters.
use power head
The safety lock button – included in some form on all battery powered tools – utilizes side drive. This type of switch is different from most, but its large size makes it a great solution. After a few tries, it becomes second nature to grab the trigger while activating it. Speaking of the trigger, the slightly oversized shape allows you to rest two fingers on it for extra comfort. The rubber grip on the rest of the handle makes it easier to use the EGO Power String Trimmer (or other attachments) for extended periods of time.
axis of rotation
Since the motor is located behind the trigger, it actually drives a rotating shaft that terminates in a structure that resembles a large splined drive. The parts all seem solid, so we had high expectations for the overall life of the tool. To attach the accessory to the powerhead, you need to unscrew the green "wing knob" (shaft lock) and press the gray shaft release button. Then align the arrows between the multi-head coupler and the attachment shaft. Finally, push them together until they are fully seated. Needs to swing from side to side sometimes, but with practice I get better. With a chainsaw with a 31" extension, you will do this process twice.
Editor's Note: Since the EGO is spline-driven, this system is not to be mixed with the RYOBI Expand-It or other generic attachments currently on the market.
some physical observations
It's worth mentioning some goodies on the EGO Multi Head Attachment System. One, EGO continues to use the battery release button on the tool, not the battery. I like this. When grabbing batteries—especially large ones—the spring-loaded eject button on the tool makes it easier to release the battery into your hand. I'm glad EGO has kept this feature across its entire lineup.
Two rubber bumpers located on the rear of the tool provide some protection and grip. I often stand the trimmer upright. In recognition of this common phenomenon, these small rubber pads are placed by accident to prevent your tools from sliding on greasy or uneven floor surfaces.
The brushless motor has a high and low "gear" that is set by the top mounted button on the EGO 56V power head. Besides that control, the variable trigger takes care of the rest. There's no "eco" mode to save battery or reverse to switch the orientation of the head. As you can imagine, it takes more development to beat the reverse of pole saws and edgers.
Although not included, you can purchase it separately. There is no standard tape point for clipping it in. In contrast, EGO's design connects directly around the shaft.
Available EGO 56V power head accessories
There are currently seven EGO 56V power head accessories or accessories available plus one extension. These can be easily mounted on the EGO Power+ 56V power jack:
- 15″ thread cutter (STA1500)
- 8″ Edger (EA0800)
- 10″ Chainsaw (PSA1000)
- Rubber broom (RBA2100)
- Bristle Brush (BBA2100)
- 9.5″ Cultivator (CTA9500)
- 20″ Articulated Hedge Trimmer (HTA2000)
- Extension Pole (EP7500)
EGO 56V Power Head 15" Harness Trimmer Attachment (STA1500)
The EGO Corded Trimmer Attachment uses the same Rapid Reload head as its 15-inch trimmer. If you're using an old head on your 15" trimmer, you can actually upgrade to this for around $29. Some weight has been shifted to the rear of the tool – giving it a more balanced feel. We'll talk about power later – but it feels like there's more power.
As a trimmer, the EGO 56V Power Head Attachment System offers plenty of power without much frills. Maybe not. Every time I grab it, it works. In fact, it works very well – much more power than I need to trim the strings. It's worth noting that the yard where I tested it allowed me to use the tool at least twice before recharging the 5.0Ah battery pack I used. Using a 2.5 Ah battery is really the sweet spot as it keeps the weight of the tool down.
In our best battery-operated lawnmower head-to-head article, we felt less vibration than we experienced with most tools. The EGO Powerhead shaft does produce slightly more vibration than the EGO 15" Powerload Cord Trimmer, but not by much. Clearly, a lot of attention was paid to ergonomics and feel when developing this system.
But weight, there's more!
I initially thought I didn't like moving weight to the shaft and rear of the tool. After all, the battery is already there – enough weight, right? After a few hours of using the tool on and off, I quickly got used to the new distribution away from the front of the trimmer. In fact, it's more akin to what you'd find in gasoline-powered models. EGO actually increases the balance of this tool and even adds some weight at the same time. How much do you weigh? The powerhead weighs 5.9 lbs. String trimmer head weighs 3.25 lbs. With a 2.5Ah battery, the total weight is less than 12 lbs. Compare it to a 15" cord trimmer and you'll gain a few pounds.
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quick reload -
Standard 15" Header
I'm a fan of the Rapid Reload head, and the EGO Power Head String Trimmer includes it (as expected). Rapid Reload heads save time when compared to the original heads in the first generation 12" and 15" trimmers. You simply cut a length of thread, thread it straight through the head, and turn the spool to wind it up.
EGO 56V Power Head 8″ Edger (EA0800)
Having some extra power comes in handy when the EGO Power Head is attached to the 8" Edger Attachment. With it, I was able to prune some very hardy jasmines that border the front yard.
Combine the 8" Edger with the EGO Multi Head Attachment System and you have a tool that can cut through grass, roots and vines like there's no tomorrow. It has a rim depth of up to 3 inches. You can set this depth by adjusting the guide wheel along the depth by adjusting the guide rod. No tools are required for this – you just loosen the green knob and move the wheel up and down the rail. The debris guard works hard to keep dust and debris from falling while trimming. The edge trimmer attachment also comes with a removable guide, which I left on because it gives you a nice "curb feel" for trimming driveways and sidewalks.
I love the natural line of sight EGO on top of the blade guard. This helps you know exactly where the 8" blade is going to cut. It takes most of the guesswork out of it.
EGO Edger Attachment Blade Replacement
When the 8-inch Edger blade wears down over time, it can be replaced with the included multi-purpose wrench. You can use any wrench that is good size, but you will need to pin the shaft to keep it from rotating. EGO also allows you to easily change the pulleys. The company recommends that you inspect and/or lubricate the drive gears in the case every 50 hours or so of operation. Once a season you should do this unless you are a commercial user.
EGO 56V Power Head 10″ Pole Saw Attachment (PSA1000)
The EGO Pole Saw is probably the most anticipated tool of the new EGO Multi Head Attachment System. The 56V series tools have been lacking in decent chainsaws since their introduction. Now you can add both a chainsaw and a 31" extension to the EGO 56V Power Head Attachment System and take on taller limb duties. This saw uses a standard 10" Oregon rod and chain, so you can get replacement chains almost anywhere.
The EGO chainsaw is well balanced. You also get a nice small set of buckling pegs for resting on the limb during cutting. With a pole saw, you want the head of the tool to do the work for you on the final cut. Good positioning and a steady, smooth cut should do the trick. In our case, we took smaller branches from an old oak tree to prune it. The included metal hooks also work great for grabbing limbs and pulling them apart while you work.
Oiling the chainsaw head was a simple affair and it didn't take long to get to work. The saw cuts quickly and does a good job of pulling itself into the cut. One thing we do hope includes a longer extension. Just a few extra inches—perhaps a 36-inch extension—would make a world of difference. Now, with a power head and pole saw, you can get about 91 inches, and with an extension pole inserted you can get over 120 inches (just over 10 feet).
EGO 56V Electric Head Bristle Brush Attachment (BBA2100)
If you're looking to clean up leaves — or just about any debris on any surface — the EGO Bristle Brush Attachment should do the trick. This 22" wide x 10" bristle sweeper attaches to the EGO Multi Head Attachment System. It basically replaces the broom. We found it interesting that EGO offered this brush attachment with the squeegee underneath. According to your required application, you can choose a more suitable one.
EGO 56V Power Head 9.5″ Cultivator (CTA9500)
The tines on the EGO Cultivator Attachment (Model CTA9500) can be adjusted from 8 to 9.5 inches. The heavy-duty steel blades make it easy to do serious farming without waking up neighbors. Since the EGO Multi Head Attachment System includes a variable speed trigger, you can adjust the power as needed. This makes it easier to pick up speed on firm ground or dial it back to turn over softer soil.
EGO 56V Power Head 20″ Articulating Hedge Trimmer (HTA2000)
When the EGO 56V Power Head attachment system first came out, we lamented the lack of pole hedge trimmers. EGO quickly addressed this issue, releasing the HTA2000 to fill the void. This articulated hedge trimmer attachment offers battery-operated up and down trimming. It also gives you incredible reach with the 12-position articulating head. Dual-action blades provide industry-leading 1-in. cutting capacity. You also get a set of 20-inch steel blades to help you cut with confidence at almost any angle.
EGO 56V Power Head Rubber Broom Attachment (RBA2100)
At GIE we saw several new accessories for the EGO 56V drive head connection system. Notably, the new squeegee offers a 21-inch wide sweep for cleaning or clearing. It allows you to remove dirt and debris from almost any surface. It is designed to replace the use of a hand broom like the brush above. Because it's so easy to attach and remove, it can clean an area faster than using manual methods.
EGO 56V Power Head Extension Pole (EP7500)
Last but not least… well, maybe it might fall into the "least" category… The EGO 31" Extension provides the reach you need with a few accessories. In particular, pole saws and articulated hedge trimmers benefit from the extra length. This keeps your feet safely on the ground as you trim and cut.
in conclusion
The EGO 56V powerhead attachment system offers plenty of power and ease of use. It's virtually foolproof and has the basic accessories you need for most pruning, cleaning, and trimming tasks. EGO now has one of the most powerful multi-head cordless systems on the market today. The price makes this system even more attractive.
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