By now you might have heard about the Troy-Bilt Flex system of interchangeable lawn & garden tools, where there is a gas engine base unit and different tool attachments. Honda just came out with something similar, the VersAttach system, which features 2 small engine options and handheld power tool attachments.
Both have a belt-driven overhead cam (OHC) engine design, for less noise and maintenance, and allow the tools to be used in any position. They also feature an oil-immersed timing belt, easily accessible spark plug, and easy access for draining and refilling oil.
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Honda VersAttach powerhead engines seem to be based on a single engine design, which Honda says meets all 50 states’ emission regulations.
Powerheads
Honda UMC425: powered by GX25 mini 4-stroke engine
Honda UMC435: powered by GX35 mini 4-stroke engine
Both powerheads are said to feature best-in-class lightweight gas engines, with the UMC425 delivering clean, powerful, and quiet performance of a larger engine in a compact package, and the UMC435 being equipped with Honda’s most powerful engine for handheld applications.
Both powerhead models appear to be quite compact, and so the main difference looks to be that the UMC435 is more powerful.
Tool Attachments
- Edger
- Line trimmer
- hedge trimmer
- Blower
- Pruner
- Cultivator
Each VersAttach attachment connects to a powerhead by means of a SureLoc joint locking system, which is operated tool-free.
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Information is limited right now, but expect for pricing and other details to be more available starting next spring when the Honda VersAttach outdoor power tool lineup launches.
First Thoughts
I find myself hoping that Honda partners with a power tool brand to offer a cordless powerhead unit as well – don’t you?
Interchangeable and modular tool attachments aren’t new, and this isn’t the first handheld outdoor power tool system. Other modular tool systems include interchangeable hand tools, Troy-Bilt’s Flex large equipment system, and of course several power tool systems such as Ridgid JobMax, Black & Decker Matrix, and Craftsman Bolt-On.
The benefit for Honda is the simplicity in only having to design one main engine. Their One Engine for All description in press materials suggests that both engines used in the two powerheads are similar enough that they share much of the same design.
The benefit for users is the cost savings and convenience of having just one engine and multiple tool attachments.
Honda is a reputable name in gas engines and gas engined outdoor power equipment, and so it will be interesting to see how well the VersAttach system works and whether consumers are drawn to it or not.
Modular and interchangeable power tools often comes with compromises. What do you think are the tradeoffs in this Honda VersAttach system?
mizzourob
Is this compatible with MTD’s trimmer plus system that has been on the market for quite a few years now? The eager looks a lot like the one from the Stihl Kombisystem.
Nathan
I would say it looks alot like the Echo/stihl/husqvarna system – which like the trimmer plus like is a bit more professional oriented. IE stronger, more power etc.
the connection look very similar – but again that’s picture not in hand.
Would not surprise me if they were cross compatible since often the honda equipment is sold next to one of those others.
if it was standalone though – that also wouldn’t surprise me much but if they were to marry up to anyone I’d suspect it would be echo.
meanwhile – curious how their motor sure sounds exactly like everyone elses.
Jimmie
I was just thinking “These resemble Stihl’s modular tools” minus some of the attachments like the sweeper. Seeing how it’s Honda-branded, I suspect the price will be comparable as well.
Andrew
I have the echo PAS system with a trimmer and edger attachment, and I’m a fan of the power. I probably would have picked up the blower attachment off ebay or something if I hadn’t been gifted a 12amp electric craftsman model that works pretty well.
Blythe M
My old boss has a craftsman system that’s similar and worked well. Used the pole saw all the time
SawdustTX
Confused by (or misinterpreting) your comment, ” I believe this is the first handheld outdoor power tool system.”. There are many of these handheld yard tool systems available, both pro and consumer level, from Stihl Kombi, Troy-bilt Trimmer Plus, Ryobi One Plus, Echo Pro Attach, etc. Some are even interchangeable between companies. They’ve been around for a long time – probably 10 years.
I started with Troy-Bilt, switched to Echo a couple years ago. I use the edger, string trimmer, and blower. They work very well, and I love having only one powerhead to maintain. Want to add the pole pruner mini-chainsaw.
Regarding the 4 cycle motor, I had one on my first multi-system, and while it was smoother and quieter than a 2-cycle, it was very heavy. Way too heavy unless you have a really small yard. I’ve since switched to a 2 cycle power head using the same attachments.
Stuart
You’re right, and I’ve seen some of the other systems before too. Don’t know what I was thinking when I wrote that.
I just looked at Troy-Bilt TrimmerPlus this morning to see how many attachments they offered. I’m not familiar with Ryobi’s, and can’t seem to find info on it either.
Nathan
they are the same. Ryobi’s version and the MTD/TroyBuit system is the same.
I have parts from each in my kit – works pretty well. not professional daily hard work duty though.
Chris
Ryobi’s system is called Expand It (not One plus)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsBCPQF8eQ8
Seems that there may be some sort of universal standard as Ryobi say their attachments may fit other manufactures power heads?
firefly
I agree. I think “Stihl Kombi, Troy-bilt Trimmer Plus, Ryobi One Plus, Echo Pro Attach, etc.” is a better comparison reference than “Troy-Bilt’s Flex large equipment system, and of course several power tool systems such as Ridgid JobMax, Black & Decker Matrix, and Craftsman Bolt-On.”
Hazstahl
Honda GX25T 25cc 4-stroke 0.72KW Dry weight (kg) 5,1KG = 11.24lbs
Stihl KM 94 R 24.1cc 2-stroke 0.90KW Dry weight (kg) 4,0KG = 8.8lbs
Hazstahl
Honda motor dry weight 2,7kg , 6,8lb
Dominic van Lievenoogen
Makita Ex2650 lh 25.4cc 4 stroke . 0.77 kW power. Dry weight 4.6 kg.
More power, less Weight with all the 4 stroke benefits 🙂
Hang Fire
Don’t forget mine…
KM110 R Kombi Motor
DISPLACEMENT 31.4cc (1.9 cu. in.)
ENGINE POWER 1.05 kW (1.4 bhp)
WEIGHT 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs.)
FUEL CAPACITY 530 cc (18 oz.)
Even more power. 🙂
Sean
These look to be mostly identical to the common “homeowner” attachments, which are actually ALL identical. Do a couple tear-downs and you will see. The blower even looks like the old homeowner style rather than the newer versions that go straight down the shaft (see Stihl and Echo, and even the “pro” homeowner owns.) I can’t tell if the shaft is articulating, but I would hope that it is. It’s very difficult to gauge from the pictures whether this is the homeowner China clone stuff or some slightly better system like Stihl and Echo.
While it is Honda, I’m not sure if this is news-worthy considering that these systems (with the exact attachments pictures plus many more) have existed for many, many years. I remember my dad using them probably 15 years ago. Without having tested the Honda system (of course), I’m still willing to bet that Stihl’s system is better. Even Echo’s is pretty damn good. Honda does make excellent motors, but I find it odd that they went with a 4-cycle, which increases costs, reduces noise, and doesn’t do anything extra power-wise.
Also, there are several, limited options out there for cordless powerheads that are attachment-capable. There are even a couple electric ones. Ryobi, Greenworks, and maybe one or two others make electric and cordless. It was a category I was very interested in recently. I researched the crap out of this last summer, but I eventually concluded that a Stihl gas motor was better in every way. Cordless power tools will probably continue exploding over the next few years, but right now a high-quality cordless attachment-capable trimmer does not exist and that’s what I wanted.
I bought into the Ego 56V system (well, just the blower), and I’m completely pissed that they still haven’t offered an attachment-capable trimmer. Until they do, no more Ego tools for me. Instead, the motor is in the head, so it can’t be done without serious modification (one guy did it and made some Youtube videos…kind of interesting.) There are currently some great options for cordless trimmers, but they are not attachment-capable. (Ego, Dewalt, etc.) I eventually settled for cordless blower and gas trimmer with attachments. The next tool I’d be interested in is a chainsaw, and I would probably go cordless with that.
I finally settled on the Stihl Kombi motor. The Stihl, unlike the Echo, will accept the homeowner attachments right out of the box despite not being officially promoted. I wouldn’t recommend it, but it works just fine if you make sure the drive cable is securely mounted. The Echo has the same size drive cable but they created a shaft that is about 1mm narrower. There is a Youtube video where a guy shows that you can simply use a die grinder to shave a little bit off the outside of your attachment and it will fit. Compatibility between attachment systems is a topic with VERY little information available on the internet. It seems like most people don’t know or don’t care.
However, the advantage of being able to use homeowner attachments is obvious: they’re cheap and plentiful. Hop on Craigslist and you can find them for $10-20. I bought a brush cutter, edger, and blower for $30. If I had purchased all of the attachments I have now at the Stihl store, I’d be about $1,000 in. Instead, I invested $200 in the motor and spent about $100 gathering 6-7 attachments. The Stihl trimmer head is about $100 and the one people likely use the most, and I will replace the crappy one I have now with a Stihl. Beyond that, I’m not sure I’d be willing to replace any of the ones I have by spending $100-200 on the Stihl version. Don’t get me wrong, the Stihl (and Echo attachments) are better than the homeowner stuff, but 4x to 10x the price better? Not to me.
I love the Stihl motor I bought (KM-56C, I believe). The motor screams and will likely last me many years. If I’d purchased one of the homeowner motors (again, they are ALL the same) I would literally be replacing it every single year. Those of you who have dealt with these motors know exactly what I’m talking about. Now I have the best of both worlds… After you’ve spent a couple years mowing lawns with high-quality equipment it’s hard to go back to dealing with a Ryobi motor.
Sean
Ummm, I think I accidentally cut a sentence out. 😉
That articulating shaft comment was supposed to be referencing the hedge trimmer. Many of them (even the cheap ones) have 135 degree articulating shafts now, which are nice.
RX9
The attachment capable cordless trimmers out there, including
-Ryobi’s 40V-X Expand-It
-Greenworks’ G-MAX 40V
and
-Greenworks’ 80V Pro
are pretty good for light work, but cannot really replace a gas power head.
Moving on to the topic of gas trimmers, while Stihl motors are fantastically powerful and reliable, there are some people, like myself, who cannot stand 2 cycle motors.
My Ryobi experience was probably similar to yours, but it played out with their 4-cycle model. One day, my Ryobi S430 sprung a nasty oil leak. After taking it apart in an attempt to sort out the issues, I found myself appalled by the half-crank, plastic cam construction. It was time to trade up to a commercial grade motor.
I retrofitted my old Ryobi split boom (attachment-capable) with a new Honda GX35, and it has been the most reliable, powerful and smooth running small motor I’ve ever owned.
Honda’s strategy in the small engine world seems to be to focus on making premium 4-cycle motors, so we’re not likely to ever see a 2-cycle offered by them.
santinoe
I have the same experience with Ryobi. So I bought a Honda UMC 435 power head. However, I cannot fit my Ryobi attachments to the Honda UMC 435. How were you able to retrofit your Ryobi attachments to your Honda GX35? Ryobi attachments have square peg while Honda UMC 435 has a spline peg, I believe. If you could share what you have done, I would appreciate it very much
Hang Fire
Stuart,
Do both blades reciprocate on that hedge trimmer? They do on my Stihl KombiSystem, and it goes through hedges like a light saber.
Stuart
They should, isn’t that how most hedge trimmers operate? (I’m not asking tongue in cheek, I just assumed that all hedge trimmers have dual blade reciprocating action.)
Dominic van Lievenoogen
Cheaper ones dont. We have a Bosch green mains powered engine unit here in belgium and its hedge trimmer attachlebt had only 1 moving blade 🙂
Stuart
Oh, I see what you mean. The higher res image I saw looks to show a one-piece blade.
RX9
Bravo Honda! What took so long?
The GX series is one of the most reliable 4 -stroke small engines on the market, and it was a shame that Honda previously didn’t offer an attachment capable trimmer. I bet they did some market research and found out that a while a whole lot of people wanted a Honda motor, even more of them wanted attachment capability and Honda was missing a lot of potential sales.
dave
I just bought it. It’s really great. Kind of heavy. Noticeably heavier than the Stihl with similar (slightly less power). I like that I don’t have to mess with mixed fuel. That was the main selling point, and that it was probably as reliable as a stihl yet cheaper.
I’m trying to find the kit for installing the cutting blade but I can’t seem to find it online anywhere. I guess I’ll have to call around to some of the dealers. If anyone has some informaiton about that I’d be glad to hear it.
This thing is noticeably heavy (I run the GX 35). I used to run an older echo. Man that thing really ripped. More powerful than this Honda, though the Honda is a bit easier to control especially in the lower RPMs. I miss my echo a bit (got stolen) but man that thing was finnicky. This Honda starts up right away everytime. Sometimes on the first pull even being completely cold. Nice.
Nathan
So having bought into Echo now and looking at who’s attachments are compatible vs how they are made and I have to say other than a minor difference in their attachment the echo PAS, the Stihl Kombi, the Husquavarna, and the Honda/Hitachi systems are the same pieces of kit. With a few minimal exceptions – and they are made simlar but of better design better parts than the MTD-TroyBuilt-Ryobi system.
IE thicker metal tubes – better shafts – actual ball bearings – stiffer gear cases – better cut gears etc. And no you can’t directly put a Stihl Kombi on an Echo or a Husquvarna – but if you changed up the end a touch – I could fit.
Either way – on the side I bought one of the Echo 58 Volt Cordless jobs and I have to say it has plenty of power to run and runs long enough for my needs. Yes if I had to I’d buy another battery – easy peasy but the 4ah battery is enough to edge my drive, sidewalk, and back patio – then trim around the house and trees – and not be empty when I’d done. Trimmer cuts well and clean – like you’d expect an pro level machine to do and the edger does solid work.