How to buy - Handheld multifunction tools | Horticulture Week

Q: What are the advantages of multifunction tools?

A: The main advantage is in cost saving. Instead of buying a hedgetrimmer, brushcutter and pruning saw, you buy one engine and fit it to whichever tool you need at the time.

A second advantage is space saving. The work of contractors, groundsmen and professional gardeners is hugely varied and the range of tools and equipment required can be vast. Using a single unit with numerous attachments saves space in the shed, van or barrow.

Q: How much money can I save?

A: It depends on how many attachments you buy. The more implements you have to run off the engine, the more money you are likely to save.

Q: Does it just apply to engine-driven kit?

A: No. There are non-powered interchangeable tool systems. The Swiss Army Knife is perhaps the best-known. For grounds maintenance and gardening, several companies offer tools based around a handle with a "click-and-go" system, such as the Multi-Change range from Wolf Garten.

This range comprises a selection of 10 handles of different lengths and 50 tool heads to cater for any type of gardening task. The tool head and handle simply click together. To remove the tool head, just press the release button.

The handles include wooden, aluminium, D-grips and telescopic types. Lengths range from 16cm long through the 1m, 1.4m and 1.7m mid range to extending handles giving 4m of reach.

The choice of heads is vast - cultivation, hoeing, raking, ridging, sowing, fruit pickers, saws and loppers, tools for rockery work, brushes and crevice cleaners and even aerators and trimmers for lawns.

Introduced this autumn by Wilkinson Sword is the Space Saver Click system, an interchangeable tool range comprising lightweight aluminium handles and an array of cold rolled steel tool heads. Handles come in 35cm, 1.2m and 1.5m lengths and there is also a D-Grip type. The tools include rakes for soil or lawn, hoes, cultivators and an edger. There is also a rockery tool range.

Q: Are there any new engine-powered systems on the market?

A: Midland Power Machinery Distributors of Worcester distributes the Italian-made Active RotaFix range. There are three machines, each starting life as a trimmer and each having a split shaft to take different attachments.

Choose from the Active 26cc or 38cc trimmers, or the 25cc four-stroke model, and add the attachments you need. There are 19in (48cm) and 22in (55cm) double-sided hedgetrimmers, a 6in (15cm) wide tiller attachment, a blower with 88cu m/hr maximum air flow, a 10in (25cm) professional-grade pruning saw and extension poles of 75cm and 1.5m. The patented RotoFix handle design allows the user to always have control of the unit and quick-fit means swapping attachments is as simple as lining up the tool with the power unit and pushing them together.

Companies add or improve attachments for their ranges from time to time. This year sees Echo introduce a new articulating hedgetrimmer attachment for use with its 25.4cc PAS-265ES unit. The blades can now be set from zero to 90 degs in 15 degs increments.

Efco's Multimate system, supplied by Emak UK, has been extended. As well as brushcutter, trimmer, blower, 51cm hedgetrimmer, pruner, plough and scarifier, the 30cc power unit can be fitted to a new lawn edger, tiller and long-reach hedgetrimmer that adjusts through 12 positions from zero to 135 degs. All tools fit via a quick-fit lock-release system.

Q: Will we see battery-powered multifunction tools in the future?

A: They are already here. Pellenc, supplied by Etesia, offers four battery packs to power a range of attachments. The packs are worn backpack-style and range from the 400, providing 400Wh of stored energy, through the 800, suited to heavy users, providing 800Wh. The Poly 5 gives 500Wh of stored energy and weighs in at 3.6kg.

Attachments include the Treelion adaptable arboriculture pruning shear, Helion hedgetrimmer, Cultivion wheeled hoe, Excelion grass brushcutter, Selion Pole chainsaw plus three sizes of chainsaw and an olive shaker. Standard and quick chargers are available.