Trueshopping Petrol 5 in 1 Multi Tool - Hedge Trimmer, Grass Trimmer, Brush Cutter Blade and Chainsaw Pruner with 1m Extension Pole for Long Reach - 62cc, 2-Stroke Air-Cooled Engine

Well I must admit, I spent some time debating buying this based on looking at other reviews...(and for the other models of this brand) there are a mix from excellent 5*`s to disappointed 1*`s.I can only say that a majority of the disappointed reviews from my experience with the tool would be down to people who dont know how to handle a 2 stroke engine and are expecting it to be like a electric strimmer/tool. Like the other reviewers have said previously - if this is the case, this is not for you, I think that due to the low cost (which is excellent value by the way) some people are thinking " That looks like what I want, but I never though I would be able to get something like that as cheap as this" - so they take the plunge and ultimately end up disappointed as its not as simple as an electric strimmer to manage, this is a big boys/girls tool, not for grandma.Not that I can say I am particularly experienced or an expert in this field (excuse the pun) of 2 stroke engines or machines , but I know a bit about Radio Controlled Nitro engines, and there are a few basic rules you have to follow for them to work.Starting Problems - I would put down to the following. You MUST prime the fuel before you can pull the starter cord, otherwise you have no fuel to ignite and it will NEVER start no matter how vigorously or long you tug on the cord - if there is no fuel in the chamber - it will never start, you MUST press the primer a few times (the soft clear bulb near the choke) and observe the fuel being pumped into the chamber up the tube, without doing this, it will not start, even if its been running, you stop it for any period of time, press the primer bulb to force more fuel into the chamber (you can see the fuel passing up the tube into the engine).Also, the Choke. - if the engine goes to start, flick the choke off as soon as you can, the revs will then pickup, I also found I did not need the choke to start if it had been running, indeed the first time i started it with the choke on, it ran for a few seconds - then died, I then pulled again with the choke off (after a couple of presses on the primer) and it ran like a dream, I didnt need the choke again for the rest of the session - I am pretty sure this should only be used when completely cold, and even then only briefly. - There is also (on this model) a facility to lock the throttle on more than idle, this helps with starting also, make sure you spend some time looking at this and familiarize yourself with it and figure out how operate it, this also helps and should not be ignored. If you are pulling on the starter for more than half a dozen tugs, and it still aint fireing, you are doing something wrong, review the Primer, the Choke, the Throttle lock again before proceeding.The instructions, yes they are hard to make out, I made a few errors with the strimmer attachment and what needed to be on the end of the attachment fopr the strimmer to work, but if you have any mechanical knowledge, you will over come it - there are 4 items on the spindle when it turns up - you only need one for the strimmer (the big shim), the other items (slimmer chim, Flange (cup thing) and bolt are used to locate the 3 bladed bush cutter, if you leave the small shim on or the flange, it will rev and not power the strimmer attachment (as its spinning the smaller shim or the flange) - just the big main shim for the strimmer end. The slimmer shim and flange are added to the bottom of the 3 blade bush cutter to locate and secure it.Assembly may seem a bit daunting, but its pretty logical when you lay it all out, I didnt refer to the instructions at all (apart from the early strimmer issue I mentioned earlier) and the instructions didnt help much I admit as they are to small to see clearly. - It was a bit of trial and error, but took no more than a couple of attempts to get everything together and secure.With regards all the rest of the assembly, work your way methodically through each part, there are only a limited number of places things can go - ensure all the elements are tight, the handles (controlling throttle grip and hilt grip) can be moved up and down the shaft to a limited degree to locate it in YOUR ideal position, once you think its right, just tighten up all the screws to ensure it doesnt move (another review remarked these were lose and a negative point, they are meant to be so you can position and tighten them yourself in YOUR ideal position) - If you persist, you will get there - but yes, the instructions leave a bit to be desired.Its thirsty, it drank quite a bit of fuel while i was using it (a surprising amount!), but then again this 62cc model is beefy as it needs to power a chainsaw etc, if you just want to just do strimming, I would go for a smaller engine (23cc+) as this would be more economical to run and that attachment perfectly adequately, I personally wanted to do some serious home gardening and rental property maintenance with it so I wanted something that I could throw at anything and for a long time, I think I may have gone "over the top" with this 62cc 3.5 horsepower model, but havent used the chainsaw for it as yet, which I am sure would benefit from the extra power available.Construction is solid, its heavy, and you rely on the strap ALOT so make sure its set at the correct length and takes the bulk of the weight, although the provided strap is adequate, I am considering buying an upgraded one for more support and more comfort during extended use, this is my only real niggle, but its fine for what it does and I cant really complain.Overall this is an amazing package and exceptional value for money, prior to purchase I looked at the equivilent "Stihl" offering and in comparison for what you get here was over £800 (£200+ just for the engine, plus £150+ per attachment) I am very happy with the purchase, but some words of warning, 1) it has an engine so you will need to get your hands dirty (fuel/oil mixing), 2) you need to have an idea of how to start it, 3) its heavy to use so you ideally should be fit/strong, 4) make sure you get the right engine for what you want to use it for, 5) it will take time to assemble correctly, the instructions arent great, so be prepared to try this and that and not expect it to come pre-assembled or be as easy as an electric equivalent. 6) Happy Gardening ;)

A complete waste of money, over priced and useless, won't even start!

Powerful.The brush cutter is amazing.The chain saw is useless

I have used both the tree / branch trimmer and the hedge trimming accessories to date with both working very well. It's straightforward to change over the multi tools and I have found the manual clear but has small print. The engine starts easily and is powerful enough to deal with my garden tasks. It's a good device which needs, in my opinion, careful management of the parts associated with each of the multi tool options. 9 out of 10. Thanks !

My husband bought this after our gardener retired and decided to DIY (we have quite a large garden). He has used the hedge trimmer, and the grass strimmer and is delighted with the performance of the machine. It is very powerful. It is quite heavy but the shoulder strap carries the weight nicely. He has never used this type of equipment before and found it quite easy to operate. He had no trouble assembling the parts, most of it was done at the factory, only the handle and the blade (strimmer) guard had to be fitted and although the instructions were a little vague the parts went together quite easily. On the whole he says it is great value for money when compared with buying separate pieces.

Absolutely useless!! Very first time I went to use it the pull start broke and wouldn’t retract the pull cord. Now in getting fixed so can’t even comment on the performance of it yet as I haven’t even managed to get it started yet!

Really pleased with my purchase. There is a knack to starting as with all two strokes. I have some minor gripes : The strimmer is very fiddly and does not feed out automatically. It is very awkward to reset. Changing tools - It is not clear that it is important to line up the slot in the tube with the catch. If you do this it is a dream to change, if you don't, you will have to dismantle the catch to release it. Finally, the manual is not as clear as it could be and needs reviewing.

This is a poor quality product. The trigger mechanism was faulty when it arrived and it wouldn't start. The seller wrote to tell me that my word was not good enough on this and would have to bring the unit back and test it before deciding if I would get a refund. All in all not a good customer experience and not what I expect when I buy through Amazon.