Those of you who check in with this site regularly might remember that, back in October 2017, we found ourselves at the GIE Expo. A good time was had by all, and we had the chance to play with all sorts of new or upcoming releases from all the major players in the landscaping world. We usually find something interesting going on with Makita, and this year’s visit to their booth was no exception. One of their upcoming releases, the Makita Couple Shaft Power Head System, gives the user the option to choose between a couple different power heads and a whole slew of various attachments. At the time, the product had not hit the shelves yet, and the company hadn’t quite settled on a release date. Well, here we are, four months later, and Makita has finally released this versatile new system.
Swing Both Ways
Are you into cordless convenience? Makita has that base covered. Do you prefer the power of Makita’s 4-stroke gas engine? This is definitely a viable option with the Makita Couple Shaft as well. Can’t decide between one or the other? That’s fine, grab both, because all of the attachments in this system fit onto either power head.
The cordless power head (XUX01Z) runs off of 2 of Makita’s 18V LXT batteries. It features 3 different speed options, and can turn up to 9,700 RPM. Obviously, with this couple shaft power head, the user can avoid mixing oil, as well as the aggravation that can sometimes accompany engines that need pull starting. It also features the brand’s Electronic Torque Control, which shuts off the motor when the rotation speed suddenly slows or stops.
The 25.4 cc MM4 4-stroke couple shaft power head (EX2650LH) runs off of straight gasoline with no oil mixing. It features fast and easy starts with mechanical automatic engine decompression. Makita tells us that their 4-stroke engines also reduce fuel costs when compared to your standard 2-stroke engine.
Both options work with any of the nine available attachments options. Makita has released a brush cutter, straight and curved shaft string trimmer, articulating and double-sided hedge trimmer, pole saw, cultivator, and edger attachments. A shaft extension is also available. All attachments utilize a lever-style lock system. This makes for simple, tool-less installation on either of the Makita Couple Shaft power heads.
Final Thoughts On The Makita Couple Shaft Power Heads
Everyone loves options, and kudos to Makita for coming up with a highly flexible system for OPE applications. If you’re already on the LXT battery platform, the cordless side of this system makes a lot of sense. For those folks who prefer gas power, Makita’s 4-stroke gas powered option will likely fit the bill. Ultimately, we think that giving the user the ability to switch out attachments quickly and easily for either option is a really smart move. We wonder how many people will opt to run off of both platforms, but the option is there for anyone who wants that kind of versatility.
We haven’t had the chance to get our hands on these yet. But, we are looking forward to the day when we can put this system through its paces. Stay tuned to this site for more information in the future.
In the meantime, if you’re desperate for more information in the here and now, check out Makita’s OPE site .
