ECHO PAS-225VPB Pro Accessory Series Combo Kit Review (2023)

April 20, 2011 3

We've been fans of the ECHO ever since we tested their SRM-225i Straight Shaft Trimmer and their i-75 Throwing System. New to the market is the company's PAS, or Pro Attachment Series system, which promises a single tool flexible enough to handle multiple jobs for the professional or home user. The Pro Attachment series is a new development by Echo that has revolutionized the way the company views its tools. With the Echo PAS-225VPB Pro Attachment Kit, ECHO provides a single 21.2cc 2-stroke power source and allows the use of accessories to take the system from trimmer to trimmer to blower to trimmer of hedge... get the idea. In this way, ECHO increased the usability of its existing technology and met the needs of some users who want the flexibility of tool accessories. While this specific kit uses the smaller 21.2cc power source, professional users can enjoy the same benefits of a modular accessory-based system with more powerful engines up to 25.4cc (ECHO PAS-265).

ECHO is a brand that specializes in portable lawn care products from professional/commercial users to consumers. Consumers really benefit because the company can infuse high-quality technology into its consumer products, and the tools are available at certain hardware stores and over the Internet. In addition, there is a 5-year warranty that can hardly be beaten. The company makes and sells everything from lawn mowers and trimmers to chainsaws, blowers and even scarifiers. The company has roots going back to 1978, and when they release a new line we tend to pay attention - this is a company that knows lawn care products.

ECHO PAS-225VPB Resources

produce quality

When we looked at the ECHO PAS-225VPB system, the first thing that struck us was how compact it was delivered to us. Contained in a single rectangular box and protected at all corners by heavy-duty cardboard, was a securely packed two-stroke PAS-225 power supply, a 17" mowing attachment, and a 100-mile blower attachment. The PAS System that we received also came with a semi-auto impact head for the trimmer attachment and a bottle of 50:1 two-stroke oil suitable for use in the power supply engine. Although ECHO recommends 89-octane fuel, we found that using an even higher octane rating results in a cleaner operating tool and keeps your carburettor cleaner much longer.If you aren't using tons of gas and are using it in a private setting, we recommend raising the level.

A little assembly work was required. For example, the plastic shield had to be installed before the nylon head could be placed on the rotating shaft. This was very easy and ECHO's instructions were accurate.

The ECHO PAS-225VPB incorporates a robust yet economical 21.2cc power supply. The engine has some very pro features like a Pro-Fire electronic ignition for quick and easy starting. There is also an easily removable in-line fuel filter, which is important if you intend to use the tool for any length of time. We also like how easy it is to remove the air filter and engine covers to access the cylinder fins for cleaning and maintenance. Maintenance is also easy, with a handy idle adjustment screw (which should only be adjusted after a few tanks of fuel have passed and the system has stabilized).

Attachments available

The main benefit of the PAS system is that professionals and consumers can achieve a certain degree of flexibility with just a single power source. This means you can do more with less and don't need an arsenal of tools (or space to store them) to do all your lawn care tasks like trimming, edging, blowing, cleaning, etc. The PAS system currently supports up to 11 attachments, not including the 3-foot extension available to extend the tool's reach:

• challenged haste sharpener
• edge cutter
• standard trimmer
• Rapid-Loader-Trimmer
• high torque trimmer
• curved shaft trimmer
• brush cutter
• articulated hedge trimmer
• hedge trimmer
• Poder Podador
• fan
• Motorized hoe/excavator

What we like about the accessories is that they come with a nice plastic lid and J hook that make it easy to hang them out of the way - ready in no time. ECHO also offers the user several cutting options, from the Standard and Rapid Loader models to the Curved Shaft model, preferred by those looking for a shorter stance on their tool.

Changing accessories was as easy as it gets for these systems. In particular, ECHO has simplified the process even further by incorporating a spring-loaded "locating pin" that locks the shaft in place, as opposed to a spring-loaded pin as most systems use. After placing the axle on a flat surface, simply pull the locating pin and turn it 1/4 turn counterclockwise to lock it in the extended position. We found that we can easily achieve this with or without gloves. Then remove the storage hook and vinyl cover from the holder, align the darts and insert into the PAS-225 shaft until fully seated. This may involve a little twisting of the accessory stock, but more often than not everything just tends to slide into place. Then turn the locating pin clockwise a quarter turn to snap it back into place and secure the shaft securely. A fastening knob removes any slack or wobble and provides a solid connection.

nylon trimmer head

While we don't normally use impact heads, the U-Turn system actually worked really well for us. The system came pre-installed with a cable and true to form, it worked as advertised. At normal operating speed, you just poke the head gently into the ground and the string breaks into about 1-inch integrals. The steps to reload the line are simple - all you need to do is:

• Align arrow on spool and barrel
• Insert both ends of a single piece of string (up to 23' long)
• Wrap it with a bump head clockwise twist
• Cut the middle of the remaining joined rope

Test

While the i-75 starter system is extremely easy to use, the PAS-225 recoil starter is almost as easy. We found that, with very little effort, we could suck the bulb in, choke and rev it up, grab the starter grip, and get a turn in just two or three simple puffs. After that, switching to the running position got the PAS-225 up and running with an average of just two more puffs.

Editor's Note:Check out our popular item2 times vs. The 4 stroke engine.

Testing the ECHO PAS-225VPB was as simple as waking up one day and realizing that it felt like "spring" had arrived in my neighborhood and the live oaks had decided to invade my backyard, back deck, and porch roof. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of material that needed to be blown into piles, collected and compacted. I grabbed the PAS-225, hooked up the blower attachment, and got to work. While 100mph isn't exactly the epitome of maximum blowing power, we found that it blew with considerable force - even picking up wet leaves that were under newer piles that had fallen over the day before.

Also, we had to admit that the puff accessory looked pretty cool in its straight form. Most blowers have a curved shaft attachment with an attachment that looks almost like a hair dryer at the base. ECHO's PAS-225 linear model lent itself to a much more direct feel - like aiming a rocket launcher or a jet engine... a fact my 8-year-old son admired and eventually insisted on capitalizing on. With careful supervision, I watched as he could get up and use the blower himself, "attacking" the leaves with gusto. While this is by no means a lightweight blower (around 13 pounds), it's certainly a valid and worthy compromise for simplifying your tool arsenal. And if your 8-year-old can carry it... well, it's going to be hard to lose the extra weight and still be manly. If you're looking for more performance, ECHO can help with their specialized products (including backpack models) that provide additional power and output airspeed.

Noise output at idle was just 82dB SPL (as expected from our measurements on previous 2-stroke Echo engines of this size) and at full throttle 92dB SPL at the fan. We normally recommend hearing protection with all outdoor lawn tools, but this model is quite tolerable in blow mode (the trimmer makes more noise due to the increased noise from the rotating cord).

* No real children were harmed in the filming of this photo. If the tool had been used longer, adequate eye protection, a weight belt, boots, gloves and a Kevlar jacket would have been provided...

Diploma

ECHO's PAS Pro attachment system was truly designed for professionals and consumers alike. For the pros, you can pick up the PAS-265, which provides 25.4cc of power and comes with the new i-30 starter. But for consumers, the new ECHO PAS-225VPB is the ticket. With a blower and trimmer included, it meets most of the needs you are likely to have when maintaining your home landscaped. If you're looking to swap out your blower for a trimmer, check out the ECHO PAS-225VP, which is just $50 more. Prior to this product, I must say that fastening systems were only for amateur users. Echo has transferred its solid reputation and quality know-how to its PAS range, making it a viable option for commercial users as well. They also seem to back this up with a 2 year warranty, which is a bold claim in and of itself. In our opinion, the system has no major drawbacks, and there don't seem to be any obvious reliability issues either. If you would benefit from a more versatile, accessory-based turf system, consider ECHO's ECHO PAS-225VPB.