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I just purchased a new Craftsman Trimmer (Model 71102). It is replacing a Homelite trimmer I got from Home Depot about 6-8 years ago. The clerk at Sears told be that the "Expand-it" attachments I had for the Homelite trimmer would work (a blower, edger, and brush cutter.) However, it seems that this is not the case. The diameter of the shaft for the attachments is the same as the diameter of the coupler the Craftsman trimmer. There is therefore no way to join the parts.
The Craftsman is made by Poulan, so theirs would work. But Homelite is not made by Poulan. So if it doesn't simply plug in and lock then you've answered your own question. Just remember most retail salespeople make it up on the go, so whatever they state is hearsay (most times I ask them to stop talking as I start correcting the BS they are spitting out).
I've had no problem mixing brands that use Expand-It attachments, which suggests to me that either the Crafstman power head does not accommodate Expand-It attachments, or the attachments you have are brand-specific and not Expand-It compatible.
Or the attachments may be of a different generations/versions thru the years. As you said your old trimmer was 6-8 years old, so your accessories would probably fit an older generation of Craftsman trimmer.
Good news, you bought it at Sears.... take it back if your attachments aren't working...... especially if you have quite a collection. They're not cheap. I have a Toro PowerHead and a Craftsman Edger Attachment, they work fine.
Good news, you bought it at Sears.... take it back if your attachments aren't working...... especially if you have quite a collection. They're not cheap. I have a Toro PowerHead and a Craftsman Edger Attachment, they work fine.
I went thru three TORO power heads last year - they were crap right out of the box and got worse as the 30 day return period passed... I took them all back to HD - NO problem bought a new Ryobi and it was alot better.... I would have bought a John Deere or Echo but they do not work with my attachments... I have at least one of every attachment, so it is not practical to change brands at this point..
Remember SEARS was the one that had a circular saw that would only use their brand blades ... I have not bought anything from SEARS since the last century...
When I unpacked the trimmer, I wanted to see if the attachments would fit, before I assembled it, since I was likely to take it back to Sears if it the attachments would not fit. However, when I tried to attach the trimmer head that came with the unit, I had the same problem (e.g. the diameter of the trimmer head was the same diameter as the shaft.) When I looked more carefully, the unit trimmer shipped with a 4" long "male" tube in the coupler, apparently for protection during shipping. When I removed the disposable tube, the factory trimmer head and all my old attachments fit like a glove. They all work perfectly.
That you for all your responses, even if I did send everyone barking up the wrong tree.
I went thru three TORO power heads last year - they were crap right out of the box and got worse as the 30 day return period passed... I took them all back to HD - NO problem bought a new Ryobi and it was alot better.... I would have bought a John Deere or Echo but they do not work with my attachments... I have at least one of every attachment, so it is not practical to change brands at this point..
Remember SEARS was the one that had a circular saw that would only use their brand blades ... I have not bought anything from SEARS since the last century...
That's funny. I have had completely the opposite experience. The Ryobi powerhead died out in less than a year and my Toro Powerhead is going like a champ. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by ToucheGA
Okay, I spoke too soon, and now I feel foolish.
When I unpacked the trimmer, I wanted to see if the attachments would fit, before I assembled it, since I was likely to take it back to Sears if it the attachments would not fit. However, when I tried to attach the trimmer head that came with the unit, I had the same problem (e.g. the diameter of the trimmer head was the same diameter as the shaft.) When I looked more carefully, the unit trimmer shipped with a 4" long "male" tube in the coupler, apparently for protection during shipping. When I removed the disposable tube, the factory trimmer head and all my old attachments fit like a glove. They all work perfectly.
That you for all your responses, even if I did send everyone barking up the wrong tree.
That's funny.
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Okay, I spoke too soon, and now I feel foolish.
