Mantis E-System, Multi-function tool

Mantis E-System's overall concept of four accessory heads with one power head sold as a system in one package is a good one. A multi-function tool such as this would be great for those who lack space to house individual gardening tools. However, I'm not a big fan of multi-function tools. I firmly believe that a tool designed for a particular purpose is a better product.

To be fair to Mantis, I tested two different E-System units, one in November 2005 and the second in the fall of 2006. Even with almost a year between tests, I reached the same conclusion: this is not the tool for me. Knowing Mantis and their reputation for quality products, I felt that the company was hoping to create a unique system by streamlining existing landscaping and yard tool accessory heads into one main power source. It seemed to me that not enough time was spent developing the power and accessory heads. This is difficult for me to understand because Mantis truly designs and manufactures quality tools.

The overall tool felt out of balance, too heavy for the average user and with accessory heads too long for comfortable use. I actually used two different hand grips supplied on the power head shaft, and I really had to hang onto the shaft when using the hedge trimmer. It appears that three different handles are needed to make the system work comfortably, when a rubber handgrip handle and a combination designed handle standard on the power head and the edger handle would be all that was necessary.

Power Head—The electric power heart of the unit weighs almost 12 pounds, and I felt it became unwieldy with an accessory head connected to it. I would have preferred the power head to be a gas unit so I wouldn't have to worry about tripping on or damaging the power cord. The easy snap-on accessories were what I expected from Mantis and they worked as they were designed.

The shoulder strap that should help a user balance the tool either falls off the shoulder or the webbing strap slips out of the buckle. It needs to be a four-point strap so it wraps onto both shoulders and around the waist and yet allows a quick release from the strap system, not just from the tool. It also needs to be designed so the tool's balance can be adjusted on the strap system for individual height differences.

Any downward pressure on the power head case causes it to open up just in front of the trigger. Another screw needs to be incorporated into this area's design.

The trigger lockout button is uncomfortable to use in its present location. It should be located so the switch can be thumb-activated. Additionally, on the right-hand side of the case there's an area where a trigger lockout button could be installed; however, this blank spot protrudes far enough out that it contacts the index finger. This area needs to be eliminated from the overall design.

The trigger itself is too skinny and would provide better operational control and be more comfortable if it had a slight concave design and was a little broader.

Pruner—The pruning accessory head weighs 12 pounds and can cut stock up to 4 inches in diameter. It has a 29.5-inch reach and, when assembled with the power head, reaches 7 feet. The unit features an automatic chain oiler with adjustable oil flow.

I am not sure if extensions are available (it would be nice), but the unit appeared to be too short for what I wanted to cut. I had to use a ladder over 7 feet. The handgrip on the pruner shaft seemed out of place and was useless. A better configuration would be the addition of this handgrip to the power head shaft.

The manual was not clear enough for me to determine the correct way to put the blade on the guide bar. It is marked on the plastic chain cover, but it's not clear here either. A directional arrow would help tell the user which direction the chainsaw blade rotates.

This accessory head should include a multi-function combination tool that includes a socket and a Phillips-head screwdriver. Overall, I liked the 12-inch bar mini chainsaw.

Line Trimmer—At 5'5" tall, I found the overall length of the entire system too long and I had a hard time comfortably using this accessory head. Currently 24.5 inches long, it could be cut back about 8 inches or the straight accessory head could be curved. The design and weight of the power head made it difficult to use this 3.5-pound head in different positions. The shaft should be allowed to rotate to different positions and lock into place.

It appears that the .095-inch line is defective; it is either too heavy or brittle. When the head rotates, the line shatters when it hits against the cutting blade. Also, it shears off just below both spool cover eyelets. It appears that the factory-wound line is too tight.

The spool is very difficult to remove from the spool cover. It took me about 30 minutes of back-and-forth twisting on the spool to work it over the two built-in locks on the spool locking part. Another approach would be to wear a rubber glove and twist very hard until it releases. This is not user-friendly.

The auto feature does not work at all to lengthen the line, and it appears that the chemistry of both the spool and knob is very soft. I damaged the knob both times I tested this accessory head as I tried to lengthen the line. Professionally speaking, I would eliminate this type of head and instead use a flexible line system by Aero-Flex Endurance System.

Edger—This was my favorite accessory head once I finally got the adjustment narrowed in for my height and the wheel positioned on the correct side for easy cutting. Surprisingly, this accessory head weighs just under 7.5 pounds and has a 24.5-inch shaft length. It can be adjusted to cut to a depth up to 2 inches. As with other accessory heads, a four-point harness would be helpful.

When using an edger, there are times when you have to pull the unit back toward yourself to complete the cut. With this particular edger, a portion of the rubber debris guard was cut in the process, removing a 1-inch square toward the shaft side. I think the rubber guard is too long by at least an inch.

The placement of the forward-tipping blade guard makes it difficult to see where you are making your first cut. A possible fix would be to put an open rib on the inside side panel of the guard to help the user guide the blade into position. Check out the rib guard on DeWalt's miter saws for an idea of the concept. It's the best design to allow the user to see the cut line.

Hedge Trimmer—The hedge trimmer head with its articulating 20-inch blade delivers a very smooth cut. However, it weighs 6 pounds; assembled with the power head, the overall unit is too heavy and out of balance to actually use. For a comfortable grip, I had to hold the shaft of the power head. A rubber grip, similar to that on the pruner shaft, would be helpful. An extension along with a four-point harness would be helpful when using this accessory head to prune tall hedges. The unit's assembled length is 8.2 feet.

Manual—The images in the manual were very small and hard to see. For black & white images, they were just not as clear as they could have been. For accessory heads that required an Allen wrench, it was referred to as a "pin" in the manual. It is not a pin; it's an Allen wrench. Also, the edge trimmer manual refers on page 6 to using a 9/16-inch wrench to tighten the blade-mounting bolt. It's really a 13-mm bolt. The overall instructions are simply not as clear as they should be.

In testing both units, I found them uncomfortable to use. I just didn't get a good feel for the E-System. I submitted a written Evaluation Report on the Mantis E-System in November 2005 to the folks at Mantis; to be fair, I am posting their comments to that report.

Mantis' Comments (12/06/05)—Our engineering folks reviewed your Mantis E-System report, and based on your feedback, I'd like to share the following:

1. We have made changes to our owners manuals since you received your unit, and more will follow.
2. The weight of the unit is necessary, due to the motor size needed to power the edger and pruner properly; with weight comes the power.
3. The shoulder strap vendor will be contacted; length will be increased.
4. The Power Head case won't open under normal operating conditions.
5. A dead-man switch on the top of the Power Head is not permitted by CE (we need CE for European sales). Two distinct and separate motions are required to turn the unit on.
6. The trigger size cannot be changed since tooling is completed for this product.
7. A handgrip, screws, and clamps will be included with the power head, so it can be an optional handle for all attachments.
8. We may consider a "handy item kit" for this product, to include a combo wrench tool.
9. They're looking into different spool line for the line trimmer; they've had similar complaints from customers.
10. The Edger is designed for forward movement; guard is designed to meet European regulations.
11. The Edger metal blade guard is designed to meet European regulations, however, we may add a label to indicate position of the blade tip.

Many thanks for your constructive criticism!

As you know, changes or updates to a product take time, but once I hear of any or have had an opportunity to retest a changed product, I will post them here.

Update (08/12/09):

Mantis has confirmed that once the E-System is completely sold out, it will not be returned to their product line. A similar product you might want to consider is the Solo 109-LG Multi-System.

Copyright © 03/10/07 & 08/12/09 LAF/C.R.S., Inc. All rights reserved.

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