Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

[Gem99ultra]

I am starting to depend more on Makita and less on compressed air also. Just this week I bought my second 1/2" drive impact wrench.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...rive-Impact-Wrench-Tool-Only-XWT08Z/206637027

I too, switched from air to battery last week. I have a nice IR 1/2 inch air impact that supposedly puts out 700 lbs torque. yeah, well that is if you have a 200 psi compressor to run it. I don't. Mine compressor max's out at 125 lbs.. So, my $700 IR impact wrench bought many years ago has largely sat unused most of the time, with me using a 4' cheater pipe on my breakover bar when needed.

So, I bought the lighter weight DeWalt that torques to 300 pounds. They do offer one that puts out 700 pounds, but I'm afraid I'd be breaking off a lot of bolts and studs with that animal. I believe you call that 'lack of self control'

The short and long of it all is that we all seem to be going 'electric' with everything, including vehicles. I sure hope the power companies are prepared to support all of that electric power that we're going to be using.

 

[Professor Marvel]

OP here... picked up my Stihl battery/charger and three tools yesterday. String Trimmer, Blower, and a Hedger. Used the hedger today and it worked great! Already decided to sell off my gas hedger. I have no question the battery life will be enough that I shouldn't need more than one. Might get another to be able to run two tools at the same time... but time will tell on the need.

Haven't been able to try out the Trimmer and Blower because these models do not have the battery on board. Instead the battery is carried on your hip on a belt and attached with a cord. The battery belt didn't come in with the order so I will have to wait to critique this set up.

I like the idea of lighter weight yet powerful trimmer and blower but second guessing my decision now that I have the cord in hand.

which battery did you get?

 

[dragoneggs]

which battery did you get?

AP300 with the AL500 Charger.

 

[ultrarunner]

Same here... qty. of 2 AP300 and one AL500 fast charger...

About the only thing that would sour me is battery longevity... the new Stihl "Orange" banded AP300 are suppose to cycle 500 times retaining a high degree of capacity...

Battery weight is significant which leads me to believe is has to be packed unlike some other brands with big cases and not much weight.

The blower was more of a why not purchase... due to allergies I find needing to wear a cartridge type mask when I use the blower... which is fine but after the first time I used it my allergies which had been mild so far really flared up...

The extended hedge trimmer had an encounter with a chain link fence... the old hedge around the barn was new to me... I was trimming away and buried inside was some old chainlink fence... not the abuse I would willing subject any hedge trimmer but the trimmer cut right through the 12 gauge wire... glad it wasn't the commercial 9 gauge

 

[dragoneggs]

The extended hedge trimmer had an encounter with a chain link fence... the old hedge around the barn was new to me... I was trimming away and buried inside was some old chainlink fence... not the abuse I would willing subject any hedge trimmer but the trimmer cut right through the 12 gauge wire... glad it wasn't the commercial 9 gauge

Yikes!

Do you have the battery belt? I am still waiting for that to come in... meanwhile my blower and trimmer are sitting idle. Well not really idling

 

[ultrarunner]

No battery belt... just two of the AP300 batteries...

I had originally ordered just 1 with the fast charger but when I got home I called the shop and added one more... between the two should be able to go all day swapping back and forth...

The shop gave me a can of Stihl Hedge Lube...

Apparently cutting items with sap can glue the blades and prevent movement...

She said it is only a problem with some types of plants... the spray is more of a nonstick barrier and lube... others have used WD40 and even PAM nonstick cooking spray...

 

[dragoneggs]

No battery belt... just two of the AP300 batteries...

I had originally ordered just 1 with the fast charger but when I got home I called the shop and added one more... between the two should be able to go all day swapping back and forth...

The shop gave me a can of Stihl Hedge Lube...

Apparently cutting items with sap can glue the blades and prevent movement...

She said it is only a problem with some types of plants... the spray is more of a nonstick barrier and lube... others have used WD40 and even PAM nonstick cooking spray...

Interesting... might have to think about using some non stick something on my hedgers. Never crossed my mind.

What other tools are you using with your AP300?

 

[ultrarunner]

The two that I have used the most are the hedge trimmer and chainsaw...

Have also used the blower and only a few minutes with the pole saw as I needed more height so I borrowed my brothers gas Stihl with telescopic extensions to cut some rather large limbs high up to get them away from the house.

The Dealer I had been going to since the 1980's is retail plus across the board which kept me from jumping in... $42 for chain loop compared to $32 for the same is significant... they also do not participate in any Stihl promos...

The new shop didn't have to give Mom a cap, or throw in premium quart of bar oil or the spray lube... Husband, Wife and Son operation...

The only difference is the Mom and Pop shop said if I am willing to wait to add to their bulk order we all save...

 

[rangerfredbob]

My Lynxx stuff has gotten some workout, the blower is great for bonfires also good for cleaning the driveway of gravel and grass (asphalt driveway next to a chipseal road...).

The polesaw leaks oil like they all do, I should drain it before it makes more of a mess, but it is a beast of a saw, I trimmed my apple trees and the ***** willow, only used about half a battery...

Just bought the 14" chainsaw today, they had an open box one for $114, it was all there doesn't look like it'd touched wood... it's no powerhouse but works fine, I was cutting some oak that had been sitting for a few months though...

3 tools and 4 batteries at this point so I'm pretty set.

 

[USAFpj]

While deployed overseas, the wife was letting me know that the grass was getting crazy. I have a wonderful wife, who isn't so much worried about unsightly grass, but of the snakes that hide in it!

In the past, we had hired a local to cut our grass, but then realized that I had always wanted a battery operated trimmer, as I have a lot of acreage to deal with. So after reading a ton of reviews, I went with the DEWALT DCST990H1 40V MAX and upgraded to the 6.0 Ah battery. I have never been impressed with electric over gas, but when they beefed it up to 40 volts, that's worth investigating.

I figure that in the hands of my 15yr old Son will take care of any fears that the wife may have over lurking snakes.

 

[MacLawn]

Yep, I've tossed a few cordless drills because the batteries were as expensive as just buying new drills!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Yep, I've tossed a few cordless drills because the batteries were as expensive as just buying new drills!

I have just bought a new tool when they offer them that includes battery and charger. Usually cheaper than the battery alone. Just throw away the oldest tool of the same type. A little while back the battery crapped out for my 40 volt Ryobi yard stuff. Went to HD for a battery, they had none; the guy on the floor said I have a solution. They had the 14" chain saw w/battery and charger for less than the battery costs. That was a no brainier.

Now I am rethinking Ryobi. No end of 40V battery problems. They have replaced 3 batteries and 2 chargers at no cost but they seem to only last 6 months. There 18 volt stuff just seems to last forever so I have a lot of it. Why can't they solve the 40 volt problem.

Ron

 

[Oaktree]

Yep, I've tossed a few cordless drills because the batteries were as expensive as just buying new drills!

Add to that the fact that anything more than 5-6 years old the batteries are probably NiCads, and newer models' lithium batteries aren't compatible.
That's one thing I like about the Ryobi 18v tools...the new batteries fit the older tools.

Too bad they're still having problems with the 40v stuff.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Funny. i got the Ridged (lifetime warranty, including batteries) stuff because I have never had luck with cordless anything. After five or so years, not a failure. Go figure.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm all NiCad's except for the newer Stihl stuff...

At the Farm the Stihl is three seasons old and no issues... can't predict the future but so far so good...

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm all NiCad's except for the newer Stihl stuff...

At the Farm the Stihl is three seasons old and no issues... can't predict the future but so far so good...

Good to hear! However, I'm getting pretty fed up with my local Kubota/Stihl dealer. Their customer service is getting worse. Nobody seems happy there and I am starting to regret giving them my business. I should have listened to Tractor Seabee long ago. I know he doesn't deal with them anymore and next visit is likely my last time if I can help it. I have spent a lot of money there but no more.

I purchased three tools, an AP battery, battery charger, battery connection line, and belt and received all but the belt on 4/19 about a week and a half after ordering. On Friday I went down to the store to figure out what was going on and threatened to return the trimmer and blower because I can't operate them with the belt. Only the hedger has the battery on board.

Short story long... the parts guy says, 'it's still backordered'. I said, well I guess I will return the unused tools. He then got on the line with Stihl warehouse or whoever and asked what was going on. I walked around pretending not to listen... when it became obvious that he screwed up the order initially and entered a bad part number. He gets off the line and walks over to me and says 'it will be here Monday'. I said, 'if I come in after 3pm can I get it?, He says yes. Today at 4pm I show up and am told, well we haven't even unboxed and checked stuff in yet. No sorry. Really pissing me off.

 

[ultrarunner]

It is this kind of stuff that would not have been tolerated in the past but today you are often lucky if there is any continuity of employees.

I hope the warranty cards will show the correct date meaning when you have a functioning product in hand and work ready.

So far I really like my new Stihl Dealer... they are very small... Mother, Father and Adult son and available 7 days a week if needed.

That said I have been disappointed by two other Stihl Dealers were I have spent a fair amount of money... they stock no AP products and said they do not recommend AP and all 4 of 5 Dealers wanted to load me up with Gas Products... which I already own.

I know the moment of satisfaction of bringing it all back would be immense but then you would be back to scratch...

Hey... with all the warm weather I can only imagine everything is in full growth mode?

I've got my own staff issue with my Property Manager in Washington... seems it is a revolving door... got an email stating A/C not working but home doesn't have A/C???

Property Management coordinated a 15K Heat Pump System install 4 years ago with multiple warranties provided annual PM done... now being told they had no idea rental has A/C and of course know nothing of A/C PM...

 

[Diggin It]

Now I am rethinking Ryobi. No end of 40V battery problems. They have replaced 3 batteries and 2 chargers at no cost but they seem to only last 6 months. There 18 volt stuff just seems to last forever so I have a lot of it. Why can't they solve the 40 volt problem.

I've had several 18s replaced under warranty, no 18V chargers though. I'm not sold on battery at all as a total replacement. They work OK when new, but seem to degrade with age quickly. I have a couple of 3AH LiOn batteries that don't seem to last as well as they did when I got them within the last year. When I go up on the roof next week to lay metal roofing panels and trim, I'll have 2 drills, 2 3AH batteries, 3 smaller batteries and a charger on an extension cord. I like the convenience and freedom of mobility a cordless tool gives me, but I hate running out of juice when trying to drive a screw you have to stretch and reach at an odd angle to get to.

 

[TimP]

I just picked up a new 21" EGO Battery operated Lawn mower from HD.

It came with 2 x 5.0Ah batteries, charger, side grass chute, Mulching adapter and a grass bag.

I charge dup the batteries and checked it out..... it was pretty quiet compared to a gasser.

The Batteries have a 3 year warranty and the mower has a 5 year warranty.

I haven't tried it out yet, but am anxious to give it a test run on the grass.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I bought a bunch of RIDGID battery tools a few years ago. Came with a free mail in jigsaw with proof of purchase. Sent in the receipt (copy) and warantee cards on everything.
After about 5 years had a issue with a couple batterys. Lifetime guarantee!
Ridgid would not honor the warantee. Their records showed I had never purchased anything. Of course I cant find my receipt either.
Got rid of ALL my RIDGID tools (a lot!)
Needless to say I will never buy anything RIDGID again.
Dewalt rep heard of my problem and replaced everything I had RIDGID with Dewalt at a really fair price. Havnt looked back since.
I tell everyone I see about my RIDGID story

Love DEWALT!!! Everything is dated on the tool and no receipt needed. All repairs are no questions asked what happened.