Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

ultrarunner · May 18, 2019

The only reason I even considered is the problems with gas engines now... emission and no source of pure gas unless buying from Dealer...

There are no stations that sell it in my trade area...

My Honda Lawn Mowers have been fine... but they never go more than 2 week idle... occasional use equipment is another thing.

The local mower shop said the State mandate has been the best thing that ever happened to their 50 year old business...

RalphVa · May 18, 2019

Diggin It said:
Why cut up? Leaking?

Only way to get it up the hill through the woods to the house, which is 100 ft elevation higher. Otherwise, need a draft horse (or two) and some equipment brought in across two neighbors' properties to be able to get such equipment in. Or something like a Chinook helicopter.

Ralph

RalphVa · May 18, 2019

There ought to be some plastic (not fiberglass, this one) recycling places. Not sure where the nearest one to us it.

Ralph

dragoneggs · May 19, 2019

Ran my FSA-130 trimmer a couple of times now. Getting between 20 to 25min elapsed time per charge using it a full power and running it pretty much continuously in mostly tall grass and weeds and some young blackberries. Very happy with the power and the quieter operation at full 'throttle' not to mention idle. :laughing:

Thinking I can 'safely' sell off my gassers (hedger, trimmer, and blower) but I will need a second battery to avoid down time.

ultrarunner · May 19, 2019

dragoneggs said:
Ran my FSA-130 trimmer a couple of times now. Getting between 20 to 25min elapsed time per charge using it a full power and running it pretty much continuously in mostly tall grass and weeds and some young blackberries. Very happy with the power and the quieter operation at full 'throttle' not to mention idle. :laughing:

Thinking I can 'safely' sell off my gassers (hedger, trimmer, and blower) but I will need a second battery to avoid down time.

This is with the AP 300 battery?

On a separate note... I posted before the local Stihl dealer I have been going to for decades charged $42 for the 14" chain that fits my Stihl Battery Chain Saw...

My new Dealer charged me $31 which is a huge difference percentage wise.

Today, I happened to be in a Hardware Store has the same chain for under $20

dragoneggs · May 19, 2019

Yes the AP300

Diggin It · May 20, 2019

I think I get 20 minutes or more with my Ryobi 18V, but I don't use it in heavy, tall grass.

dragoneggs · May 20, 2019

Diggin It said:
I think I get 20 minutes or more with my Ryobi 18V, but I don't use it in heavy, tall grass.

Yes this was very heavy usage. I think my gasser doesn't last much longer. I saw a youtube review and the guy estimated three battery charges was about the same as two fuel tank fills. I think it might be a little more even but I am not going to get that critical.

Do think another battery is in order so I can switch from my trimmer straight to my blower before the beer break.

I also have to get used to the tether between the tool and battery. A couple times I have set the tool down and forgot to unplug myself!

Rebeldad1 · May 21, 2019

ultrarunner said:
This is with the AP 300 battery?

On a separate note... I posted before the local Stihl dealer I have been going to for decades charged $42 for the 14" chain that fits my Stihl Battery Chain Saw...

My new Dealer charged me $31 which is a huge difference percentage wise.

Today, I happened to be in a Hardware Store has the same chain for under $20

Have two Dewalt battery chainsaws.
Both use / come with Oregon bar and chain
paid about $10.00 for a replacement Oregon 12" chain and about $14.00 for a replacement Oregon 16" chain.

TimP · Jun 4, 2019

Hi All.

I liked my EGO Battery Operated mower so much, I ordered the EGO Trimmer.

I am WOWED again by the power of the string trimmer too.

It only took a few minutes to assemble the string guard/handle and shoulder strap.

I popped in the battery and tried it out. It seemed to have as much power as my gas powered Honda trimmer.

Plus, I didn't need any ear protection. This thing is very quiet.

So far.... so good !

rangerfredbob · Jun 4, 2019

Just as a note, I gave the Lynxx chainsaw somewhat of a workout over the weekend, I cut down two fir trees (maybe 40' tall) and limbed them on a charge, might try to buck them up tonight if I can to see how long the battery lasts... I do know the low voltage cutoff kicks in at about 2 bars of battery, which I found out while cutting the wedge out of one of the trees...

For general homeowner use, I give this thing a thumbs up, it would be nice to have variable speed (it's on or off with the trigger) but not a deal breaker... it's quiet as heck and cuts reasonably well similar to about a 30cc saw.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that I just got done bucking the first tree, took just more than a battery, at my best guess you'd get two to two and a half batteries to a tank of fuel in my little top handle Homelite XL chainsaw (either 25 or 30cc depending on year if memory serves). But that said it cuts like a beast with the Oregon chain it comes with... up until it doesn't, wouldn't make a great only saw but not bad with two or three batteries.

ultrarunner · Jun 5, 2019

I saw battery operated Hotel Vac today... seems batteries are gaining broad market share...

The lure of being able to spot clean a hall without extension cord and it was quiet...

Oaktree · Jun 5, 2019

rangerfredbob said:
Just as a note, I gave the Lynxx chainsaw somewhat of a workout over the weekend, I cut down two fir trees (maybe 40' tall) and limbed them on a charge, might try to buck them up tonight if I can to see how long the battery lasts... I do know the low voltage cutoff kicks in at about 2 bars of battery, which I found out while cutting the wedge out of one of the trees...

For general homeowner use, I give this thing a thumbs up, it would be nice to have variable speed (it's on or off with the trigger) but not a deal breaker... it's quiet as heck and cuts reasonably well similar to about a 30cc saw.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that I just got done bucking the first tree, took just more than a battery, at my best guess you'd get two to two and a half batteries to a tank of fuel in my little top handle Homelite XL chainsaw (either 25 or 30cc depending on year if memory serves). But that said it cuts like a beast with the Oregon chain it comes with... up until it doesn't, wouldn't make a great only saw but not bad with two or three batteries.

Curiously, do these use standard chains? I have the Lynx pole saw and while it has an Oregon bar, there's nothing in the manual saying any specs or model # for it.

cdaigle430 · Jun 5, 2019

I was skeptical at first-have a Troy Built gas trimmer for 8 years that replaced a cheap trimmer that died on me after 2 years. They are noisy, smelly, vibrate like crazy and are heavy. The gas is hard to manage-refils, freshness and I ended up having the Troy repaired a couple times. It has a quick detach setup and I had the edger and trimmer attachment. I still have it butt... 4 years ago saw they Ryobi 40v trimmer on sale with quick detachment capabilities as well. Read on the box that several quick attachment brand will fit it including the Troy I have,
Today-same 40v Ryobi head is still going strong but now I have-Edger, Pole Saw, Clipper\hedger, Sweaper, blower, trimmer and spare battery. So much easier-original battery still like new and its all easy to carry, no vibration, no hearing protection and no gas to muck with.
Whats awesome is I can go back to the gas trimmer or buy another battery powered with quick det, and still use all my attachments.

EddieWalker · Jun 5, 2019

I'm needed a few more Makita 18 volt batteries and came across this on Amazon. Basically for the price of 4 brand new batteries, I get a weed eater for free.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NX89FZQ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Wagtail · Jun 6, 2019

EddieWalker said:
I'm needed a few more Makita 18 volt batteries and came across this on Amazon. Basically for the price of 4 brand new batteries, I get a weed eater for free.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NX89FZQ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

You are KIDDING me!!! (not you personally, Eddie

)

I paid A$155 for a single Makita 6Ah battery a few weeks ago... because it was on sale.

txdon · Jun 6, 2019

Here is another good edger deal:
You can buy the EGO power head at amazon for $149 or buy the power head AND edger attachment for $129 at Home Depot. A savings of $20 with a free edger!!! I just got mine and it works great. (Note this brice is without the battery and charger, I have other EGO tools and plenty of batteries.)

https://www.amazon.com/EGO-Power-PH...57&s=gateway&sprefix=ego+power,aps,180&sr=8-1

https://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-56-...-Multi-Head-Edger-Attachment-ME0800/303420104

Alan W. · Jun 6, 2019

Got a polesaw attachment to go with our Kobalt 80 volt system. Cuts good. Dont miss the premix a bit. Would like a chainsaw to go with the system but cant justify the price and already have 6 gas saws. The Lynxx does tempt me when its on sale. I already have their string trimmer and blower.

jjp8182 · Jun 6, 2019

Wagtail said:
You are KIDDING me!!! (not you personally, Eddie )

I paid A$155 for a single Makita 6Ah battery a few weeks ago... because it was on sale.

....and that would be part of the reason I watch for specials like that since Makita seems to run buy a tool/charger/battery combo and get two batteries free promos about once every three months or so (in the US at least).

At this point I think I have 8-12 batteries (none under 4Ah) that were all purchased that way with various tools that I was going to get (sooner or later) anyway. Really makes it worth checking their promo site on a semi-regular basis: MAKITA - Cordless and Corded Power Tools, Power Equipment, Pneumatics, Accessories

dragoneggs · Jun 6, 2019

jjp8182 said:
....and that would be part of the reason I watch for specials like that since Makita seems to run buy a tool/charger/battery combo and get two batteries free promos about once every three months or so (in the US at least).

At this point I think I have 8-12 batteries (none under 4Ah) that were all purchased that way with various tools that I was going to get (sooner or later) anyway. Really makes it worth checking their promo site on a semi-regular basis: MAKITA - Cordless and Corded Power Tools, Power Equipment, Pneumatics, Accessories

That's a lot of batteries. How many battery operated tools do you have?