Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

[slus]

I've been tempted by a battery Stihl trimmer for basic around the house and landscape trimming, maybe a small chainsaw for clean up in the yard, but I don't think battery tools are where they need to be to replace the bulk of my equipment. The battery 130 trimmer would probably have enough power for me, but I burn though a gallon of mix with my FS250s by lunchtime during the late spring trimming season, I don't think I can afford the batteries to keep it going that long. Most of my wood cutting is bucking large oaks with a MS440, no rechargeable can hang, and I'm mostly writing this so I can eat my words when Stihl pumps out a rechargeable Magnum line in a few years.

Longitivity is another concern, some of my Stihl equipment was my grandfathers, purchased in the 80s. I don't think my grandkids will be using any battery powered tools I pick up along the way.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Longitivity is another concern, some of my Stihl equipment was my grandfathers, purchased in the 80s. I don't think my grandkids will be using any battery powered tools I pick up along the way.

probably won't be legal to cut trees at all by then

 

[slus]

probably won't be legal to cut trees at all by then

Good point. Operating two stroke equipment here in California will probably carry a mandatory jail term by then anyway.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Had a automotive shop. Switched my big impact to a Dewalt 20V. Compresser hardly gets used.
Switched my weed eater and blower to Dewalt 20V. Now my wife uses them all the time.
Have 3 Stihl chainsaws. Bought the small Dewalt 20 and my wife packs that around with her all the time. For bigger stuff got the Dewalt 60V chainsaw. Cant remember the last time I used any of the Stihls.

Also gotta say they ALL run really quiet... Are lighter... and really easy to start
In the shop 20V Dewalt drills and impacts and LED lights.

 

[ultrarunner]

Noticed the AP300 battery pack now has Orange Logo and asked why?

Learned the AP300 had an upgrade and the Orange label indicates this.

For continuous use battery is never going to replace in my lifetime... and the close options with a pack pack battery are quite expensive but are selling so there is a market.

I think the AP line has hit a sweet spot for those with jobs to do where cutting, blowing, trimming are job components but NOT the entire job...

That said some Stihl Dealers actually bad mouthed the product and stock none of it... which came as a surprise.

In my case 3 of 5 strongly discouraged... one carried product but everything was DSLP and one actually took my request for proposal and came up with a package price for 9 items (including sundry items)

 

[dragoneggs]

Noticed the AP300 battery pack now has Orange Logo and asked why?

Learned the AP300 had an upgrade and the Orange label indicates this.

For continuous use battery is never going to replace in my lifetime... and the close options with a pack pack battery are quite expensive but are selling so there is a market.

I think the AP line has hit a sweet spot for those with jobs to do where cutting, blowing, trimming are job components but NOT the entire job...

That said some Stihl Dealers actually bad mouthed the product and stock none of it... which came as a surprise.

In my case 3 of 5 strongly discouraged... one carried product but everything was DSLP and one actually took my request for proposal and came up with a package price for 9 items (including sundry items)

Interesting intel, ultra... settling in on the AP line and the 300. For twice the money you get 3 times the power vs. the 100. Hope I don't regret the 'hassle' of the battery belt and appreciate the light weight blower and trimmer.

 

[ultrarunner]

I think you may be onto something with the top handle Pro saw...

Guess it depends on how the saw is used most of the time.

I have been doing some serious limbing to keep shadows off the the solar panels and have been using the GAS Stihl pole saw with extension that I borrowed from my brother... it is heavy but cuts sweet with the new chain and has quite a reach...

My AP300 pole saw does not extend and I opted to keep the standard 10" bar knowing the monster pole saw is available should I need it.

 

[nybirdman]

Made the plunge to a battery operated chain saw(58 Volt Echo) after looking at reviews for weeks.
General question for all battery tools,should we concerned with storage/charging;I.E. we have seen on the news where they have caught on fire.Should they be stored in a fire proof container?
We routinely charge our phones ect. with similar batteries;never a problem.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thought about that so I have my charger and batteries away from anything that might burn... they are on a metal table...

 

[dragoneggs]

Thought about that so I have my charger and batteries away from anything that might burn... they are on a metal table...

Likelihood of a charger failure and fire I think is pretty dang low, but I might do the same and make a metal shelf for my chargers. Right now they are on a wooden shelf that has a outlet strip behind. I have all my chargers and a couple battery tenders on a dedicated shelf. Maybe I will frame up a piece of expanded metal. Another project to add to the list.