Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #101  
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.
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #102  
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?
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #104  
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
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?
  • Thread Starter
#105  
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! :eek:

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 :D
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #106  
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...
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?
  • Thread Starter
#107  
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?
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #108  
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...
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #109  
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.
 
   / Time to convert from small engine to battery tools? #110  
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.
 

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