Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

[Oaktree]

The echo was looking mighty fine until I noticed the weight. 14lbs, what's it got a car battery?

Always a tradeoff. It's certainly much lighter on the wallet than, say the Stihl.

I can see the time savings starting it making one cut. Tree surgeons working in a tree another big benefit. For cutting several cords of firewood not so great.

Yeah, I keep kicking around the idea of getting one for those times all I need to do is cut up a branch that came down or something. By the time you fart around with the gas saw getting it going, you'd be done.

How are the HF Lynx ones? The price is right compared to the name brand ones, and a bit more in line with the amount I'd probably use it. Not worth it though if it's not going to stand up to even light use.

 

[ultrarunner]

The echo was looking mighty fine until I noticed the weight. 14lbs, what's it got a car battery?

I think the Stihl tested is with 10" bar... ours are all 14"

 

[jjp8182]

I think that just gave me incentive to expand into Stihl battery tools as well seeing as I was thinking about doing so for the battery Kombi-powerhead (figure it'd be kind of nice to have the option of gas or electric for the same attachments).

... though if/when I do it means I'd be dealing with battery systems from three different brands ....and potentially 5 (or more) different battery styles if I add any 12v Milwaukee and Makita tools.

It'd be nice if an industry standard interface for 12V, and 18V batteries (at a minimum) was implemented (might be one of the few advantages that two-stroke tools still hold in that they don't tie a person to a proprietary energy/fuel source).

Though what I find the most interesting is the continuing expansion into higher demand tools (even if I currently don't have a use for them). Like the new line/size of batteries that Milwaukee is adding which support a breaker/jackhammer, and Both Milwaukee and Stihl will/do have battery-powered masonry/asphalt cutoff saws, and Makita has their metal cut-off/chop saw using abrasives.

 

[ultrarunner]

The faith part of my conversion to Stihl is battery longevity over the years...

I have heard these new batteries can safely be stored with 20 to 80% charge and full charge storing isn't necessarily better?

Right now Stihl has a deal where the 2nd battery is half off on a set purchase... that would have saved me about $90

 

[dragoneggs]

I think the Stihl tested is with 10" bar... ours are all 14"

Mine is 14in as well. Also note that the price for Stihl includes at least a battery and maybe a charger. I paid $349 for the saw alone.

 

[fried1765]

I'm finding I grab my battery powered tools without hesitation for the smallest job. Seems I have to work up an appetite/attitude to power up my gassers these days.

My latest tool... Stihl battery chainsaw impresses me more every time I use it.

I have the 16" 40V Greenworks (made in China of course) saw, and I love it!
Much less expensive than the Stihl battery saw, and the Greenworks saw has excellent reviews.
I also have a 16" Stihl gas saw, that I have owned and used for 40 years.

 

[ultrarunner]

Never had a blower before and decided to add one when I bought the saw, trimmer, batteries and charger.

Right now the leaves are falling so I took it to work last week as regional was coming to do a site visit/inspection.

The Stihl blower was fast, quiet and efficient... made short work of the doorways... the landscaper comes once a week with a gas powered back pack which is loud... can't talk in the lobby for the minute or so he is right in front of the entrance... not the case with the battery unit.

Administrator asked when did we buy that??? I said it is mine and I brought it from home...

The blower, charger and battery would not be inexpensive especially if used just when the leaves fall in the autumn...

I hope Stihl branches out on other applications for the AP battery packs...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have had my Oregon Battery saw for a couple of years, but I guess I never used it last winter. Tried it a couple of weekends ago, and was VERY disappointed. The battery meter said it was fully charged, but it was really lacking power. It was only just below freezing out.

 

[Wagtail]

I hope Stihl branches out on other applications for the AP battery packs...

And we're back to the problem of one manufacturer's very expensive battery(s) not fitting any other manufacturer's equipment/'skins'.

Last Autumn I bought a new Makita hammer drill with a 6Ah battery + charger. Later on I purchased a second Makita 6Ah battery, which was on sale at the local Ag Show, so that I could have a spare back-up. Then I bought a Makita Blower 'skin'... again, on sale. Everything works great!

Well, last Friday I walked into my local hardware store and, lo & behold, there was a Makita dual battery (36V) 14" chainsaw. I was very tempted but decided to wait, plus do a wee bit of internet investigation... What else was Makita offering? = Not only a full range of 'shop' tool skins but now 'garden' tool skins, all using the one type of Makita battery.

Economically, it looks like I've 'locked myself' into Makita. Fortunately, it's a bloody good brand.

 

[dragoneggs]

And we're back to the problem of one manufacturer's very expensive battery(s) not fitting any other manufacturer's equipment/'skins'.

Last Autumn I bought a new Makita hammer drill with a 6Ah battery + charger. Later on I purchased a second Makita 6Ah battery, which was on sale at the local Ag Show, so that I could have a spare back-up. Then I bought a Makita Blower 'skin'... again, on sale. Everything works great!

Well, last Friday I walked into my local hardware store and, lo & behold, there was a Makita dual battery (36V) 14" chainsaw. I was very tempted but decided to wait, plus do a wee bit of internet investigation... What else was Makita offering? = Not only a full range of 'shop' tool skins but now 'garden' tool skins, all using the one type of Makita battery.

Economically, it looks like I've 'locked myself' into Makita. Fortunately, it's a bloody good brand.

I'm locked into Stihl for my outdoor battery op tools and Dewalt for the small hand tools. Yeah Stihl products and batteries are expensive but the maintenance and hassle compared to small gassers is far less. Cry once and smile each time you use them! :cool2: