Time to convert from small engine to battery tools?

[aczlan]

You are correct
There is very little interchangeability between brands
And on top of that brand x might have made equipment running on 18 volts for 5 years but their new stuff suddenly uses new 20 volt batteries or an 18 volt battery that is slightly different and wont fit
Crikey is right

And 20v vs 18v is just changing from measuring the voltage right after charging to measuring resting voltage of a fully charged battery...

Aaron Z

 

[Botaskinner]

@Oaktree,
After my 8 YO Toro trimmer seized a piston, replacement cylinder jug, piston and rings approached 100 bucks, so it looked like time to try electric power.
I bought the HF Lynx 40V trimmer.
I have 1/3 acre, about half is grass.
The good...
Battery life is adequate for about 1/2 hr of trimming. I trim until the battery dies, mow during the recharge, then finish trimming what is left over, if needed, after the recharge.
The motor sits over the string spool, so it is well balanced, about 1/2 the weight of the Toro.
Recharge time is 30 to 40 minutes.
The not so good...
It doesn't have the raw power of the Toro, but I expected that.
It takes .055 line, not as robust as I'd like but it works pretty well. Use the blue HF line sold separately. The line that comes with it is kind of wimpy.
The brass grommet the string passes thru lasted about 5 hours of run time. I'm on the hunt for a replacement eyelet and tool, should be a minor problem.
The auto advance doesn't work as advertised, but its a cinch to hand feed the line. There's
A little button on the side of the spool you press to hand feed the line. No big deal since, well, it is electric and lightweight..

Overall despite the limitations, It's enough of an improvement to say I dont miss the gasser.
My shoulder and bad back are thanking me.

HF should sell a second battery and beef up the grommet.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

We switched from gas powered drills for drilling wood poles that have to be climbed and have no truck access about 3 years ago to using the Millwaukee 18 volt Fuel tools and we have never looked back, it was the best move that we have ever made and we have continually been swapping to their other tools such as pole saw, impacts, sawzall's etc, IMHO they make some quality stuff and if it will hold up under a bunch of lineman it has to be good.

 

[bcp]

I wonder what the story is behind the standardization of flashlight, etc. battery sizes, and how could this be applied to power tool batteries?

Bruce

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have the Oregon stuff and love it but not as a replacement for gassers. Well, maybe the trimmer. Nice not to have the noise and walk between trees without it running.

I have a Makita handheld 4 stroke blower that I love and my Lady friend "usually" can get it started. It's funny because sometimes she can't and in frustration hands it to me, I pull on it once. it starts, and hand it back, Here.

 

[Diggin It]

Everybody knows that batteries have a limited run/charge lifecycle. I'm wondering how those that have converted will feel when they have to start buying replacement batteries in a year or two, or three.

 

[rangerfredbob]

@Oaktree,
After my 8 YO Toro trimmer seized a piston, replacement cylinder jug, piston and rings approached 100 bucks, so it looked like time to try electric power.
I bought the HF Lynx 40V trimmer.
I have 1/3 acre, about half is grass.
The good...
Battery life is adequate for about 1/2 hr of trimming. I trim until the battery dies, mow during the recharge, then finish trimming what is left over, if needed, after the recharge.
The motor sits over the string spool, so it is well balanced, about 1/2 the weight of the Toro.
Recharge time is 30 to 40 minutes.
The not so good...
It doesn't have the raw power of the Toro, but I expected that.
It takes .055 line, not as robust as I'd like but it works pretty well. Use the blue HF line sold separately. The line that comes with it is kind of wimpy.
The brass grommet the string passes thru lasted about 5 hours of run time. I'm on the hunt for a replacement eyelet and tool, should be a minor problem.
The auto advance doesn't work as advertised, but its a cinch to hand feed the line. There's
A little button on the side of the spool you press to hand feed the line. No big deal since, well, it is electric and lightweight..

Overall despite the limitations, It's enough of an improvement to say I dont miss the gasser.
My shoulder and bad back are thanking me.

HF should sell a second battery and beef up the grommet.

I recently bought the blower and pole saw, they do sell spare batteries for I think $60 but now that I have those and somehow I got two batteries with the pole saw so I have 3 batteries , thinking of getting at least the chainsaw to have around for when I'm doing something quick...

 

[Botaskinner]

Yeah, I just noticed batteries are now available. A bit stiff for the price but maybe prices could drop over time.

 

[Diggin It]

My only battery stuff so far is the Ryobi One+ stuff, drills, saws and one line trimmer. I've had to have a few batteries replaced under warranty and have bought a couple of extras. But at least they don't cost as much as some of the others.

 

[JK22]

Everybody knows that batteries have a limited run/charge lifecycle. I'm wondering how those that have converted will feel when they have to start buying replacement batteries in a year or two, or three.

True... and as the larger batteries get more capacity they are also getting much much more expensive also. Best way to preserve your batteries is to keep them warm. Letting them freeze in the garage is the worst thing you can do for their longevity.