TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

By Robert Augsdorfer and Glenn Hansen

It seems like professional-level batterypowered equipment and the free market are meeting head-on . Yes , California is doing its thing ; but in much of the United States dealers are stocking more commercial-grade battery-powered equipment than ever before . Manufacturers are producing better equipment powered by more capable batteries that you can charge more quickly . That gives buyers more choices . And when that happens with any retail goods , quality improves and pricing gets better , because the market helps drive product decisions .

It also means that purchasing decisions get more complicated . The following are manufacturer responses to some commonly asked questions regarding battery-powered equipment :

Ego ’ s 56V batteries are compatible across the tool lineup ; that can ease purchasing decisions .

Should buyers choose higher-priced , highamp-hour batteries , or buy more affordable low-amp-hour batteries ? How should outdoor power equipment ( OPE ) dealers help professional-level buyers choose the right equipment ? We need to start with some definitions . Amp-hours ( Ah ) define a battery ’ s energy capacity – the amount of current a battery can provide at a specific rate for a certain period . Voltage is a measure of the power possible from that battery . Higher voltage means more power and higher Ah means more power capacity for longer runtimes within the voltage .

“ Most battery platforms have a range of batteries that enable users to customize their experience ,” said Nick Feld , OPE product manager for Ego ’ s parent company , Chervon . “ Smaller batteries tend to be optimized for reduced weight , preferred when it comes to handheld equipment like string trimmers and edgers . Larger batteries are optimized for longer runtimes and even higher power and are better suited for power-hungry equipment like mowers and snow blowers .”

Some manufacturers are clear about battery ratings , while others use their own naming systems . As such , look closely at the fine print for ratings on voltage and capacity . For example , Stihl AP300 series is a 36V 6 Ah battery , while its AP300 S bumps the capacity up to 7.2 Ah ( also , Stihl equipment fits into families named AP or AK ). Kress , meanwhile , labels its tools 40V or 60V . Also note that some manufacturers market “ nominal ” voltage and others “ maximum ” voltage . For example , a 40V “ max ” battery has the same voltage as a battery with a 36V nominal rating ; same with 20V and 18V batteries .

22 OPE + May 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com