TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
“ We ’ ve found that what is equally as important as amp-hours in a battery is the speed in which it charges ,” said Todd Zimmerman , VP product development for Kress Commercial , whose 60v platform is designed for professionals with an 8-minute charge time .
Every manufacturer knows that safe , quick and convenient charging solutions are the key to efficiency for users of commercial equipment .
Milwaukee power tools and power equipment can run on the same 18V batteries , extending efficiency .
Mobile charging is a concern that manufacturers are trying to resolve for pro users .
Some users love a certain company ’ s chain saws , but a different company ’ s blowers . Does it make sense to buy different battery platforms ? How do users decide , or is it all about battery cost containment ? As professionals in the green industry move away from gas , battery-poweredequipment choices go beyond the V and Ah question . Users need to decide if they want to stick with one brand for battery ease or use equipment from multiple companies . The consensus among manufacturers is that it ’ s best to stick with one brand – and they ’ re not just saying that to get you to buy all of their products .
“ It is common for users to invest in a battery platform and stay with that platform as their needs expand to different applications ,” said Feld . “ But not all manufacturers offer the same breadth of line , and not all manufacturers compete at the same voltage platform . Therefore , power and performance can vary significantly when it comes to certain product categories .”
According to Mesick , the job application will determine the kind of battery power needed .
“ We ’ re starting to equate amp hours to what you would get from a gas tank ,” he said . “ On-the-go charging , overnight charging and battery storage will factor into the purchase .”
According to Zimmerman , one of the main selling points for battery-powered equipment is ease of use compared to gas . But there can be cost savings too , and the end user can save even more by sticking to one battery platform .
“ Efficiencies are found through a consistent means to charge batteries through a single set of chargers ,” he said .
“ As many professionals transition away from gas equipment , they are pro-
24 OPE + May 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com