TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

By Robert Augsdorfer and Glenn Hansen

It seems like professional-level battery-powered 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 batterypowered equipment than ever before . Manufacturers are increasing production of better equipment powered by more capable batteries . That gives buyers more choices . And when that happens with any retail goods , product 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 :

Should buyers pay a higher price for high-amp-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 ) show 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 .

“ High-amp-hour batteries make sense for users with high power demands and longer runtime needs , such as blowing and mowing jobs ,” said Paul Beblowski , Stihl product manager . “ However , these batteries

typically weigh more , take longer to charge , and cost more than low-amp-hour batteries . On the flip side , if a user has equipment that is weight dependent — e . g ., tree care — or only requires limited use , then those users could opt for low-amphour batteries .”

“ What we ’ ve started to do is focus on what job people are trying to get done ,” said Danny Mesick , director of electrification product management at Stanley Black & Decker . “ We do kitted tools , and we pair the right product with the right battery — often using a fuel tank analogy . A lot of pros are used to going out on their jobs , and they know how long they can work before needing to fill a gas tank . We want to help reduce their range anxiety and increase their confidence around runtime .”

According to Tony Buxton , director of product marketing at Milwaukee , professional users must consider the daily requirements of their crew . “ While operator preferences will impact the size and weight of the batteries selected , the ultimate goal for professionals is to optimize their battery investment ,” he said .

Most manufacturers market battery size and price options . Milwaukee offers its M18 batteries in three sizes : compact CP , extended-capacity XC , and highdemand HD . They have different Ah ratings , weights and prices . Users might

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