Are battery powered gardening/landscaping tools ready for prime time yet?

[cantdrv55]

I need a hedge trimmer, mower and a chain saw. There a few 18V battery powered tools that have pretty impressive specs but they never say how long the charge will last. Do you have experience with such tools?

[Scott R]

I got 3 years on my 18v trimmer before the battery would no longer take a charge. The battery was twice the cost of a new gas trimmer, was not a difficult decision. This was a Ryobi.

[widebody911]

From my experience, no, they're not ready for prime time.

I have a Ryobi 18v sawzall (reciprocating saw) and it's pathetic in terms of oomph and staying power. It's great for a quick little onsie/twosie jobs, but that's about it.

[RWebb]

I have a battery operated mower - works fine on my small lawn.

No way re the chain saw.

[enzo1]

36 volt or no go....

[A930Rocket]

I have a B&D hedge trimmer. What a POS.

I got what I paid for it.

[mikesride]

We sell the higher end STIHL line and I have used their new cordless chain saw trimmer and weed whip and I am sorry to say, they did not meet my expectations.

[legion]

In my experience, a battery-powered equivalent of a gas-powered tool will drain the battery in 10-20 minutes of continuous use.

If you have one battery, you can get 10-20 minutes worth of work done before being forced into a 2-hour break.

If you have two batteries, you can get 20-40 minutes worth of work done before taking a 1 hour, 40 minute break to 1 hour, 50 minute break.

If your tool drains the battery in 20 minutes, you need a minimum of 6 batteries to be able to work continuously. If your tool drains the battery in 10, you need a minimum of 12 batteries to be able to work continuously. Now go price 5-11 spare batteries, and tell me which type of tool is cheaper...

[porsche4life]

Makita has good 18v technology. But I don't think they have all the tools you need.

Just buy gas, or corded.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I need a hedge trimmer, mower and a chain saw. There a few 18V battery powered tools that have pretty impressive specs but they never say how long the charge will last. Do you have experience with such tools?

It really depends on what you need. I have a Neuton battery lawnmower for my office building because it was such a pain to keep a gas powered mower serviced, tuned up, and fueled for the task. It takes about 15 minutes to do the mowing, and the Neuton is perfect for me. The maintenance on the gas mower was just too much to justify keeping it. If I needed to mow for 45 minutes, the Neuton would not be a good answer. It has noticeably less power after two 15 min. mowing jobs and needs to be recharged.

[RWebb]

I have a new Homelite mower - I've done the lawn 3x with it on a single charge - no problem.

Small lawn tho.

[trekkor]

Big jobs require a corded tool.


KT

[HardDrive]

In a word, no.

[jyl]

I use a battery electric mower for my small lawn. Cuts fine for the most part, no fuss, adequate battery capacity, struggles a bit if the grass gets too high (8") but two passes gets it done. But it is a small yard - I used to use a reel (manual) mower.

I've never run out the battery, but I know it will get through at least 2000 sq ft of grass (my "yard" plus the neighbors). Maybe there are some actual battery life specs for these mowers, but anyway that's my experience.

I also have battery trimmer and hedge clippers. They do the job, for a short time. I think Chris' 20 minutes is about right. These aren't really 100% satisfactory, but the alternatives (corded, gas) are a pain in their own ways.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I have a B&D hedge trimmer. What a POS.

I got what I paid for it.

Same here.

[GH85Carrera]

I have a battery operated hedge trimmer I bought 20 years ago. It has a large 12 volt battery that is BIG and straps on like a belt. We have three bushes in the front yard and it does just fine for that. I bought it two houses ago back when the bushes I needed to trim were at the very back of my property. I would have needed a very long extension cord and the battery operated version was a cheaper alternative. If you have just a few bushes they are ok. The ironic part is at this house the bushes are right next to an electrical outlet.

[EarlyPorsche]

Batteries and cords kill the fun. GAS GAS GAS!

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Big jobs require a corded tool.
KT

That's what she said!

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by legion

In my experience, a battery-powered equivalent of a gas-powered tool will drain the battery in 10-20 minutes of continuous use.

Good synopsis, but battery life drops precipitously with age. I have some "older" (3 or 4 years) 18v batteries that don't last 5 minutes in the drill.

[vash]

CP. i have the 2-stroke version of all those tools. well, not the mower.

you are welcome to borrow them anytime. battery tools are for hobby lawns..serious brush clearing? you need that light blue tinted smoke lingering around the work area to feel really warm and fuzzy.