Industry Shifts
The professional landscaping industry is experiencing an increasing shift from gas-powered to battery-operated equipment, with emerging gas and noise-related restrictions standing as significant driving factors. As an increasing number of new solutions continue to be introduced to the jobsite, many professionals are expressing hesitation with investing in this new equipment, uncertain of what capabilities battery-power can offer. While many of these new solutions can provide benefits, it is important to understand which equipment manufacturers can deliver the enhanced efficiency and performance that battery power can introduce to the jobsite to maximize their investment in this transition.
Benefits of Battery Power:
- Maintenance: Battery-operated equipment offers greater reliability than gas engines, featuring the convenience of features, such as a push button start. In contrast, gas equipment requires taxing pull starts, which commonly risk engine flooding and prolong downtime. Improper ratio mixing of gas and oil or a clogged air filter often leads to maintenance and increased downtime, issues which battery-power eliminates, enhancing productivity for professionals on the jobsite.
- Safety: Professional operators using gas engines often deal with gas fumes near their face and high noise levels leading to potential hearing loss, introducing safety risks in application. Battery-operated tools eliminate gas fumes and minimize noise output to drive an improved user experience, with solutions such as the M18™ FUEL ™ Blower reducing noise by 40% to allow users to work without a loud engine constantly creating noise.
- Ergonomics: Professionals spend long hours on the jobsite, often experiencing fatigue that extends beyond work hours. Battery-operated equipment, with reduced vibration compared to gas alternatives, minimizes muscle and joint fatigue, enhancing productivity, while improvements in equipment weight distribution can also drive further productivity.
Performance
Beyond the benefits that battery-powered solutions can bring to the professional jobsite, a crucial aspect of the transition from gas equipment is understanding a crew’s performance and power management needs in order to get though a full day of work on a single battery platform. Significant developments in technology integration have allowed many battery-powered equipment solutions to become more intelligent, powerful, and ergonomic. However, it is important to invest in manufacturers dedicated to delivering innovative solutions with technologies that deliver the power required for daily, professional applications to maximize the benefits of this shift. Through countless hours working alongside professionals on the job, Milwaukee Tool understands the demanding requirements of the professional landscaper and has worked to drive productivity on the properties they maintain.
Leveraging this leadership and user-focused commitment, Milwaukee Tool recently expanded their lineup of solutions for the Landscape professional. New solutions such as the M18 FUEL ™ 16” String Trimmer and the M18 FUEL ™ Edger give operators more power than a 31cc gas unit, while five new dedicated M18 FUEL ™ Hedge Trimmers allow landscapers to match the solution to the application need, all while leveraging the M18™ Batteries used on their other solutions. With over 250 compatible solutions, the M18™ the system continues to expand in both its capabilities and product offerings, delivering increased productivity day to day for the professional.
Battery Technology
In addition to equipment performance, it is also crucial when approaching this transition in battery-operated equipment to select the optimal pairing of batteries, chargers, and power supplies to maximize power and run-time to meet the demands of a professional.
Milwaukee continues to be a leader in battery-powered technology, understanding the demands of the landscape maintenance professional and delivering innovations that maximize performance. Milwaukee’s M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ batteries are a recent example of this innovation, driving the most power, fastest charging, and longest life batteries Milwaukee has to offer.
Most recently, M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ expanded with new XC 8.0 and HD 12.0 batteries to unlock a new level of power for the M18™ system. These battery packs deliver HIGH OUTPUT™ power, with the HD12.0 providing 50% more power when compared to high output 12.0 batteries, allowing users to complete more demanding applications. Minimizing downtime for charging, both the XC8.0 and HD12.0 are COOL-CYCLE™ capable, provide high-speed cooling to help professionals stay productive. Additionally, advanced thermal management and resistant housing protects against common oils, greases and solvents to deliver the longest life compared to REDLITHIUM™.
Charging Solutions
Having the correct pairing of batteries and charging solutions ensures minimal downtime, allowing crews to stay productive on the job. In choosing a crew’s optimal charging solutions, it is important to consider the amount of work that needs to be completed, common applications, and the charging environment. Milwaukee’s new M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous SUPER Charger delivers the fasted charging speed to minimize downtime, charging the new COOL-CYCLE™ capable M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ HD12.0 and X.C8.0 to 100% in just 45 minutes. Investing in versatile and mobile charging solutions is pivotal to maximizing productivity on the jobsite. Milwaukee Tool’s new M18™ PACKOUT™ Six Bay RAPID Charger provides professionals the ability to charge six batteries without swapping them and allows for easier transportation to and from the trailer.
Bottom Line
Milwaukee Tool is committed to delivering industry-leading innovation with battery-powered equipment to make professional landscapers more productive. Understanding these industry shifts, Milwaukee will continue to work alongside professionals in the field, developing solutions that drive productivity on the job.
This article was published in the July/August issue of the magazine. To read more stories from The Edge magazine, click here to subscribe to the digital edition.
