TAKING BATTERY POWER HIGHER
From hand tools to high-reach scissor lifts, battery power is becoming increasingly prevalent. Dan Jenkins explores electrification in two key product segments - power tools and powered access.
F
rom power tools to powered access platforms, hirers are seeing increased
demand for battery-powered products. Major construction contractors and other corporations are making significant commitments to cut carbon emissions, while legislation in cities like London is also pushing projects to ditch diesel and petrol in favour of electric tools and machines.
Makita’s approach is to make the batteries interchangeable between most Makita products. The company says that hirers are starting to think of the battery in the same was as they would a generator. Charles Shaw, National Hire and Construction Manager, Makita UK, said: “The battery is a power source and should be thought of as such. The scope of use for a battery goes from drill driver to saws, right through to disc cutters, brush cutters and chainsaws.
“The last thing that a hirer wants is different batteries for different tools – that makes it confusing for the rental company and their clients. Having the ability to move batteries between products increases utilisation of your fleet, which in turn improves ROI. For example, a battery might be hired out with grounds maintenance tools in the summer, then later in the year move to powering
lighting and construction equipment. For hirers, it optimises their investment.”
Increased demand
Recent advances in battery and motor technology are making it more viable for power tool users to transition to cordless products. Paul Hicks, Marketing & Product Manager at STIHL GB, said: Demand for STIHL AP system cordless tools are seeing a significant increase in the hire market as they offer a genuine alternative in the landscaping, horticulture and arborist sectors to traditional petrol tools.
“For example, the new KMA 135 cordless Kombi tool works with the traditional petrol Kombi tool attachments and offers similar power to the KM 111 petrol tool. As battery technology improves, the increased power and longer working times have made the cordless tools a logical step for many operators.”
Niftylift was the first to manufacture a true hybrid boom lift. Bold step
Makita is planning to end the production of petrol engine machines in 2022.
STIHL recently revised many of its existing AP system tools. The company has also launched its most powerful cordless models to date, including the KMA 135 KombiEngine, HTA 135 pole pruner, HLA 135 long- reach hedge trimmer and FSA 135 brushcutter. They were followed by its first cordless backpack sprayer, the SGA 85, which can be used with all the existing spray attachments for the manual SG models.
Makita Corporation took a bold step last October by announcing that it would cease production of Makita petrol engine machines globally by 2022. The company will still support existing product with spare parts; however, its focus will be on the development of cordless products.
Shaw said: “This is the right thing to do. If we were telling customers that cordless is the sustainable thing to do while still making petrol engines, we would be sending out mixed messages. This statement by Makita should give the rental industry and end users the confidence that we have battery platforms in place to take that step.”
The UK hire market remains strong for Makita, with contractor demand for cordless power tools driving sales to hirers. “Both national and independent hirers have been
32 Executive Hire News - June/July 2021
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