As fall approaches, many homeowners begin to think about the necessary yard work that accompanies the season.
While some may dread the constant maintenance that goes hand-in-hand with gas-powered yard tools, others dislike the thought of wrangling with electrical extension cords while trying to concentrate on tedious trimming.
For these reasons and others, consumers are turning to battery-powered yard equipment.
Battery-powered tools aren’t new. But up until now, most failed to deliver on the power and performance delivered by their electric and gas counterparts.
Technology is changing that, and it may be time to reconsider the benefits of a battery-powered leaf blower or hedge trimmer.
More power, runtime
According to the do-it-yourself experts at Family Handyman Magazine, the new generation of 40-, 58- and 80-volt lithium batteries offer more power and runtime.
Those experts claim the higher-voltage models can do the same work as gas-powered equipment.
They offer a host of suggestions, but tend to recommend that consumers visit a home center or hardware store to get recommendations based on the work they need to do.
Gary Hessler, general manager at Steve’s North End Mower Shop, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, said he is seeing an increase in the demand for battery-powered equipment.
The shop features the Echo line of equipment and offers a battery-powered weed whacker, hedge trimmer, chainsaw and grass trimmer.
“We see it more and more with small acreage owners, mainly due to the fact that you don’t have to carry around gas and worry about mixing the oil,” Hessler said. “As far as performance, it (the trimmer) is going to have the same trimmer head, so there is not much difference between gas and battery-operated.
“You just have to wait 30 minutes for the battery to charge,” he said. “As far as productivity, it’s relatively the same.”
While Hessler said sales of battery-powered equipment is on the rise, he still sells more gas-powered equipment.
“The public is not as educated on batter-operated as they are gas,” Hessler said.
At this point, he said the sales are geared toward who is buying.
“We ask what they are currently using, and how much they are using it,” he said. “We may do some profiling as to how old someone is and whether they can they easily pull the start rope.”
Batteries interchangeable
Customers tend to like the fact that the equipment requires little to no maintenance and that batteries are interchangeable, Hessler said.
Hessler said the Echo weed whacker retails for $249, which is about $40 to $50 cheaper than gas; the hedge trimmer retails for $269, which is $30 cheaper; the chain saw costs $299, which is about the same in price and the blower retails for $229, which is $50 more expensive than gas.
For the most part, the downside to any of the equipment is limited runtime, but consumers can always purchase additional batteries.
Hessler said batteries retail for approximately $100.
In general, Hessler said the weed whacker runs for 45 minutes before the battery needs a recharge; the hedge trimmer for 90 minutes, the blower for 30 minutes and the chain saw for about 100 cuts.
“The blower actually has more power; it just doesn’t last as long,” he said. “When customers question the performance, we go outside and let them try it.”
Hessler said the equipment, including batteries, have a five-year warranty. The life expectancy of a battery is seven years.
Hessler said Echo also makes a battery-operated push mower for $500, but believes that only makes sense for someone who has a postage-stamp sized lawn.
“I don’t really see that coming to fruition in this area,” he said.
Walk-behind mowers
Family Handyman said cordless walk-behind lawn mowers are available for anywhere from $275 to $800, but does not recommend them for anything more than touching up small areas.
Mike Shirk, general manager at Stoney Creek Rentals, Maidencreek Township, said he currently does not carry any residential battery-powered equipment, but may in the future.
“This is up-and-coming technology, so I didn’t want to jump into this too early until the battery technology improved,” Shirk said.
Ross Fisher, general manager at Fisher Rentals, Bern Township, said he also only offers gas-powered equipment.
“The reason I don’t (carry battery-operated) at the moment is because there is not too much of a demand right now,” Fisher said. “I know that’s starting to shift.
“As the performance is getting better and better, I would say I wouldn’t doubt there will be a high demand,” he said. “As that demand increases, I wouldn’t be opposed to offering the equipment.”
Fisher said he is aware that commercial companies are starting to make the battery-powered equipment, especially in the area of blowers, hedge trimmers and weed whackers.
“That’s where the industry will start taking off,” he said.
Tom Wassner, president and owner of Manor Equipment Inc., Spring Township, said he sells the Stihl line of equipment, where about 20 to 25% of sales are for battery-powered equipment.
“We sell mostly trimmers and blowers,” Wassner said. “If you don’t have a lot of trimming to do, the battery is quite sufficient. You have no carburetor or gas problems.”
Wassner said the equipment now comes in all levels from the smallest home tools to commercial grade.
Wassner said the older generation tends to like the battery-equipment because of the ease of use.
“I don’t think (battery-power) will ever take over the industry, but the popularity will increase with consumer awareness,” Wassner said.