After 7 years in business, I am using something I've never tried before. Mistake, or good move? You can let me know!
What's it like running all battery powered hand tools in the lawn care industry? This is an overview of my very first day running the new TORO 60V Revolution commercial battery platform, which includes a 16" battery string trimmer, 24" battery hedge trimmer, and a 730 CFM 160 MPH backpack leaf blower.
The following is a copy/paste of the description from the video where I first got a chance to see this equipment that contains all the info we have on the equipment shown and mentioned in the video. https://youtu.be/Cf7dtJJSNYQ :
First up is a new 6 pod battery charger for the @toro Revolution 60 volt system (Model 66560) . It appears there will be a wall mounted tray that will hold the entire charging platform for easy removal (to throw in your truck perhaps?). Carry handles can support the weight of fully loading this thing down with TORO's new 10 AH batteries (Model 68810), which is a real bear to carry (I loaded it up and was able to walk around with it, but if you had back/shoulder issues you may not be able to carry it with 6 10AH batteries.
The new 10 AH battery has a new handle (Model 68810) as some of the way they got extra cells was by consuming the portion where the handle is on all the smaller battery packs. This results in an attached swiveling handled versus a fixed/molded handle.
The backpack unit itself (Model 66205T) seems adequately built and favors durable plastic to keep weight down. The straps seemed comfortable enough, but longer usage is definitely needed to test it. It weighs about 9.3 pounds without any batteries attached. The backpack CAN run off only one battery, but if done with a HEAVY battery like the new 10AH it does throw the balance off in a very noticeable way. When using two batteries, the backpack draws charge from both equally to maximize run time and minimize operating temperatures (which are bad for batteries).
The backpack tether (Model 66005) serves to provide power from the backpack to the new commercial tools. It has a button you can press to view the overall charge of the batteries in the backpack battery system.
The backpack/blower combo comes in several options: I believe Model 66200 includes the backpack, blower, and some type of battery/charger. Model 66100 does not include a battery or a charger. Model 66100T only includes the blower cannon, it does not include the backpack. The backpack and backpack tether are not compatible with ground-engaging products (such as snow removal tools or lawn mowers).
The commercial battery string trimmer (Model 66110T) is around 10 pounds and seems to have a very robust commercial speed feed type head. It has two speed options (Low/1 - High/2) It can run on a backpack battery with tether or a stand-alone battery. 16 inch cutting width.
The commercial hedge trimmer (Model 66120T) is around 9 pounds and has a very robust metal bottom, great for rougher drops that you may be used to in the field. It has three speed options (H/High - L/Low - Rotate icon/Reverse). Overall length of 44.5 inches, cut length of 26 inches, cut width of 1.2 inches.
Copper Creek Cuts is a lawn care and landscaping business in Florida with a goal to entertain and educate.
