CORDLESS, NOT TOOTHLESS - Cordless Hedge Trimmers from STIHL

STIHL launches their first professional quality cordless hedge trimmer - with lithium ion technology. The new STIHL HSA 65 and HSA 85 hedge trimmers may be cordless, but they are certainly not toothless - delivering the same high standards of performance and build as STIHL’s respected petrol-driven models. That means even demanding professional users can enjoy the benefits of a cordless machine. Powered by a clean and long-lasting 36 V lithium ion battery pack, the new hedge trimmers’ quality, high-speed blades ensure a swift and clean cut and the trimmers’ relative low-noise will make them particularly popular for use in public and noise-sensitive environments.

Petrol-powered machines provide mobility, but they can not be described as low-noise. Electric hedge trimmers are quieter, but the power cable restricts their versatility and reach. Combining absolute mobility with quiet, powerful and swift cutting performance, the two new cordless hedge trimmers are ideal for use in environments like public gardens, schools, hospitals and residential areas. They are also clean, low maintenance and extremely easy to use. “Lithium ion battery technology has developed dramatically in the last few years” explains Jürgen Steinhauser, STIHL’s worldwide Head of Marketing and Sales.

The 36 V lithium ion battery pack for example, powers the hedge trimmer cutters smoothly and comfortably through even sturdy hedges; and with a running time of up to 45 minutes, the battery has real stamina - enabling the machines to tackle even long hedges without pause. The trimmer blades’ rapid stroke rate: up to 3,000 strokes per minute, ensures a smooth and swift cut and STIHL has equipped the new cordless hedge trimmers with its usual high quality cutters; their wide tooth spacing and long tooth length means they speed cleanly and comfortably through branches up to 22 mm thick. The HSA 65 has a 50 cm long cutter bar with diamond-ground teeth; the HSA 85 is an extended 62 cm long and its teeth are ground on both sides for an extra-smooth finished cut.

Their handling is equally impressive. The development team has used its significant market experience to design a hedge trimmer that is ergonomically pleasant and easy to use, incorporating features like the two comfort-grip handles with integrated controls and a design configuration that is suited to both left and right-handed use. Cutter speed is varied by the rear handle control, and a gentle squeeze of both handles is all that is needed for the hedge trimmers to go.

Working pleasure is enhanced by the hedge trimmers’ excellent balance, which is due in no small part to the carefully calculated, central positioning of the battery pack. The result is a comfortable, strength-saving hold, and trimmers that are highly manoeuvrable and easy to use. Particularly important for professional users, the new cordless hedge trimmers also both enjoy very low vibration levels, their values falling below EU guidelines at just 2.2 m/s2 a hv,eq.

The STIHL AP 80 battery pack, the core of the new cordless power tools, also embodies 20 lithium ion cells which are characterised by a low selfdischarge and they retain their entire performance capacity, even if the battery is only partially discharged before being fully re-charged. That’s because it has no memory effect – as commonly experienced with other battery technologies. Changing the battery takes only seconds, and is clean, simple and tool-free. And that’s about all the day-to-day maintenance these cordless tools need. For re-charging the battery, there is a choice of two compact chargers: the standard AL 100 charges the battery pack to 80 per cent capacity in just 70 minutes, and the quick charger AL 300 achieves the same level of charge in an impressive 25 minutes. The hedge trimmer is then ready for up to 40 minutes more work. The STIHL HSA 85 is supplied with two AP 80 batteries and the AL 300 quick charger as standard; the HSA 65 comes with one AP 80 battery and the AL 100 charger. Additional chargers and batteries can also be purchased separately.

MILWAUKEE'S NEW M18 HEAVY DUTY GRINDER

Milwaukee, global manufacturer of heavy-duty electric power tools, has unveiled a new M18 Heavy Duty Grinder for 2009.  Ideal for jobs requiring intensive cutting, the tool has been designed for professional power tool users who need tools to work as hard as they do.

The four-pole motor provides high power-to-weight ratio for greater efficiency and reduced user fatigue, whilst the exclusive paddle switch design and multi-position side handle guarantee ease of use.  Overload protection prevents damage to the tool and battery for heavy-handed jobs, whilst L-shaped vents keep debris from entering the tool.

Weighing 2.2 kg including the battery pack, and delivering optimal ergonomics, the M18 Grinder’s gearbox has a reduced height and slim girth design.  The full metal gear case and Milwaukee patented electronics in both the power tool and battery pack ensures revolutionary durability, whilst a tool free, burst resistant guard allows for quick guard adjustments. The powerful three Ah Li-ion 18V batteries provide high runtime and considerably increased durability and the handy inbuilt fuel gauge displays the remaining battery charge state.

Rigorously tested according to Milwaukee’s stringent programme, the M18 range is guaranteed to be ‘Nothing-But-Heavy-Duty’ qualified and is now offered with extended warranty conditions to three years, at no extra cost, making the M18 Heavy Duty Grinder a powerful new addition to any serious professional’s tool collection.

MAKITA ADDS NEW PRODUCTS TO OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT RANGE

• new submersible pumps
• new low emission line trimmer and brush cutters
• 48cm blade hedge trimmer

Makita has added further products to the Outdoor Power Equipment range of horticultural power tools and equipment. Two new submersible water pumps have been added to compliment the 2-inch centrifugal water pump and 1-inch high-pressure pump already in the range.

These new Makita PF4000 and PF4001 submersible water pumps are both powered by 400 watt motors and can be used at a depth of 5m. The semi-trash PF4000 model has a lift head of 6 metres and will deliver 160 litres per minute (9,600 litres/hour) pumping capacity, whilst the PF4001 model will lift to 7 metres and pump 180 litres per minute (10,800l/hr). Weighing 5.8kgs these pumps have useful triple size outlet hose connection unions (35mm, 30mm and 25mm) with non-return valves. The PF4000 semi-trash pump has a 25mm max solids capacity and requires 40mm depth of water in which to operate. It has a stainless steel motor case and shaft. The PF4001 has a stainless steel housing, motor case and shaft. Both are protected by a low water level float switch.

The Makita EBH253L brush cutter has a 24.5cc low emission, 4-stroke MM4 engine built at the Makita engine plant in Japan. This machine features the spring-assisted easy-start system, electronic ignition and fuel management system that limits emissions in line with future global standards. With a cutting diameter of 420mm, a new dual action guard, vibration protection and loop handle controls, this 5.9kg trimmer is ideal for large domestic or municipal operations.

The Makita EBH341U brush cutter is driven by a 33.5cc 4-stroke motor, which also benefits from the latest low emission engine technology. With a 305mm diameter cutting “tri-star” blade and low vibration “bike” handlebars, this rugged 7.1kgs brush cutter is a hard working machine for estate operations.
A new slimline electric hedge trimmer is added to the Makita range; the UH4860/2 has a 48cm long, double-action, double-sided blade which means that it will cut in both directions maximising cutting performance. It will cut through branches up to 15mm in diameter with a maximum blade speed without load of 1,600 strokes per minute. The UH4860 is powered by a 400watt motor and has the very safe two-hand control system which when the forward handle is released activates an electric brake which stops the blade movement in under half a second.

The new Angle Grinder GWS 22-230 H Professional from Bosch

The new Angle Grinder GWS 22 H Professional from Bosch is a compact power pack. Driven by a 2200-watt Champion motor, the version for 180-millimetre discs weighs only 5.0 kilograms, which makes it up to 13 percent lighter than other tools in this class. The model with 230-millimetre disc weighs only 200 grams more. This is a major advantage because the machine weight is a crucial factor when working with large angle grinders – especially when working overhead or when the tool has to be held horizontally from the chest for lengthy periods of time. This has also been confirmed by a survey of 900 users in Germany, England and Italy.

Bosch Angle Grinders were the first in the world with vibration damping. The new GWS 22 H Professional is also equipped with "Bosch Vibration Control". The red damping zone on the auxiliary handle reduces the incoming vibration by up to 50 percent (measured in accordance with EN 60745) compared to working without an auxiliary handle with "Bosch Vibration Control". The new angle grinders also offer a high level of convenience thanks to the ergonomic main handle and the SDS-clic quick-locking nut, which is available as an accessory and enables convenient disc changes without the need for tools.

Double-sealed ball bearings and a particularly robust gearbox ensure that the new angle grinder has a long lifetime. Moreover, armoured coils protect the motor against sharp grinding dust. The easy-to-operate, multifunctional triple-control safety switch offers a high level of user protection. Convenient working combined with a fast work rate, long lifetime and high level of user protection translates into maximum productivity. This makes the new Bosch Angle Grinder an ideal tool for professionals in civil engineering, bridge-building, interior fitting work and in the shipyard construction and mechanical engineering industries – whenever it comes to time-intensive cutting and grinding work in metal or concrete.

The new angle grinder will be available at specialist retail outlets from October 2009 onwards.