The Cordless Revolution

L. David Roper
http://arts.bev.net/roperldavid
05-Oct-2011

Introduction

Battery technology is so good now that excellent cordless equipment makes doing tasks much easier. The items listed below are examples of excellent cordless tools. The ones with an asterisk (*) in front of them are owned by the author.

Do not buy cordless tools that use lead-acid batteries. Only buy those that use Ni-Cd or Lithium-Ion batteries; the Lithium-Ion ones are best and cost more.

Cordless Tools

• *Hitachi DB3DL Cordless 3.6V Li-Ion Driver Drill (Amazon)
• *Black and Decker VPX1201 Li-Ion 7V Drill Driver
• Black and Decker LDX120C 20V MAX Lithium Ion Drill/Driver (Amazon)
• *Makita BCL180W 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum (Amazon)
• Makita BSS501 18V LXT Lithiun-Ion Cordless 5-3/8" Circular Trim Saw (Amazon)
• Bosch AHS 48 cm Lithium Ion Cordless Hedgecutter (Amazon)

Black and Decker 18V Ni-Cd Yard Tools

• *NST2018 Cordless Grass Hog Trimmer with 2 18V Ni-Cd batteries (Amazon)
• *CCS818 Cordless Chainsaw with 1 18V Ni-Cd battery (Amazon)
• *NS118 Cordless Hard Surface Sweeper with 1 18V Ni-Cd battery (Amazon)
• *NHT518 Cordless Hedge Trimmer with 1 18V Ni-Cd battery (Amazon)

Black and Decker 20V Lithium-Ion Yard Tools

• LLP120 Alligator Lithium Powered Lopper (Amazon)
• LCS120 Lithium Chain Saw (Amazon)
• LHT120 Lithium-Ion HedgeHog Hedge Trimmer (Amazon)
• LGC120 Lithium Garden Cultivator (Amazon)

Cordless Yard Trimmers

• *Black and Decker NST2018 Cordless Grass Hog Trimmer with 2 18V Ni-Cd batteries (Amazon)
• Black and Decker NST1018 Cordless Trimmer and Edger with 1 18V Li-Ion battery (Amazon)
• Black and Decker LST220 Cordless Trimmer and Edger with 1 20V Li-Ion battery (Amazon)
• Black and Decker NST2026 Heavy-Duty Cordless Trimmer with 1 36V Ni-Cd battery (Amazon)

Cordless Electric Mowers (Good for small lawns.)

• *Bosch Rotak 43 Li Ergoflex Cordless Rotary Lawnmower
  • YouTube movie
  • 36V 2.6Ah Li-Ion battery charges in 30 minutes and last about 30 minute mowing. It comes with an extra battery. (36V*2.6Ah = 93.6Wh battery capacity; 240V*0.5h = 120Vh; 93.6Wh/120Vh = 0.78A charging current)
  • A special European 240V outlet is required:
    (After attaching the base plate with 2 screws, the other two pieces snap into place.)
• Black and Decker CM1936 19-inch 36V Ni-Cd Mower (Amazon)

References

• Black and Decker Cordless Power Tools
• Makita Cordless Tools
• Hitachi Cordless Tools (Li-Ion)
• People Powered Machines
• No-Mow Grass
• Lawn and Garden (Small Gasoline) Equipment EPA emissions control program
• Safelawns.org
• Grasscrete

L. David Roper Interdisciplinary Studies