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The shift from petrol to battery-powered garden tools has changed the way Tim ‘The Lawnmower Man’ Parker works and the equipment he uses, making his days transforming overgrown lawns quieter and kinder on the body. “Commercially, in the last couple of years there’s been more and more [battery-powered] equipment released. For some contractors, they can convert a lot of their equipment to battery,” Tim says. “I know of some people who have gone fully electric.” Armed with Makita battery-powered tools in the form of a lawnmower, hedge trimmer and blower from the popular brand’s 40V Max XGT range, Tim shares six reasons why battery can be better.
Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Even famously noisy blowers and line trimmers are much quieter than their petrol-powered equivalent, which is what Tim found when he tested Makita’s battery-powered tools. He also says this makes a big difference to the user – and their neighbours. “There’s less noise and it’s just a nicer experience,” he says, adding: “I’ve been genuinely surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed using some battery equipment in the right scenarios.”
Choosing battery power over petrol means lower vibrations because there isn’t a combustion engine running the show. This is also beneficial to the health of landscapers, Tim explains. “If you’re using petrol equipment, it vibrates more and you can end up with issues of numbness in your hands over time, which can lead to other complications,” he says.
The same goes for potent petrol fumes, which can cause a range of health issues – when you’re using battery-powered garden tools, exposure is no longer a concern. “With batteries, I’m not breathing in petrol fumes,” Tim says.
Gone are the days of yanking the start cord to get your petrol-powered garden tools going. With battery-powered tools, you simply push a button and you’re away – mowing, blowing or trimming. “You don’t have that fatigue of having to pull the starter cord repeatedly throughout the day or garden tools not starting,” Tim says. “It’s much easier.”
Battery-powered garden tools eliminate the need for regular servicing, which Tim says allows him to spend more time on the job. “You no longer need to service an engine with lots of moving parts,” he says. “That’s not to say things can’t or won’t go wrong – you can have a motor fail or a battery fail, and with a lawn mower you have to change the blades. But there’s no need to go in for regular servicing.”
The battery running times of hedge trimmers, such as the Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Line Trimmer, are so long that Tim says he’ll never go back to petrol. “I would never use a petrol hedge trimmer these days because the battery-powered ones are that good now – the running times are really good when doing the hedges in particular,” he says. “I like battery-powered blowers, too. Lawn mowers have got a little way to go, but they’re getting there.”
We handed Tim some gems from the Makita 40V Max XGT range, and here’s what he thought…
Tim’s verdict: “Most battery mowers have a single bar blade set-up, but this one is rather unique because it’s got a traditional four swing back blade set-up. It’s better suited to Australian conditions because if you hit something hard, it can swing back and can take some of the impact. There’s less chance of damaging the equipment.”
Tim’s verdict: “A high-quality machine with high blade speed. The blades operate very quickly and you get a nice clean cut. It’s low vibration and just feels very smooth to use. It’s also reasonably lightweight for what it is. This is one I’ve really enjoyed using; I wouldn't use a petrol hedge trimmer at all.”
Tim’s verdict: “It has a variable speed trigger that I like. There’s a turbo function, but it’s built into the trigger, so you just have to pull the trigger down fully to engage the turbo button. With a lot of other machines, you have to separately press a turbo button while pushing the trigger at the same time. The power level is good on it and the airflow is sufficient for maintenance tasks.”
Tip: Bunnings Trade PowerPass members can purchase the Makita 40V Max XGT range through 134 TRADE.
Check out our landscaping expert’s verdict on a chainsaw, curved shaft line trimmer and blower from ECHO’s petrol-powered range.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
