Last November in a TCI EXPO ’23 presentation, I explored the merits of battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) and posed the question: Is it time to seriously consider transitioning to battery-operated tools? Initially, the Rooted Arbor Care team and I had modest expectations regarding the performance of battery products, but after a full year of rigorous field testing, we were pleasantly surprised by the advancements in technology. To my astonishment, many readers of the article, “Is It Time to Start the Transition to Battery Chain Saws?” (TCI Magazine, November 2023), as well as attendees of my TCI EXPO presentation on the same topic, reported similar positive experiences. Since then, I have received numerous calls and emails inquiring about specific-use cases and our preferred tools and sharing their own insights.

On-site charging capability is just one of the concerns to overcome as the industry
transitions to battery-powered chain saws and other power tools. Photo by Steven Letzetler, Rooted Arbor Care.

The most common question I receive is, “How many batteries do I need to outfit a crew?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer. In this article, I will do my best to provide some clarity. Over the past year, the Rooted team and I have consulted with product managers from leading OPE manufacturers, many of whom generously provided equipment for us to test.

If you haven’t read “Is It Time to Start the Transition to Battery Chain Saws?” or listened to my TCI EXPO presentation at tcimag.tcia.org/videos, I encourage you to do so, but for the sake of providing context, here is a summary of our findings about battery OPE.

Husqvarna is set to release the 40-C1000X4 MRC (multi rack charger) Case that accommodates up to four Husqvarna batteries.

Is it time to start the transition to battery chain saws?
The tree care industry has undergone significant shifts over the last decade, moving from skepticism about technologies like SRT/SRS climbing systems to embracing innovations. A similar transition is currently taking place regarding battery-
powered outdoor power equipment (OPE). With recent legislative changes, particularly California’s AB1346, which banned the sale of new gas-powered small engines as of January 2024, the question arises, “Are battery chain saws ready for widespread adoption?”

Background and initial skepticism
After the 2022 TCI EXPO, my team and I embarked on a project to evaluate battery OPE, initially approaching it with skepticism due to limited prior experience. Over the course of a year, we tested products from major manufacturers such as Husqvarna, Echo and Stihl, ultimately finding that
battery-powered tools have significantly improved and are here to stay.

Industry resistance
Despite positive findings, many industry professionals remain resistant to battery technology, often based on preconceived notions rather than direct experience. Interviews with arborists revealed that those with negative opinions frequently lacked hands-on experience with battery OPE. In contrast, ISA Certified Arborists and specialists in coastal regions tend to have more favorable views, suggesting a growing acceptance in certain regions.

Legislative drivers
The push toward battery OPE is not merely a trend; it is driven by legislative changes. California’s AB1346 reflects a broader movement that many other states are considering. This impending shift creates a significant incentive for manufacturers to expand their battery product lines, and many are already responding to these market demands.

Stihl, Ego and Kress join Milwaukee in offering an array of battery-charging and -storage options. Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of the author.

Common concerns
Throughout our testing, we identified seven common concerns regarding battery chain saws:
1. Power: Critics argue that battery chain saws lack the power needed for professional tree work. While it’s true that current models do not match the highest-tier gas saws, many battery options effectively meet the needs of typical commercial work, particularly in pruning and small-to-intermediate removals.
2. Run time: There is a perception that battery saws do not last long enough for demanding jobs. Our testing showed that many models exceed expectations, especially when users manage battery usage wisely by rotating charging and active batteries.
3. Cost: Battery saws may seem expensive upfront, but when comparing saw-only prices (excluding batteries), they are often competitive with gas counterparts. Additionally, battery OPE typically incurs lower long-term maintenance costs.
4. Availability: Supply-chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic affected product availability, but manufacturers are now working to enhance stock levels and distribution. Companies that focus on battery technology are better positioned to meet increasing demand.
5. Weight and ergonomics: Contrary to some concerns, our extensive testing revealed that many battery saws match the ergonomics of popular gas models. Users reported ease of handling and minimal fatigue.
6. Weather resistance: There are doubts about the usability of battery saws in wet conditions. Many manufacturers, including Husqvarna and Milwaukee, have indicated that their products can withstand rain and are safe to operate, provided they are not submerged.
7. Safety and PPE compatibility: Some argue that battery saws are incompatible with traditional chain-saw PPE. However, many PPE manufacturers confirm that UL-rated protective garments remain effective against battery saws, as they are still chain saws in terms of cutting capability.
Advantages of battery chain saws
Battery chain saws offer several benefits that make them attractive to professionals:
1. Consistency: Battery technology ensures a consistent cutting experience, with less variability compared to gas saws, which can fluctuate in performance based on conditions and maintenance.
2. Safety: The stable performance of battery saws reduces the risk of accidents associated with irregular idle or free-
spinning chains, enhancing overall safety for operators, particularly in aerial work.
3. Cross compatibility: Many manufacturers produce a range of battery-operated tools compatible with the same battery systems, allowing users to build a versatile toolkit without needing to switch battery types.

Looking ahead
The future of battery-powered chain saws looks promising. As manufacturers continue to innovate, consumer demand grows and legislation increasingly favors zero-emission equipment, the transition from gas to battery OPE will likely accelerate. Traditional manufacturers such as Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna are responding to this demand by expanding their battery offerings, while relative newcomers to the industry, like Ego, Greenworks and Milwaukee, are rapidly moving into the OPE space, leveraging years of battery-manufacturing experience to provide gas-powered OPE alternatives.

Change is not just on the horizon; it is already happening. Legislative measures like California’s AB1346 signal a shift that the tree care industry must embrace to remain competitive and environmentally responsible. While battery chain saws may not yet completely replace gas-powered options, the advancements and growing acceptance suggest that they will play an increasingly prominent role in the future of tree care. Embracing this technology can lead to improved efficiency, reduced environmental impact and a better overall work experience for arborists.

• Ground rules
  Before delving into my detailed answer to the seemingly simple question, “How many batteries do I need to outfit a crew?”, let me share a few observations to set realistic expectations about our usage case.
• I’m not suggesting that battery-powered chain saws can fully replace gas saws – though they are getting close (see my November 2023 article for more insights).
  My team is based in St. Louis, Missouri, where we’ve tested these products across a variety of wood species. As a full-service arborist firm, we primarily focus on large hazardous removals and ornamental/restorative pruning, consistently using these tools in temperatures ranging from 10 F to 105 F.
• We have worked with battery products provided by Ego, Husqvarna, Kress, Milwaukee and Stihl, all of which have supplied us with their latest power-management systems.
  It’s important to note that this article is not an endorsement of any specific manufacturer.
• Spoiler alert: The ultimate answer regarding how many batteries you need will depend on your specific usage. I hope this article helps you assess your requirements and build an effective battery OPE infrastructure.

If your crew has consistent access to charging power – whether through truck inverters or on-site power at clients’ properties – you might prefer to tailor your battery needs around mobile charging solutions.

Key considerations
Transitioning to battery-powered OPE isn’t as straightforward as simply purchasing a few tools and extra battery packs. It’s crucial to thoroughly research the product lines before venturing into the world of battery OPE. While all the manufacturers we tested offer a range of tools capable of meeting most tree care needs, each employs different strategies to maximize their products’ strengths. Although batteries can be a more cost-effective power source than two-cycle gas, the initial investment in battery packs can be significant, making it essential to understand how to optimize their use.

There are a couple of key considerations to keep in mind when determining which system is right for you. First, consider the two primary battery-power management strategies: on-site/mobile charging and overnight/shop charging. Reflect on whether your business focuses more on removals, pruning and landscaping, or also includes turf- and vegetation-
maintenance services. Additionally, identify which OPE tools you plan to use most frequently; for example, higher-output rear-handle chain saws and blowers will deplete batteries at a much faster rate compared to hedge trimmers, pole saws and top-handle saws.

To determine how many batteries your crew needs to get through a typical day, the main factor we found is whether your crew will benefit more from charging all battery packs overnight at a centralized location or from continuously charging them on the job site. While there will be some overlap between these approaches, it’s important to clarify your primary charging strategy.

On-site/mobile charging
Many tree and landscape businesses either lack a centralized home base or do not have the infrastructure to support large battery banks for overnight charging. If your crew has consistent access to charging power – whether through truck inverters or on-site power at clients’ properties – you might prefer to tailor your battery needs around mobile charging solutions. Manufacturers such as Kress, Milwaukee and Husqvarna offer charging options specifically designed to minimize the number of battery packs a crew requires during standard field operations.

Kress rapid chargers
Kress, like many other manufacturers in the battery OPE sector, produces arborist-specific tools, including top-handle chain saws, a 40cc-equivalent rear-handle chain saw, a telescoping pole saw and various handheld and backpack blowers, along with multiple hedge-trimmer models. Kress’s primary differentiator is their approach to power management. Their battery packs are designed for rapid charging, which reduces downtime and mitigates the need for a large inventory of additional packs. Although their packs expend power more quickly than many competitors, the rapid charging capabilities effectively compensate for any potential reduction in run time.

Kress offers three unique in-field charging solutions that can be recharged in just a few hours at the end of each workday. These solutions function like large battery systems that can be charged overnight and then used similarly to a generator for charging individual battery packs throughout the day. While the concept of overnight charging might seem counterintuitive to mobile charging, it’s crucial to have access to electricity for effective operation.

The three mobile charging options vary in size, mobility and cost. The 5kWh CyberTank and 7.2kWh CyberTank are designed to be permanently mounted to a truck or landscape trailer, and can be charged via an extension cord plugged into a standard 15-amp outlet. Additionally, Kress offers a portable option called the CyberTank-Lite, which utilizes a 25(Ah) battery known as the CyberCapsule.

This CyberCapsule can be charged using any of the Kress charging solutions, and can be used in the backpack blower as a replacement for the KA810 battery. Kress’s focus on rapid charging is evident in the CyberCapsule’s performance, which can fully charge a 4(Ah) 240(Wh) KA804 battery from 0-80% in just eight minutes or to 100% in 12 minutes. Both CyberTank models can charge two KA804 batteries simultaneously at the same rapid pace. They also charge the larger 11(Ah) 660(Wh), KA810
backpack-blower batteries in 10 minutes (80%) and 14 minutes (100%). Furthermore, the CyberTanks feature a “Flash Charge” capability, charging both the KA804 and KA810 batteries from 0-80% in five minutes and to 100% in eight minutes.

In our extensive field testing with Kress, we found that we never drained a battery faster than we could charge its replacement. We tested the smaller 5kWh CyberTank and the CyberLite (CyberCapsule), with the CyberLite delivering five to eight charges for the KA804 battery before its own charge was depleted. The CyberTank provided around 15 charges before dropping to approximately 50% available charge. While these mobile charging systems involve a significant upfront cost, they can substantially reduce the number of battery packs a crew needs throughout the day.

Milwaukee mobile power supply
Milwaukee Tool recently launched their portable charging unit called the Roll-On. Similar to Kress’s CyberTanks, the Roll-On is a large battery cell that plugs in overnight and can then be deployed to job sites to charge or power various tools and equipment. As the name suggests, the Roll-On is equipped with wheels like a dolly, making it easy to transport, and it is compatible with numerous battery chargers and other Milwaukee Packout storage options.

While the Roll-On itself isn’t a charger, it functions as a mobile power supply featuring two 20A GFCI duplex outlets with circuit breakers, along with one USB-C and one USB-A outlet. This versatility allows users to plug in battery chargers or corded equipment directly on site. Although Milwaukee does not advocate using the Roll-On as a mobile charging solution for other brands, we found it extremely helpful when working on sites without accessible power.

We typically paired our Roll-On with two dual-bay Milwaukee 18V Super Chargers. The Super Charger optimizes the rapid charging capabilities of Milwaukee’s new M18 Forge batteries. We primarily use M18 8.0Ah Forge batteries across all our Milwaukee OPE tools. The Super Chargers can charge 8.0Ah Forge batteries from 0-80% in approximately 15 minutes and to 100% in about 25 minutes. No matter which M18 charger you use, the Roll-On can fully charge 8.0Ah Forge batteries 12 times from 0-100%. In our experience, we consistently found that the batteries charged faster than we could deplete them.

Critics argue that battery chain saws lack the power needed for professional tree work, but Andy Jones pushes back against that grain of thinking by removing this large cottonwood tree exclusively with battery OPE.

Husqvarna intelligent charging
Husqvarna is set to release its latest charging solution, the 40-C1000X4 MRC (multi rack charger) Case. This innovative MRC Case serves as a weatherproof transportation and storage unit that accommodates up to four Husqvarna batteries. Unlike the Kress and Milwaukee solutions, the MRC Case is not a power supply, meaning you’ll need access to electricity to plug it in.

What sets the 40-C1000X4 apart is its intelligent charging capability, as it charges each battery based on its individual charge level when inserted. Additionally, it’s one of the few charging solutions on the market that boasts an IPX4 rating, making it suitable for outdoor conditions. While many OPE tools and batteries hold an IPX4 rating, most chargers do not receive this weather rating during active charging.

Access to power outlets
If you have access to an outside outlet at a client’s location, you can use standard single-battery chargers to keep freshly charged batteries ready for use. Although relying solely on single-bay chargers can be cumbersome, this approach generally suffices for most workloads. We’ve rarely encountered clients who were unwilling to provide access to an outside outlet for charging. In fact, many clients appreciated our use of battery OPE, which often sparked engaging conversations and assisted in building client rapport. For sites where power access was limited, such as during scheduled utility-line drops or storm-response work, units like the Kress CyberSystem and Milwaukee Roll-On proved invaluable in minimizing our battery-pack requirements.
Shop/overnight charging
For those with a fixed location and secure power access, overnight charging solutions can be particularly advantageous. Ego, Husqvarna, Milwaukee and Stihl have developed systems tailored for users who need to charge a large number of battery packs simultaneously, alleviating the hassle of constantly swapping out batteries as they complete their charging cycles. Traditionally, OPE manufacturers provided only single-bay chargers, but the rising demand for battery-operated equipment has prompted them to create more robust charging solutions.

To reduce clutter and minimize fire hazards associated with multiple chargers plugged into surge protectors, manufacturers have recognized the need for intelligent charging systems that won’t overload standard 15A outlets. To oversimplify, “trickle-charge” solutions have been developed to safely and efficiently charge multiple packs over several hours, ensuring that your crew is always equipped and ready for the next job.

The Kress CyberCapsule can fully charge a 4(Ah) KA804 battery from 0-80% in just eight minutes, or to 100% in 12 minutes, greatly limiting the number of battery packs needed to make it through the day.

Charging for multiple crews
Ego Commercial has been at the forefront of innovative charging solutions with its PGX Commercial Charging System, capable of charging up to 70 batteries from a single 15A outlet overnight. This system employs multiple three-bay chargers that can be connected in a circuit to the PGX Charging Hub, which acts as the control center for power distribution to each charging dock. The PGX Hub and charging docks can be mounted on walls, cargo trailers or even sprinter vans, optimizing workflow for various operations. For landscapers or pruning crews using enclosed trailers, this overnight system can easily transition into a mobile solution, provided there’s accessible power at the job site.

Milwaukee recently introduced its M18 Six Bay Daisy Chain Rapid Charger, offering a solution comparable to the Ego PGX Commercial Charging System. While the Milwaukee system supports charging up to 60 batteries – slightly fewer than Ego’s 70 – it enables users to bypass the overnight “trickle-
charge” mode for a quicker “Rapid” mode when utilizing only four six-bay chargers. Additionally, these new Milwaukee chargers are Packout compatible, allowing for flexible mounting options in virtually any workspace.

Stihl recently launched its AL 301-4 Multi Charger, a robust four-bay charging dock designed for versatility. This charger can be mounted to walls, trailers or flatbeds, and it can even be stacked for easy transfer between trucks. Its performance is optimized when paired with the Stihl CM 12 Charging Management surge protector, which allows up to 12 AL 301-4 Multi Chargers to be connected, enabling the simultaneous charging of up to 30 AP300 batteries in less than 14 hours.

In reality, no single crew requires 30, 60 or 70 batteries to complete its daily tasks. However, for companies with multiple crews, the ability to scale charging solutions to accommodate a high volume of battery packs is invaluable for effective management and distribution. These large, scalable charging systems significantly reduce the risk of crews arriving without fully charged packs for their next assignments. Also, it’s essential to note that while these systems are designed to work with standard electrical infrastructure, consulting with a licensed electrician is advisable to ensure you don’t inadvertently overload your electrical system’s capacity.

Verdict
The shift to battery-powered outdoor power equipment represents a pivotal opportunity for tree care professionals to enhance their operational efficiency and adapt to evolving industry standards. Over the past two years, our extensive testing has demonstrated that modern battery tools are not only commercially viable, but often exceed expectations in performance and reliability. With manufacturers continually innovating, concerns around power, run time and ergonomics are increasingly being addressed, making these tools a practical choice for various tasks.
The key to a successful transition lies in understanding your specific operational needs. Assessing your most frequently used tools and their power requirements allows for an informed approach to battery selection and charging strategies. Whether you opt for mobile charging solutions or centralized overnight systems, having a clear plan can minimize downtime and ensure your crew remains productive throughout the day.

A simple rule of thumb when transitioning to battery-powered outdoor equipment is to have at least two battery packs for each tool assigned to a crew – one in use and one charging. At Rooted Arbor Care, a standard crew typically consists of three workers equipped with two top-handle climbing saws, two rear-handle saws, a telescoping pole saw and a blower. This brings our total battery-pack allotment to 12 batteries.

For crews focused on larger removals – 24-inch DBH (diameter at breast height) and larger – it’s advisable to consider an additional battery pack for each rear-handle saw to ensure adequate power throughout the day. This general rule is very likely overkill, but it’s always better to have and not need, as opposed to needing and not having. Another benefit to slowly acquiring a surplus of battery packs is that you extend the life of your packs by distributing the life-cycle load.

Conclusion
Embracing battery-powered equipment can lead to long-term cost savings. While the initial investment in batteries may seem substantial, lower maintenance costs and reduced fuel expenses can provide a favorable return on investment over time. Additionally, as environmental considerations become more prominent in the tree care industry, utilizing battery-powered tools aligns with a growing commitment to sustainability.

In a rapidly changing market, the ability to adapt and leverage new technology will be crucial. By investing in battery-
powered outdoor power equipment, you’re not only enhancing your current capabilities, but are also positioning your business to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. As battery-powered equipment moves forward, the integration of these tools can lead to improved job satisfaction for your crew and a more efficient workflow, ultimately benefiting both your business and the clients you serve.

Editor’s note: Greenworks, a manufacturer of zero-emissions landscaping and tree care equipment and a five-year TCIA corporate member company, and Makita USA Inc., a manufacturer of cordless power tools including chain saws, and an eight-year TCIA corporate member company, did not take part in the research for this article.

Andy Jones, CTSP, is an ISA Certified Arborist, a production climber and a co-founder of Rooted Arbor Care, a TCIA member company based in St. Louis, Missouri. He also is a member of TCI Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Committee and is a presenter at TCI EXPO.

This article reflects the thoughts and opinions of the author and does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the products referenced, nor is it an endorsement of any specific company, product or service.