Makita XGT tools, good?

[Kram]

Looking at some garden tools and the Makita 40v XGT version has double the rated power of the 18v LXT, for 60 quid more. Batteries are £££ but I think I would only need a couple. I have a few 18v LXT tools but so far only a pair of clone batteries.

Clone batteries seem available for XGT in 2.5Ah, but as these tools are supposed to be smart and log the serial numbers, it might be a bad idea for warranty purposes. Anyway Im happy enough to buy genuine for a change.

@J1nx you use the xgt chainsaws? Would you recommend them?

@JOEPRO likes his Milwaunkee kit, but thats all 18v ?

Some have 18v*2, which I dislike, better for all the cells to be relatively balanced state of charge.

Many other brands, but Im not convinced the Echo, Stihl or Husq battery offerings are much good compared to the proper tool brands - they should stick to engine tools!

 

[JOEPRO]

What sort of garden tools specifically? Do you mean hedges trimmers and brush cutters or smaller equipment?

 

[Jasper42]

I have some of there 18v garden stuff, it’s good, brushless better. The lawnmower is 36v (18v battery x2) very good. I went Makita as I use there power tool. Happy with it.

 

[Craig-SM]

Cordless garden tools = Ego and that’s coming from a Milwaukee fanboy

 

[Kram]

What sort of garden tools specifically? Do you mean hedges trimmers and brush cutters or smaller equipment?

I was looking at the XGT split shaft power unit with 2 2.5Ah batteries and charger for £500 plus the hedger, extension and possibly pole saw, which is another £400 ish.

For hedges, weight is a big concern. This seems like it will be lighter than the Stihl petrol long reach (HL92? I cant remember what one we use).

 

[Kram]

Cordless garden tools = Ego and that’s coming from a Milwaukee fanboy

Ego cost a fair bit more, the poles seem to be carbon fibre which I think will be fragile on site or transporting in car. Idid look at them in dealer last year but was put off by the dealer. Also their website hides the weights and important specs. Seems their top handle saw is 3.5kg plus battery!

Then they dont have other tools - I might get ither XGT tools later on.

 

[J1nx]

@J1nx you use the xgt chainsaws? Would you recommend them?

I only have the top handle and pole XGT, still using the 18x2 rear handle and 18V pruner. Got the extension and hedge cutter in XGT also, very good Knocks the spots off my 2x18 hedge cutter.

The top handle is seriously powerful for what it is, much harder to stall than the old one. I shall be getting the rear handle XGT but I’m really hoping for a 2x40V rear handle, if that comes then I can give up my 70cc Husky.

 

[Kram]

I dont see it a replacement for petrol. I quite enjoy my 2511 and g372. I'm considering a G888 122cc clone saw next

I dont want Stihl induced tinnitus, is the main reason for this, and I think it will be much easier to use a battery one up a ladder.

Have you found a good source of XGT batteries? What size would you suggest for hedging? I am not sure how long they will last.

 

[J1nx]

I won’t get rid of my petrol saw but an equivalent battery would be very useful. Ready to go immediately without any storage problems, and the near silent operation would mean I only use the petrol once in a while just for fun really.
I dropped a biggish silver birch last weekend, climbed it and took the top half down with just the top handle. Had to come down slowly as between a greenhouse and his neighbours summerhouse.

For the batteries I just use fastfix or powerttolmate on eBay, they have 15/20% offers a few times a year so usually grab some then.
I recommend the 5Ah, the 8Ah is great but it’s also huge! The 4 and below starts to limit output although I think a high output 4Ah is on the way.
I find two 5Ahs sufficient, you will need a break after getting through 2 so your never really waiting on charging.

I won’t have moody batteries in the house, just not worth it for the risk, and the fact they are weak on the tools anyway.

Don’t forget the XGT 8Ah is more than two 6Ah of the LXT, so not as bad as it first looks but when you first open one it seems comically big.

 

[Kram]

I was going to order the split shaft off amazon but sods law, it wasnt giving me the option of Wednesday delivery, only tomorrow, and now its out of stock
Thats a pain as I had some cash to use up, and found its easy to use amazon gift cards. I dont see any local shops with it, that includes a good 30 mile radius including south London!

I believe the batteries ending in F are the new style, high output types?
I have just seen this, free battery The rrp is as much as the machine?!?

T&Cs

Claim a Free Gift with Selected Models

makitapromotions.co.uk

18v LXT too.

T&Cs

Claim a Free Gift with Selected Models

makitapromotions.co.uk

 

[Kram]

One thing that would be useful is a 12-48v dc powered charger so that they can be charged in the car etc. I guess they dont make one as that would b e an easy way to lose battery sales.

 

[J1nx]

Yeah the ‘F’ designation is the high output cells. I think the 4Ah is 21700 tabless but just a single string of ten series cells. The 5Ah is I think 2 strings of 18650s, so less powerful cells but they only carry half the current each so I’d think pretty similar output capacity.

Yeah a DC charger would be handy, I have several of the LXT ones, right back to the old teal chargers and some newer black ones.

 

[Kram]

This is getting expensive! The UX01 power unit arrived, £224 from Lawson-his. hedge attachment should be here soon from amazon £230. As Im not sure on battery life I also went with the DUX18 power unit, as I have some batteries it will be lighter and let me finish a job if the other runs out. also amazon £154, which will give a genuine battery for the other tools.
Polesaw and extension, amazon £220
Lxt charging adaptor, so one charger for everything.

And £400 For two 5Ah batterys and charger. Similar price online but this should be here mid day tomorrow.

Makita XGT 40V Max Power Pack Type 2

Power your Makita 40V Max XGT® cordless tools with this 5.0Ah battery kit. These batteries can be fully charged in as little as 50 minutes with the rapid charger - the kit contains two 5.0Ah battery packs along with a 240V charger and Makpac storage case.• Two 5.0Ah batteries for Makita 40V Max...

www.toolstation.com

£1228
It had better be good.

 

[JOEPRO]

Well it's one of those "nice things cost money" situations that hopefully it performs well for you and will be a good investment.

As members will know I'm a Stihl nut and I like my KM131 unit but I know it's heavy for many users. For me I find it just fine. Bluetooth headphones for noise and no harness works great for me. But was also an expensive setup for all the Kombi bits too.

 

[Kram]

Retail therapy is supposed to feel good! being ill I have felt none no sleep last night, feeling awful.

On Monday we were cutting a low stump, I got a face and lung full of rotting cherry and ganoderma dust. The change in weather caught me out and I became extremely dehydrated yesterday. Had the worst cough, with a thick solid lump came up In my 39 years, I have never had anything like that, awful headache, shivering and too hot, proper flu symptoms while fighting my way up a holly. It took me 3 hours of napping in the car (extremely uncomfortable) to get the energy to drive home.

If I see any fungus brackets, in future I will wear a dust mask.

 

[MattF]

£1228

Worth every penny if it does what you want/need.

 

[J1nx]

Very nice, I’m sure you will love it. The batteries are expensive but the quality is top notch, the design, ergonomics, fit and finish is all light years ahead of the yellow and red brands.

I’ve still got LXT batteries from 2012 I think, 4Ah without the battery gauge and I’ve bought more every year since, not a single failure yet and some days I cane them. I often pick 6 and rotate them, a day on the strimmer might see them all charged a couple of times and usually over temp when first stuck on the charger. No reason to think the XGTs won’t serve me just as well.

 

[Kram]

I cant wait to try it, batteries and amazons arriving later..

@J1nx this concerns me. Why would they limit this tool to the small batteries?! I can only think the 5Ah and 8Ah did not exist back then - mine appears to be made feb 2021!

You use a UX01 with no problems on the big battery?
I know these tools are supposed to be smart and log the serial numbers that they are used with.

They do a backpack unit, 33Ah, likely cheaper than lots of batteries. Bit too heavy I think, if they split the battery in two...

Makita PDC1200A02 LXT/XGT Li-Ion Portable Power Pack for UB001CZ - Includes Harness & Charger (DC4001)

Makita PDC1200A02 LXT/XGT Li-Ion Portable Power Pack for UB001CZ - Includes Harness & Charger (DC4001). • New portable power packs. • 1,200 Wh high capacity. • Built-in battery cells. • Compatible with three platforms – 18Vx2, 40Vmax & 36V. • Easy to remove harness allows for use as a stationary...

www.lawson-his.co.uk

I'd like the idea of a belt clip to hold an XGT 8ah battery (2kg) cabled to the tool to keep it light. It seems they made this for LXT and some previous 36v system but cant find anything for XGT

Makita BCV-01 Umbilical Battery Adaptor (Converts 2 x 18V to 36v)

If you already have Makita 18 volt Lithium-ion batteries you can now utilise the full power of the 36 volt range without buying costly 36v batteries. The BCV01 creates a 36 volt supply from two 18 volt Li-ion batteries enabling you to use the 36 volt range of tools with your existing batteries...

www.lawson-his.co.uk

It looks like some of their XGT kit is overpriced rubbish, I looked at the inflator and that appears to be a cheap brushed motor, so not much better than the £10 petrol station items? really needs to be brushless for that task.

 

[J1nx]

Ah yes, there are some limitations with the batteries fitting but you won’t be impacted with the 5Ah on the UX01. The batteries have a small tab to stop them being fitted if not compatible, this can of course be modded anyway. Only one I’ve found so far is the rear handle, it will take a 5 but not an 8.

These are the tabs:

The UX01 definitely works with both larger batteries:

-

Here’s the rear handle with an 8, it won’t go in or run:

I would love the power pack, hovered over buying that several times now but it is pricey imo.

I love the inflators, I have one in each car (CXT) and one on the tractor (LXT), not used the XGT version but they are good.

 

[Onoff]

Very happy with my Makita 2x18V brush cutter.

Even happier with my 2x18V Makita battery to Einhell 36V chainsaw and hedge trimmer conversions!