Page 14 - OPE September 2020

MARKETPLACE
Trimmers & Brushcutters
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
going to be a constant cycle of improvement for STIHL to make the best use of our own battery production and our own electric motors.”
Big swing towards battery
Over at Husqvarna, Steve Middleton confirms the “big swing to battery products” continues, with plenty of new models offering newfound power and capability.
“Consumers are making the shift to battery, with significant change accelerated by exposure in the industry.
“Yes, there are still the diehard petrol people who we continue to support, but we’re seeing commercial contractors take on battery kits for their commercial rounds.”
And battery’s prospects are getting stronger, looking towards the future:
“We’re also seeing a lot more trialling of battery gear by those with another year or so to run with existing equipment,” says Steve.
Conversely, he adds, there are still many small operators keen to persist
add-on attachments. Otherwise petrol is still ticking over, but much of what you’re seeing from the company perspective is additional battery-powered products.”
In terms of the overall market, says Steve Middleton, there’s still “a large volume
The flipside, the positive of this, is that it gives companies like Husqvarna “the opportunity to upsell people into semi- professional lifestyle products if they have the budget.”
Indeed, Husqvarna has managed a staged release of professional application products over the past three months, which are finding a market among lifestyle block owners and farmers “who need something a bit more powerful for long brush,” Steve explains.
“Once buyers are into that range, it’s very easy for them to add more skins as battery- less machines are very affordable. It costs about 50% more for the petrol equivalent versus battery-less.”
Having not previously had a big battery brushcutter equivalent to a 35cc petrol machine and only a fixed pole saw, key recent introductions to the Husqvarna range include the 535i battery brushcutter and 520 telescopic pole saw and hedgetrimmer, with a 4.5m reach. n
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“Yes, there are still the diehard petrol people who we continue to support, but we’re seeing commercial contractors take on battery kits for their commercial rounds. We’re also seeing a lot more trialling of battery gear by those with another year or so to run with existing equipment”
with what they know and looking to squeeze the last drop from petrol- powered equipment.
“The big trend in petrol is with split- shaft machines where customers can buy
of sales at bottom end of the market”
with entry-level curved shaft trimmers
for example, not to mention “strong competition from other brands and the big box stores.”
New Husqvarna telescopic hedge trimmer and brushcutter
THE HIGH-CAPACITY battery-
powered Husqvarna 520iHT4 telescopic pole hedge trimmer has an up to 4.5m reach. Designed for professional use, it cuts wide, high and low hedges efficiently thanks to the length-adjustable telescopic tube and angle adjustable cutter bar. The bar also folds conveniently for easy
transport and storage. Compatible with all Husqvarna BLi-batteries and chargers, the 520iHT4 combines “market-leading” performance with zero direct emissions, low weight, low vibration levels and extremely quiet operation. The rear impact guard protects the integrated battery to prevent wear and damage effectively. It’s.
The robust, high-performance battery- powered Husqvarna 535iRXT brushcutter is designed for full-time professional
use. Lightweight and well-balanced,
with its E-Torq motor it delivers power equivalent to a 35cc petrol brushcutter. The 45cm cutting diameter delivers strong performance, the rigid handle tower
and motor suspension are crafted from magnesium, while the bevel gear and other vital components are carried over from the petrol range. For the pros, the Husqvarna Fleet Services app makes it easy to keep track of this tool’s usage stats, service history and last known location.
www.husqvarna.com/nz/