Quality gardening tools are specially designed to see you well over many years but can easily be worn out if you don’t understand how to prolong them.
Battery-powered tools are becoming popular due to their low maintenance and positive impacts on the environment. Unlike fuel-powered tools, they rely on a battery, meaning you don’t need to change the oil or clean any filters. However, just because tools are low maintenance, doesn’t mean there’s no maintenance.
Regardless of the quality, they need to be maintained properly and regularly to ensure they are ready for your next gardening job. By following these tips below, you’ll add many years of life to all your tools and make those garden chores much easier.
When should you charge the battery?
In order to extend the life of your batteries, it’s advised that you recharge the battery before it reaches 0%. Allowing the battery to completely drain can damage the battery over time and reduce its effectiveness in the long term.
It’s also best to have a replacement Milwaukee battery available so that you are able to swap them out as the charge begins to go down. Once the battery is fully charged, remove them from the dock or charger, as overcharging the battery can also be damaging.
The batteries will likely become hot to the touch when they are being charged but should be removed if you feel they are overheating. In these instances, you should contact a professional or the manufacturer in case there are any underlying issues.
How should you store the battery?
One of the more important tasks when it comes to caring for your battery-powered tools is how you store the batteries. The majority of these tools are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be reliable for many years, should they be cared for efficiently.
If you plan to keep your batteries stored unused for more than a month, try to keep them between 40% and 60%. By allowing the batteries to remain charged halfway, you help to prevent and slow down the ageing of the battery.
Some batteries are built-in and so are stored within the tool, whereas others must be stored separately. These usually come alongside a cover, which should be applied during storage, otherwise, keep the battery safe in a dry location.
The temperature in which the battery is best kept can depend on the brand but ideally should be kept cool or at room temperature. Lithium-ion batteries do not react well to high or low temperatures so be aware if you’re planning on leaving them in a garage during the winter or summer months.
How should you store and care for your tools?
You shouldn’t just focus on caring for the batteries of your tools. You’ll also need to ensure the tools themselves are well looked after, which means cleaning them regularly and storing them safely.
Whilst you don’t need to clean spark plugs or air filters, you will need to clean off any dirt or dust that accumulates on the tool. Tools that are used for cutting, such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers, should be sharpened on occasion and oiled well before use. You may also need to replace the cutting line, depending on the equipment type.
All battery-powered tools need to be kept in a cool and dry location – one that won’t trap moisture. You can cover the tools with some fabric to keep them safe but these should be checked over once every while to make sure that they are kept dry.
Reply