Makita launches external battery supply for outdoor power equipment

Makita’s ConnectX is a system of equipment utilizing a high-capacity backpack power supply for longer run time for professional landscapers and contractors.

Range anxiety is a concern for drivers of battery-electric vehicles, and it really becomes a concern when battery life has a direct impact on the job at hand. Professional lawn and landscape crews are a perfect example, but the additional weight of high capacity batteries can be an issue.

To help extend run times, Makita U.S.A. Inc., a manufacturer of cordless outdoor power equipment and power tools, has announced ConnectX, a system of equipment utilizing a high-capacity lithium-ion battery backpack power supply for longer run time for professional landscapers and contractors. The company said ConnectX delivers commercial performance but with lower noise, zero emissions and considerably less maintenance than gas-powered equipment.

The ConnectX system is a line of equipment that utilizes an external battery connection, moving batteries from the unit to a battery backpack that is sold separately. A cable connects compatible equipment and tools to the battery backpack. With 1200 watt hours of output, it is Makita’s highest capacity battery. The battery box can also be detached from the harness for use as a stationary power supply.

Makita’s CML01Z 36V ConnectX battery electric lawn mower.

“ConnectX is a true gas replacement for professional landscapers,” said Mario Lopez, director of product management, Makita U.S.A., La Mirada, Calif. “For a typical mow-and-blow landscaper going house-to-house, we’re seeing up to two days of work on a single charge of the ConnectX backpack power supply. For pros looking to convert their trailer or landscape operation to battery-powered, they now have a solution with ConnectX, an alternative to gas-powered equipment.”

Among the equipment that can be run off the backpack battery is the CML01Z 36V ConnectX 21 in. lawn mower.

The mower can get up to three hours of continuous cutting with a fully charged backpack power supply, which may also be removed from the backpack and mounted directly onto the mower. It has a commercial‐grade 14 gauge steel deck, self‐propelled motor with variable speed (1.5 to 3 mph) and rear‐wheel drive. The brushless motor delivers up to 2800 rpm for faster cutting. The 89 lb. CML01Z provides improved traction on inclines and uneven terrain.