A quick thread on electrification of powered tools in a small municipal urban forestry operations team:
1

In 2019, two aerial lift crews were initially outfitted with a Hsq t535i top handle chainsaw as well as a Hsq telescopic saw. Initial thoughts of the users prior to operating were dismissive for the most part.
2

Within one work shift of trying the equipment, both Arbs seemed to have enthusiasm for the reduced weight, immediate running capability and reduced noise. They were both somewhat surprised by the performance as well.
3

After a year and hundreds of hours of use on a mix of operations assignments, we had a couple of electrical issues that resulted in the replacement of one top handle saw and one pole saw, which would not be an uncommon rate of issues compared to 2 stroke equipment.
4

In 2020 we added an additional set of tools for a climbing crew, and added the Hsq 436Li battery blowers to each of the 3 crews. The blowers were immediately celebrated for their quick starts, lower noise and compact size
5

In late 2020 we received a set of the 2nd Gen Hsq t540i, and a back handle 540i. Our minds were all blown. The performance improvements sealed the deal on our work horse pruning saws being primarily battery powered (and that our backup ms201s collect more and more dust).
6

Important note is that most of the original e-tools we brought online in early 2019 are still in daily use by aerial lift crews. Fast forward to this week's wind event:
7

4 field crews over 3 days responding to emerg calls. Roughly 80 m3 of tree/tree parts turned to chips in this time. Only issue we ran into was not enough batteries for each crew to have backups, and no capacity to charge batteries in the field. Which are easy problems to solve.
8

This wouldn't have worked out as well if not for the batteries being universal across all our equipment, and the equipment itself performing well and with minimal issue.
9

Impacts on the community are measurable from our small crew. The emissions and noise produced by 2 stroke small engines are notorious, and I find the exhaust especially intense (having grown used to eSaws) when I occasionally have to up-saw for tree removals.
10

It's conceivable that manufacturers are working on the dilemma of electrifying higher output saws to push longer bars and I look forward to that day that there is no longer mixed gas on the truck (and the day when our trucks and chippers are electric).
11

The big win for our staff outside of emissions exposure is ergonomics. No more pull starts, less weight, less vibration, less noise. Add that up over a week, a year, a career.
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