A new entry in the electric pro-tools market
By Patrick Regnault
(Intro) Tools and equipment are an investment that needs careful consideration. Regardless of their cost we need to ensure we do not spend on lesser quality tools. Reputable makers have their up and downs, standards can slip before rising again.
The last decade has seen the rise of electric power tools with their power and quality improving year on year. Known brands are going electric, talking up the green credentials which is debatable if we look at the big picture of battery manufacturing to recycling, and the source providing the charging power. One of the greatest advantages of battery tools is the reduced noise levels which make them ideal for use in hospitals, third age facilities, schools, and hotels. Noise pollution control is becoming stricter in suburbs and workplaces, and likely to become more so in the future.
The new entry coming this spring in Australia is Kress, part of the Positec Group since 2017. The ergonomic design is excellent. The range of tools include a very powerful blower, push and self-propelled mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, line trimmers and lawn edgers, and robotic mowers. Their 60V battery chargers come in two forms, the usual plug in 3A, 5A and 8A, the latest being a dual port charger which recharges two 5.0 Ah batteries in 75 minutes and the more revolutionary CyberTank DC-DC charger which recharges the batteries in as low as 8 minutes.
Their robotic mower works on the satellite system backed by an inertial navigation and odometry system. It can be programmed for multi-zone and no mow areas, allowing it to move independently between zones. I raised my concern about privacy due to the connection to the mobile network for the software updates and the app. I was told that their privacy follows the EU General Data Protection Regulation and this should also cover Cloud Data Storage. Kress is looking for dealers in Australia for their products. If you are interested, or for more information, contact Kress on: salesau@kress.com or https://www.kress.com/en-au/