Cordless battery technology is held as being "the future" for handheld forestry and garden tools that will one day replace petrol engines. In the present day that has often meant giving up some real-world power for the very real benefits that cordless can offer, such as instant start, low-noise, low-running costs and of course zero emissions. Typical price-premium over petrol means that cordless has remained niche, although industry data indicates UK cordless machinery sales growing at 50% last year.
The latest 36V cordless product from OREGON®, the BL300, is proof that in fact cordless can be considered THE standard NOW, for blowers. The BL300 has exceptionally high airpower: 670 cubic metres per hour on full trigger at the nozzle (weaker products often only quote airspeed, and occasionally the misleading at-body airpower). This is similar to large commercial petrol backpack blowers and enough to shift almost anything you would want a blower to move. While those blowers weigh usually 10kg or more, the BL300 weight of 3.8kg with battery is very lightweight, even for a handheld. It does come with a shoulder strap, should extended use be required. Press the aptly named "turbo" button and power is boosted by another 25% to a huge but perfectly controllable 840 cubic metres hour.
The brushless motor and axial fan design are incredibly efficient, inherently low in vibration and exceptionally quiet. For home or commercial use, indoor or outdoor, in any noise sensitive areas or times of day, it defines the current state of the art. Such a machine may justify a premium price tag, but in fact, the retail price of £150 for the unit itself, and £150 for the 4.0Ah battery pack and charger is anything but premium. Cordless finally beats petrol, and then some. For more information visit www.oregoncordless.com/gb
