BUILT FOR WORK! STIHL AP 500 SERIES BENCH TEST! [RESULTS?]

Today we're putting the STIHL AP 500 series batteries through their paces with a bench test in real-world applications. We wanted to see how long the AP 500 series batteries would last while trimming and edging subdivision-style lawns on our mow route.
The AP 500 series proved to last almost twice as long as the previously tested AP 300 series batteries, which is pretty incredible. The power and torque available from the FSA 140C and FSA 135R are unmatched, to say the least.
The team agreed that the power is there, but we still need more run-life out of the batteries to incorporate them into the daily mix. However, in specific applications, these batteries are more than plenty to deliver performance and power to get the job done.
What do you guys think about the AP 500 series batteries and the run life we presented? Love to hear your guy's thoughts in the comments down below!
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Thank you for the support! And as always, thank you for watching!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thank you to STIHL for letting us demo the AP 500 batteries! Side note, do you guys bevel your edges when you trim? What’s your technique!

[@boarder247]

Backpack battery is the way to go. Keeps the whole unit light. I don't have the backpack battery, but stihl makes a pack that you can stick your batteries into which works great. Will be getting the AP3000 once the blower is more available. Also, I never trim over the 2nd powering setting, 2nd position is plenty of power unless your in some serious overgrowth. Edging I usually do 2 or 3 depending if it's the first cut or just upkeep. Pruning saw, broom brush, etc I run on 3. Great vid man. Keep it up!

[@wilsonmercado2287]

I just got the Dewalt backpack battarey spayer 20 volts,, it a Animal,,, but sthill is two expenseve, I will keep up with my echo 262,, and echo 302,, and my maruyama 23, cc all this gas trimers are super good, but stihll is super, super, expensive gas and battery,, I will stay with gas,, but I love all your videos,, and you have help me alot,, thank you

[@jimmybradley4253]

Bevel first, then edge it. I think it looks much better that way. I do wonder if the customer even notices the nice touch and extra time put into it or just a landscapers eye takes notice.

[@boarder247]

I run the KMA electric Kombi setup with a few AP500s batteries. Love the setup. Runs every attachment with ease. Can't beat the instant torque!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

How have you felt with battery anxiety sort’ve like range anxiety for a Tesla

[@boarder247]

@BriansLawnMaintenance not bad at all once I got use to it. Batteries charge up to full in 45min or less. I'm a solo guy, with regular trimming and what not, 2 batteries has been plenty of juice even for long days. Once i switched to running it on power setting 2 and utilizing the 1st power setting against objects, and they really last a long time.

[@jonburgess30]

i bought the FSA 86 R 3 years ago. because our gas tory built died. and I figure I didn't need gas to trim the lawn. the run time was fine but the head wouldn't bump out new line. tried everything and nothing, so I went back to gas and been very happy. i could see getting a battery blower to replace my 2002 bg55 that will not die.

[@vividlandscapingllc]

Always great content!

[@davidconstantino2896]

Great tool thanks for the demonstration

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You bet

[@KObags]

I'll give credit to where they've come but it's still more of a residential thing at this point. You'd never be able to justify the price of running them with a full time crew, and that's dry summer grass your trimming, imagine heavy wet spring growth... The $2500 backpack blower only gets an hour at full power, we couldn't carry enough batteries at that rate.

[@markhicks9545]

You like that the long pole hedge cutter you will run out of go before the battery and yes you will find you need to keep turning it back to setting one it does take some getting use to

[@Adrian_2reall]

Hi Brian thank u for the info I’m a big fan

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikezupancic2182]

Im not familiar with the stihl settings but i have milwaukee as im invested in the power tools and batteries. I have my string trimmer set on low speed and its perfect. I dont need to feather the throttle and it handles tall grass with ease. Battery is the way to go for homeowners and even commercial startups.

[@arlcyborgify]

Let's Do a Real World Environmental Test on Really Tall, Unkept Lawns...

[@bmulk4940]

We're on our second year running all electric with Ego. So far so good. Just need to be mindful of your time.

[@theelectriclawncareguy5051]

I started running the Stihl electric equipment in 2017 and just retired my first trimmer. They’re a solid product but they do have some common problems I’ve come across running these commercially such as the chips in the throttle sensor going bad. I run the backpacks that hold two ap 300 batteries and plug into the power head. This was their first gen commercial product KMA130R I have two trucks that run the stihl electric equipment but have moved away from their products since they’re not water proof. My other 3 trucks all run Makitas line of electric tools. They’ve been a solid product for us and we run them on ramp rack set ups. We d have two full days of commercial work and three days of residential doing 180ish homes so they definitely hold up One piece of feedback I’d recommend when doing these videos is covering the power level that you’re running the equipment on, it makes a huge difference in run time. The second power level (mid power) will reduce your run time by roughly 40% in comparison to the lowest level Great video and glad to see some other guys out there doing reviews on these electric tools 🤙🏻

[@mattd8411]

Awesome video man. I'd love try one with the hedge trimmer amd chainsaw. Im between it and the Milwaukee one. I bought the echo battery blower I can get about 8 yards done with it. It's nice just wish a extra battery wasn't as high as the the blower. That's average size lawns sidewalks and drives about the size you just mowed. Really sucks not remembering to charge the night before though.

[@markclark1605]

Take the guard of over the cutter head like you do with the gasoline powered trimmers for a longer cutting swath and see how it does with the electric weedeater. Just curious on how it will do.

[@danslawncare8594]

I have a Milwaukee trimmer and a lot of attachments. The only thing I don't like is it is hard to edge with it because it is hard to control the speed with the trigger.

[@Adrian_2reall]

Can’t wait to to see more content

[@DONLAD357]

Too me, a nice clean crisp square edge looks the best, but I ran a residential business with about 300 clients total, most weekly some biweekly.. Had about 15 or so yards where the customer wanted beveled edges..

[@optimuz08]

For sure that weed wacker has lots of power.

[@daryldettmer9160]

how often do you switch out your blade for your edger ? i just got one with the kombi system so if you can advise me much appreciated...

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Flip it often as it rounds the leading edge for better wear and results.

[@daryldettmer9160]

@@LemonySnicket-EUC thanks for the tip ....

[@GrassDay-LLC]

Beveling the trim edge might be for HOA's and upscale homes. It also could be recommended for homes that have a weed control and fert program. If cutting weeds and grass, square it off, and walk away.

[@BigRedServicesLLC]

Is the ap500 the same weight and physical size as the 300? I’ve been running the echo 56v system this season, so far I like it a lot. There’s only 2 batteries with it, a 2.5 ah and a 5 ah the 5 is double the size and weight but lasts a lot longer too.

[@erictindall7502]

Question: Why do you trim counter clockwise? Doesn’t that throw all of your trimmings into the landscaping? I did that the first few years but clippings in fresh mulch was never a good look. Plus going clockwise gives me a killer core workout.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We did an actual video on this topic :)

[@jronmanlawn]

If edging I do that before I mow with the edger. I use the string trimmer after I mow and I bevel. I have a question regarding the Stihl. On the stihl is it 3 speed with on off trigger or three speed plus variable speed trigger? In regards to getting into the crevices of the brick I think you would get used to the new way of having to feather the trigger. Seems like you can't get as low rpm if you want to hold the trigger. You more have to quick tap the tigger to mimic the low rpm of the gas unit as you mentioned. I found the Ego edger I have is a bit underpowered for heavy edging like you would find on an edge that hasn't been maintained in years. Drains the battery quickly and sometimes stalls. It is nosurprise it lack power considering it is not a commercial unit. I plan to try out the new commercial model (if it ever releases). I hope the power is better. I have used the backpack batteries and the runtime is incredible. One time I counted 18 properties on one charge. The one I used was the Ego backpack battery and the weight is about 19 lbs. About 7 lbs lighter than the Echo 9010. Also the backpack battery removes the heavy battery from the tool making the tool roughly the same weight as the Echo 2620

[@justinwright-abovebeyond3738]

You guys definitely need some rain! Nice weedeater, great job! Are u a fan of that noise or gas powered noise, or was it just the video?

[@markbratt6058]

Brian, thanks for showcasing the Stihl products. I currently have their gas trimmer and edger. They have lasted for ten years or so with no problems. I don't see me getting their battery line because as a homeowner the Ego products have more appeal. I do question Ego's longtime durability as the Stihl products will last a long time. For me, the idea of being able to take the Ego batteries from the trimmer or edger to the snow blower etc makes me think that is the way I will go when the current Stihl trimmer and edger die. I haven't gotten the Stihl equipment tuned up in 3 years and they won't die. Goes to show you if you pay a little more upfront for quality, the product will last you. Keep up the videos. How about getting Ego to send you their new commercial line of trimmers/edgers to review?

[@ryanrector3053]

Cool

[@chriswise6074]

I run Milwaukee cordless trimmer, pole saw. Like the power and battery life but heavier than my gas tools.

[@rahhiiann]

Whoever the camera guy is did a great job! 😂

[@mattsharkey311]

I want to see y’all try out the $2000 electric backpack blower from stihl

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

I’ve seen the Dirt Monkey test it but man that video was probably 3-4 years ago. An update on it would be dope!

[@mattsharkey311]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance from what I’ve seen there’s a new version that came out a couple months ago

[@boarder247]

​@@BriansLawnMaintenanceI too want to see this!

[@markclark1605]

The unit weight is nearing 37 pounds.

[@mattsharkey311]

@@markclark1605 oh, I know it’s completely ridiculous The only place I could see that being useful is in a warehouse setting other Then, that it seems kinda useless.

[@paulwagner5367]

You can plug the charger into your truck inverter they will charge while your traveling between jobs

[@gavingerspacher2734]

i would think that the maintenance on the battery units would be less than gas. something to consider.

[@SingleStacked]

Sticker shock for replacement batteries. You want to store them out of the heat. Heat will kill a Li-ion battery.

[@terrypercy]

I wish you went timer on it rather than “lawns” as you got some beefy properties. One boulevard of yours is like 3 properties trimming lol

[@rogeliodelgadillo7110]

I run the Echo electric system with 3 solar panels on top of my trailer and two inverters.

[@robsolo4024]

When you walk the opposite way like that you can hear the grass ripping and not Cutting that’s why you should walk the other way

[@chancezelkowski7759]

I know you’ve explained in the past that you trim with everything to your left to go in the same direction as the mower, but it still drives me nuts lol . In my opinion you’re throwing your clippings into the flower beds and creating unnecessary work while blowing off.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Going right minimizes the amount of grass to trim since the mower outlines the property! But more importantly it avoids a collision problem if the mower goes right and a trimmer guy goes left. Blowing a few clippings and feathering the beds is not a not deal when you can avoid a potential dangerous situation, especially when you mow a lot of lawns!

[@firstclasslawnsnow3395]

Also who has time to walk backward on a 4 acre property

[@chancezelkowski7759]

@@firstclasslawnsnow3395 why would you be walking backwards?

[@bladezllc]

The electric is definitely the more comfortable option. I prefer those over the gas lineup.

[@markhicks9545]

Has that one got the very annoying thing where the power keeps turning its self up to three then the thing revs up and down all on its own

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Yup! It has 3 power settings for different speed, pretty neat.

[@markhicks9545]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance I can tell you these things grow on you been using the sthil battery stuff all year and them batteries charge up quicker than you can use them charged back up in less than 15 minutes

[@wadebeaumont7570]

For the price I’d rather 2 300s batteries which gives a lot more run time than 1 500s for the same money. A lot of guys switching from gas run the battery gear too hard and go through way more batteries than they should. They have instant torque so you don’t need to run them flat out

[@williambeverly1172]

Grass is not very thick at all, would like to see how it holds up in thick lawns. I think you could mange that yard with a Ryobi…

[@harrygaines8122]

I do it both ways I use echo

[@trigatupp]

4 lawns, gas about 24 big difference, I like electric stihl have telescoping hede trimmer. Also use hand blower 40v. Lighter then gas blower but less power. Mining materials for theses batteries is nasty on those kids and no proper ppe. Also long term solutions to properly dispose of old batteries are needed.

[@justinwright-abovebeyond3738]

Wishing they would lower the prices on batteries tho 😢😢 2 or 3 batteries equals a new weedeater...wth

[@robsolo4024]

For lawns for one battery I would need 12 to 13 batteries ridiculous

[@MichaelSmith-kr9qw]

at $380 a pop for the Batteries. Gets expensive as hell fast.

[@robsolo4024]

@@MichaelSmith-kr9qw If they want us commercial guys to buy electric they need a battery to last at least eight hours run time otherwise I would never even buy anything electric other than home personal use

[@markclark1605]

Run a electric product all day long with a supply chain of batteries and see how long the motor will take the heat before it fails. Just curious about this one. I do know that cordless tools will burn up. Electricity generates heat in the windings of the motor structure.

[@jronmanlawn]

​@@markclark1605 where I live the temps get into the 90's on a regular basis. The Ego multihead string trimmer I use has been going strong for multiple years. I do 30 to 40 properties a week.

[@GravesLawnCare]

Squared edges make em tight

[@MichaelSmith-kr9qw]

I love my gas powered Stihl equipment but I know the electric powered stuff is the future. My worries what are the environmental impact of all these batteries long term it takes serious amount of effort to mine the minerals for these batteries currently. I know Gas isn't that friendly either but at least I don't have to worry about disposal of my fuel. Another thing is cost !!! $1000 a pop just for the edger and AP500 battery charger with 1 battery and then additional costs of $380 a battery the costs are adding up fast. So your startup costs Electric vs Gas is not even in the same ballpark. You could almost buy 3 FC111 Edgers for the cost of 1 FCA 140 plus battery charger and spare batteries. No thanks not at this moment. Interest though I will admit that.

[@easygolawncare9702]

Leave square

[@jeffreyfisher5256]

no bevel. squared off

[@antonioortiz8443]

The only thing I see you do wrong is that you do a lot of bouncing around….and you don’t keep your edger level! It doesn’t look as nice. Just an observation from a fan!