DeWalt has established itself as a leading brand in the power tool industry through various strategies. The company has introduced lesser-known tools alongside standard products, continuously innovated its lineup to remain competitive, and wholeheartedly adopted the cordless, battery-powered trend that is now a standard in the power tool world. Additionally, it has ventured into heavy-duty items designed for specialized tasks. Surprisingly, despite their size, strength, and power, DeWalt has successfully integrated its cordless system into these items as well.
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In early 2024, DeWalt unveiled its Powershift line: fully cordless power tools for concrete-related work. As expected, the batteries required to power these core drills, compactors, and other Powershift tools deliver substantial voltage. The Powershift line promotes the 554Wh battery as the primary choice, offering 55 volts. A Powershift 550W charger is available to fully charge this battery in under an hour.
DeWalt provides users with flexibility regarding its Powershift battery options. Although the 554Wh unit is one of the recommended choices, other battery options can keep these tools operating, given the right additional hardware is used.
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DeWalt Promotes Battery Adapters for Powershift Tools
A significant advantage of battery-powered tools, aside from their cordless efficiency, is their high compatibility and convenience. As long as they fit the required size and voltage, batteries can be interchanged between tools. Although DeWalt phased out its 18-volt batteries, there remains a broad array of compatible and interchangeable units. For DeWalt Powershift tools, primarily associated with the specialized 554Wh battery, it is feasible to use another type of DeWalt battery.
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If you have an extensive collection of DeWalt tools, you likely possess a few XR 20 and 60-volt batteries. If you do and desire to use them with Powershift tools, you’re in luck. Unlike some unreliable DeWalt-to-Makita battery adapters, the DeWalt Powershift XR Flexvolt adapter allows these smaller batteries to be safely used with Powershift tools for extended usage time. However, it’s pertinent to mention that this additional benefit isn’t cheap. The adapter costs over $200, so it might be prudent to rely solely on the 554Wh battery if the budget is tight.
Even with just the 554Wh battery, you can still expect satisfactory performance from your Powershift tools. At least, that is DeWalt’s intention: that the line becomes a step towards jobsite transformation.
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DeWalt Aims to Make the Powershift Line a Game-Changer
DeWalt’s participation in the cordless tool industry isn’t new, having ventured into it since the 1990s and continuously expanding its offerings over the decades. One may wonder why there’s such emphasis on the Powershift system. Beyond being a significant project DeWalt has meticulously developed, it is viewed as a game-changer in the workplace. According to Ricky Cacchiotti, Director of Product Development and General Manager for DeWalt Powershift, and Dave Veprek, Vice President of Product Development for Batteries and Chargers, the system’s introduction is a significant milestone.
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“We observed users on the jobsite working with concrete and heard them say there’s got to be a better solution,” explained Cacchiotti, leading the DeWalt team to heed this demand. Once battery technology reached the required threshold, Powershift emerged, eliminating the cord issue. Veprek also aspires for Powershift to revolutionize energy sources: “With DeWalt Powershift, the company aims to be on the frontier—hoping to eliminate gas reliance.” The transition to battery power is anticipated to yield cost efficiency, reduced maintenance needs, minimized downtime, and other benefits gas power fails to deliver.
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Only time will reveal the future trajectory of DeWalt Powershift and the job sites that incorporate it. The hope remains that these battery-powered tools will meet expectations and help achieve various objectives.
