Makita XGT 40v Cordless Tools
New Makita XGT 40v Tools for 2020
With the arrival of the new decade, Makita’s 18v LXT Lithium Ion battery platform is now 15 years old, having been introduced back in 2005. Over that time it has become a firm favourite amongst industry professionals the world over, and has grown to become one of the largest cordless power tool ranges available. But Makita have announced that the LXT system will soon be joined by a bigger brother – a more powerful cordless platform which utilizes a new 40v XGT lithium ion battery. Makita XGT 40v tools are due to start shipping in 2020 and we’ll go over what to expect in this blog post.
Why 40v?
The 18v lithium ion battery has proved to offer a winning combination of power and portability on the jobsite, and these days every power tool manufacturer has an 18v cordless battery platform. Recently though, as battery technology has improved, we have seen an increased demand for ever more powerful cordless tools as manufacturers have begun to push the envelope of what’s possible. Back in 2005, you would have had trouble replacing all your power tools with cordless alternatives but this is fast becoming a much more realistic proposal and the new Makita GXT 40v tools are sure to bring us a step further towards the truly cordless jobsite. As well as providing a launchpad for a new heavy duty range of tools, creating a new battery platform from the ground up has also enabled Makita to integrate a new overhauled two-way communication system between tool and battery to ensure optimum performance and reliability.
Does the 40v Range Replace the 18v Range?
No. The LXT range will continue to exist alongside the new GXT range, and as one of the most successful cordless platforms in the world, the 18v LXT range is sure to be developed and supported long into the future.
Are the XGT and LXT Ranges Compatible?
The new Makita XGT 40v tools won’t be compatible with 18v LXT batteries (and vice versa) but a charging adaptor has been developed which will enable users to recharge both types of battery from the same charger, so you’ll be able to keep clutter down to a minimum when using both ranges simultaneously.
Advantages of the New Makita 40v XGT Batteries
Makita describe this new range as a “genuine solution for high demand industrial applications” and they’ve taken several steps to ensure long term durability in challenging environments. The batteries are encased in heavy duty housings with an interior layer of shock absorbing padding, and the terminals have been beefed up to ensure a reliable, long lasting connection. Makita aim to have the batteries IPX4 accredited for water protection, meaning they are designed to repel water spraying or splashing onto them from any direction. As briefly mentioned above, Makita have also developed a new battery interface for the XGT range, by which the battery communicates essential performance data to the tool, ie to avoid critical overheating or discharge. This new Smart system has been designed with future proofing in mind, so that updates can be easily introduced further down the line.
Fast charging has long been a jewel in Makita’s crown and the XGT batteries continue this tradition. Makita claim it will take as little as 28 minutes to recharge a XGT battery so it is ready for use again.
Advantages of the New Makita 40v XGT Tools
The tools themselves are also built for tough conditions. Selected models have also been designed with water resistance in mind and Makita aim to have these IPX4 certified by time of release as well. So far in the pipeline there’s a drill driver, combi drill, impact driver, impact wrench, reciprocating saw, circular saw, two angle grinders and two SDS rotary hammers. At this stage the stats are impressive: for instance, the new 3/4″ impact wrench can deliver up to 2,030Nm of nut busting torque and the two SDS machines are claimed to run 30% faster than comparable corded tools.
Available Now
The first batch of Makita XGT 40v tools are available for purchase now and we’ve set up a Makita 40 XGT Range Page on the Tooled Up site which will contain all the tools and batteries as they get released. Keep an eye on Tooled Up and the Makita UK website for more updates as we get more info on this new range.
In the meantime, check out this video of some of the first batch of Makita 40v tools, courtesy of Sydney Tools in Australia.
Wondering when these new tools and batteries are going to be on the market to buy in the uk ?
Makita haven’t specified a release date yet, only that they’re due to be rolled out over the course of 2020
some 40v tools are available in Japan at the moment. The batterys and charger while available seem to be more difficult to get
Would like full set at good price when available please
Can you use the new batteries on the LXT tools with a converter at all?
Not with the technology available currently – there is an adaptor which enables you to charge an LXT battery from the new XGT charger, but nothing which will let you run an LXT tool from an XGT battery
Wow, what a wasted opportunity to NOT make the new batteries dual-voltage like DeWalt! It would have been so simple to switch the cells in the Battery module between parallel and serial.
Then you could buy the new 40V tool with the new batteries and use the 18V Series Tools where there is no 40V counterpart (e.g. all the household/garden tools)
I was about to buy into the Makita-World of tools, but this makes me hesitate…
I’m not sure on this, but I suspect DeWalt might have patented enough of their Flexvolt technology that other manufacturers may have a hard time bringing something similar to the market. Other than the Black & Decker Dualvolt range (Black & decker being part of the SBDC group along with DeWalt) I can’t think of any other dual voltage power tool platforms currently, and in fact it seems that most brands are trying to find different ways to move in this kind of direction – for example, tools which will run on two standard 18v batteries simultaneously, or the new Bosch BiTurbo tools which can take advantage of specific high capacity 18v batteries to give them a power boost for more demanding work
Sorry to say this, but Hikoki has 18/36 volt batteries available as well. They seem to have crept quietly onto the market this autumn which means that there must be more than one way to achieve multi volt in a single battery pack. I have to agree with Ulrich – Makita seem to have closed the door in the faces of millions of trade users out there. In my case, with more than £3k replacement value invested in Makita 18 volt and 2 x 18 volt equipment I shall probably look elsewhere for replacements when the time comes.
Oh yeah, Phil is absolutely right. Hikoki Multi-Volt. Well thats Flexvolt, Dualvolt and Multivolt taken. Maybe the trickiest part is having to come up with an original name.
Another misstep. No forthcoming answers of significance from the reps. Where are the dozens of more specialized tools available from the competition. They already produce a number of low selling items. 12 inch planer, mortifying tool, and the rebar cutter which came to prove invaluable at ground zero N.Y. It would seem that they are capable of putting out another 25 screw guns and impacts. If you look at the competition, you are astonished by the depth and breadth if the offerings. I.e. cordless wire pulling fishtapes and plumbing snakes
Are these available in South Africa and from who?
So I just bought one a Makita 40V inflators, In the Mail arriving next week… Can the 40V battery be charged on my 2 battery 18v charger ? if not I’m out… – bench is set up, and i don’t need another charger as i already have 3 18v chargers ;-/
Cheers –
Steve –
Hi Steve, well it’s slightly complicated as Makita have a range of chargers which are all suitable for different types of batteries – if you have older 18v battery chargers (ie from a period when there were no Makita 40v batteries in existence) then it’s safe to assume they definitely won’t work as the connection is different. However, it is possible to charge the 40v and 18v batteries from the same charger, for example by using the 40v to 18v adaptor they released. This would require you to have one of the newer 40v chargers though as it can only step down to 18v. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more options on the market in the future, but essentially the 40v batteries need a charger which has been expressly designed for them.
I purchased a Makita Blower Vac XGT 40V in December 2021. I have used a 40v 4.0 battery but it does not seem to run for very long. I always fully charge the battery.
I would estimate that it does not run for longer than 10 minutes. I have a driveway that is about 200mts long and I never get from one end to the other on one battery.
Does this sound right?
Also the trigger keeps getting stuck so I can’t use full throttle. Do I have a lemon! 🙂
Hi Narelle, well the runtime sounds about right. Cordless leaf blowers use a lot of power and Makita say the UB001G will run for 12 minutes on a 4.0ah battery – I’m guessing that is the machine you’ve got? I imagine the trigger sticking is not an intentional design feature though – if it is a major hindrance you could always look into getting it sorted under warranty? (should come with a three year warranty I believe)