Commercial Grade Battery Powered Landscape Equipment Specifications 4 5 21.docx

SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL GRADE

BATTERY-POWERED ELECTRIC

LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT

Converting from gasoline and propane to battery-powered landscaping equipment offers an opportunity to reduce the onsite combustion of fossil fuels and associated emissions from landscaping and lawn maintenance, while providing additional benefits to staff, the local community, and surrounding environment.

OSD offers many types of battery-powered landscaping equipment, including push mowers, walk-behind mowers, ride-on mowers, zero-turn mowers, blowers, string trimmers, and more on Statewide Contract FAC116: Lawns and Grounds Equipment, Parts and Services https://www.mass.gov/doc/fac116/download. This equipment has proven track records, performing as well as traditional equipment and meeting the gardening and landscaping needs of many state and municipal facilities across the Commonwealth. Visit the EPP Program Commercial Battery Landscape Equipment webpage for additional information on environmental, health, and cost benefits of battery-powered equipment.

Learn about state entities currently using BPLE, including the Department of Conservation and Recreation, MassDOT Aeronautics, Massasoit Community College, UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, and more.

Commercial-Grade Specifications to Consider in Your Quote If buying commercial-grade battery-powered equipment, consider using the following specifications in your request for quotes:

EQUIPMENT

1. Equipment Certification: Equipment (minus batteries) with at least one of the following certifications: AGZA Field Testing, UL, CE, TÜVRheinland, or equivalent and comply with relevant ANSI standards and OSHA operator vibration and noise regulations (see Appendix for list of some of the equipment certification groups and links).

2. Safety: has mechanical and electrical recall history

3. Commercial-grade Power - All equipment is comparable in power to gas counterparts.

· Mowers: At least equivalent to 12 HP for zero-turns, 4 to 7 HP for walk behind models

· Blowers: At least 465 cfm volume, and 110 mph out of the nozzle

4. Rugged Construction and Durability: meet the following criteria for construction and durability:

· Mowers: Steel deck and chassis, or equivalent strength material; no thin stamped deck or parts

· Blowers: High-grade injection molding plastics, or equivalent strength material; metal construction

· Other Handhelds: High-grade injection molding plastics, or equivalent strength material; metal construction

· If identifying an “equivalent strength material” in any of the above, explain what material it is and how it is equivalent in strength.

· Identify if any of the materials contain recycled content, and what percentage is post-consumer recycled content.

5. Low Noise:

· Mowers: By ANSI standards for noise, no louder than 85 decibels (dB) at either the operator’s ear or at 50 ft

· Blowers/Handhelds: By ANSI standards for noise, no louder than 75 decibels (dB) at the operator’s ear and no louder than 65 decibels (dB) at 50 ft.

6. Weight:

· Backpack battery weight: ≤25 lbs. for:

· Backpack blowers (motor and components in the backpack) and removable battery

· Handheld blower (motor and components in the tool itself) with backpack battery

· Handheld with removable battery: ≤8 lbs. with battery

7. Run time:

· Mowers: 33”, 36”, 48”, 52”, 60” ≥4 hours on one battery charge

· Mowers: 19”, 20”, 21” ≥1.5 hours on one battery charge

· Blowers/Handhelds: ≥0.5 hours on one battery charge at full throttle/power on one battery charge

8. Warranties: 2 years for equipment and batteries

9. Evidence of Functional Reliability:

· Field testing and certification from an independent recognized source that evaluates performance (including run time), reliability, and structural integrity (see Appendix)

BATTERIES AND CHARGERS

1. Certifications: Batteries and chargers with UL and/or CE certification(s) or equivalent and comply with all relevant ANSI Standards. If listing “equivalent,” please explain.

2. Safety: has recall history available

3. Chemistry: Lithium ion (Nickle Manganese Cobalt (NMC) or Iron Phosphate) or other high capacity battery (e.g., sealed lead acid)

4. Voltages:

a. Mowers: Minimum= 36 Volts

b. Blowers/Handhelds: Minimum=36 Volts

5. Lifetime: Measured in cycles (depleting and recharging battery) must be at least equivalent to gas counterparts:

a. Mower batteries:

i. 33”, 36”, 48”, 52”, 60” deck size: Minimum guaranteed = 1,500 cycles or 10 years

ii. 19”, 20”, 21” deck size: Minimum guaranteed = 500 cycles or 5 years

b. Blowers/Handheld batteries: 500 cycles or 2 years

6. Interchangeable Handheld and Backpack Batteries: For each manufacturer, backpack, and portable batteries able to power all handheld equipment (e.g., blowers, trimmer, cutter, edger)

7. Charge time:

a. Mowers: ≤14 hours

b. Blowers/Handhelds: ≤3 hours

8. Run time:

a. Mowers:

i. 33”, 36”, 48”, 52”, 60” ≥4 hours on one battery charge

ii. 19”, 20”, 21” ≥1.5 hours on one battery charge

b. Blowers/Handhelds: ≥0.5 hours at full throttle/power on one battery charge

9. Damage Protection: well-constructed, non-brittle battery casing to resist damage from drops and normal wear and tear associated with commercial use

10. Electric shock protection: equipment includes electric shock protection.

11. Water resistant: equipment is water resistant.

12. End of use cycle indicator: equipment has end of use cycle indicator.

SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

1. Education: Vendors have ability to provide purchasers with education on battery-electric equipment, to include [note that education by a third party may provide unbranded education]:

a. Safety issues relevant to equipment and batteries

b. Proper handling, storage, repair, and maintenance of equipment

c. Operation of the equipment to maximize efficiency, optimize battery life, and achieve comparable performance to gas-powered counterparts

d. Factors affecting the efficiency of operation

e. Lithium and other battery chemistries

f. Safe handling, charging, and storage of batteries to prevent injury, explosion, fire, and extend battery life

g. Safe disposal of batteries to prevent injury and ecological damage

h. Factors affecting battery life

i. Multi-acre field operations

j. Conducting field and shop repair and maintenance

k. Infrastructure requirements for charging, including amperage/voltage; locations; proper supplies (e.g., wiring, outlets); potential for renewable sources

l. Achieving maximum ROI as well as performance versus gas equipment

2. Vendor Product Support: Vendors to provide product education, training, and support (remote and on-site for equipment operation, maintenance, storage, charging, handling and safety, and work plan design) to workers and managers within the first month of purchase and beyond.

3. Parts and service: Parts and service may be provided through vendor networks (distributor/dealer/manufacturer):

a. Vendor should have an established network to provide technical assistance and parts.

b. Parts should be accessible to end user within two business days.

4. Customer Support: vendors able to provide customer support during standard business hours on all weekdays

5. Battery Recycling/Repurpose: vendors able to provide information on recycling or repurposing of batteries (proof of compliance with MassDEP Hazardous Waste Regulations (310 CMR 30)

DESIRABLE CRITERIA TO CONSIDER

1. Economic Information:

a. Detailed estimates of the costs of battery-powered electric equipment compared with equivalent gasoline-powered equipment (purchase price of equipment and batteries; fuel costs; maintenance costs)

b. Estimate of break-event point (years) at which the savings from avoided fuel and maintenance for the electric equipment equal the purchase price.

2. Battery Charge Time: to have fewer hours or more rapid charging (e.g., recharges 40-50% of the battery capacity within 2 hours), although it may reduce the life of the battery. Vendors should provide information on whether it will reduce the overall life of the battery.

3. Battery Lifetime: additional cycles and/or years for both mower and handheld

4. Battery Run Time: to have more run-time hours

5. Battery Take-Back and Recycling/Repurposing: Vendor has a take-back recycling or repurposing program at no cost to buyer.

6. Education and Training: Vendor uses independent third parties to provide required education and training.

7. Ergonomic Features for Blowers and Other Handheld Equipment:

a. Backpack batteries with fan to cool workers’ backs

b. Optimal trigger pressure and design elements that reduce hand, arm, shoulder, and back fatigue

8. Waterproof Battery

9. Lighter weight handhelds and backpack

10. Warrantied bearings: Warranty states that bearings are guaranteed for a minimum of two years.

Definitions

· ANSI: American National Standards Institute

· CE Certification: CE Certification or Marking (Conformité Européene) on a product is a manufacturer's declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European Union Product Directives in health, safety, and environmental protection legislation.

· Commonwealth Hazardous Waste Regulations (310 CMR 30)

· ISO: International Organization for Standards

· UL Certification: Underwriters Laboratories certifies, validates, tests, verifies, inspects, audits, advises, and educates on products.

Appendix: Certification/Accreditation for Battery Powered Electric Lawn Equipment

1. Some Certification/Accreditation Entities for Battery-Powered Electric Lawn Equipment:

a. American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA): AGZA is a member-based organization that provides certification and accreditation in zero-emission landscape maintenance strategies. They accredit grounds maintenance service providers, certify equipment through their Equipment Field Testing and Certification Program, and help communities comply with the principles, aims, and procedures set forth by the International Standards Organization (ISO) for the development of sustainable communities (ISO 37101:2016) and environmental management (ISO 14001:2015). AGZA Equipment Field Testing and Certification rigorously tests marketed equipment in real-world settings of use, including in temperatures ranging from sub-zero to extreme heat, on various turf types, vegetation, and conditions. This certification is designed to ensure that organizations select safe, high-quality commercial battery-electric lawn and garden equipment that will stand up to the rigors of commercial-scale work and minimize the incidences of battery, structural, or mechanical failures.

b. Underwriters Laboratories (UL): UL sets standards for different product categories and tests products to make sure they meet the standards:

i. UL 1447 — Standard for electric lawn mowers

ii. UL 1090 — Standard for electric snow blowers handheld products — battery operated, petrol powered, cord connected, handheld lawn and garden equipment

iii. UL 1602 — Safety standard for gasoline-engine powered, rigid cutting member edgers and edger/trimmers

c. CE Certification or Marking (Conformité Européene): CE Marking on a product is a manufacturer's declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety, and environmental protection legislation, in practice by many of the Product Directives

d. TÜVRheinland®: TUVRheinland engineers perform product evaluations in the lab and field to certify conformance to safety and quality standards for producers and consumers on lawn and garden equipment, including battery powered equipment: https://www.tuv.com/media/usa/nabrochures/Lawn_and_Garden_Data_Sheet.pdf

2. Compliance Testing and Certification:

a. ISO: International Organization for Standards

i. ISO 37101:

· Encouraging adoption and use of zero emissions, low noise methods of grounds maintenance.

· Teaching, training, and certifying organizations, businesses, and their personnel in zero emissions, low-noise methods of grounds maintenance.

· Working with communities, businesses, and organizations to establish areas of land maintained only with zero emissions, low noise methods of grounds maintenance

ii. ISO 14001:

· Protect the environment by preventing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts

· Mitigate the potential adverse effect of environmental conditions.

· Enhance environmental performance

· Achieve financial and operational benefits that can result from implementing environmentally sound alternatives that strengthen the organization’s market position

· Communicate environmental information to relevant interested parties

iii. ISO 11094: Test code for the measurement of airborne noise emitted by power lawn mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, professional mowers and lawn and garden tractors with mowing attachments.

iv. ISO 5395: Power lawnmowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, professional mowers and lawn and garden tractors with mowing attachments

v. ISO 7112:1999: Portable handheld brush cutters and grass trimmers

b. ANSI: American National Standards Institute

i. ANSI B71.1: Walk-behind mowers and ride-on machines with mowers safety specifications

ii. ANSI B71.4: Commercial turf care equipment safety specifications

iii. ANSI B175.3: Grass trimmers and brush cutters safety requirements

c. EN: European Committee for Standardizations

i. EN 836: Garden equipment, powered lawn mowers, safety

ii. EN 745: Agricultural machinery - rotary mowers and flail-mowers

iii. EN 50338: Safety standard for pedestrian-controlled battery-powered electrical lawnmowers

iv. EN 14910: Garden equipment - walk-behind combustion engine powered trimmers

v. EN 709: Agricultural and forestry machinery – pedestrian-controlled tractors with mounted rotary cultivators, motor hoes, motor hoes with drive wheel(s)

vi. prEN 15503 (Under approval): Garden equipment - garden blowers, vacuums and blower/ vacuums

d. OSHA

· For Noise: OSHA Technical Manual on Noise

· For Vibration: OSHA Technical Manual Technical Equipment – On-Site Measurement

3. Unbranded Education and Training Bodies for Battery-Powered Electric Lawn Equipment to include, but is not limited to:

a. Independent industry organizations (e.g., accreditation, certification, professional training organizations), such as AGZA

b. Facilities with experience using battery-powered lawn and garden equipment or equivalent with the necessary skills and experience in the safe and proper operation, storage, handling, and charging of a broad range of types and brands of commercial-grade electric battery-powered lawn and garden equipment and can demonstrate the following knowledge, experience, and ability to advise buyers:

· Safety issues relevant to equipment and batteries

· Proper handling, storage, repair, and maintenance of equipment

· Operation of the equipment to maximize efficiency, optimize battery life, and achieve comparable performance to gas-powered counterparts

· Factors affecting the efficiency of operation

· Lithium and other battery chemistries

· Safe handling, charging, and storage of batteries to prevent injury, explosion, fire and extend battery life

· Safe disposal of batteries to prevent injury and ecological damage

· Factors affecting battery life

· Multi-acre field operations

· Conducting field and shop repair and maintenance

· Infrastructure requirements for charging – including amperage/voltage; locations; proper supplies (e.g., wiring, outlets); potential for renewable sources

· Achieving maximum ROI as well as performance versus gas equipment

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