A reader wrote in about some new cordless outdoor power tools they spotted over at Home Depot.
Mike asked:
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Do you know anything about the new 62 volt Green Machine lawn equipment at HD? Possible replacement for Ego products?
I can’t say I have ever seen this Green Machine brand before, or their 62V Cordless outdoor power tools.
Green Machine tools are available exclusively at Home Depot, and it looks like this is a very new development.
At the time of this posting, they have 2 different mowers, a hedge trimmer, 2 string trimmers, the “industry’s most powerful” leaf blower, a chainsaw, and 2 battery sizes.
The Green Machine website says that are a Daye North America brand, with the parent company associated with a broad range of gas and electric outdoor power equipment products.
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On the Home Depot website, they list their featured outdoor power equipment brands, in this order:
- Ryobi
- Dewalt
- Milwaukee
- Echo
- Makita
- Toro
Below all that, they also have sponsored listings for Greenworks and a mix of other brands. At this time, the Green Machine brand is not in that or any other list of Home Depot’s featured brands.
All we know so far is that Green Machine is a brand of 62V cordless outdoor power tools that is exclusive to Home Depot.
Some of the claims they are making are pretty bold, and their specs are very competitive as well, such as their 16″ string trimmer.
It also looks like Green Machine is using brushless motors for all of their products.
As you might be aware, EGO products are no longer available at Home Depot. Mike asked if Green Machine is a replacement for EGO. Given the limited information available, it’s way too soon to make any speculations or predictions.
Home Depot has launched a core selection of Green Machine tools, but it’s unclear what their long-term investment could look like.
Home Depot could just be testing the waters with Green Machine, or they could be working towards a long-term partnership with Green Machine to be their flagship high-voltage cordless OPE tool brand. Home Depot tends to make strong commitments to brands and product lines, and so I would assume they have a multi-year strategy and plan in place.
Earlier in the season, Home Depot stores dedicated a lot of floor space to Ryobi, Dewalt, and Milwaukee cordless outdoor power tools, and there were a couple of other brands’ offerings at their flanks. Do they need to replace the EGO outdoor power tools they used to sell in stores and online?
Green Machine is a brand new system, and the market isn’t what it was when EGO first came out a few years ago. If Home Depot is to build up the brand, it’ll take some work.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for any developments.
In the mean time, I have been very thoroughly amused by Green Machine’s advertising. Some of these are screenshots from their product videos, others are images from their website.
Those who have said I get too excited about tools should meet this guy.
Everybody is so overjoyed to use their Green Machine tools…
Well, almost everyone.
This guy takes his lawncare very seriously.
I’m not quite sure how to caption this one.
Or this one.
Serious question – what’s sport mode?
Here’s one of the product videos:
Colin
What is Sport mode? I bet this guy doesn’t even watch ESPN 8, The Ocho!
Stuart
Ha!!
Rog
Why, HD? You have a great selection of OPE even without EGO. This looks like one of those rebadged Amazon off brands.
Lance
And pretty cheesy marketing to boot.
Flotsam
and ugly styling to boot!
Alan
I believe in picking cordless brands with the widest selection of tools that meet your needs. Avoid having multiple different brands of battery tools and batteries. It’s nice that my drill and weedeater use the same batteries. While the power of this brand is great it’s selection is currently limited. I would avoid it till more comes out
MM
My thoughts exactly. Even if my immediate need is only for a single tool, why would I buy into a more limited line of tools when alternatives exist with tons more options? Not only does that mean I have more options for batteries and tools to suit any future needs, but it also implies that the tool line is better supported and that parts/service are more likely to be available if and when I need them.
Dominic S
Dude. I’m with you — I have M18 tools, but when I needed a new string trimmer, Milwaukee didn’t have one on the market, so I bought the original echo 58V, made by TTI. It is mediocre at best, and now I have a “dead” battery system with very little support from parent brand or manufacturer. Disappointed to say the least.
I honestly don’t care how much “better” brand X’s new tool is compared to the one offered by the company whose battery system I own. Unless I’m ready to jump ship for a new battery system, there is nothing out there that can usurp the convenience of sharing the sizable collection of batteries I already own across tools
MM
I came across the name “green machine” for power equipment 3 years ago when I was doing research looking for a wood chipper. I never paid the line any attention since it was obviously not what I was looking for but I do recall seeing it on HD’s website. That said the equipment I saw didn’t resemble these tools and I have no firsthand experience with them.
I know I’ve said this before when we’ve discussed cordless power tools in general but it’s certainly true for OPE too: I just don’t see how the market can be saturated with so many brands? Of course people have different needs: some people need light duty equipment, some people need more serious gear and at the high end you have professional users, so obviously one expects the market to cater to all those segments, but the sheer number of brands–many of which have little if any brand recognition behind them–just seems odd. What is Green Machine going to offer that the big boys will not? Why would someone buy a Green Machine tool when instead they could enter a system which offers far more options for cross-compatibility with those expensive batteries? In other words, why should I consider a Green Machine over a Ryobi if I want something inexpensive and light duty? Why would I choose Green Machine over Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, et al, if I needed mid-range gear? If this is supposed to be a high-end brand what does it offer me that Stihl does not? Right now it just sounds like a me-too product with strange marketing and the disadvantage of a battery system which isn’t much good for general use.
fred
A quick look at Justia Trademarks – and it seems that the trademark Green Machine (in this context) is now owned by Daye North America
https://trademarks.justia.com/906/99/green-90699811.html
Daye’s parent company in in Ningbo China:
https://trademarks.justia.com/906/99/green-90699811.html
fred
Link to Daye China:
http://www.dayepower.com/network1112.html
Dubya
Wish HD would get OPE tools that use Ridgid 18v batteries.
Jared
Odd color choice. I suppose the OD green might appeal to some. Certainly doesn’t look like a pro brand to me – maybe a competitor for Greenworks?
MM
I could see the OD green and the “army” theme working if they really did make impressively tough tools that could take a lot of abuse–go for the “army tough” marketing angle–but otherwise I don’t think it’s a great idea. I like my tools easy to spot, especially for things I’ll be using outdoors. Just this past Friday an electrician left a bright red milwaukee charger at my home when doing some work on the meter pole. If something THAT easy to see can be left behind I can’t imagine how many lost tools there would be with busy contractors adopting OD green yard equipment.
Dave the tool
Army Green for the color? WTH? Heck, they should have gone all the way and went Camouflage! I think they would have had better sales and marketing with Camo! When I hear the words Green Machine, I don’t think about Army green anything! I think bold, stand out shades of green!
As far as will I try this brand? That’s a no and my thoughts about this lineup pretty much echo what has already been said ie new battery platform, untested, few tools to select and then of course why would I purchase them over name brands?
NIC D GILBERT
looks exactly like the ego stuff, even down to the battery shape.
Peter
Interesting promo pictures.
Guess that is what they think we picture ourselves when doing yard work.
I am normally just a hot, sweaty, dirty mess and a tad or two more out of shape than those beautiful people.😉
Frank D
All outdoor tools and power equipment should be covered in realistic camo!!! People will flock to it because everything with camo is better! And, think about repeat sales! Tools will disappear as soon as you put them down … /s
MFC
This is strange. On Saturday I ran into a green machine 62v lawnmower at a liquidator. Almost bought it ($200) but one 4ah battery wouldn’t be enough to mow my lawn. I had never heard of it before then. I wonder how it made it’s way to a HD liquidator already.
Plain grainy
While Home Depot sells about 3 or 4 different Ryobi electric riding mowers. Lowes is now starting to sell a zero turn Ego electric mower(42”, 22hp, $5k). The unique thing about this mower is the capability to hold six batteries for more run time(mower comes with four batteries).
Plain grainy
I should mention the largest Ryobi(54”), will probably cut more lawn than the Ego with six batteries.
Bill W
There are several things to consider when looking at the Ego riding mower vs the Ryobi. For me, the biggest issue is in the batteries each brand uses. Ryobi riding mowers use deep cycle lead-acid batteries compared to a much more energy dense, and more expensive, lithium ion batteries used in the Ego. As a result the Ryobi mower weighs almost twice what the Ego weighs, 800lbs and 460lbs respectively. And that is with six 10Ah batteries in the Ego.
It’s also worth noting that the warranty for the Ego is 5 yrs for the mower, batteries and the charger, where as the Ryobi is 3 yrs for the mower and 1 yr for the batteries. The Ryobi 54″ zero turn mower is $4600 vs $5000 for the Ego 42″ zero turn mower.
MM
I haven’t compared the two, but I did see the Ego at Lowes the other day and one thing that really struck me was just how large the “battery compartment” at the rear of the mower was. It stuck out farther than even a much larger gasoline powered mower. I can see lots of problems with people trying to load these mowers in trailers and having the rear end smack the ground or ramps when loading. I also imagine you couldn’t have very much tongue weight on a garden trailer behind that thing either or it would start to tip over backwards.
I also can’t help but wonder how lightly built these are. They weigh 800 and 460 lbs *with batteries*? Commercial-duty machines these are not.
Franco Calcagni
Back in the 80’s, Green Machine was a big brand in OPE, gas obviously. They weren’t available at any stores that catered to consumers; strictly pro contractor places, such as Stihl does, and Shindaiwa, Tanaka and others did before being bought out.
I know that many of the city work crews had Green Machine at that time. I do not know if it true, but someone had told me that at some point in their existance, they were that small handheld OPE for John Deere…again, pre-2000.
Jared
I wonder if that could explain the color… Deere green would have been more appealing in my opinion, but maybe they had to choose something obviously different to avoid drawing a connection that wasn’t there anymore. It still had to be some kind of green, because it is the “Green Machine”.
fred
I had a Green Machine battery-powered trimmer. Not the same company.
The original trademark was filed in 1975 and registered in 1977 – and that trademark was cancelled some years ago
Steve
The picture of their 62V rapid charger they gave Home Depot to use on their website doesn’t have a North American power plug. They still have work to do.
MD
They have very similar form factor as ego tools and batteries.
MFC
Yes, as soon as I picked up a battery that’s what I thought. The batteries are a little smaller, but same kind of design.
Leonard
When you said Green Machine, I thought of this. Kids had one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WiM_z9Kbxo
Now this the reason to be excited.
Rob H
When Michael Bay is hired for OPE advertising.
Kenneth Stephens
Those look a lot like the toro cordless ope. I believe those are also advertised 62 volts. They look almost identical
Andy Becker
Probably the same Chinese manufacturer. Toro even has their own branded gasoline engines that are Chinese made. It wouldn’t surprise me if their were several other “clones “ on EBay and Amazon sites of different colors and brands.
Kentucky fan
The woman using the chainsaw is honestly terrifying.
Offbeat Works
It looks like Home Depot is going after the CrossFit crowd. Trim a hedge then give me 50 burpees!
Jim Bob
‘SPORT’ mode is cringe af
B-Rad
Seeing the name Green Machine took me down nostalgia lane. They used to make commercial power equipment back in the 80’s. My dad had their string trimmer that weighed a ton as there were no plastic parts, only metal. The string head was massive, think the size of a dinner plate. The thing was an absolute beast. Seems they went defunct in the early 90’s and all the local dealers switched to carrying Honda/Stihl etc., which we all viewed as inferior at the time. Not even trimmers from the 90’s, early 2000’s could quite match the power.
Funny to see the way the name-trading business goes, and the brand is now slapped on the side of all plastic electric tools. Maybe they’re trying to tap into the nostalgia, but it seems most today don’t even recognize the name. Who knows?
GBony
I bought this combo kit (trimmer & blower earlier this week. For the people asking why buy this…. I bought it because it was only $259 after tax. Came with a 4ah battery instead of a 2.5 that ego comes with. Also 600cfm instead of 530cfm that ego had. Only used it once so far but works good. Did my entire yard with one battery and still had juice left over. It’s not the best and definitely not the worst and all I care about is if it does the job. I have ryobi and dewalt tools but honestly don’t like their lawn equipment. I was excited about ryobi new 730cfm blower coming out soon but $300 for a blower alone was over kill for my needs. Don’t have many trees for larger debris. Hope this helps.