A Powerful System of Concrete Tools
The new DeWalt Powershift system is designed to offer increased energy efficiency and durablity in a series of heavy-duty concrete tools.
DeWalt unveiled Powershift, its new system of heavy-duty concrete tools, at the 2024 World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas. DeWalt refers to Powershift as a system rather than a tool lineup because the company didn’t just create a new line of tools to work with existing batteries—it designed the tools and battery to work together as one system, offering increased energy efficiency and durability.
Like the DeWalt Powerstack batteries, the Powershift batteries feature lithium-ion pouch cells rather than cylindrical cells. Compared to cylindrical cells, pouch cells take up less space, run cooler, and deliver more charge cycles. The Powershift batteries deliver a whopping 554 watt-hours, which is about the same as a 6.5-hp gas engine, and they weigh in at 11.5 lb., which is considerably less than a gas engine.
The Powershift system includes a plate compactor, backpack vibrator, rammer, power screed, and core drill. DeWalt worked closely with dozens of contractors to develop ergonomic improvements for these tools, such as centering the weight of a battery backpack on the hips instead of the shoulders.
The company also included many commonsense upgrades, like placing the controls on the rammer and the plate compactor up front where they can be seen and reached in an instant. That’s not to mention the obvious benefits of not having to deal with loud noises, dangerous exhaust fumes, and the hassles associated with gasoline. Powershift will hit the market in the fall of 2024.
— Mark Petersen, tech editor
From Fine Homebuilding #326
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