I'm curious about the Milwaukee HD12.0 Red Lithium Forge batteries for lawn care. I currently have an M12/M18 battery charger, but the HD12.0 doesn't seem to fit it properly. I've been told I might need to buy a 'super charger' just to use this battery. Can anyone share their experiences or advice on whether investing in the HD12.0 battery (plus the charger) is worth it, or would a smaller battery like the 8.0 be sufficient for lawn maintenance? I primarily plan to use it for a string trimmer with an edger attachment and possibly a blower later on.
3 Answers
I totally get where you're coming from! I have a combo charger too, and the HD12.0 fits mine just fine. It sounds like your charger might have an issue. What about sharing a picture of your setup? That could help others spot any potential damages.
If you're mainly doing lawn care, you might find that the 8.0 battery is sufficient. It's all about your usage—if you're just trimming and edging, you might not need the extra capacity of the HD12.0.
And by the way, some rapid chargers can handle both 12v and 20v batteries, so that could also be worth considering!
From what I've gathered, M18 batteries should work with M18 chargers, but the HD12.0 is a special case. It's a higher-capacity battery designed for heavy-duty applications, which could explain the fit issue you’re experiencing. The HD12.0 battery has larger cells and requires a compatible charger to work effectively. If it's not securely locking into your charger, that could mean you're either using the wrong charger or possibly dealing with a fit issue.
For your needs, if you mostly do lawn work, a smaller battery like the 8.0 could still be adequate unless you're planning on continuous, heavy-duty use like running saws or bigger tools.
Also, have you checked how you’re placing the battery on the charger? Make sure it aligns properly, as that might solve the issue!
Yeah, mine fit snugly on several chargers, so double-check if it's properly seated. I noticed that some folks end up pushing it incorrectly. Just a thought!
You're definitely on the right track—if you're looking for something reliable for lawn maintenance, the 8.0 can do the job just fine. The HD12.0 is typically used in more power-demanding tools, but it doesn't hurt to have the extra juice if you think you’ll need it in the future. Just make sure to get a charger that fits!
Uploaded a photo showing a gap between my battery and charger. It feels really loose—definitely not ideal!