Makita Global
February 28, 2007 – La Mirada, Calif. – Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, is proud to announce the release of its new 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless ½” Impact Wrench Kit, model BTW251. The new tool adds to the already extensive Makita LXT Series of nearly 40 models featuring the new 18V LXT Extreme Lithium-Ion Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that delivers more power, less weight and better engineering.
“The market for cordless compact impact wrenches is growing,” said Brad Wheeler, Makita product manager. “Makita combined its proven, durable impact driver design with its new LXT Lithium-Ion product design to make the most powerful tool in the category.”
The BTW251 ½” Impact Driver is powered by a Makita-built 4-pole motor design, which generates energy on the magnetic field every 90º (not 180º), and is engineered with dual steel ball bearings. The result is more efficient power in a compact size. Perhaps the best measure of an impact wrench’s speed and power is the impacts-per-minute, and at 3,200 IPM the BTW251 delivers both.
The ½” square drive with detent pin provides quick release, and the tool hook has been redesigned to allow the impact driver to hang with more stability on a tool belt. The phosphorescent bumper ring provides quick location in dark spaces, while the L.E.D. light illuminates the work surface for more accurate work. It weighs just 3.7 pounds, and the ergonomic shape fits like a glove to deliver better control and less operator fatigue.
“Makita has been the market leader in cordless impact drivers since their US release in 1988,” said Brent Withey, Marketing Brand Manager. “The BTW251 is the latest in a long line of impact drivers built with best-in-class engineering.”
The BTW251 is powered by Makita’s new 18V LXT Extreme Lithium-Ion Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that produces 280% total lifetime work with 2-3x more cycles. The kit includes a Rapid Optimum Charger, which charges a Makita 3.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery 2X faster in only 25 minutes, and a 1.5Ah battery in just 15 minutes. To achieve maximum efficiency, the Rapid Optimum Charger and battery communicate throughout the charging process using the built-in chip in the battery and built-in CPU chip in the charger. The Charger also uses "Active 3 Control" for current control, thermal control & voltage control, with a built-in fan to cool the battery, extending the life of the product and producing more lifetime work.
The compact, lightweight design makes it perfect for automotive, installation, and fabrication trades, as well as general contractors who require a best-in-class engineered impact driver.
Model BTW251 is a kit that includes (2) two 18v LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah) batteries, Rapid Charger and case. Model BTW251Z includes the tool only.
Specifications
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BTW251
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BTW251Z
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Capacity (chuck)
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1/2”
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1/2”
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No Load RPM
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0-2,100
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0-2,100
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Impacts/Min (IPM)
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0-3,200
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0-3,200
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Torque (in-lbs.)
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2,040
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2,040
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Watt Hours
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54
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54
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Battery (Ah)
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3.0
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3.0
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Length
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6-1/2”
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6-1/2”
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Net Weight (lbs. with battery)
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3.7
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3.7
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Includes
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Tool; 2 ea. Compact Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah) Batteries; Rapid Charger; Tool Case
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Tool only
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Suggested Retail
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$379.00
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$199.00
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Makita’s 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Tool Series
Since its introduction on October 3, 2005, Makita’s LXT Series featuring 18V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology has been providing the professional end-user with more work solutions. The 18V Lithium-Ion battery is a breakthrough in cordless with more power, less weight and better engineering, and Makita is proud to be the first to bring it to jobsites across America.
"Makita did not just design a longer run time battery; we designed a complete tool solution to redefine the way pro users work,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president marketing, Makita USA. “The LXT solution is all muscle and no fat, with 18V Power at 12V Weight. LXT allows the pro user to work longer with a better engineered tool solution."
Makita\'s new LXT Series has been designed specifically for Lithium-Ion technology with less weight in a more compact size. LXT is 40% less weight and more compact. The better fit ergonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure while adding more control. The LXT series also come equipped with built-in high impact L.E.D. lights that operate independently from the tool to illuminate the work area.
Makita LXT Lithium-Ion Batteries and Optimum Charging System produces 280% total lifetime work with 2-3x more battery cycles than the traditional Ni-Cd batteries. Makita\'s LXT Lithium-ion batteries provide the pro user with many benefits, including 1,400 battery life cycles, longer run time, weighs 40% less, 5x lower self-discharge to keep cells active and ready to use any time, a built-in memory chip to communicate with the Optimum Charger for more work, built-in shock absorbing features to protect the battery, sixteen firm holding contact terminals for constant high power, and work in conjunction with the Optimum Charger for maximum battery life.
The new 45-minute Optimum Charger communicates with the LXT battery throughout the charge cycle using the built-in memory chip in the battery and the built-in CPU chip in the charger to recognize the history and battery condition to select the optimal charging method. The optimal charging method uses Active 3 Controls for current control, thermal control and voltage control. The charger also has a built-in fan to cool the battery to produce more lifetime work.
Makita has better technology with a new smart Battery Diagnostic System (sold separately) that enables users to understand the battery condition to maximize battery life. This new system is ideal for large pro and industrial users with many batteries. This system is able to indicate how the battery was used and can optimally refresh each cell for more lifetime work, determine the battery life expectancy based on how many times the battery has been charged or gone through a cycle and can log each battery to keep a permanent record.
Warranty
Makita LXT Lithium-Ion is also backed by Makita’s new Three-Year Warranty which covers repair due to defective materials or workmanship up to three years from the purchase date.
Makita USA, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of over 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has over 5,000 industrial accessories. Makita’s LXT Lithium-Ion is backed by Makita’s new three-year warranty and all other Makita tools are covered by a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship and may be serviced at any of our 25 factory service centers or by more than 1,000 authorized service centers nationwide. Makita USA, Inc.’s home office is located in La Mirada, California and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please contact us at 1-800-4-MAKITA (1-800-462-5482) or visit the website at makitatools.com.
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