Ridgid Adds Outdoor Power Equipment and EXP Batteries to 18V Lineup
Ridgid OPE is something that has been much anticipated, especially by those who are already on the platform. The brand finally announced its plans to roll out the first batch of OPE, with the lineup including some lawn care staples. Best of all, the Ridgid 18V Outdoor Power Equipment will be 100% compatible with existing Ridgid 18V batteries. The Ridgid tools include a string trimmer, brushless leaf blower, 12-inch chainsaw, hedge trimmer, 8″ earth auger, pruner, and 4-gallon backpack sprayer.
Note: Pricing is still TBA, but we’ll update this article as soon as information becomes available starting in January 2023.
Ridgid 18V Outdoor Power Equipment
Ridgid 18V Brushless 14-Inch String Trimmer
Kicking off the Ridgid 18V Outdoor Power Equipment lineup is an 18V string trimmer. It’s 14 inches wide and capable of reversing the cutter to create a 12-inch cutting swath that’s more friendly on the battery. It takes 0.095-inch line and features a 2-speed selection switch, as well as a variable speed trigger for control.
It’s available either as a bare tool or as a kit with a 4.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01201B (bare tool), R01201K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- 2-speed selection switch
- Variable speed trigger
- 0.095-inch line
- 12 or 14-inch cutting swath (reversible cutter)
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V Brushless Blower
Ridgid has several jobsite blowers, but this one is the first dedicated lawn care blower from the brand. It produces up to 510 CFM of airflow at speeds up to 130 MPH. It includes a variable speed trigger to control the blowing force, as well as cruise control and a turbo mode. The end of the blower nozzle also features a metal scraper to nudge stuck-on debris.
This blower comes as either a bare tool or as part of a kit that includes a 6.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01601B (bare tool), R01601K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- 510 CFM and 130 MPH
- Variable speed trigger with cruise control and turbo button
- Up to 84% less noise than gas blowers
- Speed tip
- Metal scraper
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V Brushless 12-Inch Chainsaw
The Ridgid 18V Outdoor Power Equipment lineup’s first chainsaw is a 12-inch model powered by a brushless motor. This rear-handle chainsaw features a 10 m/s chain and holds a recommended maximum capacity of 10 inches. There’s also an automatic oiling system with a translucent oil reservoir to keep an eye on your oil levels. It’s worth mentioning that the chain does require a tool, although that’s still a common feature with many chainsaws.
Ridgid’s 12-inch chainsaw is available as a bare tool or as a kit with a 6.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01101B (bare tool), R01101K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- 12-inch bar and chain
- 10-inch recommended cut capacity
- 10 m/s chain speed
- Automatic oiler
- Chain tensioning system (tool required)
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V Brushless 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer
Since Ridgid’s 18V Outdoor Power Equipment lineup has been so anticipated, they’ve had a lot of time to develop the first iterations of these OPE solutions to be more advanced than most first-generation models. This is especially evident with the hedge trimmer. It features 22-inch knives that can cut branches up to 1 inch in diameter. There’s also an anti-jam design to ensure you get a smooth cut. The handle rotates up to 180° to help you easily cut at a variety of angles. Plus, a magnesium gearbox reduces the overall weight of the tool.
Ridgid’s hedge trimmer is available as a bare tool or as part of a kit, including a 2.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01401B (bare tool), R01401K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- 1-inch cut capacity
- Anti-jam technology
- 180° rotating handle
- Magnesium gearbox reduces weight
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V Brushless Auger
An auger isn’t necessarily one of the first lawn care or OPE tools we can think of, which is why we were surprised that Ridgid included it in the initial launch. The brand tells us this auger offers gas-like performance by utilizing a dual-battery brushless system. There are two speed modes, as well as an anti-kickback system that protects you if a bind-up were to occur. It comes with an 8-inch bit, but its quick-connect attachment system allows you to attach other sizes if needed.
This auger comes as either a bare tool or as a kit featuring two 4.0Ah batteries.
- Model: Ridgid R01701B (bare tool), R01701K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- Dual-battery system
- 2 speeds
- Anti-kickback control
- Quick-connect bit attachment
- 8-inch earth auger bit included
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V Brushless Pruner
Cordless pruners make quick and easy work of trimming work that would otherwise have to be done manually. Ridgid’s pruner cuts branches up to 1 1/4 inches thick. Its brushless motor gives you up to 2750 cuts on a single charge using a 2.0Ah battery. To prevent accidental activation, it features a two-stage triggering mechanism as well as a trigger guard. The steel bypass blades run a full cutting cycle in less than a second.
This cordless pruner comes as a bare tool or as part of a kit, including a 2.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01301B (bare tool), R01301K (kit)
- Brushless motor
- 1 1/4-inch cut capacity
- Up to 2750 cuts per charge
- Steel blade with bypass cutting action
- Cut cycles take less than 1 second
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
Ridgid 18V 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer
Finally, the battery-powered backpack sprayer rounds out Ridgid’s initial OPE launch. It has a 4-gallon capacity and can run through up to 105 gallons on a single charge. It can spray water, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and most lawn and garden chemicals with a spraying distance of up to 37 feet. The tank is also translucent so you can monitor your liquid levels.
It includes four nozzles: adjustable, flat fan, dial, and shower. It also has an adjustable harness with padded shoulder and hip straps to make using it for long periods more comfortable.
The Ridgid backpack sprayer is available as a bare tool or as part of a kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger.
- Model: Ridgid R01501B (bare tool), R01501K (kit)
- Capable of applying 105 gallons per charge
- 37-foot maximum spray distance
- Adjustable, flat fan, dual, and shower nozzles included
- Adjustable padded shoulder straps and hip harness
- Translucent tank
- Rated for water, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other lawn and garden chemicals
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
- Lifetime Service Agreement eligible (register within 90 days of purchase)
Price: TBA
What’s Next for Ridgid Outdoor Power Equipment?
Based on the specs, Ridgid seems to be primarily targeting homeowner needs with this initial OPE lineup. The tools seem aimed toward providing great tools at home for those already using Ridgid batteries for work. Some of the tools, like the backpack sprayer, chainsaw, and leaf blower may also serve as handy tools for those in various trades as well.
The most obvious gap we’d like to see filled in the future would be the addition of a lawnmower to the collection. 2023 will also see the release of 8.0Ah and 12Ah Ridgid EXP battery packs, which hold additional capacity. That may suggest that a lawn mower isn’t too far behind.
You can see the entire lineup of Ridgid 18V tools and OPE by clicking here .
