A couple of weeks ago, I toyed with the idea of building a contraption for hauling heavy stuff uphill, with a cordless power tool providing the muscle. My needs were for heavy and bulky boxes that didn’t fit any of my dollies. I’ve seen heavy duty drills work all kinds of mechanisms, so it didn’t seem like that farfetched of an idea.
Well, surprise – Makita made something along these lines – an 18V X2 brushless dolly, XUC01X2. Yes, it’s a motorized dolly powered by Makita 18V Li-ion battery packs.
Advertisement
Makita says that it holds 2 battery packs, but only operates on 1 at a time. So it’s an 18V X2 tool, but not really. That’s a good thing, as it means you can use 2 battery packs, but you don’t have to. It’s said to run for up to 60 minutes per 18V 6.0Ah battery charge.
So with 2 fresh 6.A0h battery packs, you’d get up to 2 hours of runtime.
It has 2 speed settings, with a max speed of 2.5 MPH on a 12° incline. The brushless power-assisted flat dolly is rated for hauling loads of up to 275 pounds.
The dolly comes standard with rear wheels and L-shaped legs that you can switch between as needed. It comes standard with a steel tube flat bed, and a steel bucket is available separately.
The rear wheels can adjust outwards with a 19″ to 30″ stance, to accommodate what you’re hauling and where you’re working.
Advertisement
You can adjust the side rails of the steel tube flat bed to be up or down, with large knobs allowing for easy adjustment.
It’s also reversible.
There’s a 7″ mechanical disc brake for faster and easier stopping. The brake looks like a super-robust mountain bike-style disc brake. In case you were wondering, no this wasn’t reused from Makita’s cordless folding bicycle – that uses caliper-style brakes.
For added braking power, the rear wheels have standard-style foot-activated pedal brakes, like the kind you find on locking casters.
On top of all that, you get LED work lights.
The XUC01X2 power-assisted flat dolly comes with:
- XUC01Z power-assisted hand truck/wheelbarrow frame
- 199116-7 flatbed pipe frame
- (1) set of L-shaped legs
- (2) rear wheels)
The optional steel bucket model number is 198494-2.
There is also a wheelbarrow version, XUC01X1, that’s very similar but ships with the steel wheel barrow bucket instead of the tubular flat bed assembly.
Specs, Dimensions, Additional Features
- 2-speed selection: 2.5 MPH high, 1 MPH low
- 0.62 MPH reverse speed
- 12° max grade
- 275 lbs max load
- 43-3/4″ L x 26-3/8″ W x 32-1/4″ H
- Weighs 99 lbs with steel tube flat dolly
- Weighs 86-88 lbs with steel bucket
- 1.2 yard minimum turning radius
- Front wheel has a tubeless tire
- Rear wheels have self-sealing tires
- LED headlights turn off if the machine is left unattended for ~10 minutes
- Adjustable handle height (the manual shows 3 positions)
The battery compartment looks to have a nice door for keeping your batteries and the electrical connections nice and dry. On top, there looks to be a switch for selecting between which battery pack is active, meaning switching over from one drained battery to another that’s full probably isn’t automatic. (And there’s nothing wrong with that.) You can also see battery fuel gauges and LED headlight controls.
That red thing that seems to cry “put your finger here and pull” is a “lock key,” which is required for the dolly to operate.
The manual (PDF) says:
NOTE: If the lock key is not inserted completely, the machine does not work.
Makes sense.
The power and speed controls are located elsewhere, in what I’d guess is a weather and dust-protected enclosure.
Price: $859 for the bare tool (choose between flat dolly or wheelbarrow configurations)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
User Manual (PDF via Makita)
Battery and charger are not included.
See Also(Makita Batteries on Amazon)
First Thoughts
Makita – what are you guys thinking?! Because I like it. =)
Seriously, what’s not to like? It seems to check all the right boxes, although I do wish that the load capacity was a bit higher. Still, 275 lbs is a lot of building materials, or what-not.
This looks to be a well-thought-out cordless “power tool” by Makita. While not the first motorized dolly or wheelbarrow, I can’t find any other power tool battery pack-powered hauler on the market.
I think that some users will be clamoring for a “dumper” style wheelbarrow bucket accessory.
It seems like a great feature that you can start off with one configuration and buy a flat dolly bed or wheelbarrow bucket later on if your needs change. From the user manual, it seems like a quick and easy enough conversion. I’m surprised, but pleased, that you get both rear support options – legs and wheels – with both the dolly and wheel barrow configurations.
I’d want to see how stable this is as designed before I add a second front wheel to my own wishlist. My gut feeling is that the adjustable spread between the rear wheels will do a lot to make it stable and easy to move and maneuver.
I’m afraid to guess what the pricing will be, but hopefully it’s easier on the wallet than some of the current motorized dollies and wheelbarrows on the market. You also have to factor in the price of 1 or 2 battery packs (a 2-pack of 6.0Ah batteries is currently $299 at Amazon, 2x 5.0Ah batteries are $219) and a charger.
Lastly, I’m hoping that Makita designed the battery compartment with forward-looking needs in mind. Other brands are already shifting to larger battery packs to suit heavier duty tools and longer runtime demands. It probably won’t be long until we see next-gen 10-cell battery packs or even 15-cell battery packs from Makita, and it would be a good idea of tools like this were designed with such battery sizes in mind.
fred
There are other alternatives – but using batteries you already have might be better – and if the buggy works well, price is right etc. then they should sell.
Concrete buggies would be another alternative – the ones I’m familiar with have hydrostatic drives. Here is one vendor:
https://www.thepowerbuggy.com/
Hilton
Brilliant This is especially great for the retired gentleman who is perhaps past his strength days but still wants to maintain his home and build a few things.
Fred, would you want something like this? (I’m not assuming you’re past your prime of course).
JR
I’d love one, for the reasons you mention. I’m not much past my prime, but no longer able to push hard after the 6 hour mark. This has to be less expensive than a lawn tractor.
fred
Thanks – I think!
My Kubota tractor at one house does pretty well – but might not be as maneuverable as this. My wife – who does the gardening might like it – but has not yet complained about using her lawn carts or wheelbarrow.
For the heavy-lifting I tend to leave things to our landscapers.
BigDan
In my mid 30’s and want one. Does that make me lazy or smart? Already invested in Makita and one more fun but useful toy to use.
Stuart
I wouldn’t see it as lazy.
JR
Agreed, not lazy, smart. Anything that helps to protect your back is a good thing. Too bad I learned that after the fact.
Paul
Yes, there are alternatives. Here is one at Menards for $500. https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/shop-all-tools/garden-landscaping-tools/carts-spreaders-wheelbarrows-tow-behinds/paw-electric-power-assist-wheelbarrow-frame-only/p-1444428702790-c-13262.htm?tid=3508435024569392641&ipos=2
The yeti
This is smart . Makita should build some e bikes too . Why not . It’s the same motors and tech as power tools . Whole new market for them . Smart
Hilton
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a Makita bicyle somewhere.
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/makita-18v-lxt-cordless-folding-bicycle/
The yeti
Cool . I am surprised they don’t sell lots of these . I sort of want one now . Too bad I’m way too big for that one ..
Chris
I’ve heard Dewalt has a Flexvolt wheelbarrow in the works as well.
What a great tool for landscapers and general contractors!
fred
I may be wrong, but I think its a bit too lightweight for most GCs who own or rent (that was our option) concrete buggies. I see they show it on a construction jobsite – but don’t picture it loaded with examples. We had a few different front ends for our skid steers for moving things that were too heavy to carry and not heavy enough for a payloader. I have an easier time picturing it in use by a landscape contractor or nurseryman.
Joe
Makita is one extremely innovative company…
Cr8on
DeWalt also has one I’ll post the photo in the forum
Cr8on
Nevermind the original photos have been removed, and there already was a post in the toolguyd forum about it (amongst other things) https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/dewalt-dcs577-wormdrive-style-cordless-saw/792
John S
I’d love to see them do this to a stair climbing assisted dolly.
RKA
X2!!!
BigDan
+1 !!
mattd
here is a vid showing it’s features. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqcwV_n22k first to note is tat the bed is in fact tilt able or dumpable. and second the brake seems super strong so you can easily stop too fast and fall over.
Koko the Talking Ape
I was going to say it looks like it is dumpable. The pivot is the bolt near the front wheel that attaches the blue tubing to the black tubing. At first I was wondering why the black frame has a kind of extension or hanger that drops that mounting bolt down a few inches. I think they do that to make dumping easier. Clever. That might also be why the bed is mounted a few inches higher above the wheel than appears necessary at first, which would make the thing tippier when loaded. But they apparently do that so there is clearance for the wheel when the bed is tilted over the front.
I wonder why they went with a cable disk brake, instead of hydraulic. To save a few bucks? Hydraulics have lower friction and probably last longer, For this application, mineral oil would work as a fluid.
Brilliant machine though. I’d never seen that kind of thing before.
SiSiX
Cables don’t leak and are ‘reasonably’ easy to adjust/replace by someone that isn’t a service technician. Mostly though, cables don’t leak.
John
Friction is meaningless for brakes of this size and cables are far more reliable in the long term (nothing to leak, no seals to harden and crack), and much cheaper to repair.
Addison Pettis
I would like this if it had a trailer hitch ball! This would be awesome for moving trailers also.
Michaelhammer
Ooh, you’re on to something!
firefly
I, too, would love to have a way to move trailer using battery from one of the big tool brand. It doesn’t have to be fast, but it should be strong and quiet. That require good tires, axle and a great gear box and a major redesign of this current wheel barrow. I am not sure a one wheel barrow like this one would be a good candidate for a trailer mover because it would tip too easy. You would have to spend a good amount of force to manhandle the thing. Perhaps even more so than a manual but dedicated trailer mover.
I have own several dedicated power trailer mover in the past. Unless you are looking to pay upward of 3-4k, I haven’t seen a decent one that’s less than that but I would love to see one…
Toolfreak
Makita and Dewalt have something like this but Milwaukee doesn’t??
I’m surprised.
Overall I think it’s an excellent idea. You buy two or more of these and enough battery packs to run them while the other packs are charging, and you can just have material constantly moving while the empty cart/carts go back.
Seems like a great way to make jobsite labor easier on the people doing the work, and it’s probably way safer than a wheelbarrow, even a 2-wheeled cart style, due to the brake and the electric motor allowing more control.
Might seem expensive initially, but I think the difference in time saved might be more than worth it, in addition to the other benefits.
Jared
I have a hard time believing if you were continually driving up a 12 degree hill hauling 275 pounds that it would last for 1 whole hr. I would really need visual proof before purchasing one of these things, especially since I have not bought into the Makita brand. I feel like their being very optimistic. Especially since if your a Makita newcomer your going to be dropping at least 300 for the batteries,charger and 400 for the tool. For that I would certainly want it too.
Max
I just spent 20 minutes looking for this Greenworks 40v cart that I vaguely remembered so I might as well post it. It looks more consumer than contractor oriented though, considering its build and that homeowners are more likely to own Greenworks 40v products. It does fit the bill though.
https://www.greenworkstools.com/40v-self-propelled-wheelbarrow-kit
Stuart
Thanks! I hadn’t realized there was something like this already on the market by a power tool or outdoor power tool brand.
Nathan
I’m intrigued. to be honestly I’d love to see someone partner with the gorilla cart crew – take their 1200 lbs or larger cart – rig it with some sort of motor assist – using tool batteries – either brand/flavor. I have one and if I have to take it to the other side of the lot I put it on the lawn tractor but motorized would fit my bill.
Joe Hanson
I remember seeing a video a couple months ago where this dolly was in it and multiple people tried it and multiple people tipped it. I wonder how much of that is a problem with the design or if it is something that just takes getting used to to not tip it.
Hilton
The problem was that people assumed that slapping a battery onto the wheelbarrow would defy all gravity. You still need to balance it as per a normal wheelbarrow, you just use less energy pushing bricks up a hill.
For it not to tip, it would need four wheels but then you can’t left or right tilt and unload cement or sand.
fred
The battery does nothing to improve the center of gravity on this. Loading the cart or barrow to balance the load from side to side and center it over the front wheel will also help – but rough terrain or inclines that slope in more than one direction will still promote tipping.
Hilton
No of course not Fred, I was just trying to show that some people lose all common sense when technology is introduced. Remember those plonkers who drove into walls or ditches just because the GPS said “turn left”?
fred
Amen – I did not think that you thought otherwise. But as Voltiare said “common sense is not so common” – and as you point out some of us abandon all of it when it comes to new technology.
Blindly following the GPS can be deadly. There was a woman who drove onto the RR tracks in the next village over – the GPS probably wanted her to turn onto the service road. She was pulled out but the car was toast – being hit by a commuter train. In my region, roads called parkways often have low bridges that truck drivers, surprisingly often, strike while following their GPS – rather that the warning signs. Technology and invention is a good thing – but the first guy who was run over by a wheel might not have thought so.
Back to wheelbarrow design: they are inherently tippy. The center of gravity is along the centerline that goes through the front wheel. The load is relatively high off the ground and may tend to shift. Its an ancient tool that still works – but has its limitations. As you say – if you can use the battery/motor assist to expend less energy in moving a load of bricks that’s a good thing.
Alick
Hi Stuart. I can’t see from the photos. Where’s the motor on this please ? Separate with a chain or belt drive, or a hub motor ?
I would hope a hub motor as the large diameter allow these to generate good torque, while a belt / chain / or worst a friction coupling from the motor to the wheel are not ideal for something that will be used to move soil and building materials.
Mr. Gerbik
The motor is in the wheel. I’d like to see how much of an incline it can handle and still be able to get up a hill without struggling while loaded with three 80lb bags of crete. This better be able to go up and down steep hills with ease for the steep price makita is asking. I think I saw it priced at $1800, but I’m not 100 on it. But all you get is 1hr out of a 6hr battery with a maximum load of 275lbs? I’m willing to bet that that 1hr of run time is only good if your using it on somewhat level ground with a few small hills. I want to see if it can run a full hour going up and down a 60ft 35° driveway or a up a 5 level parking deck carrying three 80’s or four 60lb bags. I bet it dies within 30 minutes or an hour if you got 2 batteries. This is one of, if not the worst idea yet to be manufactured into yet another inefficient battery powered POS that doesn’t remotely warrant the price that they are asking. If it had a gas powered motor on it or a rechargeable motor like one of those handicap carts at the grocery store that carry fat people around who can’t walk, it might be worth considering. If it costs 2 or 3 times more than the propaw power assist cart, then you are certainly getting ripped off for the sake of the makita name brand. It looks to be another battery pyramid scheme. Just ask yourself how many batteries and chargers would it take to get a full day’s work out of it? Ask yourself how much are you paying your labor? Add it all up. If you think that the machine and a dozen or more batteries & chargers is a smart buying decision, then you are indeed awarded of being the village idiot sucker that makita is looking forward to rip off. Don’t be that guy.
Hilton
I think you missed the point of this wheelbarrow. You still have to push it, the battery powered motor is just there to help you.
Stuart
As mentioned, 12 degrees.
dave9
I can’t help but suspect that it’s a little too light duty for most people’s needs. I mean if you were already hauling things around in a ‘barrow, this could be a large expense for a little benefit. Besides that’s what the young grunts are there for, being paid entry level wage to save money, not to lose it again by buying them expensive toys. Am I being cruel? That’s just how it works, the new guy gets the **** jobs.