Makita Press Release - Hybrid Impact Hammer Driver Drill BTP140

October 16, 2006 – 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 Hybrid™ Impact-Hammer-Driver-Drill Kit, model BTP140. The new 4-function tool adds to the already extensive Makita LXT Series of 35 models featuring the new 18V LXT Extreme Lithium-Ion Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that delivers more power, less weight and better engineering.

“This 4-function tool can drive lag bolts, drive screws with clutch settings, drill into concrete, and drill into wood,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president of marketing. “The BTP140 is an all-in-one tool for any professional who requires cordless product with best-in-class engineering.”

The BTP140 Hybrid™ Drill 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. It's also more lightweight: at 3.9 pounds: the BTP140 is up to 40% lighter than other cordless driver-drills, and the ergonomic shape fits like a glove to deliver better control and less operator fatigue. The L.E.D. light illuminates the work surface for more accurate work.

“Makita has been the market leader in cordless impact drivers since their US release in 1988,” said Brent Withey, Marketing Brand Manager. “This Hybrid drill combines our expertise in impact drivers with our expertise in hammers and drill-drivers, resulting in a powerful 4-function tool with best-in-class engineering.”

The Hybrid™ 4-Function Drill is powered by Makita's new 18V LXT Extreme Lithium-Ion Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that produces 280% total lifetime with 2-3x more cycles. It's ideal for electricians, plumbers, woodworkers, masons, HVAC, and general contractors who require a best-in-class engineered cordless drill.

Model BTP140 is a kit that includes (2) two LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah) batteries, 45-minute Optimum charger and heavy-duty case. Model BTP140Z includes the tool only.

Specifications

	BTP140	BTP140Z
Hex Shank	¼”	¼”
Impact
No Load Speed	0-2,300 RPM	0-2,300 RPM
Max. IPM	0-3,200 IPM	0-3,200 IPM
Torque	1,240z in .lbs.	1,240 in .lbs.
Hammer Drill
Blows Per Minute (1 st )	0-2,300 BPM	0-2,300 BPM
Blows Per Minute (2 nd )	0-27,600 BPM	0-27,600 BPM
Drill	16-1/8”	16-1/8”
No Load Speed (1 st )	0-700 RPM	0-700 RPM
No Load Speed (2 nd )	0-2,300 RPM	0-2,300 RPM
Driver
Clutch Settings	16	16
Net Weight	3.9 lbs.	3.9 lbs.
Overall Length	7-3/8”	7-3/8”
Battery	18V LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah)	18V LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0 Ah)
Watt Hours	54.0	54.0
Accepts	3.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery	3.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
Includes	Tool; 2 ea. LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah) Battery ; Optimum Charger; Case	Tool only
Suggested Retail	$469.00

Makita's 4-function Hybrid has settings
for drilling, hammer, impact, ad driving.

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 job sites 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.

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.