MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Tool redefines the cordless SDS Plus rotary hammer market with the addition of two new M18 FUEL™ models that will round out the line and deliver the market’s first and only full SDS Plus solution powered by one battery system.

The SDS Plus rotary hammer market is divided into three product segments that satisfy varying user needs: compact, medium and large.  The market is currently trending away from corded and into cordless, as users look for increased productivity.  Manufacturers have developed tools for the compact segment on 12V-18V platforms and in the medium to large segments on 18V-36V platforms, but none offered the complete range of solutions on a single battery platform.  The technology did not exist to use a single battery platform that was small enough for use on compact tools but powerful enough for medium and large tools.

“Users don’t want to manage multiple battery platforms, it’s a productivity killer,” said Andrew Plowman, Director of Product Management for Milwaukee Tool.  “By utilizing proprietary M18 and M18 FUEL™ technologies, we’ve developed a single battery system solution that meets the full range of user needs in each distinct SDS Plus rotary hammer market segment. Our full solution now includes a lightweight M18 5/8” for the compact segment, a M18 7/8” and M18 FUEL 1” for the medium segment which makes up the majority of the market, and an M18 FUEL 1-1/8” for the most demanding applications in the large segment.”

The new M18 FUEL™ 1” and 1-1/8” SDS+ Rotary Hammers drill faster than their corded counterparts, are built with corded durability, and can deliver a full day of work on one charge.    Milwaukee is able to accomplish this level of performance by combining three exclusive innovations, the POWERSTATE™ brushless motor, REDLITHIUM™ battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence.

The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor works harder, lives longer, and converts energy into power more efficiently, providing the tools with greater speed and performance than competitive corded units.  There are no wearable parts which extends the life of the motor, reduces motor friction and cools more rapidly to deliver years of maintenance-free performance.

Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 batteries provide a full day of work on one charge, 20% more power and 2X more recharges than standard lithium-Ion batteries.  REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 also delivers best-in-class performance in extreme job-site conditions.  With Milwaukee® durability built into each pack, the REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 battery operates cooler and performs in climates below 0°F/-18°C with fade free power.

REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence hardware and software is the most advanced system on the market.  It integrates full-circle communication between tool, battery and charger to protect them from overloading, overheating and over-discharging.  The protections help maintain ideal conditions for maximum application performance.

Available in October of 2014, the new M18 FUEL™ Rotary Hammers are a true testament to Milwaukee’s focus on the user and investment in game changing technology. For more information on M18 FUEL™, please visit http://www.milwaukeetool.com/system/m18-fuel.