Makita has come out with 2 new hybrid vacuums – XCV04Z (international model DVC860L), which is a wet/dry vacuum with cloth filter, and XCV03Z (international model DVC861L), which is a dry-only vac with HEPA filter.
Keep in mind that these are Makita’s international designations for the 2 vacs. It is not yet known as to whether they will be released in the USA.
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Update: Yes, these vacs will be coming to the USA. Makita XCV04Z will be the wet/dry vac, and Makita XCV03Z will be a HEPA version.
Both of these Makita vacuums are hybrid models, meaning that they can be powered by AC or battery power. While technically a part of Makita’s 18V cordless power tool lineup, they are 18V X2 products. The new vac work off of (2) 18V Li-ion battery packs connected in series, effectively making them 36V-powered tools.
Under Cordless Power
- 30-65 mins continuous runtime with (2) 5.0Ah battery packs (BL1850B)
- 70W suction power
- 2.1 m^3/min max airflow (~74 CFM)
- 9.0 kPa max sealed suction power (~36″ of water)
Under Corded Power
- Unlimited runtime (of course)
- 320W suction power
- 3.6 m^3/min max airflow (~127 CFM)
- 24.0 kPa max sealed suction (~96″ of water)
- 5.0 m (16.4 foot) power cord
Power-Dependent Features
- 8L (~2.1 gal) capacity (dry), 6L (wet, wet/dry model only)
- Built-in battery fuel gauge
- Massive on/off switch (probably large enough to operate with your foot)
- Variable suction power
- Casters
- Removable storage box
- On-tool wand storage
- Onboard cord wrap
- Weighs 20.3 lbs (wet/dry vac), or 21.8 lbs (HEPA vac) with 2x 5Ah batteries
Both vacs ship with a fast charger, battery cartridge, connection cord, tool box, complete hose assembly, poly bag set (disposable bags), straight wand, angled wand, crevice nozzle, floor nozzle, and “front cuff” hose adapter (HEPA vac only).
First Thoughts
The international product flyer (here’s the Flash file) and Makita’s brief product video show the new vacs being used more in maintenance and general use capacities than for jobsite cleanup.
8 liters is not very much when it comes to heavy duty vacuums, shop vacuums, or wet/dry vacuums. It’s about 2.1 gallons. That should give you a good idea about the kind of tasks the 2 new vacs are made for.
You get longer runtime with larger battery packs (obviously) and when the vacuum power is dialed down a bit. But even at full power, battery life isn’t too shabby, assuming Makita’s rating is for real-life usage and not no-load conditions.
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It’s a little disappointing to see that you get a wet/dry vac or a HEPA vac, but not both. You have to pick and choose at the time of purchase.
All things taken in consideration, these look like 2 neat hybrid-powered vacuums. Neither vacuum provides corded-like performance, unless plugged into AC power of course, but it’s still nice to see Makita trying something new.
Here are some other offbeat cordless tools Makita offers:
tim
Seems kind of odd that the batteries aren’t connected on board the vac, though maybe this is to save space on the unit.
Would also be cool to see something like this from makita or another company where there was a charging rig built in so you can run the batteries down and then use a cord when necessary to charge and clean.
127cfm on the cord is enough to back up most power tools with dust collector ports (though I know it’s not a true dust collector.) All things aside I may pick one up if they come stateside as a second vac to keep with my floor sanding stuff. Would be nice to be able to run an orbital on the cord and then use the cordless function to clean up afterwards.
Hector
Have you seen makita new bl heavy impact wrench?
Diplomatic Immunity
http://www.makita.biz/product/category/cordless/dtw1001_dtw1002_dtw800/index_f.html#1
Jason
I would have to see how things are done but you might be able to get away with using the hepa version as a wet vac if you just pull the filter before you suck up any wet material. I will say I wish the other tool companies had something like this out.
Jason
Milwaukee might be able to do something similar now with the 9.0ah battery packs as they can pull more amps with that battery pack.
Steve
Per 11-9-18 call to Makita, the XCV04 can be converted to WET use _only_ if you 1st remove the XCV04’s {Powder Filter, Damper, Pre Filter} parts & then install the XCV03’s {Float Cage, Float, Cloth Filter} parts.
However, to return XCV04 to HEPA DRY (aka Powder) capability you _must_ then completely reverse the above process.
And given the resulting small WET capacity for that hassle & expense probably limits applications.
JMG
I am still waiting for that vacuum pump to show up. I think that it would be a great portable unit for a small vacuum veneer press.
As far as these two items go; it does seem a bit odd that Makita is producing two separate systems based on wet or hepa, and I would be interested in their reasons behind the choice to do so. It would be really cool if you could set up an open Q&A session with different manufacturer reps to satisfy our curiosities about tool offerings and the decision processes involved in bringing them to market.
Stuart
A Q&A between me and brands, or between readers and brands? Hmm, good idea – something I will definitely look into.
As for your question, maybe the wet/dry model has a drain and a more protected motor? I’d ask Makita, or at least Makita USA, but there’s not much they could or would tell me, especially if USA distribution isn’t in the works.
Julian
The Festool vacs are hepa, but still capable of wet use with their optional mesh foam filter… Stuart – curious why you suggest the Mak isn’t a true dust collector? For sanding, variable suction is important, though perhaps the reduced airflow on battery power would be enough lower to use it with sanders.
Stuart
Look at the intro flyer, which also has an embedded video. (http://www.makita.biz/product/category/cordless/dvc860l_dvc861l/index_f.html#1)
Makita is mainly showing it being used for light office cleaning and things like that. I’m just going by what they show. It probably can be used as a dust collector, and although that seems to be less emphasized by Makita, they do offer different power tool connection adapter “cuffs”.
Variable suction power is definitely nice, but I also like to see automatic power modes on dust extractors, so that they turn on when a tool is in use. That only works for corded tools of course.
Paul Sprague
I personally can’t wait for this to hit the US Market. It has very good power when plugged in. Extremely close to Festool CT performance. Even the cordless power looks amazing. Far above any other cordless vac I have seen or read about. I will say it’s going to be one of the most versatile vacs on the market and certainly a huge step in the right direction away from the anemic 18-20v offerings from DeWalt and Milwaukee. It will be nice to see how they respond to this much needed tool.
Dave
makita DVC860L
Hi,
Where can I purchase the Makita
Thanks
Matrix
I think the important thing to notice is that this unit is powered by (2) 18V Batteries, essentially giving it 36v power… Pretty slick idea to make it corded also if you need more suction. This seems like a great portable option for any type of service truck. Even if Milwaukee came out with a 9ah battery version, they would be pretty limited in the power they would be able to generate….