2023 Dealer Design Awards: Electronic Tools

POWER AT HAND: Milwaukee Tool’s M18 Fuel 5 CFM Vacuum Pump is a cordless model that allows technicians to evacuate a line set without having to first locate a power source. (Courtesy of Milwaukee Tool)

Winning Gold in the Electronic Tools category this year is Milwaukee Tool’s M18 Fuel 5 CFM Vacuum Pump, a cordless model that allows technicians to evacuate the line set of residential and light commercial HVAC systems without having to first locate a power source.

“Most of the vacuum pumps in the market today are corded pumps that cause hassles for the technician and their customers,” said Kelly Blasi, group brand manager at Milwaukee Tool. “While researching, we recognized the current hassles technicians run into hunting for outlets, operating generators, or running long extension cords in order to complete the evacuation process. The longer our teams researched, we realized there was a lot of room for innovation and clear ways to produce a cordless vacuum pump that provided instant power and improved productivity, enhancing the technician’s workflow.”

The vacuum pump is designed to maximize pulldown speed and runtime, helping technicians work more efficiently. Its Manifold Mode technology provides the performance of a corded pump and allows technicians to maximize speed and runtime while using a manifold setup. Manifold Mode provides up to 90 minutes of runtime per charge. For evacuations utilizing direct connections and large, ½-inch hoses, Default Mode provides up to 60 minutes of runtime. For use in residential and light commercial applications, the vacuum pump’s ½-inch, ⅜-inch, and ¼-inch ports deliver fast evacuations, especially when used with large hoses.

“We found that most technicians need about 45 minutes of runtime to pull down a system,” Blasi explained. “The M18 Fuel 5 CFM Vacuum Pump’s Manifold Mode delivers up to 90 minutes of runtime, over-delivering the runtime needed for residential and light commercial systems.”

The tool is designed for the way HVAC technicians work, featuring an isolation ball valve to isolate the pump for easy battery changes, an internal check valve designed to protect the system vacuum when the pump is not running, and a gas ballast valve that extends oil life and decreases the frequency of oil changes. In addition, a large oil port and angled oil drain allow for easy oil changes without a funnel. For the pro looking to extend the use of the pump long-term, the pump was designed with easily replaceable parts for quick infield repairs.

The M18 hit the market in late February 2023. Daniel Hembd, owner of Innovative Air in Lake Villa, Illinois, said he has already fallen in love with the tool.

“Just since I’ve had it, I’ve had situations where we can’t get power and we want to use the vacuum pump,” he said. “I can’t believe the timing, with having this now.”

It’s proven useful for jobs on the roof of a light commercial building where he had to fix a leak and then pull a vacuum, or going around the back of a large house where there isn’t a power source.

“Now everyone in the company wants one,” Hembd said. “We even showed it to another local contractor. He’s in the same boat — he didn’t realize he needed one until I got one.”

One of the DDA judges called the vacuum pump’s battery operation an “outstanding” feature that really simplifies its use.

TIGHT SPACES: The RP 115 Mini is a lightweight, compact press tool that one DDA judge called “a game-changer” for its ability to be used where space is limited. (Courtesy of Ridgid)

Taking Silver is Emerson’s Ridge Tool Co. (Ridgid) for the RP 115 Mini Press Tool, a lightweight, compact press tool that one DDA judge called “a game-changer” for its ability to be used in tight spaces.

The RP 115 Mini Press Tool is designed for residential and lightweight commercial work and completes the majority of press connections installed in the market. It can press ½-inch to ¾-inch copper and stainless steel fittings. The RP 115 has a SlimGrip handle and optimized trigger for balance and control; one-handed jaw opening and operation for reach and ease of use; and a 210° head swivel for access to tight spaces. It measures 14.6 inches long, 2.5 inches wide, and weighs only 5.5 pounds with a battery and jaws.

Three years of research went into the design of the RP 115 Mini Press Tool, including surveys, focus groups, and job site visits.

“The smallest and lightest press tool on the market, the RP 115 is ergonomically designed to put less strain on the user’s body,” said Michael Provenzano, global marketing director, press connections. “It completes the majority of press connections installed in the market with ease while getting professionals to their next job faster.”

The RP 115 comes with the Ridgid full lifetime warranty.

Maria Taylor is Managing Editor for The ACHR NEWS. Maria holds a bachelor’s in English from Alma College and has worked in journalism since 2013. Contact her at 248-786-1741 or [email protected].