JCB’s hydrogen engine approved for use

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JCB’s hydrogen engine approved for use: JCB has cleared significant hurdles in its development of the world’s first hydrogen combustion engine after securing landmark rulings from licensing authorities allowing it to be used commercially in machines, the company announced today.

JCB is the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen and a team of 150 engineers has been working on the exciting £100 million development for over three years.

JCB's hydrogen engine approved for use

JCB’s hydrogen engine approved for use

Today JCB confirmed that 11 licensing authorities across Europe have now given permission for JCB’s hydrogen engine to be sold across Europe – with authorities in other countries set to follow suit with certification in 2025.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, said: “This is a very significant moment for JCB. To start the New Year with certification in place in so many European countries bodes very well for the future of hydrogen combustion technology. JCB has proved in recent years that it is a proper zero emissions solution for construction and agricultural equipment.

“This formal type approval/certification paves the way for the sale and use of hydrogen engines right across the UK and Europe. I couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the year. Most of all, I am delighted for our team of British engineers who have worked tirelessly to reach this stage.”

JCB confirmed that the Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority RDW was the first licensing authority to issue official certification, giving permission for the engine to sold in The Netherlands. Other licensing bodies across Europe have followed RDW’s lead by issuing the necessary certification, including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. Licensing authorities in other countries are set to follow with certification during 2025.

JCB has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. Real-world testing of JCB’s hydrogen equipment on customers’ sites is now at an advanced stage and progressing well.

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Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025

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Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025: The global market leader in all-terrain spider lifts, Leguan Lifts, has kicked off the new fiscal year with a rocket start, with order intake up nearly 60% compared to the same period last year.

The company’s latest achievements underscore its commitment to market leading innovation, customer-centric product development, and its growing influence across global markets.

Success in new and established markets

Leguan Lifts is making significant inroads in sales growth on key market areas such as North America and Asia where the adoption of spider lifts is on the rise. Customers in these regions are discovering the efficiency of spider lifts as both a superior alternative to traditional methods and a complementary addition to their existing bucket truck fleets.

Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025

Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025

Leguan has also kept securing major contracts with significant key accounts in Norway, Austria, Germany and Benelux countries. This continuing success was made possible with the factory’s committed co-operation between importers, dealers and end-customers alike.

“It is great to see the results of our product strategy that has been improved constantly with the help of our international customers. We have been able to launch multiple market-redefining all-terrain lifts with unmatched speed and ease of use. Automatic functions not only make work more efficient but also eliminate operator errors, making these lifts great equipment for larger fleets.”, Jori Mylläri, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Strategic dedication to developing and implementing technological innovations

Leguan’s strategic commitment to invest in developing and implementing user-friendly technological innovations in the spider lift industry has been identified as one of the key drivers in their success.

Recently finalised operating system the Leguan EDX (Efficiency Driven Experience) seamlessly combines safety, speed, user-friendly automation, and intelligent diagnostics into one cohesive framework.

Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025

Leguan Lifts Reports Rocket Start to 2025

The Leguan EDX operating system, which is now fitted in every Leguan All-terrain spider lift models, integrates advanced features that address key aspects of performance, usability and maintenance:

  • Technological Aspect: The EDX is an intelligent, self-learning operating system that enhances efficiency and reliability.
  • Operator Aspect: The system redefines the operator experience with intuitive controls and automation, making it easier and safer to use, with minimal training.
  • After-Sales Aspect: Automated diagnostics and proactive fault detection streamline maintenance and minimise downtime.

Scaling Up to Meet Demand

To keep pace with growing global demand, Leguan Lifts is investing in expansion of production capacity. The company also plans to launch their biggest spider lift to date early 2025.

Leguan Lifts continues to lead the industry with its forward-thinking approach, proving that innovation, customer focus, performance-driven design and investment in professional dealer network are the keys to long-term success in the competitive spider lift market.

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk/leguan

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New Evopac from Syngenta

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New Evopac from Syngenta: Greenkeepers and turf managers in the UK and Ireland will be among the world’s first to experience the innovative new Syngenta Evopac packaging this season. The Evopac makes spraying operations simpler and safer, while also being fully compatible with closed transfer systems (CTS) using the easyconnect coupling.

On display for the first time at BTME in Harrogate (21 – 23 January 2025), Evopac and easyconnect offers ease of handling packaging, accurate measuring and fast sprayer filling essential for timely turf applications. The new packaging will start to arrive with turf managers from January 2025, and introduced across the company’s range of liquid products over coming months.

New Evopac from Syngenta

New Evopac from Syngenta

Designed in close collaboration with practical sprayer operators in the UK, the Evopac includes a range of features for ease of handling and safe use. It has significant advances for use with conventional measure and pour sprayer filling, as well as the new CTS technology.

The ergonomic pack includes handles that are designed to rotate for left or right-handed operators, as well as being large enough to work easily when wearing protective gloves. The handle design enables operators to easily remove packs from the box, as well as to carry multiple packs.

A translucent pack allows operators to clearly see the contents, along with graduations of measurements marked upàdown and downàup – to show remaining contents when pouring manually, or when using upside down on a CTS dispenser to measure part packs. The pack also means operators can visually check that the container has rinsed fully.

When used in conjunction with a CTS – as will increasingly become the norm for operators – products can be transferred direct into the sprayer without the need to open or pour the container manually, thereby eliminating the risk of associated spills or any operator exposure.

The symmetrical Evopac design is balanced and stable when mounted on the CTS. It also facilitates more efficient automatic container rinsing that ensures all the product ends up in the tank and working on the turf, as well as creating clean packaging for 100% recycling. The easyconnect caps on the Evopac are made from the same material as the bottle, so can be left on to drain and recycle together.

Introducing the Evopac, Sarah Hughes, Syngenta Turf Business Mangers for the UK & Ireland, said: “Evopac plays a key role in Syngenta’s sustainability responsibilities, as well as providing a better experience for customers.

“Turf protection products can have risks associated with them when it comes to their handling and useage. Evopac and closed transfer systems are an important step in mitigating those risks for operators, customers’ businesses and the environment.”

Leading sprayer operator, Iain Robertson, added: “The features of the Evopac we’re most excited about is the translucent pack, so you can see what’s in the can and check the rinsing after use. The fact that the labels aren’t wrapped all around the can, so you can see the graduations. Plus, you can invert the pack and the graduations still work in both orientations for how much is in there.

“The new caps are fantastic too, as you can either use it as a conventional lid by unscrewing it, or with the CTS unit. No foils, it’s Syngenta standard, but love that. The handles are rigid enough to feel safe lifting them, but pliable enough to fold out of the way. Little grips on the bottom make it easy to handle when you’ve got your PPE on.

“When you use the Evopac in practice, you realise that all the little wish lists as an operator have been ticked. The whole package makes it safer and easier for everyone to use.”

Evopac will become the standard packaging for all Syngenta liquid products for turf supplied in 1, 3, 5 and 10 litre packs.

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Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

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Reesink brings the next big things to BTME: Three Toro product launches tee off 2025. Debuting at BTME, these machines are tomorrow’s technology for the golf course industry and headline on Reesink Turfcare’s stand which has a focus on sustainability.

Full details of the machines are under wraps until the show, but what Reesink can reveal is that these launches are the culmination of years of research from Toro to make the next technological leap for the industry a reality.

Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager, Reesink Turfcare, says: “These machines are what the industry has been waiting for. To be able to bring this leading technology and the benefits it brings to the UK and Ireland is an honour for Reesink and we look forward to unveiling them at BTME on stand 622.”

Joining them are Toro’s two electric pedestrian mowers – the Toro Greensmaster eFlex 1021 and Greensmaster e1026 and the electric ride-on greensmower, the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370. Battery-powered course transport in the form of the STAR Sirius 2 Pro golf buggy and innovative KAASPEED course scooter for members complete the electric line-up.

Adding to the line-up debuts and new technology is the Toro GeoLink rover kit on the updated now battery-powered Toro Workman MDX Lithium utility vehicle. The satellite mapping technology allows for easy and accurate pinpoint course surveying to understand the layout and characteristics of the course, its signal strengths and suitability to make use of this innovative and multiple saving technology.

With a focus on water sustainability and providing products that allow for course managers to act as a guardian of the resource, Reesink Hydro-Scapes will be bringing the most advanced central control irrigation system, controllers and sprinklers from Toro. There will be a stand dedicated to demonstrating the legacy of Toro and how Toro sprinklers are built future proofed with forwards and backwards compatibility.

Also, on display will be two of the best-selling and most popular water aerators for creating the cleanest, healthiest water quality and preventative evaporation management, for your lakes, ponds, and reservoirs from Otterbine.

Visitors to BMTE can see all this as well as meet with Reesink representatives to discuss their course and club turfcare machinery requirements on stand 622.

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