Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution: The Retreats Group, which encompasses three of the leading luxury hotels in Wales—Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory—has always been dedicated to maintaining immaculate grounds that reflect the beauty of its locations.

For Ollie Davies, the groundskeeper and supervisor for The Retreats Group, maintaining these stunning landscapes has become significantly easier since the purchase of a Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

“The properties are undulating and steep in places,” says Ollie. “My brother used to help me look after the grounds, and when he left, we decided that instead of employing someone else full-time, we would invest in one of these machines and see how it would benefit me.”

Before the Hydro 100, Ollie managed the extensive lawns using pedestrian mowers—a task that was both time-consuming and physically demanding. “Prior to the Etesia machine, I would cut them all with a pedestrian mower. It was a lot of hard work. This Etesia saves so much time and money. It is a great bit of kit.”

The Etesia Hydro 100 III ride-on mower is designed for professional users who require top-quality mowing and collection performance in all weather conditions. Powered by an 18 HP twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, it features a modern hydraulic drive transmission with differential lock, a large 500-litre grass box, and a cutting deck with rear central ejection for efficient grass collection.

Ollie initially considered the Etesia Buffalo ride-on mower, having seen impressive footage of its performance on social media. However, after careful evaluation, he realised that the Buffalo was too large for the more intricate formal gardens within the properties. “We wanted to get a demo of a Buffalo because it looks great, but we figured out it was a bit too big for the formal gardens. We wouldn’t have got it around some of the benches and flower beds.”

Given the uneven terrain of the properties, Ollie decided on the Hydro 100, known for its differential lock and sturdy design. “With the grounds being so uneven, we went for the Hydro 100 because it has a diff lock and it seemed very sturdy.”

Ollie’s decision was reinforced during a particularly wet demo session. “We got one on demo to start with—it was really wet—but these pick up the grass in wet conditions, even when it is long. It worked a treat on our demo; it picked up the grass and didn’t leave a mess, so we were really impressed with it, and we just went from there.”

The Hydro 100’s differential lock has proven invaluable on the steep, slippery slopes of the properties. “It is quite undulating and steep, and especially when it is wet, the diff lock comes in handy. As soon as you start feeling it slip a bit, you just engage the diff lock and it doesn’t leave a mess or wheel spin.”

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

Etesia Hydro 100 is the Perfect Solution

During the peak growing season, Ollie faces the challenge of keeping up with rapidly growing grass. The Hydro 100 has made this task much more manageable. “If I was on my own and I only had my walk-behind mower, I would be completely swamped with grass and I would just be chasing my tail all the time. So having the Hydro 100 means I can stay on top of things. I’m no longer physically tired all the time from having to use my little walk-behind mower when I can use this instead.”

Ollie also appreciates the Hydro 100’s ability to cut and collect grass on formal lawns, ensuring that the grounds remain pristine for guests. “We cut and collect on the formal lawns because we don’t want guests to get their shoes clogged with grass and walk it into the castle—it wouldn’t be very popular with the housekeeping staff.”

The ease of adjusting the cutting height is another feature Ollie values. “To change the height of cut, you have something that looks like a handbrake. You just push the thumb button in and set the height using the lever. I tend to use a medium setting because we want to take the top third off the grass to keep it green.”

Ollie has also been impressed by the mower’s reliability, even in less-than-ideal conditions. “Considering how wet it has been over the past year I have never experienced any form of blocking, even if the grass is long and wet.”

For Ollie Davies and The Retreats Group, the Hydro 100 has proven to be an essential tool in maintaining the high standards of their luxury properties, ensuring that the grounds are always perfectly presented, no matter the conditions.

A video review with Ollie Davies can be found by visiting:  https://youtu.be/Uq4WoC4rPMo?si=o0iz9J20uf5OiPnX

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann: Under a strategic marketing agreement covering the UK, Ireland and Europe, Wiedenmann turf equipment is available for purchase through John Deere dealerships. 

Global machinery manufacturer John Deere and turf maintenance specialist Wiedenmann will continue to share technology and work on development projects together under the agreement which was established in 2021.

Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

Increased collaboration between John Deere and Wiedenmann

The agreement has been extended to provide all John Deere dealers with access to the ever-growing Wiedenmann range of market-leading specialist machinery for turf maintenance and regeneration.

John Deere Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, Chris Meacock, said: “This partnership is beneficial to turf customers who want to access Wiedenmann’s catalogue of products through John Deere’s extensive dealer network.

“Wiedenmann products are routinely used with John Deere machinery so we see this as a natural fit. Our dealers are able to offer the same great service they provide for John Deere products with Wiedenmann machinery.”

Wiedenmann UK Sales Manager, Michael James, said: “I welcome the opportunity to continue to grow our company’s sales by supplying John Deere users with turf maintenance and regeneration solutions. I look forward to demonstrating the benefits of our innovative range to new and existing customers moving forward.”

Wiedenmann will exhibit a Terra Spike SL6 deep aerator on the John Deere stand at this year’s BTME event, taking place next week. The machine will be attached to a 2038R tractor fitted with GPS. This high precision aerator package utilises John Deere Precision Turf Technology which increases productivity and sports turf quality.

The John Deere team will be available at stand 222 at BTME in Harrogate from 21-23 January to provide further information.

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Redexim extend territory for George Browns Ltd

Redexim extend territory for George Browns Ltd: As part of a wider re-shuffle of their partner network, Redexim UK have announced an expansion of territory for George Browns Ltd. Having already added the IP postcode to their remit of the central and eastern regions in mid-2024, this has now been further consolidated with the incorporation of Essex and North London areas. 

The extension of the George Browns Ltd area into Suffolk, Essex and North London presents a natural progression for the Redexim dealer, and the next stage of a longstanding partnership dating back to the 1980’s. With depots in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, the knowledgeable team are well placed to exceed the requirements of customers across central and Eastern England and service many of the industry’s leading franchises – including the full natural and artificial machinery portfolio from Redexim.

Redexim extend territory for George Browns Ltd

Redexim extend territory for George Browns Ltd

On the news, Group Groundcare Sales Manager for George Browns Ltd Tim Mason commented, “We are very excited to be given this area expansion. Having enjoyed great success over the years, building trusted relationships with end users in our existing area, this move means we can offer our full core brand line up across all depots. We look forward to getting out and promoting a premier product that’s built to last within the fine turf industry.”

“This move is testament to the ongoing professionalism demonstrated by the George Browns Ltd team, their drive and their determination to deliver sales and industry-leading support” adds Paul Langford, Director of Commercial Operations for Redexim UK. “We are delighted to be working together even more closely in 2025 and are confident that the strength of our partnership and combined experience will be positive for customers and both parties.”

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GXi8 HD for Prestwick GC

GXi8 HD for Prestwick GC: Prestwick Golf Club, the birthplace of The Open Championship, is one of Scotland’s oldest and most famous courses.

A machinery replacement budget allows Course Manager, Dave Edmondson, an injection of capital, annually, to add and replace machines.

GXi8 HD for Prestwick GC

GXi8 HD for Prestwick GC

“We made provision for the club’s 14-year-old Wiedenmann Terra Spike XF6 to retire in 2023. However, it was still doing such a clean and efficient job that I knew it could easily finish a 15th year of service, so pencilled its replacement for December 2024, instead.

“At a demo mid-summer, it took only a few minutes to choose it would be followed by a GXi8 HD. After watching it take a run across the practice chipping green on 12 mm tines, leaving such little surface disruption, I didn’t need to see anything else. The elderly XF6 was traded in very favourably; a good bit of business, all round.”

Dave joined the South Ayrshire club during 2020, appointed to his post from The Island Golf Club in Donabate, County Dublin, and heads a team of eleven.

“Prestwick is a classic links site; there’s a lot of history here. We are very traditional in our management, low input, very little fertiliser, no pesticides, aiming always for minimum disturbance.

“I plan aeration to go once; usually the last week of January, conditions allowing. We’ll do greens, tees, aprons and sections of the fairways with 12 mm tines.

“I chose the GXi8 on the basis it brings a choice to go again, maybe once or twice across the season, on the greens with smaller 8 mm tines. I don’t want to disrupt golf, and this is the best machine to suit us.”

Stuart Cameron, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM, Wiedenmann UK’s Scottish dealer and Wiedenmann’s, lead demonstrator, Andy Kerr, installed the machine for the Prestwick team.

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner: Designed for tree care, the GTA 40 is the first professional pruner available in the STIHL AS System of battery-powered tools. Combining low weight and compact design with high cutting performance, the GTA 40 excels at pruning on the ground as well as maintenance and corrective pruning in trees by trained climbing arborists.

Thanks to the low weight, excellent balance and impressive cutting speed, the GTA 40 is a viable alternative to using top handled chainsaws for tree canopy maintenance. In areas of overgrown and dense foliage, the compact and slim design of the GTA 40 is a particular advantage.

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

Two AS System batteries provide enough charge for up to 190 cuts when cutting spruce with a diameter of 5×5 cm. Like all STIHL professional battery-powered tools, the batteries and the pruner are IPX4 certified, resulting in reliable use in rain and wet conditions.

Equipped with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low-friction sprocket nose and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures fast cutting performance and a smooth cutting result. The partially transparent chain oil tank ensures the operator is always aware of when the tank needs to be refilled.

Like many battery-powered tools, the GTA 40 is so quiet that no hearing protection is required, and to ensure the tool fits comfortably in your hand, the grip points are coated with a durable non-slip soft material. Features such as the lateral chain tensioner and charge level indicator also help to ensure effortless operation.

Suspension eyelets on both sides allow a lanyard to be attached. Alternatively, a holster is available as part of STIHL’s X-Flex Harness System, for even greater ease of use. A heavy-duty storage and transport case is included with all GTA 40 sets, with ample room for the AL 5-2 multi-charger and up to 6 AS 2 batteries.

The GTA 40 pruner can be integrated into the cloud-based STIHL Connected system solution via a Smart Connector attached to the motor housing. This digital fleet management system offers professional users a detailed overview of the operating time of the tool, as well as upcoming maintenance tasks and maintenance history records.

For more information on the GTA 40 and STIHL’s wide range of professional battery tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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