Baroness proves a cut above at Harborne Golf Club

Baroness proves a cut above at Harborne Golf Club

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Baroness proves a cut above at Harborne Golf Club

At Birmingham’s Harborne Golf Club, Course Manager Jim Gilchrist and his team put quality and consistency at the heart of their maintenance operation. Since taking delivery of a LM551 fairway mower from Baroness, the club cite a significant improvement in the finish of the fairways, with both staff and members quick to recognise the difference.

Baroness proves a cut above at Harborne Golf Club

Baroness proves a cut above at Harborne Golf Club

Jim has been a part of the club since 2004, taking on the role of Course Manager four years later. Assisting him with the maintenance of the Harry Colt-designed course is a team of six, including Jim’s partner Victoria Cavinue who proudly holds the post of Deputy Course Manager. Through the club’s relationship with local dealer Hunts Engineering, Jim took delivery of his first Baroness machine – an LM551 fairway mower – in early 2024 and the impact, he says, was immediate.

“The quality of cut on the LM551 fairway mower is second to none. We noticed this straight away, even though we took delivery of the machine in February which is notoriously a difficult time of year to make strides in course presentation. We, and the members, commented on the difference in the finish we were achieving on the fairways compared to our previous model.”

Alongside the quality of cut, operationally, the LM551 has been well received by the team. “Everybody loves how comfortable the seat is, and how simple the mower is to operate.” He continues, “Build quality is fantastic and there is next to no adjustment needed on the cylinders which helps with user friendliness for the staff, and keeps the budget in check with fewer re-grinds and backlapping required.”

Impressed with the quality, reliable performance of the LM551, Harborne were pleased to add a GM2810A to their fleet in June 2026 – bringing Baroness capability to the mowing of the roughs and surrounds. Featuring five independently mounted cutting decks, the GM2810A rotary mower provides outstanding productivity and supreme manoeuvrability on the most demanding of terrain.

Matching the quality of the machinery, is the back up support and service received from Richard Lucas and the team at Hunts Engineering. “This is vital for any Course Manager and, while we’ve not required anything more from the service department to date than the routine servicing, we know we have a great pool of expertise to lean on to ensure we continue to get the very best out of our mowers.”

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EGO’S debut single-sided pro hedge trimmer

EGO’S debut single-sided pro hedge trimmer

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EGO’S debut single-sided pro hedge trimmer

The HTX7500S features a 75cm single-sided blade, which significantly lowers the overall tool weight to just 3.5kg without a battery. In addition to the benefit of reducing user fatigue, this strong and well-balanced machine helps users achieve longer, straighter cuts in both horizontal and vertical use.

EGO’S debut single-sided pro hedge trimmer

EGO’S debut single-sided pro hedge trimmer

Dual-action, triple-sharpened blades pair with a blade gap of 30mm, ensuring precise and efficient cutting for dealing with fresh growth as well as thicker, well-established branches. For even greater control, EGO has incorporated a digital three-speed selector with a variable trigger to help users optimise the cut during precision pruning or large-scale clearing tasks. Meanwhile, a helpful debris scoop sweeps clippings away from the hedge to ensure a tidy finish, healthier hedges and a reduction in clear-up time.

For simple tool care and maintenance, the hedge trimmer also features a handy blade alignment screw to make cleaning and sharpening easier, resulting in smoother cutting and minimising excessive vibration and strain, which can lead to damage. The tool is also fitted with a magnesium alloy gearbox with a convenient lubrication point.

Crucially, like all PRO X tools, EGO has also integrated Bluetooth connectivity to assist with tool and charging management via the EGO Connect and EGO Fleet apps. Here, grounds managers can complete over-the-air product and software improvements and manage charging schedules. And, like all tools in the EGO range, the HTX7500S uses the same 56V battery system, ensuring cross-compatibility with other tools in the range.

Neil McGuinness, OPE Product Development Manager at EGO, said: “Our PRO X series has been designed for professional grounds teams and local authorities, helping them to switch to battery technology while still achieving a full day’s work. Our innovative overnight and on-site charging system keeps crews productive across large estates or dispersed sites, while helping to improve the experience of green space users through quieter operation and cleaner air.

“With the HTX7500S, we’ve focused on the practical demands of commercial hedge cutting; long periods of use, consistent cut quality and reduced physical strain. The lightweight, ergonomic design and single-sided blade give operators the control and precision they need to deliver clean, straight finishes all day, while minimising fatigue and downtime on demanding maintenance schedules.”

To learn more about EGO’s PRO X range, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/ranges/professional-x-range

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Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

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Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Managing 76 acres of school grounds, 16 football and rugby pitches, 14 cricket squares, athletics facilities, tennis courts and woodland is no small task. For Grounds Manager Shaun Crowley and his team at Farleigh School in Hampshire, finding smarter ways to maintain the site without compromising standards has become essential.

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

The answer came in the form of Kress robotic mowers and battery-powered equipment, enabling the team to work more efficiently while maintaining the high-quality presentation expected at one of the country’s leading independent schools.

Having worked at Farleigh School for 15 years and spent the last six as Grounds Manager, Shaun oversees a small team responsible for keeping the extensive sports facilities in first-class condition throughout the year.

With staffing pressures increasing, Shaun began exploring robotic mowing technology to free up valuable time for his team.

“We were a staff member down and needed to maximise the best way of cutting the grass,” explained Shaun. “We couldn’t afford to have someone sitting on a mower all day, so we started looking at robotics.”

After researching several options, Kress stood out.

“What really sold Kress to me was the charging time and the runtime. A quick charge gives you hours of cutting, so they spend more time working than sitting on charge. They’re also incredibly flexible and can work day or night in virtually all weather conditions.”

Following an initial demonstration from local Kress dealer ATH Machinery, Shaun introduced his first Kress KR236 robotic mower before quickly expanding the fleet to three machines.

Today, the robotic mowers maintain around 78,000 square metres of grass, saving approximately ten and a half hours of mowing every week.

Those time savings have transformed the way the grounds team operates.

“The robots aren’t replacing anyone,” said Shaun. “They’re giving us more time to do all the other jobs that often get pushed aside. Instead of spending hours cutting an outfield several times a week, we can concentrate on all the other tasks that make a difference.”

The lightweight nature of the robots also provides significant advantages throughout the year.

“If you miss a cut with a conventional mower because the ground is wet, suddenly you’re trying to catch up. The Kress robots keep on top of the grass all the time. They’re lightweight enough to work when larger machinery might not be suitable, and because they’re cutting little and often, the quality of finish is consistently high.”

Alongside robotics, Shaun has invested heavily in the Kress commercial battery-powered range, including hedge trimmers, blowers, brushcutters, pruning equipment and walk-behind mowers.

“The battery equipment has been a no-brainer for us,” he said. “The runtime is fantastic and the fast charging means we’re never waiting around. On some of the batteries you’re talking about an eight-minute charge before you’re back working again.”

Beyond productivity, the battery equipment has improved the working environment for the team.

“Not having petrol fumes, less vibration and lower noise levels makes a huge difference, especially around a busy school. We’ve also got solar panels generating electricity, so charging the batteries simply made sense. It fits perfectly with where we’re heading.”

Equally important has been the support provided by local dealer ATH Machinery.

“You can have the best product in the world, but without good backup it’s pretty ineffective,” Shaun explained. “Tim Lane and the team at ATH Machinery have been brilliant. If I have a question, they’re always there to help, and that gives you confidence when you’re investing in new technology.”

For Shaun, the move to Kress has been about far more than simply changing machinery.

“It’s helped us work more effectively, maintain high standards and make better use of our time. I genuinely think robotics are the way forward for schools. They’re another member of the team, helping us keep on top of everything while allowing us to focus on the jobs that really need people.”

For more information, please visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/

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Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental puts its trust in Etesia

Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental puts its trust in Etesia

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Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental puts its trust in Etesia

When you’re hiring out professional groundcare machinery, reliability isn’t just desirable it’s essential. That is why Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental has relied on Etesia machinery for more than 20 years, with the manufacturer’s proven range continuing to play a key role in its extensive hire fleet.

Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental puts its trust in Etesia

Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental puts its trust in Etesia

From commercial contractors and local authorities to equestrian businesses, environmental organisations and private landowners, Acacia supplies equipment to customers tackling everything from routine grass cutting to heavy-duty vegetation clearance. According to Operations Manager Mark Tavener, quality is the number one priority when investing in new hire equipment.

“Hire is our bread and butter and it’s essential that the machinery we hire is reliable and of a high quality, said Mark. ” It’s got to be robust enough to stand the vigour of the different types of customers using the machinery.”

Mark brings almost 40 years of experience in the grounds maintenance industry, having started his career working in parks before progressing into management with several major grounds maintenance companies. Having joined Acacia around 18 months ago, he was already well acquainted with both the company and the Etesia brand.

“When I was a contract manager, I often used Acacia for groundcare equipment,” he explained. “I’ve also used Etesia machines throughout my career. It goes right back to working for Horsham District Council in the late ’80s and ’90s, and wherever I’ve worked since, Etesia has always been a machine that’s been used.”

That long-standing familiarity is reflected in Acacia’s relationship with Etesia, which stretches back to the company’s beginnings two decades ago.

One of the standout performers in the hire fleet is the Etesia AK-88, a compact ride-on brush cutter that continues to generate repeat business.

“We hire out a lot of the AK-88’s and we get a great deal of positive feedback,” said Mark. “It’s become a recognisable machine for tackling rough grass, brambles and overgrown areas, and we get repeat bookings because customers know how reliable it is.”

Its compact size is one of its biggest strengths.

“The width is really important because it allows the machine to get through gateways and into areas where people need it. It’s a very low-slung, compact machine and that’s what makes it so popular.”

The AK-88 is hired by a broad range of customers, including landscape contractors, local authorities, environmental organisations, estate managers and private customers maintaining paddocks and overgrown land.

Alongside the AK-88 sits the Etesia AH75, a pedestrian brush cutter designed for customers who need the same impressive cutting ability on smaller or more confined sites.

“The AH75 has its own niche. If someone’s only got a smaller area or a site where a ride-on would be too big, it’s the perfect machine. We have regular customers who specifically ask for it because it suits the work they’re doing.”

Mark has first-hand experience of its capabilities from before joining Acacia.

“We hired one when I was in my previous role to clear out a dry canal bed that was full of reeds and heavy vegetation. For that type of job, the AH75 was actually better suited than a ride-on machine.”

Another established member of Acacia’s Etesia fleet is the Hydro 80, a compact ride-on mower that has enjoyed renewed popularity over the past year. According to Mark customers particularly appreciate its ability to perform in a range of conditions.

“Its compact size makes it ideal for housing estates and tighter sites, and we’ve had good feedback about how well it collects, even when the grass is a little damp. The Hydro 80 seems to cope considerably better than some rival machines.”

For Mark, Etesia’s continued success comes down to more than just dependable products.

“I’ve always thought Etesia are an innovative company,” he said. “I think they’re a good, solid company.”

With a relationship spanning more than two decades, Acacia sees Etesia remaining an important part of its future fleet.

“We’re very happy with Etesia and I can’t see any reason why that would change. We’ll certainly continue using the machines and we’re always interested to see any new products and technology they bring out in the future.”

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 X @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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ELiTE equipment for an elite golf club

ELiTE equipment for an elite golf club

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ELiTE equipment for an elite golf club

Wildwood Machinery and Ransomes Jacobsen team up to supply Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset with a state-of-the-art, lithium-powered mower.

ELiTE equipment for an elite golf club

ELiTE equipment for an elite golf club

Sometimes a product is just too good to ignore. While Ferndown Golf Club’s Course Manager, Danny Murray, wasn’t actively looking for a new greens mower, he is always looking for ways to improve the playing experience for his members and guests.

As Danny himself says, “There’s a lot of innovation in the turfcare market right now, and sometimes you feel as though you could be updating your equipment every few weeks. Mostly, of course, these are marginal upgrades. We weren’t actually in the market for a new greens mower, but I kept hearing good things about the Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ELiTE, and when James Bastian of Wildwood Machinery called me, I wanted to know more.”

As a Jacobsen dealership, Wildwood was delighted to recommend, and then demonstrate, deliver and support the Eclipse 360 ELiTE mower. As Ransomes Jacobsen’s Southern England Regional Sales Manager, Ben Rumsey says, “Wildwood has a rapidly-growing reputation as a supplier of state-of-the-art turfcare equipment to prestigious golf clubs and elite football clubs in Hampshire, Surrey and London. The quality of service and support they are offering customers is a perfect match for the Jacobsen brand.”

Powered by a 250Ah lithium battery, the Eclipse 360 ELiTE is capable of covering 143,000 square feet – the equivalent of 50+ typical golf greens on a single charge – so there is no issue with capacity and durability. The real game-changer however, is the adjustable frequency of clip, which lets the team dial in a finer cut-quality, effectively delivering a double-cut in a single pass.

“That facility,” according to James Bastian, “has added a whole foot of speed to Ferndown’s already immaculate putting greens.”

Danny Murray says the elevated speeds they are achieving on the stimpmeter meet elite-level requirements, adding to Ferndown’s reputation, the playing experience for their members, and their capacity to host tournaments.

“The real stand-out benefit of the Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ELiTE is the quality of the cut,” says Danny, “with the added benefit that the greens require less rolling to maintain their speed.” “As an electric machine it also meets our sustainability objectives, and is near to silent which is a big benefit for a Club such as Ferndown where we want to nurture our relationships with neighbours.”

“With our own association with East Horton Golf Club, we know how challenging this summer has been for all turfcare professionals,” says Wildwood’s Managing Director, James Bastian. “It’s been great to see just how well the Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ELiTE has worked for Danny at Ferndown. We’re delighted to be working closely in partnership with Ransomes Jacobsen to introduce their innovative technology across the South of England.”Ferndown Golf Club:

  • Ferndown’s Old Course – opened in 1913 – is ranked 93rd in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 UK & Ireland list (2025/26).
  • The Club has hosted events including the Hennessy Cognac Cup, the European Ladies’ Championship, and the Women’s British Open.

Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ELiTE – highlights:

  • Powered by a 250Ah lithium battery using Samsung SDI cells, with a 5-year battery warranty and 2-year machine warranty.
  • Zero hydraulic oil, filters, or exhaust emissions — no maintenance downside to going electric.
  • Frequency of cut is electronically adjustable from 0.91mm to 6.35mm, with consistent results regardless of operator input.
  • 15-blade Jacobsen reels means more cuts per foot of travel, producing a finer, smoother cut quality.
  • The lighter roller reduces compaction and stress on the surface, protecting greens during high-stress summer periods.

Eclipse 3WD kit — improves traction and spreads the machine’s weight more evenly, reducing wheel marking and scuffing

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