Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers

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Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers: Leading lawnmower manufacturer Cub Cadet has launched a ground-breaking new range of robotic mowers, the XR Enduro Series.

Built with innovation and convenience in mind, the new robots – XR1, XR2 and XR3 – mow up to 10 percent faster than similar models on the market due to the patented blade technology and strong mowing system, producing a perfectly trimmed lawn in no time.

Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers

The robots have been developed with state-of-the-art technology and features that meet both consumer and professional needs to save the time and effort of mowing.

The XR1 500 features a strong, floating, self-cleaning mowing deck that handles challenging terrain with incredible accuracy and produces clippings fine enough to mulch into the soil. This process acts as a natural fertiliser resulting in a better-looking lawn, improved performance and reduced maintenance.

The XR2 and XR3 robots in the range have the unique ability to trim right up to the edge of the lawn thanks to the patented steel blades which cut beyond the wheelbase. Therefore, there is no need for a lawn edge cutter or strimmer, saving space on storage. Also, the robots will mow areas of up to 5000m².

By utilising state-of-the-art technology, gardeners will have complete control of their robot, any place, any time, using their smartphone or home computer to view reports and change mowing schedules. As well as being Alexa compatible, they have pin code security, and some models come with Bluetooth remote control capability and GPS, which allows the mower to be tracked.

The ever-changing British weather needn’t be a problem either as the integrated rain sensor alerts the robot to return to its home when it starts raining. It can then start cutting again when the weather improves.

Phil Noble, field sales and technical manager for Cub Cadet, said: “We have waited for the right time to join this competitive market to ensure our robotic mowers have all the features that a gardener could want. Customers are now starting to see robotics as a viable option to a traditional walk-behind mower or a lawn tractor, so by creating a range which is smart, innovative, cost-effective and convenient to use, we are showing that a robotic mower is the future of mowing.”

The XR mowers are equipped with Smart Mow which instead of stopping and turning when the robot reaches the perimeter wire, turns in a continuously smooth arc, saving time and ensuring a better-quality cut.

Deciding when to mow isn’t an issue as the robots can be programmed to run at any time of the day, even when the user is away on holiday. The robotic mowers run between 68 and 74 decibels, depending on the model, meaning even during the night gardeners can be assured the lawn will still be cut to a high standard, without disrupting neighbours or wildlife.

For this range, Cub Cadet has also introduced the exclusive Robozone. This innovative feature works either via a battery or mains power and is a signal transmitter, which means that the robotic mower can be used in another garden without having to buy a second charging station – ideal for when a gardener needs to go round to mow the parent’s lawn. It also enables the robot to be used in difficult and hard-to-reach areas where there is no mains power. This cutting-edge product from Cub Cadet means the robot can be utilised for more than one job.

Phil added: “A robotic mower will give you back the time spent mowing the lawn to use doing other things whilst still have a perfectly trimmed lawn. Also, robots mulch the grass exceptionally well, which helps put nutrients back into the lawn, keeping it green and healthy – even in drought conditions like last year, it’s a win-win situation.”

For more information and to find your local dealer please visit www.cubcadet.co.uk

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New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich

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New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich: The state-of-the-art greenkeeping facilities and workshop at Royal Norwich are complete, meaning Toro now has a home at the new site to work and live.

Only the second all air-conditioned facility in the country, the building was reclaimed from an old refrigeration warehouse and now houses a team room with pool table, stylish meeting rooms for business meetings, state-of-the-art workshop and parts storage, a ‘boot room’ with washing machine and dehumidifier, showers, every convenience has been thought of, confirms Peter Todd, director and estates manager, including its green credentials:

New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich

“It’s completely insulated, so will be highly efficient. 100 percent of its daytime power is generated from the solar panels on the roof as well as supplying 40 percent of the clubhouse electricity needs.”

The facility has been home to a loan fleet of used Toro equipment, compiled to accommodate the growing-in phase of the courses, but now it welcomes the beginning of Peter’s Toro fleet.

Reesink’s Trevor Chard who has worked with Peter for more than 18 years, first at The London Club where they introduced of a new Toro fleet of machinery and now at Royal Norwich, says: “There are so many different requirements when tending new and growing-in turf. For example, it’s pedestrian mowing to start with to prevent bruising the grass and only once the grass is more established that ride-ons will be required. It’s tough, unforgiving work for the fleet, there’s a lot of dust and stones to contend with as the earth moves and settles into its new formation.”

Here, Peter takes over again: “If my time in construction at Gleneagles taught me anything, it’s that you can never predict what a new course will throw at you. One thing I didn’t envisage was using rotary mowers on the tees for example! But dwarf perennial rye grass in a blend with fescue took hold and grew so quickly in those early days, we needed to get on top of it fast and only a rotary would do.”

It’s clear to see then, why a loan fleet of used equipment made economic sense! Now joining that loan fleet which has worked so hard in the early stages are four Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers for hand cutting the greens, the Greensmaster 1600 is Peter’s top choice for the tees and the Groundsmaster 4500-D and Groundsmaster 3500-D are taking on the initial mowing of the fairways and semi-roughs.

It’s a partnership for the long-term and Peter concludes by saying: “With things on a new course moving so fast and so many different requirements at each stage, I knew I needed a machinery partner that would be flexible and accommodating. I respect the Toro brand and have enjoyed working with Trevor for all these years, but I needed to know I had flexible and immediate support, Reesink’s East Anglia service division gave me that.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Second Toro Signing At Trentham

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Second Signing For Toro At Trentham: North Staffordshire’s  Trentham GC  has opted for Toro yet again, signing a second five-year agreement plan with UK distributor Reesink Turfcare. 

Within six years the club has gone from owning no Toro equipment to being a Toro ‘Total Solutions’ customer boasting a full fleet of Toro machines and Toro Lynx central control system irrigation with 170 Infinity series greens, approaches and surrounds sprinklers. 

Course manager, Ed Stant, says: “The difference using Toro has brought to the club has been huge. The grass is healthier, the surfaces are more aesthetically pleasing and playability is improved.” 

Now, with the club’s 125th anniversary coming up, the new machines couldn’t have arrived at a better time, says Ed: “The club has got events and functions planned this year for the anniversary. There’s definitely added pressure but it’s also a big motivator for the team.”

With this milestone event coming up, it was imperative the club had the best possible equipment in place to keep the 135-acre course in peak condition, and as the first five-year plan drew to a close and it came to signing a new agreement, “there wasn’t a need to look anywhere else,” says Ed. 

In fact, the machines have been such a perfect fit for the club, they are replacing them like for like: “Toro has done everything we needed it to for the last five years, so there was no reason to change that. The machinery is durable and lasts incredibly well and the irrigation system really proved its worth last summer! It paid dividends and the members have all seen the benefits.” 

In particular Ed and the team have been impressed with the Groundsmaster 4500-D: “The GM4500-D is a real beast of a machine. We have a lot of tree roots in our semi roughs which means you need a robust mower with a lot of power. It’s done the job with no problems and after five years of tough work it still hasn’t let up.”  

The traditional and beautifully kept course at Trentham attracts many keen golfers and this year will be home to the prestigious Reid Trophy, for the best in amateur under 14s golf. With the pressure on from members and visitors, Ed says he has total confidence in Toro to fulfil the course’s needs. 

“I’ve always wanted Toro at the club because simply put they are the best. The machines, the service and the communication from our local dealer Oakleys Groundcare and from Reesink Turfcare have all been great.”

He concludes: “At the end of the day, with Toro irrigation and machines for the course, I know we have the best possible equipment in place for the job.” 

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STIHL Launches BR 800 C-E Blower

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STIHL Launches BR 800 C-E Blower: STIHL’s new BR 800 C-E is the latest addition to its range of innovative and high-performance blowers, ideal for professional landscapers and local authorities.

Producing a high-performance blowing force of 41N, the 80cc STIHL 4-MIX® engine runs on a fuel-oil mix just like a 2-stroke model and offers the benefits without the compromises of 4-stroke power. The STIHL 4-MIX® engine provides fast acceleration, more power, added torque, and lower noise during operation to complete jobs quickly and more easily. In addition, the engine offers reduced emissions and increased fuel efficiency.

STIHL Launches BR 800 C-E Blower

To make getting up and running even easier, the BR 800 C-E is designed with a convenient starting system featured on the side of the machine, allowing users to start the blower while wearing it. The simplified starting system also features an automatic choke reset and a switch position on the control handle that is always ‘ON’, ensuring that the professional user can start the BR 800 C-E with ease.

Thanks to its intuitive design, the BR 800 C-E has an excellent power-to-weight ratio and comes complete with an ergonomic backpack carrying system including S-shaped shoulder straps for maximum comfort when wearing. Additionally, the BR 800 C-E incorporates STIHL’s anti vibration technology that reduces feedback from the machine’s engine, allowing professionals to comfortably use the tool for extended periods of time.

Professionals can also rapidly adjust the position of the carrying handle and the blower tube without the need of tools, ensuring that the BR 800 E-C can be easily customised to suit the needs of the user.

When it comes to essential maintenance, the BR 800 C-E is designed to be easier than ever to service. As well as allowing for speedy valve clearance adjustment, the service cover of the BR 800 E-C also provides access to the diagnostic socket, which can be connected to the STIHL diagnostic system.

The ergonomic carrying handle on the BR 800 C-E is located above the centre of gravity, increasing the control and balance that the operator has when lifting and transporting the machine. Additionally, the blower tube of the BR 800 C-E can be placed in a mount, making the machine more compact when transporting. To make storage even easier, the BR 800 C-E comes with a slot in the backplate allowing professionals to hang the machine up when storing.

For more information on STIHL’s new BR 800 C-E blower, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Etesia Hydro 80 A Great Performer

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Etesia Hydro 80 A Great Performer: Inverallan Landscapes managing director, John Maxwell, has reported a number of benefits from using the Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP ride-on mower.

Established in 1998, Inverallan Landscapes is a family run business based in Stirling. Over the past 21 years the company has specialised in grounds maintenance contracting and has a large client base which includes sites such as business parks, office developments, tourist attractions, churches, nursing homes, hotels, car dealerships and residential developments.

Etesia Hydro 80 A Great Performer

Furthermore, its sister company Inverallan Garden Services, solely focusses on domestic gardens within a 30 mile radius.

The company also boasts ISO 14001-2015 Environmental Management and ISO 9001-2015 Quality Management Systems certifications.

Inverallan Landscapes has seen incredible growth over recent years and now has an impressive fleet of machinery which offers a solution for every grounds maintenance requirement.

John is quite particular when it comes to selecting machinery, insisting on using only equipment of the highest standard. Therefore, when he needed a new ride-on mower he was careful to ensure that it ticked all of the necessary boxes.

“I wanted a ride-on mower that was compact, light and offered excellent performance,” he said.

“We have limited space in our work vans so the machine needed to fit into the back of them, which proved to be a difficult search. We also had to consider that there are some considerably tight and awkward green spaces which we need to attend to.”

Measuring less than 1 metre wide, the Etesia Hydro 80 is easily transported in any vehicle whether it be a van or a trailer. Its compact size means that this impressive machine can pass through most gateways and its tight turning circle makes it ideal for small or awkward areas. It mows close to walls and fences and is highly manoeuvrable. Also, with its large-sized front wheels, the Etesia Hydro 80 easily overcomes all obstacles such as pavement kerbs.

It has been designed to cut and collect both long and short grass, without clogging. Add to that its compact dimensions, ease of use, hydrostatic drive and powerful 15hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, and you have a highly efficient machine offering the kind of output that would easily replace three walk-behind mowers.

The Hydro 80 has been robustly built and requires minimal maintenance. Operators have access to the engine and all working parts and the hydrostatic transmission system is maintenance free. The specially coated 60 mm tubular chassis is also designed for strength and long-life.

“We have had the Etesia Hydro 80 for three seasons now and it is used mostly every day between four different vans. It is nice and light as opposed to some of our other larger equipment too. Up here the ground can be very wet and soft at times so the Hydro 80 is the ideal machine to get on and get these areas cut. We have the flexibility to mulch or pick-up the grass which is beneficial too.

“It is also brilliant when attending to large grass areas because as opposed to having two or three operators using push mowers, we can just have one person covering the whole area with the Hydro 80.

“Overall the Etesia Hydro 80 has been a great machine for us.”

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

You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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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