Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

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Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range: Segway Navimow has launched the X3 Series, the latest addition to its portfolio of boundary-cord-free robotic lawnmowers.

The range consists of four new models – the X315, X330, X350 and X390 – and is designed to handle unprecedented lawn sizes with precision, mowing areas of up to 10,000m² (the equivalent of one and a half football pitches). The X3 Series joins the popular i Series and H Series models in the Navimow line-up, which are used by over 170,000 customers globally.

Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

Optimised performance to tackle larger lawns

Boasting ultra-fast charging capabilities, 6 blades, an anti-clogging blade disc and accelerated mowing speed, the Navimow X3 Series operates at an efficiency level two times faster than the industry average. The machine can cover a 5,000m² mowing area within just 24 hours, making it the ideal solution for handling bigger lawns. This is bolstered by expanded coverage per charge, tending to gardens or fields as large as 1,200m² before the battery runs out.

TÜV Rheinland has endorsed the high-performance credentials of the X3 Series, awarding it the certification for high mowing efficiency after extensive testing. This is the first time a robotic lawnmower has been granted this accolade, underlining the X3 Series’ position at the forefront of mowing innovation.

EFLS 3.0: Precision positioning and extended signal coverage

Segway has upgraded its Exact Fusion Location System (EFLS) for the X3 Series, introducing EFLS version 3.0. This features major upgrades in Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) coverage, Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (VSLAM), and Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) technology. This state-of-the-art system ensures unparalleled stability and precision, even in challenging signal environments.

Powered by a customised chip from STMicroelectronics, a world-leading microelectronics manufacturer, the self-developed 3-frequency RTK system increases signal coverage by 20-30%. This mitigates against blind spots that block reception, such as narrow passages or areas under high rooftops. Dual RTK antennas are equipped to address complex layouts, for example properties with both front and back yards, with an extra antenna installed to provide extended signal coverage and unbeatable stability.

Upgraded VisionFence with 300° view

Enhanced VisionFence technology, a solution specifically designed to deliver efficient AI route planning, bolsters the X3 Series with a 300° field of view that enables highly reliable obstacle avoidance. Powered by 3 cameras and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor with a 0.1-2 metre sensory range, hazard detection (including suspended objects such as swings, trampolines, and hanging decorations) is significantly improved. The recognition capabilities of the X3 Series extend to over 200 different obstacle types, ensuring smooth, intuitive navigation.

Additional features that increase user experience and usability include a dot matrix screen that communicates status updates, theft alerts and GPS tracking, smart speaker integration, and a design equipped to handle slopes of up to 50% (27°).

Unlocking new possibilities through the Expansion Bay 

The Expansion Bay with open API allows customers to integrate product extensions tailored to their personal needs.

George Ren, CEO of Segway Navimow BU, commented: “Built to tackle larger areas and layouts of varying levels of complexity, the X3 Series is tailormade for a new market that stands to benefit from the efficiency and accuracy of robotic mowers. Not only can it fulfil the needs of households with larger gardens requiring significant maintenance, its capabilities extend to commercial use where the X3 Series can help estates managers, local councils and many more save time and achieve outstanding results.

“This latest addition to the Navimow portfolio perfectly complements our i Series and H Series ranges. We are now able to meet the diverse range of requirements of UK gardeners, offering autonomous and highly efficient mowing for lawns of all shapes and sizes.”

Price

Prices for each model are as follows: X315E – £2,199, X330E – £2,599, X350E – £3,199, X390E – £4,299

Availability

X3 series will be available through authorised dealer shops. Customers can find the closest dealer shop to their home via Navimow’s website: https://navimow.segway.com/en-gb/pages/channel

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EGO drills down on earth and ice

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EGO drills down on earth and ice: EGO Power+, a leading specialist of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, is turning heads with the release of its first Auger Power Head.

A crucial piece of equipment for landscaping, earthmoving, groundworks, agriculture, fencing and utilities installation, the new PHA7400E Auger Power Head is joining EGO’s range of battery-powered outdoor tools, expanding the options for existing EGO customers looking for new ways to use their batteries.

EGO drills down on earth and ice

EGO drills down on earth and ice

The Auger Power Head is compatible with EGO’s ETA0800E 20cm Earth Auger Bit and the ITA0800E 20cm Ice Auger Bit. These enable the Auger to be used for drilling fence posts, planting trees or bushes and drilling large holes into the ground or ice with ease.

While petrol-powered Augers have dominated in the past, the PHA7400E is one of the first battery-powered Augers to join the market. It has already proven popular with new build developers, as EGO’s industry-leading 56V ARC LithiumTM batteries are a cleaner, more convenient option to petrol. The tool is also lighter in weight and more durable than petrol alternatives, which can be heavy and require more maintenance.

EGO’s Auger provides effortless drilling as users can enjoy tailored control with two-speed settings, a variable speed trigger and a reverse function, all of which make for simple operating. It is also very easy to switch between bits.

For enhanced comfort and user safety, the tool’s handles have been designed ergonomically while the anti-kickback system reduces the risk of injury. The tool also offers great balance, high strength, and reliability while the powerful 74Nm of torque makes light work of drilling through both soil and ice.

Both available bits are 20cm in length and feature a 22mm connection for quick, easy, and secure fitting, as well as an anti-corrosion powder coat finish.

The PHA7400E Auger Power Head retails at £309 and the Earth and Ice Bits retail separately at £99 and £119 respectively.

To learn more visit: https://egopowerplus.eu/node/3364

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac: Orsett Golf Club in south Essex has joined the ranks of Ventrac owners, with the recent purchase of a 4520 tractor unit and a selection of attachments. The 18-hole heathland course was designed by James Braid and the club, which has over 700 members and a waiting list, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Perry Lowe is the head greenkeeper and leads a team of seven full-time greenkeeping staff and a dedicated mechanic. He’s been in his current position for almost ten years and previously spent 14 years at Chigwell Golf Club in north east London, initially as deputy course manager and then course manager.

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

“We’ve got a huge amount of history in the club and there’s a lot of design history as well, which we try to look after,” he said. “We’re not just about revamping everything; we’re trying to keep the history of the club. Trying to keep the Braid look as best we can for modern golf.

“We do a lot of our work in-house so the versatility of the Ventrac is an added bonus. We had a rotary triple mower and it did a great job, but it was coming to the end of its lease. We’d seen and heard a lot about Ventrac in magazines and on social media, so we thought we’d give it a try. A couple of the guys I work with had spoken to people saying how impressive this machine was, so we decided to take a look at it. And the good thing about the Ventrac is, with all the attachments, it becomes an all-year-round machine.

“While the rotary triple we had did a great job, it actually sat in a corner collecting dust during the winter, whereas the Ventrac can go out in all weather; it’s got a wide footprint so it doesn’t make a mess, it doesn’t get stuck. So, you can get all the cutting done without causing any damage. We removed the Contour deck and put on the Trencher attachment and did a huge amount of irrigation, trenching on one of our tees. And it didn’t miss a beat. Absolutely flew through the job and didn’t make any mess at all.

“We’ve also got the Power Rake attachment. We have a lot of shale paths here, which get quite compacted and rutted, but we can go out at this time of year and grade the paths to remove the potholes. We’ll also be using it to prepare another tee we’re renovating. So, instead of being a machine that just sits in a corner, it’s an all-round machine.

“We bought the three attachments in the initial package with the idea that in the future we can add further implements and the one I have in mind is the stump grinder. The attachments we’ve got so far work really well. Once you get used to how to take them off and the little tricks, it’s a ten second job.

“Servicing is easy; it’s a compact unit, so everything is easily accessible.  We’ve changed all the filters and things like that a few times, but that’s not a complaint, it’s just part of our maintenance regime. It’s smartly laid out. Everything’s been thought through and ticked off.

“There’s been no issue with it at all. I don’t think it’s missed a beat. The operator loves it. We can’t get him off it. It’s his baby. He looks after it, he maintains it. I think the only thing we’ve had to look at replacing is a bearing on a roller. And that’s probably because we’re so dry and they take a battering.

“There’s nowhere on the course it doesn’t go, in fact, we’re pushing it into a lot more areas than we ever thought because of its wide footprint and four-wheel drive. We’ve got a few greens that are set in little gullies and valleys with quite steep banks. The other machine would get around them at certain times of year, but you’d have big wheelspin marks when trying to get around, so that’s why we’ve got the Ventrac; it just chugged around. It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit.”

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Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations

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Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations: APB Treecare, a family-run tree care business based in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, has been steadily growing since its establishment in 2014 by Tony Boland.

Specialising in tree surgery, tree removals, and surveys, the company serves both commercial and domestic clients throughout the South East of Ireland, as far as Dublin. As part of its ongoing expansion, APB Treecare has recently invested in a range of Avant machines and a Leguan 225 Spider Lift, significantly improving their speed, safety, and overall efficiency.

Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations

Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations

Tony Boland first encountered Avant machinery on social media and YouTube, where he saw how other tree care companies were benefiting from these versatile machines. “I saw how efficient they were and how much work could be done in less time,” says Tony. After four years of using the Avant 530, APB Treecare upgraded to the Avant 640 to further boost productivity. “The Avant 530 was compact and incredibly powerful for its size, but with the 640, we can lift more, utilise more attachments, and complete jobs faster. It’s a natural progression for our business.”

The Avant 530 and 640 loaders are designed for a variety of tasks, with exceptional manoeuvrability and lifting capabilities in tight spaces. Tony notes, “The lifting power is incredible for the size of the machine. The 530 handles most of our needs, but the 640’s bigger size and additional lifting capacity allow us to take on even more diverse tasks. Plus, the quick coupling system makes switching attachments easy, saving us valuable time on-site.”

The range of attachments available for Avant machines has also been a game-changer for APB Treecare. “We use the Timber Grab around 90% of the time, but we’ve steadily built up a range of attachments, including a bucket, rake, and flail mower, which make our work far more efficient. The time saved means we can finish jobs quicker and move on to the next one.”

In addition to enhancing productivity, Avant machines have proved invaluable during storm damage recovery. “The storms this year were a real test,” says Tony. “Without the Avant, we would have spent half a day or more clearing debris. With this machine, we can clear it in just an hour or two, making a huge difference.”

In June, APB Treecare expanded its fleet with the purchase of a Leguan 225 Spider Lift, available through Avant UK and Ireland. Tony had previously hired the lift during the summer months and was immediately impressed. “After just one day of using the Leguan, I knew it was the right machine for us,” he explains. “For the challenging terrains we often work on, the Leguan excels where other lifts fall short. It’s perfect for steep, uneven ground, which is a common feature of many of our job sites.”

The Leguan 225 offers an impressive range of features that enhance safety and efficiency.

Its automatic levelling system ensures that the lift is perfectly balanced within minutes, allowing the team to quickly get to work. “We press the auto-level button, and the machine does all the work. Without the Leguan, it would take us at least 30 minutes to climb and set up for a job. With it, we’re up and working in no time,” says Tony.

Using the lift also means less physical strain on the team. “Climbing trees all day takes its toll, especially as we’re not getting any younger,” Tony says. “The Leguan has taken a lot of the climbing out of the equation, reducing fatigue and the risk of injury. It’s safer, quicker, and more efficient, and it allows us to get jobs done with minimal physical stress.”

Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations

Avant and Leguan: Key to APB Treecare’s Operations

The Leguan 225 also offers the flexibility of operating from the basket or the ground, which has helped improve team efficiency. “When we’re working in pairs, one person can focus on cutting while the other clears debris. It’s a big advantage, especially on busy days.”

APB Treecare’s trust in Avant machinery is further reinforced by the excellent service and support they receive from their dealer, Ferrybridge. “Andrew Shore at Ferrybridge has been fantastic,” says Tony. “The backup service is great, and if we ever have an issue, Andrew is always just a phone call away. Having a reliable dealer is essential for keeping the business running smoothly.”

As APB Treecare celebrates its tenth year in business, the investment in Avant machines and the Leguan Spider Lift is already paying off in terms of speed, safety, and efficiency.

“These machines have transformed the way we work,” says Tony. “They’re built to last, and they help us get more done in less time, without compromising on safety or quality. Avant is head and shoulders above anything else on the market, and we wouldn’t look anywhere else.”

With a growing fleet of advanced machinery and a solid reputation for high-quality tree care services, APB Treecare is ready to continue expanding its business, providing fast, efficient, and safe tree services across Ireland. Meanwhile, Avant and Leguan will continue to improve operations for other businesses like APB Treecare, helping them streamline their workflows and enhance productivity.

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

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Kubota expands dealership areas

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Kubota expands dealership areas: Kubota (UK) Ltd has implemented a series of changes to three of its dealer sales areas following recent appointments that have taken place within the dealer network covering Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The first involves south Wales-based Hopkins Machinery, which gains access to Kubota groundcare and M-series tractor ranges through its Kilcot depot located near Newent, Gloucestershire, creating opportunities for the family-run dealership around Ross-on-Wye, Gloucester and the western side of Cheltenham.

Kubota expands dealership areas

Kubota expands dealership areas

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to provide sales, service and support for all the existing Kubota products we handle, but now through our Kilcot depot in addition to our St Brides Wentloog, South Wales headquarters, and our Brecon, Powys locations,” said Evan Hopkins, a director of the company.

The second change sees Pallisers of Hereford gain area to the east of its former territory, taking in Upton-upon-Severn and the western side of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, while also extending north and east toward Pershore, Hanbury and Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire.

“We’re pleased to be expanding our Kubota tractor business within these additional areas,” said Camilla Palliser, dealer principal at Pallisers of Hereford. “We’re looking forward to supporting new Pallisers customers throughout these areas.”

The third dealer to benefit is Lister Wilder, which gains additional area in the north of its territory, extending eastwards from Cheltenham to encompass Northleach and Hazleton, and stretching north into the Cotswolds towards Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, adjoining the area recently taken over by Hunts Engineering at Halford, Warwickshire.

“Any extension to our sales area is always going to be a positive step forward for Lister Wilder and the Kubota brand,” says Lister Wilder sales director Phill Hughes. “It’s an opportunity to work with and support many new customers.”

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