Back to work with ECHO

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Back to work with ECHO: As the virus lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted and the groundscare, landscaping and arboricultural businesses return to work it’s a good time to review the tools you’re using. Over the past few months, air pollution has been substantially reduced and it’s not just because there have been fewer vehicles on the roads.

Any form of internal combustion engine contributes to pollution including two-stroke power tools. A round-up of ECHO outdoor power tools introduced this year reflect the move to low and zero pollution solutions for all types of work from forestry to groundscare and gardening, both professional and domestic.

Back to work with ECHO

Back to work with ECHO

Early in the year saw the introduction of the CS-621SX, the latest chainsaw in the ECHO X Series of ‘Best in Class’ products which aim to be industry-leading in terms of power and performance. The CS-621SX boasts a new 59.8cc low emission, professional-grade 2-stroke ECHO engine, designed and manufactured in Japan. The saw is packed with advanced features to help the commercial operator power through their work. For a heavy-duty saw, it is surprisingly lightweight at only 6.3kg (dry weight) but that doesn’t take anything away from its cutting performance, which exceeds that of many higher capacity machines.

ECHO also launched the world’s first chainsaw with Auto Choke this year, the CS-352AC, an all-round rear handle chainsaw with the patented Auto Choke feature enabling quicker, easier and safer starting. All that’s needed is one pull, regardless of the engine temperature, and the chainsaw starts first time – without the risk of flooding the engine.

Taking low emissions to another level is the ECHO range of three domestic and semi-professional double-sided hedgetrimmers: the HC-2020, the HC-2020R and the HC-2320. Each features the latest ECHO low emission engine, improved ergonomics with better balance and lighter weight, ideal for tackling small to medium-size domestic and professional jobs.

For the tree care professionals and arborists, there is the ECHO DCS-2500T, the first battery-powered top handle chainsaw with its 50V Lithium-ion battery generating the same power and cutting performance as its equivalent petrol packing chainsaw. All with low vibration and without the noise and emissions. The DCS-2500T is part of a range of ECHO 50V battery-powered tools where one battery fits all.

All in all, there’s a lot of innovation from ECHO and much of it, they point out, at very competitive prices so it’s worth a good look to get you back to work with new eco-friendly alternatives. You can find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer. You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800 for more information.

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Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

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Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’: The Air2G2 GT Air Inject from Campey Turf Care Systems has played a significant role in transforming the greens at the La Grande Mare Golf Club in Guernsey.

When he arrived at his new job two-years ago, course manager, Rick Hamilton, spoke to the members about their main concerns and the quality and playability of the greens was top of the list.

Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

Because the course is built on marshland, the soil is very silty heavy clay, making it a problematic soil profile to produce a healthy root zone. The dense profile was causing the greens to hold moisture in the winter and hardpan in the summer, meaning there was little control of how they performed throughout the year. From his previous experience in Asia, Rick knew the Air2G2 was precisely what was needed to open up the soil profile and bring life back into the greens.

“When I first analysed the greens, I knew we had to take action,” Rick explained. “It was at the point that when we tried to change the holes, we would sometimes snap the blades in the hole cutter because the greens were that hard. The greens are old, they are 25 to 30-year-old push-up greens, so there is no drainage, and the soil type doesn’t help with that.

“For me, the Air2G2 is a game changer. Every now and then over the years, different machines come into the industry, and I would say it is one of those game changing machines. I brought it over on hire from a dealer in Jersey and went out, and I could hardly get the probes to inject at first because the surface was that hard. But I managed to do it with the deep probe and close spacing to really get through into the greens and loosen them up to get water and wetting agent in.

“The first afternoon after we did it, the members came out and played and couldn’t believe there was no disruption to the surface at all, and they were surprised with how clean it was. A few weeks later on we had a bit of rain, and we had a competition and the good golfers couldn’t believe how receptive the greens were with the ball holding.

“The difference in the greens is massive in terms of playability, root development, the health in the root zone and getting the water to penetrate. And in the winter when it’s a bit wetter and softer, it helps to release some of the water and get the greens to drain.”

For Rick, the impact of the Air2G2 was immediate, and after using his own machine for a year, the difference is obvious for everyone who plays La Grande Mare. Because of the course construction and location, there is an extensive aeration programme in place that sees the Air2G2 used regularly along with needle tining, a combination that has made members the happiest they’ve ever been with the greens.

For more information about the Air2G2 or the new Air2 Hand Probe visit www.campeyturfcare.com.

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Baggleys announced as Pellenc dealer

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Baggleys announced as Pellenc dealer: Baggleys Machinery have recently been appointed as an authorised dealer for the full range of Pellenc professional battery powered equipment.

Baggleys Machinery is a family run business based in Norfolk owned by Solly Mansfield. Solly’s wife Fiona and their two sons, Toby and Oliver, are also integral to the company. He started the business working from home in 2001 and over recent years the Mansfield family have seen it significantly grow.

Baggleys announced as Pellenc dealer

Baggleys announced as Pellenc dealer

“It’s one of those stories where you start in the garden shed and work your way up,” said Solly.

The company has indeed reached new heights. After its humble beginnings, Baggleys Machinery now occupies a six-acre site and has eight members of staff. The success of the company has been based on providing their customers with quality products and a first-class aftersales service.

No stranger to working with leading brands, Solly is particularly pleased after adding the Pellenc range to the company’s extensive portfolio of products.

“I had been interested in Pellenc equipment for quite a while,” he said. “I actually had a hands-on demonstration a long time ago when Pellenc was first introduced into the country. I was instantly impressed but unfortunately at that time I didn’t have the customer base that I have now and was not in a position to take it on. So now I’m really pleased to finally be offering Pellenc to our customers.”

Over recent years, Pellenc has gained market recognition by offering a unique range of ‘zero emission’ battery-powered tools, thanks to the development of Lithium-ion ultra-high performance batteries.

This exclusive Pellenc technology allows for a drastic reduction in the production of greenhouse gases and noise pollution. It is also comfortable for users, meets new sustainable development demands and offers excellent economic profitability. With a record capacity of up to one day’s use on a single charge, these quality products are a perfect fit for Baggleys.

“The battery run time on the Pellenc equipment far exceeds anything else on the market,” continued Solly. “The feedback from customers has already been incredible and many of them have commented on the fact that they are now able to start their jobs earlier. They can now start to cut a hedge or strim straight away, whereas with their petrol machines they wouldn’t be able to use it, say at 7am, due to the noise disturbance.

“The other thing is that a lot of my customers who were previously operating small handheld petrol hedge trimmers were starting to get a bit queasy from the exhaust fumes whereas the Pellenc machines are clean and healthy to use.”

Baggleys Machinery will distributing the complete Pellenc range which includes chainsaws, blowers, hedge cutters, pole saws, road sweepers, grass strimmers and mowers, and Solly has already seen a demand for the products from the likes of local authorities, hospitals, universities and contractors.

It is a sign of the times according to Solly as the industry continues to embrace battery powered equipment. Furthermore, he believes that once people understand just how cost effective they can be, then even more people will be turning to the innovative and environmentally friendly technology.

“The big hurdle for people to get over is the initial cost,” he said. “But what they do not take into consideration is the petrol that is being bought every week to run their two-stoke machines. With the battery powered equipment, you do not have that expense – ever.

“I think I’m right in saying that the break-even point with the Pellenc equipment is 18 months. So, if people can see past that initial cost then they will realise that the Pellenc equipment is far more cost effective long-term – because there are no running costs.”

Pellenc is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views. 

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Bobcat E10e helps uncover archaeological secrets

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Bobcat E10e helps uncover archaeological secrets: A new Bobcat E10e mini-excavator, the world’s first battery-powered machine of its type in the one tonne and below category, has been utilised for its low noise and zero emissions on a prestigious archaeological dig, exploring the ruins of a castle in the town of Ricany near Prague in the Czech Republic.

The romantic-looking castle ruins where the E10e has been working stand in the very centre of Ricany and date from the second half of the 13th century. After the site was evaluated by archaeologists, the operator of the battery-powered E10e excavator was faced with a clear goal – helping to find the castle’s moat and any other historically valuable finds that would help determine the size of the original castle. This involved an in-depth exploration in the garden of one of the buildings adjoining the castle ruins. The task was to dig a main reconnaissance trench with a length of 57 m and another 16 metre long verification trench.

Bobcat E10e helps uncover archaeological secrets

Bobcat E10e helps uncover archaeological secrets

The work was carried out by an experienced Bobcat machine demonstrator, Tomáš Mrkvička, who said: “These very special excavations require the utmost caution. The soil must be removed literally centimetre by centimetre. It is similar to a knife scraping over butter. For actions where it is important not to damage what could possibly be in the excavation, the operator’s feel and touch are irreplaceable.” To ensure that any archaeological excavations were not damaged, the teeth were removed from the bucket at the beginning. Fortunately, the surface of the area being surveyed was not too hard, so it allowed this fine technique to work.

Bobcat E10e in the Role of Discoverer

It turned out that the archaeologists were right to be cautious. After only a few hours of work, the E10e uncovered the point where the soil mixed with the original masonry of the castle. Excavating was immediately stopped and experts from the local museum were called in to investigate the site further and they were surprised to find that the E10e had in fact encountered the remains of an old cellar. “The cellar may be up to 500 years old,” said Jan Boukal, a historian from the Ricany Museum.

Whilst the excavator weighs only one tonne and its weight is evenly distributed over the entire track area, it was still decided that after discovering the cellar, archaeologists would dig only by hand in this area. With the cellar vault located only tens of centimetres below the surface, there was a real danger of it collapsing. Instead, the Bobcat E10e continued to dig along pre-marked lines on another reconnaissance excavation elsewhere on the site.

“The use of a one tonne excavator in combination with an experienced operator proved to be very far-sighted due to the discovery of the ancient cellar,” said Petr Frank from the Municipal Office in Ricany. “We are pleased that we were the first in the Czech Republic to have a chance to try a zero-emission, battery-powered excavator in Ricany. In addition, the ability to communicate seamlessly with experts during excavations due to the low machine noise was extremely useful and efficient. I assume that we will see electric machines more and more often in the centres of towns and villages in the future.“

Electromobility and emission reductions are very important topics today worldwide and alternative drives are being gradually introduced to achieve this in construction machinery. Doosan Bobcat is one of the pioneers in this industry and began producing the E10e last year at the company’s plant in Dobris in the Czech Republic.

The range of applications for this type of excavator is wide – although it is primarily intended for demolition indoors. It is ideal for many other areas where zero emission and low noise machines are required. Examples include construction and refurbishment in city centres, night work or meeting the requirements for work in low-noise locations such as schools, hospitals, shopping centres, etc.

First in Class

The Bobcat E10e is the world’s first battery-powered one tonne mini-excavator that combines zero emissions, low noise and a width of just 71 cm, allowing it to easily drive through doors or to lift the machine. The excavator is equipped with a modern lithium-ion maintenance-free battery with an advanced control system that is designed to fit the size of a standard machine and maintain zero ZTS overlap.

The Bobcat E10e can work for up to five hours on a single charge depending on the application. With the optional external 400 V quick charger, the battery can be recharged to 80% capacity in less than two hours. This allows the E10e to work throughout the working day when used with normal breaks. The battery can also be fully charged overnight with an integrated 230 V mains charger.

The E10e battery-powered model is built on the same platform and produced on exactly the same production line as the highly successful E10z diesel engine powered mini-excavator, over 11000 of which have been produced so far. This line currently has a capacity of 2000 machines per year and can produce diesel and battery-powered models as required by current market demand.

Róbert Husár, Doosan Bobcat EMEA Director for the mini-excavator product line, said: “The E10e is only the beginning of our efforts to expand our portfolio of alternative-drive machines. In the future, customers will also be able to look forward to high-end innovations, as well as other product lines, such as skid-steer loaders and track loaders.”

For more information about Bobcat and its products, visit www.bobcat.com

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Doosan strengthens Middle East dealer network

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Doosan strengthens Middle East dealer network: Doosan Portable Power (DPP) has appointed Muscat-based General Engineering Services LLC (Genserv) as the Authorised Dealer for the Doosan generator and lighting tower ranges in the Sultanate of Oman. Genserv joins a high class network of 11 very professional DPP dealers in 10 countries in the Middle East. 

As an Authorised Dealer, Genserv supplies the complete range of DPP generators for the Middle East providing prime power outputs from 20 to 850 kVA. These diesel-powered generators are used wherever there is a need for electrical power, especially in areas where a public grid supply is unavailable, not powerful enough or even unreliable. Designed for use in higher temperature and more remote locations, DPP generators meet not only prime power production requirements, but also temporary/stand-by or more extended needs.

Doosan strengthens Middle East dealer network

Doosan strengthens Middle East dealer network

Alongside the generators, Genserv is selling the Doosan LCV6-50Hz portable light tower. Designed for reliability and durability, the LCV light tower is ideal for providing lighting on road and bridge construction sites, all general construction applications as well providing lighting for special events, emergency and disaster relief, oil and gas drilling and for mining and quarrying locations.

General Engineering Services LLC (Genserv)

Genserv provides a wide range of solutions for customers in all areas of industry in Oman, including the construction, mechanical, power and warehousing sectors. The company started as a dealer for engine spare parts in 1982. After nearly four decades, Genserv continues to be Oman’s leading construction equipment dealer.

Genserv believes a key part of the success of all of the high quality products the company represents is the aftersales service the dealer provides. For this reason, Genserv aims to maintain a high percentage of spare parts availability, ensuring minimum downtime and enabling customers to keep plant and machinery operating and productive.

Mustafa El Bawab, General Manager of Genserv, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as the Authorised Dealer for DPP generators and light towers in Oman. Adding another high quality brand to our expanding portfolio allows us to offer even more solutions for customers in Oman and we look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with DPP for many years to come.”

Olivier Rasmont, DPP Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “Genserv represents a very exciting expansion of the DPP dealer network for the Middle East. We are very impressed with the way Genserv does business – I am confident it will be a successful relationship for both companies and our customers in Oman.”

Doosan Generators and Lighting Towers for the Middle East

The Doosan Portable Power range of generators comprises a wide choice of models from 20 to 850 kVA, available in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz versions. As well as construction, rental, industry and agriculture, the DPP portfolio also covers a much wider audience such as home standby, telecommunications and back-up power for small businesses.

The Doosan LCV6-50Hz light tower has a compact footprint for increased jobsite mobility and cost-effective transport. The LCV6 light tower features a Kubota engine paired with a high output 6 kW alternator, providing light and power concurrently with a class-leading run-time of 105 hours.

Doosan Portable Power 

Part of the Doosan Bobcat business unit, Doosan Portable Power offers one of the most comprehensive portable power product ranges for the Middle East region. The range includes generators, portable compressors and lighting products as well as construction tools such as air-powered chipping hammers, pickhammers, jackhammers and paving breakers. All DPP products are built to withstand the rigours of everyday applications in the toughest conditions found in the Middle East market.

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