UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

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UK a Nation of Green Gardeners: Honda UK Lawn & Garden has declared the UK a nation of green gardeners as planting season leapt into full swing. 

Gardeners made the most of lockdown, social distancing and the glorious sunshine by cultivating their way to a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle as Honda tiller sales soared and the Lawn and Garden division achieved 110% of targeted sales in April. There was plenty of mowing and trimming action, too, as the perfectly manicured garden captured Britain’s imagination.

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

An appetite to garden, and more specifically plant, swept the nation. Honda’s tiller sales outstripped target by 327%, signalling sowing season is well underway and the grow your own movement is taking hold in flower beds across the country.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, vegetable planting is in-vogue; a third of a million people sought advice online on growing food at home and research on sowing seeds was also up 40% in the first 9 days of lockdown.

The grow your own movement was already fast-gaining momentum with Wyevale Garden Centres reporting vegetable plant sales rose by 30% over the five years leading up to 2018. The lockdown has encouraged even more Brits to bring food from pot-to-table into their diet and reduce their carbon footprint in the process by adopting an environmentally conscious, self-sufficient lifestyle.

Lawns were not to be ignored though as keen gardeners flocked to buy izy lawnmowers, which accounted for 42% of Honda Lawn & Garden’s April sales, with the powerful, robust and lightweight HRG 416 PKEH model topping the charts.

Fully-charged with technology and left to its own devices, Small Miimo lavished greens with TLC leaving owners to enjoy, tan and play in their gardens without lifting a finger. Having just joined the Lawn & Garden range, it’s little surprise the smart and feature-packed model made up 78% of Honda UK’s robotic lawnmower sales in the month.

Sure to help those in market for a new lawnmower is the ‘know before you mow’ tool (https://www.hondaengineroom.co.uk/power/know-before-you-mow/). The free, simple, online tool matches your mowing needs to the right mower; choose your garden size, the type of gardener you are and you’ll be paired with the perfect model from Honda’s expansive range of push, ride-on and robotic lawnmowers.

The ‘Trade In To Trade Up’ savings campaign assisted with April’s success. With £100 off Small Miimo, £75 off petrol izy and electric izy-On push mowers and £50 savings on tillers, there’s a deal to had for everyone in the campaign that applies widely to the Lawn & Garden product range and runs until September 30th 2020, online (https://store.honda.co.uk/) and in dealers.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Products at Honda (UK) comments: “It’s great that we have managed to overachieve this month despite the circumstances. I’m delighted to see the public making the most of the brilliant weather and lockdown conditions, too, tending to their gardens to make them summer-ready with a Honda power tool”.

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Changes to Bobcat dealer network

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Changes to Bobcat dealer network: Bobcat has announced important changes in the company’s dealer network for South West England in the UK. TVE Hire & Sales Ltd (TVE), the Authorised Bobcat dealer based in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, has been awarded an expanded territory.

With the addition of the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to its current area, TVE will now be responsible for customers in seven counties, including Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Changes to Bobcat dealer network

Changes to Bobcat dealer network

John Christofides, Regional Sales Director, UK/Ireland, Nordics and Baltics for Bobcat EMEA, said: “Following the excellent results delivered by TVE in its first three years as a Bobcat dealer, with market share increases of up to 15% in its area, we are delighted to recognise this with the addition of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to its existing area.”

Additional Caretaker Role for TVE 

TVE has also taken on a caretaker role providing continuity for sales, service and parts for new and existing Bobcat products in the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, in anticipation of new announcements to be made by Bobcat regarding these counties.

In its newly expanded territory and in its temporary caretaker role, TVE is responsible for sales and service of the market-leading range of Bobcat skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers and attachments in the construction, agriculture, rental, landscaping and industrial markets.

Mat Jones, Sales Manager at TVE Hire & Sales Ltd, said: “We are very gratified that our performance since we became a Bobcat dealer has been rewarded with an expanded territory for sales, service and parts for all of the Bobcat range. Customers new and old in Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall can also be assured of full continuity in Bobcat service in our caretaker role for these counties.”

JJ Farm Services Now Responsible for Bobcat Telescopic Loaders for the Agricultural Market in Gloucestershire

In addition, Bobcat, as part of the company’s mission to expand its presence in the Agricultural sector, has appointed Cheltenham-based JJ Farm Services Ltd as the Authorised Dealer for the Bobcat range of telescopic loaders for the agricultural market in Gloucestershire.

Ewen Gilchrist, Network Development Manager UK & Nordics for Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “We have been very impressed with the results produced in its existing area by TVE over the last three years, so adding Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to their territory was an easy and logical decision. Customers in the rest of the South West can be assured of the best support from the company during its period as caretaker for their area. I would also like to welcome JJ Farm Services to the fold. We look forward to many years of working together with JJ Farm Services in the agricultural market.”

New ‘Work Now, Pay Later‘ Finance for UK Customers

Like all other Bobcat dealers in the UK, TVE Hire & Sales and JJ Farm Services have extended Bobcat’s Retail Financing solutions to include the new ‘Work Now, Pay Later’ campaign providing a very attractive 180 day deferment for the first finance payment, to underpin the purchase of new Bobcat loaders, mini-excavators and rigid frame telehandlers.

Bobcat sees this offering as an extra support to help customers working through these unprecedentedly difficult times and will run this offer in parallel with existing 0% solutions.

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

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Arb 130 arrives right on time

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Arb 130 arrives right on time: After making the switch from graphic design to tree surgery in his mid-twenties, Tim Hill then went on to found Twentyeight Trees… when he turned 28!

Now two years later and with an ever-growing order book, the time was right to invest in a woodchipper and it was a GreenMech Arborist 130 that fitted the bill. Having previously hired chippers when required, Tim is quickly noticing both the practical and economical benefits of owning his own.

Arb 130 arrives right on time

Arb 130 arrives right on time

Twentyeight Trees undertake a variety of tree and hedge maintenance projects in and around Wiltshire. “Over the last 18 months, we were hiring in chippers on average three times a week which is not only expensive but comes with the stress of looking after and safely storing a machine that’s not your own.” With the majority of Tim’s work being domestic in nature, he knew that when it came to buying a chipper, a small machine that could easily navigate residential streets and restricted access properties and gardens was what he needed.

“I looked at a few different makes and models but there were a few reasons the GreenMech machine came out on top. Simple things like the fact the Arb 130 is fitted with a handbrake, which makes manoeuvring the chipper on sloped driveways or paths much easier, and the foldable discharge chute which makes storage of it nice and easy. Another positive, again simple, is the fact it has a bonnet – not all chippers do! With outdoor working, in particular the weather and risk of debris, it gives the engine valuable protection as well as making the chipper better visually.”

Tim took delivery of the Arb 130 from GA Groundcare at the beginning of April. “Ashley at GA Groundcare was knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process, making me feel confident and comfortable during what has been such a worrying time for a lot of companies. By following the AA guidelines, my team and I have been able to continue working and, with many people at home, our workload has rocketed.” Tim concludes, “We’re thankful we purchased the Arb 130 when we did and it has certainly been put through its paces these last few weeks, processing brash and timber of all shapes and sizes. It’s been spot on.”

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INFINICUT® & TMSystem™ the perfect match

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INFINICUT® & TMSystem™ the perfect match: Having played the sport from the age of 10, in 2012 Dean Gibbons combined his passion for bowls with his interest in turf maintenance, becoming Greenkeeper at Wantage Bowling Club.

At just 28, Dean brings youthful enthusiasm to improve standards whilst exploring new, greener alternatives for the club. On Dean’s recommendation, the club purchased a 22” INFINICUT® FX and a selection of TMSystem™ cassettes last year, meaning he can now mow, aerate and verti-cut the green, all with one battery-powered unit.

INFINICUT® & TMSystem™ the perfect match

INFINICUT® & TMSystem™ the perfect match

“I’d always had an interest in gardening at home so used that to assist the former greenkeeper at the bowls club, where I gained knowledge and invaluable hands-on experience. After taking over and familiarising myself with the programme, I then began to look at new machinery to make the tasks easier.” Over the last few years Dean has gradually taken on all of the maintenance work, meaning the club no longer require the service of external contractors – the savings from which went towards purchasing the INFINICUT® in July 2019.

“I’d had my eye on the INFINICUT® for a few years. The fact it is battery powered makes it greener, cleaner and quieter to operate and in addition, the versatile range of cassette options available meant we only needed to fund, and subsequently store, a single machine. When they introduced the Fixed Head model it offered all of the above benefits, wrapped up in a more affordable package for us.”

During a regular season, Dean and his team of volunteers would mow the green up to four times a week, adding that the “simplicity of use and well-balanced manoeuvrability of the INFINICUT® has taken the strain off the maintenance.” Their TMSystem™ cassettes – the SarelRoller and UltraGroomer – are then passed over the green on a bi-weekly basis. Preventing surface sealing, the SarelRoller helps to improve filtration rates and gaseous exchange into the upper rootzone, while the 80+ tungsten carbide tipped blades of the UltraGroomer minimise puffiness and effectively remove thatch and lateral growth.

“The multi-functionality of the INFINICUT® is excellent – the flexibility I have to conduct those three tasks, exactly when we need to means our green is now in better shape than ever. Not only that, but the quality and cleanliness of cut has helped to boost overall plant health, helping me to fulfil my organic approach to greenkeeping.” Enjoying the fruits of his labour, Dean remains a keen player and hopes that the quality of the bowling surface may encourage new, and perhaps younger, players to the club.

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New Doosan excavator excels in Spain

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New Doosan excavator excels in Spain: Excavaciones Rafael Gómez, based at Cos in Cantabria in Spain, has purchased a new Doosan DX235LCR-5 reduced radius excavator. The machine was supplied by Adal Exclusivas Generales, the local Authorised Dealer for the Doosan range in the area.

Excavaciones Rafael Gómez works mainly in the forestry sector but also in public works, earthmoving and constructing breakwaters. The company regularly carries out work for a large local forestry company that supplies wood to pulp, mining and sawmill companies from fast-growing woodland stands, including eucalyptus and pine along the Cantabrian coast. Excavaciones Rafael Gómez also works locally for various official departments of the Cantabrian government as well as contracts in neighbouring communities such as Asturias or the Basque Country, and even in Castilla León.

New Doosan excavator excels in Spain

New Doosan excavator excels in Spain

“My company is specialized in the forestry sector, in land preparation, cleaning, clearing and access to forest plantations. Once the trees in the mountains are cut down, their remains must be cleared out, with the debris stacked for removal or for crushing,” says owner, Rafael Gómez Rivero.

He added: “In the mountains, a machine cannot fail on you – it is not the same as when you work in the centre of a city. I need a reliable machine and what made me opt for Doosan was, first, the service; I have the dealer, Adal Exclusivas Generales, right next to me – they provide excellent service, they are real specialists. They offer a complete management, advice and service solution. The second reason, of course, was the performance of the DX235LCR-5 and its reduced fuel consumption.”

The 24 tonne Doosan DX235LCR-5 reduced radius excavator offers superior digging performance together with flexibility, convenience and low operating costs in a compact design with a minimum swing radius of 2310 mm. The DX235LCR-5 meets the growing demand for reduced radius machines for work in confined areas.

Increased Power and Fuel Efficiency

The DX235LCR-5 is powered by the well-proven 6-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06P water-cooled diesel engine which offers convenience and lower costs by meeting emission regulations without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF), through the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalyst reduction (SCR) after-treatment technologies. The DL06P engine provides an output of 180 kW (242 HP) at 1900 rpm, an increase of 9% in engine power.

As well as the DL06P engine, which is one of the most reliable and fuel efficient ever produced by Doosan, innovative and exclusive features have been introduced providing an overall 8% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the DX235LCR-3.

According to Rafael Gómez Rivero, he chose this specific model because of its short turning radius, which makes it a perfect excavator for working in tight places. He has used other machines that did not allow him to travel or work as easily. The Doosan DX235LCR-5 excavator does much more in confined spaces, and with the dozer blade, the operator can also do the work of a small bulldozer. The articulated arm on the DX235LCR-5 allows the boom and bucket to be brought very close to the machine, which is a key feature for the forestry sector and also provides the digging force to work in stony ground.

Rafael Gómez Rivero added: “In the Doosan DX235LCR-5 excavator, I would highlight the turning force it has – the turning torque and turning force are very high. It means that travelling on slopes with a loaded bucket and turning the stones on the breakwaters with a bucket are no problem for this model. There is a lot of strength and stability in the tracks – it climbs all kinds of terrain without problem.

“Colleagues and friends who are using Doosan machines have recommended them to me for their reliability. They have Doosan machines in this area that have worked for over 20,000 hours with no problems. And that is essential for me and for other contractors in the sector. Avoiding downtime is very important, since it translates into productivity and profit.

“I have been working with machines for over 40 years, so I know them very well and I can say that the Doosan DX235LCR-5 excavator has a very good quality/price ratio. The hydraulic system that comes standard with this model is very appropriate for this class of machine – the smoothness of the movements is much better than that in machines from other brands. It is faster and more comfortable to operate with a system that allows attachments to be operated from the joystick or a two-way pedal.”

For more on Doosan construction equipment, please visit the website: www.eu.doosanequipment.com

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