Avant Tecno UK Unveils New Leguan 265

/in , , /by

Avant Tecno UK Unveils New Leguan 265: Avant Tecno UK has announced the launch of the highly anticipated Leguan 265, the latest and most advanced spider lift in the Leguan Lifts range.

Avant Tecno UK is excited to introduce this groundbreaking machine, which sets a new benchmark for efficiency, performance, and versatility.

Avant Tecno UK Unveils New Leguan 265

Avant Tecno UK Unveils New Leguan 265

A New Era of Efficiency and Performance

The Leguan 265 is designed to meet the evolving demands of professionals who require superior height access solutions without compromising on mobility and stability. With an impressive maximum working height of 26.5 metres, a 13.6-metre side reach, and a 250 kg lift capacity, the Leguan 265 delivers exceptional performance in various work environments, from construction sites to tree care and maintenance operations.

As the fastest 27-metre spider lift in the world, the Leguan 265 can fully extend its booms to maximum working height in just 1 minute and 35 seconds. This remarkable speed, combined with its rugged track system, unrivalled ground clearance, and market-leading low centre of gravity, ensures that operators can work more efficiently and confidently, even on the most challenging terrains.

Intelligent Design for Maximum Usability

The Leguan 265 is the flagship model of the Leguan all-terrain series, complementing the highly regarded 195 and 225 models. With a harmonised design, unified user interface, and standardised components across the range, the Leguan 265 is an ideal addition to rental fleets and professional operations requiring multiple lifts of varying heights.

Ease of use has been a primary focus in the development of the Leguan 265. Operators will benefit from an intuitive joystick control system, an electric rotation platform, and an automatic levelling system for quick and easy setup. The Leguan EDX operating system provides intelligent outreach monitoring, ensuring safe and smooth operation in any environment.

Unrivalled All-Terrain Capabilities

Built to conquer the toughest job sites, the Leguan 265 boasts an unmatched 45% gradeability and Elevated Driving Position (EDP) function, which allows for enhanced visibility and control when manoeuvring across difficult terrain. Whether working on soft ground, sloped surfaces, or confined spaces, the Leguan 265 delivers the stability and reliability professionals need to get the job done efficiently.

Standard and Optional Features for Every Application

Leguan Lifts are known for their well-equipped standard features, ensuring operators have everything they need for optimal performance. The Leguan 265 includes:

  • Leguan EDX Operating System
  • 21 hp Kubota diesel engine + 230V electric motor
  • Automatic engine RPM control and start-stop function
  • Proportional outreach monitoring system
  • JIB-boom with 120-degree operating range
  • Battery-powered emergency lowering system
  • Home/back-to-work function
  • Intuitive joystick control for seamless operation

For those looking to customise their machine, a range of optional features is available, including remote control for driving and outriggers, LED platform spotlights, tool trays, non-marking tracks, outrigger beacons, and engine heaters for colder climates.

This latest addition to the Leguan range reinforces Avant Tecno UK’s commitment to providing high-quality, innovative, and reliable machinery to its customers.

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

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Students Cultivate Career Insights at Conference

/in , /by

Students Cultivate Career Insights at Conference: The next generation of horticulturists explored the diverse career paths available to them as Hadlow College hosted its annual Horticulture Higher Education Conference.

Students heard from a range of industry experts, gaining valuable insights into the opportunities their qualifications could unlock. The event opened with a keynote address from Carol Ford of Ford Synthesis, followed by former Hadlow College student Josh Blakey, now a Fruit Advisor at FAST LLP, who shared his experiences at the College and his journey into the sector.

Students Cultivate Career Insights at Conference

Students Cultivate Career Insights at Conference

Holly Russell and Jill Kooijman from Enza Zaden took the stage next, discussing the development of new vegetable varieties. They were followed by Adam Walker from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), who provided an overview of his work in sustainable pest control strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact.

The morning’s programme concluded with a talk from Sarah Calcutt, Chief Executive of City Harvest, a food charity that rescues surplus nutritious food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, redistributing it to over 130,000 people a week through food poverty organisations.

The afternoon session began with Andrew Armitage, Associate Professor in Bioinformatics & Plant Pathology at the University of Greenwich, who set the stage for Billy Stott, owner of Stotts Nursery in Buckinghamshire.

Alan Frampton then spoke about his work at Cambridge HOK, a specialist in vertical farming, glasshouses, and energy solutions. He was followed by Adam Harrison, who shared insights into his role at Thanet Earth, Britain’s leading glasshouse complex and the principal sponsor of the Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College.

Rounding off the event was Steve Thomas, founder of Ample Marketplace, a digital platform launched in 2024 that enables farmers to sell excess fresh produce directly to buyers.

Alan Harvey, Hadlow College’s Head of Curriculum for Horticulture and Floristry, says: “I have been involved in delivering the Horticulture courses at Hadlow College for many years and its hugely rewarding to welcome back so many of our graduates to speak at our HE conference. We are also very grateful to many of the sponsors of the Centre of Excellence for also supporting this important event.”

Hadlow College offers a number of Higher Education courses, taught by industry professionals, with a strong focus on practical, job-related skills.

Horticulture students benefit from the Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College a groundbreaking partnership between the College, leading industry grower Thanet Earth, and research and innovation organisation Growing Kent & Medway. The Centre is based at the College’s state-of-the-art glasshouse, which is the UK’s first centre of excellence in greenhouse growing.

The College also has its own on-site residential accommodation that was graded as Outstanding by Ofsted last year.

To find out more about studying a Higher Education course at the College visit the University Centre section of the Hadlow College website.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

EGO proves it’s a cut above with new products

/in , , /by

EGO proves it’s a cut above with new products: After revolutionising the market in 2024 with its reimagined Pro X series, EGO Power Plus is harnessing new markets this year with a bold portfolio of products. With the adoption of battery power becoming more popular, customers will now have even more ways to use their EGO batteries.

This year, EGO is expanding its Lifestyle range – a selection of battery-powered outdoor power equipment for use in the garden and beyond – to grow its innovative capabilities and to give existing customers exciting new uses for their EGO ARC 56V lithium batteries. New additions to the range include the SK1800E Outdoor Speaker, FN1000E Mini-Misting Fan, WDV0900E Wet/Dry Vacuum, the BSP3500E 15L Backpack Sprayer and the ETA0800E Earth and Ice Auger.

EGO proves it’s a cut above with new products

EGO proves it’s a cut above with new products

Back in the garden, EGO has developed an exciting range of new products. Its flagship product for 2025 is the LM2230E-SP professional mower. Its largest mower to date, this 55cm mower with a super composite deck, can cut up to 2000 sqm on a single charge with a 10Ah battery. For those who prefer their lawn maintenance a little more automated, EGO is releasing its first robot mowers, the RM4000E and the RM2000E, which can seamlessly adapt to the complexities of any lawn. And for tidying up the edges, the ST1510E-T line trimmer puts the ease back into trimming with PowerloadTM Technology which loads the line in seconds at the push of a button.

Ideal for arborists, the CS1200E professional top-handled chainsaw is a compact, lightweight saw which cuts smoothly and simplifies tree work.

Back on the ground, EGO’s 2025 leaf blowers have been developed with even more power and performance. The LB6150E has a 1,045m3/h output in Boost mode, and 18.5N of air force while the LB6700E has 1,138m3/h output in Boost mode and a 20N air force for bigger tasks across large areas. After blowing the leaves into a pile, EGO is also making light work of clearing with its first ever 3-in-1 leaf vacuum, the LV5000E 3. With the capability of mulching leaves as they are collected, this tool has the power to tackle small to medium household clean-ups and easily converts from vacuum to blower.

Momentum continues this year with the Pro X series, which is designed for heavy-duty commercial users who need tools that can cope with the demands of a busy working day and be charged overnight. Coming this year, is EGO’s first Pro X multi-tool powerhead, which has been upgraded to ensure it is robust enough to tackle the toughest of jobs. Also joining the series is the new LBPX1100, which is one of the most powerful backpack blowers on the market and the LBX1000 which provides the power of a backpack blower in a handheld unit. All three tools form part of the new generation of Pro X tools with BLE connectivity built-in for status monitoring.

Steve Roskell, Marketing Director EMEA for EGO, said: “The demand for battery-powered outdoor power equipment has surged dramatically in recent years, and EGO is proud to be leading the charge as more users make the switch. Building on the success of our Pro X series last year, we’re excited to unveil even more ground-breaking and innovative products this year”.

Compatible with EGO’s range of multi-tools is the new STA1700 line trimmer attachment which features technologies for automatic line feeding and fast line replacement as well as EGO’s first Dethatcher attachment (DA1400) which removes the thatch layer between grass and soil for a healthier lawn.

To learn more about EGO’s 2025 product line-up, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

NextGen Members Recognised with Pioneer Marks

/in , , /by

NextGen Members Recognised with Pioneer Marks: Seven members, past and present, of the GMA NextGen group have been awarded their Pioneer Marks as part of the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) ‘Pioneer Legacy’ initiative at the GMA Industry Awards.

The Pioneer Legacy is a recognition scheme dedicated to celebrating the contributions of those who have been part of GMA NextGen, acknowledging their impact on the profession.

NextGen Members Recognised with Pioneer Marks

NextGen Members Recognised with Pioneer Marks

Central to this initiative is the Pioneer Mark – a distinctive legacy number assigned to each NextGen member, reflecting their role in shaping the future of the industry.

The following individuals received their Pioneer Marks at the GMA Industry Awards:

  • Nick Phillips (#007) – Head of Grounds & Landscaping at Tottenham Hotspur
  • Liam Cash (#011) – Head Groundsman at Stockport County FC
  • Tom Grafen (#012) – UK Area Manager at SGL
  • Liddy Ford (#032) – Groundsperson at Wembley Stadium
  • Beth Gibbs (#033) – Groundsperson at Wellington School
  • Jack Langley (#034) – Deputy Head Groundsperson at Ashton Gate Stadium
  • Meg Lay (#035) – Groundsperson at Lord’s Cricket Ground

This initiative not only celebrates individual achievements but also ensures that the contributions of these young professionals are remembered and honoured for years to come.

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications & Marketing at the GMA said: “The Pioneer Legacy is about recognising the impact of the next generation of grounds professionals. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements and what better stage to do it on than at Anfield Stadium. All you need to do is look at how far these members have come and the incredible careers they’ve built in the industry. GMA NextGen has been a great springboard for them, and the Pioneer Legacy is our way of recognising that journey.”

For more information on GMA NextGen and the Pioneer Legacy, visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

/in , /by

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury: Andy Richards, Grounds Manager at Haileybury School, credits Mansfield Sand’s MM40 with significantly improving drainage and enhancing the overall quality of the school’s sports pitches.

With its exceptional consistency and performance, MM40 has become an essential part of his grounds management strategy, ensuring the pitches are always match-ready.

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

Mansfield Sand Transforms Sports Pitches at Haileybury

Located in Hertfordshire, Haileybury is one of the UK’s leading independent co-educational boarding and day schools. Its sprawling 500-acre estate includes 180 acres of meticulously maintained sports pitches, supporting the school’s reputation for excellence in rugby, football, cricket, lacrosse, and hockey. Andy Richards, in his sixth year as Grounds Manager, leads a team of 11 staff tasked with maintaining this diverse landscape.

“It’s a large site with a mix of grounds and gardens, so the team does a bit of everything,” Andy explained. “Haileybury is a school that prides itself on developing well-rounded pupils through both academic and co-curricular activities, and sport is a massive part of that.

Maintaining pitches to meet the high standards of national-level teams is a challenge, but one I enjoy.”

Haileybury sits on heavy London clay, which presents drainage issues, particularly during the wet months. Andy turned to Mansfield Sand’s MM40 for its superior drainage properties and reliability, using it for top-dressing, pitch renovation, and amelioration.

“This year alone, we’ve used 400 tonnes of MM40 on a newly built pitch, 300 tonnes on two other pitches worked into the surface, and 58 tonnes as an October top-dressing on our first-team rugby pitch,” Andy shared. “On heavy clay, anything we can do to improve drainage is a massive benefit. Sand is expensive, so it has to be good quality to justify the investment, and Mansfield Sand always delivers.”

Mansfield Sand’s commitment to quality and service has stood out to Andy.

“We’ve had such a large quantity of sand delivered, and I don’t think we’ve ever found a single stone or had an issue with any of it,” he said. “In the past, I’ve had loads of sand from other suppliers that I had to send back, but Mansfield Sand has been flawless. Their customer service is excellent—the drivers call an hour before delivery and again when they’re on-site. It’s seamless every time.”

The MM40 sand’s medium-fine texture and superior drainage make it the ideal choice for Haileybury’s pitches, ensuring a stable and safe playing surface for students and athletes alike.

With a history dating back to 1840, Mansfield Sand is a trusted name in sand-based solutions. The company’s state-of-the-art technology and rigorous quality standards have earned it a reputation for excellence across the sports industry. MM40, in particular, is a preferred choice for high-profile sports facilities and stadiums, thanks to its consistency, purity, and performance.

“Mansfield Sand has been crucial in helping us maintain the pitches at Haileybury,” Andy added. “The quality of their product means we can rely on it to keep our pitches performing at their best, no matter the sport or season.”

For Andy, the partnership with Mansfield Sand is an essential part of his strategy for maintaining Haileybury’s grounds to the highest standard.

“The MM40 has been fantastic for both drainage and pitch health,” he said. “It’s reliable, consistent, and it works. When you’re managing a site as large as this, having a dependable product and supplier makes all the difference.”

As Haileybury continues to uphold its reputation for sporting excellence, Mansfield Sand’s MM40 is playing a vital role in ensuring the pitches meet the demands of both athletes and the environment.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.