Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

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Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025: Trimax will launch its latest innovation, OptiAdjust, at Saltex 2025. This groundbreaking system allows operators to change mowing heights without leaving the cab, improving productivity, safety, and cut quality.

Visitors can see OptiAdjust in action on the Trimax stand. Integrated with the Trimax Connect app, OptiAdjust enables operators to adjust cutting heights between 10–80 mm instantly from inside the tractor — reducing downtime, improving workflow, and ensuring greater precision across every pass.

Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

“OptiAdjust is all about giving operators smarter, safer control and increased productivity,” said Rikki Bown, Business Development Manager at Trimax. “It’s a major step forward in mower efficiency and ease of use.”

In addition to OptiAdjust, Trimax will also showcase its proven range of commercial rotary and flail mowers:

  • Striker – Ideal for use on compact tractors, the Striker is a multi-spindled rotary mower offering superb presentation, easy operation, and extremely low maintenance — perfect for sports clubs and private estates.
  • ProCut S5 – Built for full-time commercial use, the ProCut S5 roller mower delivers a high-quality cut and excellent clipping distribution, while eliminating daily maintenance requirements.
  • Force – Trimax’s toughest and most robust flail mower to date. Engineered for extreme conditions, the Force can mulch prunings up to 90 mm and is equipped with a Safety Dispersion Guard meeting ISO17101 standards.

See the future of smarter mowing at the Trimax stand H082 at Saltex 2025.

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Two new best-in-class leaf blowers

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Two new best-in-class leaf blowers: EGO Power+ has expanded its offering of battery-powered outdoor power equipment by adding two powerful new leaf blowers to its domestic range. Best-in-class, the LB6700E and LB6150E boast exceptional power and control, making them ideal for homeowners looking for quick and efficient clearing.

With superior leaf-blowing performance and improved ergonomics, these blowers have the force to clear the most stubborn debris, while the variable speed trigger enables the user to maintain effortless control. Both blowers also come with flat and round nozzles, increasing their adaptability to tackle any task.

Two new best-in-class leaf blowers

Two new best-in-class leaf blowers

The larger of the two models, the LB6700E has an impressive 1138m3/h output in the boost mode as well as a 21N air force, enabling users to complete challenging tasks with ease. Helping to maintain gardens without difficulty, this high-performance blower ensures gardens stay immaculate, no matter the task at hand.

Neil McGuinness, Product Manager at EGO, said: “We are delighted to be adding two new blowers to our domestic range this year. Prioritising power and functionality, the blowers are designed to cut down time on gardening tasks without compromising on power, so using these tools with an EGO 56V ARC Lithium™ battery ensures that there is enough run time and power to aid with any gardening job.”

The LB6150E blower can clear large areas due to its 1045 m3/h output in boost mode with 18.5N of air force, while the large-diameter blower tube ensures maximum airflow.

“With the LB6150E blower, our users benefit from a high-performing, high-quality tool. Due to its suitability for larger areas, this blower is compatible with our EGO Power+ Backpack to provide users with extra support,” added Neil.

EGO is a true pioneer in battery-powered outdoor power equipment. Its batteries are interchangeable across the entire range and are proven to provide more power and performance than the competition.

The blowers come with a five-year tool warranty for domestic users or a two-year warranty for professional users.

The LB6700E retails at £209 and the LB6150E for £169.

To learn more about EGO’s leaf blower range, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/blowers

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Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

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Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship: For the first time ever, the British TIMBERSPORTS® team will feature a female competitor when they travel to Milan for the biggest event of the logger sports season, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship later this month. Taking place in Milan, Italy, the 20th World Championship promises to have audiences on the edge of their seats at the Allianz Cloud Arena on 24th and 25th October. 

Following the British TIMBERSPORTS® Championship in June, a selection process took place to decide which athletes should represent Great Britain in the Team event. Glen Penlington secured his place early after winning his fourth British Championship in a row, with personal best times in two of the four team disciplines. But a surprise option for selection was Women’s Champion, Rachel Ferrington from Hay-on-Wye, after she delivered a blistering, new Women’s World Record in the Stock Saw discipline.  It took her just 8.82 seconds to cut two discs, or ‘cookies’, with a STIHL MS 661 chainsaw, which ended up being the fastest time of the whole Championship weekend, and secured her a deserved place on Team GB.

Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

Each nation can take five athletes, plus a rookie competitor, as part of their team, so with Penlington and Ferrington confirmed, four other spaces were available. Alongside 2025 Rookie Champion Rowan Luxton, the final names added to the team sheet were Team GB regulars Rob Chatley from Hanley Broadheath in Worcestershire, Graham Turner from Penicuik, Scotland and Tom Redmond from Bere Regis, Dorset.

In the Team event, the athletes complete four TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines in a relay; the Stock Saw, the Underhand Chop, the Single Buck and the Standing Block Chop. Each team competes in head-to-head heats against other national teams, with the slowest team knocked out and the fastest team moving on to the next round. All six competitors have been training hard in a series of training camps in the months prior to the Championship, in the hopes of improving on their 13th placed finish last year.

“Bringing Rachel into the team adds a fresh face and a new dynamic at the training camps. She is relatively new to the sport, but has trained really hard and has also competed in two other international TIMBERSPORTS® competitions already this year, which has given her valuable experience.” said Vicky Tween, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Team Manager.

Female athletes have competed in the Team World Championship before, but this will be the first time that a woman has been part of the British team. Ferrington is in good company though; three other national teams feature female competitors this year, and she’ll be hoping to make her mark on the world stage in Milan. Rookie athlete, Rowan Luxton, from Llandrindod Wells in Powys, will also be excited to join the British Team for the first time after his impressive win in the British Rookie Championship.

Penlington, Chatley, Turner and Redmond have all represented Great Britain at the World Championship before, but they know that there is always room for improvement, which is why the training camps are so useful for working on everything from the changeovers between disciplines to the team morale. Whilst they are all fierce rivals when competing against each other in the British Championship, they will need to come together in Milan if they want to deliver their best result.

If you want to see where Team GB place in the 2025 TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship, you can watch the full competition live on the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® YouTube channel from 7pm on Friday 24th October.

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Avant E727: Power for Professionals

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Avant E727: Power for Professionals: The new Avant e727 is an excellent machine for various lifting and transfer work in construction, farming, landscaping and more.

It features our new Autoshift system which is designed to optimize the energy efficiency of the driveline. Together, Autoshift and the combination of the variable displacement pump and the two-speed drive motors enable optimal energy efficiency and driving comfort.

Avant E727: Power for Professionals

Avant E727: Power for Professionals

Efficient powertrain & Autoshift

The Avant e727 is an excellent machine for various lifting and transfer work. The lift capacity of the loader is 1400 kg. Looking at the overall performance of the loader, especially from the perspective of power and usage, it is comparable to a similar size Avant diesel loader. The driving speed is also in the same range.

Avant e727 has a 27 kWh Avant OptiTemp® battery manufactured at the Avant Power battery factory – like the more compact Avant e527.

The operating time of the e727 is close to that of the Avant e527 due to the optimization in the powertrain. The new powertrain of the e727 includes only one electric motor, a variable displacement drive pump and two pumps for auxiliary hydraulics.

A totally new feature on the e727 is Autoshift which is designed to optimize the energy efficiency of the driveline. Together, Autoshift and the combination of the variable displacement pump and the two-speed drive motors enable optimal energy efficiency and driving comfort. The low noise level will also delight Avant users.

Avant e727

  • An excellent fully electric loader​​ for material handling and load & haul use. Made especially for construction, ​horse stables,​ farming​, landscaping, etc.
  • Affordable model, intended for running light to medium powered hydraulically rotating attachments. Ideal for sites where the working radius is less than 2 km.
  • Two-speed drive system with new Autoshift feature (automatic shifts between the low and high gear​).
  • 27 kwh battery – the same battery as in Avant e527.
  • 3 kW onboard charging as standard​; rapid charging as an option.
  • GT cab as an option.

Key Specs:

Loader model Avant e727
Operating time* 5,5 h
Charging time** 1 h 10 min
Electric motors 1
Hydraulic drive pumps 1
Auxiliary pumps 2
Hydraulic drive motors 4
Electric motors and controller cooling Liquid cooling
(electric motor + controller)
Battery capacity and voltage 27 kWh / 44 V
Lift capacity 1400 kg
Auxiliary hydraulics Max. 35 l/min / max. 200 bar​ (preliminary)
Drive modes Low / eco / high  (Autoshift)
Option: GT cab Available (with heating)
Availability Q4/2025

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

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John Wells to become BIGGA president

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John Wells to become BIGGA president: A Master Greenkeeper with more than four decades of experience across the world has accepted the nomination to become President of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) in 2026.

John Wells, 66, has immediately stepped into the role of BIGGA President Elect, supporting current President Ronnie Myles for the remainder of his term. He will be formally appointed BIGGA President at the association’s Annual General Meeting, taking place online in January.

John Wells to become BIGGA president

John Wells to become BIGGA president

As BIGGA President, John will act as an ambassador for the association, representing BIGGA at events across the UK and overseas. He will also join the Board of Management, using his extensive experience to help guide the association in its mission to support and develop greenkeepers and turf professionals.

John was so surprised to be offered the presidency that he was initially in disbelief. He said: “I was quite taken aback when I received the call from Ronnie Myles to ask if I’d consider the position. At first, I thought it might be a wind-up from some mates! But once I realised it was genuine, I was over the moon. I’ve been on Cloud Nine ever since.

“It’s a tremendous honour and I am delighted to have the opportunity to give back to an industry that has given so much to me. I’m a firm believer in education and that is something I am keen to champion during my spell as President,” he said.

John’s greenkeeping journey started at Welwyn Garden City, where his early promise was recognised as he ascended to the role of Head Greenkeeper at just 20 years of age. He spent 16 years there before moving to Brocket Hall, where he oversaw major course developments.

He achieved Master Greenkeeper status in 1995 and left Brocket Hall in 2010, with John’s 18 years there having also seen him posted to Cyprus, Russia, France and beyond to oversee projects. His final port of call was South Herts Golf Club, where he retired in 2023.

“We are delighted that John has accepted the Board’s invitation to serve as President for 2026,” said BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton. “John has had a lengthy and storied career in greenkeeping and has always been a highly engaged member of BIGGA.

“As only the 10th member at the time to earn the Master Greenkeeper designation, he exemplified high standards, and his knowledge and expertise are still in strong demand after his retirement from full-time course management.

“I am looking forward to spending time with John throughout his presidency year at the various events we attend and within the boardroom, where his experience and wise counsel will be an undoubted asset.”

Throughout his career, John has been a passionate advocate for education and mentoring. Many of the team members he trained have gone on to become course managers themselves, while others now work around the world. He continues to support and advise greenkeepers through consultancy work and his close involvement with BIGGA.

“Education has always been at the heart of BIGGA, and that’s something I care deeply about,” he said. “When I started out, there were very few training opportunities. The development of structured education within the association has transformed the profession, and I’m proud to have seen that evolution firsthand.”

Although retired from full-time course management, John remains heavily involved in the sport. He consults at a 36-hole course near his Hertfordshire home, looks after two cricket squares, and travels regularly to visit his son, Harry, who is Golf Course Superintendent at Dubai Creek Golf Club.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work in some incredible places, but what I’ve always enjoyed most is helping others succeed,” he said. “To be invited to serve as BIGGA President is a huge honour, and I’ll do my utmost to represent the association and its members to the best of my ability.”

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