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STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

July 16, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower: STIHL’s BGA 160 battery-powered blower offers landscaping teams a convenient and quiet means of cleaning surfaces and paths, effortlessly tackling such tasks with a high air flow rate of up to 940 m3/h. When compared with the powerful BGA 250 hand-held blower, the BGA 160 offers longer working times and a lower […]

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

July 15, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact: Keith Porter, Grounds Manager at Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester, is celebrating his 18th year at the helm of one of the UK’s fastest-developing sporting venues – and with the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system supplied and supported by KAR UK, he’s now seeing the benefits […]

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

July 16, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

July 15, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

July 16, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower: STIHL’s BGA 160 battery-powered blower offers landscaping teams a convenient and quiet means of cleaning surfaces and paths, effortlessly tackling such tasks with a high air flow rate of up to 940 m3/h. When compared with the powerful BGA 250 hand-held blower, the BGA 160 offers longer working times and a lower blowing force.

A welcome support for removing leaves, grass cuttings and debris from paths, driveways, and green spaces, the BGA 160’s blowing force can be controlled using the trigger and locked into place with a built-in cruise control.

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

A boost mode can be activated by fully compressing the trigger for 21 newtons of blowing force, with the setting constantly available over the tool’s entire operating time, should it be required.

For ultimate ease-of-use, this new professional machine has a compact design and a curved blower tube, resulting in reduced wrist strain and excellent manoeuvrability.

In addition, thanks to STIHL’s Sound Engineering, the blower’s higher pitched frequencies and noise peaks have been eliminated, making it exceptionally quiet to operate, ideal for noise-sensitive areas.

As part of STIHL’s AP System, the BGA 160 meets the requirements for professional use, drawing power from a 36 V lithium-ion battery. Use with the AP 300 S is recommended, which provides sufficient energy for up to 110 minutes on the low power setting and up to 15 minutes in boost mode.

The battery-operated BGA 160 can also be used in the rain and is IPX4 certified, enabling it to meet the professional user’s needs all year round.

To find out more about the STIHL BGA 160, visit www.stihl.co.uk

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Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

July 15, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact: Keith Porter, Grounds Manager at Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester, is celebrating his 18th year at the helm of one of the UK’s fastest-developing sporting venues – and with the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system supplied and supported by KAR UK, he’s now seeing the benefits of precision technology across every blade of grass.

The new system has delivered a game-changing level of control and consistency for Keith and his dedicated six-person grounds team. Installed by Irrigation Control as part of a major hybrid pitch redevelopment in June last year, the Hunter system includes GT-885 and I-80-ON sprinklers designed to deliver performance, reliability, total top serviceability, and full even coverage of the pitch. It is combined with the ACC2 controller and Centralus software.

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

“We’d seen the technology at the BTME event in Harrogate and knew it was a step up,” says Keith. “You can access the heads without digging up the pitch – which is massive on a hybrid surface – and the throw from the heads is brilliant. With the I-80s, even the central sprinklers reach right out to the touchline. We’ve now got 100% coverage, and that makes a huge difference.”

Previously, uneven watering created inconsistency in turf condition, with areas occasionally drying out and underperforming. The new system has eradicated that issue.

“With the old irrigation system, it was hit and miss – now it’s perfectly even. No dry patches, no burning off. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about performance and safety too. Even in windy conditions, the whole playing surface is getting what it needs. It’s transformed our matchday prep.”

Leigh Sports Village – home to rugby league club Leigh Leopards and Manchester United’s Women’s and Development teams – has experienced a steady rise in profile and popularity, with regular games, training sessions, and even film shoots becoming part of the busy schedule.

The small team manage far more than just the stadium pitch – the entire site includes additional grass and synthetic pitches, a leisure centre, hotel, supermarket, and even a college campus. Despite the workload, Keith credits the investment in technology and ongoing support as vital to keeping up with demand.

“We’re left to manage things ourselves, and we’ve always had the backing when we’ve made a case for investment,” he explains. “The irrigation system was another example of the council trusting us to choose the right tools for the job.”

Control and ease of use have also proven key benefits. With Hunter’s Centralus control system, the team can operate the irrigation from anywhere – even at home – via smartphone, handheld remote, or laptop.

“It’s really simple. Any of the lads can pick it up and use it,” Keith adds. “You can run individual heads or sections for spot treatments or liquid feeding. You’re not restricted to a one-size-fits-all cycle – it’s totally flexible. That saves water, time, and effort.”

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

KAR UK, the UK’s leading supplier of Hunter irrigation equipment, played a key role throughout the project. Their technical support and advice proved instrumental in the system’s successful integration.

“Lee Williams from KAR UK has been great,” says Keith. “He was involved right from the start and has always been on the end of the phone. Any advice we needed, he was there. It’s been a smooth process.”

With the stadium pitch now fully covered and performing better than ever, Keith is already looking at future upgrades. “Our external pitches are older systems, but as heads start to go, we’ll be replacing them with Hunter – it’s the way forward.”

As Leigh Sports Village continues its impressive rise, Keith’s team – and their irrigation – are keeping pace.

“With the Hunter system in place, we’ve got confidence in the coverage. It’s made a big difference,” Keith concludes.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

STIHL launches new battery-operated blower

Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact

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