Tag Archive for: One

Battery power becomes number one equipment choice

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Battery power becomes number one equipment choice: After five years of educating domestic and professional users on the environmental, health and performance benefits of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO has now concluded its Challenge 2025 campaign with the release of a new whitepaper.  

Summarising years of research and awareness activity from EGO, the whitepaper also includes research from industry trade body, the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF). The data shows that between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of petrol-powered equipment in use across Europe fell from 36% to 24%. In sharp contrast, electric cordless equipment almost doubled in use, rising from 28% to 48%.

Battery power becomes number one equipment choice

Battery power becomes number one equipment choice

This is mirrored exactly in sales of new equipment, with electric cordless rising from 33% to 58%, and petrol falling from 40% to 26%.

Drawing on five years of campaign insights, field data, and market research, the whitepaper also explores results from emissions, noise and vibration testing from independent testing specialists, and evaluates whether EGO’s vision to establish battery power as the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, was reached.

Vince Brauns, Group Product Director, for EGO, said: “Our latest whitepaper shows clearly that our Challenge 2025 vision for battery power had a clear and significant impact on the industry. When we began the campaign, battery power was seen as a compromise. Users who had used petrol for decades; could not believe that this new technology could give them the power, performance or runtime that they were accustomed to, and all without the strong fumes, loud noise or high vibrations. With misconceptions at their highest, we decided that it was time to show users the impact that using petrol tools was having on themselves and the environment around them.”

Challenge 2025 was launched in 2020 with one goal in mind: to educate and empower change in domestic and professional outdoor power equipment users to make battery the principal power source and leave petrol in the past. The hope was that by educating users about the advantages of using battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO could dispel misconceptions, reduce emissions and noise pollution, and increase user comfort and safety.

All these things were achievable with the technology available in 2020; however, a lack of awareness about the harmful nature of petrol, combined with uninformed perceptions of battery power, meant that mindset was a barrier to change. But now, as technology continues to advance, and with calls from industry bodies such as the Climate Change Committee to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear the market is shifting in favour of cleaner, quieter and safer equipment.

Vince Brauns continues: “The campaign has enabled us to advocate for battery power in both the UK and European markets and has ultimately helped to reposition battery-powered tools from a niche alternative to a staple choice. While there is still a minority who will choose petrol-power over battery-power, due to the data-backed information we have shared over the past five years, the conversation has fundamentally changed.”

Working with specialist partners, this powerful and thought-provoking campaign commissioned market research to understand the attitudes and perceptions of over 1,200 outdoor power equipment users, evaluated the performance of petrol and battery-powered tools against noise, vibration and emissions, made Freedom of Information requests to understand the use of petrol tools by local authorities in Clean Air Zones and generated extensive press and social media coverage to heighten awareness.

While Challenge 2025 was successful in bringing battery power to the forefront of the industry, as the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, this is only the beginning of securing a cleaner future for generations to come.

The whitepaper, The Final Report: Battery-power, now charging ahead, is available to download at: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/about-ego/environmental-ethos/challenge-2025-final-report

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Kubota to showcase ‘one stop shop’ at SALTEX

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Kubota to showcase ‘one stop shop’ at SALTEX: SALTEX will once again provide the perfect platform for Kubota UK to showcase a comprehensive range of professional groundcare equipment when the show returns to The NEC on the 12th and 13th November. Visitors to stand E060 can expect to find products from the RTV, compact tractor and mower portfolios, with Kubota’s expanded zero-turn range promising to be one of many highlights.

Combining exceptional manoeuvrability with first class cut quality, Kubota will be bringing not one but THREE zero-turn mowers to SALTEX! Launched last summer, the Z4-541 is a 54” petrol model which boasts outstanding versatility, ease of operation and a large chassis to deliver excellent productivity to the pro-consumer market. From the diesel range, the well-established ZD-1211 provides comfort and fast working with excellent fuel efficiency, meeting all the needs of the commercial operator.

Kubota to showcase ‘one stop shop’ at SALTEX

Kubota to showcase ‘one stop shop’ at SALTEX

Last but not least, the Kubota ZE-481 delivers the performance and precision required of a professional zero-turn mower, in a sustainable, battery-powered package. With zero emissions at the point of use and significantly reduced noise output, the ZE-481 allows grounds teams to work in noise-sensitive environments such as schools, hospitals and public parks without disruption.

Also taking centre stage in the SALTEX Community Sports Zone will be the Kubota EK1-261 HST. Easy to operate and built with capability in mind, the EK1-261 HST is perfectly suited to grassroots sports facilities – offering Kubota reliability and back-up support in an entry-level set-up that promises unbeatable return on investment.

Complementing these will be a selection of Kubota compact tractors and utility vehicles from the RTV range. Kubota will also be joined on stand by representatives from Terrako – Kubota’s new online ordering software for genuine parts – and Baroness, making E060 a ‘one stop shop’ for high performance power and implements suited to all applications and every grounds maintenance professional.

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Manage your EGO tools in one app

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Manage your EGO tools in one app: EGO Power+, a leading specialist of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, has launched its first app for residential users. With the EGO Connect App, customers can now register and manage their EGO tools in one place.

Available for both Apple and Android users, EGO Connect combines with wireless/Bluetooth connectivity integrated into a variety of EGO’s tool range to give customers enhanced features, control and monitoring. EGO’s portfolio of connected products can now be used with its connected platforms to monitor and control charging, allowing users to further manage their tools from anywhere. The app is also a useful resource for non-connected tools.

Manage your EGO tools in one app

Manage your EGO tools in one app

In a few simple steps, customers can register their EGO warranties by scanning the QR code on their tool using the app. For existing customers, active warranties will automatically appear in the EGO Connect App.

EGO Connect provides the added benefit of accessing enhanced features and functionality, tool usage monitoring, and service and maintenance reminders. The app will also ensure that tools are kept up to date with the latest firmware.

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO, said: “Innovation and technology is at the forefront of our business, as is developing solutions that make our products as simple to use as possible for our customers. We are, therefore, delighted to announce the launch of our first app, EGO Connect, which combines technology with simplicity.

“An advantage of using EGO Connect with our connected chargers (PGX or CH7000E-T) for example, is that users can have complete control of the charging function, and they can check available battery levels remotely as well as be notified of any issues that may prevent their tools from charging. This gives customers the peace of mind that batteries will be charged and available when they need them. Users can also schedule charging and enable optimised charging to increase the battery’s lifespan.”

EGO is committed to ensuring that its products meet their customer’s needs. This year, the EGO Connect App will receive an AI upgrade, enhancing the seamlessness and ease of use of the app.

EGO’s CH7000E-T 700W Rapid Charger will also receive an IoT upgrade this year. Following the upgrade, the charger will be WIFI-enabled, allowing it to work with EGO Connect and users will be able to see the charger’s status, and control its functionality.

To learn more, visit: https://egopowerplus.eu/connect

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Two ICL biostimulants prove better than one

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Two ICL biostimulants prove better than one: An ICL trial at St Andrews Links demonstrated that tank-mixing Vitalnova SMX with an H2Pro TriSmart programme significantly enhanced golf green turf quality and rootzone health, surpassing the improvements achieved by using TriSmart alone.

A trial conducted at St Andrews Links in 2022 illustrated the advantages of combining two proven technologies. Tank-mixing the seaweed biostimulant Vitalnova SMX with the non-microbial biostimulant surfactant H2Pro TriSmart programme yielded significant additional benefits. This research emphasised the capacity of the combined treatments to improve turf health, particularly during dry summer months.

Two ICL biostimulants prove better than one

Two ICL biostimulants prove better than one

The trial, employing a randomised, replicated, block design, was conducted on a Fescue-dominant golf green turf nursery underlain by a sandy rootzone. The study aimed to assess the benefits of incorporating Vitalnova SMX, a liquid biostimulant containing 10% Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed solids, into a TriSmart wetting agent programme (a product that also boasts proven biostimulant properties).

In the trial, plots treated only with TriSmart and untreated plots served as bases for statistical comparison. The trial was assessed every 2-3 weeks for turf quality, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and soil moisture content at two depths (38mm and 76mm). At the trial’s conclusion, soil samples were analysed for rootzone microbial content.

Over the course of seven monthly applications from March until August, the assessment results revealed that the H2Pro TriSmart-only programme significantly increased volumetric moisture content (VMC) at both depths, as well as achieving improvements in Turf Quality and NDVI compared to the untreated plots. Most notably, the addition of Vitalnova SMX to the H2Pro TriSmart programme further enhanced Turf Quality Scores, both early and late in the season, surpassing results from the TriSmart-only treatments.

In terms of rootzone microbial analysis, the TriSmart-only treated plots contained significantly greater total bacteria, total fungi, and total microbial biomass than the untreated control plots. The combination of TriSmart and SMX significantly increased microbial biomass and total fungi beyond the already enhanced TriSmart-only results.

Key findings from the trial include:

  • The H2Pro TriSmart-only programme resulted in a significant increase in Turf Quality, % VMC (to 38mm and 76mm), and NDVI.
  • Tank-mixing Vitalnova SMX with H2Pro TriSmart significantly boosted Turf Quality Score beyond that achieved with H2Pro TriSmart alone (but did not affect the % VMC).
  • Applications of H2Pro TriSmart and Vitalnova SMX combined also resulted in a notable increase in total fungi and total microbial biomass in the rootzone.

“Our primary objective was to demonstrate the efficacy of H2Pro TriSmart in managing soil moisture levels and reducing turf stress, and to explore how Vitalnova SMX could further enhance these benefits,” stated Dr Richard Collins, ICL’s International Technical Manager for Amega Sciences. “The results clearly demonstrate the advantages of integrating these products into a turf management programme, offering significant improvements in turf quality and rootzone health.”

Richard concluded, “This trial not only underscores the potential of these treatments to improve turf performance during critical stress periods but also opens avenues for further research into sustainable turf management practices.”

Discover a wealth of information on this and other insightful ICL trials by visiting the dedicated page on the ICL website.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk and icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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One week until SALTEX

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One week until SALTEX: Exhibitors are getting ready with just one week to go until SALTEX.

Visitors are guaranteed that a trip to the exhibition in Birmingham will introduce them to all the new additions and advancements in the industry including the latest cutting-edge electric machinery launches from leading suppliers.

One week until SALTEX

One week until SALTEX

Here’s a snapshot of what visitors can expect from some of the 400 brands in three halls, across two days, at one location.

For Kubota, SALTEX will provide the European launch platform for the next addition to its eco-friendly line-up, tightly under wraps until the show. And from EGO Power Plus, an exclusive viewing of its new-look PRO X range, set to launch in 2024, featuring what it classifies as a ‘trailblazing battery’ with charging technology specifically designed for professional and local authorities.

Reesink UK has chosen SALTEX to debut the industry’s first all-electric outfront rotary mower from Toro. The battery-powered Groundsmaster e3200 is joined by the Toro Workman MDX Lithium, also launching at the show.

Alastair Rowell, managing director of Reesink UK, says: “We’re delighted to introduce the latest electric technology to groundscare at SALTEX. Battery power is an integral part of the industry’s future and these are two crucial launches from Toro for the market.”

Kress will also be showcasing its new line of commercial-grade outdoor power equipment and revolutionary commercial 8-minute Cybersystem battery platform engineered to have the fastest re-charge of any commercial battery system. While Infinicut and its technical team will be on hand to demonstrate the newest additions to its innovative InfiniApp, including its new fleet management feature.

New machinery isn’t the only thing visitors can expect a preview of at SALTEX this year. Green Best will be unveiling new turf management products with its latest organo-mineral fertilisers developed for its Velvit range.

Concluding Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, organisers of SALTEX, says: “Getting up close and personal with the latest innovations on the market from our exhibitors is one of the many reasons visitors come to SALTEX year on year. Hearing from industry-leading experts about the latest developments in our Learning LIVE programme, receiving guidance on funding from the National Governing Bodies in attendance, or networking with some of the greatest in the business, are just a few of the others.”

There are plenty more exhibitors both new and returning to SALTEX to showcase the latest additions and advancements in their line-ups. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see them, register now for Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023 at: https://bit.ly/456l0dA

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