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The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting: Makita has added two new pruning products to its ever growing outdoor product range. Powered by Makita’s 18V LXT battery system, the new DUP180 Brushless Pruning Shear and the DUC150 150mm Pruning Saw offer a comfortable and powerful solution to make quick and light work of repetitive or heavy pruning jobs.

With an adjustable shear blade opening angle, the new DUP180 18V LXT Brushless Pruning Shear accommodates four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm and provides up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge (when used with a 6.0Ah battery).

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

Thanks to a brushless motor and belt holster to carry the battery, this tool is extremely lightweight and comfortable to use at just 0.68kg (without battery). To further minimise user fatigue, Makita has engineered the tool so that the control of the shear blade is interlocked with the trigger, meaning the blades will only open and close depending on the degree the trigger is depressed or released.

Additionally, an external oil port is designed for easy blade lubrication without disassembly, enhancing the tool’s durability.

Joining the outdoor line up is the DUC150 18V 150mm Pruning Saw. Operating with a chain speed of 8m/s, this compact machine offers excellent cutting performance despite its lightweight design, making it ideal for general garden applications or orchard maintenance.

Additional comfort and efficiency-enhancing features include tool-less chain tensioning and automatic chain oiling, while a brushless motor ensures low maintenance requirements and a longer working motor life.

The DUC150 is available as a kit with a BL1850B Battery and DC18RC charger, or as a standalone tool body only.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “Whether it’s for making light work of clipping back shrubs and hedgerows, or trimming branches and small trees, the DUP180 and DUC150 are convenient tools that are designed with simplicity and ergonomics in mind. At Makita, we continue to apply our heritage and expertise in battery technology and tool engineering to develop essential kit items such as these, so that the professional sector has access to a vast range of battery powered tools that meet every daily demand without the constraints of cords or petrol.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Segway launches the Navimow i Series

Segway launches the Navimow i Series: Segway is launching the Navimow i Series in Europe, with prices starting at a highly competitive £949.

The launch extends the Navimow product line, following the introduction of the premium H Series in the UK last year, with the i Series providing hassle-free and intelligent mowing through a uniquely developed positioning system, AI-powered assistant mapping function and smart features such as scheduled mowing.

A few taps and away you mow

The ultimate aim of the Navimow i Series is to provide a user-friendly experience for gardeners of all levels of expertise, and this begins with a clear and easy setup process. Everything can be set up virtually via the Navimow app, with users able to mark virtual boundaries, identify off-limits islands, and draw safe channels to connect multiple zones in just a few taps, getting them up and running within minutes.

Self-developed RTK positioning system with vision enhancement

Only robotic lawnmowers that offer accurate positioning and route planning can be truly relied upon by users to deliver a precision cut every time. To ensure a high level of dependability, Segway has developed its own vision+RTK (real-time kinematic) positioning system, that combines a customised RTK chip with a vision system enabled by a 140°POV camera. As a result, the Navimow i Series can handle a diverse range of lawn layouts while providing centimetre-level positioning, navigating gardens stably and systematically and intelligently avoiding objects.

All-new AI-powered assistant mapping function

The Navimow i Series leverages cutting-edge AI technology to optimise mapping accuracy. The mower’s AI-powered assistant feature identifies the edge of the user’s lawn during the mapping process and is then automatically able to navigate the entire working area all by itself. Based on the map created by the AI assistant, users can then revise and finetune the working area on the app with ease, working alongside the technology to deliver a high level of performance.

Smart features designed for flawless lawn maintenance

Navimow i Series users can enjoy scheduled cutting that allows them to keep their lawn in check even when they’re away on holiday. The model can mow according to a planned schedule, even automatically recharging when needed, guaranteeing a pristine lawn 100% of the time. Segway’s latest offering also employs a unique zig-zag cutting pattern, changing angle after the first round of mowing is complete to ensure every blade of grass is covered. Finally, users can opt to turn on Ride-on Boundary mode where the i Series straddles the physical boundary between grass and non-grass areas, servicing those tough-to-reach lawn edges that both traditional and robotic mowers struggle to reach.

George Ren, CEO of Segway Navimow BU, commented: “With the Navimow i Series we wanted to create a robotic mower that caters to everyone, from users that have zero experience with robotic or even traditional mowers, to green-fingered gardening extraordinaires. We believe that our latest offering delivers mass usability, with a host of smart features delivering an easy-to-use product experience and a competitive price point that makes the i Series more accessible than almost every other robotic mower on the market.

“The i Series perfectly complements the H Series models that launched in 2021, allowing us to service all segments of the market with precise and boundary-cord-free cutting. Since its launch in Europe, the H Series has proven immensely popular, recording cumulative sales of over 40,000 and making Navimow one of the industry’s most sought-after names. We’re optimistic that the i Series will propel our growth in the gardening space, establishing Navimow as a true innovator in the sector.”

Pricing and where to buy

The Navimow i Series is available to buy now. With two different models, Navimow’s MSRP ranges between £949 and £1,199. Consumers in the UK are able to purchase the Navimow i Series from authorized dealers whose full list can be found in Navimow’s official website: navimow.segway.com

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Say hello to the Toro Vista

Say hello to the Toro Vista: Toro is entering a new market with its first ever range of passenger vehicles. Titled the Vista, this is the moment customers have been waiting for as now their customers get to experience first-hand the quality and smooth ride of Toro, too.

Jon Cole, divisional business manager – Reesink Turfcare, says: “With the unveiling of the Vista, there’s now a dedicated transport option from Toro. It’s designed for comfort and work, and made to move everyone and everything, with the quality customers would expect from Toro in a passenger vehicle.”

Say hello to the Toro Vista

Say hello to the Toro Vista

Toro has a stellar track record of utility vehicles that are both reliable and efficient people transporters as well as work horses, and with the Vista that legacy continues but with an emphasis on comfort.

A sturdy frame design stems from decades of success with Workman utility vehicles and is specifically designed to carry passengers and cargo with ease. It’s paired with spacious seating for four, six or eight passengers, ample storage, cargo-enabled fold-down rear seats, independent suspension, and an ergonomic design to ensure a comfortable ride and plenty of legroom.

There are several accessories available to further enhance the comfort of the Vista, including an optional canopy for weather protection, a folding windscreen, and even a lightweight cargo bed for luggage.

Coming with two HyperCell batteries and Toro’s proprietary lithium-ion battery technology, no special charging station is needed, the battery-powered model comes equipped with an on-board 900W smart charger – a convenient charging solution that gives the Vista the capability to plug into any standard electrical socket.

Brought to the UK by distributor Reesink, it’s time to say hasta la vista to old transport buggies and hello to new innovation from Toro.

Learn more about Toro’s new Vista line, by calling distributor Reesink 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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SIS sets the stage for Riyadh’s Season Cup

SIS sets the stage for Riyadh’s Season Cup: Season Cup, Riyadh’s showpiece football tournament featuring Messi and Ronaldo, was made possible thanks to the world’s first fully indoor hybrid pitch built in 21 days by global sports surfaces specialist, SIS Pitches.

The competition forms part of the Riyadh Season, a festival featuring both live sport and entertainment in the capital, funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund. All Season Cup games take place at the Kingdom Arena in front of 24,000 fans. During the competition, the stadium received two Guinness World Records. The first for being the largest covered football stadium; the second for having the largest seating capacity for an indoor covered stadium.

SIS sets the stage for Riyadh's Season Cup

SIS sets the stage for Riyadh’s Season Cup

Setting the stage for the cup’s major fixtures, including Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami, was a major challenge for SIS Pitches. Construction and development of the elite indoor sports venue started in late 2023, giving the business a much shorter window to install and prepare a playing surface fit for top-level competition.

However, this short window was only one part of the challenge. SIS also had to ensure the natural turf grew strong enough to properly secure the small percentage of synthetic fibres stitched into the arena’s surface, as is standard for hybrid pitches of this type. This process was made harder by the arena’s fully indoor design, which has no windows or roof for sunlight to enter. The SIS team worked around this by using ultraviolet growing lights to prepare the pitch in time.

Sela, the developer responsible for the arena, requested a game-ready playing surface in just three weeks, much shorter than the typical window for a major development of this type. This aligned with the pace of construction for the wider stadium, which was completed in just 60 days.

Speed and resilience were key. SISGrass, the solution specified by SIS, merges natural turf with a small percentage of polymer yarn. Already used by many of the most recognisable names in sports, this mixture is injected by the company’s patented electric stitching machine, providing a more consistent and resilient playing surface. SIS’s machine is capable of covering 1300m2 metres per day with a 90mm shallow stitch, making it ideal for quick installs like that requested by Sela.

SISGrass is much harder-wearing than an all-natural pitch, and is proven to accommodate more playing hours while also being less susceptible to wear or damage. This was particularly important for the Kingdom Arena, given the small window groundspeople have to prepare between entertainment and sports events.

The stadium is home to Saudi Professional League team Al Hilal. It will also host several other major sporting events in the coming months, including two heavyweight championship boxing fights. The Kingdom Arena is similar to New Zealand’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, which is also indoors, though the latter is fitted with a transparent roof allowing sunlight to enter. Riyadh’s stadium is therefore the first fully indoor facility to be completed.

David Ball, Managing Director at SIS Saudi said “This project had an incredibly challenging timeline but our team was able to mobilise quickly, delivering a high-quality playing surface fit for what arguably football’s two greatest ever players. We knew the arena was going to be used for other sports and entertainment, so the pitch had to be capable of accommodating short turnarounds between events. SISGrass was a natural choice in this respect, having already proven itself the best option for groundspeople across the world.”

Based in Riadyh’s Boulevard City development, the Kingdom Arena boasts all the facilities expected from a modern stadium, fitted with a state-of-the-art air monitoring system and 20 skyboxes.

For more information on SISGrass, visit: https://www.sispitches.com/pitches/hybrid-pitch-sisgrass/

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JCB cyclists around the world challenge

JCB cyclists around the world challenge: A TEAM of intrepid JCB cyclists is putting pedal power into action with a massive fundraising challenge to help enhance the lives of children and young people with cancer.

The 42 JCB cyclists today began a 42,000-kilometre, 80 day sponsored cycle challenge – the equivalent of riding around the world – with their sights set on a £100,000 target.

JCB cyclists around the world challenge

JCB cyclists around the world challenge

The money is being raised for Hannah’s Hope, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company.

Hannah, who will celebrate her 21st birthday on the final day of the JCB challenge, was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it.

Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together.

Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Monday to get the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge under way. Gail said: “JCB have never left our side in whatever we have faced and we will be forever grateful to Lord Bamford and the many JCB people who have raised funds for us and just shown that they care.

“Now that Hannah has more energy, she wants to give something back and help others. Six teenagers or young adults are given the devastating news they have cancer every day and they really need something to look forward to. We want to make the lodge a place for respite, recuperation and making memories for these families.”

JCB Principal Engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, explained: “The Bamford family wants to show its continued support for Hannah, and George Bamford, who is a keen cyclist, came up with the Around the World in 80 Days challenge.

“There will be 42 JCB cyclists taking part and it is very much an international effort, with employees from many of our UK factories taking part as well as employees based in Pune, India joining in.

“Over the ten-week challenge we will be clocking up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina where Hannah’s lodge will be sited.  We’ll also be topping up the miles with spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

“Many of the cyclists met with Gail last week and after hearing first hand their inspirational story, we are determined to make a difference for them by raising at least half of Hannah’s £200,000 target.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor the JCB cyclists can donate through the JCB Around the World in 80 Days JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JCBaroundworld80days

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