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EGO takes battery charging to the next level

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EGO takes battery charging to the next level: Leading battery-powered outdoor power equipment specialist, EGO Power Plus, has launched a trailblazing new charging system to support landscaping and groundscare professionals.

EGO recently added to the PRO X series of hard-wearing and powerful tools for professionals within its product portfolio, including a chainsaw, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, line trimmers and mowers. It has also developed a next-generation battery charging solution to ensure that these robust products always have the power they need to work throughout the day.

EGO takes battery charging to the next level

EGO takes battery charging to the next level

Andrew Frohock, Product Manager at EGO, said: “Groundscare, gardening and facilities management professionals need complete confidence that their battery-powered tools can succeed at the longest and toughest tasks. Using our unique position as a pioneer in all-electric outdoor equipment, we have developed a new system that gives users incredible flexibility, whether that is charging high numbers of batteries overnight, or finding solutions for charging portable batteries out in the field.”

EGO’s PGX™ Professional Charging system is a flexible charging solution that scales to meet the specific needs of any business. The system is powered by the PGX1600E-H 1600W Charging Hub, which runs off any standard electrical outlet, meaning no electrical infrastructure upgrade is required.

A modular system, PGX allows for each user to adapt it to their specific power needs. The PGX1600H Hub connects to any combination of up to 30 PGX3000D 3-Port Docks, or PGX1400PB Power Banks (available separately), to provide charging power to 90 battery ports. The system manages charging intelligently, meaning all batteries can be charged without the need for manual intervention. The charging power means that the PGX system can effectively charge up to 70 EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, or up to 250Ah of battery capacity overnight (in 12hrs).

The 1600W Hub and PGX3000D 3-Port Docks securely mount to the wall via steel-reinforced screw through-holes and are both E-Track-compatible via the PGX™ Commercial Charging E-Track Mounting Kit (available separately) unlocking the potential for in-vehicle charging for all EGO batteries, via a single power connection. Lockable battery ports provide peace of mind that the platform remains safe on the jobsite while integrated connectivity allows users to monitor and control when they charge and provides peace of mind that power will be available when it is needed.

When disconnected from the PGX Hub, the PGX1400PB is a portable Power Bank that allows users to transport their energy to the jobsite, and recharge their portable batteries, wherever and whenever they need to. With the energy stored in the new EGO HC2240T 40Ah Battery, from EGO’s new High-Capacity platform, the Power Bank utilises high-efficiency DC: DC charging to pass this power to 2 700W charging ports, compatible with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, for fast on site, off-grid charging. Both are available from Summer 2024.

“Creating a new charging system around our existing battery technology gives gardening and groundscare professionals the configurability they need. Now they have the tools, and the battery platform to comfortably keep them working all day.”

For more information on the new PRO X series from EGO, visit; www.egopowerplus.co.uk.

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Toro and Reesink working with the R&A

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Toro and Reesink working with the R&A: The idea behind the R&A’s Golf It! initiative was to create a space that introduces people to and promotes the game of golf while proactively giving back to the local community through an apprenticeship programme sponsored by The Toro Foundation.

“The R&A’s original idea was to provide a facility where people in inner city Glasgow could play golf,” says Andy Brown, senior manager of global business development and relationships at The Toro Company. “But we realised there was also the opportunity to introduce the concept of greenkeeping as a possible career choice via an apprenticeship scheme, too.”

Toro and Reesink working with the R&A

Toro and Reesink working with the R&A

Developed by the R&A in 2020 to make golf as welcoming and affordable as possible, the facility has grown into a multi-layered experience for all the family with pitch and putt, adventure golf, putting greens and a driving range, and a greenkeeping team was needed to upkeep the venue to the highest of standards.

Andy continues: “Toro was approached to become a founding partner which we agreed to in conjunction with Reesink UK. Toro provides the turfcare machinery and irrigation system required to maintain the playing surfaces at the facility and Reesink provides the support and training via its Livingston branch in Scotland.

“But taking our involvement one step further, we are now sponsoring two apprentices every year for five years. There are currently four apprentices in place and they’re doing very well in their education and getting lots of experience. They’ve had the opportunity to go to America and were on the tournament team for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida this March.”

Russell Smith, general manager of Golf It!, says: “Community is everything at Golf It! and we’re incredibly proud of our two first recruits Anton Sheilds and Lucy Millar. They see this as the life-changing career opportunity it is and have grabbed hold of it, embraced everything we are trying to achieve and surpassed every goal and expectation.

“It’s has been the same with Toro, they bought into the concept of Golf It! immediately and their support in delivering our goals has been invaluable. We’re thrilled they partnered with us on our apprenticeship scheme, actively funding two roles a year for five years.

“Toro machines keep our course and range pristine, and they are helping us create a bright future for young people in our immediate area. This is what partnerships SHOULD be about – teaming up to make the world a better place for those who may face limited opportunities otherwise.”

Bordering the Seven Loch Wetland Park, Scotland’s largest urban heritage and nature park, the initiative is keen to promote sustainability, making Toro a natural partner.

Andy says: “The R&A, like Toro, is extremely focused on sustainability, so part of our commitment was to get as many hybrid and electric machinery options onto the site to reduce its carbon footprint print and provide an irrigation system that would manage its water effectively.”

This is just the start for the Golf It! initiative, as those involved consider how it can be rolled out across the country to benefit more local communities.

To find out more about Golf It! and Reesink and Toro’s involvement visit https://www.golf-it.com/ or to discover more about how sustainable machinery options might benefit your club contact Reesink Turfcare on 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

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Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle: A trio of Kubota tractors have proven themselves to be capable workhorses for the entire facilities operation at Warwick Castle.

With 64 acres of vast and varied historical landscape to maintain, Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony Cameron explains how – alongside some more obscure uses – the L2622, L4240 and B2261 are responsible for towing the mowers that cut 95% of the turfed areas, with the assistance of their F3890 out-front mower also from Kubota!

Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

Built by William the Conqueror during 1068, Warwick Castle has played a crucial role in shaping British history. More than 950-years on, the ancient walls surround an array of lawns and gardens, a ‘Horrible Histories’ maze and a glamping site not to mention a new 60-bed hotel and grounds, opening in July 2024, and providing the platform for year-round events. With so much to maintain, the key for Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony when it comes to machinery, is reliability which he says he’s enjoyed with the Kubota fleet he’s built up over his 12-year tenure.

“We’ve had other tractors and ride-on mowers in the past which always seemed to have one problem or another. Together with having all-important kit out of action, we also found frustrating delays in getting these issues fixed” Tony says. “The first Kubota we purchased was the L4240 six or seven years ago which, to date, remains faithful and versatile – it’s basically bulletproof. Whether we’re towing implements or trailers, this is our go-to for a range of maintenance tasks around the site.”

Since then, Tony has purchased the larger 62hp L2622 equipped with forks, and the smaller B2261 compact tractor from Richard Lucas at Hunts Engineering – the latter delivered in August 2023.  “The L2622 is big and powerful, making light work of towing our large-area mower to cut big spaces quickly. Any deliveries we get, the L2622 is there to unload and move materials around the site. It get’s a lot of use… even coming in to lift the trebuchet recently when the winch failed!”

“The B2261 is another great bit of kit that can get to all the areas the larger tractors can’t, towing smaller mowers and will be loaned to the jousting team to operate the grading equipment used to level the arena.”

Complementing the fleet of tractors and providing the solution for embankment mowing and cutting in wet conditions, is an F3890 from Kubota’s F-Series. With a 60” rotary deck, rear discharge and auto-assist 4wd as standard, it brings Kubota finesse and reliability to even the most demanding of mowing operations. “This is used on all the formal areas where it’s more challenging to manoeuvre a tractor, as well as around the many obstacles within the glamping site. We use this wherever we can, our moat ditch and the riverbank are another couple of examples, and it leaves a fantastic finish whether it’s wet or dry.”

Tony concludes, “With Kubota we know we’re going to get user-friendly and well-built bits of equipment, powered by good engines and that ultimately do a good job. The support we’ve received from Hunts Engineering has also been first-class, with outstanding responsiveness from Richard and the team whenever we’ve had a question or query. It ticks every box for us.”

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Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

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Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden: Today at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re, in collaboration with Dr. Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade, unveils the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden. 

Today, 1 in 4 homes in the UK are at risk of flooding – not just by the coast and rivers, but in urban areas too. Flooding doesn’t just damage homes and gardens; it devastates lives, causing lasting financial and emotional strain. In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

Flood Re Unveils the Flood Resilient Garden

From Roots to Resilience

The Flood Resilient Garden is designed to inspire and educate homeowners about the critical role their garden can play in flood defence. Incorporating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), native flood-tolerant plant species, and innovative water management techniques, the garden is a model for future landscaping under the threat of increasing extreme weather events due to climate change.

In a groundbreaking display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Flood Resilient Garden will intentionally flood to demonstrate its unique capabilities. This never-seen-before feature will illustrate how the garden adapts to changing water levels. Visitors will witness firsthand how the central swale becomes a lively stream, channelling rainwater into a feature pond where it can gradually soak away, while large water tanks double as ornamental ponds which store water for later use.

Leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin Joins the Cause

Adding to the excitement, leading weather & climate change expert Laura Tobin will be on hand to discuss the garden’s role in mitigating flood risks.

Laura Tobin Said:  “The Flood Resilient Garden shows that adapting to climate change can still be beautiful and homeowners don’t have to give up having a lovely garden to make it work hard against extreme weather. It’s about blending smart, sustainable choices with thoughtful design to protect our homes and communities”.

A Nation at Risk

The unveiling also shines a light on the latest insights from Flood Re, revealing a concerning lack of flood awareness amongst UK citizens.

Flood Re’s research shows that only 5% of people living in areas at high-risk of flooding could correctly identify their flood risk. Concerningly, 68% of people in high-risk flood areas incorrectly think their flood risk is low.

The research shows that despite Brits spending an average of £402 on their gardens over the past year, they are not taking the crucial steps they need to protect their homes and gardens from flooding.

Indeed, 90% of homeowners, rising to 93% in high and mid flood risk areas, haven’t taken any steps to make their homes and gardens more flood resilient. Despite the extreme weather conditions, this doesn’t look to be changing, with only 9% of homeowners planning to add flood resilience measures to their homes and gardens in the next year

Build Back Better

In the event of a flood, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme allows eligible customers with specific home insurers to receive up to £10,000 as part of a claim.

The amount is meant for home and garden improvements that go beyond basic repairs, focusing on enhancing the property’s resilience against future floods

The Flood Resilient Garden is not just a temporary exhibit. After the show, it will find a permanent home at Howbery Business Park, allowing the public to explore its features and learn about flood resilience year-round.

Flood Re is on hand to help you invest wisely in your garden to make it beautiful and resilient. Check out all the best tips and tricks to make your garden both beautiful and resilient here.

Flood Re CEO Andy Bord, said: “Gardens bring joy to so many of us but they also provide an important first line of defence to flooding. With this garden we’re hoping to inspire more people to think about their flood risk and get smart with their spending by considering the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and could also help reduce the physical destruction and psychological distress when a flood strikes. If flood resilient features and water storage capacity were to become a feature of most gardens in a neighbourhood, the positive combined effect would be enormous!”

Naomi Slade, Garden Designer, said: “People spend a huge amount of time and money on their gardens and floods can wreak havoc and cause a huge amount of disruption, heartache and expense. The principles showcased within our Flood Resilient Garden are impactful, practical and transferable, but crucially we’ve shown that making a garden more climate and flood-resilient does not have to be a compromise on either its form or function.”

Ed Barsley, The Environmental Design Studio, said: “With the increase in extreme weather events, heavy rainfall and flooding as well as drought, and even wildfires, many people are anxious. As individuals they can feel powerless to make a difference. But gardens are hugely powerful tools and the Flood Re: The Flood Resilient Garden sends a positive message of agency and hope, and it is packed with practical, achievable ideas and solutions to enable people, as we adapt to the climate crisis.”

For more information, interviews, or a guided tour of the Flood Resilient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please contact:

Headland Consultancy: Beth Kelly – bkelly@headlandconsultancy.com

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Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

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Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel: Polaris UK is pleased to announce a new offer on the full-size RANGER UTV line-up: Any customer who demos a full-size diesel model receives a £1000 contribution towards their purchase*.

The Ride and Save offer – available now and running until 31st August 2024 – invites customers to experience the versatility and reliability of Polaris RANGER UTVs on a test ride. To qualify for this promotion, customers need only to visit their local authorised Polaris dealer and book in for a demo test ride of a RANGER Diesel.

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

Polaris £1000 demo offer on the RANGER Diesel

Richard Coleby, National Sales Manager at Polaris UK said: “We know that seat time is crucial when making a well-informed purchasing decision. With our new demo offer, customers can be sure they have made the right choice with the added bonus of a discounted purchase price. This year sees our strongest RANGER lineup ever, so we hope this new retail offer will appeal to potential customers who want to experience this first-hand – regardless of whether they’re completely new to the brand or existing customers who are considering an upgrade.”

With over 20 years of RANGER DNA behind it, the 2024 Polaris RANGER line-up embodies unparalleled performance and durability. Continuously pushing the industry forward, the full-size RANGER range boasts class-leading towing and payload capabilities and with the introduction of the RANGER Diesel in 2019 – the result of two years of research and development, fuelled by direct customer feedback -, the RANGER line-up stands as a testament to Polaris’ commitment to cutting-edge technology.

RANGER DIESEL 

Durable, dependable and capable, the RANGER Diesel is the ultimate utility workhorse designed and engineered purely for the European markets. Boasting 24.8hp and 40.8 ft.lb of torque; a towing capacity of 1134kg; 730kg payload capacity and features including but not limited to Polaris’ On-Demand all-wheel drive, electric power steering and Active Descent Control, the RANGER DIESEL performs to the highest standards for years to come.

*Terms and conditions apply. For for full terms and conditions visit: www.polarisbritain.com/promtions.

For further information, please contact us or call the Polaris UK Press Office on +44 (0) 1525 270 100.

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