Tucked away in the green spaces of North London, St Marylebone Crematorium has been a place of remembrance and reflection since 1937. Its peaceful gardens and neatly kept lawns are maintained with care and precision by a dedicated grounds team, who rely on the Etesia Hydro 80 ride-on mower to help meet the site’s demanding requirements.

With large expanses of grass, tight access areas, lots of trees, and numerous formal memorial plots, the grounds pose a variety of challenges. But for Head Gardener Alan Wilkins and gardener Lee Harris, the Hydro 80 has proven to be more than up to the task.

“This will be coming up to my second year here,” says Lee. “The Hydro 80 is a great machine, especially for the tight areas where you’re getting in between flower beds. It’s a great height if you need to get under trees, and access is fantastic. It’s a powerful mower—very fast—and it picks up really
well.”

Designed for versatility and efficiency, the Etesia Hydro 80 cuts and collects both long and short grass without clogging, even in wet conditions. “Even in the wet, it picks up very well,” Lee adds. “It just makes the job easier—emptying it is simple, and it’s perfect for getting into smaller gaps. I’d recommend it to anyone with big lawns or tight access.”

The machine’s compact size—just 0.82m wide—makes it ideal for a site like St Marylebone, where space between memorials is limited. But compact doesn’t mean compromise. With its 15hp Kawasaki twin-cylinder engine, hydrostatic transmission, and specially contoured deck, the Hydro 80 delivers the power and performance expected from a much larger machine.

Alan, who joined the crematorium just over a year ago, was so impressed with the mower’s longstanding performance that he had no hesitation in ordering a new one. “We actually had this exact mower previously. It had been here for five or six years, and it was so good that we just ordered the same machine again—but the updated version.”

That replacement was supplied by RT Machinery, a supplier long associated with the site. “Purchasing this machine was actually the first time I dealt with RT Machinery directly,” says Alan. “The customer service was excellent, and communication with the rep was really good. They made the whole process very straightforward and easy.”

What impressed Alan most, though, was the quality of the cut. “From my perspective, the finish is very, very good. It’s comparable to a rotary pedestrian mower in terms of the fine quality of cut—and that’s quite rare for a ride-on. Anyone working in formal gardens would appreciate that. For us, the appearance of the grass is very important.”

With an 80cm cutting width, electromagnetic blade clutch, and an integrated 240-litre grassbox that can be emptied from the seat, the Hydro 80 is built for operator convenience as well as performance. Features like anti-scalp rollers for uneven ground, fingertip controls, and a comfortable high-backed suspension seat ensure that mowing is not just effective—but also smooth and enjoyable.

“The machine is just built well,” Lee concludes. “It’s solid, reliable, easy to use, and perfect for the work we do here.”

For a site where respect, appearance, and accessibility are all key, the Etesia Hydro 80 has proven to be the ideal partner—efficient, compact, and a cut above.

The landscaping industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by advancements in battery technology. With a growing emphasis on sustainability and a need to improve working conditions for operatives, professional battery-powered hand tools are becoming the new standard.
One such tool at the forefront of this shift is the Pellenc Excelion 2000 brushcutter.

The Pellenc Excelion 2000 is a robust and lightweight brushcutter that delivers a level of performance comparable to a 45cc petrol equivalent. Designed for intensive landscaping and forestry work, it effortlessly handles tall, dense grass, woody weeds, and shrubs.

What sets it apart is its battery-powered operation, which eliminates direct emissions and the need for blended fuel. This not only makes it a more environmentally friendly choice but also a healthier one for the operator and those in the surrounding environment.

The tool is powered by a Pellenc ULiB battery, which can provide a full day’s work on a single charge. The ergonomic design, including a soft-touch handle and an ergonomic carrying harness, ensures comfortable operation and reduces user fatigue.

The machine is also remarkably quiet, operating at a noise level that allows for use in residential areas and other noise-sensitive zones without causing a disturbance.

The Operative’s Advantage: Benefits of Battery Power
The transition to battery-powered hand tools like the Excelion 2000 offers numerous benefits for landscape operatives. The most immediate advantages are a significant reduction in vibration and noise.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of vibration can lead to conditions like Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), while excessive noise can cause hearing damage. Battery tools drastically mitigate these risks, creating a safer and more pleasant working environment.

Furthermore, the absence of petrol fumes means operatives are no longer exposed to harmful exhaust emissions. This improves air quality for the user and the community. The tools are also incredibly easy to start—a simple push of a button—and require less maintenance, as there’s no engine to service or fuel to mix.

This means less downtime and more time on the job.

Peace of Mind with a Market-Leading Warranty
To provide full confidence in their professional-grade equipment, Pellenc offers a market-leading warranty.

All new Pellenc tools come with a three-year commercial warranty, and new batteries are covered by a four-year commercial warranty.

This warranty, contingent on annual service by an authorized Pellenc dealer, ensures that your investment is protected and the equipment will last under the testing conditions of commercial use. This level of after-sales service and support underscores Pellenc’s commitment to quality and durability.

Pellenc battery-powered equipment – including the new Essential range – is distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

Pellenc is back for GroundsFest 2025 – and this year, they’re taking things up a gear with a brand-new dedicated demonstration area on stand OSA150. Now in its third appearance at the show, Pellenc will once again showcase its market-leading battery-powered equipment, with live demos giving visitors the chance to experience performance and handling first-hand.

Known for its innovation in lithium-ion battery technology, Pellenc continues to lead the way in zero-emission grounds maintenance solutions. The range includes powerful, professional-grade tools that often outperform petrol alternatives – delivering reliability, comfort, and reduced environmental impact.

Visitors can expect to see a wide selection of equipment in action, including:

• Chainsaws
• Pole saws
• Hedge cutters
• Strimmers and brushcutters
• Blowers
• Mowers

See the New Essential Range in Action

Making its GroundsFest debut, the new Pellenc Essential line will also be on display — offering a practical and cost-effective solution for professionals maintaining green and urban spaces. These on-board battery tools are designed to be lightweight, efficient, and accessible, without compromising on performance.

The new line-up includes:

Helion Essential hedge trimmer – lightweight, ergonomic and precise, with three cutting speeds and a runtime of up to 3 hours.
Excelion Essential brush cutters – available with loop or cow horn handles, with powerful brushless motors and up to 460mm cutting width.
Airion Essential blower – quiet, powerful, and comfortable to use, with Cruise Control, Boost mode and adjustable speed settings.
ULiB 200E and 400E batteries – compact, ergonomic and built to deliver long-lasting, reliable power to the entire Essential range.

With its balance of affordability, runtime and professional-grade features, the Essential line is ideal for local authorities, contractors and green space professionals looking for low-maintenance, zero-emission equipment.

Throughout the two-day event, the Pellenc team will be on hand to offer expert advice, talk through technical specifications, and help users find the right tools for their needs.

What truly sets Pellenc apart is its commitment to long-term value. In the pro range every battery comes with a four-year commercial warranty, while all tools are backed by a three-year warranty, offering peace of mind for professionals investing in battery technology. In the Essential range, batteries and tools come with a standard two-year warranty.

Pellenc battery-powered equipment – including the new Essential range – is distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

James Duke Garden Maintenance, based in Whitstable, Kent, has experienced a significant boost in productivity after investing in an Etesia Hydro 80 ride-on mower.

James explains that the decision to upgrade came from a growing need to handle larger sites more efficiently.

“Some of the grounds we look after can be quite large in size,” says James. “We also care for small residential gardens and commercial sites. Beforehand, we were using pedestrian mowers on the bigger areas, and it was hard work — it took a long time. So, we started looking for a ride-on.”

After exploring various brands, it was Etesia’s Hydro 80 that stood out — particularly following a demonstration arranged after meeting the team at GroundsFest last year.

“We were highly impressed with what they had to say,” James recalls. “Ian from Etesia came down, dropped off some mowers for us to try out on site, and we were blown away. We tried the Hydro 80 and as soon as we did, we ordered one.”

Since making the switch, the difference has been remarkable.

“Compared to using pedestrian mowers, the Hydro 80 is just so much quicker,” he says. “It’s freeing up so much more time for us — we’re finishing jobs earlier or fitting more in. I’d say we’re getting the jobs done in about half the time, which is fantastic.”

The Etesia Hydro 80 is packed with features that make it ideal for both large areas and tricky, confined spaces. With an 80cm cutting width and a tight turning circle, it’s easily manoeuvrable and can pass through small gateways or between parked cars with ease.

“The size is incredible — we can get it through tight spaces, around buildings, and even in between cars,” James explains. “And because it’s so compact, it fits straight into the back of our van at the end of the day.”

The Hydro 80 is powered by a 15hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, delivering reliable performance across varying conditions. Its hydrostatic drive makes operation smooth and user-friendly, and James and his team noticed the ease of use immediately.

“From the get-go, we found the mower so easy to use. The controls are simple, and the machine feels great to operate — it’s a joy, an absolute pleasure.”

One of the key benefits of the Hydro 80 is its ability to cut and collect both long and short grass without clogging, even in wet conditions — a huge improvement for James and his team, who previously battled with constant blockages.

“The collection is fantastic — especially in the wet,” he says. “With our old pedestrian mowers, they were always clogging up and we had to stop to clear out underneath the deck. We don’t have that hassle anymore. It’s saving us so much time.”

The Hydro 80’s 240-litre grassbox can be emptied from the driving seat and features a buzzer to indicate when it’s full.

“The grass box is huge — we can just keep going and going,” says James. “With the pedestrian mowers, we were stopping every five minutes. Now we can mow huge areas before we need to empty. And when we do, it’s so easy — just lift the handle and tip the grass out from the comfort of the seat.”

The versatility of the Hydro 80 has also impressed James.

“It collects, it mulches, it side discharges — it ticks all the boxes for what we need. We’ve used the mulch plug and it leaves a great finish. It just does everything we ask of it. We haven’t found a single issue with it. It’s solid, dependable, and just brilliant to use.”

Reflecting on the buying process, James also praised the support and communication from the Etesia team.

“They were absolutely brilliant to work with from the start. They talked us through everything, gave us the chance to try out the mowers, and let us see how good they really are.”

Asked whether he would recommend the Hydro 80 to others, James doesn’t hesitate: “Absolutely. If you’re in the market for a ride-on that can collect, mulch, or side discharge — this mower ticks all the boxes. It’s small, nimble, and a total game changer for our business.”

Pellenc has announced the launch of the Essential Line – a range of on-board battery tools which offer a practical and cost-effective solution for maintaining green and urban spaces.

Pellenc is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

Known for its expertise in lithium-ion battery technology, Pellenc continues to develop lightweight, powerful tools that make life easier for professionals. The new range includes the Helion Essential hedge trimmer, two Excelion Essential brush cutters, Airion Essential blower, and the ULiB 200E and 400E batteries—providing a complete package for professionals seeking reliable and efficient tools.

Helion Essential: Trim with Ease
The Helion Essential hedge trimmer delivers exceptional performance for trimming and finishing tasks. Its 64 cm (24.8 in) blade with double-edged teeth ensures precise, clean cuts. The trimmer’s balanced design improves manoeuvrability, while its ergonomic swivel handle and protective guard enhance user safety and comfort.

The tool features an advanced HMI (Human-Machine Interface) that displays the remaining battery charge and allows the user to select from three cutting speeds. Compatible with the ULiB 200E integrated battery with up to 3 hours runtime and Pellenc’s ULiB backpack battery range, the Helion Essential provides extended operating time—ideal for professionals who need dependable performance.

Excelion Essential: Power Through Large Areas
The Excelion Essential brush cutter combines high performance with ergonomic design, making it perfect for noise-sensitive areas. Powered by a brushless motor, it boasts a cutting diameter of up to 460 mm (18.1 in) with the Tap Cut 3 cutting head, allowing professionals to cover large areas quickly and efficiently.

Available with a choice of double (cow horn) or loop handle models, the Excelion Essential adapts to different work environments. Its LED screen displays battery levels and allows users to select from three speed settings, adjusting performance based on the task. As with other Essential tools, it is compatible with the ULiB 200E and 400E (recommended) batteries with run times up to 2 hrs and the Pellenc ULiB backpack battery range, that offers significant increases in run time.

Airion Essential: Blow with Power and Comfort
The Airion Essential leaf blower combines power, comfort, and efficiency in a lightweight, ambidextrous design that reduces wrist fatigue. With its angled air intake, the blower limits strain on the user, enabling comfortable operation over long periods.
The blower’s LED screen provides real-time battery information and offers control options such as Boost mode for a powerful 23N thrust, Cruise Control, and three adjustable working speeds to suit different tasks. Quiet and lightweight, the Airion Essential is ideal for work in urban settings and noise-sensitive environments. It’s compatible with the ULiB 200E and 400E (recommended) batteries, with up to 2 hrs runtime for demanding tasks.

ULiB 200E & 400E Batteries: Compact, Reliable Power
The ULiB 200E and 400E batteries offer a reliable power source for all Essential tools. Compact and ergonomic, these batteries feature an easy-to-use clipping system and a clear battery level display.

ULiB 200E: Weighing only 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs), it provides 189 W/h of power, making it ideal for tasks where a balance between weight and power is essential.

ULiB 400E: At 2.4 kg (5.29 lbs), it delivers 389 W/h of power, perfect for longer, more demanding tasks.

Both models come equipped with RFID diagnostics to ensure consistent, reliable performance.

With the launch of the Essential range, Pellenc continues its tradition of delivering innovative, high-performance solutions for green space professionals. These practical and affordable tools combine power, comfort, and durability—ensuring that top-tier performance is accessible to all.

Pellenc battery-powered equipment is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.