Karl Brotherhood, head of grounds at the prestigious Solihull School, has claimed that his new Etesia Hydro 124 DN ride-on mower is ‘perfect’ for helping him fulfil a number maintenance tasks.

Solihull School is a coeducational independent school situated near the centre of Solihull, West Midlands. Founded in 1560, it is the oldest school in the town and its outstanding academic results and first-class sporting facilities have made it one of the most respected schools in the UK.

The school is surrounded by a 50 acre site including a floodlit artificial pitch, five rugby pitches, four cricket pitches, and four junior school football pitches, which all play host to the school’s successful sporting teams

After ten years of using a zero-turn mower to keep the grounds intact, Karl felt that the time had come to invest in a new multi-purpose machine. He then proceeded to research a number of suitable replacements and also sought advice from Etesia dealer Midlands Grounds Machinery who recommended the Etesia Hydro 124 DN.

“I’d seen the Etesia machine in a number of trade magazines and it had caught my interest. I had a chat with Dave Tullett from Midlands Grounds Machinery who brought the machine down to the school for a demonstration along with Ian Collington (southern area sales manager for Etesia) and it was obvious that this machine was perfect for what we wanted.

“I looked at another machine from a very well-known brand but I suspected that it would block up quite easily. On the other hand, Ian from Etesia knew everything about the machine and we were really pleased with his knowledge. A big factor in buying a new machine is the back-up you receive from not only the dealer but also the manufacturer and I could tell that we would get a great service if we bought the Etesia machine.”

The Etesia Hydro 124 DN features a 1.24m cutting width with two counter-rotating blades which provide the ultimate mowing experience. A cutting deck with rear ejection guarantees a quality finish with excellent collection even in long and wet grass. This multi-functional machine, which can work to speeds of up to 16km/h, is also extremely versatile – something which Karl is particularly impressed with.

“We use it to cut the cricket outfield and then with the minimal of adjustment; we can use it for the rugby pitches – it’s that easy. We can also pick up leaves, twigs, acorns and other forms of debris – it picks everything up – even in wet conditions.

“In fact, the first thing I noticed was how much better it was compared to the zero turn that we had. With our other machine we had to have perfect conditions for it to do a good job otherwise it just wouldn’t do it.

“I like the fact that the grass box tells you when it’s full and the high lift is a massive help for us too because it saves us double moving everything.”

As a first time user of Etesia machinery, Karl believes that the Hydro 124 DN certainly won’t be the last product he purchases from the company.

“It will be used all year round because it is so versatile. You can tell that this a premium piece of kit and I’ve been genuinely impressed with it. Who knows, in a year or so I may just have another one – that would be nice.” he said.

Pellenc has announced the launch of an intelligent smart Battery Park Management (BMS) system, which will allow users to charge up to ten batteries simultaneously.

With Pellenc tools having gained popularity over the past six years since they were officially launched at IOG SALTEX Windsor, Etesia UK – the official UK and Ireland distributor, has found that users are now using multiple batteries that require recharging overnight, as Les Malin, operations director explains:

“When operators previously used multiple batteries, it meant having a series of chargers all requiring individual 13amp sockets on a bench taking up valuable space but also using unsafe extension leads or adaptors. The BMS centralises battery management of all Pellenc batteries allowing a maximum of ten chargers, two of which can be rapid chargers, to be housed in one secure and safe metal cabinet with only one mains plug required.”

On the front of the cabinet is a user friendly touch pad that allows the operator to individually control all of the batteries charging input. You can choose from standard pre-programmed or maintenance charges, and enter in to the system, the cost of electricity and cost of petrol. Over the preceding weeks and months, the system will calculate the savings made – both in fuel and electricity, while also showing the amount of Co2 that has been offset which will become even more important in this environmentally-friendly conscious age.

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

Leading groundscare machinery distributor Etesia UK has taken on the distribution for the Oeliatec environmentally-friendly weed control range in the UK and Ireland. .

The Oeliatec Company, based in Brittany France, has developed machines for environmentally-friendly weed control, without the use of any chemicals. Economic and ecological, Oeliatec offers you innovative weed control solutions.

Thermal weed control or killing weeds with hot water causes the explosion of plant cells and the breakdown of proteins. Hot water weed control requires fewer treatments compared to traditional chemical treatments and cost’s significantly less in comparison to other alternatives.

All Oeliatec weed control machines kill weeds with 100% hot water by delivering an efficient low pressure treatment at temperatures of up to 120°C.

This destroys the cellular structure of the weed to kill off the plant. The intense heat penetrates deep into the root system killing the plant from the leaf down to the root. It is effective with all broad leaf plants and grass along with moss and algae which can also be removed at the same time.

Etesia UK is confident that the Oeliatec products will prove just as popular among UK local authorities as the Etesia and Pellenc brands have been over the past twenty-five years. With five models available, customers will not only be able to control weeds, moss and algae but also remove graffiti and chewing gum from streets, paths and walk ways.

Commenting on the news that Oeliatec will be joining Etesia UK’s product range, Les Malin, operations director says: “Oeliatec is a superb addition to our already extensive offering, complementing our Etesia and Pellenc brands. We are extremely excited and look forward to working with Oeliatec to develop the business together in the coming months and years and further expanding the Etesia UK market place.”

Etesia UK has a comprehensive dealer network throughout the UK and Ireland where the Oeliatec products will be available from. However, specialist cleansing partners will also be recruited.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit the new dedicated Oeliatec website at www.oeliatec.co.uk

Etesia UK will be exhibiting at this year’s IOG SALTEX on stand E055 which will be dedicated solely to a range of environmentally friendly, lithium-ion battery powered tools from Pellenc including four new products.

The centrepiece of the stand will be the Cleanion pedestrian battery-powered brush which is suitable for removing debris from natural and artificial grass and other hard surfaces. The Pellenc Cleanion is a revolutionary, self-driven brush which is powered by the ULiB battery seen on the rest of the company’s range of tools. With a large working width and a long operating time of battery charge sufficient for demanding professional use.

It has an adjustable speed and direction, as well as variable speed control for forward and reverse. Brushing pressure is also reflected in the LCD screen. Optional attachments including a snow plough and can be changed conveniently using the quick release coupling and features a foldable handle for easy storage and transport between sites.

Other new Pellenc products on the stand will include the Airion 2 new generation hand-held blower and the Rasion Smart and Rasion Basic pedestrian rotary mowers.

Other products such as the Helion hedgecutter, Selion chainsaws and polesaws and the Prunion and Vinion pruning shears will also be available to view.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come complete with a three year commercial warranty as standard – the first manufacturer to offer this on battery-powered tools.
Etesia UK’s experienced and knowledgeable members of staff will also be on hand to offer valuable advice, along with finance options, and all visitors to the stand will be able to get their hands on the new product brochures.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

A big question mark remains over the merits of this type of grass cutting. Les Malin from Etesia UK – a brand synonymous with the DuoCut system – cut, collect or mulch, takes a closer look at the pros and cons.

Mulch mowing saw a resurgence of interest when we enjoyed a few dry summers in a row in the late ‘1990s. Despite more companies now offering mowers that can mulch, acceptance of mulching remains low. There are a whole host of reasons why, ranging from mowing frequencies to dealing with long wet grass. So should we just accept it is of limited value in the UK?

Anyone who has looked at the way rotary mowing has evolved over the past five years will be struck by the increased availability of what can broadly be termed mulch mowers.

On the pedestrian mower front, the term should really be broadened to suggest more manufacturers are offering mowers that can mulch. Dedicated mulchers are now sold alongside 3-in-1 units that can also bag clippings.

Sward Absorption
It is this trend to multi-role machines that perhaps answers the whole issue surrounding mulching. There is nothing wrong with the idea of chopping grass clippings so small that they are readily absorbed into the sward. Gang cylinder mowers have proven this approach works well.

Where rotary mulch mowers have perhaps been at a disadvantage is in the way in which they are expected to operate. Instead of being used like a gang in little-and-often mowing, they are used like a conventional rotary, and expected to reduce grass of 6 or more inches to perhaps an inch in a single pass.

A rotary mulcher works by both re-chopping the grass to produce small clippings and to then blow these down into the sward.

The aim is to leave the resultant finish free of surface clippings. This can only be achieved when the sward to clipping ratio is correct.

Mush and Mud
Add excess moisture, and accumulated mush of wet grass and mud that can result has led many to believe that mulching just does not work.

It is perhaps worth taking a side step when looking at mulching and to consider the whole technique as an ally, as opposed to an alternative, to conventional rotary mowing.
Rotary mowers, particularly for ride-on commercial machines, have evolved from units designed essentially to ‘knock’ grass down, to machines capable of producing a good finish. Remove the resultant clippings, and there are those who argue commercial cylinder mowers have no real advantage in terms of actual finish.

It is this quality of cut issue that has taken the emphasis away from mulching. In terms of appearance, grass regularly mown with a good rear discharge rotary will give little away, in terms of appearance, to that cut with a cylinder gang.

The aim is to allow users to mulch and so reduce the amount of clippings left on the surface when conditions allow. This enhances the appearance of the turf post mowing but without compromising wet weather cutting ability.

This brings us back to 3-in-1 pedestrian mowers. With a ‘bung’ or similar device closing off the mowers outlet, the clippings are mulched. Take out the bung and the clippings can either be discharged to the ground or a bag. Versatility is again the key.

Many feel this is the approach needed to allow some form of mulching to gain a firmer foothold.

There are those, however, who are already strong advocates of mulching, and they suggest we all need to rethink how mowing is carried out, particularly where grass is collected.
In a typical wet spring and early summer, grass growth will typically outstrip any mowing regime’s ability to keep it trimmed effectively to summer heights.

Evaporation Help
But, as the season progresses, warmer conditions allow faster evaporation and with it the chance that grass can be mown when it is dry or at least moist.

Shorter grass also loses water faster so wet mowing can be avoided more easily.
A side effect, however, is the well-understood result that relatively high levels of summer rain are required to keep and sward lush and green.

Come late June (apart from this year!) and many areas will see non-irrigated turf starting to dry or even brown. It is here where a switch in early June from conventional cut and collect mowing to mulching can have a place.

The returned clippings will help retain moisture and also return nutrients to the sward. As long as the regime allows the sward to be maintained to a moisture loss resistant inch or so, this and regular mulch mowing can help keep the grass greener for longer.

There is also the issue of not needing to remove clippings. Clipping disposal is a hot topic at present, so it may be that mulch mowing starts to become recognised as an alternative in regimes that currently call for cut and collect mowing. The secret is to keep an open mind and give mulch mowing a chance.