Steve Bullman

When Joe Hewitt launched Hewitt Tree Surgery in Cornwall in June 2024, he knew exactly what equipment he needed to compete in the domestic market. After nearly five years working his way from apprentice to fully qualified climber, including stints in Australia and New Zealand, he'd learned that reliable equipment makes all the difference. The FSI B21 stump grinder was the natural choice to complete his fleet, expanding the range of services he can offer to domestic customers across the county. Growing from the Ground Up “After I completed my apprenticeship, I started subcontracting, climbing for a lot of other tree surgeons throughout Cornwall” Joe explains. “I then spent some time working in Australia and New Zealand before coming back and setting up on my own.” Since launching, Joe has welcomed a new team member and a growing customer base to his books. “We’ve invested in everything we need to service the domestic market – van, hand tools and woodchipper – and this year decided to get our own stump grinder. We found we were hiring one fairly frequently, but this was reliant on availability and sometimes involved a lot of running around to collect a machine, only to find it wasn’t in the best of working condition.” The Right Fit for the Job Cornwall’s coastal landscape brings plenty of challenges, from narrow gardens to steep steps, which made the lightweight FSI B21 the perfect choice. “It’s light and compact enough to lift and manoeuvre around properties and steps, but powerful enough to handle most of the stumps we see in a residential garden. We’d previously hired the slightly larger FSI B22 so I knew first off to expect fantastic build quality and reliability. In addition, the FSI B21 is equipped with some useful features such as the hill-hold brake assist which is great for loading on trucks and working on slopes. It’s fitted right in with how and where we work” comments Joe. FSI: Backed with Confidence Joe’s decision to buy FSI was also backed by reputation and experience. He adds, “A lot of arb community groups praise FSI and from my own experience I’ve got only positive things to say.” This positivity extends too, to the relationship he’s established with FSI and his local dealer partner, Elmstar Machinery. “Jason at Elmstar has been brilliant. He was joined by FSI’s Lee Hatton on the install in September 2025 who, together, gave me all the information and tips I needed to get the very best out of my machine.” He concludes, “The FSI B21 has been an affordable, versatile addition to the fleet, helping us expand our services as we continue to grow the business in new ways.”

15 December 2025 – FGM Claymore, the official distributor of ECHO tools in the UK, is proud to announce that LBS Training and Assessing Ltd, a respected chainsaw and machinery training provider based in Somerset, has become an ECHO Affiliated Training Centre. As an affiliated training centre, LBS Training will incorporate ECHO equipment into their courses, providing students with the opportunity to learn using industry-leading tools that are trusted by professionals worldwide. “This partnership reflects ECHO’s continued investment in the UK market and our commitment to equipping users with top-tier tools as they train for work in the industry,” said Paul Butterly, Managing Director of FGM Claymore. “We are delighted to support a brand that shares our focus on professionalism, safety and high standards,” added Lee Kimber, Director at LBS Training & Assessing Ltd. “As ECHO tools continue to grow in popularity across the UK, we are pleased to give our students the opportunity to experience these tools as part of their training before using them in the workplace.”

Bandit has unveiled the new Intimidator 15XCT woodchipper, developed in direct response to feedback from UK industry professionals. Designed to meet the specific needs of tree care and forestry experts, the 15XCT features a replaceable chip breaker system, with individual breakers that can be changed independently - a key request from customers of Global Machinery Solutions, Bandit’s exclusive UK supplier, to enhance performance and uptime. The Intimidator 15XCT is powered by a high-torque Stage V diesel engine and a four-knife chipping drum capable of processing material up to 15 inches in diameter. Its rubber track undercarriage provides excellent stability, flotation, and low ground pressure, making it ideal for uneven, soft, or muddy terrain. For applications requiring extra durability, an optional steel undercarriage is also available. Operators benefit from a wireless radio remote control, which manages the track drive, feed direction, feed wheel positioning, discharge swivel, chip flipper, and infeed pan. The fish-mouth style infeed improves visibility and approach, while the wide hydraulic infeed tray accommodates irregular timber and multi-piece loading. Edward Baker, Managing Director of Global Machinery Solutions, commented: "The wide infeed delivers faster processing, fewer blockages, and a smoother, more productive workflow. It ensures consistent chip quality, reduces overs, and meets biomass or specification-led chipping requirements. “We’ve listened to our customers and worked with Bandit to configure a machine that truly delivers for tree professionals. It’s a significant addition to the Bandit range and the forestry industry, which we’re proud to launch." As the UK’s official Bandit supplier, Global Machinery Solutions provides nationwide delivery, flexible payment options, comprehensive parts and service support, and expert advice, including on-site demonstrations.

STIHL has unveiled its most powerful battery-powered cut-off machine to date. The TSA 500, with 16”/350mm cutting wheel, is the latest addition to STIHL’s AP System range. It offers a power output of 4.2kW and provides an equivalent cutting performance to the petrol-powered TS 500i, with 3.9kW mechanical performance. To deliver this performance, it requires two AP 500 S batteries, powering a 72-volt system. Featuring an adjustable magnesium guard, the tool is ideal for construction, landscaping, and rescue service professionals. Built for optimised handling for tougher cutting tasks, the TSA 500 provides smooth operation and low vibration, allowing for precise guidance of the tool. With its 350mm cutting disc, the machine allows for accurate and ergonomic cutting of a range of materials, including stone, structural steel, metal and composite materials, to depths of 125mm. The new machine boasts an electronic control panel and a simple control system. The TSA 500’s STIHL Power Boost technology ensures optimal performance and consistent cutting power throughout its runtime, comparable to that of petrol alternatives. The tool also provides consistent power for 20-40 minutes, depending on the material being cut, when used with two AP 500 S batteries. Being battery operated, the TSA 500 is particularly suited to indoor cutting tasks or situations where the simplicity of a battery machine excels. In addition, its run-out break, with recuperation function, feeds the energy generated during braking, back into its batteries, for maximum efficiency and productivity. This also means the cutting wheel comes to a stop in less than 4 seconds after use. What’s more, for optimum tool performance and longevity, the TSA 500’s newly developed magnetic filter protects the machine from the particles generated during metal cutting operation. For ease of use, users can select one of three power modes according to task via its digital controls, with a modern display, which also provides information on the tool’s battery charge level. With its built-in connected function, the tool can also integrate seamlessly into the STIHL Connected digital fleet management system, which delivers up-to-date information on usage and maintenance status, reducing downtime. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the TSA 500 is IPX 4-rated, making it safe to use in wet conditions. For more information on the STIHL TSA 500, visit www.stihl.co.uk.