Steve Bullman

STIHL has launched its first range of petrol 4-stroke water pumps, specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of agricultural, construction and hire markets. The new range consists of two models, the WP 300 and WP 600. The WP 600 boasts a robust cast iron impeller, a powerful 4.4 kW engine and 3” hose connections for the delivery of large volumes of water up to 63 m3/h, and comes complete with an integrated suction filter to protect the pump from dirt particles. With a similar design, its counterpart the WP 300 includes the same features as the WP 600 except for 2” hose connections and a lower 37 m3/h delivery capacity for smaller jobs. The WP 300 and WP 600 can be fuelled by STIHL’s Moto4Plus, a high quality alkylate fuel specifically designed for small 4-stroke engines. Compared to forecourt fuel, Moto4Plus has a significantly longer shelf life, less harmful emissions and no tank drainage requirement when in storage. Both pumps offer intuitive technology including low oil protection, meaning the engine switches off when the engine oil level falls below the safe operation threshold. An anti-vibration system also helps to reduces mechanical stress. Designed with user comfort in mind, the WP 300 and WP 600 offer a sturdy frame for excellent stability and easy transportation, simple controls and toolless access to the air filter for easy maintenance. All STIHL tools, including both water pumps, are compatible with the STIHL Connected fleet management system. Installing a STIHL Smart Connector allows the runtime to be recorded and sent to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth for accurate usage and maintenance records. For more information on STIHL’s new petrol water pumps, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

A reshuffle of the GreenMech dealer network has seen the introduction of a number of new sales, service and parts partners in important areas across the country. Full distribution arrangements have been reached with Ross McTurk Engineering, Silvestria and Griffin Machinery Solutions, while MKM Agriculture will now be providing all-important after-sales support to customers in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire and Hunts Engineering covering customer support across Oxfordshire. Ross McTurk Engineering have an extensive background in engineering and maintenance, working with customers across the agricultural and arborist sectors, and recognised as specialists in professional woodchipper service and repairs. From their depot at Felixkirk Airfield near Thirsk, they will be offering sales and support across the GreenMech portfolio to those operating in and around Yorkshire, County Durham and the area south of the Tyne in Tyne and Wear. Picking up the baton for Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales is Silvestria – owned and operated by an experienced tree surgeon. Years spent in the field have given Silvestria an unbeatable understanding of the demands facing those in the arb market, which can now be utilised to deliver expert advice and guidance on the full GreenMech range. Together with sales, Silvestria will also be offering tailored servicing and parts support. Completing the trio of new full-line dealerships is Griffin Machinery Solutions (GMS). Already proudly representing a number of well-recognised franchises including Kioti and Avant, GMS will now be adding GreenMech woodchippers to the list of machinery available for hire, sales, service and repair to their extensive customer base across Hertfordshire, Essex, Middlesex and the area north of the Thames in Greater London. Bolstering their support offering further, GreenMech have also announced the appointment of two new supporting dealers. Bedfordshire’s MKM Agriculture will be providing parts and servicing to those in the surrounding counties of Northants and Buckinghamshire, while Hunts Engineering will be looking after customers in Oxfordshire from their depot in South Warwickshire. “As a brand, we pride ourselves on offering not just quality products, but industry-leading after-sales support to our customers both old and new” comments GreenMech Sales Director Martin Lucas. “In this reshuffle, we are delighted to welcome a wealth of knowledge and experience into the network, that will ensure we can continue to deliver the top level of service that people have come to expect when they purchase a GreenMech product.”

12-13 May, Westonbirt Arboretum. STIHL is offering visitors to this year’s Arb Show the chance to win a prize bundle worth more than £2,200 RRP by taking part in its orange ticket competition! Arb Show enthusiasts simply need to collect a STIHL orange ticket from four STIHL Approved Dealers who are exhibiting at the event, access the competition entry form by scanning the QR code and enter the four code words displayed on the back of each orange ticket. Orange tickets will need to be collected from the Lister Wilder, Buxtons, Honey Brothers, and Forest & Arb exhibition stands. Those who successfully collect all four tickets and correctly submit all four code words will be entered into a prize draw to win a STIHL prize bundle worth more than £2,200 RRP, including an MS 400 C-M chainsaw (with new Rapid Hexa saw chains and filing kit), a STIHL Smart Connector, and two pairs of STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM ear defenders. THE PRIZES MS 400 C-M STIHL’s MS 400 C-M is the world’s first chainsaw with a magnesium piston, offering the highest maximum speed (14,000 rpm) in the 60cm3 -class. The 66.8cc 2-MIX engine has more displacement, providing both more power and torque than the MS 362C-M, as well as rapid acceleration. Rapid Hexa STIHL’s new, patented Rapid Hexa cutting system sets new standards for saw chains. The hexagonal shape of the cutting tooth means it stays sharper for longer, as well as being easy to sharpen, whilst the narrower kerf gives a 10% improvement in cutting performance, for maximum output when felling. STIHL Smart Connector STIHL Connected keeps management of your fleet of tools simple. Just attach the Smart Connector to a tool and it will give operators access to useful machinery information, such as how long it has been used for, when maintenance tasks are due, or check when the tool is back in the workshop at the end of the day. The connectors can also be used with non-STIHL machines too. STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM ear defenders Designed specifically for professionals working in forestry and tree maintenance, STIHL’s ADVANCE ProCOM system allows up to 16 people to communicate as a team across a wide area, as well as being able to connect to phones via Bluetooth®. When not being used to communicate ProCOM provides high-quality ear protection too.

STIHL has upgraded its AP 300 S battery to include built-in STIHL Connected technology, allowing professional users to monitor the working time of the battery and manage their machinery fleet efficiently. The updated addition, which is compatible with all cordless tools in the professional AP System, can transmit useful information via Bluetooth® to the STIHL Connected App. This includes information regarding the total discharge time per day, the battery health status and the number of charge cycles completed. The STIHL Connected App also benefits from a ‘Nearby’ feature meaning all Connected products within a 10m radius of the user can be accounted for, helping to prevent tools from being left at the jobsite. As well as being compatible with all STIHL power tools, STIHL Connected technology also features on other batteries such as the AP 500 S, AR 2000 L and AR 3000 L backpack batteries, meaning a comprehensive view of the entire fleet of cordless tools is possible in the STIHL Connected Portal. With an energy capacity of 281Wh, the new Lithium-Ion battery offers an increased capacity of up to 25% compared to the AP 300, which means it consistently powers tools for longer. The new AP 300 S with built-in STIHL Connected technology will replace the current AP 300 and AP 300 S batteries. Additionally, for maximum convenience, users are made aware when the battery requires recharging by way of its integrated LED charge indicator. And when the time comes to charge the battery, the product is compatible with a number of chargers including the AL 301, AL 301-4 and AL 500 quick charger unit. For more information on STIHL’s AP battery system, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.