Steve Bullman

Newark Golf Club are one of a growing list of UK courses discovering the many benefits that aspen Fuel brings to the operation of their petrol-powered equipment. It’s been three years since Course Manager Alex Clarricoates made the switch to aspen 2 and aspen 4 for a selection of their machinery and hand tools – including seasonal equipment which now starts first time, every time, even after significant periods in storage. “We were familiar with aspen and decided to give it a try during COVID, when we started to encounter difficulties in accessing pump fuel” explains Alex, who has been at the 18-hole parkland course for 15 years. “It’s not until you incorporate it into the day to day operations that you really begin to appreciate the improvements that an ethanol-free alkylate fuel can have for both the operators and the equipment. The biggest benefit for me is the shelf-life of aspen, which has seen us get equipment out of the shed which has been dormant for a year and starts again with no trouble at all.” Together with damaging plastic and rubber components, ethanol binds moisture which then acidifies, causing the issues commonly experienced with ‘gummy deposits’, reliability issues and reduced storage life. Being free from ethanol as well as benzene, sulphur and many other harmful substances, aspen Alkylate petrol offers a clean alternative for both 2 and 4-stroke engines – available in a range of pack sizes and bulk ordering available, which includes safe and convenient delivery to site. “We use roughly 400 litres of the 4-stroke aspen, and 200 litres of the 2-stroke each year, both delivered in 200 litre barrels and stored exactly where we need it. Another benefit we’ve found is the aspen 2 being pre-mixed which has eliminated issues we’ve experienced in the past where incorrect fuel to oil ratios have resulted in faults with some of our 2-stroke engines.” Along with reduction in service time and the associated costs, Alex notes that improvements have also been observed to the operator working environment. “The cleaner burn results in a big reduction in noxious fumes so, when you’re working with a chainsaw in dense woodland for example, you’ll notice that come the end of the day you don’t have headaches.” These qualities have also been well received by the club. “Like a lot of venues we’re looking at sustainability and ways of reducing the impact we make on our surroundings. aspen Alkylate powering our petrol equipment is a great step forward in us being more environmentally friendly.”

With a rich history of supplying world-class woodchippers, 2023 sees the team at GreenMech proudly celebrating 30 years in business. Over the course of the last three decades, innovation in manufacturing and a focus on service and support has cemented the GreenMech portfolio at the heart of operations for a wide array of end users from arborists and landscapers to local authorities, golf course managers and more. With their strongest product line-up to date, GreenMech look set to enter the next chapter with solutions that continue to set the industry standard in the UK and beyond. While much may have changed in terms of products and features, GreenMech have called The Mill Industrial Park in Warwickshire their home since the company was founded in 1993 by, now Chairman, Tony Turner. From here, over 14,000 products have been designed and manufactured, with more than half of the total product exported to customers globally – as far as Iberia, Scandinavia, Fiji and New Zealand to mention just a few. Success around central Europe has also seen the establishment of GreenMech France and GreenMech Germany, to facilitate tailored sales and support in these markets. The current range spans more than 15 units, with chipping capacities from 100mm up to 220mm. Alongside innovations such as GreenMech’s revolutionary disc-blade chipping system, turntable technology and their SAFE-Trak and SURE-Trak systems for unparalleled embankment safety, one of the biggest introductions in recent years was the launch of the EVO Series in 2019. Produced in direct response to industry demands for more aggressive torque, more powerful bite and more throughput, the EVO range encapsulates both road tow and tracked variants at 6” and 8” capacities. Jonathan Turner, son of Tony and current GreenMech Managing Director said, “We are incredibly proud of our achievements but are even more positive and excited about our future. We look forward to supporting our existing customers while continuing to develop industry-leading new products, designed to perform without compromise.” The team will be commemorating the occasion with colleagues, customers and friends at events across the calendar, starting with their attendance at The Arb Show, at Westonbirt in May. GreenMech at 30 also forms part of wider celebrations for Turner R&D Ltd, for whom 2023 marks 60 years of trading.

STIHL has launched its first cordless backpack blower for professional users, offering high performance and a significantly less disruptive sound thanks to its innovative STIHL Noise Reduction System. With a maximum blowing force of 26 newton, STIHL’s new BGA 300 cordless backpack blower is the most powerful in the STIHL cordless range and features a high air speed to ensure even wet, heavy autumn leaves can be cleared quickly and efficiently. The new cordless blower is powered using STIHL’s professional AP System AR 2000 L or AR 3000 L backpack batteries. Thanks to the STIHL Noise Reduction System, the BGA 300 produces fewer high pitch frequencies often associated with cordless blowers, meaning operation is much more pleasant and less intrusive for bystanders. Thanks to this, the BGA 300 is well suited for use in noise-sensitive areas such as schools, parks or around public amenities. The maximum blowing force can be selected from three power setting options via the selector switch, allowing for efficient energy management and longer runtimes. Boost mode may also be selected to provide maximum power for the toughest clearing jobs. Furthermore, the new cordless blower features an LED power display and cruise control function to enable simple energy management and comfort. For the optimum blowing angle, the BGA 300 boasts a curved nozzle as standard, and the blower tube length can easily be adjusted to meet different requirements and operating situations. A straight nozzle is also available as an accessory. The BGA 300 is exceptionally easy to handle thanks to its slim design and comfortable carrying system that optimally distributes the weight of the backpack device and reduces the strain on the user when used for long periods. Other features include wide feet for secure footing whilst on the ground, a hook for the blower tube for easy transport and storage, as well as compatibility with the Smart Connector 2 A. For more information on STIHL’s new BGA 300 or its range of professional cordless tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.