Steve Bullman

A stop by the GreenMech stand at SALTEX will provide the first opportunity to see the many developments within their revolutionary EVO Series, since the woodchipper range was first showcased at the 2019 event. Two of the most recent introductions, the EVO 165P Sub-750 and brand new 8” EVO 205D will take pride of place on stand H055 this November. Introduced in direct response to industry demand for a machine with more powerful bite, torque and throughput, the proven performance delivered by the EVO 165 has seen it cement its position in the 6” chipper market. Now, the key features of the series including wide infeed chute, twin horizontal rollers, all steel bonnet and heavy-duty flywheel have been combined with the powerful, yet economic 37hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard petrol engine with the launch of the EVO 165P Sub-750. To meet the requirements of even more of today’s arborists and landscapers, the 165P Sub-750 has also been developed to fit within the 750kg weight bracket with a redesigned chassis providing strength and durability, and alterations to its construction and specification without detriment to overall performance. Extending the EVO concept into the 8” market, the ‘big brother’ in the shape of the EVO 205D will also be making its show debut at this year’s SALTEX. At the heart of the 205D is a Stage V compliant 50hp Kubota diesel engine, powering a heavy-duty flywheel which promises to tackle the biggest tasks fast, with both reliability and ease. As standard, machines across the EVO collection come with GreenMech’s Disc-Blade chipping technology, a three year, no-quibble parts and labour warranty and the unrivalled support of their nationwide dealer network. GreenMech staff will also be on hand to discuss the flexible finance options available across the entire road-tow, tracked, tractor-powered and pedestrian ranges.

aspen are returning to SALTEX this November to discuss their range of ethanol-free Alkylate fuels, offering a cleaner alternative for both 2 and 4-stroke engines. Following the recent switch to E10 grade at the UK petrol pumps, operators of garden and grounds machinery can find out more about the increased risks of reliability issues, attributable to the increased ethanol content, with a stop by stand M055. To help in the government’s target of reducing carbon emissions, the ethanol content of regular grade unleaded petrol (95 octane) has been increased from 5% to 10% as from September 2021. For modern car engines, designed to handle E10 fuel, few problems are expected. However, ethanol being a solvent that is damaging to plastic and rubber, E10 threatens to shorten the life of certain system components in some older engines and contribute towards the poor running of small power equipment. In addition, ethanol also reduces the storage life of petrol, with many leading manufacturers recommending that fuels containing ethanol be consumed within a 30-day period in order to minimise the problems associated with degradation. Being free from ethanol as well as benzene, sulphur and many other harmful substances, aspen Alkylate petrol improves not only the reliability and performance of your equipment, but the working conditions for the operator. The fuel also significantly reduces the harmful impact your machinery makes on the environment. The aspen team will be on hand across the two days to answer any questions and discuss the range of package and delivery options available - giving commercial customers the flexibility to specify their fuel by the container, pallet or drum to best suit their usage, transportation and storage requirements.

With all restrictions now lifted in the UK we are delighted to launch APF 2022 to be held on the 22-24th September 2022 at Ragley Estate, Warwickshire. Having had to cancel both the 2020 and 2021 events it is now full steam ahead for APF 2022. 170 exhibitors are already booked in and we are looking forward to welcoming many new ones. There is general feeling of great optimism in the country and a very high demand for timber. Many companies have been denied the opportunity to shop for new equipment during the last 2 years and APF 2022 is set to be a fantastic showcase for exhibitors. Many new features are planned with special focus on the arb and fencing industries. With over 50% of stands already sold demand is expected to be very high for the remaining sites. Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward commented “With over half our sites already sold over a year ahead of the event we expect the remaining sites to go very quickly. Consumer demand for new machines and equipment will be very high and we urge companies not yet booked to do so as soon as possible to avoid missing out. We expect APF 2022 to be the largest event in both exhibitor and visitor numbers we have ever staged as this is the first event in four years” The first exhibitor site meeting will be on Thursday 14th October at 10am at Kings Court Hotel, Alcester B49 5QQ. Exhibitors will receive a short safety briefing and then can go onto site to choose a stand suitable for their needs. Exhibitors are asked to book in with the APF office to confirm their attendance. Visitor tickets and camping can all be booked on the APF website If you have any queries about any of the above please contact us on 01428 723545 or email us at [email protected].

Elgan Pugh continued his dominant STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® winning streak by being crowned the best logger sports athlete in the country for the sixth consecutive time at the 2021 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship. Live streamed from the Telford International Centre, extreme sports fans got to see up close the top 11 TIMBERSPORTS® athletes from all over Great Britain compete in a head-to-head race against time across six disciplines. Using an axe, crosscut saw and chainsaw, competitors are awarded maximum points for the fastest time in each discipline; Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Standing Block Chop, Springboard and Hot Saw. The fast-paced action saw the athletes set 29 personal best times to the delight of the large online audience. Elgan claimed top spot with a consistent performance across all disciplines, with Glen Penlington taking the second spot on the podium for the first time. An ecstatic Tom Redmond took third place in his first professional TIMBERSPORTS® event. In a change of format for this year, live stream viewers also had the added bonus of watching the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Rookie Championship, which saw the top eight rookie lumberjacks battle it out for the crown. With 24 personal best times and one national record set, the competition was a great spectacle, with Jordan Muscato being crowned the overall winner. Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL GB, said: “After a one-year hiatus, it was great to have STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® action back and all the athletes, both professional and rookie, put on a great show, showcasing their talent and highlighting why they are competing at the highest level. “We’re delighted for Elgan and Jordan on their fantastic achievement. Elgan’s focus now turns to the World Trophy European Qualifier in Switzerland on Sunday 12th September where he and Glen Penlington will be aiming to qualify for the 2022 World Trophy.” Elgan said of his victory: “It was great to be back in action this year and to be crowned the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Champion for a sixth time is a feeling I don’t take for granted. I have trained hard to make sure I was competition ready and it’s great that it has paid off.” To find out more about the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series please visit https://blog.stihl.co.uk/timbersports/ STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship - the six disciplines: Springboard – athletes slot two springboards into a vertical tree trunk then chop through a block of wood at the top of the tree, nearly 3m above the ground Stock Saw – athletes race to cut two timber “cookies” with a chainsaw from a horizontally set log Standing Block Chop – simulating the felling of a tree, athletes race to chop through a 30cm wood block as quickly as possible from the side Single Buck – athletes race to cut through a 46cm diameter log using a two-metre long single man crosscut saw Underhand Chop – athletes stand on a horizontal log and cleave it in two with an axe, chopping from both sides Hot Saw – athletes race to cut three cookies from a horizontal trunk using an extremely powerful custom-built chainsaw weighing nearly 30kg and with a chain speed of around 250 km/h

Surrey Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce the launch of its Wild Surrey artist and photographer of the year 2022 competition. Supported by STIHL, the competition is open to anyone seven and upwards and aims to showcase the most inspiring nature themed art and photography in Surrey. Surrey Wildlife Trust is looking for incredible images of wildlife and nature in Surrey which tell a story, create an emotional response, show the unexpected or help us understand the importance of taking urgent action for climate change. Intrigue us with insects in action, an abundance of bees, beetles and butterflies. Surprise us with unexpected animal behaviour from Surrey’s reptiles, birds or mammals. Evoke atmosphere and a sense of place with beautiful wild surroundings in Surrey, from your garden to the North Downs, the vast heathlands or chalk grasslands, to wildflower meadows, rivers and lakes. Or imagine a vision for Surrey’s nature in streets, schools, businesses, towns and cities, transforming a space for nature or reducing the impact of climate change. Open for entries from 1st September 2021, pick up your paint brushes or pastels again. Create a digital masterpiece, experiment with mixed media or set up your smartphone camera to take up the challenge of becoming Wild Surrey Photographer or Artist of the Year 2022. Sophie Coad, events manager at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said: ‘The eternal beauty and power of nature has always been so inspiring to artists. During lockdown, we have become closer and more connected to nature through our daily walks, appreciating its value to our mental and physical health. Art has played a similar role for many, so I cannot think of a better way to deepen our connection with nature through the using our creativity and inspire others to take positive action to help the climate and ecological crises we are facing. This is the perfect opportunity to express your feelings for nature by creating powerful images of a future where people and nature live in harmony.’ Simon Hewitt, head of marketing at STIHL GB, commented: ‘At STIHL, we are always keen to support organisations that have a focus on maintaining areas of nature and creating landscapes for both wildlife and the local community, so we are thrilled to be the lead supporter of the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Wild Surrey Artist and Photographer competition 2022. ‘As a leading manufacturer of landscaping equipment used by many local authorities and grounds keeping teams to cultivate these areas of natural beauty, we are excited to see the diverse range of entries and wish all the artists and photographers taking part the best of luck.’ The closing date for entries is 1st March 2022. Shortlisted entries and the winners will be exhibited online and at the Lightbox in Woking from 9th to 22nd May 2022. To find out more about each category and to enter visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org.uk, Facebook or Instagram @SurreyWildlifeTrust Instagram and Twitter @SurreyWT

After a one-year hiatus, the best lumberjack athletes across the nation are back to compete for the crown at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship in September, as they chop and slice their way through large logs in seconds using a combination of axes, saws and sheer strength. The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship will be live streamed from the Telford International Centre on Sunday 5th September, allowing extreme sports fans the opportunity to see the live action up close and at no cost. This year’s event will see top logger sports athletes battle against each other in six challenging disciplines; Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Standing Block Chop, Springboard and Hot Saw. In celebration of TIMBERSPORTS® action returning to UK audiences, STIHL has launched a limited-edition STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® chainsaw bar, available on the MS 201 T, STIHL's most powerful arborist chainsaw, as well as separately. The TIMBERSPORTS® design has been added to the Rollomatic E 35cm 3/8p 1.3mm bar and is the perfect choice for action sports fans replacing their bar or treating themselves to a new saw. To take home the top prize and be crowned the best TIMBERSPORTS® athlete in the UK, competitors are awarded maximum points for the fastest time and must display power, skill, precision and endurance in all six disciplines. Competitors will include five-time British champion Elgan Pugh, who is aiming to win his sixth consecutive STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship. To add even more excitement to the event, the 2021 Rookie Championship will also take place on the same day and will be available on the live stream, giving TIMBERSPORTS® fans access to more action than ever before. The top nine rookies from around the country will compete against each other across four of the six TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines, accumulating points in each round based on their placing in each discipline. The athlete with the most points at the end of the fourth round will be crowned the 2021 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Rookie Champion. Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL GB, said: “After a tough 18 months due to the pandemic, we are really excited to have the British Championship back and to give the fans access to the exciting live TIMBERSPORTS® action they have been missing. The live stream event will allow extreme sports fans to get as close to the action as possible and all the athletes are determined to put on a great show! “The athletes have had extra time to prepare due to the postponement of last year’s event, so we’re expecting them to be more fiercely competitive than ever and push themselves to new limits. It should make for a great spectacle and I wish them all the best of luck!” To register for the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship 2021 live stream event, visit www.facebook.com/events/STSBritishChampionship2021. For more information on the STIHL MS 201 T featuring the limited-edition STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® chainsaw bar, please visit www.stihl.co.uk/MS-201-TC-M-Chainsaw. STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Championship - the six disciplines: Springboard – athletes’ slot two springboards into a vertical tree trunk then chop through a block of wood at the top of the tree, nearly 3m above the ground Stock Saw – athletes race to cut two timber “cookies” with a chainsaw from a horizontally set log Standing Block Chop – simulating the felling of a tree, athletes race to chop through a 30cm wood block as quickly as possible from the side Single Buck – athletes race to cut through a 46cm diameter log using a two-metre long single man crosscut saw Underhand Chop – athletes stand on a horizontal log and cleave it in two with an axe, chopping from both sides Hot Saw – athletes race to cut three cookies from a horizontal trunk using an extremely powerful custom-built chainsaw weighing nearly 30kg and with a chain speed of around 250 km/h

SAFETY INFORMATION: CASES OF SLIPPAGE WITH ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS / ZILLON petzl has issued a safety information alert after receiving reports of users experiencing rope slippage while using the ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS, and ZILLON. petzl has identified two defects causing the slippage and asks that all users do a manual inspection and a function test on your products, to detect any possible slippage. More information can be found at the following link, detailing the points that require inspection, along with details on Petzl's after-sakes returns service. Product recalls and safety alerts We have received reports of users experiencing rope slippage while using the ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS and ZILLON. Following these reports, we have identified two defects causing the slippage. We therefore ask you to do a manual inspection and a function test of your product, to detect any possible slippage. In case your product slips, we are providing details on our after-sales returns service. - Petzl United Kingdom WWW.PETZL.COM petzl United Kingdom. We have received reports of users experiencing rope slippage while using the ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS and ZILLON. Following these reports, we have identified two defects causing the slippage. We therefore...