Battery powered equipment

No range anxiety at Trent Bridge with Dennis

The battery power of the new Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower is impressing at Trent Bridge, home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

For many years, turf professionals have been choosing Dennis for their cut quality and reliability, and recently the company introduced the next generation of its mowers. The new E-Series is a range of battery powered mowers that are no compromise alternatives to the range of petrol machines.

The E-Series range was built to offer ultimate performance that helps professionals meet sustainability and environmental initiatives, reduce carbon footprint, emissions, running costs and noise without any range anxiety.

Hugh Beesley, an Assistant Groundsman, and one of two dedicated mowing operatives at Trent Bridge, which hosted the remarkable recent Test against New Zealand, revealed why he felt the E-Series would be a good fit.

“Approximately 90% of the equipment here is petrol and fuel focused.Trent Bridge needs to, and wants to, do better in terms of being green and we saw this as a great first step in the right direction,” said Hugh.

“Also, with the petrol issues and the prices of fuel becoming more and more expen-sive, we thought it made sense. Quite often, multiple journeys to the petrol station would be made on a single day. Therefore, the purchase of battery powered mowers is a long-term commitment to decreasing the fuel costs here.”

In their quest to find the ideal battery powered mower, Head Groundsman Steve Birks arranged for various brands to be demonstrated at Trent Bridge. Hugh claims there was one which stood out to the entire grounds team.

“Steve made the final decision but collectively we all decided on the one we liked best. We all felt that the Dennis ES-860 would suit our routine better than the others.”

This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, slitting and verticutting.

“We can comfortably mow the entire cricket outfield twice on just one charge with the Dennis ES-860. They have been in use consistently for a couple of months and we haven’t run them down to zero – even at 40%-50% we can still cut the whole outfield. It is great because you know you won’t have to start mowing and then stop to put them on charge. The ES-860’s give us the confidence to just keep on going.”

Hugh also praised the simplicity and the finish of the ES-860 and claims that the players have benefited from the low noise levels and useability.

“I love how the mower glides across the outfield and when you get to a corner you know you can just turn so easily, it is the smoothest machine I have ever used. You feel so safe and secure using it. The presentation it provides is perfect every time as well. n www.dennisuk.com

Award winning Etesia ET Lander now even better

Following the successful launch of the ET Lander electric utility vehicle from Etesia UK in 2021, the company has announced the launch of the next phase of production including becoming fully N1 homologation compliant.

Customers first got the chance to view the utility vehicle at SALTEX in November, where it won the prestigious SALTEX 2021 Innovation award within the vehicle category, while also finishing second within the environmentally friendly category.

Coming off the production line in Wissembourg, France from last month, with the first sold machines arriving in the UK imminently, the new models will be fully N1 homologation compliant meaning that the ET Lander will be fully road legal, along with being able to be used off road.

The new models will feature lithiumion batteries meaning that the range of the ET Lander will extend to 100km and have a charger system compatible with a standard type 2EV car charger.

Built for use on road and off road in both the town and countryside, the Etesia ET Lander is 100% electric, spacious, well-equipped and user-friendly.

With a length of just 3.72 metres, the ET Lander is very compact. Thanks to the power steering, the short turning radius of 4.40 metres and 360 degree visibility, it goes anywhere. Fitted with a Lithium battery the autonomy of the vehicle lasts for a full working day – without noise pollution.

The ET Lander can transport loads of up to 940kgs and can also tow up to 750kgs. With its all-road tires and powerful transmission, it is a real allterrain vehicle for use in a variety of conditions on slopes and difficult terrain.

Furthermore, life is made easier for its users through the integrated loading ramps – which allow for the transport of materials, ride-on mowers and other grounds maintenance equipment. n www.etlander.co.uk

Great finish and green too

Ticking far more than just the ‘green’ box, a pair of Infinicut mowers are delivering a first-class finish at Stanley Park Sports Ground – a 47-acre facility, owned, managed and maintained by Chippenham Town Council.

More than 100 teams of all ages and levels call Stanley Park their home, including Forest Green Rovers FC, who have used the venue for first-team training for the last four seasons. It is here that the combination of a 34” FX cylinder and SM34 Rotary are perfecting both pre- and post-match presentation.

Chippenham Town Council are two years into their pledge of becoming a ‘Carbon-Neutral’ Council by 2030 – with all areas of their operation, including their grounds maintenance, under review for cleaner, greener alternatives. “While we’re keen to be investing in more sustainable solutions to our everyday tasks, it is critical that any equipment we procure produces the results we need to fulfil the expectations of the professional teams we host,” said Paul Harvey. Head of Leisure Services.

“It was evident from the first demonstration that the Infinicut range was a perfect fit for us - meeting our carbon objectives but also delivering a fantastic quality of cut, and presentation that is second to none.” This strong first impression led to the purchase of a 34” FX cylinder mower in May 2021.

“We use this for FGR’s pitch preparations and across some of the other pitches on the site when we need to elevate presentation to the next level. Switching to a pedestrian mower has also enabled us to keep heavier equipment off the surfaces, noticeably reducing issues associated with drainage and compaction.”

To complement their 34” FX, the council further invested this year in an Infinicut SM34 Rotary, delivered in April by local dealer Hunt Forest Group.

“After consultations with Oliver Hall, at Infinicut, a dedicated Rotary machine for the clean-up cut was the next step for us. The powerful suction of the SM34 stands the plant up and removes any debris, leaving the pitch absolutely spotless! In the short time we’ve had this machine, it has already made a huge difference.”

“As a council, we have strict budgets we must work to so purchasing the right machines for the job at hand is essential” Paul concludes. “The Infinicut mowers are not only helping us to fulfil our green objectives but the professional presentation they deliver has not gone unnoticed, undoubtedly helping us to secure a recent contract extension with Forest Green, who are now staying with us for at least another season.”

Benefits of genuine batteries

It is always recommended that only genuine spares are purchased for tools and machinery, but this is particularly important when buying additional or replacement batteries. Here, Mark Earles, Business Development Manager for Outdoor Power Equipment at Makita UK, looks at the issues with non-genuine batteries and how to ensure the right products are purchased.

There are two key types of non-genuine battery. The first – cheaper products from third party manufacturers that claim to be equivalent to the genuine version. The second is counterfeit items that are advertised as genuine and purchased inadvertently. Low quality or counterfeit products can have a number of issues including safety, performance and machine longevity.

In recent years, significant advances have been made in cordless technology to deliver the performance, run times and charge times that professionals require. To achieve this, manufacturers such as Makita have invested heavily in research and development to produce lithium-ion batteries with the essential high energy density and rapid recharge rates. This also requires precision engineering to control charge and discharge current, cell voltage and temperature as well as ensure ‘stability’.

By contrast, it is extremely unlikely that this level of attention, quality assurance and testing will have been applied in the production of the cheapest or counterfeit products on the market. Therefore, these products can present a serious hazard. One potential issue is that if the temperature of a lithium-ion battery is not controlled correctly, it can result in a ‘thermal runaway’. This can in turn cause the battery to overheat and catch fire, or in the very worst-cases, explode.

Furthermore, for non-genuine batteries, the lack of engineering and development that is common also means that its level of performance cannot be guaranteed and, in many cases, can be far below what is expected. Both run-times and the performance of the machine or tool may be limited, making work harder and more time-consuming.

Additionally, the use of nongenuine batteries can significantly affect the longevity of both the tool and battery. This is because the battery, tool and even the chargers will have been engineered to work together. For example, Makita lithium-ion batteries, cordless tools and chargers include technology that allows an exchange of data in real time. For example, the tool will automatically shut down if an overload or overheating in the battery or the tool is detected. It also automatically stops before the battery becomes over-discharged. Similarly, if the battery is warm when it is placed on the charger this will be detected and the charger will cool it before it begins recharging.

Using a third-party battery prevents this technology from working and removes this important protection against damage. As a result, cheap products can be a false economy as they may not last and even cause damage.

The first indication will often be the look of the product and packaging. Counterfeit items may have spelling errors or variations in the logo design. A lso, manufacturers often include unique or difficult to imitate design features on their products, such as Makita’s trademark logo and the STAR connectivity mark on all Makita lithium-ion batteries. If these elements are missing, then it is counterfeit.

However, these indications are not always apparent when purchasing online. Despite this, an indication of a poor quality product is often the price. There is usually a reason why the item is cheap and if ‘it seems too good to be true’ it probably is.

If the product does not match what is expected when it arrives then it should not be used. If there is any doubt about the authenticity, Makita offers an inspection service (with the proof of purchase of the battery) at its Factory Service Centres.

Finally, it is always recommended that batteries are only purchased from a trusted supplier, such as manufacturer authorised dealers and merchants. They will only stock genuine products and so customers can be sure of quality.

Low quality or counterfeit batteries present a hazard to users, can be damaging to the tools and machines they are used with and may deliver a lower level of performance. What’s more, the use of counterfeit batteries can invalidate manufacturer’s tool warranties. Purchasing genuine products provides a guarantee of quality and safety. n www.makitauk.com

A petrol-free future

The future is here. As a matter of personal choice and, in some places, the law, petrol powered lawn and garden maintenance equipment is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Throughout the last decade, millions of homeowners decided to purchase battery-powered garden care tools instead of petrol-powered ones, but the power requirements, runtime and practicalities have meant that it is more difficult for professionals to make the shift. In 2021, lawmakers in California, USA voted to phase-out the sale of petrol-powered lawn equipment by 2024, making it the first state in the USA to do so. The UK have promised changes will come in shortly thereafter, currently 2025, but if the technology is available now, why wait to make the change!

Battery tech has rapidly improved to compete with petrol power, so that today’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery powered equipment really is an effective, cleaner, quieter alternative to petrol. And by bypassing the currently very high, ongoing costs of petrol as well as engine maintenance, you can negate any initial price difference in as little as a single season.

Taking it a step further, the introduction of robotic lawn mowers could become the next revolution in lawn care. Rather than using more power, these programmable smart devices use less power, more efficiently. They mow at programmed times, multiple times per week, so that the grass always looks great.

Robotic Mowers mow even when the team is not on site, plus many, like the Kress range of Mission range of Robot Mowers can avoid obstacles, adjust to weather, and even alert the owner in the case of theft or other emergency.

Lightweight, efficient, and increasingly powerful corded and rechargeable lawn care tools like the unique 60V range from Kress are well positioned to take on the work that is currently performed by petrol-powered tools. In the light of cleaner air and less noise, the future of gardening and landscaping looks brighter than ever.