I have just seen on LinkedIn that Terry Harrison machinery have six new Wessex LS100 log splitters in stock. The Wessex LS 100 tractor mounted log splitter appears to offer value for money and is a popular choice for many.
We all know that splitting logs can be a dull and time-consuming task. Which reinforces the adage that “wood warms you twice.” Using a splitting wedge and sledgehammer can be dangerous as there is a risk of metal flying through the air and injuring the person or nearby objects. To make the logging process more efficient and safe, a tractor-mounted log splitter is a viable option. The Wessex LS-100 tractor-mounted log splitter is one of their most popular products. It is a robust, straightforward, and easy to fit to any type of tractor with a category 1 three-point linkage.
This log splitter has up to 10 tons of hydraulic splitting force, depending on tractor hydraulics, and can power through logs effortlessly. Its floor-level splitting bed makes it easy to position logs, and the two-handed operation ensures user safety. You no longer have to waste time splitting logs by hand; instead, let the Wessex LS-100 log splitter do the job for you.
The minimum power requirement for the log splitter is 30 hp plus.
Options
The Wessex log splitter has an optional wide base plate which can be fitted to make the log splitter more secure when splitting wood.
To Conclude
The Wessex LS100 Log Splitters have the advantage of being able to take the machine to the work rather than bring the work to the machine. It’s also a compact log splitter that takes up very little room when the machine is not in use. It certainly offers value for money.
Over the last few years, I have heard a lot of good reports about the excellent range of Eliet garden shredders. Eliet shredders are a very well-built machine, which will give many years of service, especially when they are maintained well. I know of customers who have saved themselves huge amounts of time by using an Eliet shredder. In other words, no more trips to the local tip or any more bonfires. Of course, the other advantage is that all the shredded material can be composted and be put back on the garden. I will explain more below.
Managing Garden Waste
Gardening is a wonderful hobby that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature while also getting some exercise and fresh air. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is managing the waste generated by pruning, trimming, and other maintenance tasks. If you’re looking for an efficient and eco-friendly way to deal with your garden waste, Eliet shredders are the perfect solution. We do have other shredders available on the website, however, as I mentioned earlier, the Eliet shredders come highly recommended. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of using Eliet shredders, their features, the different types available, how to choose the right one for your needs, and more.
Understanding Garden Waste Management
Before we dive into the benefits of using Eliet shredders, it’s important to understand the basics of garden waste management. Garden waste can include anything from leaves and grass clippings to branches, hedge trimmings, and other organic materials. While some gardeners choose to dispose of their waste in the local tip or by burning it, these methods can be harmful to the environment and may even be illegal in some areas. Composting and mulching are more sustainable options, as they allow you to reuse the organic material in your garden and reduce waste. However, preparing the waste for composting and mulching can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, which is where shredders come in.
The main benefit of using the excellent range of Eliet garden shredders is that they make garden waste management much easier and more efficient. Shredders are designed to quickly and easily process all kinds of organic materials, from small twigs and leaves to larger branches and hedge trimmings. Eliet shredders are particularly powerful and can handle even the toughest jobs with ease. Simply feed the waste into the shredder, and it will be shredded into small, uniform pieces that are perfect for composting and mulching. This saves time and energy compared to manually chopping up the waste with a machete or pruning shears.
Another benefit of using Eliet shredders is that they are eco-friendly. By shredding your garden waste and using it for composting and mulching, you are reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills and preventing harmful greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere. Additionally, using shredded garden waste as mulch can help to improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilizers and other chemicals.
Features Of Eliet Shredders
Eliet shredders are known for their high-quality construction and powerful engines. They are available in a range of sizes and styles to suit different needs, from small electric shredders for home gardens to larger diesel-powered shredders for commercial use. Some of the features that set Eliet shredders apart from other brands include:
Patented cutting systems that produce uniform, high-quality shredding.
Large feed hoppers make it easy to feed in bulk amounts of waste.
Wide wheels and sturdy frames for easy maneuverability and stability.
Safety features such as automatic shut-off switches and safety guards.
Types Of Eliet Shredders And Their Uses
Eliet shredders are available in several different types, each with its own set of features and uses. Some of the most popular types include:
Electric shredders: These shredders are powered by electricity and are ideal for home gardens and small-scale projects. They are lightweight and easy to use, making them a great option for beginners.
Petrol shredders: These shredders are powered by petrol and are more powerful than electric shredders. They are suitable for larger gardens and more demanding tasks.
Diesel shredders: These shredders are the most powerful and can handle even the toughest jobs. They are typically used for commercial landscaping and forestry work.
How To Choose The Right Eliet Shredder For Your Needs
Choosing the right Eliet shredder for your needs depends on several factors, including the size of your garden, the type of waste you need to shred, and how often you plan to use the shredder. Here are some tips to help you choose the right shredder:
Determine the size of your garden and the amount of waste you generate. This will help you choose the appropriate shredder size and power.
Consider the type of waste you need to shred. If you have a lot of large branches and twigs, you’ll need a shredder with a larger feed hopper and a more powerful engine.
Think about how often you will use the shredder. If you plan to use it frequently, you may want to invest in a higher-quality model with more features and durability.
Always try and purchase a machine that is slightly overpowered rather than underpowered for your needs.
Maintenance Of Eliet Shredders
Like any piece of equipment, Eliet shredders require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. Here are some tips for maintaining your shredder:
Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them closely. (Most people don’t and then they have problems!)
Check the oil level regularly and change the oil as needed.
Keep the blades sharp and clean.
Clean the shredder after each use to prevent buildup and corrosion.
Store the shredder in a dry, protected area when not in use.
Customer Reviews Of Eliet Shredders
Customers who have used Eliet shredders rave about their efficiency, power, and durability. Many reviewers note that the shredders are easy to use and produce high-quality shredding that is perfect for composting and mulching. They also appreciate the safety features and sturdy construction of the shredders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eliet Shredders
Here are some common questions people have about Eliet shredders:
Q: How much does an Eliet shredder cost? A: The cost of an Eliet shredder depends on the size, power, and features of the model. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for small electric shredders to several thousand dollars for larger diesel-powered models.
Q: How loud are Eliet shredders? A: Eliet shredders are generally quite loud, especially the petrol and diesel models. It is recommended to wear ear protection when using the shredder.
Q: Can Eliet shredders handle wet waste? A: Eliet shredders are designed to handle dry organic waste, such as leaves, twigs, and branches. However, some models may be able to handle small amounts of wet waste.
To Conclude
Eliet shredders are the ultimate tool for efficient and eco-friendly garden waste management. With their powerful engines, sturdy construction, and patented cutting systems, these shredders can handle even the toughest jobs with ease. Whether you have a small home garden or a large commercial landscaping business, there is an Eliet shredder that will meet your needs. By using shredded garden waste for composting and mulching, you can reduce waste, improve soil health, and enjoy a more sustainable gardening experience. I appreciate that we all have a budget to work to. However, I always recommend customers to buy a quality brand of machine, like the excellent range of Eliet garden shredders; it pays off in the long run! In other words, you get what you pay for.
I just came across this special offer on a Farmtrac FT26HST, it looks like good value for money at £12,495 plus VAT. Apparently, the price saving is due to the fact that it has been on display at an indoor agricultural show event. Recently we looked at a special offer on the Farmtrac compact tractors.
The Farmtrac FT26HST comes with three-range hydrostatic transmission. Hydrostatic transmission enables the operator to control the tractor by instant variable speed in forward and reverse, via a foot pedal. For most machinery, it is so much quicker than the traditional gearbox method.
The Farmtrac FT26HST has just 2.8 hours on the clock.
One of the aspects that I really like about this Farmtrac compact tractor is the fact that it comes with a five-year warranty. Whenever I purchase a machine, a good warranty gives me the confidence to purchase. I like the idea of a five-year warranty with no unexpected costs for five years. There aren’t that many machines that are covered by a five-year warranty.
Industrial Wheels And Tyres
This particular compact tractor is fitted with an industrial wheel and tyre upgrades. Looking at the photograph, the tyres look quite chunky, which is ideal with the loader attachment.
Front Loader Attachment
This Farmtrac compact tractor comes with a frontloader complete with a self-levelling linkage. It also has a 1.2 m bucket that comes with the foreloader.
To Conclude
The Farmtrac compact certainly offers value for money and they appear to be very popular. I guess with the price and five-year warranty make it very attractive for anyone in the compact tractor market. You can see the original post on LinkedIn below.
Today we are going to look at budget electric hover mowers. Karl Dahlman first invented hover mowers in 1964. They were very popular in the 80s; people liked the principle and the ability to be able to cut banks with a hover mower. Flymo is the original brand of hover mowers, which is part of the Husqvarna group of companies.
The hover mower has a traditional single blade underneath the cutting deck. However, attached to the blade is a fan which blows air downwards, making the mower float on a cushion of air. The mower’s housing has a skirt-like cutting deck, which is similar to a hovercraft principle. Flymo’s claim is that they are easier to manoeuvre than a traditional wheeled rotary mower. And, of course, they have the added advantage of being able to cut banks fairly easily.
Although I’m not a fan of electric mowers, the Flymo range of hover mowers does offer value for money, minimum maintenance and ease of use. Petrol versions of hover mowers are available if you have large areas or you don’t want the bother of a trailing electric cable.
Flymo 300 Hover Mower
The Flymo 300 hover mower is designed for small to medium-sized gardens. It has a 30 cm width of cut and the ability to collect the grass clippings. If you cut your lawn regularly with the Flymo, it is not essential to use the collector as grass clippings are almost mulched.
The Flymo 300 hover mower is powered by a 1700 Watt motor, which equates to approximately 2.5 hp. The Flymo 300 is equipped with dual lever handles which makes easier when cutting around overhanging shops etc.
Flymo has made the hover mower extremely compact. The 20 L grass collector fits neatly onto the top of the mower. For storage, the Flymo can be mounted on a wall or folded down to take up minimum space.
Specifications
• Power: 1700 W
• Mower Type: Hover
• Cutting Width: 30cm
• Blade Type: Metal
• Cable Length: 10m
• Cable StorageYes
• Cutting Heights: 1-3 cm
• No. of Cutting Heights: 4
• Foldable Handles: Yes
• Grass Box Capacity: 20 litres
• Handle Control Switch Lever: Dual
• Height Adjustment: Spacers
• Made in the UK: Yes
• Product Weight: 8.3kg
• Sound pressure level at operators ear: 92 dB(A)
• Sound power level, guaranteed (LWA): 96 dB(A
Features And Benefits
• Floats on a cushion of air, making it highly manoeuvrable
• High-performance motor capable of cutting through thick, dense grass
• Durable metal blade
• Dual lever handles allow you to operate with either hand comfortably
• Flat folding handles allow the mower to hang up on the wall
• Equipped with cable storage hooks to quickly wind and unwind the cable
• Top-loading grass box, which makes it quick and easy to remove and empty
Here we have a slightly larger Flymo with a 33 cm cutting width. The easy glide Flymo 330 floats on a cushion of air make it very easy to push and manoeuvre around obstacles. The Flymo 330 comes with a 20 L collection box which is mounted on top of the machine.
Powered by a 1700 Watt electric motor, which is equivalent to around 2 ½ hp. The Flymo should have plenty of power to cope with normal lawn conditions.
We have a wide range of scarifiers available for your garden, from towable models to petrol and smaller electric scarifiers. We have some towable models which are around the £120 mark, which are ideal if you have a lawn tractor or something similar. Then we have the basic domestic electric model, which is £127.
We do also have a range of cordless scarifiers; just make sure that the battery has enough power requirement for your needs. Battery power has come a long way in the last few years. In the commercial market, there are some excellent battery products available; however, there is a price to pay. I have seen domestic lawnmowers that are battery-operated and they can barely cut a postage-stamp lawn on one charge! In fact, it will probably take three charges to cut your lawn, you should be on your guard when purchasing battery equipment to make sure it is up to the job.
I also admit that I’m not very keen on having a trailing lead as they just really can be rather an obstacle and be an extra torment. However, at least with an electric machine, providing you have a power socket, you can get the job completed, even if you have the cable to contend with.
Let’s Have A Look At A Few Of The Models Available
We have the Cobra SA32E electric scarifier available for £109.99. Moving up the scale, we have a Hyundai 1500 W electric lawn scarifier, priced at £119. The good thing is with Hyundai equipment is that they have a three-year warranty for domestic use. I would recommend these Hyundai machines for commercial work, even though they do give a one year warranty for commercial use. They’re more designed for domestic use. They certainly offer value for money.
The next model is a Stiga SV 213 electric scarifier and aerator priced at £155. It’s quite a small product; however, I’ve always liked Stiga products. The next model is a Cobra S40 C 16 inch petrol powered scarifier, priced at £347.99. 16-inch scarifier is a reasonable width, scarifying is not something you do every week, it’s just a few times a year.
The Cobra also comes with a collector, which is useful. Just a note about the collectors. It’s a great feature; however, when you scarify your lawn, it’s amazing how much thatch and moss comes from it. Sometimes it’s easier to leave the thatch and moss on top of the lawn and to rake it up manually. The other alternative is if you have a ride on tractor mower or a large rotary mower which can collect the moss and thatch. Even if you rake up the thatch by hand, it’s not heavy, so it can quickly be removed.
The next model is a Hyundai HYSC 210 petrol lawn scarifier and aerator, which comes with comes with 600 mL of oil. The price of this machine is £369; it comes with a collector. Once again, it has the Hyundai three-year warranty for domestic users.
Billy Goat 20-Inch Lawn Scarifier
Now we are going right up the other end of the scale. We have the Billy Goat PR5 50 H 20-inch lawn scarifier, which is powered by a Honda engine. The cost of the Billy Goat scarifier is £1991, including VAT.
If you have any questions about our wide range of scarifiers, I am here to help. You can leave a question or comment in the YouTube comments area. As you can see, there are a lot more models available. Once again, just take care if you’re buying a battery model as often; batteries do not last as long as the manufacturers say.
One of the questions that people often ask me is how can I have nice stripes on my lawn? It’s very easy to create stripes on your lawn; all you need is a mower with a rear roller. I normally recommend a roller rotary lawn mower rather than a cylinder mower. For most people, a roller rotary mower is more suitable and more universal.
The lawn that you can see in the photograph was cut with a Hayter Harrier 22 inch lawnmower. It leaves a good finish, however, I wouldn’t particularly recommend a Hayter Harrier lawnmower. I used to use Hayter Harriers all the time for lawn cutting. Unfortunately, they haven’t really kept up with the times and there are much better models available.
You can see a couple more lawns here that are striped up with a roller rotary mower. In the last two photographs, I used a Weibang Legacy 56 Pro 3 speed Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower. In my opinion, they are a much better rotary mower than the Hayter Harrier. I have been fairly faithful Hayter Harrier brand for many years, however, I just don’t find that they are up to the job now and there are much better alternatives.
Many British people really appreciate a traditional striped lawn. I have to say that I really think a striped lawn really enhances a garden. The garden can almost be quite untidy and yet if you have a nicely cut striped lawn, you don’t actually see the untidy bits of the garden!
We Have A Range Of Roller Mowers
You can use two types of lawnmowers to create a striped lawn. However, I do really recommend a roller rotary mower for most people’s needs. The other type of mower is the cylinder type of mower which do give a brilliant finish. However, they generally need a little bit more maintenance and they cannot cope so well if the grass has become a bit long. Cylinder mowers are often used on bowling greens and cricket pitches and golf courses. If they are set up right, they can give an absolutely brilliant finish. However, once again, I would say for 95% of people, are better off with a roller rotary lawnmower.
All the lawns in the photographs that I showed on the screen were mowed with a roller rotary mower. You can see the finish isn’t bad as none of the lawns are bowling green-type lawns.
Various Models Various Prices
There are various models of roller rotary bars on the market. I would recommend customers purchase the best quality machine they can afford. I always believe that it’s cheaper to buy a more expensive machine in the long run than it is to buy a cheap machine. However, I appreciate that we all have to work to a certain budget and that is not always possible to buy the best machine.
You see that we do have the Hayter Harrier 56 lawnmower on the website, however, unfortunately, I would not recommend purchasing one now. A few years ago, I would have definitely suggested purchasing one, but they have really not moved forward with the times; they have actually gone backwards! You can see the mower that I now use, it’s a Weibang Legacy 56 Pro 3 speed Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower. It is a larger rotary mower and a professional machine, it may be too large for your needs. However, it’s a well-engineered machine that could potentially give you many years of good service. They also come with a five-year domestic warranty and a three-year professional warranty. So, they obviously believe in their products.
We do have a range of roller rotary mowers at all different sorts of prices. Hyundai do several budget lawnmowers, I would not recommend them for contracting, but they do give a three-year warranty for domestic use. It comes down to the same old story, in most cases, you get what you pay for.
To conclude
If you want a mower that stripes, you either need a roller rotary or a cylinder mower. However, once again, I would recommend the roller rotary mower is great for most people. If you have any questions, I’m here to help; you can leave a comment in the YouTube comments area. I do try and respond to comments.
I have seen a terrific amount of battery mowers recently, especially the Mean Green Electric Mowers. I must admit that I’m not particularly excited about battery mowers, but I have to admit that the technology seems to be rapidly increasing. For example, you can see in the LinkedIn post below a new Vanquish 52 battery-powered stand-on mower being demonstrated. Allegedly, it has a seven-hour runtime which I find absolutely amazing that a zero-turn mower of that size can run for so long! That really is quite impressive. It would be interesting to know how long the batteries lasted if the mower worked in tougher conditions. I appreciate that most contractors would be cutting the grass on a regular basis. So, in theory, the mower should not have to work too hard.
It looks like there is a good range of Mean Green Electric Mowers, ranging from a largish ride on zero-turn machine. And then the stand-on models and then a traditional walk-behind model. I will be writing more about these machines in the near future.
Benefits
It looks like these machines do have some great benefits that can’t really be argued with. The benefits include seven hours mowing time, zero emissions, low vibration, 80p per day running costs, minimal maintenance, low noise and low operating costs. And, of course, there are no exhaust fumes, no air filters to clean out, no oil to change, no oil filter change.
Obviously, with any petrol or diesel engine, there is a certain amount of vibration. However, I believe over the years that, manufacturers have brought vibration levels down considerably. With electric and battery power, the vibration is brought down to an absolute minimum.
Although I prefer a petrol or diesel machine, I can’t argue with the fact that the maintenance is very low. I like the idea of not having any belts to change or tension. And also no engine oil to change or filters and no engine servicing. I also believe with battery power, the transmission systems can be much simpler and cheaper to produce than on a traditional petrol or diesel mower.
For more information on The Mean Green Electric Mowers, you can visit their website here. I hope to have more details on these machines very soon.
I just came across this Kubota four-wheel-drive compact tractor L5040GST for sale, I saw the post on LinkedIn a couple of hours ago. This 52 hp Kubota L5040GST comes with a front three-point linkage, complete with a front power takeoff. A very useful feature indeed. Apparently, there are also a number of implements that would be suitable for this Kubota tractor. Paul can be contacted on 07961314068.
“Here we have one of our machines for sale. This Kubota L5040GST has been service regular and has a front three-point linkage and PTO call Paul on 07961314068 if you are interested. We also have implements i.e. cutters etc for sale.”
The Kubota L5040GST develops 52 hp and 44 hp at the PTO. It’s powered by a four-cylinder 2.434 L Kubota turbocharged diesel engine. The Kubota L5040GST is one of the larger models in the L40 series of tractors. The engine’s rated speed is 2600 revs per minute. There are 12 forward speeds and eight speeds for reversing. The maximum speed of the tractor is 15.8 mph, its reverse speed is almost as fast at 15.2 mph!
Front PTO And Linkage
The front PTO and linkage makes the tractor very universal, especially for attaching snow blades and blowers, flail mowers. With a front linkage, it’s ideal for the operator to operate machinery much more comfortably, no morning neck aches!
Today I am talking to Colin from “find a local gardener”. Colin set up a website around four years ago, with a view to showing people how to find a local gardener. One of the questions that I get asked the most when I go into someone’s garden is, do you know of any local gardeners?! Most of our blog posts are normally about machinery, as you can see in this recent blog post. However, due to being continually asked about local gardeners, I thought it would be good to share more information about finding a local gardener.
So, here is Colin; he is going to talk to me about how his business operates and how to find a local gardener. I believe that I first connected with Colin on LinkedIn, which is a great place to connect with business-minded people. As you know, I go into lots of different gardens, and so many people ask me if I know of a gardener or where can they find a gardener. There are a few rare occasions when I know of a gardener, but it does appear that the majority of gardeners seem to be fully booked.
Colin is going to share something about his business and how he started. Colin started the business just over four years ago; the business began by helping one of Colin’s elderly relatives. They were struggling to find a local gardener. Colin has been in the recruitment industry for well over 20 years. So, finding skilled people for different roles is very much Colin’s niche. Colin started to carry out some research locally and he discovered that there is a problem and that gardeners do get booked up very quickly. There is a very large demand for gardeners, so when people are looking for a gardener, whether it is online or through trade magazines etc. The problem is that it’s difficult to know who you are getting; sometimes it can just be a potluck!
Four Plus Successful Years In Business
Over the last four years, Colin has built a network of professional and approved gardeners, who have background and reference checks. To make sure that they are who they are and to make sure that they can do what they say they can do. Find a local gardener arranges the jobs for the gardeners with the customers that make contact through the website.
The company is just entering its fifth year; the network is almost expanded now to a national service. It appears that the company is going from strength to strength. Colin is able to use his skills and build relationships with his customers and gardeners. Many of the gardeners that started with the company originally are still working with Colin. Some of the gardeners come and go, but that can be the nature of the business.
Fundamentally, the customers that we have, stay with us year in and out. The advantage is that even if we supply them with a gardener, maybe something changes and the gardener is no longer available. This alters with the customer’s needs; Colin has a whole team of different gardeners. So if a customer wants us to change the gardener to a different type of gardener, the company has the flexibility to be able to do it.
Who Is The Service For?
Find a gardener caters for all sorts of different garden scenarios. The service ranges for customers who may want a one-off job carried out. For example, the company carries out a lot of end-of-tenancy type jobs. They also receive many enquiries from customers who are moving house and want the garden to look nice before potential buyers go around to view the house.
Then there are the other types of customers who simply want someone to look after their garden, whether it’s a monthly visit, fortnightly visit or weekly visit. This service can carry on throughout the year. Colin doesn’t only carry out work for residential gardens, he now does a lot of work on the commercial side. They work with housing associations, nursing homes, hotels, restaurants, and all kinds of different businesses that have grounds and want those grounds to be neat and tidy for their customers. So, in other words, it’s a very wide scale in what find a local gardener can do.
What Do I Need To Do To Use Your Services?
If you’re looking for a gardener, you simply click on the website here. Where you will be guided to enter your postcode, and the type of garden work that you are needing. And then, there are a set of questions which qualify and quantify what you need. Once the form is filled in, it goes through to the office and is dealt with from there.
Colin aims to get back to every customer within 24-hour’s. The company understands that because of the challenges that people have with their gardens and finding a gardener. They know about all the stories where people have left numerous messages and don’t receive a phone call or a message back from the potential gardener. Colin focuses on trying to respond within 24-hour’s as he knows that people need an answer to their question. In this way, the customer knows that they are on the ball and their question is being dealt with. We know what is required, and they will get back to the customer promptly.
I know the importance of getting back to customers promptly. It’s not that fact that people are in a mad rush to get the job carried out. It’s more to the point that customers want to know that their enquiry is being dealt with in the right way.
Do You Do One-Off Jobs?
Find a local gardener will also deal with one-off jobs. This can be in the case when a tenant leaves a house or a customer is selling the house. However, they deal with all kinds of different situations when it comes to one-off jobs.
Quite often, when someone moves into a new home, the customer may want a one-off job carried out as sometimes the garden hasn’t been looked after properly. A gardener can spend a day or whatever it takes and remove all the waste from the property. Then the owners may say, that’s great, we can take care of the garden now.
On the other end of the scale, sometimes potential customers will call up and will just require jobs to be carried out every two or three months. And then perhaps there is a type of garden that’s become slightly out of hand, a gardener can be sent to sort out the problem. They’re all sorts of different scenarios that they are used to hearing, and in almost every case, Colin can help in some way.
How Do I Know Who Is Coming To Look After My Garden?
Once you have made a booking, a suitable gardener will be allocated to look after your garden. All of the gardeners are vetted and made sure that they are suitable to carry out the work at hand. If the job is just a one-off job, most customers just want someone to come in and get the job finished and completed. It is someone booking one of the many packages that we have; we can arrange to send the gardener around to meet them. They can have an initial chat and talk to the customer about what their exact requirements are. So the customer knows who they are getting and normally the same gardener for every visit.
Booking A Date
Once the customer has confirmed that they would like the work carried out, the company will find out what is the best time and day of the week for them. The work will then be scheduled into the gardeners calendar. If the work is regular, so for example, a package customer, then the work can easily be scheduled in for regular times on the same day.
When the gardeners get into the more busy times of the year, which is May, June and July, it can become more difficult to fit everything in on a precise day. Most people understand that the gardening season is quite seasonal and there are periods when we can’t be quite so flexible. However, even in those busy periods, Colin will endeavour to try and get a gardener to the premises within 7 to 10 days.
Work In Progress
As a general rule, and if the customer isn’t present, for example, on holiday, before and after photographs can be provided. This is to give the customer peace of mind and know that the work is moving forward when they are away.
How Do I Pay?
All the payments are made to the company and not directly to the gardeners. There are no cash payments exchanges between customers and gardeners. Customers can pay by direct debit, bank transfer, PayPal or by credit and debit card. All payments are carried out electronically and directly through the company.
Flexible Contracts
Everything is designed to be on a customer satisfaction basis. The garden packages that are offered, which are on a three, six, nine, or 12-month package, are set up to run over that period of time. Clearly, if something alters in that period of time, then there is flexibility to talk. Colin is aware that certain unforeseen things can happen in life, so although there are contracts, he is willing to be flexible.
Guarantees
Thankfully, most of the time, things run very smoothly. However, there may be an occasion where the customer isn’t happy with the gardener; maybe the personality doesn’t quite fit. The company is aware that it’s quite personal when you have someone work on your property and in your garden. Different people gel with different people, it is important that the customer has the right gardener.
Due to the large networks that find a local gardener has, they can offer an alternative gardener. Fortunately, this is something that does not happen very often. The gardeners are very sensitive to the fact that they have to do a good job if they want to continue doing work. The fact that we have built up a good team over the years helps to represent the company very well. Once again, the company offers flexibility should the customer want to make a change.
Today we are looking at the John Deere battery zero turn mower, known as the Z370R Electric ZTrak. Over the last 20 years or so, zero-turn mowers have become very popular due to their excellent manoeuvrability. I have owned several zero-turn mowers; you will not find a mower that is more manoeuvrable than a zero-turn machine.
I’m amazed at how quickly manufacturers have adapted to producing battery lawnmowers. The technology really is coming along quickly. I wouldn’t say that I’m a fan of battery power, however, the fact that the machinery is much quieter, can’t be a bad thing! I also believe it’s easier to transmit power by electricity rather than through gearboxes, hydrostatic drives and belts etc.
The Z370R electric ZTrak™ mower comes with a 42-inch deck is designed for the domestic market. I’m sure that zero-turn models will also be manufactured for the commercial market in the near future.
The John Deere battery zero turn mower is aimed at property owners who want to maintain their lawn easily with minimal maintenance. The battery mower it’s very simple to use, and has minimal maintenance and increased operator comfort due to low noise and minimal vibration.
A Wide-Ranging Of Mower Options
John Deere has a huge range of various types of mowers, from zero-turn mowers to walk-behind machines. It appears that customers are demanding more from their equipment, so John Deere wants to deliver what the customers want.
Battery Life And Charging
There is no need to remove the batteries when it comes to charging the John Deere battery zero turn mower. The batteries are charged by using an outdoor extension cable and a 110 V grounded outlet. This makes charging very easy as there is no need for an external charger.
The batteries enable the operator to mow up to 2 acres of grass. The sealed 3.2 kWH lithium-ion battery offers protection from the outdoor elements and allows the unit to run under damp conditions. The mower can be stored outside and washed down with confidence. The sealed battery keeps the battery protected from dust and debris.
The John Deere battery zero-turn mower battery carries a five-year/200-hour battery warranty for peace of mind. Apparently, if you want a 10-year warranty, that is available from John Deere dealers. Personally, I like to see a long warranty for peace of mind; batteries can be expensive.
More Features
The Z370R Electric ZTrak features a large LCD screen which is used for monitoring battery levels. There are three different modes, which allow the operator to adjust the settings based on preference and grass conditions.
There is even an app to monitor the charging of the Z370R Electric ZTrak. The app works through a Bluetooth connection.
To Conclude
As I mentioned earlier in the post, I’m not particularly a fan of battery machines and equipment. However, the great thing is that technology is improving almost daily. And there are benefits, like minimal servicing, no oil, no filters and belts and, of course, quieter mowing. You can find more information on the Z370R Electric ZTrak here.
Specification
Battery
One 58 V lithium-ion, 3.2 kilowatt-hour, sealed and meets IP66 rating
Charger
On board, 700 Watts, 120 V input
Forward speed
0-7 mph
0-11.3 km/h
Front caster tires
11×6-5
Drive tires
18×8.5-8
Seat back height
High back with armrests, 20 in.
51 cm
Width of cut
Accel Deep™ mower deck, 42 in.
107 cm
Mulching system
Optional MulchControl™ attachment
Warranty
3 year or 200 hour bumper-to bumper; 5 year or 200 hour battery* (*Terms limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.)
Key Specs
Battery
One 58 V lithium-ion, 3.2 kilowatt-hour, sealed and meets IP66 rating
Charger
On board, 700 Watts, 120 V input
Transmission
Dual electric motor with 1-in (2.5-cm) axles
Drive train
Forward speed
0-7 mph
0-11.3 km/h
Reverse speed
0-3.5 mph
0-5.6 km/h
Speed and direction control
Twin levers
Control adjustment
3 height, 11 positions
Travel speed
Frame
Heavy-duty 2.5-in. x 2-in. (6-cm x 5-cm) front, and 1.5-in. x 2-in. (4-cm x 5-cm) side tubing
Primer/paint
E-coat/powder
Front caster tires
11×6-5
Front caster bearings
Sealed ball bearings
Drive tires
18×8.5-8
Hour meter
Yes
Service interval decal
Yes
Storage compartment
Standard covered
Cup holder
Yes
Maximum towing capacity
250 lb
113 kg
Chassis
Seat back height
High back with armrests, 20 in.
51 cm
Fore-aft adjustment
2.9 in.
7 cm
Seat suspension
Two springs
Seat
Type
Foot lift
Mower cut height
1.25-4.5 in.
3-11 cm
Cut height increments
0.25 in.
0.64 cm
Preset cut height
Yes
Lift system
Mower Deck
Width of cut
Accel Deep™ mower deck, 42 in.
107 cm
Type
Side discharge
Mower deck material
12 gauge
0.105 in.
2.7 mm
Mower drive system
Electric motors
Mower deck
Wheelbase
49.4 in.
1255 mm
Overall length
75.4 in.
1915 mm
Width without mower
43.3 in.
1100 mm
Width with mower
50.4 in.
1280 mm
Width with mower (deflector raised for storage)
46.5 in.
1180 mm
Height
43.3 in.
1100 mm
Weight
490 lb
222 kg
Dimensions
Rollover protective structure (ROPS)
No
Slope operating limit
13 degrees; 10 degrees with Material Collection System
Operator presence system
Yes
Park brake interlock
Yes
Operator video
Yes, online
Operation
Note 1
Mow 2 acres on a charge with confidence, 3.2 kilowatt-hour battery has up to 40 percent more capacity than competitor’s batteries
Note 2
Smart charger is built into the mower, charge anywhere with a standard 120-volt outlet and grounded extension cord
Note 3
Sealed battery meets IP66 rating, allowing you to wash the mower with a water hose
Warranty
3 year or 200 hour bumper-to bumper; 5 year or 200 hour battery* (*Terms limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.)