Today we are looking at the Hyundai garden equipment big 20% off sale. Hyundai has a 20% sale on some of their garden equipment, ranging from an electric leaf blower, chainsaws, petrol and electric. The petrol garden multitool, complete with a strimmer, brushcutter blade, chainsaw, hedge cutter and extension bar, one engine to power for accessories. Hyundai are also offering several power washers on special offer, from petrol models to economical diesel models. There are two petrol chipper shredders available on special offer, along with a Power Barrow with an option for a wheelbarrow or tracked Barrow. You can see the list of equipment on special offer below the video.
Hyundai makes a wide-ranging of equipment at excellent prices. They also offer a three-year guarantee on most of their products, provided they are being used for domestic purposes. They do actually offer a one-year warranty on most of their products if they are being used commercially. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the garden products for commercial or contractors use. However, if you are looking for budget equipment to make life in the garden easier, Hyundai garden equipment certainly offers good value for money.
The petrol and diesel-powered power washers are a good idea as there is no electric cable to deal with. I personally use a Stihl power washer, which is a good and well-engineered tool. However, I do like the idea of not having an electric cable around and the fact that the power washer can be used anywhere, provided that there is a water supply.
Take care with Stihl 4 mix engines to avoid a costly mistake! I have used Stihl products all my working life, which is around 40 years. I have to say that over the years, having owned Stihl chainsaws, Stihl strimmers, Stihl hedgecutter’sStihl blower’s and even a power washer. I have also owned and used many Stihl 4 mix engines. I have had very few problems, I guess that’s why I keep purchasing Stihl products!
However, Taryl explains in detail about a problem in some Stihl 4 mix products. It appears that the issue is with some of the backpack blowers. Starting with the BR500, 550, 600, 700 and 800 models.
It appears that Stihl are using a bronze bush rather than a needle bearing on the above models. It does make you wonder why a company like Stihl are doing this. However, I have a BR 600 backpack blower that is almost 7 years old and is used regularly and commercially. Thankfully, I have had no problems so far!
Use The Correct Oil
Unfortunately, there are some cheap oils on the market. It’s important to remember that a 2-stroke engine relies on the fuel mix to lubricate the engine. Also, the four mix engines run quite hot, so it’s important that they have good-quality oil.
I have always used the Stihl HP two-stroke oil, which is available in various sizes. I normally purchase the 1 L metered bottle and then buy a 5 L can to top up the metered bottle.
To Conclude
The good news is that if you use the correct Stihl oil, you shouldn’t have any problem with your Stihl 4 mix engines. When it comes to engines and you have a quality machine, there’s no point in taking shortcuts. As I mentioned above, I certainly haven’t had any problems with my Stihl BR600 backpack blower, in almost seven years. So the moral of the story is don’t take shortcuts and use the correct oil.
In the video below, you can see the new Dipperfox SC400 stump crusher or stump grinder in action. The Dipperfox SC400 stump crusher is the smallest model of three different models.
The first model to come out was the Dipperfox 850, a great machine and fantastic for contractors who are clearing woodlands and forestry work etc. The downside is that it requires a 14-to-30-ton excavator to power the stump crusher. Of course, this is fine for some situations, but far too large to get in the average garden!
Dipperfox then produced the smaller 600 stump crusher, which needs considerably less pair them the 850 model. The power requirement for the Dipperfox 600 stump crusher is 35 to 83 kW and a 6-to-14-ton excavator. The great thing about the 600 model is that it will fit on a standard backhoe-wheeled loader. It is also small enough to fit on a compact loader, ranging from 2 to 6 tons.
Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher
Finally, we are back to the Dipperfox SC400, which I believe will become very popular with contractors and hire shops etc.
The great thing about the Dipperfox stump crusher 400 is that it will fit onto a 1.5-ton mini excavator. And up to a five-ton machine. It will fit on all types of loaders, for example, Avants and similar machines.
The Dipperfox 400 will fit on a tool carrier like the Toro Dingo, as shown in the video. The minimum power requirement for a tool carrier is just one ton, and the maximum size is five tons.
To Conclude
This makes the Dipperfox 400 much more versatile than the previous models! It’s not quite as compact as the Predator stump grinder that I use, but it’s certainly a lot quicker and has a totally different principle. Another great advantage is the fact that you don’t need to use debris guards as the machine works at relatively low revs. This is quite a timesaver, especially if you’re working in built-up areas, where it takes time to move debris guards around.
John Deere X127, Which Replaces X155R Ride-On Mower
In this video and blog post, I want to talk to you about the John Deere X127, which replaces the X155R ride-on mower. I am getting a terrific amount of people searching for the John Deere X155R ride-on mower, which is no longer available brand-new. Although the John Deere X127, which replaces the X155R ride-on mower, is more expensive, I believe it’s considerably improved.
You may be able to find the John Deere mower on eBay, but as far as I know, it will not be brand-new. The distributor that we used to use no longer sells John Deere ride-on mowers. So, the John Deere X127 is the replacement machine that is now available new.
I have found this particular model available brand-new on eBay; the cost is around £5000. However, you may be able to make an offer. You can find the eBay link to the John Deere X127 here. You may be able to find something cheaper. However, this is what my research came up with.
Mulching Mower
I will run through a few of the features of the John Deere X127. I will create a post later on with more detail. I’ve always found John Deere equipment to be extremely good, especially the more commercial equipment. I would personally purchase this machine as a mulching mower rather than a mower for collecting. The collector is an optional extra.
I have seen several John Deere mulching mowers in action; I have to say that I was very impressed with the performance. With mulching, it’s very important to cut your lawn regularly, as you cannot expect a good mulch if you trying to mulch grass that is too long.
A Few Features
The John Deere ride-on mower comes with a 42 inch mulching cutting deck. It’s powered by a Briggs and Stratton two-cylinder 656cc petrol engine which develops 20 hp. I have owned machines with the same type and series of engines, the engine performed well. The model I had was a carburettor-type engine; however, more modern EFI engines perform much better. Not only are they more responsive and powerful, but they are considerably more economical than the old carburettor models.
The engine is fitted with a cast-iron cylinder liner for longer life. A useful feature is the fact that the choke lever is sprung-loaded, which stops the throttle lever from accidentally being left in the choke position.
The engine features full-pressure lubrication, which is always better, especially if you are cutting on slopes. It just means that the engine is continually being lubricated.
Oil Drain Feature
Something that I had not come across before is the oil drain feature. It enables the oil to be drained without the need for any tools, which sounds like a good idea. I’m not quite sure how this is achieved, as I always like to know that my oil drain plug is secure.
John Deere Ride On Mower Hopper And Chute
Optional Grass Collector
There is an optional collector available for the John Deere X127. However, I personally would not purchase the mower for collecting, I would use the mulching feature rather than the collection feature.
I don’t know why manufacturers do this; however, the collector has two bags that need to be removed when they are full. The worst part about this is that you have to keep dismounting from the mower. If you want to collect the grass is much better to have a mower where you can empty the collector from the operator seat.
I’m also not a great fan of the large pipe that takes the grass clippings into the collection bags. Not only is the tube quite bulky on the side of the mower, but these tubes can become blocked if the grass is wet.
Recently I carried out a review of the Etesia Hydro 80; this is much smaller than the John Deere. However, I’m just showing you this machine as there is no need to dismount from the mower to empty the grass collector. The grass chute is also very direct, meaning it’s much less likely to become blocked with wet grass. The grass chute does not obstruct any manoeuvrability or make the mower more cumbersome.
To Conclude
John Deere X127 comes with the normal two-year warranty; however, you can purchase an extra warranty if required. I believe that the mower is great for mulching, based on what I have seen on other John Deere mowers. However, the collector is slightly cumbersome, and the idea of having to dismount from the mower is not good.
In this video and blog post, I want to carry out a review of the Etesia Hydro 80 compact ride-on lawnmower. I used to own an Etesia Hydro 80, which I used for my contracting business. It’s a great machine, very compact and ideal for going where other ride on mowers won’t go.
Prior to owning the Etesia Hydro 80, I was using a very similar machine known as the Etesia Bahia. When I purchased the Etesia Bahia, the Hydro 80 was not available. However, the Hydro 80 is just a slightly heavier-duty compact ride-on mower than the Etesia Bahia.
If you’re using your mower for contracting, I would definitely recommend the Hydro 80 over the Etesia Bahia, as it has a slightly stronger build quality. We will go through everything and I will show some slides that will help to explain everything more clearly.
Watch A Video Review Of The Etesia Hydro 80 Below
The Cost
The price of the Hydro 80 is £5850 plus VAT, and the price of the Etesia Bahia is £5150 plus VAT. These are list prices, so I am sure that there is room for negotiation if you purchase from an Etesia dealer. I believe that the extra cost of the Hydro 80 is approximately £700 and well worth it.
There are various different models available. If you are contracting, I would go for the Kawasaki 16-hp twin-cylinder 4-stroke engine. This is the largest engine option; it’s always better to have more power than not enough!
The Reason For Purchasing The Etesia Hydro 80
The reason I purchased the Etesia Hydro 80 was that originally I was using two roller rotary mowers with a 22-inch cut. I didn’t particularly want a ride on mower, due to the manoeuvrability issue. However, I did need a machine that could cope with wet and damp grass. The problem I had was that the rotary mowers that I was using were hopeless at collecting wet and damp grass.
As many of you will know, when you are contracting, you can’t choose when to cut grass. Very often, I was cutting in less than ideal conditions. Sometimes it could be from the rain from the previous night or just a very heavy dew.
Etesia Mower
Highly Manoeuvrable
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t particularly want a ride-on mower, due to the manoeuvrability issues. However, the Etesia is about as manoeuvrable as you get for the size of the machine. Etesia’s are famous for their ability to collect wet grass.
The Etesia Hydro 80 has a 32-inch (80 cm) cutting deck with a grass chute that goes straight into the collector at the rear. The collector has a capacity of 240 L, which is very good considering the size of the mower. The Etesia could achieve a better work rate with one man in a day than two walk-behind machines using two men! So, the Hydro 80 was certainly a very good investment for me.
Paddock Mower
In this photograph, you can see the Hydro 80 cutting slightly rougher grass, more the type of grass that you would find in an orchard or paddock. Although the Hydro 80 will cope with this type of grass, I purchased my machine for lawn cutting. If you are regularly cutting more paddock and orchard-type areas, it’s probably worth looking at some of the other Etesia models which are available.
Anti-Scalp Rollers
The Hydro 80 has anti-scalp rollers fitted to the deck, which help to prevent scalping damage to the lawn. I also had some adjustable caster wheels, which were fitted to the side of my deck. It looks like Etesia has probably done away with the caster wheels. I’m guessing that the anti-scalp rollers do the job adequately.
Electric Clutch
The Hydro 80 is fitted with an electric blade clutch which is operated from the dashboard. The blade clutch has a blade brake fitted for safety purposes. I always engaged and disengaged my cutter deck on tick-over as this helps to prolong the life of the electric clutch. For example, if the clutch were on a car, you wouldn’t engage the clutch at full revs!
Optional Roller
Many people, including myself, like a traditional striped lawn finish. Many of the walk-behind roller rotaries leave a really good striped finish to your lawn. I had an optional roller fitted to my Hydro 80 mower, which was fitted underneath the rear of the mower. It was simply lowered by moving a lever behind the operator’s seat. For me, it was a great option as people appreciate that striped finish on their lawns.
Built-In Grass Collector
The Etesia Hydro 80 is fitted with a 240 L grass collector, which can be operated from the driver’s seat. I believe on my walk behind rotary mowers, they had a collector capacity of around 70 L. So the Etesia collector is roughly 3 ½ times larger.
One of the many things I like about the Hydro 80 is the fact that I can empty the grass collector from the operator’s seat. The collector is emptied by moving a lever on the right-hand side of the machine. This is fairly effortless as it has a small manual sprung ram to make emptying the collector easier. I believe that there are some models that are electrically emptied, there certainly are on the Etesia Bahia.
There are some manufacturers that have two or three bags for collectors that have to be manually emptied. To me, this defeats the object of having a ride-on mower, as once you are seated, you do not want to keep getting on and off the mower. I certainly wouldn’t recommend purchasing a ride-on mower with that type of collector. Thankfully, with the Etesia Hydro 80, everything can be carried out from the operator’s seat.
Etesia Hydro 80
Efficient Go Anywhere Mower
In this photograph with can see the compactness of the mower. It measures 1.98 m x 0.82 m wide, so it really is very compact. At this size, it makes the mower very easy to transport. I had a small trailer to transport my Hydro 80; it worked absolutely fine for me. Obviously, the Etesia can be transported in a van or truck.
The Hydro 80 has an excellent turning circle which makes it highly manoeuvrable; it’s almost as manoeuvrable as a walk-behind machine. The mower also leaves a great finish on any lawn.
The cutting deck overhangs the mower body fractionally; however, with a great seating position, which gives a good view which enables you to mow up to walls and obstacles.
Comfortable Seating Position
Despite the compactness of the Etesia ride-on, you can see in the photograph or video that the operator has plenty of legroom. I’m 6 feet tall, and I certainly never felt cramped up on the machine. There is a small amount of adjustment in the seat to maximise operator comfort.
Cutter Deck Hatch (Easy Access)
On the cutter deck, there is a large hinged door or hatch that gives easy access to the blade and the grass chute. The 32-inch blade is attached by one main bolt and then has two shear bolts to protect the blade. This is a great idea, so in theory, if you hit a foreign object, it shares the bolts rather than causing damage to the machine. The shear bolts can easily be replaced and access is gained through the hatch door.
Blade Lifters
There is one 32-inch blade on the Etesia Hydro 80. On each end of the blade, there are some large lifters that create a fan action within the deck. After a period of time, the lifters will wear. However, these are easily replaced by simply bolting a new set of lifters onto the blade.
It’s important to keep the lifters in good condition as it makes for efficient grass collection. The collection system relies on blade lifters to blow the grass into the collector. It’s also important to keep the collector clean; a power washer, airline or stiff brush can be used to keep the collector clear and keep the air flowing through efficiently.
Conveniently Laid Out Controls
All the controls on the Hydro 80 are within comfortable reach of the operator. On the left-hand side, we have the height adjustment lever; behind that is the handbrake. And then, to the rear of the mower is the fuel tank with the fuel gauge on top of the fuel cap.
On the right-hand side of the machine, there is the lever for emptying the collection box. The throttle is also placed on the right-hand side of the machine. On my machine, the cutter deck engagements which was also placed there. I believe that it may now be on the dashboard.
There’s also a built-in shock absorber to give the operator more comfort. The built-in headlights come as standard if you feel like cutting in the dark!
Cutting Deck Cleaner
On the top of the cutting deck, there is an attachment that allows a garden hose to be connected. Although a very simple feature, it’s great for keeping your mower deck clean along with the grass chute.
Simply attach a hose to the deck, turn on the tap, engaged the cutter deck, and after a few minutes, your cutting deck will be clean.
Inside The Hydro 80
Inside The Etesia Hydro 80
In the above photograph, you can see that the covers have been removed from the mower. This enables the user to be able to reach the necessary components for maintenance etc. Being a compact machine, there’s not a huge amount of space to work on the machine. However, I always managed to be able to replace belts etc. and carry out regular maintenance. Incidentally, the drive belts are spring tensioned, so there is no maintenance required. I didn’t need to replace the belts very often.
It’s very easy to get to the oil dipstick and oil filler cap, and the battery has easy access. The covers are very easily removed by a few various screw-type fittings.
Hydrostatic Drive (Automatic Transmission)
The Etesia Hydro 80 is powered by a hydrostatic drive system. One of the advantages of the Hydro 80 is the fact that it has a higher specification hydrostatic drive than the Etesia Bahia.
The majority of ride-on mowers today have a hydrostatic drive system. I would not recommend purchasing a mower with a traditional gearbox and clutch, as hydrostatic mowers are so much easier and more efficient to use.
The principle of a hydrostatic mower is very simple. There is an oil pump that powers a hydraulic motor on the rear wheels. The great thing is that it gives you instant forward and reverse at variable speeds; there is no need to use a clutch or change gears!
Driving the Hydro 80 is very easy; there are two large foot pedals; one pedal is for driving forward, the other for going in reverse. It really makes mowing easy! There is no need for a foot brake as the forward and reverse pedals also act as brakes.
One of the many advantages of a hydrostatic drive is the fact that you can just vary the speed so easily. Especially if you are cutting longer grass, you can adjust the speed of the machine depending on the thickness of the grass.
Strong Tubular Frame
The Etesia has a strong tubular framework, which is a common sight on Etesia ride-on mowers. There are obviously more structures beneath the mainframe to carry the engine and transmission etc.
Another one of the benefits of the Hydro 80 over the Etesia Bahia, is the fact that it has an upgraded front axle. On the Hydro 80, the front axle is more of a casting. Whereas the Bahia, it’s built from tubular steel.
I didn’t see any wear and tear on the front axle of my Hydro 80. However, I did see somewhere on the Etesia Bahia after a considerable amount of hours of work. Another plus point for purchasing the Hydro 80 is if you are using the mower for contracting.
Mulching
I purchased my Etesia Hydro 80 for lawns and collecting the grass, so I wasn’t really interested in mulching the clippings. However, my machine did come with a mulching plug, I did test it out, just for curiosity purposes. I wasn’t overly impressed, however, I knew that I would not be mulching the grass.
Things may have changed now, as mulching has come a long way over the last few years. I believe Etesia has a slightly different mulching system from the system that I tried.
Mowing Tall Grass With The Etesia Hydro 80
Cutting Long Grass
The Hydro 80 is a very capable machine, and it is capable of cutting longer grass. Personally, I think it’s much more at home cutting lawns; however, if the grass is dry, it will cut grass several inches high without too much difficulty. If you are looking to regularly cut long grass, then I would think more about purchasing a different machine. Etesia has a range of brush cutter machines for various grass-cutting tasks.
If you are cutting long grass and you do not want to collect the grass. The collector has a removable floor which allows the grass to be blown up the grass chute and then fall out behind the mower. The other option is to attach the deflector, which bypasses the grass chute.
Although I wouldn’t recommend the Hydro 80 for continually cutting long grass. It does leave quite a good finish, even in one pass and with long grass!
Various Accessories And Attachments
I didn’t purchase any attachments for my Etesia. However, there are some useful attachments available to get the most out of your mower. I will explain more below.
Snow Blade
An optional snow is available, it’s probably not something that I would use in this part of the UK. I am not quite sure how much pushing power the Etesia would have. In the photograph, it looks like it’s managing okay.
Scarifier
Once again, the scarifier is not a product that I have used. However, I am all for utilising the power of the Etesia! The scarifier looks like it could be a very useful accessory. It certainly looks much easier than hand raking. There are adjustments on the front wheels of the scarifier, so it can be adjusted according to the conditions of your lawn.
Scarifying lawns is something that is often neglected, so potentially a scarifier could be a great investment for the Hydro 80 or Etesia Bahia.
Spreader
The spreader looks like a very useful attachment, especially for various fertilisers for your lawn. It can also be used for grass seed or salt in the wintertime. This would require the optional towbar option.
Sweeper Attachment
Another useful attachment is the sweeper attachment; not quite sure where it gets power from. But it is certainly another way of utilising the Etesia.
Trailer Attachment
A trailer is always a great option for a ride-on mower, as there are so many uses for a trailer in the garden. The trailer has a 500 kg (half a ton) capacity, which is plenty for most gardens. Once again, you will need the towbar attachment to be able to utilise the trailer.
To Conclude
The Etesia Hydro 80 is a great compact ride-on mower to replace your existing roller rotary mowers. I would definitely recommend the roller accessory that I had fitted to give that perfect striped finish. If you are contracting or even if you have a large garden, for the extra £700 approximately. The Hydro 80 offers excellent value for money and strength over the Etesia Bahia. I don’t want to undermine the Bahia, as it is a great machine. However, I do feel that the Hydro 80 is definitely worth the extra cost.
I would also recommend purchasing the Kawasaki 16-hp twin four-stroke petrol engine. I have had Kawasaki engines on several machines and never had a problem with their engines.
It’s always better to have a machine that is overpowered rather than underpowered. The 16 hp Kawasaki engines certainly gave me power to spare.
In this video, I am going to carry out a review of the Etesia Bahia. It is probably the most compact ride-on mower with a collector on the market today, it’s certainly highly manoeuvrable.
I had my first Etesia Bahia in the late 90s, as I was looking for something that would collect damp grass. A few years later, I purchased something that we looked at recently called the Etesia Hydro 80. This is really a more heavy-duty version of the Etesia Bahia and bore suitable for contracting.
The Cost
The list price for the Etesia Bahia is £4699 plus VAT, and the price for the Hydro 80 is £5850 plus VAT. Once again, the prices are list prices, so there may well be a discounted price available. You can find the Etesia price list here. I found the Hydro 80 to be well worth the extra money over the Etesia Bahia, especially if you are contracting.
The Reason I Purchased The Etesia Bahia
The reason I purchased my Etesia Bahia, back in the late 90’s, was due to the fact that I required a machine that would cut wet and damp grass. I didn’t particularly want a ride on mower. I was using Hayter Harrier 56 roller rotary mower to cut lawns. Roller rotaries leave a great striped finish, but the problem was that they were hopeless on wet or damp grass.
One of the things that Etesia is well-known for, is the fact that their machines are well-known for their wet grass collection capabilities. The Etesia Bahia is great for collecting damp and wet grass. Obviously, it’s important to keep the collector clean; this can be brushed down with a stiff brush or blown out with an airline, or power washed.
Etesia Bahia MBHE 2
Features
The Etesia Bahia is almost a go-anywhere mower, it’s compact and it’s great for negotiating around obstacles like flower borders and shrubs etc. Bearing in mind that I had been using a walk-behind machine, which is always more manoeuvrable than a ride-on. However, the Bahia carried out a great job of manoeuvring around obstacles.
I had been used to using a 22-inch cut roller rotary, whereas the Etesia has a 32-inch cut. The main thing is that the Bahia speeded up the grass cutting process and enabled me to cut wet grass.
Optional Roller
I purchased the Bahia for cutting lawns although it can cope with longer grass. One of the accessories that I purchased was a roller that fitted to the rear of the ride-on mower. It’s not an Etesia product, but is a very useful add-on if you’re looking for that striped finish, like I was. It’s also something that many customers really appreciate.
Automatic Gearbox (Hydrostatic Drive)
The Etesia Bahia is fitted with the equivalent of an automatic gearbox. This is more commonly known as a hydrostatic drive. A hydrostatic drive consists of a motor to drive the rear wheels and an oil pump to drive the motor. The advantages of hydrostatic drive machines are huge. Hydrostatic drive offers variable speeds in forward and reverse; it’s far quicker and more efficient than using a clutch and gearbox. Once you have driven a mower with a hydrostatic drive, you will not want to go back to a clutch and gearbox.
The Bahia has two-foot pedals side-by-side, which enable the operator to control the mower really easily. There is no brake as the hydrostatic drive also acts as a brake. There is a handbrake for when the mower is stationary.
Great Stability
Despite the Bahia being very small and compact, it does have very good stability. I don’t mean that it can cut banks, but it can handle gentle slopes on an average law with no problem whatsoever. Obviously, there are limitations and care always needs to be taken when working on steep slopes.
Etesia Bahia MBHE
240 L Grass Collector
The 240 L grass collector can be operated from the operator’s seat. The model that I was using had a manual collector, so a large lever enabled me to empty the collector without dismounting from the mower. Etesia has now made the Bahia collector electrically operated for ease of use. I believe there are models available with a hand-operated collector rather than an electric one.
The grass clippings are blown into the rear collector up a large straight chute to minimise blockages. When the collector is almost full, a buzzer sounds which alerts the operator that the collector requires emptying. This is useful as it means that you can fill the collector to capacity rather than having to keep checking.
There are some ride-on mowers that have two or three collection bags on the rear of the machine. I have never understood the principle of this idea. Once you are sitting on a ride-on mower, you do not want to have to keep dismounting. Thankfully, on the Etesia Bahia, everything is controlled from the operator’s seat!
Ideal Working Conditions
Despite the compact size of the Bahia, it was a comfortable mower to sit on. I didn’t feel cramped up, despite being six-foot. The controls are all comfortably placed and within arm’s reach, so there’s no need to dismount from the mower to operate anything.
The height adjuster is to the left of the operator, along with the handbrake and the fuel tank. The fuel tank has a gauge, you can quickly glance to see if the mower requires fuel. On the Bahia that I owned the lever to empty the collector was on the right-hand side of the mower. However, on this model is fitted with an electrical switch on the dashboard. The cutter deck and the lights are also controlled by a switch on the dashboard. There is an optional road kit with lights and indicated available, but that is not something that I had fitted.
Safety
My Bahia was powered by a Kawasaki engine, which is a great engine. I have owned several machines powered by Kawasaki, I have never had a problem with any of their engines. The model we are looking at is powered by Briggs & Stratton Intek engine, developing 12.5 hp.
Etesia has implemented several safety features, including a blade brake on the electric clutch. The blade automatically disengages when you engage the handbrake or empty the collector. You cannot drive away with the handbrake engaged; the engine will stop.
There is an electric model available, that was not available when I first had my Bahia. Personally, I think the electric models are extremely expensive and not worth the extra cost. The cost of the battery Bahia is £12,535, which including VAT is £15,042. Obviously, you must purchase what is right for your needs. The running costs would be cheaper than a petrol machine.
Deck Cleaning
The cutter deck enables the user to clean the cutter deck by attaching a standard hose fitting to the deck. Simply turn on the hose, engage the cutter deck for a few minutes and your deck and grass chute will become clean!
Etesia has a unique door on the side of the cutting deck. This is a very useful feature as it enables access to the grass chute. Occasionally, small twigs could become lodged in the grass chute, which could then create a blockage. Having access to the cutter deck enables obstacles and blockages to be removed very quickly and easily.
Blade Protection
There is a single 32-inch blade within the cutter housing. The blade is protected by two small shear bolts that protect the mower, should the blade hit something hard. The shear bolts are easily replaceable by gaining access through the cutting deck door.
Easy Access
Despite the compactness of the Etesia Bahia, the company has given good access to most of the mower. The picture shows the hatch or door on the side of the cutting deck, which is very easy to access. There is a side panel that can easily be removed on each side of the mower.
Now you can see on the other side of the mower that there is reasonable access to the engine and battery. The side cover is removable, and the front cover at the back of the footwell is. The drive belts can also be accessed from this area.
You can see the hydrostatic drive, which is basically maintenance free. On the Hydro 80, there is a slightly heavier-duty hydrostatic drive which is more suitable for contracting.
Engines
As I mentioned earlier, my Etesia was powered by a Kawasaki engine. This particular model we are looking at is powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine. I also believe that there are some Honda-powered models and the battery model. I would always aim for the largest engine possible, it’s always better to have a machine overpowered rather than underpowered. Both the Etesia Bahia and Hydro 80 mowers that I owned had plenty of power, with power to spare.
Mulching Option
The Bahia has the option to mulch the grass, I had this option, but it’s not something that I really used. Personally, and the mower may be different now, I did not find the mulching plug particularly effective. However, I didn’t purchase the mower to mulch I purchased it to collect grass!
Long Grass Capabilities
I wouldn’t recommend the Bahia for cutting long grass as I don’t feel it’s particularly designed for that. In my opinion, it’s more designed for regular lawn cutting. However, there were occasions when due to the weather, the grass could become several inches tall. The mower coped well, considering the length of the grass. This is where hydrostatic transmission is brilliant as you can vary the speed of the mower.
I have cut longer grass on occasions, however, I do feel that the Bahia is much better on regular lawn cutting. If you are there lots of long grass, Etesia has other mowers that are better equipped for the job.
Etesia also gives the option to place a deflector on the side of the cutting deck, so the grass is instantly discharged. Or the other option is to remove the floor of the collector, so that the grass is discharged onto the ground and spread evenly.
Various Accessories And Attachments
Etesia offers several attachments and accessories for the Bahia. The first one is a snowblade attachment, I don’t know how effective that would be in heavy snow!
Scarifier attachment
The scarifier attachment is not something that I owned, however, it looks like a useful attachment to utilise the Bahia.
Spreader
Once again, the spreader attachment looks like a useful attachment. This can be used for fertiliser, grass seed and silt spreading in winter.
Towbar
The towbar is another optional extra which enables you to tow a trailer. A trailer is a great asset in any garden and helps to make life easier.
Road Kit
Finally, we have the optional road kit; it is not something that I had fitted, however, it is available.
To Conclude
The Etesia Bahia is a great compact mower, it certainly saved me a lot of time when I was contracting. In my opinion, the Bahia is better suited for domestic use and the Hydro 80 is more for commercial use. However, they are very similar machines, the Hydro 80 just gives you a bit more and is my preferred model. If you are contracting, the extra money spent is well worth it for the Hydro 80.
The front axle on the Bahia is made from machined steel, whereas on the Hydro 80, it’s a cast axle which brings more strength. After constant use with my Etesia Bahia, I did experience some wear on the front axle. However, this was after a considerable amount of work.
If you are looking for a compact mower to cut your lawn, the Etesia Bahia and the Hydro 80 are definitely great options. The finish that the Etesia leaves is also very good for this type of mower.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the YouTube comments section.
The McConnel Robocut RC56 is a remote-controlled power unit which is designed to take a series of different attachments. I believe that the Robocut’s prime purpose was to have a flail head attached to the front of the machine. However, there is a choice of attachments to make your McConnel Robocut into a truly universal machine. I really like the idea of having a range of attachments for one power unit. Especially as the machine is radio remotely operated.
Recently we looked at the smaller McConnell Robocut RC40 and even smaller McConnell RC28. The McConnel Robocut RC56 offers a bit more flexibility, especially if you want that extra power for the extra attachments.
Having owned several radio remote machines, I can really see the benefit of the McConnel Robocut machines. I believe that one of the prime benefits of the machine is being able to stand away from the Robocut and work on slopes at the same time.
In the past, I have cut many banks with brush cutters and zero-turn mowers. Looking at the Robocut, it looks like it cuts banks with ease. It’s far easier being able to stand one away from the machine rather than walking behind it or even sitting on the machine. So often, motorway banks & areas are very rough and uneven for the operator.
Features
40% increase in power on the previous machine.
20% increased fuel efficiency.
New safety flail control system.
McConnel Robocut will work on slopes up to 55°.
Precision radio remote control with hydraulic float system.
GPS auto steer, which enables maximum productivity.
Fully enclosed body panels to keep grass out.
Larger fuel tank allowing six hours between fill-ups.
Safety system for the hydraulic front hood.
The new digital control system enables the batteries to be charged onboard Robocut.
56 hp Hatz diesel engine.
Maximum stability due to 50-50 weight distribution.
Low centre of gravity and twin roll bars for greater slope capacity.
Diesel Engine
The McConnel Robocut RC56 is powered by a three-cylinder Hatz diesel engine. The engine develops 56 hp (42 kW) at 2800 revs per minute. I have used this particular Hatz engine on a different machine; I was impressed with the power unit. The engine is water-cooled and has a reversible fan that keeps the radiator clear of debris, a very novel idea. In the summertime, I have experience radiators becoming blocked very quickly in the summer months when everything is dry.
The diesel fuel tank has a capacity of 38 L, which lasts about six hours.
Rubber Tracks
There are two types of rubber tracks available for the McConnell Robocut. The standard rubber tracks allow you to work at an angle of 40°. Or the optional rubber tracks with spikes that allow a maximum working angle of 55°. The rubber tracks are self-tightening, so no spanners or grease gun is required, which is a great idea.
Find McConnel Robocut On EBay
Radio Remote
The radio remote has a working range of 150 m, which is quite a distance. The remote has an impressive array of controls that allows you to control the machine from the radio remote 100%. The radio remote’s batteries are rechargeable and can be recharged on the machine itself. This is a great idea as it means there is no need to have a separate charger in a vehicle, and there is no need to leave the machine.
Weight
The weight of the McConnel Robocut RC56 is 1200 kg. The great thing is that the machine is tracked, so the footprint is very light on the soil. This is ideal when the ground is wet, as the machine should keep on top of the ground in normal cases. The flail weight varies depending on which rotor width you use. The smaller 1.3 m flail head is 160 kg.
Wide Range Of Attachments
The McConnell Robocut is able to cope with a wide-ranging of attachments. The attachments are a flail mower, rotary turf mower, a forest clearance attachment and a mulching attachment. We then have a stump grinder, wood chipper and snowblower. There is a range of buckets and blades, a trencher. And for the landscaper, there is a rotary tiller and a power harrow, along with a rake and a rotary brush.
To Conclude
I like the idea of radio remote machinery, especially machines designed for cutting rough areas and banks etc. It is certainly much easier and safer than walking or sitting on or behind a machine. You can find out more on the McConnell Robocut RC56 website.
Specification
Engine
Make
HATZ, 3 cylinder, turbo, tier 4 final
Horsepower
56hp (42kw) @ 2800 rpm
Torque
185Nm
Fuel
Diesel
Fuel tank capacity
38 litres
Water-cooled radiator
3 core havy duty
Self-cleaning (reversible fan)
Standard manual and automatic
Transmission
Fine control hydrostatic
Maximum noise levels
77dB(A)
Hydraulics
Independent flailhead circuit
Closed circuit piston
Max 59 l/min @ 2800 rpm 350 Bar
Independent track drive circuit
2 x closed circuit piston
Max 62 l/min @ 2800 rpm 300 Bar
Aux service
1 double acting auxillery service for additional service
16 l/min at 210 bar, double acting
Independent intercooler
Standard
Oil tank capacity
20 litres (40 litres held in system)
Biodegradable oil
Attachment lift capacity
550kg
Tracks
Rubber
Standard ~ max working angle 40°
Rubber with spikes
Optional ~ max working angle 55°
Self-tightening
Standard
Length (axle to axle)
1192mm
Remote Controls
Working range
150m
Frequency
434Mhz (certified by CE legislation)
Battery
Interchangeable, rechargeable, 2 with each unit, charge on machine
Proportional joysticks
Standard
Dimensions
Overall width
1300mm
Overall length (without attachment)
2285mm
Overall height
1050mm
Weight
ROBOCUT RC56
1200kg
Flailhead
Depends on size
Performance
Potentiometer speed control
(0 – 100%)
1st gear (low range)
Forward and back, 0 – 3,5km/h2nd gear (low range)
Forward and back, 0 – 7km/h
Flailhead / Attachment
Oil flow
59 l/min
Pressure
350 Bar
Rotor speed
3300 rpm
Front and rear flaps
Standard
Flails
Y – Flails for cutting grass and light wood up to 30mm diameter
J (hammer) – Flails for cutting thick grass and wood up to 50mm diameter
Rotor width
1.3m to 1.9m
Roller diameter
100mm
Cutting height range
(via roller adjustment)
20mm – 85mm (5 positions)
Flailhead can be lifted to cut higher
Wessex Hydraulic Log Splitter For A Compact Tractor
This is just a quick video about the Wessex hydraulic log splitter for a compact tractor. As you can see in the photograph, the Wessex log splitter is designed for a compact tractor. It can also be used on a large tractor with category-one linkage.
The machine is very compact, so it can be stored away in a relatively small space when you’re not using the log splitter. Also, weighing just 65 kg, it can be manhandled around with care, if the need arises.
Let’s Take A Look At A Few Features
It’s a very simple design, which is good; there is no need to overcomplicate. The log splitter does require two-handed operation, this is designed for safety reasons so that hands can be kept clear of any moving parts.
It’s good to have a machine that will just slice through logs in one go and be at ease. Providing you have the right tractor with powerful enough hydraulics, the log splitter gives a 10-ton splitting force. I wouldn’t recommend a log splitter that is under eight tons in splitting power.
There is an optional larger base for the log splitter, the larger base is ideal if you are splitting larger logs. I would have thought that manufacturers would be better off putting a large base on the log splitter in the first place. The Wessex log splitter comes with one year’s warranty when it is purchased new.
Prices
The prices vary slightly for the Wessex log splitter. The cheapest price that I could find was £798, excluding VAT, for a brand-new machine. Most of the prices for the log splitter are around £1000 plus VAT. I do see second-hand machines available from time to time.
If you have any questions, I am here to help, please feel free to leave them in the comments area on YouTube.
Stihl BG86 BlowerStihl BR600 Petrol Backpack Blower
Today we are looking at a couple of Stihl leaf blowers. Stihl BG 86C leaf blower and the larger Stihl BR600 backpack leaf blower. I use both the Stihl leaf blower’s on a regular basis; both blowers are around the six and 1/2 year mark. I have to say that neither of the Stihl leaf blowers have given me any problems.
I must admit that I like the compactness of the Stihl BG 86C leaf blower. It’s lightweight; it’s easy to pick up and use, and it’s easy to store and to put in a truck. However, the Stihl BR600 backpack leaf blower is considerably more powerful, but not quite so compact. And, of course, there is a price difference!
The leaves that I was blowing were very thick and wet; it was actually raining when I took the video! If the leaves had been dry, the performance would have been considerably better with both leaf blowers.
Stihl Leaf Blower Comparison
Let’s take a look at the comparisons between the two-leaf blowers. I am looking at the BR200 blower; this is a knapsack model, but has the same engine as the smaller handheld 86 model. So, it’s a very accurate guide to the difference between the two models.
I will leave the comparison chart below the video, so you can see the difference in performance.
I always recommend customers purchase the best machine that they can afford. Having used Stihl machines all my working life, I know that they will give good value for money overall. The two blower’s in the video are both around 6 ½ years old, and both still running perfectly.
The reason I say this is that there are cheaper models available, but I know if you look after your Stihl blower, it will give you many years of service. Buying cheap doesn’t always work out the cheapest. Often buying a more expensive product that will give your machine a much longer lifespan, which in turn works out cheaper.
The very first leaf blower that I owned was a Stihl BG86; as I mentioned earlier, I do like the compactness of the smaller blower.
However, on the other end of the scale, the Stihl BR600 backpack leaf blower has almost three times the amount of blowing power. It’s also great for those heavier cleaning jobs, for example, mud on driveways and lawns. It has enough power to lift the dirt and mud, much easier than raking or clearing up by hand.
If you’re a contractor and using your leaf blower regularly to clear up, I would go for the Stihl BR 600 blower. It’s a great sting blower for clearing up quickly. You may also want to look at the larger Stihl BR700 and BR800 models.
The smaller Stihl BG86 blower is a great and reliable tool for the keen gardener or landscaper. It will give many years of good service, if it’s looked after well.
Today we are going to take a quick look at the Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP4. The Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP4 is a very compact professional ride-on mower which I have owned and spent many hours on. I’m not a great fan of ride-on mowers due to the fact that some of them are not particularly manoeuvrable and you don’t get such a good finish as with the walk-behind lawnmower.
However, I have to say that the Etesia Hydro 80 is extremely manoeuvrable and exceptionally compact. It actually replaced to rear roller walk behind mowers that are used on a regular basis.
As I mentioned, the finish is not always as good with a ride-on mower. However, the Etesia Hydro 80 gives a very good finish. I added the rear roller, which is an extra feature that enables the lawn to have a striped finish.
You can see more about the Etesia Hydro 80 here, it’s a post that I wrote a couple of years ago.
Etesia Mower
Take A Look At The Video Below For More Information
Solid Framework
The Etesia Hydro 80 has a solid framework and yet is lightweight. One of the best advantages of the Etesia range of mowers is that they are designed to collect wet grass. Many of the competitor’s machines cannot compete with the Etesia range. Due to the fact that they don’t have the ability to collect grass as the Etesia’s do.
Etesia Hydro 80 Cutting Deck
As you can see, we are looking at the cutter deck on the Etesia Hydro 80. It has a large flap at the side that is easy to open, the opening gives access to the blade and to the large grass chute. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Etesia is famous for its ability to cut wet grass. As you can see, the grass clippings take a very direct route into the 240 L collector.
If a blockage does occur, it’s very easy to unblock the machine as the door on the side can quickly and easily be opened. More often than not, I have found blockages are normally due to small twigs getting lodged in the chute. Which can often then cause a blockage as the grass wraps around the twig!
The large 32-inch single blade has bolt on lifters that create the air or a fan effect to push the grass up into the grass collector. The actual lifters are replaceable, as they obviously have quite a bit of wear and tear. The lifters are simply held on by a couple of bolts; they are very quick to replace.
