It is coming up to our next major industry show of the year with Groundsfest at Stoneleigh next week on the 10th and 11th of September. I along with many other trade press editors shall be there to see how the show unfolds. Hopefully the weather will be better than on day one last year. 
 
The organisers are keen to promote GroundsFest as the largest, annual, free event for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, designers & architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors. As with the inaugural event in 2023, the show combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstrations.

It will be interesting to see how well received the outdoor demonstrations are, as this is now the only show for our sector out of the big three national events (the others being Saltex in October  and BTME in January) that offers outdoor demonstrations. 

Trade shows are significant events for industries, offering a wide array of benefits that can greatly impact visitors' businesses and their growth.

  
I am also fully aware just how important these shows are to the organisers in terms of income generation and what they are providing for their members etc. However, for me, for the past several years with both Saltex and BTME only attracting around 5000-6000 visitors over the duration of their shows, this a poor reflection on how many earn a living working in the sports turf, horticultural and amenity sectors. We have many thousands participating and have a career working in our diverse industry, so I believe our show should be attracting an awful lot more practitioners through their gates.

Take for instance local authorities alone. There are over 400 providing local services in the UK with their estates and grounds departments employing in excess of 50 people or maybe more. Those figures alone generate over 20,000 employees. We then have sports clubs of all disciplines. Together they will total, as an estimate, around 10,000 clubs with say 3 people involved in the management and maintenance of the playing surfaces. That creates another  30,000 people. 

We then have some 2500 golf clubs, with on average 6 staff. That equates to a further 15,000. We then have the servicing dealers with around 3500 outlets, with an average of six staff. That equates to 21,000.

On top of this we have people working in the arboriculture industry. Estimates from trade bodies suggest that there are around 10,000 to 20,000 people working in tree care and management in the UK - including both arborists and other related professions.  

You can add into this horse racing, private schools, the gardening sector, landscape companies and many self-employed gardeners / grounds workers. I guess we could be looking at a further 10,000 people.

The total of the estimated people given in the figures I have calculated is roughly around 116,000 individuals who make their living working in our industry. And I have not even counted colleges or other land managed business. 

 
In fact according to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) data from the ONS, as of recent years, there are approximately 150,000 to 170,000 people working as gardeners and landscape gardeners in the UK – with groundsmen and greenkeepers making up a further 30,000 to 40,000 on top of that.

So whatever the actual figure, we’re talking about a significant number of practitioners who should be in the frame to attend our trade shows.

For myself and those who take the time to attend these events, they have always been an integral part of our calendar year. 

I enjoy attending all three of our main shows as they all have specific interest to me as a journalist and practicing grounds professional. But for both the exhibitor and the end user, I feel the time has come for a single show format. I say this because with my ear to the ground, I hear many sides to the issue of industry shows, including debate over what is the best time of the year to hold a show? 

Exhibitors are coming to the point that they may need to choose just one show to attend as they do not have the resources to appear at all three. 
I believe it’s time all the major players come together and take the opportunity to amalgamate in order to host an annual international show that suits the needs of all practitioners who work in this unique landscape sector. 

There should be a coming together of professional gardeners, landscapers arboriculturists, sports grounds professionals, parks professionals, as they are all interconnected. I feel it could certainly bring our industry together and make for a truly inspirational show and would be well supported. 

For the likes of BIGGA and GMA, they of course would still organise their own educational days across the year for their own members. 

But when it comes to machinery exhibitions and celebrating our diverse industry, we need to look to the future and create an annual show that brings the best of our industry together. The show could run for three days allowing attendance to all practitioners, managers, end users and on the final day we should be encouraging schools and colleges to attend, allowing 16-18 year olds to come and see what our industry has to offer in terms of career opportunities.

And maybe the shows could be hosted at large, professional sports venues? For example at race courses or colleges, thus allowing it to be at a different venue around the country each year?

This all-encompassing show could attract a lot of interest and finally put into context the scale and complexities of our industry - whist at the same time promoting it in a way never seen before. 

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has agreed a strategic partnership with SURTEC - a multi-disciplinary agronomy team offering consultancy across the maintenance and development of golf courses - to expand its operations in Europe, with Spain and Portugal regions now benefiting from its services.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service team

The new partnership will offer knowledge and experience to facilities in the continental European market, providing support in relation to sustainable agronomic practices to golf clubs.

“The development of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and Sustainable Championship Agronomy is supported by our research and education initiatives, which are the foundations of our work,” said Daniel Lightfoot, director, sustainability at The R&A.

“The partnership with SURTEC allows us to expand our operation into Europe alongside a team which has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the market, our goals and golf course agronomy. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise and guidance to European golf clubs and resorts together with local insight to help educate, support, and encourage their commitment to a more sustainable future for the game of golf.”

SURTEC, based in Seville, consists of a team with over 15 years of independent experience within the industry in Spain, Portugal and further afield. Its team provides golf course agronomy consultancy to over 30 clubs, offering a broad range of services for golf courses covering consultancy, project engineering, irrigation, and project management.

Somerset ATV dealer Ark ATV has joined the Corvus Off-Road-Vehicle network.

L-R: Boss ORV national sales manager, Neil Everett; Ark md, James Westwood and Ark director, Rod Blomfield-Richards

The announcement was made by Boss ORV, the UK distributor, whose managing director, Phil Everett, has previously worked with Ark director Rob Blomfield-Richards. Phil said, “I am delighted to be reunited with him and his team, as I know how professional they are and what fantastic support they offer to their customers."

ARK ATV Ltd has been family-owned and operated since 1997, supplying farmers and other workers with ATVs from their Minehead area base. Boss ORV’s national sales manager, Neil Everett, has also known Rob and the team for many years and says he has seen them demonstrate extremely high customer service levels and a great understanding of the working ATV/UTV market. They will cover the area across Somerset and North Devon. 

Neil said, "With their current line-up lacking a UTV and us requiring coverage in such a strong area for UTV sales, it seemed almost natural for us to open up discussions regarding the Corvus franchise.”

Ark will sell and support the Corvus Terrain ranges of diesel and electric UTVs.

Experts at British Pest Control Association are urging working gardeners to avoid disturbing wasps this sting season.

Wasps are accidental pollinators and nests in low traffic areas can be safely left alone, but in late summer, worker wasps start to leave their nests and feast on fermented fruit, which can cause them to become inebriated, more aggressive and more likely to sting.

Wasp stings can trigger anaphylaxis - an allergic reaction that can be fatal. If anaphylaxis is suspected, dial 999 immediately.

Natalie Bungay, technical manager at BPCA said: “Like bees and hornets, wasps are pollinators and, where possible, are best left alone.

“However, if the nest is in a high-use area, you may need to seek advice from a BPCA member.

“At their summer peak, a wasp nest can be home to between 5,000 and 8,000 wasps, which is why we recommend seeking help from a pest professional.

“One wasp that feels threatened near the nest can emit a pheromone that calls for back up - and that can trigger a stinging frenzy.”

BPCA members are trained, experienced professionals with access to a range of specialist products not available to the public.

Natalie added, “It’s really important that anyone who comes across a wasp nest weighs up whether the nest needs to be removed and, if it does, seeks help from a BPCA member who will have the appropriate expertise, products and equipment to remove it safely.”

BATTLE OF THE ROBOTS

HEDGE FUND

CONTROLLING WEEDS

LETTING THE GRASS GROW . . .

ENHANCING THE CAREERS OF TURF PROFESSIONALS

RISE OF THE ROBOTS

WE ALL KNOW IT'S SUMMER . .

DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS

FACILITIES MUST RECOGNISE & REWARD TURF PROFESSIONALS

AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR OUR PROFESSION

IN-DEPTH WORK REQUIRED

A SAD DECLINE

WHAT MAKES A PERFECT LAWN?

WE MUST NOT BE THE CREATORS OF OUR OWN DOWNFALL

RENOVATIONS ON TOUR

A WORRYING TIME FOR PARKS

CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONDITIONS

STILL DELIVERING QUALITY GREEN SPACES

WATCH OUT!

THE VALUE OF SPRING RENOVATIONS

FULLY LOADED ARMOURY

THE VALUE OF TREES

WE MUST SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE

COUNCIL SERVICES IN DECLINE

INVESTING IN NATURAL GRASS PITCHES

WORRY OF WEATHER CLOSURES

BUSY & BUZZY BTME

A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS

COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGES

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ON TEST
EGO Multi-tool

PUT THEM ON THE TOOLS!
Time for an attitude change

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRAINING SECTOR
Grasping the challenge of encouraging more sustainable practice

SUSTAINABILITY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Lessons learnt and experiences

SKILL SETS NEED RECOGNITION
Turf professionals are underappreciated

GREATER RESPECT FOR GROUNDS STAFF MIGHT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
To the recruitment crisis

A COMPETITIVE SALARY
Why employers should advertise the salary when recruiting new staff

ON TEST
Makita XGT UV001G lawn scarifier

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MACHINERY SUPPLY
Focus on Kubota

MY PERSONAL GREENKEEPING PHILOSOPHY HAS NEVER CHANGED
I don't follow any set program

SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPING
A substantial element of amenity activity

IS IT TIME TO SAY NO TO 'NO MOW MAY'?
Any real benefits?

SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARKS & PUBLIC GREEN SPACES
Meeting the challenge

THE PATH TO WIMBLEDON
For groundstaff member, Conrad Cavil

ON TEST
EGO LBP8000E backpack blower

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LAWN CARE SECTOR
A key consideration

BEEKEEPING IN COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENTS
The current situation

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE AMENITY SUPPLY SECTOR
Optimising land use through integrated solutions

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GOLF SECTOR
Focus on BIGGA

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Bringing together key points

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR GOLF
R&A are supporting clubs

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF EVERY POUND OF BUDGET
A course manager's view

A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
Who look after grassroots pitches

SUSTAINABILITY & THE UK ACTION PLAN
For weed, pest and disease management

CONCERN FOR PARKS FOLLOWING COUNCIL BANKRUPTCIES
What does the future hold?

TAKING A GLOBAL LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY
Is the rest of the world also driving towards sustainable practice?

RENOVATIONS, PLAY AND THANKS
On my mind this week

SUSTAINABILITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING & EDUCATION
Set to play a crucial role going forward

TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera

LYDIA BROOM
Genista lydia

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

Periodically throughout the year, I have the opportunity to test different makes of machinery. My latest trial was with STIHL’s BGA 300 cordless leaf backpack blower.

I currently have a STIHL BG 56 two stroke powered blower that I use for general cleaning up after garden maintenance work - and I have in the past trialed a number of other battery powered blowers. 

Turf professionals now have a plethora of battery powered blowers to choose from and they are becoming increasingly more efficient and powerful. 
I tested the blower myself and also asked the estates manager at Harper Adams University, Mark Hall, to trial it at the campus to offer some feedback as well. 

 
This blower is powered by the manufacturer’s ADA 1000 double battery slot adapter that holds two AP batteries. I was loaned two AP 500 S and two AP 300 S batteries to try out.  

The blower features a brushless motor designed to offer three power levels plus a boost mode. The BGA 300 delivers 26 newtons blowing force and 192 mph air speeds for clearing of both dry and wet debris.

It has been designed with a noise reduction system that is suitable for noise-sensitive areas. It’s patent-pending silencer system keeps it at 94 dB (full throttle), making it one of the quietest power tools in its class.

Depending on your working requirements, the blowing force can be set to 4 levels, including boost mode. The selected level is indicated by the LEDs. Boost mode activates maximum leaf blowing power while the trigger button is held down, regardless of the preselected power level. Users can optimise the battery runtime by selecting the appropriate power level.

When carrying out extended working regimes you can lock the throttle at any preferred position, even between levels. This relieves the strain on your index finger during longer periods of continual use.

The length of the blower tube can be adjusted for use in narrow work areas or corners. You can also open and close the fastening of the blower tube by turning the ring.

The blower tube can easily be removed to make it easier for transporting.

Like many backpack blowers, they are often quite cumbersome to lift and get on your back - but once in place and secured by the support straps, they become comfortable to wear and easy to use.  

I was also given to try a STIHL AL 301-4 multiple battery charger.

The batteries were quickly recharged using the multi-charger, taking between 30-90 minutes depending on state of the batteries. Each battery has a power light indicator to let you know the state of the battery and when it needs recharging. 

I personally found the blower to be quite powerful. In fact the BGA 300 at 26 newtons has double the blowing force of the BG 56 at13 newtons. Once it is on your back I found it a pleasure to use. You can easily change the blowing speed with the ergonomically designed hand controls.

The backpack blower is suitable for carrying out longer periods of leaf clearing work. I found the noise levels and hand vibration to be low compared with petrol powered blowers.

 
As for Mark’s thoughts on the blower, he had it for a couple of weeks enabling himself and his staff to try it around the University complex, clearing up debris and keeping paths clean. 

The feedback I received from him was interesting, as he was able to compare it with their existing petrol version of the same blower. 

What Mark liked he said, was that it was quicker to set up and use. “There was no need to spend time filling up with fuel and having to start it, before putting it on our backs,” he told me. “Often the petrol version takes time to get going and quite often will cut out and you then need to take it off your back to restart it. All time-consuming chores. Whereas the battery powered blower starts instantly.”

However, Mark felt that the downside of the battery powered blower was that the batteries soon ran down when in constant use, with the need to recharge. “Our petrol version can run generally for a couple of hours before needed to be refilled,” Mark said.

Mark told me he felt the battery blower was comparable in terms of power as the petrol version, but much quieter and with less hand vibration. His staff also commented on how quiet and less polluting than the petrol machines the battery unit is.

Mark said it would be a good acquisition for use around dormitories and classrooms when there is a need to reduce the noise levels of maintenance machinery.

He also told me he was impressed with the ADA 1000 battery carrier that holds the two AP batteries. “It means that we can utilise their other AP batteries to power the blower,” he said. “It is also much lighter than the AR 3000 L battery unit.

Conclusions 

I would say this is a robust and simple machine to use, with plenty of adjustability on both the harness and the blower to ensure its comfortable for the user. 

Hand controls are simple and as for battery run times, it all depends on the work and setting on which you use the machine.  For me, I got a fair amount of work done using the two AP 500 S batteries, whereas the staff at the University were somewhat disappointed with the run times when in constant use.
When comparing it to a petrol driven blower, the cost of buying a battery powered product is generally higher. However, you are essentially paying up front for your fuel (the batteries). On top of this I believe you are gaining a number of advantages in operational benefits in that it’s cleaner, quieter and with less hand vibration. 

I am sure many professional users will convert to battery powered blowers in the coming years.