This week, after lots of investigation and research, I decided to add a new machine to the fleet.
I read loads of articles on the web and also in magazines like NFU Countryside's mag, which features very good reviews on machinery, before finally going to see Neil at Kalehurst Machines in Hermitage near Newbury.
The great thing about going to Kalehurst is they actually know what they are doing - not only for domestic customers but commercial and trade as well.
After spending several hours chatting through requirements, advantages and disadvantages of various machines, I decided that the John Deere X540 was simply not suitable for the type of work we do - even though it is a superb machine and would eat the jobs we have, it is simply too big to go into most of our customer's gardens.
I settled on the Etesia Bahia, which is basically the Hydro 80 commerical machine without lights and a horn (but significantly cheaper!!). I know it looks a little strange and not like a tractor as most machines look like now but its really well built and very strong - essential for us as its on and off a trailer several times a day.
I read loads of articles on the web and also in magazines like NFU Countryside's mag, which features very good reviews on machinery, before finally going to see Neil at Kalehurst Machines in Hermitage near Newbury.
The great thing about going to Kalehurst is they actually know what they are doing - not only for domestic customers but commercial and trade as well.
After spending several hours chatting through requirements, advantages and disadvantages of various machines, I decided that the John Deere X540 was simply not suitable for the type of work we do - even though it is a superb machine and would eat the jobs we have, it is simply too big to go into most of our customer's gardens.
I settled on the Etesia Bahia, which is basically the Hydro 80 commerical machine without lights and a horn (but significantly cheaper!!). I know it looks a little strange and not like a tractor as most machines look like now but its really well built and very strong - essential for us as its on and off a trailer several times a day.
This 80cm cut machine is perfect to go through normal sized garden gates, but definitely man enough to cope with long and wet grass. We opted for a collector type mower, rather than a mulcher as most of our customers want the grass collected.
Yesterday, we tackled a lawn which we had to cut a few weeks ago with a tractor and swipe. The weather has stopped us getting back on this lawn until yesterday. When we pulled into the drive yesterday I did think that the swipe would be required again as the grass had grown to about 6 - 8 inches long.
As we unloaded the mower, I thought it best to tackle the shortest area first, but Ric just put it in gear and ploughed straight into the main area - I was mistaken as the Bahia simply ate the grass and popped it straight into the collector. During the whole day we never had a single grass jam - most impressive on such long and wet grass.
The customer actually called me later in the day to say how impressed she was with the finish - she never believed her lawn would ever look good considering the mess it was in - another happy customer!
So far I have managed to use it once (on my own lawn actually) - the guys simply wont let me near it and squabble amongst themselves as to who will be using it!
Big thanks to Neil at Kalehurst for his advice and his team for getting it ready so quickly for us.
Yesterday, we tackled a lawn which we had to cut a few weeks ago with a tractor and swipe. The weather has stopped us getting back on this lawn until yesterday. When we pulled into the drive yesterday I did think that the swipe would be required again as the grass had grown to about 6 - 8 inches long.
As we unloaded the mower, I thought it best to tackle the shortest area first, but Ric just put it in gear and ploughed straight into the main area - I was mistaken as the Bahia simply ate the grass and popped it straight into the collector. During the whole day we never had a single grass jam - most impressive on such long and wet grass.
The customer actually called me later in the day to say how impressed she was with the finish - she never believed her lawn would ever look good considering the mess it was in - another happy customer!
So far I have managed to use it once (on my own lawn actually) - the guys simply wont let me near it and squabble amongst themselves as to who will be using it!
Big thanks to Neil at Kalehurst for his advice and his team for getting it ready so quickly for us.
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