News
A taste of SAGE The Sports and Groundscare Expo in
Malvern, Worcestershire – ‘SAGE’, as it is marketed – once again attracted an impressive array of suppliers and manufacturers. It rather seemed that they outnumbered visitors, at times, which was shame given the number of new products on display. The first to catch your author’s attention –
which admittedly doesn’t usually take much – was Cramer. Having debuted a number of battery-enabled powertools at the 2022 event, the company had pretty much doubled the size of its stand this year – even extending its footprint onto some unused turf, so that visitors could try some of this year’s new equipment out. On that note, the company was showing a
range of groundscare equipment, including regular mowers and the enticingly named ‘Optimus Z’ zero turn. All making use of the company’s 82V battery tech, and the latter being especially quick off the mark – but not transforming into a Japanese robot after a while, alas. Cramer was also debuting the 82EA14 earth auger as well as a new shoulder-mounted leafblower – again battery enabled, and all in the company’s signature grey and red colourway. It’s nice-looking stuff. Speaking of eye candy,
there was no walking past the Weibang UK stand without pausing to gawp at its new CVT flail mower, which resembled nothing less than some kind of Steampunk war machine. With tank tracks, a distinctly moody grey livery, a brutal box section construction and with many its innards open to the elements. We don’t suppose there’s any reason why it had to be made this way, but it surely looks like it’ll make mincemeat
of its task. A smaller rotary mower looked like an extra from Mad Max, but there’s an interesting design direction developing here and we’re looking forward to seeing a lot more it. On the other side of the arena, PSD Groundcare was showing more colourful
IS6200Z ride on and the FW45 walk behind mowers garnering particular attention. The company also debuted the new range of Japanese-made ‘Ohashi’ woodchippers. It’s hard to differentiate in a crowded sector dominated by major players, but the geometric design, compact format and bright green regalia helped to mark these out. Moreover, the machines punch well for their size and weight, rivalling larger 35hp equipment and easily slipping through standard doorways. Honourable mentions
also go to Toro – its Grandstand Revolution stand-on powered by ‘Hypercell’ battery tech, and displayed like it was about to take part
machinery. There was definitely a go-kart aesthetic at play with the Racoon 95 mower, as well as a pair of smaller ride-ons from Canycom. However, the Stella URS 100 remote control mower not only looked like it could marmalise you at a moment’s notice, it can tackle slopes up to 55 degrees. TH White is a rightly renowned in the groundscare space, going large at the event with a number of mowers from Ferris – the
in a groundscare sports day. Also a nod to Overton, with distinctive electric mowers from DelMorino and the new ‘Fury’ stand-on from Mean Green. There was much more besides, which available space forbids, but SAGE 2023 was better than last year’s event, yet it struggled once again to attract a larger audience. It surely deserves to do better, so maybe keep this on your radar for next year.
10 Executive Hire News - September 2023
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