Landscape & Urban Design Issue 40 2019 | Page 33

GROUNDSKEEPING & EQUIPMENT Keeping costs down There are also huge maintenance benefits to be gained through the use of cordless technology. A battery- powered system keeps things very simple and removes the possibility of significant machine downtime that can occur on petrol or diesel engines through potential mechanical faults or general wear and tear. With cordless technology, all you need to do is make sure the battery is fully charged and you’re ready to go work. Some manufacturers even offer interchangeable batteries between products, so every last drop of battery power is put to use and allows the highest levels of machinery uptime. Furthermore, the use of battery technology eradicates the need to store and use costly petrol. With fuel prices ever on the increase, professional users are feeling the financial impact of a constant need for petrol, whereas with battery power this is not a concern. Going green In addition to noise reduction and simple maintenance, cordless technology can go along way in helping reduce carbon footprint. The UK maintains strict engine emission guidelines on Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) to limit air pollution from the likes of chainsaws or mowers. With this in mind, the use of battery-powered products can have a significant impact on the long- term environmental protection of your surrounding work environment and ensure even the toughest emissions regulations are met. Although it will be a little while before sales of battery powered products rival that of petrol or diesel alternatives, cordless technology is here to stay and its popularity continues to rise with professionals – with many already making a total switch over to cordless tools. Offering exceptional performance, ease of maintenance and use, quiet operation and carbon footprint reduction, cordless technology offers the landscaping market more options than ever before. www.stihl.co.uk Follow us @ludmagazine www.landud.co.uk 33