When the opportunity to field test new equipment is made available to the staff at Mowdirect it is grasped with both hands. The best way to offer meaningful advice to our customers is to gain hands on experience with the products that we are selling, which is what we do. On a recent excursion to Nottingham we were able to view and operate the new range of garden products from Brill, the long established German manufacturer whose origins go back to 1873 in an on-site foundry in Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany.
Our first stop of the day was at the garden shredder stand. Here we found several new models from the Brill stable including the Brill ProfiCut 2800 MH Electric Garden Shredder, a powerful machine with universal mulching capabilities and unique blade design allowing branches of 5 cm in diameter to be processed. Also on display were the Brill 2300 LH Roller Shredder and Brill 2300 ESK Safety Shredder; both drum shredder style machines which crush and cut fibrous material with little noise due to the rotating cutting wheel. Smallest in the range is the Brill 2200 MH, a standard cassette style shredder capable of mulching a variety of materials.
The Brill hand-propelled cylinder mowers have a reputation for being the best available so we were eager to experience their razor-sharp cutting performance first-hand. We were soon to be impressed by the cutting performance of both the Brill RazorCut Premium 33 and Brill RazorCut Premium 38, both equipped with a unique cutting height adjustment mechanism and stylish, fold away handlebars; our hosts informed us that a Lithium-Ion version is soon to be released called the Brill RazorCut Li-Ion 38. Most fun of all was the little Brill Classic 30 Cylinder Mower, excellent for whizzing around small lawns.
The engineering team at Brill have developed some very innovative products for 2009, nothing more so than the Brillencio range of user-friendly petrol powered lawnmowers; available with outer housing made from either PA/ABS plastic or impact-resistant magnesium, they will keep the operator protected thanks to the unique closed silencer concept which captures emissions, dust particles and pollen inside a multifunction box. Notable models within the range are the Brillencio 48 BR (e) Comfort with an electrical ignition key-start and Brillencio 51 BR OHC, the largest machine in the Brilencio range.
Confronting the problem of lawnmower storage has led Brill to designing a different type of lawnmower, one that stands on end whether it is powered by electricity or petrol. The Brill Evolution range of machines were definitely one of the most eye-catching of the day and we particularly liked the ease with which these machines transformed from lawnmower to stored unit in a matter of moments, no tools required. A large range, comprising 8 machines from the smallest Brill Evolution 33 EF with a 1000 watt motor and weight of only 17kg through to the largest Brill Evolution 42 BFR, equipped with a Briggs and Stratton Series 500 petrol engine and 42cm cutting blade, we feel these lawn mowers will prove to be very popular with everybody that struggles for space in their shed or garage.
Not all of us have a perfectly even lawn surface which is where a good old fashioned 4 wheel rotary lawnmower comes into its own. The Brill Steeline lawnmowers are sure to be favourites of anyone needing a multi-purpose machine capable of maintaining lawns and orchards in equal measure; durable sheet steel decks and powerful Briggs and Stratton petrol engines will guarantee reliable performance. We found that the largest machine in the Brill Steeline range, the Brill Steeline 52 XL R 6.0 was particularly effective in thick, damp grass thanks to the excellent design and high specification Briggs and Stratton Series 675 petrol engine; definitely machines to look out for.
Many people are becoming more conscious about the condition of their lawns with a particular emphasis on lush, thick grass growth. To keep our lawns at their optimum we need to scarify them at least twice a year with a dedicated scarifying machine; Brill have several machines of this type in their 2009 line-up with one particularly interesting model, the Brill Hattrick. A scarifier and lawnmower combined into one machine, the Brill Hattrick will mow and scarify your lawn at the same time, relieving you of the need to buy 2 machines. If a dedicated scarifier or aerator is necessary Brill offer several solutions including the 2 in 1 Brill 28 VE/RL electrical scarifier/aerator or the top of the range Brill 40 VB petrol powered aerator with 17 fixed steel blades, capable of making good the most neglected of lawns.
Last on our list of new machines to test were the biggest mowers of the day, the ride-on tractors. If your garden is simply too big to be maintained with a pedestrian lawnmower you will need to consider the purchase of a ride-on machine to save on time. Brill have introduced the Brill Crossover line of lawn tractors for 2009 which offer impressive specifications and promise to satisfy the most discerning of gardeners. With deck sizes ranging from 74cm through to 102cm and powerful engines from Briggs and Stratton and Honda the Brill Crossover lawn tractor range will cater for every type of garden. We were particularly impressed with the smooth running of the Brill Crossover 102/16 H OHV machine; hydrostatic drive made it very easy to manoeuvre and the grass collection was excellent considering the heavy grass conditions we encountered on the day.
Whatever your gardening needs may be for 2009, we can assure you that a Brill product is well worth investigating. Should you need any reassurance as to which machine may be best for your needs we feel that we can point you in the right direction thanks to a little hands on experience. Call 0845 4588 905 for more advice and information on this exciting new range.
