Harry
Legge-Bourke, custodian, managing partner and trustee of the Glanusk Estate,
believes that the Etesia Attila 98X ride-on brushcutter has exceeded all
expectation at the truly prestigious venue.
Situated
in the beautiful countryside of the Usk Valley, Crickhowell, South Wales,
Glanusk, which has been in the ownership of the same family since 1826, boasts
400 acres of private parkland, 800 acres of forestry, 3,500 acres of lowland
and hill farms, the Park and forestry, 16,000 acres of Common Land hills and 5
miles of the River Usk.
It also
contains an array of historic buildings, including the iconic Tower Bridge, the
ancient Celtic standing stones, the private chapel, farm buildings and stables,
all of which are either Grade II listed or Grade II starred.
Today,
Glanusk features a multi-diversified business portfolio that includes weddings,
farming, festivals, fishing, corporate events, unique holiday cottages and
residential lettings. Within the Estate’s grounds there is also the third
largest selection of Oak trees in the United Kingdom. This wondrous display of
Oak is set to be unveiled to the public and it is for this reason that the
Estate was in need of some new groundcare equipment.
“I was
looking for a machine for a very specific requirement, owing to the fact we are
opening up the Oak Collection,” said Harry. “I needed a machine which could
prepare the ground for visitors.
“By
chance, after looking on the internet, I came across Etesia. I then looked at
the videos, found out a bit more about the product and contacted the company.
It was an absolute priority of mine to see the machine in action and so within
days Etesia, along with our local dealer Forest Park and Garden, came to the
Estate to carry out a demonstration.
“On the
day of the demonstration we were faced with horrendous weather conditions but
the 98X absolutely proved its worth.”
Etesia’s
Attila 98X ride-on brushcutter is reliable, efficient, comfortable and safe.
The output, combined with 4-wheel-drive and performance makes it ideal for some
of the toughest jobs. The 98X has a 98cm cutting width for more efficient
working while eight cutting heights are available between 50mm to 120mm, with
one transport position, which is easily adjusted with a centralised lever.
It can be
used on slopes up to 30% and its strengthened structure welded tubular chassis
offers its operators a better driving position. Furthermore, the electric start
offers a high comfort level, rack and pinion steering, plus hydrostatic drive.
Special attention has also been paid to sound and vibration levels to reduce
them to a very low level – making it ideal for public areas.
“I have
been using the Attila 98X throughout the Oak Collection, new plantation sites
in the park and along the river bank - all day every day,” said Harry.
“I’m
sceptical and I really didn’t think the machine would be able to do what it
did. The demo was great but it is different when you sit on the machine
yourself, and I have managed to do exactly what I wanted to do. The machine
just cruised up and down and it destroyed everything that it needed to. The
work would have normally been done by hand on that bank and taken two weeks,
but that work with the 98X was completed in an hour.
“It has
exceeded all expectation and you wouldn’t recognise the areas where we’ve used
it. It is an outstanding bit of equipment.
“The Oaks
area I could open tomorrow, with access right up the trees and pathways all
clear - no hairy moments on that bank in the brambles either! I now consider
myself an expert with the 98X and really know how to use it to its maximum
capability.
“I would
say that the stability and the cut are the best features of the machine.”
