Solo's Got Summer Landscape maintenance jobs sorted

'March winds and April showers bring forth May - um - showers..?' Yes, after weather forecasters confirmed we had the wettest April in 100 years, May isn't faring much better. The jury is still out on whether June and July will bring flowers or showers, but whatever the weather you can be sure there will be plenty of repair and maintenance jobs to keep you busy around parks, landscape and amenity areas.

From cutting back overgrowth, tidying up battered and broken branches or spraying turf for disease, the Solo outdoor equipment range has everything you need to keep your green spaces in tip-top condition.

Here, distributor Lely UK shares its top three product picks for summer maintenance.

Ideal for tackling small and/or inaccessible grassed areas, tough grasses, or overgrown brush and thickets in all sorts of landscape and amenity settings, the 142 and 154 Series brushcutters are powered by Solo's renowned two-stroke, petrol-driven engines, which maximise performance yet minimise emissions.

Both models benefit from a 30mm five-bearing drive shaft, plus 30cm three-tooth grass-cutting blade and three-blade head, which allow operators to slice through grass, weeds and undergrowth like a hot knife through butter. The nylon head offers a generous cutting circle of 43.5cm that also allows users to cut large areas in less time, while the brushcutters' low fuel consumption and large tank capacity with a relatively light weight of just 8.3kg each allow for longer working periods.

Special attention has also been paid to operator comfort. Solo's effective anti-vibration system and super-quiet operation, together with carefully positioned debris guard, ensure the 142 and 154 brushcutters are comfortable and safe to operate. Additional features such as an ergonomic central adjustment lever and double-shoulder harness with adjustable straps complete their user-friendly design.

Another 'star' product is Solo's chainsaws range. From top-spec arborist chainsaws to professional and semi-professional models, Solo's extensive chainsaw line-up is ideal for groundsmen tidying up woodland and tough overgrowth.

A top product pick is the 651 SP next-generation power chainsaw, with 15in/38cm bar. Featuring an ergonomic design, high acceleration and effective Solo anti-vibration dampers, this chainsaw offers the ultimate in operator comfort and is perfect for those cutting for prolonged periods. This is thanks to Solo's advanced anti-vibration system, which minimises operator exposure to vibration while an aluminium handle makes using the chainsaw both practical and very comfortable.

Importantly, Solo specialises in producing professional-performance chainsaws to the highest standards. A European bestseller since their introduction in the late 1950s, Solo chainsaws offer a 75 percent reduction in emissions plus 20 percent improvement in fuel economy on recommended levels. Solo chainsaws also benefit from KWF accreditation, an independent and highly-regarded 'seal of approval' for safety and state-of-the-art technology from Germany's foremost forestry body.

And last but by no means least are Solo's backpack sprayers.

Boasting a generous spraying capacity and even liquid distribution together with a light weight that allows for longer working periods, these compact yet powerful sprayers are ideal for an array of tasks. For instance, they'll easily and effectively handle fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, disinfectants and formulations for tree, shrub and plant protection as well as wood or concrete finishing and treatments.

Better still, they're easy to operate and maintain - users will particularly appreciate these market-leading sprayers' ergonomic design and padded shoulder straps, which ensure the sprayers fit comfortably against the body for optimum comfort. The range is also supported by an array of accessories.

To find out more about the Solo product range, call distributor Lely UK's Roger Lupton on 01480 226800 or email solo.uk@lely.com.