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Inspiring Land's End to John O'Groats Challenge in Support of Ripple Effect Charity
This morning, we had the privilege of welcoming the father and son duo, Philip and Edward Halse, from Halse South West, McConnel’s and one of the UK’s largest agricultural dealerships. They passed by the McConnel factory during their incredible Land's End to John O'Groats challenge in support of the Ripple Effect charity. Their physical endurance and unwavering determination to make a difference is truly inspiring.
Left to right: Christian Davies - McConnel General Manager, Philip Halse, Edward Halse, Jon Webb - McConnel UK Sales Manager.
Philip and Edward's journey is not for the faint hearted. They are committed to cycling at an average speed of 15 mph for 10 hours a day, covering an impressive daily average of 150 miles. To achieve this remarkable feat, they will each burn over 10,000 calories every day. Thankfully, they have the support of Philip's wife, Jane at hand who is accompanying them along the route, ensuring they are well-fueled with four times the recommended daily food intake at strategic stops.
Currently on day three of their challenge, Philip and Edward are planning to complete the 1,100-mile journey in just 7 days, ending in John O’Groats this Friday, 11th August (pm). Their goal is to raise an outstanding £200k for the Ripple Effect charity, which works with six East African countries to empower smallholder farmers and improve their livelihoods.
McConnel is proud to play a part in their mission by donating one of its renowned Power Arms, which will be sold through the Halse South West company, with all proceeds going directly to the Ripple Effect charity. This contribution, along with the support of more than 30 other partners and generous donations from kind-hearted individuals, has already helped them raise an incredible £190k so far.
Please do support Philip and Edward’s incredible mission by donating at Halse South West LEJOG for Ripple Effect Just Giving page.
Your support, no matter the amount, will be immensely appreciated. Your contribution can help Philip and Edward reach their target of £200k and make a meaningful impact on the lives of smallholder farmers in East Africa.
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Maximise Efficiency with McConnel PowerBoost
McConnel 85-Series Power Arms can be equipped with POWERBOOST technology, delivering faster arm movements for enhanced productivity when hedge cutting, verge mowing, and working around obstacles.
Powered by McConnel’s unique hydraulic technology, POWERBOOST provides a substantial boost in oil flow to the arm circuit exactly when needed. This instant and progressive increase speeds up arm movements by up to three times, enabling operators to complete time-consuming manoeuvres more efficiently.
With progressive sensitivity, the arm speed seamlessly adjusts to joystick input, ensuring optimal control and accuracy. Operators can also tailor joystick sensitivity and arm speed to perfectly suit the task at hand via the REVOLUTION control screen.
McConnel Partners with Bredsgaard A/S for Northern Europe Expansion
McConnel has enhanced its distribution network in Northern Europe through a new exclusive agreement with Danish agricultural machinery distributor Bredsgaard A/S.
Located in Kjellerup, Northern Denmark, Bredsgaard A/S is a prominent player in the distribution and aftersales support for agricultural, forestry, and groundcare machinery. Known for their commitment to innovative products and exceptional aftersales service, Bredsgaard A/S aligns perfectly with McConnel’s values, making this partnership a natural fit.
Under the new agreement, Bredsgaard A/S will distribute McConnel’s full range of products, including Power Arms, rotary and flail mowers, and the ROBOCUT series of remote-control machinery and attachments.
Bredsgaard A/S has already begun operations by taking delivery of a comprehensive selection of McConnel machinery, including Power Arms, flex-wing mowers, flail mowers, and ROBOCUTS. They have achieved early sales success with several installations, including Power Arms, flail mowers and the latest Tuffcut 650 flex-wing rotary mower.
Customers can view a range of McConnel products on display at Bredsgaard A/S’s headquarters in Kjellerup. For more information about McConnel machinery in Denmark, please contact Bredsgaard A/S directly at 89 70 70 89 or email info@bredsgaard.dk. Alternatively, visit their website at www.bredsgaard.dk.
McConnel introduces new 72-Series and 77-Series Power Arm ranges.
McConnel has introduced two new Power Arm ranges: the 72-Series and the heavier-duty 77-Series. Designed for farmers, contractors, and local authorities, both ranges feature a 70hp hydraulic system with reach options from 5.5m to 7.0m, including Telescopic and VFR options. The 77-Series offers added durability and power with larger diameter pivot pins and an optional 85hp hydraulics system.
Both series include an optional integrated debris blower located within the rear guard, which clears roadside debris and enhances cooling by drawing in cool air over the pumps and tank. Additional new features include LED road lighting, a redesigned hydraulic tank, a two-piece rear guard for easy service access, and a sculpted polypropylene top cover to prevent debris and moisture ingress.
As standard, both series come with McConnel's in-house designed 70hp gear hydraulic system, featuring a 180-litre hydraulic tank, high-capacity oil cooler, electric rotor control, and Soft-Start rotor engagement. The 77-Series also includes larger diameter pivot pins, allowing for a 48% increase in bush area for added durability and longevity. An 85hp hydraulic system is available as an option for the 77-Series for those seeking more power.
Both series are available with 5.5m and 6.0m straight arms, as well as 6.5m and 7.0m telescopic arms. Additionally, a 5.5m and 6.0m Variable Forward Reach (VFR) option is available for both series, providing improved visibility to the cutting head for greater operator comfort. Standard equipment on both includes Hy-Reach arm geometry, parallel arm geometry, and 100 degrees of Power Slew.
Three proportional electric control packages are offered: MOTION control, EVOLUTION Control, and the flagship REVOLUTION control system, which can be paired with McConnel's award-winning Easy Drive System (EDS) for hands-free verge mowing.
All models are built on a heavy-duty mainframe and can be specified with 3-point linkage, 4-point hitch, or 5-point axle mounting options. They can be fitted to tractors over 80hp and 4,000kg dependant on specification and reach.
Manufactured in the UK at McConnel's Ludlow facility, the 72-Series and 77-Series are compatible with a comprehensive range of attachments, including 1.2m, 1.5m, and 1.6m flailheads, sawheads, rotary heads, and cutterbars. Both series are immediately available to order through McConnel's dealer network.