FAQ's (Delivery, Returns, Exchanges & Other Information)

For garden machinery and ride on mowers, we offer free local delivery to large areas of northern England.

Yes. All orders sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24 or by courier can be tracked. For machinery orders we will keep you informed regarding delivery.

Once we have dispatched your order, you will receive an email confirming dispatch which will contain a tracking number.

We have a 14 day returns policy. You have 14 days after receiving your order to notify us of your return. Please inform us of your intention to return an item before returning it to us. Please notify us via email: orders@ripongroundcare.com

After informing us of your return, you then have a further 14 days to return the item(s).

Please package up your items and include a short note with the order number and your name to help us identify the return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it in, unused and in its original packaging. Machines must be unused.

Click here to read the full returns policy.

To start a return, please first contact us via email: orders@ripongroundcare.com

Please package up your items and include a short note with the order number or your name to help us identify the return.

Please post returns to:

Returns
Ripon Ground Care
Occupation Lane
Swanland
HU14 3QZ

Buyers are responsible for return postage costs except in circumstances where the order is defective, in which case we will cover the cost of your return delivery.

Some items are not eligible for returns or exchanges, for example but not limited to:

• Spare parts which have been fitted to a machine.
• Merchandise which is worn or used.
• Machinery that has been used.

Yes. We will happily exchange items from your order so long as you notify us within the 14 day window and the items you wish to exchange are unused and in their original packaging in line with our Returns Policy.

To start an exchange, please first contact us via email: orders@ripongroundcare.com

Please package up your items and include a short note with the order number and your name to help us identify the return.

Please post exchanges to:

If you believe there is a problem with your order, please contact us by phone on 01482 631148 or by email orders@ripongroundcare.com

The larger your lawn, the larger mower you will need in order cut your grass in a reasonable time. As a guide, we would recommend:

• A 42cm cut is suitable for up to 300 square metres
• A 49cm cut is suitable for up to 600 square metres
• A 56cm cut is suitable for up to 1000 square metres

Read our full guide on how to choose the right lawnmower for you.

The main purpose of a rear roller is to product lawn stripes. In simple terms, the roller flattens the grass in the direction you are mowing which affects the way the light reflects off the grass.

Find out everything there is to know about a rear roller.

The terms push and self-propelled refer to walk behind lawnmowers and whether the lawnmower needs to be pushed forwards or whether it can drive itself forwards.

Self-propelled is a term used to indicate that a walk behind lawn mower can drive itself forward by using the power of the engine or electric motor, instead of relying on the user to push it. This is a feature often found in professional lawnmowers which are designed to be used for long periods of time, however many smaller lawnmowers designed for domestic uses also feature self-propelled drive. It is a feature popular with older users or those who desire the easiest mowing experience.

Find out the different types of self-propelled drive and the benefits it provides.

Cylinder mowers are at home on fine lawns and sports turf where the ground is mostly level. They are built to provide the cleanest cut and can cut down to the lowest heights.

Learn about cylinder lawnmowers and if they're a good option for you in our Lawnmower Buying Guide.

Widely recognised as the standard type of lawnmower, rotary mowers feature a blade that rotates on a horizontal plane. The blade has sharp edges at each end which act like a scythe to mow the grass. This design makes a rotary lawnmower suitable for cutting a wide range of grass types from finer lawns to much thicker, longer grass. Plus, due to the design, the blades on a rotary mower are less susceptible to damage during use than the blades of a cylinder mower.

Rotary mowers are generally cheaper to maintain compared with a cylinder mower and although they're unable to cut quite as fine as cylinder mowers, rotary lawnmowers still produce a good cut when serviced and maintained properly. Rotary mowers offer a wide variety of options such as push versus self propelled, four wheel versus rear roller, grass collection, side discharge, mulching and lots of other options. As an added bonus, a rotary mower will even help tidy leaves from your lawn in autumn.

Learn about rotary mowers and if they're a good option for you in our Lawnmower Buying Guide.

There are many things to consider when choosing which chainsaw to buy, but one of the first things to get straight is the type of work you will be using the chainsaw for, as this will guide you to the correct size for your needs. Some of the most common tasks are:

• cross cutting logs for firewood
• cutting back or felling trees
• pruning and maintenance to trees and shrubs

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to chainsaws. We strongly advise not choosing a saw that’s bigger than the tasks you’re working on, as large chainsaws are heavy and can be difficult to manoeuvre over extended periods.

Start by identifying the largest diameter of wood that you will need to cut, then use this to decide the size of chainsaw to buy.

It’s not possible to cover every consideration here, such as brands, power sources and additional features. If you’re at all unsure, our highly trained sales team are here to help. They’ll work with you to find the chainsaw that’s just right for you and for the work you do.

Here are some of the most important features to consider when choosing a chainsaw.

Many saws come with a choice of guide bar length. Often, shorter bars make for a better balanced saw meaning they're easier to handle. Plus, a shorter chain typically makes for a more efficient tool. If you do need a longer bar, we’d suggest going up a model for the extra power.

All the weights you’ll see on our website, in our branches or on printed material are dry weights – meaning they’re quoted without fuel or chain oil, or the guide bar and chain. If you’re unsure, the best way to get a proper idea of weight is to visit one of our branches and handle some different options before making a final decision.

Nowadays, your choice of power is petrol or cordless battery powered.

When it comes to chainsaws, there is a great choice of cordless models now available, which can be even lighter and easier to handle than equivalent petrol models. Read our short guide on things you should consider when deciding whether to go cordless.

Some of the most desired features on a chainsaw are quick chain tensioning, easy-start features and tool free tank caps.

It is essential to wear suitable protective equipment when operating a chainsaw. Husqvarna provide a helpful guide covering the basics of chainsaw safety requirements which is a good resource if there’s anything you’re not sure of. Our range of protective clothing can be found in our Workwear and PPE category.

The size of chainsaw required entirely depends on the type of work it will be used for. For typical garden maintenance tasks such as pruning, felling small trees or larger shrubs and cutting logs for firewood, a saw with a 12-14” guide bar will be a good option.

For a lighter, quieter option with less vibration, consider a cordless battery chainsaw. If you’re comfortable with mixing fuel and oil for 2-stroke engines, there are many petrol chainsaws for you to choose from.

Top handle chainsaws are designed to be used by professional arborists working in trees. Before you can purchase a top handle chainsaw, you must have successfully completed a tree climbing course and be able to show valid certification to verify this.

You could consider a pole pruner. A pole pruner has a power unit and a chainsaw cutting head connected by a long pole. Pole pruners typically have either a 10” or 12” guide bar.

Pole pruners allow you to safely cut higher branches whilst keeping your feet firmly on the ground. Some pole pruner saws have telescopic shafts that can be extended to reach even higher heights.

Some of the best chainsaws on the market are from brands such as STIHL, Husqvarna and ECHO. All three manufacturers provide a range of chainsaws for entry level homeowner tasks, right through to professional arborist and forestry work.

Definitely. In recent years we’ve seen more and more cordless chainsaws hit the market for both homeowner and professional applications. Some key benefits are:

• They are typically lighter, quieter and produce less vibration which makes them easier and more enjoyable to operate
• Without a petrol engine, there’s no oil and fuel to mix for 2 stroke
• Starting issues have been removed
• Overall the saw produces noise for less time, due to the saw operating only when the trigger is being pressed

You will find that entry level or lower spec leaf blowers do have reduced performance compared to a petrol counterpart, but don't let that put you off. The most important thing is matching your requirements to a suitable machine.

Professional grade leaf blowers are very powerful and provide matched performance to a petrol alternative. However, do consider that the cordless option is typically more expensive when factoring in the charger and battery options.

The main concern with cordless leaf blowers are the run time and battery charging time. However, as long as you choose your blower based on the work you need to do, cordless is a fantastic, clean alternative to a petrol engine.

In a word, yes! As an alternative to raking leaves by hand, it's a no contest.

If you have a large area to clear, consider a backpack blower where the weight rests on your shoulders rather than having to carry the weight on your arms. Furthermore, for extra large areas, a wheeled leaf blower or vacuum would be the most suitable.

Yes, Billy Goat produce a range of push and self-propelled wheeled blowers and vacuums that are designed for commercial applications and large areas.

Some leaf blowers also have a vacuum function, and are available in cordless and petrol powers.

It's important to remember that whilst the vacuum function exists, it's not designed for collecting large quantities of leaves. It's always quicker and easier to blow most of the leaves into a pile then pick them up and bag them, then use the vacuum to finish off.

You can also use the vacuum function where using a blower wouldn't be practical, for example around shrubs in a border. We'd also recommend against vacuuming wet leaves, as the tubes and collection bag can become clogged and reduce performance.

Leaf blowers will lift and blow wet leaves reasonably well. The challenge comes when there are multiple layers of wet leaves stuck together. The best way to manage this is to keep on top of clearing leaves and not allow the debris to build up.

When clearing wet leaves, it will be easier to blow and clear small areas as you go, rather than blowing all leaves into one pile which will eventually become too heavy to move.

Certain blowers are supplied with both round and flat nozzles. The round nozzle is good for clearing dry leaves as it moves a larger volume of air over a larger surface area. The flat nozzle concentrates the airflow into a blade, increases the air speed which helps lift wet leaves.

There is no single "best blade length", but rather you should choose a blade length that suits the tasks you'll be undertaking.

• For trimming shrubs and a small hedge - an 18" blade length would be suitable
• For trimming long and tall hedges - a longer blade length of around 24" - 28" would be more suitable

1. Blade length

The first thing to look at is the blade length. Understanding the type of work you're doing will help dictate what length of blade you require. For shrubs and small hedges, a smaller length of around 18" would be fine. For larger hedges, you would be better with a longer blade.

2. Standard or long reach

Are you trimming hedges within arms reach, or do you have tall, wider hedges that would require a long reach pole?

3. Power supply

Hedge trimmers are available in petrol, cordless battery or mains electric and each has it's placed in the market. A homeowner in a small garden where power sockets are available may find using a mains electric hedge trimmer meets their requirements, whereas a professional users may prefer a petrol powered or a cordless machine.

If you're considering a cordless machine, our short guide will help you choose.

4. Weight

The weight of the trimmer should be a key consideration when choosing which to buy. If you plan to operate the trimmer for long periods, it's important to ensure you're buying a trimmer that you're comfortable holding for long periods.

There are a few different types of hedge trimmers that are designed for different applications.

• Shrub trimmers (8" blade length)
• Standard handheld (typically between 18" - 30" blade length)
• Long reach (various lengths, sometimes telescopic, typically 18" - 24" blade length)
• Hedge trimmer attachment for a combination tool (fixed or articulating, typically 20" - 24" blade length)

Some of the best hedge trimmer brands are STIHL, ECHO, Husqvarna, Honda and Mountfield. These brands provide a range of hedge trimmers and long reach hedge trimmers for homeowners through to professionals, in cordless, mains electric and petrol options.

Petrol powered hedge trimmers are popular machines with all kinds of users. To help you decide whether you should choose a petrol trimmer, here's a list of upsides and downsides.

Upsides of petrol hedge trimmers

• Petrol hedge trimmers can run for as long as you need them to, so long as you have fuel to top up
• By looking after your machine with regular maintenance and servicing you can ensure it will last for a long time
• Lower initial cost as there's no batteries or charger required
• No need to worry about flat batteries and recharging

Downsides of petrol hedge trimmers

• 2-stroke engines require the right mix of fuel and oil
• Petrol machines are subject to higher servicing costs compared to cordless and mains electric
• Petrol engine trimmers produce more noise and vibration levels, though this varies by model
• Petrol engines emit exhaust fumes
• Petrol models are typically heavier than a comparable cordless or mains electric models

Cordless hedge trimmers are increasingly popular with homeowners and professional users. Here's a list of upsides and downsides of buying a battery powered hedge trimmer.

Upsides of cordless hedge trimmers

• Cordless trimmers are cheaper to run than a petrol alternative based on the cost of electric to charge the battery compared with the cost of fuel
• Cheaper servicing costs compared to a petrol trimmer
• Switching batteries is quick and easy, allowing you to continue cutting in just a few seconds
• Cordless hedge trimmers typically have a longer run time than other cordless garden machinery tools, even when using smaller capacity batteries
• Cordless trimmers produce lower noise and vibration levels making them more enjoyable to operate
• Due to the quieter noise emissions, cordless trimmers are more suitable for noise sensitive areas
• No direct emissions from the hedge trimmer
• No petrol and oil to mix

Downsides of cordless hedge trimmers

• Higher initial cost when buying the hedge trimmer, battery and charger compared with an alternative petrol model
• Charging times can be long, particularly with standard chargers
• If you only have one battery, your cutting will stop when the battery is exhausted until it is recharged

The main difference between grass trimmers and brush cutters is the level of work they can perform.

Grass trimmers typically feature a cutting head of nylon line or plastic blades and are designed for trimming grass and light weeds.

Brush cutters are typically more powerful and are generally capable of cutting thicker weeds, dense vegetation and undergrowth. Instead of using trimmer line, brushcutters may use blades to help tackle the more demanding work.

Although these definitions are helpful, it's important to understand they're not universally shared. The term "brush cutter" is sometimes used to describe any machine that has a straight shaft, regardless of power of intended use.

Our advice when choosing which machine to buy is to first identify what kind of work you will be doing, as this will help you choose the right machine for you.

A brush cutter is used to cut areas of thick weeds and undergrowth where using a walk behind or ride-on mower isn’t suitable.

Brush cutters can vary from entry level cutters for homeowner use, right through to very powerful machines for use by professionals in commercial applications.

The metal blades on a brush cutter, sometimes described as grass blades, are designed for cutting course grass and fleshy weeds but are not suitable for thick woody stems.

A grass trimmer is used to trim back light weeds and grass, typically in a domestic environment. They’re commonly used to tidy around lawn edges and small areas of grass.

The first thing is to understand the type of work you need to do and the frequency that you will do it, and this will point you towards what kind of machine you will need to buy.

For light weeds and grass trimming you should opt for a grass trimmer which has a head of nylon line or plastic blades, whereas if you’re cutting back dense growth you should opt for a brush cutter with a metal cutting blade.

One misconception is that the larger diameter nylon line you fit, the better your machine will cut through vegetation. Before switching to a larger diameter line, it's important to find out the compatibility with your machine to ensure you don't cause damage to your engine or motor.

There are two main handle types, loop and cowhorn (sometimes called bike handle). Loop handles require you to hold the weight of the brush cutter with your arms, whereas cowhorn handled cutters are typically supplied with a harness which holds the weight of the cutter. The cowhorn handles are then used to control the angle and direction of the cutter.

You may find certain high end machines being called clearing saws. These are designed for tackling the most challenging undergrowth, but many of these are supplied with a nylon cutting head.

As with all garden machinery, the power source is also a consideration. If you’re comfortable using and maintaining a petrol engine you could opt for a petrol cutter, or choose a cordless option which will be quieter to run. If choosing cordless, it’s a good idea to make sure the battery you buy provides a sufficient run time to complete the work you need to do.

Some machines have interchangeable heads in order for them to be suitable for cutting different types of materials. If you're planning to change the head, before buying a replacement, please consider whether you also need to fit a different guard. Mid-range machines usually have a combi-guard, which can be altered to suit the cutting head or blade in use.