Set across 12 acres of beautifully maintained gardens and historic Grade I listed grounds, Golders Green Crematorium in North London is one of the world’s most revered cremation sites. Maintaining its immaculate appearance falls to a small, dedicated team — now supported by a powerful new ally: the Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.
For head gardener Ian Harman, choosing the right equipment was a priority from day one.
“With a team of just four, we’re always busy — from tending rose beds and formal lawns to managing the large scatter lawn,” Ian explains. “We work in tight spaces, often under dense tree cover, so efficient and reliable machinery is essential.”
Frustrated by ongoing problems with their previous mower—particularly repeated clogging—Ian sought a more dependable solution. “The old machine constantly slowed us down. After attending a demo day, I was really impressed by the Etesia Hydro 100. It just stood out—so we made the switch.”
Since then, the benefits have been clear.
“After clocking around 60 hours, we’ve had no clogging at all,” Ian reports. “It delivers a clean, consistent cut, handles leaf and grass collection effortlessly—even in the wet—and mulches as it goes, which is a bonus for composting.”
The compact design has also been a major advantage, particularly on a site where space and storage are limited.
“A large tractor-style mower simply wouldn’t be practical here,” Ian says. “The Hydro 100 is the perfect size—it’s agile in tight areas but still has a generous collection box. It’s like a vacuum cleaner for the garden: clean, simple, and incredibly effective.”
Ease of use and maintenance were also key considerations. “It’s fuel efficient, intuitive to operate, and easy to service. The hydrostatic drive and quick height adjustment are ideal for the varied conditions we face day to day.”
Long-serving gardener Adam Nicholls, who has worked at the crematorium for over 11 years, is equally impressed. “We’ve got a lot of trees, so leaf collection is critical. The Etesia’s open chute just swallows them—wet or dry—without any blockages. It’s hands down the best machine we’ve used.”
He also praised its all-round versatility. “It handles tight turns and wide open areas equally well. Even in damp conditions, the finish is superb. It’s the easiest and most effective mower I’ve ever operated.”
Powered by an 18HP Kawasaki engine, the Hydro 100 features a 500-litre grass collector with hydraulic tip—easily emptied from the driver’s seat. Built for durability and high performance, it’s ideal for demanding environments where collection and reliability matter most.
Both Ian and Adam also praised the support received from Etesia dealer RT Machinery. “Scott Reynolds at RT Machinery gave us excellent guidance—no hard sell, just honest advice,” says Ian. “Their aftercare is second to none.”
Reliable, compact, and remarkably efficient, the Etesia Hydro 100 has proven to be the perfect match for the unique demands of Golders Green Crematorium.
As Ian puts it: “If you’re working with limited space, want a flawless finish, and need a mower you can truly rely on—this is the one.”