Servicing

A Workshop Run by People Who Know This Machinery

There’s a difference between a general mechanic who occasionally sees a chipper and a team that works on them every day. Our technicians have spent years inside this equipment. They know where chippers wear first, which stump grinder components take the most punishment, and what goes wrong with loaders after 500 hours of hard commercial use. That experience means faster diagnosis, fewer surprises mid-repair, and work that’s done right the first time.

Several of our team came from the arb and groundcare trade before joining ILH. They’ve operated the machines they now service, so when you describe a problem over the phone, they understand the context. A feed roller that’s slipping under load, an engine that hunts at idle, a hydraulic cylinder that’s slow to extend on a cold morning. These are conversations we have daily, and we don’t need a manual to know where to start looking.

We’re factory-trained on the brands we deal, and we’ve built up deep working knowledge of competing brands through years of servicing mixed fleets. That combination of manufacturer training and hands-on repair experience across dozens of models is what lets us turn machines around quickly and reliably.

What We Service and Repair

Our workshop handles everything from a straightforward annual service through to a full engine rebuild or a complex hydraulic fault that’s had you chasing your tail for weeks. The range of work we take on covers routine maintenance and the kind of breakdown repairs that keep your machine earning rather than sitting in a yard.

Routine Servicing

Regular servicing keeps machinery running reliably and holds its resale value. We follow manufacturer service schedules and use genuine parts where they’re specified, because cutting corners on a service is a false economy when it leads to a bigger repair bill six months down the line. A typical service covers engine oil and filters, hydraulic fluid and filters, belt inspection and replacement, blade condition checks, bearing inspections, and a full safety check. We record everything and keep a service history on file so you’ve got a clear paper trail when it comes time to sell or trade in.

Breakdown Repairs

When something fails mid-season, you need it fixed quickly and properly. Our workshop handles electrical faults, engine problems, hydraulic failures, gearbox issues, and structural repairs. We carry a good stock of common wear parts and consumables, and for anything we don’t have on the shelf, our manufacturer relationships mean we can usually source parts within a few working days. We’ll give you an honest estimate on turnaround time when the machine comes in, and we’ll keep you updated if anything changes.

Blade and Cylinder Sharpening

Dull chipper blades cost you time, fuel, and chip quality on every job. Our workshop sharpens and sets blades daily for disc and drum chippers, and we sharpen stump grinder cutting teeth as well. If you’d rather have your existing blades resharpened and returned instead of buying new, send them in or drop them off and we’ll turn them around quickly. We also sharpen flail blades for mowers and mulchers.

Hydraulic Work

Hydraulic systems take a hammering on arb machinery. Feed rollers, boom cylinders, track drives, and tilt rams all depend on clean fluid and properly sealed circuits to work the way they should. We manufacture and replace hydraulic hoses, rebuild cylinders, diagnose pressure faults, and replace pumps and motors. If your machine is losing power, leaking, or running hot, there’s a good chance the hydraulic system needs attention and our team can pinpoint the problem without replacing parts on a guess.

Electrical Diagnostics

Modern groundcare machinery runs more electronics than it used to, and electrical faults can be difficult to track down without the right diagnostic equipment and experience. We handle wiring faults, sensor failures, control module issues, and starting problems across the machines we work on. If the fault is intermittent or only shows up under load, that’s exactly the kind of problem our technicians are used to chasing down.

Brands We Work On

We service the machinery we sell, including Forst and Arbmax chippers, FSI stump grinders, MultiOne and Sherpa loaders, and Energreen robotic mowers. But a large part of our workshop time goes to machines from other manufacturers too. If you’re running a Timberwolf, GreenMech, Jensen, or TP chipper, a Carlton, Vermeer, or Predator stump grinder, or an Avant, Cast, or Workquad loader, we can service and repair it in our workshop.

We don’t turn work away because you bought the machine from someone else. If it’s arb or groundcare equipment and it needs a service or a repair, bring it in. Our technicians have worked on enough different makes and models to know the common faults, the parts that wear, and the shortcuts that previous workshops sometimes take. If there’s an issue from a previous repair, we’ll flag it and talk you through the options rather than just working around it.

Why Use a Specialist Workshop

A general plant mechanic might be able to change the oil and filters on a chipper, but when the feed system isn’t gripping properly, the flywheel is out of balance, or the auto-feed logic isn’t responding the way it should, you need someone who understands how that machine is supposed to work in practice. Our team knows the difference between a machine that’s running and a machine that’s performing, and that distinction matters when your livelihood depends on the kit working properly all day, every day.

We’ve been servicing arboricultural and groundcare machinery since 2007 as a family-run business, and we used machines like FSI stump grinders ourselves for over a decade before we became a dealer. That background means our advice comes from experience rather than a training course, and when we tell you a part needs replacing or a repair isn’t worth doing, you can trust that it’s a straight answer rather than an upsell.

There’s also the practical advantage of having your service workshop and your parts supply under the same roof. If we find something during a service that needs a part, we can often fit it there and then from our own stock rather than ordering it in and asking you to bring the machine back. That saves you a second trip and gets the machine back to you sooner.

How Our Service Process Works

1. Get in touch – Call 0141 775 9288 or email service@ilhgroundcare.com and tell us what you need. If it’s a breakdown, describe the symptoms and we’ll give you an idea of what’s involved before you bring it in.
2. Drop off or arrange collection – Bring the machine to our Cumbernauld workshop, or ask about collection if you can’t get it to us. We’ll book it in and confirm the expected turnaround.
3. Inspection and quote – We inspect the machine, identify everything that needs attention, and give you a clear breakdown of what needs doing and what it will cost. No surprises, no hidden extras.
4. Carry out the work – Once you’ve approved the work, we get on with it. We use genuine parts where they’re specified and keep you updated on progress.
5. Collection or delivery – We’ll let you know when the machine is ready. Pick it up from the workshop or we can arrange delivery back to you.

Preventative Maintenance and Seasonal Servicing

The best time to service a machine is before something goes wrong with it. Catching a worn belt, a leaking seal, or a bearing that’s starting to rumble during a planned service is always cheaper and less disruptive than dealing with the breakdown it would have caused on site.

If you’re running machinery commercially, a regular service schedule keeps it performing properly, reduces the risk of mid-season breakdowns, and maintains the resale value when you come to upgrade. We recommend servicing at least annually for most equipment, or more frequently if the machine is running hard on daily commercial work. We’ll advise you on the right interval based on how you’re actually using the machine, not just what the manual says.

End-of-season servicing is worth thinking about too. Getting your chipper or grinder serviced over winter, when the workshop is quieter and you’re less likely to need the machine at short notice, means it’s ready to go the moment the spring work picks up. You avoid the rush of everyone trying to get their kit serviced at the same time in March.

FAQ

What brands do you service?

We service all the major arboricultural and groundcare machinery brands. Forst, Arbmax, Timberwolf, GreenMech, Jensen, and TP chippers. FSI, Predator, Carlton, Vermeer, and Bandits stump grinders. MultiOne, Sherpa, Avant, Cast, and Workquad loaders. Energreen robotic mowers. If your brand isn’t listed, call us anyway because there’s a good chance we’ve worked on it before.

Do you service machines bought from other dealers?

Yes. A large part of our workshop work is on machines that weren’t originally purchased from us. It doesn’t matter where you bought the machine. If it’s arb or groundcare equipment, we can service and repair it.

How long does a service take?

A standard annual service is usually completed within one to two working days, depending on the machine and our current workload. Breakdown repairs vary depending on the fault and whether parts need to be ordered. We’ll give you a realistic estimate when you book in and keep you updated on progress.

How much does a chipper service cost?

It depends on the model, condition, and what’s needed. We’ll quote you before we start so you know exactly what you’re paying. Call 0141 775 9288 with your machine model and we’ll give you a ballpark over the phone.

Do you offer collection and delivery?

We can arrange collection and delivery for machines that can’t be brought to the workshop. Our Cumbernauld base sits just off the M80, within easy reach of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, and the wider Central Belt, so getting a machine to and from us is straightforward for most operators in central Scotland.

How often should I service my chipper or stump grinder?

At a minimum, annually. If you’re running the machine five or six days a week on commercial work, every six months or at the manufacturer’s recommended service interval (whichever comes first) is a better target. Regular servicing catches wear before it becomes a breakdown, and it protects the machine’s resale value. We’ll help you set the right schedule based on your actual usage.

Can you sharpen chipper blades?

Yes, we sharpen and set chipper blades daily in our workshop, for both disc and drum machines. You can send blades in by post, drop them off, or have them done while your machine is in for a service. We also sharpen stump grinder teeth and flail blades.

Book a Service or Repair

Call 0141 775 9288 or email service@ilhgroundcare.com to book your machine in. Have your model and serial number ready if you can, and if it’s a breakdown, a quick description of the fault helps us prepare before the machine arrives.

Family-run since 2007. Specialist arboricultural and groundcare machinery servicing from our Cumbernauld workshop. Need parts instead? Looking to buy or hire equipment? We do that too.