Groundskeeping Journal - Issue 7 2021 by MH Media Global

VO L . 0 7 | A UG U ST / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21

CAMPEY TURF CARE

STIGA

TORO

Wet Sand is no Issue with the Dakota 412 at Reay Golf Club

The future of mowing perfected by green-fingered engineers

Toro fleet expansion for CGM Group

DEMAND QUALITY, WHY COMPROMISE?

“The reliability of ISEKI SXG mowers cannot be beaten. After demonstrating a huge range of machines the ISEKI came out on top. They are good value for money, with excellent design and build quality. You can collect and collect whatever the weather. I would recommend ISEKI to anyone. “ Harry Flower Head Gardener, Blundell’s School, Tiverton Contact your local dealer to book a demo on your course today! www.iseki.co.uk

CONTENTS

In this issue Welcome to Groundskeeping Journal, the UK’s latest bi-monthly publication providing latest product innovations, industry news and opinions from key professionals within the industry. With focuses on Aeration, Irrigation & Drainage; Greenskeeping; Latest News; Machinery; Pitch & Line Marking; Specialist Mowers; Sports Ground Equipment; Sports Pitches; Top Dressing; Sprayers & Spraying and Turf Management.

Reesink Turfcare uying used machinery for turfcare maintenance has always been prevalent in the industry, but with the impact of COVID-19 has led many to take a closer look at their finances and re-evaluate spending. Value for money is key and why used machinery has seen increased interest.

Cub Cadet Cub Cadet are celebrating their 60th birthday this year and to help celebrate this milestone they are running a fantastic promotion across selected lawn tractors and zero-turn machines.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

44 Terrain Drainage cure for Buckingham West End Bowls Club

FREE ENTRY

EUROPE’S LARGEST ANNUAL EVENT FOR GROUNDSCARE PROFESSIONALS • Discover the latest product innovations • Connect with industry suppliers

• Network with groundscare professionals • Receive 1-2-1 advice on specific turf challenges • Update your knowledge on the latest trends • Progress your career with expert guidance • The Eco Village featuring the latest environmentally-friendly products in groundscare

Contact Us Enhancing Quality Sports Services ello and welcome to Groundskeeping Journal. Our publication has been created to showcase the very latest industry news and product information from the Groundskeeping sector.

In each edition we carry in depth articles from some of the industry leaders, the articles cover many aspects of Groundskeeping with some offering tips and advice on Sports Pitches, Turf Management, Greens Keeping and much, much more. Whether you are looking for tips and advice on creating the perfect green or looking to source

the right product for your synthetic surface GKJ has it all. Our vision is to connect our readers with professionals and suppliers working within their sector and we hope that we have created a platform that will become a must have tool for anyone working within the industry. Many thanks for taking the time to read our publication, we hope you enjoy the read and if you would like to keep up to date with all things GKJ then make sure you check out our subscribe page.

@gkj_mag

Contact the Groundskeeping Journal team below: Editor-In-Chief

Business Manager

Antony Holter editor@mhmagazine.co.uk 01304 806039

Josh Holmes josh@mhmagazine.co.uk 01304 806039

Editor

Studio Designer

Emma Page emma@groundskeepingjournal.co.uk 01304 806039

Publishing Director

Martin Holmes martin@mhmagazine.co.uk 01304 806039

Sales Director

Lee Martin lee@groundskeepingjournal.co.uk 01227 936974

Richard Bland richard@mhmagazine.co.uk

Digital Manager

Jamie Bullock jamie@mhmagazine.co.uk 01227 936971

Accounts Department

Alison Holmes accounts@mhmediaglobal.com 01227 936971

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Groundskeeping Journal however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufacturers or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

TURF MANAGEMENT

Wet Sand is no Issue with the Dakota 412 at Reay Golf Club

s the most northern links golf course on the United Kingdom mainland, having a top dresser that can spread wet sand like the Dakota 412 from Campey Turf Care Systems is a must at Scotland’s Reay Golf Club. The James Braid designed course is positioned on the edge of Sandside Bay with views of the Pentland Firth and the North Atlantic from every hole. The course and its stunning views have been under the control of Head Greenkeeper Jason Norwood, since March 2021, with the new man aiming to put his stamp on the course, starting 6

with the greens. As the sole full-time member of staff for the main 18-hole course and junior three-hole, Jason’s priority is the greens, with volunteers giving up two days a week to assist with the fairways and roughs. The limited time available to Jason needs to be spent working, and with the Dakota 412, he’s able to top-dress as and when he needs to regardless of the sand moisture. “I’ve tried to put my own stamp on things here with different types of machinery and different ways of working, and the club has really been on board with that, and one of those things

has been buying the new Dakota top dresser,” Jason explains. “The equipment we originally had couldn’t cope well with wet sand; it was more of a large-scale fertiliser spreader. As you can imagine at the top of Scotland, there’s a lot of rain about so any sand that we do have is normally quite wet, so that was one of the main features of the Dakota for us because it can deal with that quite easily and we still get a good even spread with it. “We really want to push forward and make use of the North Coast 500 tourist route, which is literally on our doorstep; it passes

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

TURF MANAGEMENT

directly in front of us, so we get a lot of passing visitors now, and I think all year-round performing greens are the main thing golfers are after on a golf course so it’s making sure that we can provide that for them. “We’ve had the machine since the middle of April, but because of the weather chances to get it out have been limited. I’ve trialled different settings on our junior course greens to get what we want for the main course, and it’s been good so far. “With it having four wheels the weight is distributed incredibly well, so it doesn’t leave a mark on the greens, and the first time I used it you’d have no idea that anything had been done or any heavy equipment had been over the greens it because the footprint was minimal.” The Dakota 412 features accurate and easy to operate calibration with no

“ “I’ve tried to put my own stamp on things here with different types of machinery and different ways of working, and the club has really been on board with that, and one of those things has been buying the new Dakota top dresser,” Jason explains. manual adjustment and has four UltraTrac turf tyres on independent floating beam axels for maximum weight distribution, allowing Jason to work without causing viable disruption to the surface. As part of Campey’s installation, and to help Jason get the most out of the machine, Campey Product Specialist,

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Richard Heywood, walked him through the various settings and features, which Jason views as an invaluable experience. Jason explains: “Because we are so far north, there is a lot more to consider when ordering machinery. Something that was great for me was being supplied through my machinery dealer Double A with support from Campey by sending Richard to demonstrate how to use the top dresser to the best of its abilities. This proved invaluable to me not having used one before. “He went through it all, explained what all the different settings were, how to adjust it all, and that was vital. Having someone who knows how to operate it fully really maximises its performance and helps us get the best out of the machine.”

More information is available at www.campeyturfcare.com

TURF MANAGEMENT

AGRIGEM PARTNERS UP WITH COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS grigem have announced several new partnership agreements with County Football Associations, which enable affiliated clubs to access special prices on a wide range of grass pitch-related products.

Whether clubs are creating a brandnew pitch, improving their current playing surface or trying to increase the number of games they can play each week, Agrigem’s unique understanding of both professional and grassroots pitches ensures that all affiliated clubs receive fantastic service and support in developing, improving and maintaining their pitches. In addition to the highest level of technical advice and customer service, affiliated clubs receive a discount on all products such as fertilisers, grass seed, selective weed control, top dressing and line marking paint. Agrigem’s Sales Manager, Martin Ford, who is a grassroots volunteer himself said; “We are thrilled that we have been able to partner with so many Regional FA’s. In addition to Lincolnshire, we also now work with Amateur FA, Northumberland, North Riding & most recently West Riding. Our “Putting the Grass Into Grassroots” initiative has been extremely successful and engaging with volunteers has reaped rewards for so many clubs already. Adam Grantham joined us last year as Technical Consultant for Sports Turf, and his vast knowledge from his experience as Grounds Manager at Reading FC has been invaluable to so many – myself included!” Adam writes a monthly blog on a range of seasonal topics which is shared to affiliated clubs, and in addition to being available for practical help and support 8

the team attend monthly forums and events wherever possible.

information and the right products for what they need.

Martin continued “Having the right product at an affordable price is one thing, but having access to one of the country’s top grounds people really shows our commitment to grassroots sport, not just the professional game.”

Martin, Adam and the team really understand the issues and processes that grassroots clubs face and do their upmost to make things work as smoothly and quickly as possible for the volunteers who are giving their valuable time to improve their local pitches.”

Lincolnshire FA were the first partnership on board and immediately saw an impact, even during the pandemic. The two parties are now forging ahead with even more innovation in their offering. Adam Thurston, Football Development Manager, Lincolnshire FA: “Agrigem have been in partnership with Lincolnshire FA for over a year now. We have worked together on many aspects of improving natural turf pitches in partnership with our clubs, not only through technical advice and supply of materials, but on areas that will really innovate how our clubs can access

Since The Lincolnshire FA joined, Agrigem have also welcomed the Amateur Football Association, Northumberland, North Riding and West Riding Football Associations with ongoing discussions with several more associations. To take advantage of this offer or discuss how Agrigem can support the development, improvement or maintenance of your grass pitches, please contact Martin Ford at martin. ford@agrigem.co.uk. www.agrigem.co.uk

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Nutrigrow® Autumn Fertiliser 3-12-12 Nutrigrow® Autumn 3-12-12 is ideal for use in the autumn & winter on any grass area such as lawns, paddocks, pasture and sports turf. This is a quality, fast acting spreadable compound fertiliser with 2-3mm uniform granules. Whilst it is commonly used during the cooler periods, Nutrigrow Autumn can be used all year round.

6 weeks longevity. Turf response is seen within 7 days. Granule dispersal takes on average 4-5 days. Ideal balance of NPK to strengthen turf. Granules provide ease of application and an even distribution. Versatile application rates, as low as 35g/m² enabling one bag to cover 714m² making them very economical.

T 01522 246491 • www.nutri-grow.co.uk

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

TURF MANAGEMENT

Three GKB machines that you need to make your pitch pristine Pitch maintenance involves long hours and a keen eye for detail. Indeed, at GKB we stand by our beliefs that ‘the worker is king’ and, thus, develop machines that make your job (and life) a little easier and provide you with utmost satisfaction. While not every ground is worthy of top level play, that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your pitch into something equally as special… The Combinator – Designed to allow you to accurately fraise mow the top layer of your turf. The Combinator’s conveyor belt system means that unwanted material is easily removed in just the one pass. As such, this machine has been used at all levels of the beautiful game with many grounds – including some Champions League super stadiums – finding it the best solution to start restoring the field during the off season. Combiseeder – The easiest way to effectively sow or reseed your turf without the disruption of weeds. Spiked rollers let air into the soil and weakens the weeds, while the machine sowes. It then presses the seed in and brushes your sports field. It’s the only machine you need to complete sowing and overseeding routines.

Deep Tine Aerator – For those with ‘older sports fields’ this is a deep aerator to prevent soil compaction. By stimulating root formations, the DTA strengthens your pitch. You’ll notice improved topsoil health and quality. Working at depths of up to 40centimenters the DTA leaves you with unparalleled intensive aeration. www.gkbmachines.com

Gkb machines, taking our kn machines, taking our knowledge knowledge of to to supply the best possible machine Gkb machines, taking ourof knowledge of contracting to supply the possible best possible machine solution. Be it a natural, syn GkbGkb machines, taking our ofcontracting contracting supply the best machine Gkb Gkb machines, machines, taking taking our our knowledge knowledge of contracting contracting to to supply supply the the best best possible possible machine machine Gkb machines, oursynthetic knowledge of contracting toa supply the best possible machine solution. Be ataking natural, or wepitch.. have machine to suit your needs. solution. itsynthetic a natural, synthetic orpitch.. hybrid we asuit machine to suitneeds. your needs. solution. Be ititaBe natural, synthetic orhybrid hybrid pitch.. we have ahave machine toyour suit your solution. solution. Be Be it it a a natural, natural, synthetic or or hybrid hybrid pitch.. pitch.. we we have have a a machine machine to to suit your needs. needs. www.gkbmachin solution. Be it a natural, synthetic or hybrid pitch... we have a machine to suit your needs. www.gkbmachines.com // tom@gkbmachines.com / 07495 88/ 36 17 88 36 17 www.gkbmachines.com / tom@gkbmachines.com www.gkbmachines.com tom@gkbmachines.com / 07495 88 www.gkbmachines.com www.gkbmachines.com // tom@gkbmachines.com tom@gkbmachines.com // 07495 07495 88 88 36 36 07495 17 17 36 17 www.gkbmachines.com / tom@gkbmachines.com / 07495 88 36 17

GKB_GKJ_SYN_Mar_2021.indd 1

25/05/2021 12:22

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Perfect play requires Perfect maintenance

All the tools of the trade for professional turf care aerators|overseeders|top dressers|scarifiers|verti-cutters

www.charterhouse-tm.co.uk | 01428 661222

SPECIALIST MACHINERY

The Trilo S3

he 18 holes at Hertfordshire’s prestigious Centurion Club explore pine-lined fairways and woodland that pose a challenge to players and greenkeepers alike. One of the biggest problems for Course Manager Andy Garland and his team was, as the parkland course matured, so did the task of autumn leaf-clearance. That was until the club purchased a Trilo S3 vacuum sweeper from Vanmac two years ago, which has since been described as ‘fundamental’ in retaining the presentation, playability and health of the course. Established in 2013 and renowned for its immaculate course condition, the Centurion Club has proudly played host to a number of high-profile tour events, most recently the first round of the inaugural Aramco Team Series in July. “The summer is all about presentation and tournament preparations and then we we’d get to the autumn and find ourselves faced with an ever-growing problem with leaves” explains Andy, who has been at the club for the last 15 years. “When the laborious task was becoming unsustainable by hand, we looked at the Trilo.” “Having heard good things, we had a demonstration of the S3, fitted with the brush shaft, and it was evident straight away how it was going to absolutely transform the task for

us.” Working at a convenient 1.5m wide, the Trilo S3 weighs in at only 1200kg making it suitable for compact tractors of 35HP+. The full-floating brush head and low ground pressure, allows the machine to work under the heaviest of conditions, with hard-to-reach areas - in and around trees for example cleared with convenience and ease thanks to the 6m wander hose. “The S3 is in action every day during leaf-fall season, picking up leaves – both wet and dry – cleanly in one pass and collecting them in the large capacity hopper which we can then dispose of elsewhere around the course.” To convert the S3 into a year-round tool, Andy also has his sights set on the optional Verticut shaft which can be mounted to the unit in a matter of minutes, converting it into a quick and effective method of scarifying large areas such as the fairways. He concludes, “From an agronomic perspective, the benefits of keeping the surface clear to allow for maximum airflow, sunlight and moisture movement are well documented. But, back to basics, there’s no question that the S3 has been fundamental in keeping certain areas of the course playable, and that in itself is invaluable.” www.vanmac.co.uk

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

reesinkturfcare.co.uk Get MORE from your turfcare partner this year: More products . More advice . More training . More finance

Reesink UK LTD is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Images shown for illustration only.

r Warran

Take your landscapes to new heights with a Giant Fountain from Otterbine. Specify a water feature that boasts both quality and elegance round the clock. Shallow operating depth combined with other engineered features means these fountains are easy to handle while still striking to see. If you’re looking for a water feature that makes a statement without any of the drama, look to Otterbine.

Lasting impressions with Otterbine’s giant fountains. Stunning and dramatic water features for your lakes.

clu d ed

SPECIALIST MOWERS

Cub Cadet Big Birthday Savings

ub Cadet are celebrating their 60th birthday this year. In 1961 the first Cub Cadet ‘garden tractor’ hit the market and now the figures stand at over a million lawn tractors coming off the US production line in Martin, Tennessee and more than 10 million Cub Cadet engines in use worldwide.

To help celebrate this milestone Cub Cadet are running a fantastic promotion across selected lawn tractors and zeroturn machines. 14

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

“ Until the 1st of September you can save from between £100 up to £2,760 on the RRP of selected lawn tractors or zero-turn professional machines bought from a Cub Cadet dealer. With a market-leading cutting, collecting, and mulching 3-in-1 option system and the best direct collect rear or side discharge on the market, these machines mean you will finish mowing your lawn faster and with better results. Available with the efficient Cub Cadet EFI V-Twin engine or the Kawasaki V-Twin engine; you will have the power for mowing difficult terrain as well as ultra-smooth running and low fuel consumption. The XT2 PR95 has a cutting width of 38” and can mow up to 6,000 m²h. The Hydrostatic drive system means you can simply put your foot on the pedal and go. The adjustable seat means you can mow in comfort. With great savings off the RRP it’s a great birthday deal.

Until the 1st of September you can save from between £100 up to £2,760 on the RRP of selected lawn tractors or zeroturn professional machines bought from a Cub Cadet dealer. Cub Cadet always strives to exceed a customer’s high expectations as regards innovative engineering, maximum efficiency, ease-of-use, and comfortable mowing and now with these added savings a Cub Cadet will turn you into a true lawn mowing champion, whether you’re mowing your own garden with a

lawn tractor or using a professional zeroturn at work.

XT2 PR95 Powerful performance, agility and market-leading innovations have made the XT range one of the best lawn tractors ranges in the market. Designed for expert gardeners these machines boast the tightest turning circle on the market, at just 17cm, for unbeatable efficiency even in confined spaces or around obstacles such as trees and shaped beds.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Proven by landscape professionals Cub Cadet’s PRO Z7 zero-turn will fulfil all your commercial requirements whilst providing a fast, premium quality cut. The patented SyncroSteer® technology with steering wheel means that inexperienced operators can easily use the steering wheel and dual hydrostatic transmission to control all four wheels, minimising the turf being churned by the wheels as it would on a lap bar zero-turn and ensuring the ultimate manoeuvrability. The ability to control all four wheels with a steering wheel and steerable 15

SPECIALIST MOWERS

front wheels, sets the PRO Z 7 apart from all other zero-turns, providing greater hillside stability up to 20° and enhanced traction on uneven terrain as well as mowing in straighter lines. The PRO Z7 powers through the thickest grass in one pass at maximum speeds of 12mph meaning you can do the job quicker. The high lift Marbain blades with a blade tip speed up to 18,500 fpm and the 3” total blade overlap will ensure that you always get a tight consistent cut. The frame and axle on the PRO Z7 floats as the machine moves, allowing the deck to follow the shape of the terrain and avoids scalping. The commercial grade petrol engine from Kawasaki, provides the consistent power you need to get the job done and maximise your work-day – reducing the downtime which could cost you both time and money. The petrol engine benefits from having lower emissions and reduced fuel usage. Comfort is at the forefront of the Z7’s design. Your operators can experience a smooth ride all day long thanks to 16

the cushioned and isolated dampening system – meaning they are working in vibration-controlled comfort, lessening downtime for your business. Angled back adjustments, padded armrest and lumbar support give added protection. The PRO Z7 has everything and more that you would expect from a quality professional machine - ultimate performance, comfort and durability that delivers a fast, premium cut.

XZ5 L137 The XZ5 L137 redefines the zero-turn mowing experience - with enhanced strength, reimagined comfort, a best-inclass cut and an award-winning design. The latest steering lever lap bar technology combined with the extremely robust construction of heavy-duty components and high-performance engine makes the XZ5 L137 the ideal professional machine for large lawn maintenance. A powerful Kawasaki engine means the machine reaches up to 12 km/h, mowing

up to 50% faster than front mowers and able to mow up to 12,500 m²h. The open continuous tubular lightweight steel frame designed for strength and durability with its hinged/removable floor pan allows quick and easy access to the deck and engine for ease of maintenance. With a cutting width of 54” the XZ5 L137 puts owner/operator comfort at the forefront of its design with an individually adjustable seat and high backrest for fatigue-free working. The range is ideal for mowing rolling hills and around obstacles up to 5 acres, with large tyres on the XZ5 L137 that provide better traction and more stability and control. The Ultima XZ5 L137. Professional grade power for your business and your lawns. For more information about Cub Cadet Big Birthday Savings go to www.cubcadet.co.uk/birthdayoffer *Not all features are available on all machines.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

R BE

M DO EN I S S N D S O ’T 1 U SE T PT ! E R FE OF

BIG BIRTHDAY SAVINGS

YEARS

SAVE

£2,760 Z7 183

Save up to

£2,760 *on selected machines

SAVE

£300 XZ5 L137

SAVE

£400 XT2 PR95

FIND YOUR NEAREST DEALER AT WWW.CUBCADET.CO.UK *WHILE STOCKS LAST. OFFER PERIOD 1ST APRIL – 1ST SEPTEMBER 2021. XZ5L137 £5,799, XT2PR95 £4,199, Z7183 £18,358.80. PRICES LISTED ARE RRP. SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER FOR MORE DETAILS. CUB CADET RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF THE MACHINES SHOULD THE MARKET CHANGE AND WITHDRAW THE OFFER AT ANY TIME DURING THE OFFER PERIOD. THE PROMOTER OF THE OFFER IS CUB CADET, DISTRIBUTED IN THE UK AND IRELAND BY E.P.BARRUS LTD. THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE UK AND IRELAND. THE REGISTERED ADDRESS IS GLEN WAY, LAUNTON RD, BICESTER OX26 4UR. FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AVAILABLE AT WWW.CUBCADET.CO.UK/BIRTHDAYOFFER

SPECIALIST MOWERS

The future of Mowing Perfected by green-fingered engineers sing an alternative to fossil fuels has become increasingly important for a lot of people. Many of us now cycle rather than drive to reduce harmful emissions. This has led to batterypowered tools becoming a lifestyle trend that is growing fast in the gardening business.

STIGA battery lawn mowers and handheld tools are built from lightweight, robust materials. Engineered for real-life working conditions, not just to pass a lab test. STIGA’s innovative new E-Power batteries maintain a high-performance capacity and are still going strong after 600 charges. That is the equivalent to an owner running down and recharging

the battery twice a week for six years. This goes far beyond the expectations of the commonly used but less demanding industry standard, which tests through only 300 charges at just 20% of real-life usage. The STIGA EXPERT range of Cordless lawn mowers with two battery slots offer true power and robustness. The custom-built 48V powertrain recognises which batteries have been inserted into the battery compartment, the microchip synchronises the batteries, balancing the power draw and discharge rates along with the temperature, whilst monitoring the current for maximum run-time, energy storage and longevity. There are 4 pro models that feature

in the expert range each offering the perfect combination of performance and comfort with a different choice of cutting methods. STIGA’s 900 series of EXPERT garden tools (Brushcutter, Blower, Hedge trimmer & Long reach hedger) will make light work of many tasks and when used in conjunction with the STIGA battery harness make them ultra-light without compromising on performance – setting a new standard of ergonomic excellence. The battery harness is waterproof with fully adjustable straps and a connecting cable for left or right-hand users. It holds two STIGA E-Power batteries of any amperage, lightening the load for uninterrupted work time.

eRideC500

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

“ STIGA’s innovative new E-Power batteries maintain a highperformance capacity and are still going strong after 600 charges.

Whether mowing, cutting, trimming, or clearing, the NEW STIGA Expert cordless range of mowers and hand tools are as powerful and long-lasting as their petrol equivalent, but with none of the noise, fumes, and hassle of engine maintenance. Alongside the NEW cordless Walk

behind and hand tools STIGA is revolutionising the world of garden tractors with the STIGA e-Ride – the first electric tractor with collector on the market. STIGA has taken its years of knowledge, expertise, and experience to create a garden tractor – combining all the benefits of battery power with high performance cutting

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

and collecting technology. The STIGA e-Ride 500 series can cut up to 4000sqm on one charge in its collecting version and 4500sqm in its side-discharge version, while the smaller 300 series collecting model can cover 3000sqm and 3500sqm with side discharge.

SPECIALIST MOWERS

The STIGA e-Ride is managed by the STIGA Vehicle Management System (VMS). Exclusive to STIGA, the VMS is essentially the e-Ride’s brain. It uses intelligent machine management to achieve the best cutting results and ensure maximum safety for users. Thanks to the advanced connectivity and STIGA.GO app on the 500 Series, the user can communicate with the machine and get real-time information on the quality of cut being performed. The app also provides information related to all working sessions and a direct contact with your local dealer.

Stiga Multiclip Pro 950 SX AE 11 Rigorously tested in real-world conditions, the blade motors are cased in IP65 water-resistant, aluminium die casting with a ribbed external cover. Not only does this casing ensure sufficient temperature management and heat dissipation, but it also means that the cutting deck can be safely (and easily) hosed down with water after use. For added safety, the two 1.5kW blade motors feature a mechanical brake that stops the blades in under five seconds. The STIGA One Pedal Drive system

makes driving as simple as it gets, as it only requires one pedal for acceleration, deceleration, and braking. The parking brake is automatically engaged when the machine is stationary, with no need for manual intervention. Easy to start, simply by pressing a button, while the electric powertrain promises a smooth ride. Fitted with noise-reducing helical gears, the electric transmission ensures maximum comfort throughout the entire working session.

After much anticipation, the STIGA e-Ride is now available to buy from STIGA dealers and through the STIGA website (www.stiga. com/uk). When it comes to power, intelligent performance and innovative technology, the STIGA e-ride battery garden tractors are the future of big mowing! www.stiga.com/int

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Expert 900 Series 48V battery mulching lawn mower

Perfected

Rubber cased handle: Improves grip and provides insulation from vibration.

By green-fingered engineers.

Fingertip STIGA control pad: Conveniently positioned control panel provides instant operation and mode selection.

Stiga batteries are tested for real life working conditions – far beyond the industry standard.

Reliable, long-lasting power: 2 x 48v batteries work in series to double the power to give the highest cutting performance and extended run time. X-contour handle design: Pivots to either side for easy access under low hedges and bushes.

Built–in safety: Primary safety switch prevents the mower from being unintentionally started.

High coverage: Mulches up to 1300 sqm in 50 minutes, on one charge.

Extra wide cutting deck: Galvanised steel with reinforced edges for efficiency, durability and performance.

High-efficiency brushless motor: 2.2kW output for maximum cutting performance. Reduced noise and low energy consumption. STIGA Multiclip mulching blade: Specifically engineered for mulching.

Tough materials, built to last: Aluminium cast wheels for strength on rough terrain.

48V range EPower lasts. The high performance that drives the Expert range of cordless garden tools.

Leaf Blower

Hedge Trimmer Backpack

stiga.com Bushcutter Pole Hedger

Lawn mowers

Next level engineering.

SPECIALIST MOWERS

Electric performance from the Ariens Zenith E riens have introduced their first commercial, all-electric zero-turn mower for the UK market. The Zenith E is powered by a FusionCore lithium-ion battery system, an exclusive technology developed by Ariens. It is designed to provide the operator with a continuous cutting time of up to 5.5 hours on a full charge, and coverage of up to 62,726 sq/m (15.5 acres).

is designed to protect the spindle motors from damage in the event the blade strikes a hard object, such as a manhole cover or large rock.

The Zenith E is built upon the fully commercial Ariens ‘Zenith’ platform, well known for its strength, durability and cutting performance. Combined with next-generation battery technology, the Zenith E is a formidable competitor to conventional commercial petrol and diesel zero-turns. The Zenith E has all the power and performance of its petrol counterparts without the noise, vibration and exhaust. Coupled with the increased productivity of a zero-turn, it is perfect for commercial operators looking to 22

capitalise on the growing number of ‘green’ contracts. Fully electric, the Zenith E’s FusionCore lithiumion 56v DC battery system has four interchangeable, easily removable, sealed for life batteries, each with a 4kWh capacity. Operators can work with minimum interruption by swapping depleted batteries with fully charged ones in seconds. Batteries can be charged in 12 hours with a standard charger or in just 5.3 hours using an optional quick charger. The Zenith E features patent-pending spindle technology. This system

There are two configurations for the 152cm (60”) deck: side discharge and rear discharge. The Zenith E boasts 15 cutting positions, easily selected with a vertical pin drop and foot-operated deck lift system. The high-back, full suspension seat with padded armrests offers all-day operator comfort. The Rollover Protection System (ROPS) is fitted as standard. A range of optional accessories is available including LED lights, beacon light, mulch kit, rapid charger and an offboard charger. The Zenith E comes with a 5-year/1500 hour warranty with no hour limit on the first two years and a 3-year warranty for the batteries. For further information, please e-mail zenithe@ariensco.com , or visit the website ariens-uk.com

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

ALL-DAY operation*

SPECIALIST MOWERS

State of the art technology and class-leading features he John Deere range of 4 Series Lawn Tractors are loaded with premium, state-of-the-art technology and class-leading features that you won’t find anywhere else. Take a look at this testimonial from Thetford Golf Club that highlights why John Deere are enhancing the performance of green care.

Paul Gould of Thetford Golf Club said; “We recently purchased the John Deere 4066R as a replacement for our old 20+-year-old tractor. Having been customers of Ben Burgess for over 25 years, this purchase was again made easy with the continued support of Stuart Edge in selecting the right machine for our needs. The 4066R will be deployed on fairway aeration and overseeding tasks, spraying

and work requiring our recently delivered blower and trailer both also purchased through Ben Burgess. The support on sales and after-sales care once again confirmed it was the right move for us at Thetford Golf Club.

The tractor itself is a massive step up from our previous machine and with the vast array of features, it will enable us to carry out the task more efficiently for years to come”. www.benburgess.co.uk

SPECIALIST MOWERS

INVESTMENT BUILT TO LAST Toro fleet expansion for CGM Group

ne of the largest grounds maintenance and landscaping firms in the East of England, CGM Group based in Downham Market, Norfolk, has purchased four Toro LT3340 triple flail mowers to aid the 150-strong grounds team operating across East Anglia and the East Midlands for eight months of the year.

Yet for Marcus, performance was just part of the equation. Marcus continues: “It’s also all about the support and back-up care. Although we’ve had no problems with use, the response time of the workshop is phenomenal. Replacement parts are sourced overnight so I know I’ll have machines back out on the ground the following day. It means that, from an operational perspective, we are working as efficiently as we can.”

The company started its journey with Toro machines in January 2020. Marcus Glover, operations director at CGM Group, explains: “Our teams are working solidly for two thirds of the year cutting sports pitches and maintaining school sites and commercial grounds.

Marcus’ experience with the team at Reesink Turfcare, the exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland for Toro groundscare machinery, is testament to the importance of a good working relationship and he credits Danny Lake with being “excellent” to deal with.

“We need machinery we can rely on, machinery that is flexible and adaptable. We are not only faced with a wide range of landscapes and environments, but the weather can apply added pressure to our work, particularly in 2021 when we’ve seen extraordinarily fast grass growth due to the wet and warm weather.

Danny Lake, area sales rep at Reesink Turfcare, comments: “CGM is one of the biggest grounds contractors in the region so performance and reliability are key. We understand the seasonality of their business and work to support them as best we can with fast-response after-care.”

“The performance of the Toro mowers is excellent. We can expect fine finishes on cricket outfields to reliable, neat trimming for clients who require general monthly cuts throughout the season. The flexibility of the range of machines is superb.”

Marcus concludes by reflecting on the challenges presented by 2021’s unseasonably wet weather: “Now is the optimum time for us. Our busy teams are cutting more than normal due to faster-than-average grass growth and the Toro mowers have supported us brilliantly, performing well in all conditions. It’s that adaptability and reliability that means they are machines we can trust.”

The four new mowers join five existing Toro machines, taking the overall fleet to nine. Famed for perfecting light trimming through to dealing with dense overgrowth, these mowers also come with kerb-climbing ability, making them particularly well suited to municipal sites.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

Reesink Turfcare is the exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland for Toro groundscare machinery. For further information on the range call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

SPECIALIST MOWERS

Husqvarna ™ CEORA Kickstarting a New Era in Commercial Turf Care

usqvarna CEORA™, the much-anticipated solution for commercial turf care management, is finally here. CEORA™ is expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by heavy, conventional diesel mowers that require manual operation, as

it can independently mow an area the equivalent of up to eight football pitches day or night. This significantly reduces overall costs and allows staff to focus on value-adding tasks. The electric operation minimises noise and reduces emissions to zero*. The machine itself is purpose built to be autonomous and is designed

with safety in mind. Key features include its light weight, safer blades and ability to detect objects and move around them. In the future, the ground-breaking solution of CEORA™ opens up for a wide range of accessories, including to help with fertilizing, lawn striping or collecting golf balls.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

SPECIALIST MOWERS

FLEXIBLE USE AND INCREASED CONTROL

Husqvarna has been the pioneer in helping millions of homeowners make the switch from manual mowers to robotic. Now Husqvarna takes commercial turf care into the next era by offering a large-scale robotic solution that increases the quality of the lawn whilst reducing costs by approximately 30% compared with conventional commercial mowers**. CEORA™ makes the lawn greener and denser thanks to its unique cutting technology, low weight and opportunity to mow more frequently. Instead of manually operating the mower, professionals simply use their smartphones to control how, when and where CEORA™ mows. The performance on the lawn is efficient

and systematic, mowing in a lane-bylane sequence. Maintenance during the season is limited to changing blades and cleaning. “Commercial turf care is about to be revolutionised thanks to CEORA™. I am confident that it will be a muchappreciated addition to any team of landscape professionals - a quiet, smart and autonomous colleague that will happily perform the most tedious tasks whenever needed. Not only is the pitch always ready for play, professionals free up their time for other tasks.” says Valentin Dahlhaus, Vice President at Husqvarna.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

CEORA™ is robustly built and easy to manage even for somebody not used to robotic mowers. Greenkeepers can expect CEORA™ to navigate with a precision of 2-3 cm, thanks to Husqvarna´s satellite navigation system, EPOS. It is possible to select individually defined areas on demand, with different schedules as well as height-settings. The user keeps perfect control of all mowers in the fleet, through the Husqvarna Fleet Services application. CEORA™ is backed by Husqvarna´s maintenance and support program, UpCare, which provides fast repair and replacement services.

SAFETY FEATURES AND REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT CEORA™ is designed to avoid obstacles. With the ultrasonic remote object avoidance system, the mower slows down soon as it senses an approaching object. As a positive side effect, this increases uptime by eliminating interruptions and undesired stops. Emissions are reduced to zero*, helping golf and football clubs as well as other public and commercial landowners to significantly lower their carbon footprint.

SPECIALIST MOWERS

AVAILABILITY Husqvarna will launch two models - Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS - that will be available in Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Poland, at selected Husqvarna pro-partners from the first quarter of 2022. As part of a first year introductory offer, CEORA™ 544 EPOS has RRP 24 900 EUR and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 has RRP 28 900 EUR. It is also available as a lease option in selected markets. * Zero emission means no direct emissions during use. ** Based on calculations made by Husqvarna, using estimates of total cost of ownership of CEORA compared with a conventional ride-on-mower, on average over a 5 year period. Calculations of total cost of ownership include installation, staff, energy consumption, service, maintenance and repairs in Europe on average.

www.husqvarna.com/uk/ lawn-garden/professional/ceora/

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

SPECIALIST MOWERS

Broomieknowe GC secures Wiedenmann, Maredo & Iseki kit

roomieknowe Golf Club at Bonnyrigg, Mid Lothian, has welcomed a new golf course manager, a host of new members and some top-rated maintenance equipment, all in the space of a few months.

Allan Duncan joined the parkland club in April from Thornton GC, Glenrothes. BIGGA Scottish student of the year in 2018, he has literally hit the ground running, getting to know the new course intimately as quickly as he can, and launching initiatives on social media to better connect the efforts of the greenkeeping team with club members. “I’m loving it but there’s so much to get my head round,” he said. “People have been very welcoming. We have a brand-new club house and the club has invested heavily purchasing new equipment, so there’s a lot of momentum.” First to arrive was a Wiedenmann Terra Spike XP8 deep aerator combined with an ISEKI TG6675 compact tractor. “The ISEKI tractor was introduced to us by Rob Hogarth from our local dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross. I’ve never had an ISEKI but I am really impressed. The aerator is a heavy bit of kit but the TG6675 lift capacity is up to 1,600 kg so has no trouble at all. Together they are quite a combination.” Their selected Terra Spike, the XP, is Wiedenmann UK’s biggest in fleet, chosen because of its readiness to go 40 cm deep. “It was all purely about depth,” continued Allan. “We’ve a buildup of organic matter deep down on some greens and a bit of compaction in some of our fairways. There are actually very good soils below the surface but to tap into these, we need the aerator to get air and water through the profile a lot quicker. “It had been reasonably dry until I arrived, but once the ground got softer, we went out on the greens with 12 mm tines along with the turf retainers. The greens have reacted well to them. Water has gone down, not just through the top profile but permeated through the bottom profile, and already I can see a difference. The plan is to keep that going every month right through the summer as disruption to surface is minimal.” “The wider programme is to do tees and approaches at the end of the season, so September, and then spike the fairways before winter arrives. The speed of the XP8 is impressive. I’ve used the GXi8 HD before and everyone says how quick it is, but the XP8 is no slouch. We had no expectation of speed as

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

we were searching for depth … but a hectare of greens took around nine hours, so it’s great to be able to complete all 18 greens in a day.” Four weeks later, a delivery of the Maredo MT200 FlexVerticutter arrived for the Lothian club. Even on the most challenging of fairway undulations they are falter-free thanks to a turn-able ‘A’ frame and pivot point. Each head measures just over 63 cm giving a total reach of 1.9 m with working to depths of around 25 mm. “The Maredos were another easy decision,” said Allan. “While relieving compaction with the Terra Spike on the fairways, the next stage is to follow through with scarifying. The idea is to remove the organic matter, breaking surface tension to help get rid of less desirable broad leaf grasses and encourage the finer ones to flourish. This leaves a better habitat for the finer grasses to grow. I really appreciate the adaptability of the Maredos with their three cassettes lined up in a V-formation, as opposed to a straight unit. They are at one with the tractor and even in just an hour cover large areas. The course is fairly flat, except for a few undulating holes with numerous dips and bumps, yet wherever they are, they hug the course, don’t scalp or pull out too much. One spanner adjustment and away you go. They will improve the texture and quality significantly. All main playing surfaces (except greens) will be done twice a year with the Maredos with maybe the approaches getting three hits, depending on the weather.” the session given by one of the Fairways GM team, they receive a record of attendance and so does their employer. Allan and his team have found it very worthwhile.” For more information contact Val Graham on 0141 586 6789 or 07504 704407 val@fairwaysgroup.ltd.uk

TOP DRESSING

Putt-perfect

greens

s the only club in Essex to make it onto the England Top 100 list, Thorndon Park in Ingrave has a reputation to uphold for its putt-perfect greens and feature fairways. A combination of two years of drought, combined with some extensive leatherjacket damage, had done its very best to scupper that, but a switch

in seeding strategy - from fescue to perennial ryegrass from Johnsons Sports Seed – has seen a recovery of the fairways that Course Manager David Byron can only describe as amazing! When David took over as Course Manager in September 2020, tackling the loss of coverage on the fairways

was his first major task. “It’s no exaggeration to say that what we were faced with was really just mud and dust” explains David, who heads up a greens team of nine. “Craig Spooner from DLF came in and conducted a course walk and we decided upon a switch to a bespoke Perennial Ryegrass mixture – featuring Dickens,

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

TOP DRESSING

Chardin, Clementine and Monroe - to give us quick, strong growth and recovery while we rebuild the soil profile – with the aim of later down the line, re-introducing fescue species.” Ideally suited for the renovation of high traffic areas, perennial ryegrass delivers improved drought tolerance, high disease resistance and excellent year-round colour, and importantly for David, fast recovery. “We first sowed the Rye fairway mix in September so we’re less than a year into the programme and we have recovered all our fairways – in fact, coverage across the whole course is currently fantastic.” “We’ve been using Johnsons’ J Tee on our tees for the last few years and that always performs well, and on the greens it’s J All Bent which was last sown at the end of May and this has given us a great

initial strike.” While David is delighted with results course-wide, the club’s determination to rise even higher in the ranks means mixtures are always being reviewed and assessed with the STRI ratings. “We can be assured with tabletopping cultivars that with Johnsons, we’re going to be getting the tolerances and resistances we need to always be improving.” David concludes, “The Johnsons mixtures are also backed up with fantastic technical support, both from Craig and Richard Lewis at our distributor Indigrow. The support network and after-care advice we get is worth more to me than saving a few quid here and there on product. Buying into Johnsons you get the complete package.” www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

“ “The Johnsons mixtures are also backed up with fantastic technical support, both from Craig and Richard Lewis at our distributor Indigrow” GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

TOP DRESSING

The importance of keeping up the moisture ith the consistently warmer and drier months, it is best to be prepared for drought conditions which can lead to plant stresses.

Plant stress can be relieved using Wetting Agents such as Abzorb in a spray application which can be tank mixed with an organic biostimulant such as Kelpak. This will assist the rapid penetration of water in dry areas for medium to long term re-wetting. Wetting agents contain soil penetrating surfactants which are effective against turf diseases such as Dry Patch and Fairy Ring. Abzorb is suitable for use on grass areas such as lawns and amenity and sports turf. They are most effective when used monthly from spring onwards as this will mean the maximum amount of wetting agent will be present during the dry months of summer. The 2.5kg Abzorb tank tablet can be pushed through an irrigation system. You can also spot water using a 250g Abzorb tablet in a spray gun or handheld sprayer. A fast-acting wetting agent attaches itself to the waxes and lipids left by fungal spores on soil and sand particles, which in turn attracts water molecules allowing hydrophobic areas to be re-wet. They are a blend of soil penetrating surfactants, that help to re-wet dry areas of turf affected by turf diseases. It is very important to irrigate after application of a wetting agent, so that it penetrates the soil. Applying 10-15mm of water straight after application will help, or when it is raining or due to. It can also scorch the leaf if left on it during hot weather. Other benefits of wetting agents include: • Keeps the surface of the soil open 32

and more receptive to water so any irrigation gets into the soil and does not just run off. • Reduces the amount of irrigation water needed so saves time and money. • Reducing the amount of overhead irrigation will keep the surface drier and this can help with the reduction of Poa annua and disease. • The surfactants reduce the surface tension in the water and so excess water will fall from the soil profile to drains far easier in times of higher rain fall. • Can be used to help the penetration of pesticides into the thatch layer or soil. Particularly important when looking at actives such as azoxystrobin that are only translocated upwards in a plant and so to protect the whole plant. • Can be applied just after seeding to increase germination rates and reduce watering requirements. For more information, or to help you identify turf diseases that you may have, Agrigem’s team of Technical Sports Turf specialists are here to help. Contact them through Agrigem.co.uk or call 01522 246491

Profile: Adam Grantham Adam is Agrigem’s Technical Consultant for Sports Turf. Adam has over 15 years of experience at Reading FC, where he eventually became Grounds Manager, overseeing both the Madejski Stadium and both Bearwood and Hogwood Training Grounds. Adam currently advises Premier League clubs on their stadium and training grounds, as well as grassroots clubs through the company’s “Putting the Grass into Grassroots” programme.

www.cubcadet.co.uk GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

PLAZMA TURF DISEASE CONTROL

PLAZMA is a powerful, high performance, broad spectrum fungicide for the control of disease in managed amenity turf. It contains 250g per litre of the active ingredient Azoxystrobin, making it one of the strongest, broad spectrum professional turf fungicide on the market. Azoxystrobin is known to target a wide variety of turf diseases including Fusarium Patch, Take-All Patch, Brown Patch, Leaf Sport, Rust Diseases, Fairy Rings and Anthracnose.

Key Features Easy to use Plazma Formulation; can be used in boom sprayer or knapsack Ideal in High Humidity conditions Fast Acting & Long Lasting with Rainfast Properties. 1L Convenient Pack size 250g per litre Azoxystrobin Manufactured by Nufarm, a leading manufacturer of crop protection products for the last 100 years.

www.plazmaturf.com T 01522 246491 MAPP No. 19416 • Use plant protection products safely • Always read the label and product information before use • PLAZMA is a registered trademark of Nufarm UK Ltd.

TOP DRESSING

Charterhouse Turf Machinery to be re-branded

ffective from the 1st July 2021, Charterhouse Turf Machinery will officially re-brand to become Redexim. While the product portfolio, premises and personnel will be unaffected, the change of name brings the UK into line with the Redexim corporate strategy adopted throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The relationship between Charterhouse and Redexim has been ongoing for more than 35 years, when Charterhouse were appointed to distribute the now iconic Redexim VertiDrain®. The success of this partnership then saw Charterhouse become a wholly owned subsidiary of Redexim bv in 1997. With the Verti-Drain® firmly setting the standard for professional aeration, the product portfolio has expanded significantly over the years to incorporate overseeders, topdressers, scarifiers

and renovation equipment for natural surfaces, as well as a range of machinery options for artificial playing surfaces, that meet the exacting standards of today’s turf managers. Commenting on the re-brand in the UK, Redexim Chief Operating Officer Herman de Bree said “The team at Charterhouse have done a fantastic job over the years at cementing the place of the Redexim natural and artificial ranges with leading turf managers throughout the UK. The time is now right to unify the approach with that adopted throughout the world by delivering sales, service and support under the Redexim banner. This will help to strengthen our brand awareness and global corporate identity and streamline our communication with customers around the world.” www.redexim.com

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

WEED CONTROL

Suståne Natural Fertiliser rganic solutions to plant nutrition and soil management are becoming an everincreasing choice at leading sports facilities around the globe, as attention turns to both the impacts of more traditional chemicals and the benefits to the environment of more natural approaches. Built on over 40 years of research, Suståne Natural Fertiliser has one of the largest ranges of organicbased fertilisers and soil builders developed for all landscape and turf applications.

Suståne is the most comprehensively researched organic fertiliser brand available in today’s market. Over 800 independent studies have been conducted in areas including turf establishment, disease suppression, environmental impact, effects on wildlife and soil improvement – the result of this research is a biologicallyactive, organic product range built for agronomic performance. Suståne’s

aerobic, thermophilic composting process is the most environmentally sound method for recycling of agricultural residue, generating no methane and fewer greenhouse gases than other organic stabilisation processes. With the manufacturing impact on the environment low, the benefits of Suståne to the landscape are many. Through the unique process, the organic feedstock is concentrated into a nutrient rich humus – rich in microbial diversity yet low in biological oxygen demand. Suståne’s microbial diversity index of 4.5 is critical to many soil and plant functions, providing optimal microbiology for plants to thrive. The release of nitrogen is slow, predictable and efficient, reducing loss to the environment through volatilisation, leaching or immobilisation and provides a long-lasting, sustainable source of plant nutrition and soil improvements.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

There are formulations within the Suståne range suitable for every turf type and agronomic application, from 100% organic to higher nitrogen natural-base formulations, each with unique release rates and nutrient profiles. New to the range in 2021 is Suståne Soil Regen® - a soil amendment product formulated to improve soil structure by increasing infiltration rates and the profiles’ ability to hold nutrients and moisture. The Suståne range is available through a network of approved distributors globally, with dedicated Regional Managers on hand to provide tailored, technical advice. The full range of tennis court equipment visit and to buy-online visit www.edwardsports.co.uk If you have any queries, require expert advice or would like to be sent a catalogue please contact Kerry Foote kfoote@edsports. co.uk or call 01308 424111 35

GREENKEEPING

What to consider when buying used machinery B

uying used machinery for turfcare maintenance has always been prevalent in the industry, but with the impact of COVID-19 has led many to take a closer look at their finances and re-evaluate spending. Value for money is key and why

used machinery has seen increased interest. Alastair Rowell, UK sales manager – turfcare equipment at Reesink Turfcare, takes a closer look at buying used machinery, the benefits of doing so and what to look out for when purchasing a pre-owned machine.

Buying new comes with the guarantee of a manufacturer warranty for peace of mind, but buying used doesn’t mean missing out.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

seemingly good value for money upfront; you need to know that the machinery you buy is fit for purpose. A machine that costs significantly less used means nothing if it can’t do the job properly. It’s paramount to know the machine’s history, and trust it has been through a multipoint check by a trained technician. Buying new comes with the guarantee of a manufacturer warranty for peace of mind, but buying used doesn’t mean missing out. Trusted dealers will offer their own warranty to provide that extra reassurance. 2. Quality of brand Invest in a reliable and trust-worthy brand. Preferably one that’s already well-known in the industry for producing durable, robust machinery that maintains its longevity. 3. Machinery use Just as you’d avoid a car that has clocked up a substantial number of miles, you wouldn’t want to invest in machinery that’s been used for a huge number of hours. Make sure you know the age, specification and hours used on a machine, as this will give you an early indication of the condition you can expect the machine to be in. 4. Service checks This goes hand in hand with purchasing from a trusted source. For a turfcare machines’ equivalent MOT, the following should be checked: • Engine and cooling system

THE BENEFITS OF BUYING USED The biggest and most obvious benefit is cost. Without paying the premium of having a brand-new machine, the upfront cost can be significantly lower. Higher-quality brands become affordable, negating the need to buy lower quality new machinery that can

be unreliable and costlier in the long term.

• Hydraulic and electrical system • Steering and brakes • Chassis

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING USED

• Fuel system

1. A trusted source

• Wheels and tyres

It’s not just a question of getting

• Operator platform and controls

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

• Transmission and final drives • Cutting units and decks

GREENKEEPING

THE NEW HOME OF USED TORO MACHINERY Reesink understands the cost savings benefits of buying used machinery, but also the need to have assurance that by buying pre-owned doesn’t mean losing out on quality. Which is why we’ve created an online nationwide network, Ree.Own, providing access to the best used Toro machinery available in the UK. The platform, reeown.co.uk, has an ‘Autotrader’ style, where the machines listed have been certified for sale through a network of authorised Toro dealers and Reesink branch locations. The site gives customers the ability to browse and compare prices on a range of machines that are guaranteed to represent quality and value for money. 38

All Ree.Own certified machines are no more than seven years since first use, with less than 3000 hours use. Plus, all machines will have gone through a multipoint check by trained technicians. Machines are fully serviced when history is unavailable, or where there are over 50 hours use since the last service and to top it all off, machines will come with a minimum 90 day warranty, with some even having an extended warranty of up to 270 days.

engineering and innovation that comes with a Toro machine, while making huge cost savings, which is incredibly important in these uncertain times. For further information on Ree.Own or Reesink Turfcare, visit reeown.co.uk or reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

Having an online platform providing a range of preowned machines meets the needs of the market. Now, more customers can benefit from the quality of cut, precision

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

SHOWS

SALTEX 2021 VISITOR REGISTRATION OPEN he Grounds Management Association has announced that visitor registration for SALTEX 2021 is now officially open at gmasaltex. co.uk

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 3 and 4 November, SALTEX 2021 will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in style. The show will feature over 400 brands including some of the biggest names in groundscare and will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very latest industry trends and innovations, enhance their education and learn from industry experts. The exhibition is the longeststanding event of its kind in the world, having been held almost every year since 1938, and the show is continually evolving with the people of the industry in mind. In addition to the limitless opportunities available on the show floor, one lucky visitor will be presented with an incredible battery-powered compact loader from Avant UK worth approximately £30,000. Every person who registers will be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize and the live draw will take place on the first day of the show. “The last year has been tough and we know how hard groundspersons and other industry professionals have worked during the pandemic,” said Raimo Ala-Korpi, Avant UK managing director. “We thought it would be good to give something back to the industry.

“SALTEX is the place to be when meeting the industry and showcasing our latest innovations. It is the number one show for us as many of our current clients from turf care, parks and playgrounds visit the show, and every year we generate multiple quality new connections across the UK and even further.” Visitors to SALTEX 2021 can look forward to exciting show attractions as well as popular features such as: • Eco Village – live demonstrations purely dedicated to environmentally-friendly products. • Learning LIVE – SALTEX’s worldclass free educational programme. • Pathology and Soil Science LIVE – a look in detail at the symptoms of turfgrass fungal disease problems. • SALTEX Innovation Award – celebrating the very best in new groundscare technology. • Ask the Expert – free face-to-face turfcare advice. • Lawn Care Legends LIVE – a fantastic networking opportunity for landscapers and gardeners.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

• Job Clinic – free one-to-one sessions covering CV writing to interview techniques. “We can’t wait to celebrate SALTEX’s 75th anniversary with the industry,” said Luke Perry, GMA’s Commercial & Events Director. “SALTEX 2021 will be one to remember because it will be the first time that the grounds management industry reunites on a grand scale since the pandemic. “After a year out, it is finally time to say See You at Saltex.” Visitors can register to attend SALTEX via the website. Visitors will receive a confirmation email with their badge to print and take along to the show, to gain free entry. For more information on the Avant e6 loader visit https:// www.avanttecno.com/uk/ machines/e-series Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_ SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

LATEST NEWS

DESIGNS FOR A CLEANER, SAFER & MORE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT ensure our carbon footprint is kept to a minimum.

t Glasdon, we have over 60 years’ experience in designing, manufacturing and supplying essential products which can improve spaces, enhance site safety and help to support waste management systems and recycling.

Assisting with implementing and adopting practices to help keep areas tidy and litter free, Glasdon have a large selection of indoor and outdoor waste and recycling containers and dog waste bins, available in a selection of styles, sizes and colours to suit all requirements.

Glasdon UK serves over 50,000 customers throughout the whole of the UK. As a company, we are committed to constantly evolving, to meet the specialised demands of our customers. Glasdon are passionate about the environment and committed to improving our environmental impact. Dedicated to integrating sustainable and ethical practice into our day-today activities, Glasdon aim to be an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible member of the local and global community. New product development has been a defining element throughout our history. We are continually enhancing our product range and pave the way in the market by introducing unique products. Working together with our innovative design team, we want to 40

provide real world solutions, tailored to meeting our customers’ needs. We design our products to have a long service life and wherever possible they are made using recycled and recyclable materials. Researching and implementing new sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes allows us to achieve this. The vast majority of our products are proudly manufactured and assembled in the United Kingdom which helps

Create inviting and sustainable outdoor spaces where you need to with seats, benches and picnic tables manufactured from recycled materials. Glasdon Enviropol® material is predominantly produced from post-consumer polyethylene and polypropylene. This means the Enviropol slats on one of our seating products could contain as many as 102,420 recycled bottle caps! For more information, visit our website www.glasdon.com to view our full product range, or contact our sales team sales@glasdon-uk.co.uk Website: www.glasdon.com Email: sales@glasdon-uk.co.uk

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

To view the full range of high quality, durable and sustainable products, visit:

www.glasdon.com

AERATION

The ProCore 864 takes the proven coring head technology from the very successful ProCore 648 combined with an improved platform, the result is the most productive and durable large area aerators available today.

Efficient aeration from Toro eration is an essential part of turf maintenance for most groundsmen. It is recognised as one of the most important tasks implemented on fine turf, but there can be widely differing views about the most effective techniques to employ.

WHAT IS AERATION? Aeration is a mechanical operation that creates air space in the soil to ensure a healthier plant. The increase in oxygen, which is critical for root growth and ultimately grass growth, improves the rate water moves into the soil, improves drainage, relieves turf compaction and thatch build-up. This results in a better quality playing surface. 42

Sharp, smooth, good quality tines ensure precise, consistent holes for faster turf recovery, smooth finish and speedier return to play. Toro Genuine Parts has tines to suit every turf application, soil situation and season.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

AERATION

However, getting oxygen into the soil is a disruptive process, so it’s important to let the turf dictate the course of aeration action.

TOP TIPS

TYPES OF AERATION

• Top dressing post aeration – on a dry surface – will ensure the even, full filling of the holes. Apply a second application a few days post coring to top off the holes and maintain a smooth surface.

Hollow tining is the best way to control build-up of undecomposed organic matter in the root zone. Slitting, slicing or cross aerating is good for counteracting thatch and causes minimal damage, perfect for more sensitive times of the year such as summer and winter. For compaction where there is little thatch, deep tine aeration with some lift tine heave is ideal. Solid tining provides enhanced gas movement between the root zone and the atmosphere, useful for aerating the upper level of the root zone and particularly good for sandy soil that doesn’t need much turf compaction relief.

• Regular aeration will ensure the turf is healthier and recovers from compaction quicker.

• Rolling the turf for a day or two after aeration will improve conditions for mowing and maintain levels and a smooth surface. • Irrigate and fertilise 3-4 days after to stimulate turf recovery.

THE RIGHT AERATION MACHINERY When it comes to choosing the right machinery for the job, there are a number of innovative and efficient options from Toro. The long-standing favourite of golf courses and fine turf applications

is the Toro ProCore 648. Its 48-inch aerating width is one of the largest in the industry, and with the ability to aerate up to 18 greens in approximately seven hours, the ProCore 648 is built to get the job done. With Toro’s ProCore SR Series deeptine aerators, you can penetrate up to 16 inches below the surface. Models range from lightweight precision machines for smoother greens, to robust machines to break up soil on even the most compacted surfaces. And with tractor-mounted variants there’s the potential to cover larger areas. The ProCore 1298 and ProCore 864 are up to 25 percent wider than other competitive units and cover more ground in less time for increased productivity. Width is key to enabling the machine to cover a lot of ground – up to 2.3 acres per hour is possible. For further information on the range of Toro aerators, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk, call 01480 226800 or email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk

Toro’s innovative and efficient ProCore 648 pedestrian aerator is a long-standing favourite for productive aeration.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

AERATION

Drainage cure for Buckingham West End Bowls Club

uckingham West End Bowls Club was founded in 1910 and enjoys a strong and loyal membership. Situated in Buckingham itself, the club aims to promote the game of Flat Green Bowls and provide facilities for the social needs and well-being of its members. As a mixed club, they play men’s,

ladies and mixed matches with other clubs in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Greenkeeper Ian Jones joined the club in 2013 at which time, he says, the green drained well but in 2018 they started getting problems with drainage. On Christmas Eve 2020, the nearby river flooded the green to a depth of about 2ft.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

AERATION

Although most of the water drained away within 24 hours, because of the drainage problem, part of the green remained underwater so long the roots of the grass began to rot. “We use contractors Avonmore Associates to do spraying, aeration in autumn and top dressing and we worked with Avonmore’s Brian Buttler to take some core samples. While the topsoil was good, we found there was no drainage layer,” says Ian. Brian’s view was the constant walking on the green over the many years had caused severe compaction. They coupled this with another reason. The green sits on yellow clay, being near Bedford, which is famous for brick making using the clay over the past hundred years. Ian had seen an article on a South Wales bowling club that had a similar drainage problem and they had called in Terrain Aeration, whom Brian also knew of. Whereas normal aeration is an accepted part of a good greenkeeping regime, it only reaches a depth of inches. Terrain Aeration’s system treats the ground down to a depth of one metre. At this depth, the ground is usually so

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

compacted it requires fracturing to open up fissures and allow drainage. Their Terralift machine hammers a hollow probe through the soil using a JCB road breaker gun, and compressed air is released up to 20Bar (280psi). At the end of the air blast, they inject dried seaweed, which sticks to the fissure walls. This expands and contracts with the moisture in the soil to keep the area breathing. Ian and club member volunteers who help maintain the green backfilled the 1.5-inch probe holes with Lytag aggregate and covered with topsoil. The green was playable almost immediately. “Had we put in field drains it would have been very disruptive and using Terrain Aeration’s system meant we could do the work in the season,” says Ian. “Then we had no rain for some weeks so we had no idea if it had worked until the heaven’s opened in June. After severe downpours, we found the green drained far better than in years and the club is overjoyed with the result.” Terrain Aeration 01449 673783 www.terrainaeration.co.uk

TOOLS PLANT & EQUIPMENT

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Climate Control Baselayers Snickers Workwear will give your workday working clothes a good foundation. Upgraded, Innovative and Sustainable - Snickers Workwear ‘Climate Control’ clothing delivers exceptional comfort and performance. There’s a range of garments that use socially and environmentally responsible fibre technology such as 100% recycled polyester, as well as others available in high-tech breathable fabrics. For consistent comfort, the seamless designs are also available in 37.5® ventilating technology for efficient body moisture transport as well as odour-reducing merino wool to suit different types of work, whatever the weather conditions. These cutting-edge AllroundWork, FLEXIWork and LITEwork designs and fabrics will keep you cool, warm and dry when you need to be. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

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BY A PP O I N T M E NT TO HE R M A JE S T Y T HE QUEEN SUPPLIE R S OF AGRICULT UR A L , GROUNDSC A RE A ND HOR T ICULT UR A L EQUIPMENT JOHN DEERE LT D NOT T INGH A M

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Championship treble for dealer support S

cottish John Deere dealers Thomas Sherriff & Co and Double A will complete a unique treble this summer as they provide vital tournament support for the abrdn Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in July, the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links and the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie Golf Links, both in August. This is The Renaissance Club’s third consecutive Scottish Open, with the course running an extensive John Deere equipment fleet including the new satellite guided GPS PrecisionSprayer and 2550E PrecisionCut hybrid electric greens mowers. Sherriff Haddington turf sales manager

Dougie Archibald arranged for the supply of additional 8000AE PrecisionCut hybrid electric fairway mowers, Gator utility vehicles and other support equipment to deputy head superintendent Jamie Aitken, who headed up the course maintenance team for the abrdn Scottish Open. The dealership’s senior technician John Blair also spent two days before the tournament setting up the mower fleet to ensure all the machines achieved a consistently high quality finish. Head superintendent Paul Seago says: “We are indebted to John Deere, local dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co and their respective staff for once again providing the tournament support fleet for the 2021 abrdn Scottish Open, without which

we could not produce our course to the exacting standards required for hosting such a prestigious event. “As an end user, particularly during these globally challenging times, it is reassuring to know that customer support remains a high priority at John Deere. As The Renaissance Club motto says, ‘Rare Indeed’.” Dumbarnie Links is a new venue for the Women’s Scottish Open, and this will be the first major golf tournament hosted by Scotland’s newest golf course, which only opened for play officially at the end of May last year. The course also operates a number of E-Cut hybrid electric mowers as part of its equally extensive John Deere fleet, supplied by Double A from its main Cupar outlet in Fife.

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

GOLF COURSES

The dealership was involved with the Dumbarnie Links project from the very beginning, and since the initial supply of John Deere equipment on loan Double A group sales manager Ross Kelly and golf key accounts manager John Bateson have been phasing in a full range of course maintenance equipment over the past three years. “It’s simply not possible to achieve what we want to achieve without the extra machines and technical support we get from Double A and John Deere,” says Dumbarnie Links course manager Grahame Taylor. This will include additional hybrid greens, fairways and surrounds mowers plus HPX Gator utility vehicles, with John Bateson also cutting aprons throughout the tournament using a new 2750E PrecisionCut machine. “Our team of 20 greenkeepers expands to 30 for the Open, and we need to carry out all the necessary tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible. The expanded fleet enables us to increase the mowing frequency, particularly during the tournament when there’s only a short time-frame to get the work done before the start of play. We’ll therefore have

“ “It’s simply not possible to achieve what we want to achieve without the extra machines and technical support we get from Double A and John Deere.” lights fitted to all the mowers, as we’ll be starting in the dark at 4.15am each day.” Carnoustie Golf Links, known as ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’ and a flagship for innovation and sustainable golf course management, entered into a new partnership agreement with John Deere and Rain Bird in 2020. It is also taking advantage of the latest developments in precision technology, with a comprehensive equipment fleet that includes three of the first new GPS PrecisionSprayers to be sold in Europe. The AIG Women’s Open returns after 10 years to Carnoustie for the 45th playing of the championship in 2021, with the famous Angus course becoming the fifth links

venue in history to host the event multiple times. Carnoustie Golf Links courses manager Kevin Stott says: “Reliable manufacturer and dealer support such as that provided by John Deere and Double A is very important. Hosting a major tournament such as the AIG Women’s Open requires the extra kit and manpower to help our team put that extra polish on the fairways and greens, and make maximum use of the available daylight hours. “It comes down to the frequency and quality of cut that we need to apply across all three courses. Our primary focus is on giving golfers the very best conditions possible for them to play their best golf. “This year, as we welcome some of the very best golfers in the world for the AIG Women’s Open, we are ensuring that Carnoustie will provide the great test that is expected from this iconic golf course and that we produce world class surfaces that will challenge every part of their game, resulting in the best all round golfer winning.” www.deere.co.uk

E-mail: steve@asmpr.co.uk Website: www.deere.co.uk

GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | August/September 2021

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