Thousands of parks and green spaces celebrate Green Flag award
Sites across the UK prepare to raise the prestigious Green Flag Award after reaching international quality standard for parks and green spaces.
A record number of parks and green spaces across the UK have reached the high standards required to receive a coveted Green Flag Award in 2024.
A total of 2,227 parks and green spaces have achieved the Green Flag Award - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – with successful submissions from local authorities and other land managers across the country for a range of sites, from world-famous city parks to community gardens.
Four parks that received their first Green Flag Award when the scheme was launched 28 years ago have flown it every year since: Cockington Country Park – Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust; Worden Park; Queen’s Park, London; and Highgate Wood in London.
In addition, 130 of the winners have received a Green Heritage
Site Accreditation for the management of historic features, supported in England by Historic England.
Several quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups were given a Green Flag Community Award.
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Allison OgdenNewton OBE, said: “Prioritising parks and green spaces is vital for our future, so we are delighted to see that 2,227 sites have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these important national assets.
“We know beyond doubt that our local environment contributes to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with our parks and green spaces recognised as areas where people can come together and be active. Research shows that time spent in green spaces can positively affect mental and physical health, quality of life and a sense of wellbeing.
“We believe the standards expected in the Green Flag Award should be a minimum for every park, and it is our ambition that by 2030 we increase the number of sites achieving Green Flag Award status even further so that people across the world, wherever they live, can access
Makita launches its first robotic mower
Makita continues to power the outdoors with its new robotic mower.
Providing automatic mowing and charging, the RM350D Robotic Mower can cover lawns up to 3,500m2 and slopes of up to 26°.
With a cutting width of 240mm, rapid charging capabilities and long uninterrupted usage time, the solution provides ultimate convenience for those looking for fuss-free lawn maintenance.
The RM350D Robotic Mower is designed to mow the lawn and recharge automatically on its dedicated charging station. It cuts the grass into small pieces, leaving them on the lawn to act as a natural fertiliser. Thanks to the automatic cutting height adjustment, both the starting and target height of the lawn can be adjusted. Specifically, the cutting height can be adjusted from 20-60mm in precise 5mm increments.
The RM350D is simple to operate. Users simply need to set
the boundary wires and guides and press go, with no need to download and sync up to an app.
Four high quality brushless motors drive the blades and power the machine across the working area and once the battery has discharged, it automatically returns to its charging station and resumes mowing when the charging is completed, making it a totally autonomous system.
Makita UK Enquiry 2
and enjoy safe, high-quality green space.”
PhotoThe Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Keep Scotland Beautiful under licence from the Ministry
of Housing, Communities & Local Government, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Green Flag Award Enquiry 1
Photo caption: Mayfield Park, Manchester, Richard Bloom
Welcome...
Confirmation that a record number of parks and green spaces across the UK have secured Green Flag Award status in 2024 is a further showcase of the professionalism and high-quality skills on display every day across the industry.
Add in the successful completion of another Wimbledon championship and The Open golf championship in recent weeks on tennis courts and a golf course envied around the world and it highlights the global influence of our groundscare and greenkeeping.
It begs the question – what more does the industry need to do to gain the recognition it deserves from central government?
Indeed, there is an easy argument to be made that if a record number of parks and green spaces achieve the gold standard then imagine what more could be done with an adequate level of funding and investment from Westminster to local authorities and public bodies.
With a new Labour government already setting out its stall, we remain hopeful that some of the attention will start to come in our industry’s direction.
There is plenty being done to lobby ministers. Indeed, as this month is our regular Play & Activity supplement it is fitting that the Association of Play Industries has written to the new Prime Minister and his ministerial team seeking meetings and immediate support for the sector
Elsewhere this month, we have a full preview of GroundsFest 2024. The second coming of this new industry event promises to be bigger and better than last year’s debut show and all the signs are looking promising.
Covering hard and soft landscaping, play and amenity sectors and groundscare in a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, there is certainly plenty to see and hear (courtesy of the evening’s entertainment) at GroundsFest.
We also take a look at Fencing & Security this month, along with Compact Tractors, Ride-on Mowers and Hedge & Verge Mowers in what is a busy issue reflecting what a diverse industry we have in the UK.
Paul Groves, Editor
Grosvenor House, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TW
T: 01952 234000 E: info@tspmedia.co.uk
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Martyn Smith martyn@tspmedia.co.uk EDITOR Paul Groves paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk HEAD OF LANDSCAPE DIVISION Kellie Wake kellie@tspmedia.co.uk
AREA SALES MANAGER Colette Clark colette@tspmedia.co.uk
DESIGN & ARTWORK Evie Herbert evie@tspmedia.co.uk
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GMA moves annual awards to coincide with #GroundsWeek 2025
The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to announce the dates for two major events in the grounds care industry.
The next edition of the prestigious GMA Industry Awards will be held on Thursday 13 March 2025 at Anfield, the iconic home of Liverpool Football Club, and will kick off the GMA’s annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, which will take place between 17-23 March 2025.
Historically held at Birmingham’s NEC alongside SALTEX, Europe’s largest tradeshow, before being hosted at Headingley Stadium in Leeds last November, the GMA is moving
its industry awards to coincide with its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek.
The GMA Industry Awards celebrate excellence in the grounds care industry, recognising the outstanding achievements of both volunteers and professionals across a variety of sports and is therefore the perfect event to kick off #GroundsWeek.
The 2025 awards will feature a range of categories, including Newcomer of the Year, Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award, Community Groundsperson/ Team of the Year, Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year, and many more.
HTA welcomes MAC review of Seasonal Worker Scheme
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s review of the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS).
The recommendations, which emphasise the continuation and enhancement of the SWS, are crucial for the future of the UK’s environmental horticultural industry.
The HTA submitted evidence to the review last autumn on behalf of its members. The MAC also visited HTA member nurseries as part of the review.
Jennifer Pheasey, HTA Director of Public Affairs, commented: “The MAC’s review highlights the essential role of the Seasonal Worker Scheme in ensuring the stability and productivity of the UK’s environmental horticultural sector. As the scheme evolves, it must remain accessible and viable for an industry hit by cost increases and regulatory changes. The HTA has consistently
advocated for a more flexible and long-term scheme, and we are pleased to see some of the review’s recommendations reflect this.
“Environmental horticulture is a hugely important industry that delivers green jobs and skills and economic, environmental, social, health, and wellbeing benefits to the UK. It is critical that the government listens to and acts on the sector’s needs. We look forward to engaging on what the details of some of the recommendations mean for the sector.
“The HTA remains committed to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to enhance the SWS and secure the future of the UK’s horticultural sector. Ensuring fair treatment and appropriate remuneration for seasonal workers is not only a matter of economic necessity but also an ethical responsibility.”
The HTA Enquiry 6
We are excited to confirm that a brand-new venue has been secured for the 2025 awards. The venue details will be revealed soon, promising a fresh and exciting backdrop.
Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of our Industry Awards in March 2025, especially given that it now coincides with #GroundsWeek which provides the ideal opportunity to celebrate excellence within the grounds care industry.”
#GroundsWeek, now moving into its fifth consecutive year, helps to raise awareness and recognise the work of grounds care volunteers and
professionals in the UK, with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry. The campaign has attracted significant media attention in recent years, with coverage on major news outlets including Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ITV News, and Reuters.
“Because of this exciting change, we won’t be holding a separate awards ceremony in 2024,” added Geoff.
“Instead, we’re combining it with #GroundsWeek which will allow us to truly showcase the best in the industry during this special week celebration.”
GMA Enquiry 5
Work smart not hard.
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Fields in Trust has issued a warm welcome to all the MPs elected last month – in particular the 335 new MPs – as they find their way around and settle into their new offices at Westminster ready for Parliamentary business to start.
During the campaign, Fields in Trust set out three policy asks centred on protecting, expanding, and improving the future of parks and green spaces.
Revaluing the role that parks play in our communities and seeing them as vehicles to help improve health inequalities and the environment needs a shift in mindset, policy and leadership.
The much-anticipated update to the National Planning
Policy Framework (NPPF) has been announced with a public consultation due by the end of the month.
“We’ll be focussed on ensuring this is an opportunity strengthen access to quality parks and green space, so that they are revalued and put on a surer footing,” said a spokesperson. “Its paramount that ‘golden rule number 5: Improve genuine green spaces’ sets out firm plans to improve existing parks and green spaces and creates new ones that are accessible to local people so the inequality of access gets addressed. This rule has to go hand in hand with other proposed changes to green belt and housebuilding targets.
“Eight cabinet members have previously worked within the charity sector which is a real shift from previous cabinets. We hope that this depth of understanding of the challenges faced and new expertise around the decisionmaking table will help to ensure the charity sector and Government work effectively together to make a difference.
“Access to parks is a crossparty issue – not a divisive one. It needs collective action across government departments alongside local leaders, industry players and charities, like us, who champion for better access for everyone. So, we’ll also be looking to the current cohort of 411 Labour MPs, 121 Conservatives, 72 Liberal
democrat MPs and 4 Green Party MPs in particular to hold the government to account about their ambitions and push for better.
“There is a real buzz of opportunity for change in the air and we’ll continue to work hard to influence the new government to be ambitious and innovative about the role parks can play in delivering wider policy goals.
“Over the coming weeks, we will be getting in touch with all newly elected MPs to ask them to sign our Park Protector Pledge. Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks about how to ask your MP to take action.”
Fields in Trust Enquiry 8
Capel Manor College celebrates student successes across London
As the academic year draws to a close, students and staff at Capel Manor College, London’s only environmental college, have joined together in recognition of the achievements and dedication of all their students.
The College held a series of celebrations and award ceremonies across all five London campuses, to honour and acknowledge the impressive accomplishments of students in each of their fields, and their hopes for the future.
In total 92 awards were presented for outstanding achievements, attendance, and performance, including special recognition for students who demonstrated exceptional commitment, while overcoming significant challenges and adversity during their studies.
These ceremonies not only recognised the academic achievements of students, but also celebrated the community spirit and collaborative efforts that illustrate Capel Manor College’s vision for an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable future for their students.
Awarding certificates at each event, Peter Brammall, Principal at Capel Manor College, expressed his great admiration for the students, stating: “We are incredibly proud of our students and the commitment they have shown throughout the year.
Their passion for their subjects and dedication to their studies are truly inspiring. These celebrations are a testament to their hard work and the support provided by our excellent staff. We look forward to seeing our students continue
to grow and succeed in their future endeavours.”
Covering a wide array of subjects, Capel Manor College offers a diverse breadth of course options, both full and part-time, catering to young people and adults. With courses including animal management, horticulture, floristry, arboriculture, and garden design, the College looks forward to welcoming new and returning students this September, with the first cohort of students also joining the newly launched Art and Design course hosted at the Enfield Campus.
Committed to ensuring the future success of students, and our environment, Capel Manor College play a crucial role in providing high-quality education in this sector.
Capel Manor College Enquiry 9
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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a sustainable approach with OAS
The prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire is preparing to host the LIV Golf UK event next week, from 26-28 July 2024, replacing Centurion Golf Club in Hertfordshire as LIV’s UK LIV stop.
JCB has hosted events in the last two years on the Legends Tour, the DP World Tour’s veteran circuit. They now join an evergrowing list of UK golf courses in connection with LIV Golf and its financial investment in the professional game.
The new Golf and Country Club opened less than five years ago in September 2019 and its testimony to Golf Course Manager Callum Wark and his 33-strong team that this is already a tournament standard course, having hosted events on the Legends Tour and the DP World Tours veteran circuit.
Previously from Loch Lomond Golf Club, Callum joined the original JCB Course Manager Euan Grant as a Senior Greenkeeper in June 2016,
along with another 15 people who were all instrumental in the construction and grow-in of the course.
Kerr Hunter from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), which encompasses Symbio, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, and Turfkeeper, has dealt with Callum since his inception at the club. Callum explains: “JBC wanted an organic and sustainable course. Euan had been working with Kerr from his former club and wanted the same results. With the active ingredients in fungicides being slowly removed from the market we wanted to proactively manage our greens moving forward and wanted to adopt a biological programme that required less input from us.”
In 2018 Euan became the General Manager and Callum was promoted to Golf Course Manager. He oversaw the official launch of the JCB Golf and Country Club, which was designed to reflect the bold, ambitious vision of Lord Bamford, Chairman of the iconic construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer JCB who wanted nothing less than the creation of a tour-ready contemporary masterpiece in course design.
Internationally renowned Robin Hiseman of European Gold Design was commissioned to create the stunning, contemporary layout in beautiful rural Staffordshire. The 7308yard par 72 course has been
designed to challenge elite golfers at full distance while allowing corporate golfers an enjoyable experience.
Callum continues: “I’m not against chemical inputs and where I need to, I do use them, but I find that by following a biological programme we only have a limited need for them. There is a high level of expectation that the course is in immaculate condition. We cannot afford for our members to see any disease or scarring so as a preventative we currently spray fungicide preventatively on the greens three times a year, but we are planning on reducing this to two times if possible. I see it as a safety net.”
The course is built on land close to the JCB headquarters in a mixture of established woodland and farmers’ fields. The site wasn’t the easiest to work on as there was a lot of clay and drainage was a challenge. Hiseman and his team moved over 400,000m 3 of earth to produce the course.
OAS helped with the specification of a full assembly grow-in programme to enable the course to be built with a biological base. Some of the products used included Mycorrhizal Inoculant for greens and tees and Mycorrhizal SeedCoat for fairways and outfields along with Caviar, calcium and magnesium.
Callum adds: “Today the soil is biologically active and the course is maintained with a
vigorous organic and biological programme. We have four Compost Tea brewers and use Compost Teas every two weeks to feed the soil life and enhance the soil food web. We have a full greens programme to aid in the prevention of disease and improve plant health. We have fantastic results and the OAS biological products maintain the quality. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”
Origin Amenity Solutions is the major supplier to the JCB Golf and Country Club for their putting greens. As well as a myriad of biological products such as ThatchEater, seaweed, CMS Shoot, DegrAid, Biotabs and Liquid Aeration, Callum has been using OAS Iron products for the fairways: ‘it is a high-quality product and one that works with our programme.. ‘Symbio ThatchEater is a core product for us. Our members
demand high-performance surfaces. They must be firm and fast at all times. We still need to aerate regularly but ThatchEater is my go-to product.
“The service and advice I receive from Kerr at OAS is invaluable. We have a planned programme, but we tweak it accordingly. A few years ago, I had a problem
and I’ve never had an issue since. The biological approach works for us, our greens are tournament-ready, and the club is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”
Origin Amenity Solutions Enquiry 12
with plant parasitic Nematodes. Kerr recommended Root Repair. The problem was eradicated,
MAKES AERATING EFFORTLESS
“The IQ dual-clutch F24/R24 gear box was chosen as it makes manoeuvring the tractor around the course whilst operating the equipment so easy.
Another feature we really like is the Auto PTO function or the Headland Management System, it is brilliant for when we get to the end of the run with the aerator, we can lift the implement up, the PTO automatically cuts out, we can turn around then lower again and PTO restarts by itself.
Brilliant for safety and avoiding damage or excess wear and tear on the implements themselves.”
Daniel Spencer, Letchworth Golf Club
Green-tech supplies products for council Air Quality Monitoring Project
Leading landscape supplier Green-tech has recently collaborated with Flintshire County Council on an environmental initiative aimed at monitoring and improving the air quality at Ysgol Croes Atti Primary School.
The Primary School is located within an urban area of Shotton, North Wales with busy roads close by. The project involved the installation of living green
screens to mitigate air pollution and enhance green spaces within the school grounds. After reading a study on how living screens can absorb particulate matter emitted from vehicles, Flintshire County Council decided it would be a worthwhile investment to help create more green space within an urban area whilst simultaneously helping capture particulate matter within the living screens.
Club thrives with DSV EuroGrass solutions
Martin Anderson became Course Manager at Kibworth Golf Club in 2019, aiming to improve the course in Leicestershire.
One significant change he made was using DSV EuroGrass seed mixtures, which greatly improved various areas of the course. It was a decision born out of research and collaboration with trusted partners like Rhys Norville from ReGen Amenity.
The trial of DSV’s Dual Use blend delivered promising results, paving the way for its integration into Kibworth’s approach.
The Air Quality Monitoring Project at Ysgol Croes Atti was initiated in response to concerns about air pollutants emitted from nearby busy roads. The project aims to create a greener environment while capturing and reducing airborne pollutants.
Green-tech was chosen due to their extensive experience regarding projects like this one, having completed similar projects for other local counties with great success.
For this project, Green-tech supplied a comprehensive range of products, including:
• 45 Hedra Helix Woerner Ivy Screens, designed to absorb particulate matter and other pollutants.
• 45 Bespoke Green Screen Planters, available in any RAL K7 classic colour, in polished, matt, textured matt, and natural finishes adding aesthetic value to the project.
• 45 Mona Tanks, supplying
irrigation which is essential for maintaining the health and growth of the ivy screens.
• 16 Bulk Bags of Greentree Topsoil, high-quality topsoil to ensure optimal plant growth.
Wildbanks Conservation, a leading organisation in practical conservation, ecology, and environmental education, installed the green screens for this project that followed a rigorous approach:
1. Baseline Data Collection: Before the green screen installation, three months of air quality data was collected to establish baseline levels of particulate matter and other pollutants.
2. Installation of Living Screens: The living screens were installed across the gated area of the school, creating a green barrier.
3. Post-Installation Data Collection: After installation, further data will
Paxster eCompact Air launched
be collected and compared to the baseline data to assess the impact of the green screens on air quality.
Flintshire County Council anticipates that the postinstallation test data will show reduced air pollutants on the school grounds. This data will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the green screens in reducing air pollutants on the school grounds.
The project at Ysgol Croes Atti aims to improve air quality and serve as a model for integrating
green infrastructure in urban educational settings.
Green-tech’s Account Manager James Renfrew comments:
“Green-tech’s involvement in the Ysgol Croes Atti Green Screen Project highlights the importance of using innovative solutions to address urban environmental challenges. By combining practical conservation efforts with advanced air quality monitoring, this project aims to create healthier and greener school environments.”
Green-tech Enquiry 17
For the fairways and tees, Martin turned to DSV’s 3-way rye mix, renowned for its quick establishment, vibrant colour, and disease resistance. The impact was profound.
With its proven track record of performance, reliability, and innovation, DSV’s seed mixtures instil confidence with every application, ensuring that the areas it is applied at Kibworth remain vibrant and disease-free year-round.
UK distributor, BOSS ORV has introduced the new Paxster eCompact Air, a Norwegian, electric, and stylish alternative to traditional utility vehicles.
Paxster is the leading Norwegian manufacturer of compact electric vehicles and the eCompact Air continues the tradition of its utility series, offering both new and refurbished models with up to 110 km (68.3 miles) of range.
It follows over a decade of Paxster’s commitment to innovation in electric vehicle technology, providing small, efficient vehicles used for delivering post and parcels to thousands of homes. This latest model retains all the excellent features of its predecessors but introduces a bolder, more robust design.
BOSS ORV Enquiry
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No delays in wet weather
With GftK you can finish the job, even in the rain.
This is all no problem when you use GftK’s 2nd-generation, ‘State-of-the-Art’, 2-component, epoxy resin-based, paving jointing mortars from NCC Streetscape!
GftK’s vdw 850plus is the ideal solution for a great many different types of paving and paved areas, including domestic patios and driveways, around retail and other commercial areas, as well as in heavily trafficked town centres and public spaces, such as market squares.
GftK vdw 850plus is also completely prebatched and designed for ease of use on site, as well as to withstand the tough installation and service demands
of Local Authorities as well as civil engineering and facilities maintenance contractors. This unique product is clearly the ‘Bestin-Class’ and makes installation easy with less limitations on joint dimensions and residual water in the joints, plus it is non-staining, even on sensitive stone slabs, with minimal surface cleaning required on completion – No washboys and no cement haze or acid-washing required.
GftK vdw hardens quickly and hardens with optimum strength correlation (compressive, tensile flexural and e-modulus) for longterm shrinkage free performance, fully able to withstand high-pressure, jet-washing and even mechanical street-cleaning machines.
NCC Streetscape Enquiry 20
GftK is the best-in-class paving jointing
Birchwood Business Park uses an interconnected network of paved pathways and pedestrian areas, linking communal seating areas with planting zones and water features.
These are paved with buttjointed, reconstituted granite stone blocks, together with natural sandstone slabs.
After a few years the joints needed to be cleaned out and weed growth removed, toxic weedkiller applied, and the joints refilled with sand, at least once every year, which was increasingly expensive and disruptive to the tenants and their employees.
The paving quickly became unsightly, then restrictions
were placed on access and use of the areas whilst noisy and dirty works were carried out, generally in the Spring and Summer months when use of the paved areas was most popular.
Several solutions were proposed and trialled in 2017, to find an alternative, less disruptive and nontoxic solution (no weedkiller needed), to prevent plant growth in the joints, and to eliminate or reduce the need for such disruptive annual works.
After the first winter the best solution was very evidentto permanently fill the joints by repointing with GftK vdw
850+ Paving Jointing Mortar. GftK vdw 850+ is the bestin-class high-performance, two-part, all-weather, epoxy resin-based paving joint mortar, applied by wet-slurry techniques to very effectively self-compact into the joints, with no additional tooling or finishing required. After allowing 24 hours to harden, the areas can be reopened to the residents.
CR Services have worked with JM & M Scanlon to undertake this repointing over the last eight years, finishing the last phase in May 2024, to complete more than 8000 m 2 in six annual phases.
NCC Streetscape Enquiry 22
Embracing sustainability in amenity management
BASIS has launched its new online course series, ‘The Principles of Sustainable Amenity Management’.
In the realm of amenity management, embracing sustainability is not merely a trend - it’s a necessity.
Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including esteemed former Amenity Forum Chair John Moverley, this self-paced, fourpart course offers an in-depth
exploration of essential topics such as policy, biodiversity, water and air pollution management, and integrated approaches. All modules are available via BASIS Classroom, providing a comprehensive and flexible learning experience for professionals in the amenity sector.
The course is divided into four key modules.
Each module can be purchased individually, and participants
who complete all four will receive access to a fifth module—a free online toolbox kit. This bonus module includes relevant case studies, guides, and the opportunity to take a BASIScertified assessment.
By enrolling in this course, participants will gain essential knowledge and insights to advance their professional growth.
Landscaping specialist Marshalls has launched Infinia, a new range that uses the latest in concrete printing technology to create a premium look with easy installation and the durability of traditional concrete.
Harnessing over a decade of innovation, Infinia is a stylish printed concrete paver for both patios and driveways. As it is made from concrete, Infinia can be cut without specialist blades and laid in the same way as ordinary concrete or block paving, according to application.
With its easy installation, Infinia offers important time and laboursaving benefits for landscapers, but it also brings big advantages for the homeowner, particularly in terms of maintenance. Thanks to its printed surface-coated design, Infinia has a protective layer that shields the surface
Brett Landscaping supports Unpave the Way showcase Marshalls launches new, easy-fit solution for patios and driveways
Brett Landscaping supplied permeable block paving to a sustainable, climate-resilient garden designed by multi-awardwinning garden designer Leon Davis at this year’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.
The Unpave the Way garden has been produced to encourage climate-resilient gardening, demonstrating how by taking a holistic approach to garden design, using sustainable drainage, rainwater harvesting and permeable paving, homeowners can future-proof their front and back garden spaces.
Brett Landscaping has been working with the design team to supply a range of appropriate paving used on the Unpave The Way installation, including permeable block paving products Invicta Flow and Alpha Flow.
Crystal Orton, Environment Agency Flood Risk Officer and Unpave the Way Project Manager, said: “Unpave
from stains, fading from UV light, frost and abrasion. It also protects against the possible risk of efflorescence which is sometimes experienced on the surface of concrete products and provides a slip resistance to an R11 rating.
To give homeowners choice, the Infinia range includes a collection of nine curated designs which can be used independently or together. Each option has a minimum of 16 variations to prevent design repeats and provides a more authentic appearance. The range also benefits from excellent colour consistency between batches due to its innovative printing technology.
“Traditionally, concrete can be seen as an unattractive, budget option – especially for patios – but Infinia changes the game,” said Alice Turner,
Head of Product and Campaign Marketing at Marshalls.
“With nine versatile designs the INIFINIA range offers homeowners a variety of styles to suit their project and taste. At the same time, professionals benefit from easy laying as it can be installed using everyday equipment. It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”
Marshalls is one of the first manufacturers in the UK market to adopt the specific concrete printing technology behind Infinia, which has undergone a decade of development to ensure reliability, quality, and durability. Infinia has also endured extensive testing, including controlled and in-situ applications, to assess ease of installation and maintenance.
Marshalls
Enquiry 23
the Way aims to inform and inspire householders to embrace permeable driveways and sustainable drainage components, collect and store rainwater for reuse, and choose climate-resilient plants for their front gardens.
“SuDS are our ally in adapting to climate change as they improve surface water drainage, cool urban areas and provide refuge for wildlife.”
Brett Landscaping Enquiry 25
Select ‘Best in Class’ - Jointing Technology for Every Project - New & Repointing
Patio Grout by GftK, the best 1-part, air-drying, paving joint mortar!
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GftK vdw 400 plus Color, the best cement-based, flowable jointing mortar!
- Highly flowable and self-compacting, polymer-modified, cement slurry, paving jointing mortar. Ideal for both natural stone and external porcelain tile paving, with light, medium and heavy traffic loadings. It is fast setting, walkable after a few hours, then achieves high strength and is very resistant to frost and de-icing salts. A proven track record over 20 years. For professional use only.
- The unique, 2-part epoxy, dust-free, fast-curing, no shrinkage cracks, plus a sheen free finish. It can be applied in cold ( > 5oC) and wet weather conditions, is very high flow and self-compacting, for ease of application, resulting in optimum strengths. Fully resistant to traffic, de-icing salts, and jet-washing. The way forwards with no more delays, plus the highest performance and durability.
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GftK vdw 815+, the narrow joint version of 850+ with the same benefits
- Based on the same state-of-the art technology as GftK vdw 850+, but designed for narrow joints from 3mm wide in larger format natural stone paving, and also absolutely ideal for external porcelain tile paving grouting, and without delay - No waiting required. Supplied in smaller 10kg units for fast and residue-free, wet-slurry grouting of porcelain paving.
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DHF sponsors 2024 AFI Awards
Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that it will be sponsoring the 2024 AFI (Association of Fencing Industries) awards taking place on Thursday 17th October 2024 at St James Park in Newcastle.
The awards recognise and promote the skills, innovation and work of the fencing industry with the categories enabling all of the fencing sector to demonstrate its work and give recognition to its organisations and workforce.
“DHF is very proud to be sponsoring the Gates & Barriers Contractor of the Year Award for a consecutive year,” explains
“As a sponsor, we will have a representative from DHF on the judging panel to select finalists and winners. Entries will be judged on the complexity of the installation and design work to complete the project, focusing upon the complexity, the project’s longstanding beneficial effect for the environment and the community in general, client references and the presentation.
“The ‘Gate & Barrier’ award also requires entries to include a RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement), Compliance
& Residual Risk Assessment and a Declaration of Conformity to demonstrate safety and compliance of the finished installation. There is a close synergy between AFI and DHF, so we are delighted to be involved.”
DHF has been involved in the automatic gate industry since 2011 when it formed the Automated Gate Group. The Group now has 327 members and has played a major role in raising the industry understanding about the safety elements involved in a compliant and safe gate installation. It offers a number of gate safety training courses which can be taken online or at its training academy based near Tamworth.
The Association of Fencing Industries exists to promote safety, quality and professionalism throughout the fencing industry. It represents members across the UK fencing industry, ensuring members are kept up to date with industry news, technical information, and business opportunities available within its network.
Its awards programme highlights the important work the fencing industry does in the many diverse areas of the sector and promotes excellence and innovation, industry wide.
There are ten award categories open to contractors, distributors, and manufacturers with installer networks, covering areas within the industry ranging from agricultural and equine, to highways and railways, and gates and barriers.
Door & Hardware Federation Enquiry 27
WPA prioritises the promotion of Benchmarkaccredited treaters
The Wood Protection Association (WPA) Commercial Committee has given the green light to a more robust promotion of WPA Benchmark quality accredited treatment plants and treated wood.
The upgraded communications will apply to the key supply chain audiences served by both WPA and Timber Development UK (TDUK).
Commercial Committee
Chairman Neil Ryan said: “The time is right to put a greater emphasis into promoting the
benefits of Benchmark quality assured wood treaters.”
This is now possible because of the significant progress over the last 18 months in expanding the number of treaters in the scheme in the UK and in the Baltic States.
Neil said that while a significant majority of WPA treater members have voluntarily joined Benchmark over the years since its 2011 launch, recent growth in membership numbers is mainly a result of TDUK members agreeing to implement a treated wood action plan. that
made it mandatory for them to supply preservative treated wood products with independent quality accreditation.
A TDUK campaign is currently underway to reinforce the commitment to buy treated wood products only from quality accredited sources. TDUK is also talking to its members who have not, as yet, confirmed they are compliant or are working towards compliance with this membership requirement.
WPA Enquiry 28
Station’s path to smoother journeys
Completed in 2023, Thanet Parkway Station, the new high-speed rail hub serving the Thanet area in southeast Kent, has implemented a significant infrastructure enhancement: the installation of high quality parking barriers to optimise accessibility and safety within its premises.
To enhance safety and streamline traffic flow within the station’s car park and adjoining pedestrian and cycleway, Jacksons Fencing were specified to implement a comprehensive suite of parking barriers and demarcation measures.
Warden Swing Barriers were installed along the pedestrian and cycleway to regulate vehicular access. These galvanised steel barriers offer a robust solution while ensuring ease of operation for maintenance and emergency vehicles.
Along the same path, Jacksons Fencing’s timber knee rail fencing served as an unobtrusive demarcation device.
This fencing solution, constructed from kiln-dried, pressuretreated timber and galvanised steel straps, safeguards grass verges and delineates pedestrian pathways.
Strategically positioned to enforce height restrictions within designated parking areas, Jacksons’ MaxHite parking height restriction barriers were installed.
Crafted from galvanised steel and finished in a highly visible yellow polyester powder coating, the barriers provide durable protection against unauthorised access while facilitating smooth traffic management.
Jacksons Fencing Enquiry 29
GROUNDSFEST 2024 SHOW PREVIEW
Take on the ‘Aspen Challenge’
Improving the working environment of landscapers and ground professionals for over 40 years, Aspen Fuel will be returning to GroundsFest 2024 to showcase the many benefits of their 2 and 4-stroke Alkylate petrol.
On September 10 and 11 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Stand OSA490 is the place to find out more and also the place where brave participants can partake in the ‘Aspen Challenge’ for the chance to win some awesome Aspen prizes.
Aspen alkylate petrol is virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents making it much less harmful than regular petrol.
The reduction in hazardous and toxic hydrocarbons contributes to a cleaner burn, improving not just the reliability of the engine but the immediate operator environment - freeing users from headaches and other health concerns associated with working in close proximity to petrol-powered equipment.
The benefits for the equipment and the operator, together with a reduction in environmental impact, make Aspen a versatile and economically-viable choice for operators in all sectors looking to move towards more sustainable working practice. Visitors will also have the opportunity to test their strength in the ‘Aspen Challenge’ which returns for another year - with the chance to win some fantastic prizes over the course of the two days.
Aspen Fuel Enquiry 30
Milwaukee Tool to make debut appearance
Milwaukee Tool UK is thrilled to announce its debut as an exhibitor at GroundsFest 2024, where it will be showcasing its latest innovations in batterypowered and cordless outdoor power equipment (OPE).
Indeed, the global manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools will be demonstrating new additions to its OPE range, including the DUAL BATTERY 50CM CHAINSAW and advanced M18 FORGE batteries designed specifically for gardening, landscaping and horticulture professionals.
Rhys Adams, national sales manager OPE at Milwaukee Tool UK, highlighted: “Visitors can expect an exceptional showcase at the Milwaukee Tool stand,
where we will unveil our cuttingedge OPE solutions designed to meet the demanding needs of industry professionals, enhancing efficiency and performance of users tackling even the most demanding tasks.”
Adding to the excitement, Milwaukee Tool invites attendees to get up close and personal with a diverse range of cutting-edge equipment this year, offering interactive demonstrations with the M18 range. Visitors will be able to test and experience the exceptional performance and durability of Milwaukee Tool’s products, which offer unmatched power and extended runtime that redefine efficiency and reliability in outdoor maintenance tasks.
Rhys continued, “Beyond showcasing our new and existing range of products, we’ll also be hosting a competition offering attendees a chance to win one of our stateof-the-art M18 FUEL DUAL BATTERY lawn mowers. So, whether exploring the latest advancements in OPE or networking with industry peers, visitors can join us at the stand for an exciting couple of days.”
Visitors to the stand have the chance to talk with the knowledgeable job site solutions (JSS) sales team; receive expert advice tailored to their needs and arrange personalised product trials.
Milwaukee Tool Enquiry 31
Pellenc portfolio to shine
Pellenc UK is set to impress at GroundsFest 2024, attendees can look forward to an exciting display of Pellenc’s innovative, battery-powered equipment.
Over recent years, Pellenc has established itself as a leader in the market by offering an exceptional line of ‘zero emission’ batterypowered tools. This success is largely due to their advanced Lithium-ion ultra-highperformance batteries.
array of top-tier equipment. The impressive Pellenc product lineup includes chainsaws, pole saws, hedge cutters, grass strimmers, brushcutters, blowers, and mowers.
Visitors to the Pellenc stand (OSA150) will have the opportunity to explore an extensive
Throughout the two-day event, the Pellenc team will be on hand to provide expert assistance and advice on all battery-powered tool enquiries.
Pellenc stands out in the industry with its generous warranties, offering a four-year commercial warranty for all batteries and a three-year warranty for all tools. Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.
Etesia UK Enquiry 33
Hunter Grinders returns to Stoneleigh
After a successful GroundsFest 2023, Hunter Grinders is excited to announce its return to GroundsFest 2024, where it will be showcasing the enhanced Jupiter ATI ‘All in One’ Grinder.
The Jupiter ATI is a fully automatic relief spin grinder, designed to deliver precision grinding at its best. It features automatic traverse, indexing, and in-feed, ensuring that every grind is accurate and consistent.
This machine meets all CE compliance standards and Health and Safety requirements for noise, vibration, and airborne dust particles.
Hunter Grinders invites all GroundsFest 2024 attendees to visit Stand 50 in Hall 1 to learn more about how this state-of-the-
art machine can enhance your grinding operations.
Hunter Grinders Enquiry 34
Dennis is set to make a significant impact at GroundsFest 2024, showcasing an impressive range of battery-powered products on stand 50 in Hall 2.
This year, Dennis will highlight the revolutionary ES-34R, the innovative Multi Charger Hub, and the versatile ES-22U, all part of the acclaimed E-Series that has taken the industry by storm with its power, battery range, and performance.
Since its launch, the Dennis E-Series has stood out from the competition, offering reliable and long-lasting battery-powered mowers that are no-compromise alternatives to traditional petrol machines. These mowers boast ultra-low noise, low vibration, user-friendly operation, and a significantly reduced CO2 footprint, helping users move towards their carbon-neutral goals.
The newly launched Multi Charger Hub is an efficient and easy-tomanoeuvre mobile unit capable of recharging up to eight large E-Series machines sequentially. Designed with convenience in mind, it includes individual cable connections to avoid multiple unused wires, top box storage for charger cables, and under-cabinet storage for spares. The Hub features an intelligent system that cycles through each connected mower, displaying the state of charge (SOC) on a screen, and shuts down each mower at 100% to prevent overcharging. With the ability to charge all connected mowers overnight from 10%-15% to 100%,
the Multi Charger Hub is a gamechanger. The ES-34R is designed for precision and efficiency. It features twin contra-rotating blades with a height-of-cut controlled by an easy-to-use ‘click’ system. The suction and blade speed can be adjusted to meet the most challenging collection conditions. Optional front wheels and a choice between a smooth or weile roller enhance its adaptability. With excellent sight lines and robust performance, the ES-34R ensures superior turf maintenance.
For those familiar with the Dennis Razor Ultra, the ES-22U is a standout choice for fine turf care. This 560mm (22”) battery mower features an ultra-short wheelbase, making it ideal for undulating surfaces. Equipped with a 7 or 11-bladed cutting cylinder and groomer reel, the ES-22U delivers an ultra-fine finish on bowling greens, golf greens, tees, and cricket pitches. Its precision and adaptability make it a favourite among professionals seeking toptier turf maintenance.
The E-Series mowers are equipped with a robust LCD keypad screen, providing operators with essential information, including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports, and battery status. With an ultra-fast full battery recharge time of just 2-3 hours, the E-Series mowers ensure that downtime is minimised, keeping grounds staff productive and efficient.
Dennis Enquiry 37
MM Seed showcases extensive range
An impressive range of MM grass seed mixtures will be showcased at GroundsFest 2024, and visitors will get the chance to find out how the innovative seed technology could vastly benefit their sports pitches.
MM50 is perfect for cricket squares, tennis courts and also golf tees and fairways. This hardwearing mix has rapid germination, extremely fine leaved appearance, high shoot density and is tolerant to very close mowing, as low as 5mm, along with high disease resistance. All these attributes together produce a fantastic sward.
MM60 is a 100% Ryegrass formula and the UK’s leading winter sports renovation mixture.
It is well-known for its extremely fast germination and its high wear tolerance, fast recovery plus excellent disease resistance.
A Tetraploid based Ryegrass mixture, especially useful for seeding and overseeding of high quality sportsfields to improve sward composition, disease resistance with fast recovery from play and damage. Tetraploid Ryegrasses also provide high drought tolerance along with good colour.
All mixtures in the MM range, are treated with HEADSTART GOLD - a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid, even germination. Pro Flora is a range of Native Origin
Explore Mansfield Sand’s premier sports turf solutions
Visitors to the Mansfield Sand stand (OSA260) at GroundsFest 2024, taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 10 and 11 September, can expect to see a comprehensive range of sand-based products vital to the overall health and performance of sports pitches.
For over 180 years, Mansfield Sand has pioneered the development and production of premium silica sand-based products. The company provides a wide range of innovative products for sports, landscaping, and equestrian uses, including stadium and training ground facilities, championship golf courses, and world-class show jumping arenas. The company’s leading experts will be on hand at GroundsFest 2024 to explain how some of the following products could make a difference to your sports turf projects.
Mansfield Sand offers a range of Reinforced Rootzones designed to maximize the use of natural turf surfaces while maintaining the high standards demanded by today’s sports industry.
Mansfield Sand’s reinforcement technology provides stability and durability to all sanddominated Rootzones, allowing the pitch to remain freedraining and consistent across the entire surface.
Understanding the demands of turf managers, Mansfield Sand
ensures that their rootzones contain only the highest quality materials. For renovation or construction, the company’s superior rootzone blend, Mansil 40 Silica Sand with quality screened topsoil, guarantees the perfect start.
Mansfield Sand offers a range of premium quality sand organic material blends, ideal for creating a rootzone rich in organic material. These blends aid in the retention of nutrients and provide increased drought resistance.
Produced for the fine turf market, Mansfield Sand’s Soil Top Dressing is a manufactured homogenous product made from their own premium silica sands combined with top quality soils. All components are passed through a sterilising unit and a 3mm screen to produce an easyto-spread, stone and pebble-free dressing. Mansfield Sand also offers bespoke dressing blends and can incorporate soil amendments into any product.
Sourced from the company’s Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, the Mansil range of Silica Sands is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide variety of sports surfaces, including winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens, and all amenity turf areas.
Mansfield Sand Enquiry 39
Wildflower Mixtures that can bring colour, biodiversity and interest to any landscape area and also benefit the environment, pollinators and conservation.
Colour Boost is a range of high impact flower mixtures designed to create a dazzling display of colour and interest in many different landscape’s sites and situations.
If you are seeking advice for your natural turf projects - no matter how big or small, then pay a visit to the DLF stand where the MM Sports Seed specialist team will be on hand.
Price Turfcare aims to impress on debut
Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multi-implement, all-terrain compact tractor, is exhibiting at GroundsFest for the first time.
The company be demonstrating the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor unit together with several attachments. Visitors will be be able to see this remarkable machine climbing
30-degree slopes on our specially adapted exhibition vehicle.
Over the past 18 months Ventrac has launched several new products
including two new seedbed preparation attachments – the Soil Cultivator and Primary Seeder.
More recently four new attachments have been launched for soft landscaping and woodland management – the Loader and Light Material Bucket for moving landscaping materials and the Log Grapple and Rock Bucket with Grapple for transporting logs, branches and large stones and rocks.
For a multitude of grounds management tasks, it has to be Ventrac. To understand why the industry has embraced the versatility of the Ventrac product range come along and visit stand RB10.
Impressive machinery portfolio on display with Danarm
Danarm Machinery Ltd are excited to support the second edition of GroundsFest this September.
Price Turfcare Enquiry 42 centres, local authorities and landscape gardening contractors throughout the United Kingdom for over 30 years.
Switching from petrol mowers to Kress RTKn robotic mowers significantly reduces carbon emissions. They autonomously operate in parallel lines and travel seamlessly between areas of turf. Their sleek design, no need for on-site aerials, and ability to handle significant slopes make Kress the best choice for a greener change today.
Speak to your local garden machinery dealer today to learn more. kress.com
They can be found at stand OSA620 of Outdoor Area 2.
Danarm is family-run and has supplied a very loyal network of garden machinery
The main range of products is from the Japanese manufacturer Kaaz Corporation, wellknown for their robust models of professional pedestrian rotary lawnmowers. Last year Danarm were appointed the UK distributor for the Maruyama brand; another long-established Japanese manufacturer with a 130 year history in the OPE industry. Danarm is keen to showcase the MX brushcutter range to all dealers that are not yet familiar with these lightweight but powerful machines.
On display at the show will also be products from two Danish suppliers, Texas and Auto-mow, manufacturers of powered sweepers and tillers and robotic lawnmower supplies respectively.
Danarm Enquiry 43
Foley brings live relief grinding
Foley Company’s UK and Ireland distributor, ProSport UK Ltd, will be on stand OSA540 at GroundsFest 2024, demonstrating the unrivalled benefits of relief grinding and the new floor level Foley 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder.
Foley’s automated Accu-Pro 633 cylinder grinder and AccuPro 672 bedknife grinder will be in action across the two days, allowing people to experience the whole process from setup to the finished product.
The automated features on the Accu-Pro 633 provide a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker setup and spin grind feature for the more experienced operators. You tell the machine what you’re working on, and it
automatically spin or relief grinds to completion.
Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few features in the ACCU-Touch 3 system that ensure efficiency and guarantee a quality grind with every use.
Joining the two machines will be Foley’s new floor level 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder.
The new grinder is designed to accommodate the widest of mower cylinders and is a simple roll-on roll-off solution to grinding, with the machine sitting at floor level.
The roll-on roll-off solution removes the need for heavy lifting facilities,
Etesia UK gears up for return
Etesia UK is excited to return to GroundsFest for the second consecutive year. Attendees can visit stand OSA150 to explore Etesia’s impressive lineup, including pedestrian and ride-on mowers, brushcutters, and the award-winning ET Lander electric utility vehicle.
Etesia UK, known for its highquality grass cutting equipment, will unveil the ET Lander’s new differential lock feature, which enhances traction and versatility for off-road use. This innovative electric utility vehicle is fully N1 homologation compliant,
making it road-legal and capable of extended off-road use. Its lithiumion batteries offer a range of up to 100km and compatibility with standard type 2 EV car chargers.
The ET Lander, a 100% electric vehicle, is spacious, userfriendly, and built on a robust chassis. It boasts a three-way tipper bed with dual control from the two-seater cab or remote control. With a compact length of 3.72 meters, power steering, a short turning radius of 4.40 meters, and 360° visibility, it manoeuvres easily in tight spaces. The vehicle can transport
revolutionizing how equipment managers view touch-up spin grinding.
It offers a fast, easy-operated option for providing a quick touch-up spin between regular relief grinding schedules, and is a solution for sharpening the extra wide, heavy mowers used on sports fields/pitches.
The Foley 642 QuickSpin features simple to use controls, counter balanced spin drive, patented front
and rear clamping system for pedestrian mowers, and power rear positioning levers for cylinders.
It will accept up to 42-inch reel width and operates on 240v/15a power.
ProSport UK Ltd’s Ian Robson will run demonstrations throughout both days of GroundsFest.
Pro Sport UK Enquiry 46
loads up to 940kg and tow up to 750kg, with a full day’s autonomy and no noise pollution.
Etesia will also feature the Electric Bahia M2EL, the world’s first 100% electric professional ride-on mower with grass collection. Powered by a 48V, 100Ah lithium battery, the Bahia M2EL offers up to 4 hours and 30 minutes of operation on a single charge. Its compact size,
tight turning circle, and excellent stability on slopes make it ideal for various mowing tasks.
The electric Bahia is also highly economical, with running costs of £0.35 compared to £3.57 for its petrol counterpart, and reduced maintenance needs.
Etesia UK Enquiry 47
Win a Union Jack Turf Tank robot
Turf Tank is returning with the autonomous line-marking robots on stand OSA481.
Attendees will be able to experience Turf Tank Two live, with the robot regularly marking out pitches over the two days.
In addition to live demonstrations and the opportunity to speak to the Turf Tank team, attendees who visit the Turf Tank stand will also have the chance to win a Union Jack Turf Tank robot for a year. Details on how to enter will be available on stand.
A Turf Tank robot can address labour shortages, save time, or bring consistency, but for Galaxy Sports Little Kerse, a 35-acre site in Falkirk, Scotland, with 11 pitches ranging from 11-a-side grass to full-size 3G and astroturf 6-a-side pods, matching precision line marking with sustainability was the aim.
“The Turf Tank runs on a completely carbon-neutral site; it’s all on green energy,” Operations Manager Sean explained. “The energy that charges the Turf Tank batteries comes from the sun that’s shining today, so it’s a fantastic example of our sustainability and priorities at Galaxy Sports Little Kerse for the way forward.
“We used to go out and manually mark the pitches, but we realised we weren’t meeting the standard we wanted. Now, the lines are night and day. They’re a great standard, and the precision of the Turf Tank is fantastic.
“We’re over the moon with it, and it’s definitely saved us hours on end. We probably mark lines now for half a day and only mark out what we need, so we’re saving paint and time.”
Turf Tank
Enquiry 48
GROUNDSMAN sod cutting and aeration products
1990, Groundsman Industries
Groundsman Two and Fourwheel Drive Turf Sod Cutters with large diameter grounddrive wheels deliver effortless cutting and excellent traction in all conditions.
The rear blade position in the four wheel drive enable them to cut thin very accurate turf even on rolling terrane as well accommodating Trench, Decompaction and Mole-drain Blades to cut down to 15cm deep.
Sod Blades 30cm to 60cm wide cut 1cm to 7.5cm thick sod in single or multi strips and Serrated Blades cut fibre reinforced grass, scrub or heather. A Guillotine attachment can be fitted on the TMC48 model to measure and chop the sod into lengths for turf nurseries and sod farms.
Two Tractor Mounting and Three Pedestrian models of Groundsman Aerators are available from 45cm to 180cm working widths. All use Groundsman’s proven rugged Elliptical Plunge Action sealed bearing mechanism which move the tines proportionally horizontally as well vertical plunge for aeration down
to 15cm deep with minimal surface disruption.
Quick-change Tine Holders are available to switch between Solid, Hollow and Chisel Tines fitted in Twin, Triple, Quad or Quint Holders plus Cluster Tine Heads for dense pattern aeration, thatch removal and over-seeding.
The Flexblade Collector attachment is available from 0.8mtr to 2.3mtr widths to fit many makes of aerators as well as Groundsman to Core and Collect in one pass. Three Point Linkage Collectors Follow-up Collection of Cores or Linear Aeration Soil.
This incredibly efficient low maintenance implement follows the contours of Greens scooping the aeration soil cleanly from the surface powder dry or soaking wet.
Groundsman Industries Enquiry 51
Discover Trimax’s cutting-edge innovations
Trimax Mowing Systems is thrilled to be making its debut at GroundsFest 2024. Come and see all the latest innovations at Stand OSA670.
New Pegasus S5 SR is designed for wide-area, long-grass management, this versatile model offers a cut height range from 20mm to 180mm and is available in widths of 4.9m, 6.1m, and 7.2m.
Renowned for its strength and durability, it effortlessly cuts grass from as high as 500mm down to 180mm or even lower.
Force is Trimax’s most robust and adaptable flail mower, capable of delivering a fine finish and mulching prunings up to 90mm in diameter. Available in 5 cutting widths from 1.1m to 2.3m, it caters to various mowing and mulching needs with a cut height range of 0-60mm.
ProCut S5 builds on the success of the ProCut S4, the ProCut S5 features automatic belt tensioning for increased drive and belt life, along with a Titan roller bearing system that eliminates daily maintenance.
It offers 4 cutting widths from 1.7m to 2.9m and a cut height range of 10-110mm, providing excellent striping presentation.
In addition, visitors will
Expert insights and live demos
Campey Turf Care Systems are returning with a top-tier lineup of machines, including the Imants ShockWave, Dakota Turf Tender, Foley Company Air2G2 336, and Campey UNIRAKE, which are all poised for live demonstrations.
GroundsFest’s blend of outdoor and indoor stands provides an ideal platform for Campey to offer visitors hands-on insights into the operation and benefits of their machines. For 2024, Campey has selected a diverse array of maintenance machines that cover aeration, top-dressing and surface grooming. The UNIRAKE stands out for its versatility in managing organic matter. Users can easily adjust the grooming severity to remove varying amounts of material or to stand the sward up for growth, with adjustments taking less than 30 seconds.
The Imants ShockWave will demonstrate wide-area aeration. Renowned as the best linear compactor for heavily used areas, it revitalises fine turf and sports fields by alleviating soil compaction, enhancing aeration, and removing surface water, all with minimal surface disruption to ensure quick and safe play resumption.
For reactive, preventative and routine aeration on smaller or concentrated areas, the Foley Air2G2 336 remains the leading pedestrian aerator. Its ability to
Dakota Turf Tenders are renowned for their consistency and infinite adjustment set-up. With a model for every application, it is the best top-dressing option in every situation. Electric control boxes enable users to set and adjust the spread width precisely, ensuring an optimal application every time while spreading wet or dry material. Getting hands-on with the controls of this machine is a fantastic opportunity to see how it can benefit your own operation.
For areas needing overseeding where it is not possible to work with large machines, the Vredo Turf Buddy is the perfect fit. Designed for small repairs on sports fields and golf courses, the Vredo Turf Buddy is known for its precision overseeding with its slit seeding operation. It is an essential piece of equipment for improving and maintaining the quality of grass surfaces on golf courses, sports fields, and other similar areas. For even more targeted seeding post-game, the new Campey Seed Shot deposits a precise quantity of seed into the soil for optimal germination rates.
Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 53
have the opportunity to see the popular FlailDek FX and Striker mowers.
Trimax Enquiry 52
Designing an inclusive play space for a children’s hospice
Creating a fully inclusive play space for a children’s hospice in Norfolk, for the client East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) was a sensitive yet gratifying project to deliver.
The hospice provides essential care and respite for children with various illnesses, many of which are terminal.
The primary goal was to design a fully accessible and inclusive play space tailored to the unique needs of the children they support.
The site, a previously undeveloped and heavily sloped area, presented significant challenges. Precise grading and levelling were required to ensure accessibility and safety.
Proludic’s team was tasked with designing and installing the play equipment. At the same time, a landscape architecture firm developed the overall master plan for the play area and surrounding grounds.
The design incorporated contemporary elements and addressed the changing levels of the site, making sure safety and accessibility were paramount.
Inclusive play equipment, tactile and sensory elements, and moving play components were carefully selected to cater to children of all abilities.
Sloping pathways with a 1 in 20 gradient were integrated, providing multiple access points and ease of movement throughout the space.
Community involvement played a crucial role in the project’s success. The resident children’s feedback helped ensure the play space met the varying needs of the end-users and their families it was designed to serve.
Mia’s Beanstalk Dream becomes a reality
In a heartwarming blend of creativity, innovation, and community spirit, Wicksteed Park recently unveiled its latest gem, The Beanstalk Dream.
At the heart of this project lies the remarkable journey of Mia Opoku Agyeman, an 11-year-old from Northampton. Mia’s journey began with a spark of inspiration and a drive to turn her playground dreams into reality. Armed with nothing but determination and a knack for learning, Mia delved into the world of CAD to craft her vision of the ultimate play equipment, which led her to win Wicksteed Park’s, Playground Design Competition in 2023. Through numerous consultations with Mia and inviting her to our factory in Kettering, we
worked hand in hand to refine and realise The Beanstalk Dream. Mia’s personal touch and creative flair infused every aspect of the project.
The Beanstalk Dream was officially launched earlier this month, marking the finale of Wicksteed Park’s ambitious @play project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. On the opening day, Mia had the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon herself and took the first exhilarating journey down The Beanstalk.
With its ingenious, whimsical features and boasting an impressive rota gen panel that emits the iconic “fee-fi-fo-fum” sound, it pays homage to the classic fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk, and adds
The project received funding from various external sources, including patrons of the hospice and local businesses.
Ultimately, the collaborative efforts resulted in a state-ofthe-art, fully inclusive play area that offers joy and respite to children with varying abilities.
The project not only fulfilled the client’s vision but also made a positive impact on the community, providing a space where children can safely play and explore.
Proludic Enquiry 56
an extra layer of enchantment to the play experience. As The Beanstalk Dream takes its rightful place among Wicksteed Park’s iconic attractions, it stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of play and the boundless potential of collaboration. From Mia’s inspired vision to the skilled craftsmanship of our incredible team, this project exemplifies the magic that happens when dreams take flight.
As we celebrate the success of The Beanstalk Dream, we’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our new Metroplex Range, inspired by Mia’s incredible vision.
Elevate your play area with our new Adrenaline Range!
The collection features 12 dynamic steel and rope Multiplay Units to choose from and ranges from 2 to 4 meters in height, providing an exhilarating challenge that’s perfect for older children.
Contact our
Wicksteed Enquiry 57
Compacts for all landscaping challenges
John Deere boasts a diverse range of compact tractors for landscape and amenity use, with 13 models in six series spanning 25 to 65hp.
At the smaller end of the market is the 1026R which has been designed for confined areas, fast implement changeover and ease of operation.
Standard features include a hydrostatic transmission, fourwheel drive and power steering,
plus a deluxe seat and suspension, tilt steering and high-end lighting kit for all-day productivity.
The three-cylinder Yanmar TNV Series diesel engine producers 25hp, and operators have the option of a cab, mower deck and front loader.
John Deere’s 2R Series offers a step up in size. The range includes three models – the 2026R, 2032R and the 2038R
– all of which have a threecylinder engine and easy-to-use hydrostatic transmission.
Power options in the series range from 25 to 37hp.
The 3R Series models deliver between 38 and 45hp from the 1.6-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine that features a high torque reserve, providing plenty of power under heavy loads.
This uses the latest engine technologies to improve fuel economy, control and accuracy, while also reducing environmental impact as well as operating costs.
At the top of the John Deere compact tractor range, the 4066M and 4066R receive a larger 2.1-litre, four-cylinder engine with DPF.
Versatility the key for these turf managers
Colleges, local councils, golf courses and caravan parks are just some of the organisations that have appreciated the versatility of Ventrac and how it has enhanced their turf maintenance operations.
Wellington College’s Grounds and Gardens Manager, Mark Todd, comments: “We initially hired-in the machine with a Tough Cut deck to work on the banks clearing scrub on our 9-hole golf course, but quickly appreciated the opportunity the versatility of the machine
could provide across the estate.
“Unfortunately for our Golf team, the machine is used almost exclusively by the Grounds team and that’s simple down to its versatility. The Finishing deck was initially purchased for use on our formal lawns, as it leaves a very pleasing strip and presentation is very important here at Wellington.
“We used to cut our pitches with a ride-on cylinder mower, but the quality of cut from the Finishing deck is excellent and now we use it extensively on our winter pitches.
The light footprint of the machine is another factor and we can continue our maintenance regimes, even in inclement weather. The design of this machine has been well thought through; maintenance is easy and the mounting system allows for a quick and easy exchange of attachments.”
Kevin Fellows is the Course Manager at Ladbrook Park Golf Club and says: “With the exception of our fine turf areas, the majority of the course is now maintained with Ventrac
New additions to the Iseki TM range
The 3R and 4R Series compact tractors are equipped with an eThrottle function integrated into the established eHydro transmission. This feature is designed make the tractor quieter and more comfortable to use, as well as more fuel efficient. With the simple push of a button, engine speed is conveniently linked to the foot pedal position so that engine rpm and tractor speed can both be increased as the pedal is depressed.
The latest compact models can now be equipped with a StarFire satellite receiver and AutoTrac Universal automatic steering system. This is designed to help operators achieve higher levels of accuracy and input
cost savings when working with implements such as amenity turf sprayers, seeders and spreaders.
On selected models, the awardwinning Hitch Assist system makes coupling up implements and trailers to the tractor’s rear hitch or three-point linkage quicker, easier and safer. Using this system, external switches mounted on the rear fender allow the operator to move the tractor backwards and forwards at a maximum speed of 12mm/second, and raise or lower the hitch as required.
Other advanced technology features on John Deere compact tractors include LoadMatch, MotionMatch and SpeedMatch operating modes for maximum
versatility in a wide range of tractor applications, plus a choice of AutoConnect driveover rotary mower decks.
A cab is standard on the 4066R, and optional for all other models.
Other attachments and features include front loaders, which are designed to work perfectly with the hydraulic system, and boast mechanical self-levelling on certain models.
Autoconnect mowing decks save time for operators, and a wide range of lift and towing hitches increase the versatility of the compact tractor range.
If you are looking for a compact tractor, where light weight and power combine to give you the lift performance, strength and quality of build, then the Iseki TM range is the go-to tractor.
And now the TM range has been expanded to include the TM4230 and TM4270 offering 21hp and 25hp tractors respectively to suit grounds care work, sports turf, artificial turf and winter work –gritting & snow clearance.
Focussing on operator comfort, Iseki provide a new factory built cabin boasting the most spacious in its class with excellent ingress and egress. Supplied as standard
with air-conditioning, heating, heated rear window and front and rear LED work lights.
The six post design has opening rear quarter lights allowing for ventilation on cooler days and easy communication with people working outside.
Features on the latest additions to the range include 21hp and 25hp ISEKI diesel engines, which are stage V compliant and will run on HVO fuel too, as well as, rear PTO 540/750 rpm for HST models and 540 rpm mechanical, and the three range Hydrostatic transmission or F9/ R9 mechanical transmission.
HST models also have a 3 mode PTO selection switch - Normal, Soft and Auto –the latter stops and starts the PTO when the tractor stops or moves off (ideal for spreading or spraying).
The HST cabin models are also supplied as standard with a loader ready joystick control and midmounted hydraulic outlets. The Mechanical transmission models are available as ROPS models, while the HST transmission models are available as ROPS or Cabin models.
ISEKI UK Enquiry 61
equipment. It fits in with our agronomic requirements and does everything apart from fine turf and aeration.
“For all other areas - approaches, fairways, semi, rough, our ecology areas, transport, ditching, haulage - the Ventrac system fits perfectly. At the moment we have everything we need. It fits our current maintenance plan; tomorrows objectives and our longer-term direction.”
Price Turfcare Enquiry 60
John Deere Enquiry 59
Mowing made easy with Etesia’s Hydro 80
Kubota unveils new Z4-541 in expanded zeroturn range
Expanding Kubota’s existing zero-turn mower range and tailored for the pro-consumer market, the Z4-541 is a 54-inch petrol model which boasts a larger chassis, exceeding the dimensions of the current Z1 and Z2 models.
The introduction of the Z4-541 broadens the existing zero-turn lineup, building upon a larger chassis while maintaining maneuverability comparable to smaller models.
The 360-degree turning capability enables effortless navigation around obstacles, while the machines’ low centre of gravity and wide-profile drive wheels ensure exceptional stability and balance, making the machine suitable for tasks on uneven terrain.
The Z4-541’s robust 54” steel fabricated deck comes as a 3-blade side discharge, with enhanced performance and cut quality, and featuring quick-dial height adjustment and K-lift deck operation for easy raising and lowering of the deck.
Regardless of whether the machine is fitted with the side discharge or mulching kit, rest assured it will cover expansive
areas, delivering a professional finish. This specific model also features an optional OCDC (Operator Controlled Discharge Chute) kit, enabling operators to temporarily shut the side discharge, perfect for maintaining clean pathways and protecting parked vehicles from debris.
The Z4-541 is equipped with a petrol Kawasaki V FS730-V engine producing 24hp/17.9kw.
The design of V twin engines allows the machine to run quieter and smoother with fewer vibrations than most traditional single-cylinder engines.
A rear “wrap around” bumper gives added protection and comes as standard, along with a rear towing hitch, ideal for small light trailers.
Tailored for expansive areas, the versatility of this machine makes it well-suited for tackling large residential gardens or demanding commercial landscapes and green spaces – excelling in diverse settings and guaranteeing maximum efficiency with every operation.
Maintaining the expansive grounds of Repton School requires precision, efficiency, and innovation.
For Andrew Butler, Head of Grounds and Gardens, and his team, the introduction of the Etesia Hydro 80 ride-on mower has not only streamlined operations but also revolutionised the way they manage the school’s green spaces.
Introducing the Etesia Hydro 80, a compact yet powerful ride-on mower designed to tackle both long and short grass with ease. Featuring a hydrostatic drive and a robust 15hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, the Hydro 80 offers unparalleled efficiency and output. Its specially contoured deck ensures clippings are collected without clogging, even in wet conditions, while anti-scalp rollers maintain a pristine finish on uneven terrain. One of the Hydro 80’s most impressive features is its ability to navigate tight spaces with ease.
Masters of steep slopes
Etesia UK Enquiry 62
Kubota Enquiry 63
Versatility at Schloss Roxburghe
Schloss Roxburghe, set in the rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders, is the latest resort to purchase Ventrac equipment to maintain their championship golf course and the wider estate.
New owners, the 12.18 Group, bought the property in 2018 and have invested in new course maintenance equipment including the Ventrac package.
Ross Ovens, the Estates & Golf course manager, a position he has held for the past eight
years, said: “We purchased the Ventrac package as it can be used on both the golf course and on the estate. We included a Contour deck for our semirough mowing, a Tough Cut deck to help us tame our woodland margins and a Power blower for dispersing leaves.
“However, with the completion of the new cottages, we are using the Contour deck to maintaining the grassed surrounds. We’ll also be looking at the snow clearing equipment, because we can
still get some up here in the winter. We have extensive pathways around the cottage developments and it’s very labour intensive to clear these.
“Hole 14 is our signature hole, with an area of semi-rough behind the green that runs down to the river.
“It can get away from us very quickly, but I want to maintain it regularly so that it not only looks immaculate, but the golfers can still see the river when they drop down from the tee. Another aspect is that we’ve reduced our labour by 40% on areas that were previously strimmed within the resort. It frees up time for other tasks.
“Ventrac had been on my radar for a while; I first saw it at BTME some five years ago and there’s a huge amount on social media, so I knew it would be a great asset here.”
Price Turfcare Enquiry 65
For over 60 years, Canycom have been listening to the needs of their customers and producing highly efficient solutions.
The Canycom range of Ride-On Brushcutters are loved by customers of PSD Groundscare due to their simple design yet impressively high level of performance. All Canycom Ride-On Brushcutters are 4WD and can easily switch from 2WD to 4WD depending on the ground conditions, therefore are ideal for all-round mowing.
Canycom Brushcutters are designed to work in the toughest conditions, these machines effectively clear long grass, bushes, weeds, bracken & brambles in a variety of sites such as woodland trails and orchards. The 4WD enables ease in operation and maneuverability to ensure high energy efficiency
and great results on steep slopes up to 25°.
All models available in the Canycom ride-on brushcutter range are powered by either a reliable Honda or Yamaha engine.
The toolless blade change is available on all models (except CM1402) and makes this process quick and easy to complete. There are no cutter deck belts to adjust or replace making the maintenance and cleaning of the mower easier and quicker and more power is delivered direct to the blades for extra efficiency.
With Canycom ride-on brushcutters, steep slopes can be mown conveniently and economically and offer the operator comfort with an adjustable steering wheel and seat.
PSD Groundscare Enquiry 66
Kent is starting afresh to cut grass well, says General Manager Steve Bootes, as it welcomes a full fleet of Toro mowers, all supported by Reesink’s ReeAssure Gold machinery maintenance package to safeguard and secure its investment.
Steve says he and Head Greenkeeper Paul Best, had been considering Toro for several years:
“Previously, we’ve leased our machinery but since the COVID price increases we knew we need to change our strategy and purchase our next fleet, but this brings in a new set of factors to consider such as machinery longevity. For that, we knew it had to be Toro.”
The machinery choices the club made cover all aspects that mowing the course requires and were made
with the simple premise of “cutting well” says Steve.
New tractor mowers from EGO Jacobsen fully electrified fleet to prepare Le Golf National
Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd., a Textron Inc. company and the renowned manufacturer of Jacobsen high-quality turf maintenance equipment, is proud to announce its support of Le Golf National in Paris, the flagship facility of the French Golf Federation, as they work together to prepare this summer’s world’s stage for the biggest names in golf.
This will be the first all-electric fleet of mowers to maintain an entire course in the world.
To drive a more sustainable future for turf management initiatives, Jacobsen offers the same precision cut with powerful, long lithium battery life using its ELiTE series of equipment, activated by Samsung SDI technology. These fully electric units enable one to keep up with the needs of the course, and maintain a cleaner,
fresher environment without hydraulics, to minimize the risk of spills or tailpipe emissions. This results in a quieter course for golfers, without the addition of harmful chemicals to the land, air and water surrounding them.
“We could not be more excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to the world,” said Simon Rainger, Vice President, Turf for Textron Specialized Vehicles.
“This relationship aligns perfectly with our mission to provide superintendents and golfers with exceptional experiences, and we look forward to showcasing our commitment to creating low maintenance and greener solutions for participants and fans on the world stage.”
Jacobsen Enquiry 69
EGO Power Plus, is expanding its ride-on range with two new tractor mowers.
The twin-blade tractor mowers utilise up to six EGO ARC Lithium 56V portable batteries, providing the same power and performance as the equivalent petrol machines.
Using EGO’s portable batteries enables the user to tailor the amount of capacity they use, giving them flexibility with run-time, cost, and usage in other EGO tools in the range.
The new range includes the TR3800E-B 98cm ride-on collection tractor mower and the TR4200E 107cm ride-on side discharge version. Both come with powerful twin
blades and pressed steel decks to ensure that the mowers combine power and performance with robust durability.
The mowers feature a front mounting that can house up to six EGO batteries and features the company’s Peak Power technology, enabling the machine to draw on the power from all batteries at once. Both models come with the CHV1600E, a 1600W fast charger that fully charges six 10Ah EGO 56V ARC Lithium™ batteries in as little as three hours.
For improved operability there is an LCD control display centrally mounted on the dashboard, enabling quick
and easy adjustments to both travel and blade speeds as well as providing real time data on battery capacity. A spring-assisted adjuster with 8 pre-sets provide cutting heights of 25mm to 100mm. In addition, Bluetooth connectivity enables the user to remotely monitor machine performance and ensure that batteries are charged and ready for cutting.
Driver comfort includes an adjustable spring suspension seat and large, wide tyres which ensure both a smoother ride, added grip and better weight distribution to protect lawn integrity. LED headlights enable safe use in low-light conditions while a front bumper helps protect the
chassis from potential impact damage.
The TR3800E-B 98cm ride-on collection tractor mower has collection or mulch capabilities, with a substantial 300-litre collection box to maximise cutting times. Large handles make removing and replacing the box ergonomic and easy, while a single level makes emptying the collection box quick and simple.
The TR4200E ride-on side discharge tractor mower offers even greater productivity when grass collection is not required. It can cover up to 2 acres on a single charge and has an enhanced 107cm cutting width. EGO Power Plus Enquiry 70
Hedge & Verge Mowers
Major trimming hedges and fuel costs
You could say that when it comes to hedge-cutting, Michael Tomlinson is a bit of a perfectionist.
He’s been doing it since 1982 and serves a wide range of agricultural and rural clients in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire.
In the past, Michael had been using flail hedge cutting units to deal with typical hawthorn hedging on farms and evergreens in the rural suburbs. Using a flail mower on these hedge types often incurs issues with quality of finish and result in a lot of often large leftover clippings.
Last year, Michael took delivery of a 1.43m hedge cutter unit manufactured by Major Equipment, a company well
known for manufacturing highend mowers capable of handling the roughest and toughest of work environments.
Major’s 1.43m Hedge-cutter head, fits directly to most hedge cutter arms on the market without modifications and comes fully galvanised for long life protection against corrosion.
“Once we started using the Major Hedge-cutting head,” enthused Michael, “we calculated that compared with our flail heads, we were saving around £100 per week on fuel costs alone, purely because it was so much easier to drive. It also mulched the evergreen clippings about the same as a flail head.”
Major Equipment Enquiry 73
Tackling the trickiest terrain
The Raymo electric remote-control mower has been designed with a low overall height of only 51 cm ,which together with a low centre of gravity, 4WD and a zero turn steering system, allows it to tackle steep slopes, grassed banks and low obstacles with ease.
The operator controls the Raymo via an industrial-grade remote control so benefiting from zero emissions, low-noise and no vibrations.
Three rotary decks, 42”, 52” and 46” Craft are available for the Raymo depending upon the type of grass to be cut and maintained. The 48 Craft deck is a heavy-duty deck for areas that are cut only once a year.
Two sickle-blade mowers, either single or dual are ideal for maintaining wildflower or biodiversity areas. A new option is the R14 SFINX swing arm post mower which attaches to the side of the Raymo and allows posts, trees and similar obstacles to cut around.
ISEKI UK Enquiry 74
Introducing the FM 23-70 hybrid bank mower
The FM 23-70 Mower is seƫting new standards, offering exceptional power and versatility for any terrain, including slopes up to an impressive 45°.
This innovative mower is designed to tackle the toughest vegetation and clear undergrowth in areas that are hard to reach, ensuring that no task is too challenging.
Key features include: Terrain Capability: The FM 23-70 is equipped with wide rubber tracks that provide superior grip, allowing it to operate efficiently on slopes up to 45°.
Versatile Cuƫting Performance: With a cuƫting width of 685mm featuring swing tip blades, this mower delivers performance and efficiency, even in the toughest vegetation.
High performance mowers for long grass and slopes
There is an increasing demand from PSD Groundscare for reliable remote-control mowers for the commercial user where certain tasks such as steep verges and slopes make it very difficult to mow quickly and safely and a remotecontrol mower is often the answer.
complications regarding Hand and Arm Vibrations and hearing are less of an issue.
For extra grip a tracked remote control mower such as the Stella URS 85 or URS 100 are perfect for customers that require stability on steep slopes up to 50° such as motorway embankment services and forestry/woodland applications as well as in difficult to reach places.
Adjustable Cuƫting Height: The cuƫting height can be easily adjusted from 30mm to 120mm, allowing for customized mowing based on the specific needs of the terrain.
Three Working Speeds: The FM 23-70 offers three working speeds, ensuring efficient and timely completion of tasks.
The FM 23-70 Mower is engineered for manoeuvrability so whatever overgrown areas you are dealing with, this mower will handle it all with ease. The remote control allows operators to manage the mower from a safe distance, enhancing both safety and convenience.
Tracmaster Enquiry 77
Remote Operation: All functions, including starting, stopping, and height adjustment, can be controlled remotely from up to 200 meters away, providing unparalleled convenience and safety for operators.
Remote agria 9600 climbs steeply and safely
Wiedenmann UK dealers across Great Britain & Ireland are the exclusive stockists of the remarkable high grass mulching, agria 9600 slope mower.
With its low centre of gravity that keeps it steady and impeccable H&S credentials, the agria 9600 can work on banks and high areas up to 55 degrees with confidence, reaching areas and situations that have previously been too difficult to tame.
Andy Kerr, both Wiedenmann UK and Agria UKs lead demonstrator, said: “When your demo frequently gets applause on a bleak winter’s day, you know the machine’s a winner.”
“People notice it’s angular look first, the distinct colours and its mini tank proportions.
“When the machine sets off initially, I use the remotecontrol pad to ‘drive’ it to the banking that we’re going to cut. That’s the precise moment those watching realise it is something special. Their instincts are to walk behind the machine and follow it. But we just stay still. The agria 9600 works at a range of 100 metres, so it drives itself further and further away and everyone smiles broadly as they see it advance into the distance and realise the benefits of a remote machine.”
Easily suited to residential complexes, ornamental parks, historic monuments, assorted streetscapes, the machine has been a big success with contractors and local authorities. However, as it is equally good working on the flat, it has also made an impact and an airport and frequent golf courses with mixed terrain.
The hybrid 9600 has a 112 cm working width and an air-cooled 25.5 hp V-Twin Kawasaki engine.
Weidenmann Enquiry 79
Commercial remote-control mowers have been designed and developed to reduce and, in some circumstances, remove health and safety issues working on slopes, near water courses, in environments where operators can be at risk, including from thorny foliage, animals, reptiles and insects.
The operator is able to work the machine at a distance which can be safer and more convenient for them. Another advantage is that
Also available is the Koppl Crawler, a powerful multi - attachment implement carrier with a wide range of suitable attachments available, resulting in the Crawler being an efficient solution to almost any groundscare requirement.
PSD Groundscare Enquiry 78
McConnel introduces new Power Arm ranges
McConnel has introduced two new Power Arm ranges: the 72-Series and the heavier-duty 77-Series.
Designed for contractors and local authorities, both ranges feature a 70hp hydraulic system with reach options from 5.5m to 7.0m, including Telescopic and VFR options.
The 77-Series offers added durability and power with larger diameter pivot pins and an optional 85hp hydraulics system.
Both series include an optional integrated debris blower located within the rear guard, which
Hedge, verge, pond and riverbank maintenance with Ventrac
The Ventrac 4520 compact tractor is ideal for maintaining hedges, roadside verges and the banks of ponds and riverbanks in safety, as it is can operate on inclines of up to 30 degrees.
Maintaining verges beside highways is always an issue, usually resvulting in lane
closures and other safety management measures, so time is of the essence.
The Ventrac 4520 with its choice of mowing decks is a highly productive combination allowing large areas to be mown, quickly and efficiently. Easy servicing of belts and pulleys is provided by
clears roadside debris and enhances cooling by drawing in cool air over the pumps and tank. Additional new features include LED road lighting, a redesigned hydraulic tank, a two-piece rear guard for easy service access, and a sculpted polypropylene top cover to prevent debris and moisture ingress.
As standard, both series come with McConnel’s in-house designed 70hp gear hydraulic system, featuring a 180-litre hydraulic tank, high-capacity oil cooler, electric rotor control, and Soft-Start rotor engagement. The 77-Series also includes larger diameter pivot pins, allowing for a 48% increase in
bush area for added durability and longevity. An 85hp hydraulic system is available as an option for the 77-Series for those seeking more power.
Both series are available with 5.5m and 6.0m straight arms, as well as 6.5m and 7.0m telescopic arms.
Additionally, a 5.5m and 6.0m Variable Forward Reach (VFR) option is available for both series, providing improved visibility to the cutting head for greater operator comfort. Standard equipment on both includes HyReach arm geometry, parallel arm geometry, and 100 degrees of Power Slew.
Three proportional electric control packages are offered: MOTION control, EVOLUTION Control, and the flagship REVOLUTION control system, which can be paired with McConnel’s award-winning Easy Drive System (EDS) for hands-free verge mowing.
All models are built on a heavyduty mainframe and can be specified with 3-point linkage, 4-point hitch, or 5-point axle mounting options. They can be fitted to tractors over 80hp and 4,000kg dependant on specification and reach.
McConnel Enquiry 81
Comfort and control with XZ8 series
hinged and removable covers. The tilt-up decks provide easy access to heavy-duty blades or flails inherent in the choice of deck.
Recent introduction of new mowing attachments has added to the versatility of the Ventrac offering for hedge and verge management. The Boom Mower is the perfect tool for cutting back hedges, shrubs, saplings, reeds around pond edges and vegetation on riverbanks.
The latest introductions are two flail cutting decks, the Fine Cut and Fast Cut, featuring unique knife choices and offering two width options - 1.42m (56”) and 1.83m (72”) - for even more versatility.
Price Turfcare Enquiry 82
Cub Cadet’s XZ8 series features steering wheel control and are engineered to mow precisely and help prevent turf damage – even on sloping terrain.
The two machines powered by either a Kawasaki or Kohler petrol engine also feature patented Synchro Steer technology to retain full control of the front wheels. Steering and drive control are synchronised to help control the speed and rotation direction of each rear wheel, whatever the position of the front wheels.
This ability to control all four wheels with a steering wheel and steerable front wheels minimises the turf being churned up by the wheels or crabbing on banks, while less experienced operators can benefit from the ease of use and amazing manoeuvrability of this machine. The robust steel
frame is designed for durability even on challenging terrain and the Hydro drive system helps provide a smooth mowing experience. The machines will
mow an area of up to 13,000m² per hour with cutting deck widths of 122cm and 137cm.
Cub Cadet Enquiry 83
as little as £39 plus VAT, is a simple and effective method of providing additional health and safety data to users of groundcare and other machinery.
At GTT UK, consistency is crucial when it comes to grinding, and to get perfection every time the company uses Foley Company grinders.
GTT UK owner Matt Thompsett had extensive experience as a mechanic in greenkeeping workshops before he started his professional turf and arboricultural machinery service and repair business four years ago.
Having begun with other grinders that he felt were timeconsuming to set up, always involved some guesswork, and were never completely accurate, he researched the market and found Foley’s UK distributor, ProSport UK.
From there, he found his perfect solution, which was to combine the Foley 633 Accu-Pro Reel Grinder and 672 Bedknife Grinder. Matt explains: “For me, the main thing is the whole repeatability
of the package and knowing that everything is going to be exactly the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on three or seven units they’re all going to match.
“With the 633 reel grinder, you can leave it, and it will work on its own while you’re doing something else. It is perfect for me because my commercial customers need their machines and they need them out working, so they want quick turn arounds,
and they often want them back as quickly as you possibly can.”
Relief grinding has been an important aspect of getting Matt the perfect finish. Although he wasn’t initially familiar with the process, the 633’s automated system made it easy to do, and he has received positive customer feedback since introducing it.
ProSport UK Enquiry 100
GreenMech is first choice for Transform Arboriculture
Outstanding personal service and brilliant British build quality has sealed the deal on the first GreenMech woodchipper to join the fleet of Transform Arboriculture.
Following a significant period of growth, the team were looking for a powerful 6” machine to lend a helping hand on domestic work undertaken throughout the London boroughs – an EVO 165D proved the perfect match.
Now Arb Association approved, the team of 12 are tasked with large commercial and local authority projects, together with residential works throughout London, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex under the guidance of Arb Manager Dave Read.
Following its delivery in May 2024, the EVO 165D has been out most days, put to task on a variety of pruning and pollarding projects.
