Landscape & Amenity Product Update February 2017

Economic boost as National Lottery invests £33m in public parks

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund have announced grants totalling more than £33 million that will help restore and revitalise 13 public parks across the UK.

Five of the grants being awarded will directly benefit parks situated in coastal communities, many of which suffer from higher than average levels of deprivation.

When complete, these projects will not only provide improved green spaces for local people to enjoy but will also help attract more tourism to these areas and as a result, have a positive impact on local economies.

The coastal parks receiving grants are: Great Yarmouth’s Venetian Waterways; South Cliff Gardens in Scarborough; Ellington Park

in Ramsgate; Mount Garden in Fleetwood, Lancashire; and Stanmer Park in Brighton.

HLF’s Chief Executive Ros Kerslake, said, on behalf of HLF and Big Lottery Fund: “It’s well-known that public parks play a vital role in our health and well-being. But for coastal communities their role is even more critical. Often a central part of their tourism offering, this investment from National Lottery players will empower local people to maximise the potential of their local park to boost local economic well-being.”

The coastal projects include: • £1.8m for Great Yarmouth Venetian Waterways (pictured) - grant will restore the original planting and repair the thatched shelters, bridges and the boating

First new turf fungicide group in a decade

Bayer launched the first new fungicide group in turf for almost ten years at BTME.

Exteris Stressgard - formerly code named 693 SDHI - isn’t just a new product, it’s a whole new category of fungicide.

The new product is the first ever combination SDHI fungicide to be launched for use in the UK turf industry, and delivers a brand new management tool for the most damaging damaging and disfiguring fungal disease to attack turf - microdochium patch - which occurs on over 90% of golf courses in the UK to some extent during the year.

The SDHI, Fluopyram, is an ‘acropetal penetrant’, protecting the plant through its systemic action that moves up through the roots, shoots and leaves.

Exteris Stressgard halts the fungi moving up through the plant, delivering protective and some curative results.

“A key benefit of launching a new chemical group to the market is that it gives greenkeepers another tool in their diminishing armoury. More options allow for more rotation between chemical groups and this helps to prevent the threat of disease resistance,” says Dr Colin Mumford of the Bayer Turf Solutions Team.

Exteris Stressgard is approved for the treatment of dollar spot and is the latest innovation to come out of the continued commitment from Bayer in sustainable product development. Not only does the new fungicide deliver excellent disease management, but it also has been proven to bring plant health benefits thanks to the Stressgard Formulation Technology –which is a combination of active ingredients, inert ingredients and turf-specific co-formulants. It’s this unique combination that enhances plant health and makes turf more able to stand up to disease.

Bayer Enquiry 2

lake walls. A new café will be opened and people will be able to train in gardening and traditional building skills.

• £4m for Stanmer Park, Brighton - grant will restore historic features, improve the visitor facilities and encourage more local people to use the park.

• £4.99m for South Cliff Gardens, Scarborough - local authority is leading a project

to stabilise the cliffs whilst this money will restore the gardens’ historic features and pathways; create a new sensory garden; install new fitness equipment; and make improvements to cycleways.

• £1.7m for Ellington Park, Ramsgate - money will renovate the bandstand; restore the best features of the original 1893 Joseph Cheal landscape scheme; improve play facilities;

and provide a much needed cafe and toilets.

• £2.1m for Mount Garden, Fleetwood - in recent decades the gardens have become tired and this injection of money will restore historic buildings and features and renew pay facilities. A further eight parks across the UK are receiving National Lottery funding.

HLF Enquiry 1

Cub Cadet expands with acquisition of ATT

Cub Cadet, a worldwide leader in outdoor power equipment, has expanded its presence in the sports turf market with the acquisition of Advanced Turf Technology (ATT).

ATT produces cutting reel mowers and cassettes specially designed for the sports field and golf maintenance markets.

The recent acquisition and continued investment in technology is part of Cub Cadet’s commitment to provide turf professionals with innovative power equipment and tools to cover all aspects of precision turf care. This acquisition follows the recent acquisitions of CORE Outdoor Power (CORE) and Precise Path Robotics.

Rob Moll, CEO, MTD Products, which includes the Cub Cadet brand, said: “Cub Cadet is dedicated to providing innovative products

that enable turf managers worldwide to produce the highest quality playing surfaces. Beyond improving productivity, these products enhance environmental stewardship – an increasingly important attribute for many groundsmen and facilities worldwide.”

Well-established flagship products from Advanced Turf Technology include the TMSystem and the INFiNiCut. These premium, environmentally friendly products have been proven by Premier League clubs, golf courses, and sporting facilities around the world.

Close collaboration over the past two years with The All

ATT Enquiry 3

England Tennis Club, which stages The Championships at Wimbledon, helped refine the product to provide premium results for improved grass tennis courts.

What are the indicators of a successful trade show these days?

Some say it is exhibition halls full of a diverse range of products and services.

Others argue that it is the quality and depth of the seminar programme. There are also those who maintain it is the networking opportunity – both formal and informal – that such events provide. And there are yet more who maintain it is all about visitor numbers.

Taking the first three points into account then both SALTEX and BTME can rightfully claim to be successful events.

Last November’s SALTEX at NEC Birmingham certainly ticked the first three boxes. The “Harrogate buzz” has become an important feature of the annual calendar and 2017 was louder and more energising than ever.

It is worth giving BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton and his team plenty of credit for creating an event that mixes bustling exhibition halls, world class education and seminars and fantastic networking opportunities.

However, if you simply play the visitor numbers game, then you could argue that neither SALTEX nor BTME come up to scratch. There was not a significant increase in visitors to the NEC last year compared to 2015 and although Harrogate was busy final figures probably won’t show a significant increase. And both events don’t compare favourably to LAMMA or overseas trade shows.

But it doesn’t matter. It is probably high time we stopped playing the numbers game. For both the IOG and BIGGA the emphasis needs to be on quality, not quantity.

Generally speaking, trade shows across all industries in the UK have been on a downward spiral for a decade or more. Priorities have changed and so visitor numbers have dwindled. Chasing 10,000+ visitors over two or three days is a bit of a fool’s errand these days.

But creating a diverse, informative and above all relevant event for the industry is all-important and both SALTEX and BTME are currently achieving that and continue to deserve their place in the calendar.

Groves Editor

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Aspirations of excellence at Trump Turnberry

The history of golf at Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire continues to evolve, with the summer of 2016 marking the official reopening of the world renowned Ailsa course, following extensive changes by golf course architect Martin Ebert.

In summer 2017, King Robert the Bruce will be unveiled as Trump Turnberry’s second major course.

In the largest equipment deal John Deere has ever signed in the UK and Ireland, a new and comprehensive golf course maintenance fleet was supplied by dealer Nairn Brown Ltd of Busby, Glasgow, on a John Deere Financial four-year lease arrangement.

The package of 95 machines included walk-behind greens mowers, tees & surrounds mowers, E-Cut hybrid electric greens and fairway mowers, rough mowers, top of the range compact tractors and both diesel and electric Gator utility vehicles.

Additional machines and staff were also provided by John Deere and dealer Nairn Brown as tournament support for the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open (pictured).

Golf courses and estates manager Allan Patterson, whose CV includes Gleneagles and 10 years on the Castle Course at St Andrews Links, oversees a team of more than 40 greenkeeping, gardening and estate staff at Trump Turnberry.

In response to the need to maintain a consistent finish

across the course, workshop manager Jim Campbell rogrammes the A Model mowers’ TechControl system before going out with each operator and tweaking the mowing and turning speeds to suit the individual. This strikes a balance between getting the job done in the time available and achieving the best possible cut quality.

“Height of cuts on the tees, surrounds and greens are pretty standard, we try not to change them around too much,” says Jim.

“The 8000AE hybrid electric mowers are used on the Ailsa fairways, while 2500E hybrids cut the greens on the Kintyre and 220SL hand mowers cut the greens on Ailsa. The Kintyre has more grass and bigger fairways, so more productivity is required from the mowers on that course.

“We tend to cut the fairways twice a week, the greens every day, the tees and surrounds three times a week and the rough once a week. Generally we aim to hand cut as much as possible, for the visual results. Quality of cut on the John Deere walk-behinds and triples is very good, and meets our expectations.

“The fairway mowers are equipped with Quick Adjust seven-blade cutting units plus rotary brushes instead of groomers – these are less aggressively set, and help to flick up the grass into the boxes. The 220SLs are also equipped with brushes, and 11-blade cylinders.”

Winners of BIGGA Awards 2017 revealed

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association honoured some of its most talented members with the presentation of the third annual BIGGA Awards.

The awards were presented during BTME 2017 and the winner of the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by GBR Technology was Lee Bishop and the team at Burnham Beeches Golf Club, for preparing and maintaining the course during the English Senior Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay from 14-16 June 2016.

The winner of the BIGGA Young Greenkeeper of the Year sponsored by Jacobsen was David Stewart, Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Walmley

Golf Club in Warwickshire. The winner of the BIGGA Greenkeeping Achievement of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor was David Langheim MG and the team at Wimbledon Park Golf Club.

Each year Wimbledon Park must contend with thousands of cars parking on its fairways as the world’s most famous tennis tournament takes place next door.

A number of other BIGGA members acknowledged for their achievements throughout the year. This included the award of Master Greenkeeper certificate, life memberships and Continued Professional Development certificates

BIGGA Enquiry 7

Penter and ACO join forces to form solid partnership

The leaders of innovation within the respective industries of landscaping and surface water management - Wienerberger and ACO Technologies – have partnered to provide bespoke drainage systems that will be tailored to each individual project.

Wienerberger’s experience in pavement engineering combined with ACO’s water management expertise will ensure that landscape architects are provided with a first class service.

By working in tandem, the partnership will be able to address architects’ considerations for landscaping projects, saving time and money, as they will be able to provide architects with bespoke and effective drainage solutions on

a project-by-project basis. Future plans will see the partnership develop beyond purely providing physical solutions to creating joint CPD’s, specifications and drawings, offering added value for customers.

Joanne Roberts, Category Marketing Manager for Paving at Wienerberger, commented: “We believe that a collaboration with a specialist company will ensure our joint offering provides the best solution for architectural needs and believe our partnership will not only save landscape architects time, but will also allow us to provide bespoke offerings.”

Wienerberger Enquiry 6

John Deere Enquiry 8

Green roof makes a splash in cannon hill

A residential property in London which recently added an extension to house a swimming pool and changing rooms has made its roof space more appealing by creating a lavender and mixed herb green roof.

The project at Cannon Hill was designed and installed by Wild About Roofs, who specialise in supplying and installing an innovative range of herb and wildflower roofs.

They commissioned Boningale GreenSky to provide a variety of lavender, rosemary and thyme plants for the new pool house’s flat roof. Unlike many commercial wildflower roofs, these larger plants were supplied as small pots to provide instant impact for a highly visible site.

The end result is stunning and provides the home owners with a visually appealing outlook, as the pool house is overlooked by the main house. It also makes a positive impact on local biodiversity because for years to come, as the green roof flourishes it will provide a valuable food source for pollinators.

Maggie Fennell, Head of Boningale GreenSky, said: “Green or living roofs are becoming more and more popular in domestic residential settings, especially in large towns and cities because of the inherent benefits they provide.

“And just like the example here at Cannon Hill, they also make the landscape a lot prettier, while being good for the environment. The mix of herbs and lavender specified on this project has provided a truly stunning and striking domestic green roof design.”

Boningale GreenSky also helped with the supply of the substrate, making sure it had the correct nutrition level and water holding capacity for the plants to thrive in the long term.

Maggie explains: “When using larger herbs like Rosemary and Lavender, it is particularly important they have a full 150mm depth substrate that will anchor their fuller structure and support their roots. With the correct support and careful installation, green roofs can also facilitate the growth of droughttolerant Mediterranean herbs that need very sharp drainage.”

Boningale GreenSky is the award-winning green roof division of Albrighton’s Boningale Nurseries, and supplies a unique range of SkyPlugs and SkySuperstrate.

Backed by academic research and development by green roof technology experts at the University of Sheffield’s Green Roof Centre, all of GreenSky’s products have been specifically engineered for green roofs.

Boningale Enquiry 13

School bowled over by MM50

Mike Herring, head groundsman at Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire, has reported excellent results after using Limagrain’s MM50 grass seed in a new construction and in the renovation of the school’s two cricket wickets.

Overseeing the 40 acres of playing fields and sports facilities Mike decided to bring in leading sports turf contractor Fineturf to renovate an existing cricket wicket and construct a completely new one.

The Fineturf team got to work by starting on the renovation and the

new construction and when the time came for seeding, there was only one brand of product they were going to use.

“We only exclusively use Limagrain seeds,” says Anthony Hardy, operations director for Fineturf. “We just wouldn’t use any other grass seed unless specified, mainly because of the quality and guaranteed results that the Limagrain seed produces.

“We have to be 100% confident in the products that we use for our contracting work, to absolutely know that we are going to get the desired results

for the end user. Limagrain seed gives us that reassurance.”

For the project at Berkhamsted, Fineturf used Limagrain’s MM50 –which is the number one choice of seed for cricket groundsmen. Those representing grass roots, schools, local clubs and international test venues have all benefitted from using MM50 as it possesses exceptional shoot density along with tolerance to close mowing making it particularly suitable for all cricket squares.

Other key features include fast recovery from wear and damage and high disease resistance.

This superior mix contains the perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison and Malibu, which are renowned for providing a great sward for cricket use. MM50 is also treated with HEADSTART GOLD - Limagrain’s unique seaweed based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination.

Limagrain Enquiry 10

Dennis is The Riverside’s best kept secret

Tony Bell, head groundsman for Middlesbrough FC, has revealed that the secret behind keeping the pitch at the Riverside Stadium in such pristine condition is his unique and innovative approach to using the Dennis S500 PLUS ‘dual purpose’ machine.

Tony, who has been at the club since 1997, not only oversees the grounds maintenance at the Riverside but also at the training ground in Darlington and at the club’s foundation site in Eston.

Including the pitch at the Riverside, Tony and his team are responsible for maintaining thirteen grass pitches and two

artificial pitches as well as 50 hectares of green space at the training ground.

Anyone would think that Tony would struggle to find enough hours in the day to ensure that the pitches and facilities live up to his extremely high standards. However, he still manages to find time once a month to overseed the whole pitch – using just the Dennis S500 Plus.

Known as the ‘dual –purpose’ machine, the Dennis S500 PLUS has a 510mm (20”) operating width complete with interchangeable spiker and slotter reels.

The spiker reel punches through the ‘surface pan’ allowing air, water and fertiliser to penetrate the root zone, while the slotter reel creates ideal seed germination pockets thus reducing seed wastages. Using the optional seed box attachment, as Tony does, will ensure grass seed is dropped onto the ground at the prescribed rate and brushed into the pockets.

The S500 PLUS is not the only Dennis machine in Tony’s armoury; a long-term admirer of the Dennis G860 interchangeable cassette mower, Tony recently upgraded his existing G860’s to

two brand new ones at the start of the season.

With the option of being able to fit a variety of heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as 6,8 or 11 bladed cutter cassettes, it is easy to see why the G860 is relied upon in stadium environments all over the world.

Dennis Enquiry 11

McConnel previews new high-performance power arm

Featuring 7.7m reach, a telescopic arm with a 1.35m extension, and 75hp high-performance hydraulics, the machine is the first incarnation of a complete new series designed for professional contractors. Among the key new features

of the machine is an innovative new high-efficiency oil tank and cooling system, which deliver an outstanding deaeration performance; ensure a very low overall flow velocity; and eliminates areas in the tank where resting oil can concentrate.

steel, the PA7775T is latest addition to McConnel’s awardwinning fl eet of Power Arms and is designed for largescale contractors and busy professional contractors. The machine will be officially launched later in the year.

McConnel gave UK customers their first look at the PA7775T at LAMMA.

Rigby Taylor products help groundsman exceed expectations

Play the premiership champions pitch

Plans for a special one-day fundraising football tournament at the grounds of Premier League Champions, Leicester City Football Club have been announced by Perennial as part of HortAid 2017.

Teams from across the horticulture industry will go head to head in this six-a-side competition on Tuesday 23 May to raise money for the only charity dedicated to helping all horticulturists in times of need.

Leicester City’s King Power Stadium is one of the most talked about pitches in the UK, as the home of the 2015/2016 Premier League winners and it showcases UK groundsmanship at its best.

supplier of fertilisers, plant protection products and turf seed to the turf and landscape sector including the King Power Stadium, has signed up as headline sponsor for the event to help make sure as much money as possible is raised for Perennial.

Laura Garnett, Senior Development Manager at Perennial said: “Not only will it be fantastic fun for everyone taking part, it is a great way to raise money for colleagues in the industry who are facing tough times and we hope that the event will raise over £10,000.

the ability to Koro the club’s Impact Arena stadium pitch every third season, and regular vertidraining, would be Utopia.

In the real world, however, the five-figure cost of such an annual renovation is prohibitive, so the usual end-of-season renovation normally centres around deep scarification and Earthquaking.

That said, for the past nine years since he has been full-time at the National League North club, Rob has consistently managed to present a pitch that exceeds expectations to the extent that it is not only regularly used (for matches and training) by the club’s first team but also for games by its newly-established Academy and for matches by the Nottingham Forest FC under 23 squad.

In addition, Rob’s expertise has secured him two National League (north and south – 53 clubs) Groundsman of the Year Awards in 2011/12 and 2015/16.

“The immense pressure on consistently presenting a firstclass pitch that is playable all year round is compounded by the financial reality that every game means more money in the coffers,” says Rob.

“I’ve been using a range of products from Rigby Taylor since I joined the club. I’ve always found them effective and, equally as important, very costefficient. This is essential when every penny counts.”

For example, the pitch is overseeded with 12 x 20 kgs bags of predominantly R41 100 per cent ryegrass (plus R14 and R11) and Rob regularly uses a mixture of fertilisers and iron feeds – such as Fineturf (conventional release fertiliser) and Microlite Activ-8 6-024+2%fe which has a high level of humic acid to improve root strength and soil structure; plus Soluble Iron; Crossbar selective herbicide; and the Mascot HiAktiv glyphosate herbicide.

Nowadays, thatch levels are at 5 mm and root depth extends to 110 mm – and both are continually improving. Plus with annual deep scarification, then 60-90 tonnes of sand and an application of pre-seed fertiliser and the use of a controlledrelease fertiliser every four to six weeks, Rob says he is able to maintain good (at least 98%) grass coverage – whatever the wear and weather.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 17

Grounds Manager, John Ledwidge has arranged for Perennial to host this unique tournament that will pitch horts against horts in a frenzy of competition. ICL, the leading

“Demand for places is going to be high and we will be taking bookings on a first come first served basis, so anyone who is interested should act quickly to book their spot.”

Perennial Enquiry 16

For Alfreton Town FC groundsman, Rob Brooks,

Council keeps coast cut with Ransomes

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has purchased five Ransomes Parkway Meteor flail mowers to maintain King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Hunstanton and surrounding coastal areas. Local Ransomes dealer, Bartram Mowers, made the delivery.

The council has implemented a new grass cutting regime, which now sees the borough’s green spaces being cut six to 12 times per season. With a total of 650 acres to maintain, the council chose to purchase the Ransomes Parkway Meteor flail mowers to increase productivity whilst maintaining a high-quality finish.

Chris Durham, operations manager for the Borough of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, commented on the decision to purchase the Ransomes

machines: “One Meteor machine will maintain an area of 82 acres, which is quite a considerable distance.

“The council is trying to be more efficient and economical, which has been achieved by decreasing the number of machines, but increasing their productivity. We now spend less time cutting grass, and the savings we make are able to be invested into other projects to benefit the community.”

Steve Appleton, operations assistant and mechanic at the borough of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, added: “The flail mowers are able to plough through anything in front of them in a way which I personally haven’t seen with any other machine.”

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 21

Simon Richard Ltd expands sales force

Simon Richard Ltd, UK agents for the Muthing flail and Reform tractor ranges, have added to their sales force following the recent appointment of Richard Fairnie.

Simon Richard says: “Richard’s wide breadth of experience in the agricultural, groundscare and motor trade sectors will enable us to substantially increase our UK agricultural dealer network.”

Snickers’ next generation product and price catalogue

A new 68 page Snickers brochure is now available free to the tradesmen and women who need the very best in hi-tech working clothes.

It’s got full details of the newest additions to the ALLROUND, FLEXIWork, LITEWork and RUFFWork clothing ranges and plenty of advice on how to choose the working clothes that are right for your kind of work.

There’s also loads of information on all the other garments and accessories you can get for working effectively wherever you work. You’ll find quality, innovation, hi-tech fabrics and top class functionality in every garment –Trousers, Jackets, Topwear, Safety

ANS Global provides green roofs for overnight lodges

When Tinwood Estate winery in Chichester looked to expand its service to customers by building three luxurious vineyard lodges in the grounds, ANS Global was the first port of call for providing green roofs for each.

Passionate environmental custodians, the owners of Tinwood look to encourage biodiversity wherever possible, and incorporating living roofs into the woodland accommodation seemed an ideal contribution.

Green roof creators ANS Global plan a bio-diverse structure specifically to attract wildlife whilst also allowing for the addition of other features such as beehives,

birdbaths, insect hotels and log and stone outcrops.

There is plenty of scope for all such additions in the grounds of the Estate, and with Tinwood being part of the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme – a recognised programme whereby farmers actively encourage biodiversity – the incorporation of green roofs falls in line with the owners’ environmental vision and values.

ANS Global Enquiry 24

Investment in factory move by manufacturing firm

Metal railings and gates manufacturer Alpha Rail has moved to a new purposely designed factory having invested over £800k in refurbishments.

Founded in 1985, Alpha Rail has over 30 years of metal fabricating expertise and is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of metal railings, pedestrian guardrail, Juliette balconies and metal gates. The company has been involved in many prestigious projects across the UK.

These include The Royal Parks in London, The London 2012 Olympic Games Athletes Village, many housing regeneration schemes, school playground redevelopments and major sporting venues such as the Kia Oval cricket ground.

Local projects have included the Hucknall Town Centre Improvement Scheme, the A453 widening project on Remembrance Way and the £5.2m renovation of Forest Recreation Ground. Alpha Rail has developed the new site to create one open plan unit which

now provides over 16,000 square feet of floor space and office space.

In total, over £800k has been invested to include reconfiguration of the factory floor to accommodate metalworking machinery and dedicated areas for each fabricating process.

The interior fit out has provided a reception area, new meeting rooms, bright and airy offices for the estimating team and CAD technicians, finance, sales and admin staff as well as easy to access archive storage areas.

Externally investment has been made in providing level and easily accessible concreted storage areas for raw steel and finished metalwork. This ensures products can be safely and efficiently transported in and out of the factory and loaded on to lorries for onward delivery for installation at project sites across the UK.

Alpha Rail Enquiry 22

shoes and Accessories - the sign of a brand that knows what it takes to get a job done properly.

Snickers Enquiry 20

Simon Richard LTD Enquiry 23

Christmas tree collection raises thousands

In January, the 17th annual Macclesfield Christmas tree collection took place, where residents give a donation of a minimum of £5 to have their Christmas tree collected and disposed of with help from King Feeders UK.

All proceeds are given to the East Cheshire Hospice. Last year, 2016, the collection raised £102,000 and in 2017 the sum is expected to exceed £110,000.

The trees, which are collected by a band of volunteers, are transported to a central collection point, where they are shredded in preparation for composting.

Two complimentary Eco Green Shredders have been provided by King Feeders UK, based in Macclesfield, for the two day process. The shredders quickly and effortlessly processed approximately eight thousand Christmas trees into a good compostable mulch.

This annual successful charitable fund-raising event has just been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and has already been replicated in 30 other areas to benefit other hospices.

Sherriff extends John Deere dealership area

John Deere dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co, based at new premises in Haddington, East Lothian, has bought the business of W M Dodds at Jedburgh and set up a new outlet in Hexham to take over the territory previously managed by Everitt & Marshall.

These developments have extended the dealership’s business area in the Lothians, Borders and Northumberland, with six outlets in total serving customers from the River Forth in Scotland down to Durham in the north-east of England, reaching out west to the Cumbrian border.

The other existing outlets are based at Alnwick, Coldstream and Stow.

The majority of the W M Dodds employees have transferred to Sherriff Jedburgh, where Jimmy Laing remains as dealership manager. He has also been appointed to the Sherriff board

and has taken on the role of after sales director.

Sherriff Hexham opened for business in November at Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, just off the A69 close to the town. The dealership team there is headed by Stewart Wheeler, who has 30-plus years of experience working in the area with John Deere products.

Meanwhile, the Sherriff premises at Tweedside Industrial Estate in Berwick upon Tweed were closed at the beginning of December, but with a full commitment to retaining all of the staff from that outlet. The Berwick technicians become field based, primarily controlled from the Coldstream office, where Eddie Stewart has taken on the role of service manager from Bill Wood, who now becomes the company warranty manager.

Finally, the new Sherriff head office site at Backburn in

Haddington, which replaces the existing facility at West Barns in Dunbar, will allow both the dealership’s agricultural and turf divisions to operate under the same roof for the first time. John Harrison becomes a home-based mobile technician and continues as the Dunbar customers’ first point of contact for service.

“As part of our overall expansion and restructuring plans, the development at Sherriff Haddington has seen a significant investment of almost £2 million,” says dealership managing director Colin Weatherhead.

“This ensures that we can maintain the highest level of support to our customers in both the important business sectors of agricultural and professional turf equipment sales and service.

“We are also delighted to confirm that all our major suppliers, in addition to John Deere, fully support our expansion and plans for the new, extended trading area. We look forward to meeting customers old and new throughout the area over the coming months.”

John Deere Enquiry 28

POLYON helps you keep control

POLYON controlled-release fertilizer, from Koch Turf & Ornamental, with its trademarked green color is backed by years of research, and for decades has been the market leader in the turf and ornamental markets.

The key to its performance is the Reactive Layers Coating technology which meters out nutrients via diffusion, regulated by soil temperature and coating thickness, for precise and lasting nutrient delivery.

With longevities from eight weeks to 52 weeks, and micro, mini and regular SGN options, POLYON fertilizer has a product and formulation to match your fertilization needs.

Koch Turf & Ornamental Enquiry 29

King Feeders UK Enquiry 27

Otterbine

Thanks to the Otterbine Gemini proving itself reliable as a water aerator and display fountain in lakes at Tracy Park Golf and Country Hotel, Old Thorns Golf Club and Lythe Hill Hotel, estates manager Kevin Boxall says Otterbine is a firm part of Eagle Resorts, the parent company’s, future plans as it looks to increase its portfolio from 12 golf courses and hotels to 20 within the next three years.

Designed to give the best of both worlds by offering function and beauty, the Gemini surface spray aerator can operate in as little as 75cm of water and can move over three times as much water than decorative patterns, thanks to its open-throat propellor design.

Johnsons of Whixley rewards dedication of staff

Johnsons of Whixley have marked the achievements of four members of staff who have each completed ten years’ service with the company.

Jason Dacre, Vicky Newell, Elaine Richardson and Luke Richardson were each presented with a gift voucher and framed certificate in recognition of their dedication.

Manchester City Katie Croft is top of the league

Toro and its UK distributor Reesink Turfcare sponsors the Most Promising Sports Turf Student of the Year Award at the annual Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Awards to find talent just like the 2016 winner, Katie Croft.

Katie is a driven, hard-working and talented addition to the grounds industry and since she joined Manchester City Football Club two years ago she has paved the way for other women in the industry.

Lee Metcalfe, head groundsperson at Manchester City who recruited Katie, says: “The competition was tough, with over 200 people applying for the job, but her desire to learn was evident and her bubbly character a welcome addition to the team.”

Katie says it is this trailblazing that she would like to use her award to do more of; by making a difference by encouraging those girls who, like her, know they want to work in horticulture, that there are plenty of options. “I am so honoured to have won this award and am blown away that I was found deserving of it.

“Two years ago I had a dream and it has come true. I’d really like to be able to use this position to educate more women about what a career in groundsmanship entails. It’s an exciting time and there are some fantastic opportunities out there for anyone with an interest in horticulture.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 32

Makita’s cordless chainsaw matches petrol performance

The new Makita DUC353Z Twin 18v Brushless motor chainsaw sets new standards for cordless chainsaws and matches the logging performance of similar size petrol powered saws.

At the same time this new saw offers the many values of cordless machines: zero emissions; super-quiet operation; total control and high levels of efficiency and safety as standard.

The Makita 36v direct-drive Brushless motor has a rated output of 1,100 watt, similar to a 32cc petrol machine, and comes fitted with identical 35cm length bar and a chain speed of 20 metres per second. Trials have shown that two fully charged 5.0Ah batteries will deliver over 60 cuts through 5 inch diameter timber, at least seven linear metres of cutting per charge.

Polystone stands test of time

Enquiry 31 good all the while. It has the appearance of stone but whilst it retains a solid, heavy feel it is more manageable in weight.

John Richardson, Chairman of Johnsons of Whixley, said: “Johnsons is a familyrun business and that family ethos runs throughout our organisation, so it is right and fitting that we reward our staff for their long service.”

Johnsons of Whixley Enquiry 33

Polystone is available in cubes, troughs and cylinders in slate black or marble white.

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Makita Enquiry 34

Otterbine

The Pot Company Enquiry

make

Rigby Taylor supplies new turf disease fungicide

Rigby Taylor Ltd has been appointed by Bayer to supply their new turf fungicide Exteris, through the company’s UK sales force.

Containing the new active ingredient fluopyram, Exteris is expertly engineered to target microdochium patch and dollar spot and is an exciting new addition for integrated and disease resistance management programmes.

Exteris can penetrate plants through the roots, shoots and leaves and form a protective barrier on the plant, permeate into the plant and move upwards (acropetally) in the xylem. Combined with Bayer’s Stressgard formulation technology, a unique combination of active ingredients and turf specific co-formulants all combine to provide optimal performance under a range of turf disease stress conditions

Preventative applications provide protection for the plant before

disease occurs. By selecting the right fungicide in advance, fungicidal longevity can be maximized by applying an appropriate product at the time when it can be most effective The result, when applying Exteris, will be an up-grade in product performance, leading to superior disease management and visibly healthier turf.

Exteris is supplied in 5 litre packs and applied at 10 litres/ ha in water volumes of 200 –600 litres.

39

Bernhard display TurfBreeze Fans and SubAir system

Bernhard and Company gave turf professionals the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of TurfBreeze fans and SubAir aeration and moisture removal systems.

SubAir resolves turf issues by focusing on the subsoil environment, providing balanced aeration, moisture and temperature conditions.

All essential factors in reducing the risk of disease and promoting long-term healthy growth. Installation of a single SubAir unit takes just one day and does not impact the playing surface.

TurfBreeze focuses on surface aeration and cooling. Fully portable, TurfBreeze is an ideal solution for shaded greens, generating airflow and helping to evaporate areas of excess moisture. The fans also alleviate problems associated with heat stress. Solar heat can have a devastating effect on turf grass. Fan use lowers the surface temperature and in turn the soil temperature.

Turf technology is at the forefront of the Bernhard philosophy and the company also demonstrated the Express Dual 4000 reel grinder and Angle Master 4000 bedknife grinder. Sharp blades are fundamental to turf health, a clean cut causes less stress to the plant and greatly reduces the risk of bacterial and fungicidal infections.

Bernhard and Company Enquiry 40

Rigby Taylor introduce new Tetraploid Technology Ryegrass seed range

Rigby Taylor adds to turf fertilizer range

The Apex organic range from Rigby Taylor now includes high organic, low salt analyses rich in humic acid.

Apex organic offers enhanced plant resistance to disease and plant stress disease, improved root mass, stimulation of microbial activity and slow sustained growth.

The homogenous, 1-2mm micro compound granule formulations provide conventional and slow release of nutrients that offer flexible, accurate and uniform application. Many of the

products contain Polyhalite, an organic source of Nitrogen, Calcium and Magnesium that helps to strengthen cell walls, making plant tissue less susceptible to damage.

The Microfine range has had six added low sulphur analyses to the range.

Sulphur is an important nutrient for plant health but has been shown that constant applications of products high in this nutrient can lower pH levels and exacerbate Black Layer formation, reduce soil

oxygen

encourage

Double the number of chromosones compared to diploid perennial ryegrass increases cellular chloroplasts that boost chlorophyll production for energy absorption. This provides a more robust, healthier plant with stronger deeper root, greater disease and drought tolerance and superb colour.

All of the individual grass seeds in the eight mixtures are preapplied with Germin-8 liquid seed treatment, a breakthrough in grass seed treatment. A cocktail of speciality penetrating surfactants, targeted nutrients, stimulants and micronised mycorrhizae are activated when the seed comes in contact with moisture in the rootzone, stimulating rapid cell division for faster germination and emergence, earlier root mass development and higher plant survival rates.

Independent trials have shown up to 100% increase in germination has been achieved after just 10 days.

Mini-granular formulations provide slow and conventional release forms of Nitrogen with number containing Methylene Urea that release N in sync with the plants requirements. Formulations also contain iron and magnesium, with two offering cold start benefits.

Both ranges are available in 20 kg bags.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 42

Particular benefits during the main renovation and transitional sowing is the plants ability to provide faster germination at temperatures from 4°C and superior winter wear. Also, ideal selections for cold temperature divotting.

There is a recommended mixture for every grass surface for construction, renovation, transitional seeding and repairs.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry

levels and

anaerobic bacteria which respire hydrogen sulphide that is toxic to plant roots.

Eight superb grass seed mixtures featuring Tetraploid Technology Ryegrasses, and launched, all with Germin-8 liquid seed treatment have been unveiled by Rigby Taylor.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 41

Tetraploid ‘R’ range grass seed 10 days after treatment @ 8ºC. Left: Untreated.Right:Germin-8treated.

Headland puts focus on disease management

Headland will distribute Bayer’s new turf fungicide Exteris Stressgard, launched at the show in Harrogate (see front cover story).

Exteris Stressgard is the first combination SDHI fungicide to be launched in the UK turf sector and features new chemistry from a completely new fungicide group.

The availability of a completely new fungicide group will improve options for product rotation

and minimise the possibility of developing resistance to key active ingredients.

Headland have also been appointed the exclusive distributor of Bayer’s ‘Dedicate’ fungicide, a powerful combination of Tebuconazole and Trifloxystrobin, labelled to control Fusarium Patch, Red Thread, Dollar Spot and Leaf Spot.

Headland Amenity Enquiry 45

ClearWater is clear a winner

Highspeed Group’s ClearWater system was the focus of much attention at BTME this year and was a winner in more ways than one.

MD David Mears said the company was most impressed

by the large number of enquiries taken for the ClearWater washpad water recycling system from home and abroad.

“Our all-inclusive prices and show discount proved popular and our prize draw certainly was the big attraction for those serious about upgrading their wash facility to a full water recycling system,” he continued. “Many thanks to Jim Croxton, BIGGA’s CEO for drawing the prize.”

The prize of a ClearWater system was won by Steve Lloyd, course manager of The Worcestershire golf club.

It was interesting to learn at the show that many now do realise that compliance with legislation is of prime importance and that action is a must. Alongside many new enquirers were a number of visitors who had enquired in previous years.

HighSpeed Group Enquiry 46

Siskin included in Johnsons popular golf mixtures

The new top rated chewings fescue cultivar on the latest independent Turfgrass seed trial list, Siskin from DLF, made its debut in a number of 2017 Johnsons Sports Seed formulations.

Demonstrating next-level perennial ryegrasses and fescues

Barenbrug showcased its market-leading, BSPB Turfgrass Seed #1-ranked ryegrass cultivar, Barolympic.

Barolympic is now available in four mixtures: BAR EXTREME, BAR MEDAL, BAR PLATINUM and BAR SALT & DROUGHT; each designed to enable greenkeepers and groundsmen to achieve their best surface yet, even in the most extreme environments.

Barenbrug will also showcase BAR FESCUE, still the number

one fescue mix on the market for close mowing applications, featuring the #1 slender creeping red fescue, Viktorka, and the #1 Chewings red fescue, Barlineus.

Visitors also got the chance to learn about RPR, the unique Barenbrug grass seed taking the sports turf world by storm. Now available in three mixtures: EXTREME RPR for summer sports, RPR STADIUM for winter sports and BAR SPRINT for racecourses.

Some of the popular mixtures for golf - Johnsons J Green, J Fescue, J Premier Fairway and J Links mixtures – have been updated to include this top rated cultivar.

Developed in direct response to greenkeepers requests Siskin is a versatile cultivar combining top visual merit, incredible shoot density and the highest disease resistance score in the STRI list. These qualities combine to deliver improved turf quality and reduced maintenance budgets in terms of fertiliser, fungicides and poa control.

The 6 cultivar blend that makes up the new J Green formulation includes the addition of 20% Siskin and 20% Cezanne Slender Creeping Red Fescue; delivering exceptional fine, dense turf, excellent disease resistance and enhanced summer colour.

Rated as No. 1 for fairway use and for visual merit under fairway management, Siskin also now features in the 2017 formulation of J Premier Fairway and J Fescue for fairways, greens and tees.

The golf offering from Johnsons Sports Seed is further enhanced with the opportunity to purchase leading mixtures with the ProNitro coating.

DLF Enquiry 48

New Toro Stealth Kit joins popular Lynx control system

The new Stealth Kit is the latest addition to Toro’s Infinity series golf sprinkler and joins the everpopular Lynx PC control system and the highly versatile Flex series sprinklers.

Toro’s Stealth Kits can be installed onto any Infinity sprinkler and its innovative patent-pending design means grass can grow directly on top of the sprinkler, eliminating not only turf disruption and damage, but the hard surface bounce should a golf ball hit it.

Robert Jackson, Reesink’s irrigation manager, says: “By allowing turf growth on top of the sprinkler, Toro has created a situation where irrigating the turf does not affect the cutting process.

“A seamless and continuous area for cutting is created and this is music for all turfcare professional’s

ears. The fact that the sprinkler includes the benefit of Smart Access technology, allowing for easy access to all adjustments and other internal components, is another big advantage.”

The internal turf cup with the capacity to grow 1.5 inches of turf is designed to encourage water drainage and prevent root rot, meaning grass roots are able to retain optimum health and the appearance of the turf is not affected.

The Smart Access compartment allows access to the pilot valve, GDC module and wire splices without having to dig up the sprinkler, plus it enables easy access to the arc adjustment, snap rings, riser removal assembly, valve and rock screen, too.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 49

Barenbrug Enquiry 47

Jacobsen launches GA600 aerator

Jacobsen, the renowned manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, has introduced the highly anticipated GA600 aerator.

The GA600 aerator is a truly versatile unit and is the first in a range of brand-new aeration equipment from Jacobsen.

The deep tine aerator can work up to 3.4 km/h at a working depth of 30cm and a width of 1.8m. If used with the available AerStrike 4 Tine attachment system, productivity is further enhanced, allowing deep and conventional aeration in a single pass. Unique spacing on the

AerStrike system creates tight 7.5cm patterns and eliminates the need for a turf guard.

The patented PerfectStrike tine arm motion provides perfect entry and exit of tines, achieving a truly straight hole. The geometry of the crankshaft and the tine arms allow for vertical entry of the tines into the ground.

Coupled with cluster tine heads keeping tines at a distance to reduce tearing of the turf, the GA600 produces unrivalled hole quality. The truly versatile unit makes it perfect for use on greens, fairways and sports fields.

The new aeration line has been designed to improve hole quality, boost productivity and enhance aeration performance over undulated surfaces; the short roller to tine distance ensures superior contour following. The GA600 allows turfgrass professionals to do the job once, and to do it correctly when time is of the essence.

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 54

New duo from Grillo

Pride of place was taken by the FD2200TS, the company’s flagship model.

Powered by a 48hp Yanmar engine it is loaded with features, such as: 4wd with auto difflock; two speed grass turbine; a huge 1400 ltr grass box; and a diagnostic display.

Alongside was be the FD1309 out-front with its all new 155cm deck, which now comes with push button height of cut adjustment.

Grillo Enquiry 55

Goose deterrent ‘Goosinator’ arrives in the UK

The Goosinator, a new device designed to fi ght the ongoing battle to rid parks, golf courses and other outdoor areas of Canada geese, has arrived in the UK.

Canada geese have become a health and safety problem across the UK. Geese consume four pounds of grass every day and their faeces can cause salmonella and E. coli poisoning.

The high-tech faux predator is made of high-density foam, with an electric motor that can glide on grass, water, ice and snow. It’s controlled remotely, so the user can scatter the geese from a distance.

Geese learn not to return to the original area through behavioural modification, thus ensuring a humane approach to eliminating geese from the land.

Wayne Chodosh, director at Goosebusters, said: “The Goosinator gives new meaning to the term ‘wild goose chase’.

“The threat Geese pose is wildly underestimated - they can ruin the land that golf clubs work so hard to preserve whilst also spreading disease.

“Geese are rightly protected by laws prohibiting culling, which means areas affected are increasingly desperate for a humane and longterm solution. This is where the Goosinator comes in.”

The Goosinator is available to rent. To see the Goosinator in action: https://youtu.be/ RkKnMg_frmA

For further information contact wayne@goosebusters.co.uk

Goosebusters Enquiry 53

FLEXBLADE collectors now fit all makes of aerators

Groundsman Industries has launched a new universal range of FLEXBLADE Core Collectors available in swath widths from 60cm (24”) up to 200cm (80”) to fit all makes of pedestrian and tractor mounting aerators.

The FLEXBLADE works with Groundsman, Toro, John Deere, Wiedenmann and Charterhouse aerators as demand for the proven collection system has proved so great.

It fits snugly behind the aerator catching 60% of the cores before they touch the ground,

the remainder are scooped cleanly from the surface by a series of FLEXBLADES that follow surface undulations with precision like multiple shovels for the cleanest possible collection, powder dry or soaking wet.

Goundsman

Industries Enquiry 52

Comprehensive range is highlighted by Club Car

Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel electric vehicles and an official supplier of The European Tour, showcased a selection of its extensive range of 85 different models of golf and utility vehicles in Harrogate.

In addition, visitors to the stand were also able to experience the fully ‘connected’ Precedent i3 golf car, designed to allow customers to decide how many of the connected features they want to add to their fleet.

XCU promotes healthy plant response

XCU slow-release fertilizer provides gradual, steady nutrition.

It has been widely used by turfgrass managers to economically and efficiently promote a plant response of health, growth and color for up to 10 weeks per application. XCU fertilizer has the highest nitrogen (N) content (43%) and lowest sulfur content (4%) of any polymer-coated sulfur-coated urea (PCSCU) on the market.

The value is more area can be covered per application using

less fertilizer, which is more efficient and economical. Also, with less N lock-off more of the applied N is taken up and utilized by turfgrass or plants in the expected time frame.

Koch Turf & Ornamental Enquiry 56

One of the key vehicles on show was the company’s Carryall utility vehicle, which features a new look, enhanced comfort and the new E.R.I.C. on-board charger with improved peak efficiency of 93%.

The redesigned, modular integrated cabin that sits flush on the vehicle allows customers to build up their own vehicle including the cabin and utility section.

For further improved ergonomics, the range is available with the new VersAttach bed-based attachment system, which can be easily configured for specific jobs in virtually all applications or quickly removed when not needed.

This ranges from simple diagnostics, to the integrated Visage information system, which not only advances the golfer’s on-course experience, it helps operators work more efficiently and be in complete control of its fleet.

Duncan Ross returned with expanded services

Duncan Ross Ltd is offering an expanded list of services in 2017, now including fairway renovations alongside side their expertise in land drainage on sportsturf and greenspace.

During a successful 2016 the company has carried out multiple projects including fairway drainage at Penrith Golf Club, greens drainage at Lancaster Golf Club, bunker remodelling at Astbury Golf Club, the supplying and installation of a pumping chamber at Hesketh Golf Club and hole development at Carlisle Golf Club.

As part of the advice and solutions offered to ensure that clients are able to offer their members the highest standards of golf course provision, management and maintenance, surface renovations have been added to the list of services offered.

The decision to incorporate surface renovations into the company’s services was met with the purchase of a Koro FIELD TOPMAKER to provide the quality of renovation seen at major sporting venues throughout Europe.

Grillo displayed two new machines at this year’s exhibition.

Club

Duncan Ross Enquiry 58

A fine time for pine

Woodbank Timber has launched the SurePine brand as an alternative to Spruce which currently accounts for the vast majority of fence posts used across the UK.

There are a number of advantages to SurePine as Adrian Howden of Woodbank Timber explained.

“The Sapwood of both Spruce and Pine species is classified as non-durable,” he said.

“This means that it is important to ensure this part of the timber is protected through the timber preparation and treatment process, particularly for inground applications.

“The defining difference between the two species is their ability to absorb the preservative solution in order to reach the required level of durability.

“Spruce is a refractory species which makes it difficult to attain the required level of preservative penetration whereas Pine is far easier to treat and achieve the required 100% sapwood penetration.

“SurePine posts are dried properly before being treated with Koppers Performance Chemicals’ Celcure C65 preservative. Rigorously tested on-site, they are then quality checked within Koppers’

laboratories. The quality of penetration, as well as the checking procedures, offers peace of mind for the contractor and the end user.

“We believe it’s time that Pine started making its mark in terms of fence posts. The advantages are clear and we are already seeing a high level of industry curiosity and demand for SurePine.”

Woodbank Timber, based in Ipswich, supplies high quality products and services to the agricultural, domestic, equestrian fencing and landscaping markets.

Woodbank Timber Enquiry 60

Designer turns to MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME

One of Europe’s leading garden designers has turned to the versatility of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME to help provide stand-out features.

and landscapes around the world that are stylish and of the highest quality.

His creations at this year’s RHS Hampton Court and RHS Chelsea Flower Shows both feature the innovative, engineered timber

product, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME and both won awards.

For the Bowel Disease UK garden for Crohn’s Disease at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Andrew found that MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was his material of choice.

Used to create the distinctive boundary fencing, the highly durable product enabled him to add that element of individuality by using the centuries old Japanese ‘Shou-Sugi-Ban’ technique of charring wood surfaces. This ancient, but now rediscovered, practice of burning the surface of the wood, wraps it in a protective layer of carbon, resulting in a stunning crackled finish.

The garden was awarded a Gold Medal and Best Summer Garden, receiving perfect marks for its construction and planting with the judges praising the use of unusual and rare plants and the quality of the detail.

Commenting on MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME, Andrew Fisher Tomlin said: “When we

source materials we look for products that are well made, sustainable and have consistent quality. Proven performance is also essential and a product that can provide long-term exterior use, requiring little or no maintenance, is really good. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is such a product.”

MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is an extremely durable, FSC certified wood panel benefiting from the latest advancements in proprietary acetylation technology which alters the wood’s chemical structure making it practically impermeable to water and therefore not vulnerable to swelling or shrinkage. Its attractive finish and ease of handling makes it the perfect product choice for a wide variety of applications. Carrying a 50year guarantee, it is backed by an assessment by the independent British Board of Agrément (BBA) to provide long-term peace of mind.

Ensure your new fencing lasts 20 years

Timber fence and gate posts always rot through at ground level leaving your fence or gate post requiring expensive replacement together with the associated in-convenience.

Postsaver produce a range of cost effective ground line sleeves which protect this vulnerable part of the fence and gate post which are quickly and easily applied with a blow torch.

with millions of sleeves sold all over the world without failure to date.

But don’t take our word for it, sleeves have been undergoing rigorous independent testing for the last 15 years and the latest results have just been released with all sleeved posts passing with flying colours unlike the standard post test samples, most of which have failed.

Tricoya Enquiry 61

Medite

The ground line sleeves have been in production for 20 years

Postsaver Enquiry 62

Andrew Fisher Tomlin is well known for creating gardens

Tobermore assist Ogilvie at new inn

Ogilvie Construction was seeking a practical hard landscaping solution with aesthetic qualities that would complement Red Burn Farm, a new country-themed restaurant/ pub in Hamilton.

Tobermore presented the contractor with a variety of paving products that were both

attractive and functional to meet the client’s needs.

The exterior building and interior of Red Burn Farm was constructed with a charming Victorian aesthetic in keeping with the distinctive Farmhouse Inn branding. Tobermore’s Textured Flags in the colour of Buff was selected for the outdoor

eating area and Tactile Flags, also in Buff, was combined with Tegula block paving in the rich tones of Heather for the pedestrian route connecting the restaurant to the carpark.

Textured Flags are produced with a granular surface that creates a soft, natural appearance and Tegula is a vintage themed product that is

manufactured with an aged, antique look. Lauren noted that Textured Flags and Tegula provided the aesthetics to compliment the rustic brick façades of the building and were the perfect accompaniment to the traditional ambience at Red Burn Farm.

As a sensory paving product, Tactile Flags in a blister finish was vital in indicating the movement between the restaurant and carpark areas.

The carpark area was created with Tobermore’s Hydropave Pedesta in the colours of Natural and Brindle, together with Hydropave Ballotini in White, a high visibility paving indicator which was used to distinguish parking spaces.

Enquiry 64

New distributors for VSI range

GSCS Street Design are the new UK distributors for the range of US manufacturer Victor Stanley Inc. (VSI).

The VSI range includes beautifully designed, manufactured & finished seats, benches, litter bins, planters and recycling stations in materials including steel, ductile iron, timber & a unique steel reinforced recycled plastic material called 2nd Site Systems.

Available in four colours, this innovative material does away with the warping issues that often dog recycled plastic & opens up more opportunities for use on higher profile, prestigious schemes. All VSI products receive the highest quality powder coating finish available on this type of product.

GSCS Street Design Enquiry 65

Cigarette butts? No problem

The DropPit is a revolutionary new solution to cigarette butts, to keep your premises free of unsightly litter.

This discreet bin is installed at ground level so that smokers can drop cigarettes into the lockable grid, to collect in the tray below.

Any litter that escapes can also be simply swept into the tray, saving time and effort.

The tray is easily removed, emptied and replaced. Add a robust rear plate which can be branded with your company logo or message, perfect for businesses or local authorities.

Green-tech is a major supplier in the delivery of a large-scale Roof Garden in Jersey.

The £45k Roof Garden was installed in a new development in St Helier’s Westmount by David Ryan Landscape & Property Services, on behalf of Dandara, one of the UK’s largest independent property development companies.

Dandara has been at the forefront of commercial and residential property design and development for over two decades and is renowned for creating award-winning homes and working environments. Their recent development is a collection of apartments at Westmount, located in St Helier, Jersey’s bustling capital.

The Westmount development was inspired from 1950s apartment living in America. It has been designed to create a sense of glamour and fun, suited to the comforts of modern living. The development also features parking, gym and large roof garden. Understanding the current trend and importance of retaining a generous amount of green space and organic surroundings within a development such as this, Dandara’s solution to highrise living was to incorporate amply spaced balconies and gardens as well as a large communal rooftop space.

David Ryan Landscape & Property Services is a Jerseybased business that offers landscape gardening, garden maintenance, hard landscaping and property services. The company was contracted to create a beautiful rooftop terrace that fit within the specified constraints and weight parameters. They turned to Green-tech for products.

Green-tech supplied 69 bespoke lightweight Roof Garden Planters, as well as Hydrolecca, which is porous, yet has the ability to store water. The gaps between the pellets provide good aeration for root systems. Their lightweight properties make them favoured in Green Roofing Systems and containerised planting.

Green-tech stocks a range of planters for interior and exterior commercial projects. They can also provide planters to co-ordinate with corporate branding, compliment the external surroundings or create impact.

David Ryan from David Ryan Landscape & Property Services said, “I have been working with Green-tech for many years and always find them great to work with. My technical sales adviser, Sam Woodward, was always on the end of the phone and we spoke regularly throughout the project. Green-tech took my plans and advised on appropriate products, quantities and sizes. They were great at organising staggered deliveries to fit around the crane which was only available for limited periods. They definitely helped make the project run as smoothly as it could. Thankyou.”

The pencil shaped novelty bin range from Leafield Environmental has been a huge success supplying over 350 units to nursery and primary schools in the UK and internationally since its launch in January 2016.

The brightly coloured pencil range was introduced in response to customer demand, specifically for children aged 3-8 years to encourage recycling in the classroom.

Gordan

Ellis Enquiry 66

Pencil bin gets top of the class for recycling

Ideal for both indoors and outside, and manufactured in durable polyethylene for a long and useful life, each pencil bin has a 70 litre plastic liner inside to assist easy and clean emptying and disposal.

Optional extras include: WRAP compliant recycling label, a lock, steel liner and ground fixing kit.

Leafield Environmental Enquiry 67

Green-tech supply products for new communal rooftop space in Jersey

READER ENQUIRY 68

Tobermore

Putting the spotlight on the vibrant play industry

www.landscapeandamenity.com

Tackling the continuing problem of #nowheretoplay

As an increasing number of children in the UK continue to have nowhere safe to play, the Association of Play Industries (API) is stepping up its campaign to encourage central and local government to play a more proactive role in reversing the trend.

The Government has made housebuilding and the creation of new communities an on-going priority and is encouraging growth in the industry through a raft of incentives and new initiatives.

The API, along with a number of other national bodies, is campaigning to ensure the provision of play areas and green spaces is high up the list of considerations when planning these new communities.

It is also continuing to gauge public opinion on the provision of play facilities for children and plans to use the findings of this research to call for more and better facilities.

Mark Hardy, Chair of the API, said: “We are at a tipping point

Major new funding to keep nation active

Sport England is to invest nearly £88 million of National Lottery and Government funding in 26 national governing bodies of sport (NGB) in addition to opening two separate open funding programmes.

Every investment made follows a new customer-led approach, where the needs and wants of the player, athlete or participant come first.Around one third of people (14.9 million) are currently in sport’s ‘core market’ – the people

who have a strong affinity with sport, including talented athletes trying to reach the top. Sport England wants to continue to support them and help grow the market by reducing drop out.

Key investments include: gymnastics (£8,333,000); hockey (£9,030,000); cycling (£17,310,000); badminton (£7,250,000); cricket (£7,600,000); para-swimming (£850,000) Sport England will also invest heavily into governing bodoes and Phil Smith, director of sport, says: “These investments allow governing bodies to reach the customers they know best, and provide them with their regular sport in the way they want it.

“These are investments in clubs, in coaches, in matches and in competitions – the ‘core market’ of sport.”

Sport England Enquiry 71

as far as physical inactivity goes.

“Children are naturally hardwired to play and be physically active, yet inactivity as a root cause of obesity is now an entrenched health crisis.

“Without tackling this significant issue from the ground up, we risk overburdening the NHS as it struggles to cope with the effects. Play has a vital contribution to make in getting children moving more.

“There has never been greater need for the ‘bold, brave measures’ promised - but sadly missing from - the government’s obesity strategy.”

According to the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), obesity prevalence in the school year 2015/16 was more than twice as high in year 6 (19.8%) as in reception (9.3%).

Obesity has increased since 2014/15 in both reception (9.1% in 14/15) and year 6 (19.1% in 2014/15), with over a fifth of children (22.1%) in reception

and a third (34.2%) in year 6 now overweight or obese. Children living in the most deprived areas were twice as likely to be obese than those living in the least deprived areas, and boys were more likely to be obese than girls.

“The Prime Minister said she would review the national obesity strategy if its measures weren’t effective,” added Mark Hardy.

“There isn’t a minute to lose. Local authority budgets are under pressure – parks are being sold off and playgrounds closed. Many children simply have nowhere to play. This is a national disgrace and contravenes their fundamental human rights.

The API’s mission is two-fold: to convince policy makers of the benefits of play to children’s development, physical and mental health and well-being; and to provide high-quality facilities for play and physical activity that benefit local communities.

Enquiry 70

Proludic has unveiled new concepts for 2017

Manufacturer Proludic has unveiled its new 2017 brochure, which includes the launch of two new multi play ranges - one is a rework of an old favourite and the other is a completely new concept, Kidzy.

The popular Kanopé multi play range adventure has been developed with new elements, combining a modern aspect with natural inspirations.

It builds on the existing Kanopé image, but with increased modularity and enhanced play features Kanopé also widens the user age range.

The combinations offered are composed of 1,17m high platforms (allowing children from two years old easy access), up to 1,77m high (for dynamic and physical activities using

climbing and sliding play features aimed at older children).

The elements connecting the platforms also provide more modularity for numerous combinations of various play features, dimensions and aesthetic effects.

Proludic Enquiry 72

The investments and work will come into force in April 2017 and follows detailed discussions with each governing body about what contribution they can make to our new strategy.

API

Huxley Golf reaches new heights

Huxley Golf has proved that the sky’s the limit when the world leader in all-weather golf surfaces installed golf greens high in the Hong Kong skyline in a partnership with GolfTEC.

Two Huxley Golf modular putting greens were installed at the brand new GolfTEC centre in Admiralty, Hong Kong.

The first, a large and beautifully designed outdoor roof-top green of approximately 1,000sq.ft. (92m2), was created using Huxley Golf Premier Nylon Outdoor Putting Green Turf complete with integrated Huxley Turfill® 2 filler to achieve optimum ball roll.

The second was installed indoors: a 12ft (3.7m) x 18ft (5.5m) green constructed using Huxley Golf Championship Indoor Putting Turf with three hole positions. Paul Chester, General Manager at Huxley Golf, said: “It was an interesting brief which required

us to work through rooftop weight restrictions and the complications of delivering and installing at height.

“Taking a modular approach enabled us to work around these complexities to create precisely the required facilities, both technically and aesthetically. We are extremely pleased with the result.”

GolfTEC is one of the fastest growing and most successful golf tuition companies in the industry. All studentsregardless of their initial skill level - follow the same proven and comprehensive approach to helping them achieve their goals. Combining patented teaching technology and highly trained coaches, the company has delivered over 6 million lessons globally.

Mark Henderson, GolfTEC Hong Kong’s Chief Operating Officer and PGA AA Advanced

Professional, commented: “Both the indoor and outdoor greens give our students the ability to develop the most important part of the game, their putting skills. They provide both places to take instruction and somewhere to practise independently, day or night, rain or shine.

“Huxley Golf was a natural fit for this project. Some of our team here have worked with them before at tour events and this prior experience, along

with the Huxley Golf’s PGA accreditations, meant we knew we could trust them to deliver a first class solution and service.”

Huxley Golf provides premier all-weather surfaces for golf around the world. Clients include training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many well-known golf courses.

Huxley Golf Enquiry 74

Notts Sports launch new IntriCut service

A brand new service has been brought to life by Notts Sport Ltd, using surface cutting technology and specialist machinery.

State of the art CAD technology means that both elaborate and simple designs can be accommodated, expertly cut from synthetic surfacing and pieced together to create bespoke flooring designs.

This investment reinforces the company’s position at the forefront of innovation in the industry.

With a spectrum of vibrant colours, and with endless scope for creating complex patterns, shapes and designs, IntriCut will provide the perfect solution for a number of outcomes, including: imaginative playground surfacing; sports turf logos; unique exhibition spaces and more.

Duncan Bennett, Managing Director of Notts Sport commented: “One of the most exciting growth areas we are seeing is for bespoke designs and logos to be incorporated into the

play and sport facilities we deliver throughout the UK and abroad.

“IntriCut is already proving that it can provide a world class solution to meet this demand whilst at the same time allowing us to diversify into new markets with new innovative & high quality products.

“Indeed, innovation is an integral part of Notts Sport’s company values and IntriCut illustrates yet again how we listen to our customers and constantly invest in Research & Development. This state of the art technology is specifically designed to deliver the requirements of new and existing customers”.

Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sports added: “IntriCut will provide endless possibilities for clients to brand their sports facilities as well as allowing play providers the opportunity to create fun-filled play surfacing for their projects.”

Notts Sport Enquiry 75

Wicksteed wows Welsh Water

A play area situated right in front of a huge dam is an awesome sight and a terrific place to expend some energy on challenging, tactile and adventurous equipment whilst also having fun.

This site, located at Elan Valley Visitor Centre and operated by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, is play provision at its most inspirational.

Wicksteed won the contract as part of a four-site project, each of which total in the region of £75,000.

Most of the inspiration for the timber-led scheme came from the surroundings which provide the perfect framework for some thrilling, multi-play products that offer plenty of opportunities for spinning, sliding, swinging and

climbing activities to be pursued. Entering through the handcarved timber entrance play area reveals a special, bespoke Dam Climbing Wall. A huge Hillary unit, complete with Monkey Bars, Steel Slide and multiple climbing and traversing features provides loads of challenging, physical fun.

A natural Agility Trail with playful Mounds, Balance Beams and Log Posts is another great feature. The Scramble Net Climber and Log Swings offer more adventurous play and the carved timber Totem Pole and Toadstool seats provide charming additions to this bold and enticing water-side adventure zone.

Odds Farm renew play interest with Timberplay

High Wycombe family favourite, Odds Farm have renewed their play facilities with the addition of a brand new Timberplay play area, designed to complement their existing Timberplay water and sand play areas.

One of the largest Farm Attractions in the UK, Odds Farm consistently score highly on Trip Advisor and continually reinvest to ensure visitors return time and time again.

They seek to enhance their offering every year and this year made a significant investment with Timberplay to create an extensive adventure play area.

This follows on from the creation of a sand and water play area, designed by Timberplay, which was introduced to the site on 2014 and a toddler play area in 2013. This new play development expands the reach of the attraction to older children as it features more challenging equipment.

A complex configuration of equipment creates a play focal

point, with walkways, rope bridges and slides selected to delight children across a wide age range.

Climbing Walls, Jack Straw See Saws, Jumping Discs and Hexagonal Swings all also feature. All equipment has been selected to accommodate the large number of visitors that Odds Farm regularly gets during busy periods.

Odds Farm Manager, Steve Wenman comments: “The Play Area is a big hit with the kids, the visitor feedback has been excellent and it definitely has the wow factor we were looking for.”

Odds Farm Park was established 21 years ago near Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and has grown year on year to become one of the largest farm attractions in the UK attracting over 200,000 visitors per annum. They are one of the most high profile members of the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN)

Enquiry 78

Game, set and match for Garside Sands

Specialist silica sand manufacturer introduces advanced solution for synthetic tennis courts

Aggregate Industries’ specialist sands division, Garside Sands, has launched an innovative sport sand that can be used to replicate the performance of a clay tennis court when used in conjunction with a suitable synthetic carpet.

Terracotta Sand is an advanced alternative application for synthetic tennis courts, which has been engineered to replicate the performance characteristics normally attributed only to a traditional clay surface.

The unique mineralogy of the sand and the thermal process involved (‘calcining’) maintains the integrity of the sand and creates the required terracotta colour. Unlike authentic clay courts, using this engineered method means a court requires minimum

maintenance to meet the requisite performance criteria and can be used all year round.

Clive Martin, commercial manager at Garside Sands, explained: “This is a significant step in the development of sport sand and provides an alternative, low maintenance solution for synthetic tennis courts.

“The sand infill of Terracotta Sand replicates the slide and bounce that is normally unique to a clay surface – something that was substantiated by all of the professional coaches and players we consulted, who remarked that the play characteristics of the surface were similar to that of a traditional clay court.

“A thorough testing process was also carried out in the Climatic Chamber at Staffordshire University, where researchers found that the terracotta colour was resistant to abrasive wear and environmental degradation,

after subjecting the sand to the equivalent of a seven-year cycle.

Terracotta Sand has already been utilised for courts nationally and internationally, including at the University of Warwick. Based on this early advantage, we’re excited to see what aces the product serves in the future.”

Autism school unveils new MUGA

A new multi-sports pitch for children with autism has gone down a storm at its official opening at an Essex special school.

The MUGA at Doucecroft School in Colchester was opened last month after supporters raised the £60,000 target to install the pitch.

Doucecroft School is a specialist co-educational school for children and young people with autism and additional complex needs, aged 3-19 years. Doucecroft has successfully nurtured students with wide-ranging strengths and needs, and enabled them to grow in independence and self-esteem since founding nearly 40 years ago.

The school is part of Autism Anglia, a charity that provides a range of services across East Anglia to enable children, young people and adults with autism to live as independently as possible

and experience choice and inclusion in society.

Doucecroft appointed Sportsafe, an international provider of sports equipment installation, service and maintenance whose head office is in Colchester, to work with the management team to plan, design and deliver a bespoke MUGA for the children to enjoy all year round.

Sportsafe turned to Suffolk contractor MTA Leisure for the fencing, who specified steel fencing manufacturer Zaun’s 3m-high Duo8 Super Rebound twin horizontal wire panels, which are highly durable, low maintenance, ‘graffiti-proof’ and offer great rebound properties similar to a wall.

The new MUGA was put through its paces at the opening ceremony in a number of football matches

Construction and building materials supplier, Aggregate Industries is a leading supplier of specialist silica sand, with quarries in Ardleigh, Leighton Buzzard and Levenseat.

Aggregate Industries Enquiry 79

Timberplay

between Doucecroft and another SEN partner school nearby.

Donors included: The PJK Charitable Trust; The Anglian Community Trust; Colchester Catalyst Charity, The Peter

Harrison Trust, the Pantaloon Theatre Company, Reedmans Florists, collection money from Waterwise at Poplar Nurseries and Lisa Rivers.

Zaun Enquiry 80

Getting back on the skateboarding map

Work to build a brand new skate plaza at King Edward Park in St Ann’s, Nottingham, is progressing.

Plans put together in collaboration with community skateboarding organisation, Skate Nottingham, Nottingham City Council (NCC) and local contractor, Robert Woodhead Ltd, include influence from iconic parks around the world. Designs have now been finalised by specialist skatepark design firm, CANVAS, and work is set to started on the £80,000 scheme in November.

The new park will include inspiration from some of the

world’s most iconic skate plazas.

From the John F Kennedy Plaza in Philadelphia to the city of Malmo in Sweden, which has gone from a city that once deemed skateboarders a ‘nuisance’, to one that is internationally recognised as a premier skateboarding destination.

Close to the city centre and the Creative Quarter, the new facility will be perfectly placed to build on the wider creative and cultural aspects of skateboarding, including photography, film, digital media, art and design, as well as encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.

Canvas Enquiry

TigerTurf completes the first RFU Rugby Turf project

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TigerTurf has handed over the first Rugby Football Union (RFU) Rugby Turf project at Hornets RFC in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset – one of a planned 100 3G rugby pitches that will be built as part of its Rugby World Cup legacy plans and revised National Facilities Strategy.

Having been awarded two of the five pilot Rugby Turf projects, TigerTurf and Framework partner, McArdle Sport Tec,

Inspect a Lewes

Working in conjunction with Lewes District Council, eibe Play recently installed a dual site at Ouesdale Road near the town centre.

Project co-ordinator Christopher Bibb is delighted with the outcome, as the playspace has regenerated the area, offering play and exercise to all ages.

The design plans came to fruition in the autumn of last year and, with the installation

team pulling out all the stops, eibe completed the project days before the festive break.

At a cost of just under £22,000, the two parks situated either side of the road feature an Alexander Play House, a chain-linked Train, a Spring Rocker and an ecorino Gamma unit. The Gamma in particular is packed full of play value, including sliding, climbing, balancing and swinging.

eibe Enquiry 86

have undertaken an 8140m 2 installation of TigerTurf’s new Rugby 360 surface.

The RFU will manage the facility at Hornets RFC, providing access to a firstclass 3G pitch for training and competitive fixtures not only for the host club, but also for other rugby and sports clubs from across the county.

Tranmere Rovers captain congratulates school team at opening of new playground

Tranmere Rovers Captain Steven Jennings has given a thumbs up to a new school playground when he called round to officially open it.

The tough tackling midfielder, who has led his side into the play off positions this season, gave a rousing team talk when he attended the official opening at Our Lady and St Edward’s Catholic Primary School in Birkenhead.

And he praised young members of the Good Samaritans who have worked hard to help fund the new £25,000 pirate ship playground for their early years pupils.

The new facility was designed, manufactured and installed by outdoor play experts, Creative Play, and also features a superb play tower from the company’s new Jigsaw range.

The Chester-based family firm’s mission involved turning a “blank canvas” into a dream destination designed to challenge youngsters’ physical, motor and social skills.

Liverpool-born Steven Jennings thought the children’s super new facility scored highly and praised the children for achieving their goal.

Spread over a large area laid partly with tarmac and partly with grass, the playground features a pirate ship and a terrific play tower from Creative Play’s newly launched Jigsaw range which allows clients to piece together their own tower from 30

different components suitable for different ages and abilities.

There are also balance beams, stepping logs, playhouse, picnic benches and a sandbox.

Jim Gambino from Creative Play oversaw the project. He said: “We met with the school back in June with a view to developing an early years play area and talked through some ideas about what kind of play features they wanted.

“What we came up with was a climbing structure, including a play tower from our new Jigsaw range, with a pirate ship feature to encourage imaginative role play and exploration. Once the designs were in place, the installation of the equipment took 14 days. It was great because we started with a blank canvas.

“The wide range of play features encourages development, creativity, imagination, exploration and role play as well as physical movement skills. To us, every child matters and every child is different so we promote inclusion and make sure no child is left out.”

Each Creative Play playground is designed to suit the client’s specifications, depending on their budget and location.

All of Creative Play’s equipment is designed and manufactured in Chester by the company’s in house teams, who use state of the art equipment and each specialise in timber, plastic or metal.

Play Enquiry 85

Creative

TigerTurf Enquiry 84

Fields in Trust Cymru launch new green space guidance

New benchmark guidelines for the design of spaces for outdoor sport and play have been published by Fields In Trust Cymru.

Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play: Beyond the Six Acre Standard, was launched at Green Space Wales Symposium for practitioners.

The guidance is a crucial tool for local planning authorities, developers, planners, urban

designers and landscape architects in the design of outdoor sport, play and informal open space.

Writing in the foreword of the document Dame Tanni GreyThompson said: “To create an active nation one of the things that we need to do is make sure that appropriate outdoor recreational opportunities are available to everyone regardless of age or ability.

“We also have to recognise the role of play in developing physical literacy in young children. All important things for the future. Without access to grassroots facilities there are many who will lose the chance to identify and hone their skills.”

Fields in Trust’s projects and protection programmes operate across the UK and in Wales, Fields in Trust Cymru has also developed its own unique projects such as Owain Glyndwr Fields.

It has supported the Welsh Government on the development of legislation and policy and, for the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections, produced a playing fields manifesto.

Fields in Trust

Enquiry 90

Jupiter Play structure for Drumpellier Country Park

In July 2016, a £4.5 million funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund was announced for the development of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park.

As part of the £6.8 million project, Drumpellier Country Park will be developed as a gateway to the Seven Lochs and a hub for heritage conservation, learning and engagement.

Jupiter Play have been awarded the design of the bespoke Crannog play unit and supporting play equipment for the Drumpellier Country Park development.

Working closely with CultureNL both parties have created a strategy to build a new destination site and enhanced play provision for the whole of Scotland.

The Crannog adventure play design from Jupiter Play has been developed as a result of vast research and a detailed brief from CultureNL into traditional styles of Crannogs throughout Scotland and in particular that of the Crannog discovered within Lochend Loch.

From afar, the proposed Crannog Adventure Play Structure will be a prominent 6.5m high play feature and with the joint investment into the public facilities at Drumpellier will

help create a destination park for all users of mixed age and ability.

With the combined expertise of Jupiter Play and Inclusive Play we have created a fully accessible play unit which has passed the Inclusive Play PIPA assessment.

Combining the Crannog design with the existing hard standing path networks ensure the entire unit can accommodate wheelchair usage. The main entrance walkway, outer platforms, inner ‘roundhouse’ and underneath the entire structure are also fully accessible.

The main entrance walkway is 1.52m wide x 8m long with 1m high side barriers. We have incorporated an impressive 4.4m high feature entrance archway for climber planting. This walkway and the upper Crannog structure are elevated by 2.45m. This leads into the main converging space on the upper deck; from here users can prepare themselves and choose how to engage with the play on the upper deck experience.

The play area will be themed around an iron-age “crannog”, a traditional dwelling house constructed on stilts over water. Additional funding for the play area has been provided by the Landfill Communities Fund via WREN and the Coatbridge Local Area Group.

Charcon delivers new concept in cycleway segregation kerbing

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has delivered its latest innovative concept in cycleway segregation kerbing for the first phase of Nottingham City Council’s new Western Corridor cycleway route.

While a cycleway solution had already been specified by Nottingham City Council, the client chose to adopt Charcon’s new innovative cycleway segregation system after learning how it had added significant value to the high profile CS2 project in London, while offering increased safety to not only cycleway users but contractors installing the units on site.

Mike Davies, specification manager for Charcon, explains: “Our cycle kerb is a one unit

Play & Leisure The Power of Play

concrete segregation system, which means much of the work can be done off site. The benefit being that it speeds up construction and reduces the impact on road users.

“The segregation system for Nottingham was designed to meet the project’s exact specification. It features a half batter along the carriageway, capable of withstanding vehicular impact, and a splay edge on the cycleway side, which significantly reduces the chance of cyclists catching a pedal.

“Being on the blind side of a lorry or bus is a dangerous place for a cyclist. By installing the kerb on just one side of the carriageway, these cyclists are safely segregated from the blind spots of passing traffic.

“Having experience of delivering this type of product on a large scale, we were able to confidently hit the ground running and ensure phase one of the project was delivered on time and on budget.”

To date, 400l/m of Charcon’s new innovative cycle kerb has been manufactured, supplied and installed for the first phase of the project along Castle Boulevard.

Charcon Enquiry

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Jupiter Play Enquiry 92

Robust cabin for Husqvarna P 525D Riders

Husqvarna — one of the world’s leading producers of forest, park and garden products — introduces a brand new factory assembled cabin for the P 525D Rider that lets professional landscapers continue working even in heavy rain or snow.

The new cabin on the P 525D has been developed on antivibration platform, resulting in significantly lowered vibration and noise levels, and thereby increasing user comfort. Improved fitting between the doors and cabin also increases the overall integrity of the attachment, making the cabin more robust and durable.

Fully equipped with features such as a hydraulic kit, LED work lights, high specified seat and a heater, makes the cabin the best and most comfortable way to work longer during cold winters.

Developed for professionals who need to tackle a variety of landscaping jobs over the seasons, the P 525D is extremely versatile because of the many attachments that can be quickly and easily fitted onto the front mower in a matter of minutes — allowing various tasks to be completed with a single machine.

The front-mounted cutting deck is sold separately, and other attachments that can be easily and quickly fitted on include a snow thrower, snow blade, snow plough, blower, weed brush, spreader, flail mower and broom.

Husqvarna Enquiry 95

Kärcher launches new Park & City product line

Kärcher’s new battery-powered tools work on a modular concept allowing the batteries to be interchanged between units.

Using more efficient and longerlasting lithium-ion batteries saves both the expense of servicing the motor and the cost of petrol – representing up to 90% lower lifetime costs.

This lower total cost of ownership has environmental and operator wellbeing benefits too, with emission-free, fumefree operation. 50% less noise and 80% fewer vibrations make for more comfortable operator use - even for prolonged periods - and suitability in urban areas including parks and street cleaning.

With a choice of three power settings, the lightweight LB 850 Bp Leaf Blower is ideal for removing debris, leaves and cuttings. At full power it delivers 148km/h air speed with only 80 db LpA noise output. Likewise, the robust, maintenancefriendly CS 330 Bp Chainsaw is a powerful ally when tackling branches and small trees.

Whether used as a standalone solution, or in partnership with Kärcher municipal sweepers and pressure washers, Kärcher can make a difference to grounds maintenance or municipal cleaning regimes.

Kärcher Enquiry 97

More than just a mower

With economy in mind, Etesia has a wide range of attachments which enable their Hydro 124, Hydro 100 and Hydro 80 ride-on mowers to carry out many tasksall-year-round.

These machines can not only help spread precious funding; but also enable commercial end users to win new contracts.

One of the most popular accessories is the front-mounted

sweeper for cleaning roadways, car parks, pathways, playgrounds and other hard surfaces. This attachment can be fitted to either the Hydro 100 or Hydro 124 models – turning a ride-on mower into a 365-days-a-year workhorse.

Powered by the ride-on’s engine, and hydraulically driven via the PTO, the brush covers the full working width of the host machine. No special tools are required to fit the unit directly

on to the mower’s front-mounted linkage. The brush can also be angled left or right according to the mode or work.

The polypropylene bristles are extremely hard wearing and very tough to ensure a firm scrub on pavements and other hard surfaces where they efficiently remove grime, debris and moss. There is an optional side rotary brush for clearing awkward areas, such as gutters and gullies.

Kelkay spring into action

Kelkay all-encompassing range of products includes Kelkay Path & Patio Cleaner, Kelkay Path & Patio Sealant and Kelkay Patio Joint Fill.

Dirty and tired looking paving can be revived using Kelkay Path & Patio Cleaner.

This is a powerful and fast-acting cleaner will remove mould, algae lichen and moss along with everyday dirt and grime. The product comes in a 2.5 litre

Sweep away the snow

The SweepEx range of push brooms offers a good choice to suit the task at hand and in particular the MegaMax which is not just a push broom, it is also a bulk volume mover.

Hitched to a telehandler, fork lift, skidsteer or tractor you can use it for clearing leaves and rubbish and at the first sight of snow it will be ready to clear large areas quickly and efficiently.

The MegaMax takes the concept of a heavy-duty broom and adds patented side retainers, which makes it ideal for clearing snow.

The broom holds bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage at the sides. It’s cleverly designed to incorporate end brushes that are carefully twisted, so they actually pull snow away from a curb or wall and push it into the main path of the broom. It also offers a squeegee effect on wet surfaces. Similarly it will deal with other materials, sweeping them out of awkward corners, which makes this all-rounder good for yards, warehouses, amenity areas, construction sites, farms and landscaping projects.

As there are no motors, belts or chains and no flying debris, the MegaMax is safe and maintenance free, with hardwearing brushes designed to sweep up to 450 miles before the hard-wearing polypropylene bristles need changing.

Even then it’s an easy job to replace them. Another key feature is the bristles are rigid enough to allow the broom to

stand up without additional support for quicker and easier mounting to the host vehicle There is a variety of SweepEx push brooms to choose from including the basic ValuSweep, to the Mega and SweepEx Pro, to suit all applications. The MegaMax is available in 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.4m widths.

Wessex International Enquiry 96

All rubbish is swept into the optional collection box and there is a dust protector for use when the brush is used without the box.

Etesia Enquiry 98

container – enough to treat up to 100 square metres and is safe for pets, wildlife and garden pond areas. Antony Harker, managing director at Kelkay, said: “People are concerned about protecting

their patios, drives and pathways and against whatever weather is thrown at them.”

Kelkay Enquiry 94

The Traxter range welcomes little brother

BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) is expanding its 2017 side-by-side vehicle (SSV) line-up with the addition of the new mid-range Can-Am Traxter HD5.

The unit has been developed to meet the demand from users for a versatile lower HP SSV that excels at hauling and towing heavy loads and has the ability to handle multiple terrains, from boggy fields to rocky trails.

This innovative SSV has the comfort and control of the original Can-Am Traxter combined with the performance of a 38hp petrol engine. Together with a 40-litre fuel tank, it provides users with a work ready vehicle that can spend more hours out in the fields simplifying the toughest jobs.

The HD5’s Rotax engine has been calibrated to supply excellent power and torque for working on the farm and in the field. It also requires no break-in service and remains maintenance-free for one year or up to 1,865 miles (3,000 km) or 200 running hours.

The Traxter HD5 also has the ability to tow up to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) and a payload of 1,200 lbs. (544 kg). The heavy-duty cargo box has intuitive adaptability to go with its 600 lbs (272 kg) rated capacity, tilting bed and fully functional tailgate. It also has the industry’s largest fuel tank, at 10.6 gal. (40 L), so that more time is allocated for work and less time is spent refuelling.

BRP Enquiry 101

Smithco XL 70 roller debuts in UK

Jacobsen, the European distributor of Smithco rollers, has unveiled the all-new Smithco XL 70 roller.

The new Smithco XL 70 ride-on greens roller features the widest available rolling width of 70”, providing unrivalled productivity on all fronts.

The XL 70 green roller is powered by a 16 hp Briggs Vanguard gasoline engine, and the productive roller is able to work at a ground speed of 10 mph.

The hydraulically driven greens roller features a triple roller drive system for superior traction and safety in all turf and terrain conditions. Additionally, the direct drive hydraulic motors to each roller cylinder eliminates the maintenance required on mechanical drive systems featuring no chains or sprockets. The Smithco XL 70 has been

Bobcat launches new rigid frame telehandlers

Backed by a three year warranty as standard, a new range of rigid frame telehandlers has been launched by Bobcat for the construction and rental industries.

Bobcat now offers a choice of 11 new telehandler models for the construction/rental markets covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.1 tonne with lifting heights from 6 to 18 m.

For markets such as Europe, where emissions are highly regulated, high performance is ensured by the new Bobcat D34 Stage IV/Tier 4 Final compliant diesel engine developed in-house.

They are designated using a new naming system showing lifting capacity/lifting height performance

at a glance: the TL26.60 and TL30.60 compact telescopic loaders; the TL35.70, T35.105, T35.105L and T36.120SL middle lift telehandlers; the T35.130S and T35.140S rental industry-oriented

St Ives GC renews with Toro

St Ives Golf Club has renewed its exclusivity agreement with Toro for another five years, sealing the deal with an order of 15 machines, which have seen the team’s cutting time more than halved and saved hours on aeration.

Having reviewed the market, course manager Rob Duff decided to invest in Toro again because it “best suits the clubs needs”.

The club has a full-time, yearround greenkeeping team of three and employs additional staff on

a seasonal basis to maintain the 240-acre course, and the fleet, which includes two Greensmaster TriFlex 3400s, four Reelmaster 3550-Ds, two ProCore 648s, and a Workman HDX utility vehicle, has been specifically chosen to complement staffing levels.

The combination of the increased quality and speed of the new machines enables the greenkeeping team to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.

telehandlers; and the T35.130SLP, T41.140SLP and T40.180SLP high lift telehandlers

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engineered with operator safety and comfort in mind. The roller features an easy-to-use keyed ignition switch, engine throttle and choke which are all easily accessible from the operator’s seat.

Dual drive pedals control left and right operation and rolling

speed, and pedals are connected to a hydraulic pump by a fully steel linkage system for a high level of durability. The operator’s seat is high-backed and cushioned, providing ultimate comfort for the operator.

The independent articulating roller heads produce a wider and

more stable ride. Other benefits, including a 3-roller independent driving system, direct drive and power steering ensures that the bar has been raised with the introduction of the new Smithco XL 70 greens roller.

Cub Cadet launches new product classifications

Cub Cadet has launched a new naming strategy, dividing its products into three categories.

The Force Series is the ‘Entry level’ range, for gardeners who are looking for power, performance and durability but at an affordable price. The Enduro Series is designed for ambitious garden lovers, who appreciate the very

best in power and performance, they are designed to cope with the highest of demands.

Finally, the Pro-Series is a professional range for commercial use, providing the ultimate performance for commercial gardeners who place great value on premium performance, absolute reliability

demand a professional finish, even after continuous use.

Bobcat Enquiry

Smithco Enquiry 102

and

Cub Cadet Enquiry 104

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 105

New three-way screener from Red Rhino

Red Rhino Crushers have successfully expanded their range to include a three-way Screener and already have many highly satisfied customers.

It is used for many applications such as screening top soil, sand, crushed rock, bricks, waste concrete, glass and recycled asphalt.

The design includes an integral hopper and feed impact plate which allows the plant to be fed by excavator or directly from

a crusher and produce three different product sizes. The impact plate spreads the material across the top deck to optimise the screening efficiency.

The top deck of the screen is 2.4m wide x 1m long with any oversize rejected to a stockpiling conveyor. The material which is smaller passes onto the 1.9m long x 1m wide bottom deck for further screening. The midsize product is then discharged from the bottom deck onto a stockpiling conveyor. The fine material passes through the bottom deck onto a collecting conveyor to prevent any build up before discharging on the stockpile conveyor.

The plant will produce three stockpiles each 1m high making

it ideal for many small to medium sized contracts. The stockpilers can be lowered into the operating position hydraulically which enables the plant to be fully operational in just one minute. A remote controller is supplied to steer the plant when it is being moved on its track system.

The Screener can be transported on a small plant trailer as it weighs only 2.8 tonnes and has very compact dimensions which makes it ideal for small sites in urban areas.

A Kubota 18,5kW diesel engine which is EU Stage IIIB and US EPA Tier 4 emission compliant powers the complete set up.

Red Rhino Enquiry 108

Major assists with important conservation work

Dating back to the Norman Conquest, Ashdown Forest in the South East of England is one of the UK’s largest free public access space.

Sixteen hundred hectares of the forest is heathland which represents 3 percent of all lowland heathland in the UK.

This makes it an important national conservation area which is managed by the Ashdown Forest rangers. “Our role is to restore and maintain the area as heathland,” explained Mike Payne, a ranger at Ashdown Forest.

To assist the rangers with these conservation activities, a Major 2m MJ2000 Flail Collector was added to the fl eet, to cut and collect bracken and grasses in the forest. The rangers at Ashdown Forest mow between 200 – 300 hectares of bracken each year.

“The Major MJ2000 enables us to manage the heathland by allowing us to cut in difficult terrains and collect the cut material at the same time,” said Mike. “We previously used a 4.5m topper but this left the produce behind which still had to be removed from the site.”

The adjustable cutting height allows the machine to work in a variety of vegetation types.

“We’ve been able to take bracken out of heather areas without

having to mow too much of the heather,” explained Mike.

When the Ashdown Forest rangers were researching a suitable mowing solution, they were immediately impressed with the Major MJ2000’s construction. “It’s definitely the strongest of the ‘cut and collects’ that we investigated, within in a really competitive price bracket,” concluded Mike.

SCH unveils 2017 product range

SCH (Supplies) Ltd, the British manufacturer, have been developing their range of equipment for landscapers, private gardeners, sports ground managers and equestrians for over thirty years.

The company’s 2017 brochure is currently being distributed to machinery dealers up and down the country, and managing director Andrew Rodwell is optimistic about the year ahead.

“We had an extremely buoyant 2016, with sales across the entire range maintaining or exceeding previous years,” he tells us. “I think the most successful sector for us however was the sports ground maintenance machinery division. The natural turf units have always been popular but last year saw a real surge of interest in our artificial pitch machinery.”

He also says that the company’s reputation for making bespoke products has been particularly

in demand among sports ground customers.

The eight pages of artificial surface maintenance equipment in the brochure is enough to satisfy the requirements of most groundsmen. However, SCH are very adept at making alterations to existing machines or designing and building entirely new models to ensure their customers’ needs are met.

SCH Supplies Enquiry

Major assists with important conservation work

Dating back to the Norman Conquest, Ashdown Forest in the South East of England is one of the UK’s largest free public access space.

Sixteen hundred hectares of the forest is heathland which represents 3 percent of all lowland heathland in the UK.

This makes it an important national conservation area which is managed by the Ashdown Forest rangers. “Our role is to restore and maintain the area as heathland,” explained Mike Payne, a ranger at Ashdown Forest.

To assist the rangers with these conservation activities, a Major 2m MJ2000 Flail Collector was added to the fleet, to cut and collect bracken and grasses in the forest. The rangers at Ashdown Forest mow between 200 – 300 hectares of bracken each year.

“The Major MJ2000 enables us to manage the heathland by allowing us to cut in difficult terrains and collect the cut material at the same time,” said Mike. “We previously used

107

a 4.5m topper but this left the produce behind which still had to be removed from the site.”

The adjustable cutting height allows the machine to work in a variety of vegetation types. “We’ve been able to take bracken out of heather areas without having to mow too much of the heather,” explained Mike.

When the Ashdown Forest rangers were researching a suitable mowing solution, they were immediately impressed with the Major MJ2000’s construction. “It’s definitely the strongest of the ‘cut and collects’ that we investigated, within in a really competitive price bracket,” concluded Mike.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 110

Major Equipment Enquiry 109

Ariens invests in more apprentices

The Ariens Company Apprenticeship Programme started in 2014 and the aim is to recruit two new apprentices every year to ensure and maintain this success.

Tanya Bezuidenhout, Ariens HR Manager UK & Scandinavia, said developing new talent within engineering is key to the business’s success.

“With the current skills shortage in engineering, we’re proud to show our commitment in this economic climate, by making long term investment in new talent, offering extensive training and career development opportunities,” she continued.

“It is so rewarding to witness our apprentices grow in confidence and become skilled engineers. We’ve been really pleased with how things have been going and we’re now looking to recruit two more apprentices to grow our talent pool further.”

Ariens Company currently has three apprentices across different areas of the business ranging from Tool Making to Electrical Engineering: Charlie Crago (20) Tool Maker Apprentice - Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Toolmaking; Max Tod (20) Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer Apprentice - Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in

Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering and Christopher Duckham (18) Electrical Engineer Apprentice - Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Although each apprentice position is fulltime, they also spend one day a week at college studying for a professional qualification.

Ariens

Enquiry 113

GKB Sandspreader for Queen Ethelburga’s

Thorpe Underwood Estate lies between Harrogate and York and is the home of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.

Named after the Anglo-Saxon queen consort of Northumbria, who brought Christianity to the north of England around 625 AD, the school was opened in 1912 and today is co-educational, drawing pupils from over sixty six countries.

The campus has been the subject of a huge investment programme in recent years. Seeking to create the best sports facilities for the school, which would also stand to benefit from commercial use, around £20 million has been spent on natural and synthetic sports pitches, courts and the machinery to service them.

Grounds Manager Ben Grigor is building a team to manage the thirty four acres of rugby, football and hockey pitches. He also

set out charged with the policy of buying the best equipment for the job, a path which led him to the newly arrived GKB Sandspreader SP230.

Local dealers Russels Groundcare brought the GKB Sandspreader to the school for a demonstration. The sand

spreader is designed to distribute a wide variety of materials, including sand or mulch, which is transported to a mechanically adjustable metering valve on a conveyor belt. The double disc spreader ensures perfect distribution of sand on the pitch. GKB Machines Enquiry 115

AS Motor flail mowers offer a robust solution

AS Motor flail mowers offer a high quality, robust solution for mowing high grass, slopes, ditches, shrubbery and undergrowth – difficult tasks require a special solution.

The flexibly mounted Y-flails avoid hidden objects. Even highgrass is cut into small pieces which remain on the lawn as mulch and quickly disappear while fertilising the soil. Flail mowers are perfectly suited for meadows, parks and roadside verges – even on slopes.

The AS 701: 70cm cutting width; 20 x 3mm thick Y-flails for sustainable mulching; and single wheel steering brake

The AS 901: 90cm cutting width; 26 x 3mm thick hard-wearing back to back flails; and fitted with twin wheels as standard.

Comfortable manoeuvring is made possible through the

single-wheel steering, braking clutch system and a finely staged 5-speed manual transmission with differential lock.

Parts Depot Enquiry 114

Pellenc leaves the champions blown away

John Ledwidge, grounds manager for reigning Premier League champions Leicester City FC, believes that his new range of Pellenc battery powered equipment offers his staff a safer, healthier and higher performing alternative to petrol powered products.

It is safe to say that Leicester City FC is a tightly-knit family, so when the opportunity arose to provide a healthier and safety working environment for his grounds staff – John wasn’t about to dismiss it.

“As a manager it is imperative that I consider health and safety as well as the comfortable use of machinery for my staff,” he says.

“For example, heavy vibrating tools can bring about White Finger (an industrial injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery).

“The Pellenc equipment had been recommended to me on a few occasions so I felt that I needed to see them in action. By our own admission I think we were a little ignorant as to just how far advanced battery powered products had become.”

John went onto purchase a range of Pellenc equipment, including

Airion blower, a Helion hedge cutter, a Selion M12 chainsaw, a Selion polesaw and the Rasion Smart rotary mower – which are all used at the King Power Stadium and its surrounding areas as well as at the club’s training ground.

Etesia UK Enquiry 116

an

New Volvo for contractors

A new Volvo ECR88D reduced swing compact excavator has been delivered to Skye based James MacQueen Building Contractors Ltd by Volvo Construction Equipment’s utility dealer for the north of Scotland, CSM Sales Ltd. The new Volvo 8.8 tonne machine heralds

a return to favouring Volvo compact equipment excavators since the 75 year old family run business, now in its third generation, previously operated smaller machines including the EC15, 25 and 35 models.

Volvo Enquiry 120

BTE Plant Sales extends Kubota partnership

BTE Plant Sales has strengthened its relationship with Kubota, with the construction machinery dealer now selling the manufacturer’s machines within the West Midlands region, an expansion to BTE’s existing Kubota sales territories that include

Tree care company strengthens Först fleet

Connick Tree Care, specialists in the preservation and maintenance of trees, has recently purchased two new Först woodchippers, bringing its total number of Först machines to four.

The company, which has been operating from London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Berkshire for over 30 years, has purchased two new ST8 chippers after enjoying the performances of its TR8 and TR6 since buying the two machines in March of this year and two years ago respectively.

Connick will primarily be using the ST8 in street tree situations, on roadside jobs and domestic and commercial properties.

Much of the company’s work is in tight environments, meaning the manoeuvrability of the machines is vital. On jobs with difficult access points, the need to be able to unhitch the machine

Steering brakes for smooth manoeuvring.

EXTRA TRACTION

Twin drive wheels with heavy tread pattern, ideal on slopes and uneven terrain.

To request more product information, locate your nearest dealer or arrange a machine demonstration please contact PSD Groundscare.

and ensure it only requires one or two colleagues to move it around efficiently and safely is key.

Lancashire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. The territory expansion means that BTE will supply Kubota construction machinery within the West Midlands county, Shropshire, and large parts of Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

As BTE already deals with other non-competing construction brands within these areas and has a partnership with Kubota that spans more than 25 years, the move makes perfect business sense for both parties and points to big potential growth within the

West Midlands region. What’s more, a brand new West Midlands regional depot in Droitwich is currently being developed by BTE and will be formally opened in the coming months.

UK Enquiry 121

Terex distributor enjoys dumper contract win

Murley Construction Equipment, a leading plant hire equipment provider to the construction and agricultural sectors, has announced a significant site dumper supply agreement.

The 14 unit contract, coming from R. Savage Plant Hire in Birmingham, will see a selection of one, three, six and nine-tonne Terex site dumpers supplied over the coming weeks – including two all-new TA9SP swivel-tip units featuring Start/Stop Control and Autoshift technology.

Replacing the plant hire firm’s existing site dumper fleet, the heavy-duty models will be manufactured at Terex Construction’s manufacturing facility in Coventry.

Kubota

Först Enquiry 122

Terex Enquiry 123

Five-in-a-row Wiedenmann Terra Spikes for contractors

ALS Contracts has used five Wiedenmann Terra Spikes to carry out a herculean aeration task at a 36-hole club in just two working days.

In December the Telford based sports contractor aerated all fairways and roughs of both of Sundridge Park Golf Club’s 18 holes championship courses at Bromley, Kent back-to-back.

Led by Dave Harvey, Contracts Manager, ALS used all five of their Terra Spikes XD deep tine aerators at once.

“We’ve been systematically adding to our fleet, investing in machines when we can, always favouring the XD for its versatility.” said Dave Harvey. “We started out with just two 1.6ms and when they proved themselves we added a 2.1 m and then another 1.6m giving

us four. Throughout 2015 we did well with four and got into a rhythm working them in pairs often doing a course in a day.

“We charge clubs the same price for five machines in one day as us having one machine operating for five days and word is beginning to travel that ours is such a unique service. At Sundridge Park we only disrupted one day’s play and tined all the fairways and majority of the rough on both courses down to 230 mm with ten degrees of heave.”

Wiedenmann UK’s Sales Manager, Michael James said: “The XD is a perfect contractor machine because it combines depth and speed yet all the time remaining smooth which is important for the operator. Working at around 5 km/h it covers large amounts of ground quickly while tining effortlessly

Two up from Polaris

Take the Polaris Sportsman ATV and give it Active Descent Control (ADC) coupled with the option of carrying two people and you have the new Polaris Sportsman X2 570, which went on display at LAMMA.

This is a serious contender for anyone wanting a highly versatile working vehicle for steep hill work, while having the facility to configure the rear dump box for a second seat.

Powered by a 567cc, fuel injected engine, the Sportsman has all the power you need to take two people up the steepest inclines and bring you safely back down, with the Engine Braking System and ADC automatically engaging

on all four wheels for optimum traction and control in all conditions.

If you want the utility and capabilities of a traditional farm pick-up with the agility of a quad the Sportsman is just that, with Electronic Power Steering and the refinement of the world’s best-selling ATV’s legendary attributes.

Independent Rear Suspension, with 24.1 cm of rear travel, On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive, a massive 556kg of towing capacity and the dump box with its tipping facility for quick unloading make it an easy choice.

The Polaris Sportsman X2 570 is equipped with sealed ball joints which can be greased, sealed driveshaft splines and sealed suspension bushes. This not only provides increased durability in harsh conditions it also offers easier ongoing maintenance.

Polaris Enquiry 128

GreenMech wins patent action against Jensen

up to 35° can be traversed in

down to 275 mm. Setting heave is literally a turn of a handle. “However, what marks this feat as special is that ALS has consistently invested in top machines adding to their fleet over time. It’s unusual for anyone to have as many aerators together, often you would only see five working Terra Spikes at a Wiedenmann Open Day. It shows ALS’s real commitment to

customers and aspiration to do a good job every time. But it’s also about investing in people.

“The team operating are all highly skilled and working in tandem with up to four colleagues to do a whole golf course in a day is a fabulous result for the club.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 126

Classen springs forward with turfcare solutions

Schiller Groundscare launches into 2017 with an impressive line-up of Classen machinery for spring grass and turfcare and an expanding dealer network.

“Classen has gone from strength to strength in growing the market with quality equipment,” says David Goose, Schiller’s Director of Commercial Sales, “and we’re committed to the coming season with new machines that have been making a real impact since their launch at SALTEX.

“Following hard upon the introduction of the latest Classen Overseeders, Sod Cutters and Turf Rake, the Classen TA18 steerable aerator attracted a great deal of interest and substantial orders going into the New Year.”

Completing the line-up for spring grass treatment, the new TA18 is a compact, steerable aerator

that is exceptionally easy to manoeuvre and transport.

A width of just 69cm (27.2”) makes it the most compact aerator in its class. Even weight distribution provides stability on slopes and excellent coring ability in tough soils. Five banks of tine wheels produce faster results and overall the Classen TA18 is a highly productive machine for grounsdmen and landscapers and is ideal for hire outlets.

Schiller Groundscare Enquiry

127

The statement reads: “GreenMech’s Patent Infringement action against Jensen in the German Patent Courts, to protect its ‘Safe-Trak’ European Patent has been successfully concluded. Jensen have stopped production of their ‘X’ track.

“GreenMech’s unique ‘SafeTrak’ wood chipper is the world’s most successful tracked wood chipper of its type. Designed to safely access, and operate on, difficult terrain the patented

“Safe-Trak system incorporates two independently adjusted track mounted legs. By extending one track at a time embankments

“With both track mounts fully extended a massive ground clearance of up to 600mm can be achieved for clearance of hidden obstacles enabling access to the most difficult terrain. This pioneering feature makes it a popular machine for de-veg contractors working on power line and railway track maintenance.”

GreenMech Enquiry 129

British woodchipper manufacturer GreenMech has issued a statement concerning its dispute with German manufacturer, Jensen Service GmbH.

complete safety.

Jacobsen launches new wide-area mower

Jacobsen has introduced the HR800 wide-area rotary mower.

The 16-foot HR800 is powered by a reliable 74.3 hp Kubota engine, and sets a new efficiency and power-to-weight ratio standard.

That efficiency, combined with a massive cutting capacity of more than 20 acres per hour, makes the HR800 the ideal mower for customers who want to spend less time, labour and fuel maintaining large areas of grass.

“The HR800 has a 30% greater power-to-weight-ratio than its direct competitor, which allows the machine to utilise power incredibly efficiently,” said Richard Comely, Director

of International Product for Jacobsen. “By utilising a compact chassis design and highstrength, high-performance steel, there is simply less mass to move around, thus requiring less fuel, hydraulic capacity and power.”

The HR800 is the second mower in a new series of wide-area rotary mowers from Jacobsen. In 2016, Jacobsen introduced the HR700, the first and only 14-foot-wide rotary mower. The series is built on a common narrow platform that easily navigates through gates and onto transport trailers. The HR800 is almost two feet narrower than its direct competitor.

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 131

Pioneer set to take Honda into new territory

Honda has strengthened its market-leading utility vehicle line-up with the launch of its first Side-by-Side (SxS) – the Pioneer.

Employing Honda’s acclaimed ATV technology and featuring a powerful and efficient 700cc engine, the supremely capable Pioneer will be available as either a two or four-seater.

Able to transport up to four people and their equipment, the Pioneer will open up a world of possibility for both business and leisure users who need a Utility vehicle that will take them across tricky terrain to even the most hard to reach places.

What’s more, its launch will help commercial operators meet the requirements of the European Two Man Working Directive with a single vehicle.

On a recent testing day in Oxfordshire, we put the new

Pioneer through its paces on a challenging off-road route. The new machine tackled the boggy conditions and tight and twisting course with ease, showing off Honda’s 4x4 technology at its best and making light work of the terrain.

What proved particularly impressive was the versatility of the Pioneer and the smoothness of the ride, both off-road and on flatter and easier terrain. The Pioneer offers a quieter ride than many similar machines as Honda’s smart build technology ensures vibrations are kept to a minimum whatever the conditions and engine noise is not intrusive.

The Pioneer also offers a range of accessories and attachments that are perfect for the landscaping and groundscare market – not least the heated cab option, which proved most welcome with temperatures hovering around freezing for most of the day.

Steve Morris, Head of Honda (UK), said: “The Pioneer is a fantastic vehicle that will strengthen Honda’s utility vehicle offering significantly.

“By adding a choice of SxS options to our range, we will be able to build on our bestin-industry reputation and the long-standing customer relationships we have developed through our nationwide network of authorised dealers.”

He added: “The Pioneer also sets a new benchmark for a SxS ATV. Our engineers and designers have developed it from the wheels up with the same attention to detail they would any Honda vehicle.

“This means users will benefit from new levels of comfort, refinement, agility and handling as well as the superior performance and aftersales care for which Honda is known.”

Honda has also teamed up with attachment specialists LOGIC to ensure the Pioneer offers the type of versatlity of use demanded these days.

The full range of LOGIC attachmenets suitable for sideby-sides, such as salt spreaders, brushes and snow ploughs, can be used on the new Pioneer.

Honda Enquiry 132

Winter a thing of the past at Wembley Stadium

Achieving optimum spring and summer growing conditions year round can now be achieved at Wembley Stadium thanks to Bernhard’s innovative SubAir aeration and moisture control system. Wembley’s hectic fixture and events schedule creates a unique set of issues for FA Head of Grounds and Estates, Alan Ferguson.

The grass is often covered for events, effectively starving the plant of essential nutrients, sometimes giving Alan and his team just three weeks to complete renovations and grow-in new turf to get the pitch match ready.

Whilst grow lights and Bernhard’s TurfBreeze fans play their part in this remarkable turnaround, the award winning groundsman believes SubAir to be the biggest contributing factor in promoting a healthier root zone and a stronger plant, enabling Alan and his team to rapidly grow-in a new pitch, especially during the winter months.

The Sub Air System brings many benefits including the ability to control the temperature of the root zone. It allows users to easily manage

whilst controlling the water delivery to the root system. Excessive rainfall can also be dealt with by using the system to take the water down through the root zone 36x faster than any other method.

New UK and Ireland distributor for Ventrac

Price Turfcare, a newly established business founded by Ransomes Jacobsen’s former International Sales Director, Rupert Price, has been awarded the UK and Ireland distribution rights for Ventrac all-wheel-drive compact tractors.

Supported by a group of former colleagues with over 100 years of experience in the groundscare sector, Price Turfcare has bespoke warehousing and distribution facilities near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, with excellent road links via the A14 trunk road to all parts of

the UK and to Europe’s largest container port at Felixstowe. Dallas Steiner, President and CEO of Venture Products Inc, the Ohio-based manufacturers of Ventrac said, “I’ve known Rupert for a while now and he is hugely respected within our industry. He has 20 years of experience, mostly in senior sales management positions with a major player in the industry.

“His decision to go it alone is a brave one, but also a considered one, and he has recruited a group of former colleagues with similar experience, to provide sales, parts and service support.”

Ventrac’s versatility offers over 30 different attachments and combined with their patented Mount System (which takes less than a minute to attach or detach attachments) provides a compact power pack with maximum performance and versatility for many different sectors within the groundscare industry.

water usage

Being able to provide the optimum balance of oxygen and moisture to the root zone is integral when growing and maintaining world class playing surfaces such as Wembley. Alan’s initial desire to quickly grow-in a new pitch, even during the winter months, has been realised.

Bernhard Enquiry 149

Price Turfcare Enquiry 150