Landscape & Amenity Product Update July 2022

The search for nation’s favourite parks returns for 2022

during lockdowns, Fields in Trust is determined that this year’s campaign celebrates the spaces that we relied on.

This year’s UK’s Favourite Parks campaign is made all-the-more important in light of the Fields in Trust’s recently released annual Green Space Index report. The study – which analyses the provision and distribution of parks and green spaces in the UK – found that 2.8 million people live more than ten minutes’ walk away from a green space. With only 6% of green space legally protected in Great Britain, the charity is concerned that this will only worsen in coming years if we do not appreciate and advocate for our local parks.

daily walk around the park; and when restrictions lifted to allow outdoor gatherings, the same parks became the backdrop for reunions with loved ones and new memories made.

“At a time when things were so hard for so many, these places provided respite; now, through our UK’s Favourite Parks campaign, we want to give people the chance to show their appreciation for the green spaces that were there for them.”

Fields in Trust – the independent charity that has been protecting parks and green spaces for almost 100 years – has announced that its search for the UK’s Favourite Parks is back this summer.

The hugely popular campaign has returned for the first time since 2019 and will shine a light

on the green spaces that hold a special place in our hearts.

Having acted as sanctuary to so many over the past few years, Fields in Trust is bringing back the campaign to find the UK’s Favourite Parks to ensure that they continue to be celebrated in a post-pandemic world.

The charity recently commissioned a study which found that almost half of us have visited local parks more often than we used to as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coupled with research that has shown that access to nature was one of the main ways people have supported their mental health

Brother and sister crowned STIHL TIMBERSPORTS champions

Zoe and Glen Penlington from Wales took the top spot

Zoe won the first ever STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Women’s Championship and Glen was crowned the 2022 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Pro Champion.

Both events took place in front of a sell-out crowd at the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern, where extreme sports fans watched the top male and female TIMBERSPORTS athletes from all over Great Britain compete in a headto-head race against time

across challenging disciplines. In addition, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Rookie Championship also took

place, with Jack Morris, also from Wales, claiming first place.

STIHL Enquiry 2

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, commented on the campaign’s return, saying: “There is no doubt that the importance of green spaces has been acutely felt recently, with people increasingly turning to their local parks to find a sense of tranquillity, space, and belonging since the pandemic began. When restrictions were at their highest, many sought sanctuary in their

The UK’s Favourite Parks was first awarded in 2015 and has already handed out the title to three parks from across the UK: inaugural winner, Telford Town Park; Rouken Glen Park in 2016; and Blackpool’s Stanley Park in both 2017 and 2019.

Helen Griffiths continues: “We are thrilled to be on the search once again for the UK’s Favourite Parks and we have no doubt that we’ll find some absolute gems along the way.”

Fields in Trust Enquiry 1

SALTEX 2022 sales smashed

SALTEX is exceeding expectations with the number of exhibitors already booked for the 2022 show surpassing that of the 2021 show with five months to go until the event.

Still riding high from the huge success of the 75th show, which led the way for the industry back into live events, Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the Grounds Management Association, SALTEX event organisers, says: “Visitors will be in for a treat at SALTEX this year. Stand sales have already surpassed those of

2021 and we have a bigger and better floorplan designed for the 2022 show.

“With 140 companies confirmed and us welcoming back so many exhibitors from previous years demonstrates the value these industry-leading companies place on attending SALTEX.

“Plus, with five months until the show and so many active conversations with new companies ongoing, we can guarantee that number will only increase.”

SALTEX Enquiry

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amongst the UK’s best logger sport athlete.

The busy summer of sport is upon us and the courts of Wimbledon have hosted some world class tennis, as we have come to expect thanks the professionalism and skill of the grounds team. Likewise, test match cricket has been in full swing with high quality pitches and outfield in evidence, Rugby League continues towards the conclusion of its season with players benefitting from excellent playing surfaces and other top flight and grassroots sports have been presenting courts and pitches across the UK.

We still have the Open Championship to come with the greenkeeping team and volunteers at St Andrews working hard to show off one of the world’s most iconic courses in all its natural glory. This year we also have Birmingham hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with international athletes benefiting from the world class facilities grounds team will provide them with.

This month we have our Professional Groundscare supplement, a timely inclusion as the sector once again proves it is arguably the best in the world. All eyes will be on the UK to watch sporting excellence, but also to see it take place on pitches and surfaces prepared and presented to the highest possible standard.

This issue we look at a diverse range of groundscare products areas, from line marking to top dressing and spreading. There is also a spotlight on Turf Maintenance as well as new product launches and case studies.

In July we also look at a variety of other product areas, including Weed & Pest Control and Hard & Soft Landscaping. We hope you enjoy your busy summer of sport and

EVO woodchippers at the double Government accused of “total policy failure” on tree planting

them and our local dealer - GA Groundcare - over the years has always been second to none” says Rob. “When the time was right to upgrade, we asked GA Groundcare what they had, and they brought along the EVO 165P. My team and I were so impressed by what we saw we didn’t even ask the price!”

can process large material, really quickly and despite its size, it’s surprisingly quiet. That is great when we’re working in close proximity to buildings.”

The UK Government has been accused of “a total economic and environmental policy failure” after new tree planting figures showed it is still not even halfway to hitting the target it set in December 2019.

Boris Johnson pledged to plant 30,000 hectares (75,000 acres) of new woodland every year by 2024 - but official statistics released today show less than 14,000 hectares were planted in the year to March 31st, 2022.

Scotland planted three-quarters of the total with 10,480 hectares, with England planting 2260, Wales 580 and Northern Ireland 540.

Confor said there was “zero chance” of fulfilling the pledge to reach 30,000 hectares by the end of 2024 - and called on the Prime Minister to take personal control of the issue and ensure his Environment teamSecretary of State George Eustice and the Minister responsible for forestry, Lord Goldsmith - limit the damage in the time remaining of this Parliament.

“This is a total policy failure in both economic and environmental terms,” said Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, which represents 1500 UK businesses. “Report after report has shown that increased tree planting and wood use is vital to meeting the UK’s net zero targets - yet this is not being translated into trees in the ground.

“This is especially true of productive forests, which produce wood alongside benefits for carbon, nature and the economy. The Government knows more wood is needed to build low-carbon homes and it

Stuart Goodall said Confor had arranged fact-finding visits for ministers and officials and was working hard to remove the barriers to planting productive forests.

The industry would continue to make the case for greater home-grown planting as all the evidence supported the need to do it, he added - but at the end of the day, something has to change.

knows the UK faces a shortfall in future domestic wood supply, yet it is seeking to keep a tight lid on the planting of productive forests.

“Environmental groups know we need to grow more wood in the UK rather than increasing the pressure on fragile global forests, but the Government - against all the evidence - is not taking decisive action.”

Mr Goodall said Scotland was planting 75% of all the new woodland in the UK, although the Scottish figure fell slightly on 2020-21, and described the planting figures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were “woeful”.

“We need a joined-up policy and we simply don’t have it,” he said. “The UK Government wants to Level Up and tackle climate change, but it ignores taking the actions that would deliver on all these agendas.

“It commits to protecting fragile global forests at COP26 while also presiding over a decline in domestic wood supply which will simply put more pressure on those very fragile forests.

“There is currently zero chance of meeting planting targets unless we see decisive and immediate change. That means encouraging more productive forests to be planted, making the process to do so more straightforward - and ensuring that we grow more of the wood that our future lowcarbon economy needs and avoid spiralling imports in a world where everyone wants more wood.”

Confor Enquiry 6

“If Defra aren’t able to deliver the Government’s own manifesto commitments then it’s time that the Prime Minister stepped in to ensure they do,” Mr Goodall added.

“Scotland is leading the way in planting more trees and using more wood - and is already reaping the economic and environmental benefits as a result. The rest of the UK must follow its lead.”

As a longstanding GreenMech customer, Rob Drinkwater of Drinkwater Tree Services is the latest in a growing list of tree surgeons to be seriously impressed by the improvements made with their revolutionary EVO Series - so much so, he bought two.

Delivered in early 2022, the 6” EVO 165P was swiftly joined by an 8” EVO 205D just a few weeks later, both of which are delivering

performance on par with the firstclass GreenMech service and support.

Rob set up on his own 17 years ago and undertakes all areas of domestic tree and hedge maintenance, alongside his team of four, in and around Weston-Super-Mare.

“I have always used GreenMech woodchippers, mostly because the advice and support we’ve had from

The EVO 165P Sub-750 features all the key elements of the EVO series such as a wide infeed chute, horizontal rollers and heavy-duty flywheel in a sub 750kg package – powered by a 37hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard petrol engine.

“The beauty of this machine is the manoeuvrability. It’s light and nimble enough for us to get it right where we want it for domestic jobs. It’s the perfect combination of versatility, performance and power. We then wanted a larger machine for take downs and site clearances so the EVO 205D was the obvious choice. The power from the 50hp engine means we

The backbone of the EVO 205D’s design is a deep beam, high tensile steel chassis providing tremendous strength and robust performance – whilst providing unrivalled protection and noise insulation for the engine.

“Having both a 6” and 8” machine on our fleet means we have the flexibility to choose the best machine to suit the job at hand.”

Rob concludes, “The design and developments with the EVO series are evident. It’s great to see GreenMech with a product that’s now on par with competitor offerings, and that matches the other areas of their offering which have always been excellent.”

GreenMech Enquiry 7

Gold and Best Construction Award (Show Garden)

MEDITE®

The revolutionary MEDITE® TRICOYA® EXTREME (MTX) was the centrepiece of the garden structure. MTX is an innovative panel that has taken the construction, landscaping and design world by storm. Guaranteed for up to 50 years in the face of the elements and 25 years below ground, this high performance wood-based panel is incredibly versatile and can be used for planters, garden rooms, sculptures, playgrounds, building façades, furniture; your imagination is the only limit! Join the MEDITE MDF community online to receive the latest updates and a sign up gift: meditemakesitreal.com

SMARTPLY® showcased its sustainable and innovative product range in the ‘Building the Future’ garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2022. Partnering with acclaimed garden designer Sarah Eberle, the garden won two prestigious awards: Gold and Best Construction Award (Show Garden). The garden was themed around sustainability and the multiple applications and versatility of MEDITE® SMARTPLY® products. MEDITE® SMARTPLY® is committed to manufacturing products that contribute to sustainable building.

HTA launches Grower support campaign

With the aim of supporting the technical training needs of their Grower membership, the HTA launched an exciting series of training and networking programmes last month at The National Plant Show (NPS).

The Basic Principles in ornamental Nursery Management (BPONM) eLearning course consists of eight modules designed to support training, recruitment, and retention of staff.

Identifying the need within the industry to have a training programme able to give new starters basic and thorough training, the HTA have designed and developed BPONM with industry experts, to give their membership access to affordable, engaging, and comprehensive modules.

The eight modules are: Plant Physiology, Pest and Diseases, Growing Media and Potting, Propagation, Pruning, Nutrition and Feeding, Watering and Weeding.

Alexandra Jenkins, HTA Learning & Development Manager says: “Supporting our industry with the issues around recruitment and retention is at the forefront of our mind.

“We have developed a course consisting of eight modules which will give the user a basic comprehensive technical training in nursery management. We have spent 24 months developing this e-learning, ensuring we have something that will be of real benefit to our members.

“Not only is it designed to solve a huge issue we have within our industry, it is also unique to our industry. There is no other training out there that will cover this variety of topics and be so accessible.

“We chose e-learning as it can be accessed anywhere on any smart device through browser or through the HTA App. You can pause your learning at any point. It has optional voiceover and is available in many languages. Once completed the learner will receive a certifi cate that can be used as part of ongoing personal development.

“We are immensely proud of the course and hope it has a positive impact for our members.”

HTA Grower Technical Workshop Programme for 2022-23

This programme involves a series of seven workshops, created in association with Zest-ICM, covering a range of important technical topics, many of them with a focus on sustainability. All the workshops are nursery-based, aiming to provide practical and pragmatic recommendations, based on previous research, recent developments, and current

best practice. Each workshop will involve technical experts and contain presentations, demonstrations, and a chance to view on-site, small-scale trials.

HTA Nursery Network‘Making sustainability a core business value’

The HTA Nursery Network is a new opportunity for HTA grower members to come together and exchange ideas and views, within a commercial environment, to both progress and develop individual businesses and the ornamentals industry.

The inaugural event will take place at Bridge Farm Group, Spalding and will focus on the range of sustainability initiatives which have been undertaken by the business (including growing media selection, water use efficiency, biomass adoption etc.) how they have been implemented, and their impact.

HTA Enquiry 9

Moves to improve guidance on integrated approaches to weed management

this topic, it would be beneficial to further improve both access to and content of guidance to all operating in amenity and sports surface management.

As such the Forum is in positive and collaborative dialogue with Defra as to how this can be achieved.

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “We have been in dialogue for some time with the Defra team about creating better access to guidance on integrated management.

The Amenity Forum already offers a series of guidance notes and video material on integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management and, in 2020, published an extensive document on the subject in relation to weed control, along with a template to help amenity organisations produce integrated plans.

Integrated approaches are long established in the sector but it is clear that, with the great emphasis being placed by government on

Defra published its Pollinator Action Plan recently and in it was the following reference to part of this work.

Work with stakeholders, including local authorities, to:

1. Support the development of guidance on the use of pesticides by amenity managers, including IPM and sustainable approaches for weed control which consider pollinators

2. Explore ways to maximise uptake of IPM by amenity users

“Whilst the publication of the much-anticipated UK National Action Plan has been delayed, it is clear that the production of Integrated Plans will feature strongly. As such we welcome direct input into helping improve guidance.

“Integrated approaches involve creating plans for management making use of all tools available including pesticides to provide the required outcome in a way which protects the environment and minimises carbon emissions.’’

The Amenity Forum Enquiry 10

Masterline Mixtures from DLF make the grade

spring to prepare for the cricket season, with overseeding roughly every six weeks throughout the season where it’s needed. For this we selected ProMaster 80 Renovator, purchased from Core Amenity, which gives us strong, equal establishment and a resistant and hard-wearing sward to cope with the pressures of a high wear season.”

As the name suggests, PM80 Renovator is ideal for the renovation of worn playing surfaces – featuring 25% Tetragame 4turf tetraploid and 75% diploid perennial ryegrass for a disease resistant, drought tolerant and nitrogen efficient mix.

With the whole 22-acre site sown with seed from across the DLF portfolio, this season the focus has been on the outfields and four cricket squares, where a combination of ProMaster 79, ProMaster 80 and ProMaster 36 from the Masterline range has delivered a first-class finish.

DLF seed has been Matt’s choice for the last five years, creating the perfect playing surfaces for winter sports, tennis and cricket – used by pupils alongside teams from the local community.

“Over time, we’ve sown mixtures from both the Johnsons Sports Seed and Masterline ranges, with an unwavering confidence that whatever we use is going to perform” explains Matt, who heads up a team of three.

“We conduct a full renovation on the football surfaces in

As the temperatures cool, Matt then switches to ProMaster 79 as a 50% tetraploid mixture for more effective autumn/winter overseeding. “PM79 has proven to deliver great colour and great recovery on our outfi elds through the colder months. Completing the programme is ProMaster 36 Wicket which establishes quickly and gives us a dense, resistant sward on our squares.”

“The service we get is as equally important as the quality of the product for me” Matt adds.

“I speak regularly to our DLF Regional Technical Manager Craig Spooner, who will update me on what research is taking place and what’s new and upcoming in regard to mixtures. This means I am always able to make an informed choice and gives us the confidence and trust to trial new formulations.”

Matt Parry, Head Groundsman at Kingston Grammar School has praised mixtures from DLF for delivering great results at a great price, all backed up with great support from his local Technical Manager Craig Spooner.

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME SALTEX 2022

2-3 NOVEMBER, BIRMINGHAM NEC

If you are passionate about keeping green spaces and playing surfaces safe, accessible, and sustainable, and you’re keen to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry, then SALTEX is the show for you!

It is the must-attend event for everyone involved in the supply and management of products and services that help to create high quality leisure, recreation, and sports surfaces. Make sure you are ahead of the game by registering now for Europe’s largest FREE sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition with over 400 brands showcasing products in three halls, across two days, at one centrally located venue – Birmingham NEC.

It provides a great opportunity to meet industry colleagues and make new connections – building networks, knowledge and learning about new innovations. With visitors and exhibitors from around the UK and overseas it’s FREE to enter and FREE to join the learning sessions.

Visit saltex.org.uk and register now for your FREE ticket. Get involved!

Stay cool and safe at work with Snickers

Proludic’s play equipment likes to be beside the seaside

Set in 100 acres of rolling farmland close to Bude, Wooda Farm Holiday Park is a long-standing family holiday destination with camping, touring caravans, and holiday lodge facilities.

The owners of this fantastic holiday park continually reinvest profi ts in the facilities to attract new customers and engender loyalty amongst existing ones.

Part of this ongoing investment was earmarked for the play area in 2022 to receive a

unique make-over that refl ects the North Devon coastline and would keep children and families entertained during their stay. As a result, the site now boasts brand-new colourful play equipment delivered in time for the busy holiday season delivered by play and sports area manufacturer Proludic.

Charlotte Veal, Wooda Farm Holiday Park Director said: “We continually reinvest at Wooda, and play equipment was our next project. We looked at different suppliers, but Proludic stood out from the competition.”

Coastal guarantees were also important to this client as salty sea air and high winds are constant features of the landscape.

Many companies signifi cantly reduce or even remove their guarantees for sites in coastal settings. Proludic’s commitment to quality materials allows them to stand by its guarantees wherever the equipment is situated.

Proludic as a company is no stranger to the leisure market and has undertaken consumer

research to better understand the motivations of holidaymakers and the choices they make.

They found out, through a national survey, that four out of fi ve families feel more inclined to book a holiday park and return to a holiday destination that has invested in play facilities.

This further shows that play is an effective way to build customer relationships and encourage repeat business and loyalty.

From top to toe and inside out, Snickers Workwear clothing will look after your wellbeing and working efficiency on site this summer.

For sunny weather, there’s new LiteWork topwear and accessories that deliver UPF 40+ sun protection - a must if you’re working outside for long periods.

Look out for Snickers Workwear clothing which uses the quickdrying 37.5 fabric technology with advanced ventilation.

It’s really good at ‘wicking’ moisture away from the body.

It also keeps you dry so you can work with an optimal body temperature if it’s warm, or if the weather cools off.

As well as Shirts, there’s stylish new Shorts, Work Trousers and Hoodies in a range of styles and colours in the LiteWork range. And, with a close eye on sustainability, they come in street-smart, body-mapping designs for an amazing fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

Workwear Enquiry 14

Snickers

Proludic

MAKE FIRST IMPRESSIONS BETTER

AVAILABLE NOW!

Maintaining green environments for residents, visitors or customers is crucial to any facility. Achieve the very best turf appearance and quality with Husqvarna CEORA™. Our cutting system with razor blades and a systematic cutting pattern delivers impressive turf quality, for exceptional first impressions. Visit husqvarna.com or scan the QR code to find out more.

HUSQVARNA CEORA™

Howe Green launches new Landscape 1000 Series

As part of its commitment to providing landscaping professionals with high performance access solutions, Howe Green has launched its new Landscape 1000 Series Floor Access Covers, which combine first class functionality with attractive affordability.

Suitable for hard landscaping applications, the latest range is available in galvanised steel or stainless steel options, providing safe and secure access to under-fl oor services, without compromising the overall visual appeal.

Galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461, the single, galvanised steel, unsecured access covers

are available in standard sizes directly from stock to support landscaping professionals in completing urgent projects.

Single, duct or multipart configurations in bespoke sizes and shapes with optional secured designs can also be made to order at Howe Green’s UK headquarters to meet each project’s unique floor access requirements.

Each model within the range has a FACTA A - B rating, and load ratings are achieved without the need for structural infill . Howe Green’s inhouse design and manufacturing experts are able to manufacture higher FACTA ratings on request.

Each access cover has a maximum stone or concrete depth of 85mm, making it suitable for installation with a diverse range of hard flooring finishes for quick and easy installation. Deeper recesses are available on request through additional reinforcement in the support structure.

To ensure the highest standards of safety when accessing under-floor services via the cover, lifting points are located within triangular corner plates. Optional threaded inserts are also available to enable the use of Howe Green’s unique Cover Skate lifting device, in addition to UKPN lifting keyholes.

LTP launches new ECOPROTEC sealer for hard landscaping

LTP has introduced a new water-based impregnating sealer for outdoor paving.

Developed for the landscape and contract market - and manufactured in the UKECOPROTEC External Paving & Stone Sealer is designed to protect all types of natural stone and concrete in outdoor settings.

Like all ECOPROTEC treatments, it benefits from the most advanced research in water-based technology and combines high performance with low odour and low VOC formulations.

New ECOPROTEC External Paving & Stone Sealer is suitable for smooth, honed, rough cut and polished paving. It’s applied to clean, dry surfaces - using a light

pressure sprayer, foam roller or paint brush – and the finish created is natural, breathable and subtly enhances the colour of the paving.

Treatment provides protection against staining and strongly repels water, oil and grease. When applied before grouting, it also protects against fixing residues and promotes easy cleaning.

Other new protection treatments include ECOPROTEC Porcelain Tile Protector – a water-based barrier for unpolished, textured surfaces – and ECOPROTEC Blackstone Sealer & Restorer.

ECOPROTEC Porcelain Tile Protector is designed to protect tiles from staining and it allows easy removal of residues from cement and resin-based

jointing compounds, as well as stubborn organic matter.

It also improves and increases the working time of grouts and jointing compounds - and a further coat after installation helps promote easy cleaning.

Meanwhile, ECOPROTEC Blackstone Sealer & Restorer is a water-based impregnating treatment that restores the appearance of faded limestone, marble, slate and concrete. Ideal for paths, terraces and external cladding.

Applied in 1-3 coats, until the desired depth of colour is achieved, Blackstone creates a permanent finish and provides protection against the elements.

LTP Enquiry 19

Plant for Perennial promotion launched

Perennial, the charity for people in horticulture, is launching a new promotion called ‘Plants for Perennial’ in collaboration with three major wholesale nurseries - Allensmore Nurseries, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company and Wyevale Nurseries.

The scheme will generate funds for the charity through a proportion of plant sales.

During these unprecedented times, Perennial’s services have never been so important. The rising cost of living is being felt across the industry.

To help the charity to respond quickly and flexibly to the challenges that people are facing the whole industry needs to unite in support.

This joint promotion is a great example of how businesses can work together to support individuals and their families that are struggling.

‘Plant for Perennial’ will be launched this month at the HTA National Plant Show 2022 in Stoneleigh, Coventry. Dianthus ‘Pink Celebration’ from Allensmore, Nemesia ‘Peaches and Cream’ from Bransford Webbs and ‘Salvia Cuello Pink’ and ‘Salvia Cuello White’ from Wyevale will be available to pre-book at the Show on June 21 – 22 for delivery in Spring 2023.

An on-pot and on-label charity message will appear on all the plants and a proportion of all sales will be donated to Perennial.

Howe

MEDITE SMARTPLY wins big at Chelsea

MEDITE SMARTPLY won Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 for the MEDITE SMARTPLY Building the Future garden, as well as the Best Construction Award.

Designed around the theme of sustainability, it is the company’s first ever show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in partnership with multi-award-winning landscape architect and innovative garden designer Sarah Eberle.

The garden, constructed by Landform Consultants, highlighted the possibilities of engineered wood panels and the brand’s commitment to sustainable building at the home of the world’s best garden design.

It has encouraged show visitors to think outside the box in how innovative engineered wood panel products can contribute to the future of sustainable landscapes and buildings.

The result is an astounding achievement for Sarah, who celebrated her 20th Gold Medal win at Chelsea – the most decorated designer in the show’s history.

“It’s incredible! When I look back and I remember that first gold, it’s still as exciting getting a gold medal today,”

Sarah said. “Creating this garden was a huge challenge but we did it! The response from the public has been phenomenal.”

Chris King, Managing Director of MEDITE SMARTPLY –Commercial, commented: “The creativity and effort put in by everyone involved with our Chelsea display never ceased to amaze me. Winning both Gold Medal and Best Construction is a brilliant achievement and confirms the limitless use of our products.

“It’s giving visitors to the show some great ideas about how they can contribute positively to the environment in which they live or work.”

The garden will be donated to Andover Trees United, with the main structure being relocated to a local school in Andover.

State-of-the-art in urban paving re-pointing

Get cost efficiency as well as longterm durability in service with GftK’s vdw paving joint mortars.

Pointing, and especially repointing, the difficult so-called ‘smaller format’ urban paving, such as natural stone setts and cobbles used for roads and surfacing public spaces (such as market squares), is now possible for the long term with GftK’s vdw paving joint mortars.

always a difficult and seemingly thankless task for all involved.

usage in winter, plus spillages of ‘All-sorts’, requiring frequent jetwashing and mechanical street cleaning. However, this was and is all no problem for the unique GftK vdw 850 paving joint system, plus these projects were completed on time and on budget, because work could continue and be completed on time, even in cold, and / or wet weather, without delay.

MEDITE

Smartply Enquiry 23

This also means completion on time, without delays due to the weather, or extended disruption with area closures, without expensive annual repointing costs, and without yet more costly claims for trips and falls. This durable longterm, cost-effective performance also increases your sustainability and is now clearly evidenced with successfully completed all around the UK.

Repointing areas of heavily exposed and frequently trafficked urban paving with natural stone paving, usually granite setts, was

However, inspections in 2021 were made of major Local Authority natural stone sett repointing projects carried out using GftK’s vdw 850 system from NCC Streetscape, which are now almost 15 years old (Newark Market Square, pictured), 13 & 12 years old (Hitchen Market Square & Church Road), and 8 years old (Norwich City Centre & the Arc Development, Bury St. Edmunds). These all showed the paved surfaces to be not only sound, but looking good, in great condition and durable for many more years’ service to come.

In all these busy public spaces, all previous pointing and repointing materials had failed, and usually their breakdown was significant within just a year or two in the demanding environments. This included direct exposure to weathering and frequent vehicular traffic, multiple heavy duty truck loadings, extensive de-icing salt

These projects all clearly demonstrate GftK is the ideal solution for local authorities and their professional teams, to cost effectively refurbish and repoint natural stone paving setts on urban roads and all sorts of other exposed public spaces.

With expensive annual paving replacement and repointing works not being required, the cost savings for both authorities have been and continue to be significant – not to mention savings due to the lack of paving related claims.

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 24

Green-tech launch Landscape Spotlight Competition

Green-tech are asking to see your projects and are offering you the chance to get your latest landscape project in the spotlight.

Between now and 31st August 2022 - tweet or post a picture of your latest landscape project tagging @Green-tech or email your photos to marketing@green-tech.co.uk; and you will be entered into a

competition to win the Green-tech Landscape Project Of The Month.

All entries will be judged by the Green-tech team and a project will be selected each month. The winning project will receive a Champagne Gift Set. In addition, an overall ‘Grand’ winner will be chosen when the competition closes and will win two VIP tickets to the prestigious BALI National

Landscape Awards hosted on Friday 2nd December 2022, along with an overnight stay in London.

Sales Director Richard Gill comments, “Green-tech is the headline sponsor of the BALI National Landscape Awards, and we are delighted to be providing 2 free tickets to join us and our guests at this prestigious event.

“Tickets are always in high demand and the opportunity to join the Green-tech tables is rare; so, this, along with an overnight stay in London, is an amazing prize.

“There are many fabulous landscape projects going on and we’re looking forward to shining the spotlight on a few of them.”

Billy Goat’s jungle-busting Outback 4WD Rider Trade body builds on RICS Japanese knotweed guidance

Tackling over-grown areas and banishing debris can be a difficult and tiring job, especially when dealing with hand tools or small machinery. Billy Goat - supplier of a powerful and robust range of property clean-up equipment - has the answer to stress-free brush maintenance with its jungle-busting Outback 4WD Brushcutter Rider.

The BCR3626BVECE model allows grounds professionals, landscapers, gardeners and contractors to effortlessly tackle large overgrown jungles thanks to its four-wheel, self-propelled drive system, low centre of gravity and powerful Vanguard EFI V-twin engine.

Whether it’s stubborn branches or unruly grass, the Outback

4WD rider easily glides over these hard-to-reach places that wouldn’t be accessible with traditional machines, drastically reducing the time it takes to transform outdoor spaces.

As well as a spacious platform, providing operators with sufficient space and comfort, it also boasts a heavy-duty mower deck. To protect wildlife and help prevent any damage to the mower, the mower deck is designed with swing-back cutter blades that swing away when accidental contact is made with an object.

The brushcutter also has five adjustable positions, between 3.5 and 13.5cm, allowing operators to select the most appropriate height to effectively remove

debris. Plus, a certified Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) that comes equipped with a safety belt, protects the machine and operator from rolling over. It can also fold 180 degrees backwards to allow for easier loading inside a van or trailer.

For the ultimate brush cutting experience, the BCR3626BVECE also provides users with superb manoeuvrability thanks to its soft start function, steering wheel tilt function and spinner knob and cruise control option, helping to take the backache out of property clean-up.

Billy Goat products are available nationwide through Henton & Chattell’s dealer network.

Billy Goat Enquiry 27

A national trade body is signposting professional valuers and surveyors to guidance that aligns with the new RICS Guidance Note ‘Japanese knotweed and Residential Property 2022.’

The Property Care Association (PCA) has published guidance on Japanese knotweed surveys and management strategies in support of the RICS document.

PCA chief executive, Steve Hodgson, said: “The two documents working together represent a significant development.

“The PCA’s information is specifically designed to dovetail with the new RICS guidance and to help property valuers and surveyors understand how to recognise the presence of Japanese Knotweed, the challenges of detecting and identifying it and the benefits of long-term guarantees underwritten by appropriate insurance.

“It covers all aspects of knotweed surveys, examples of the RICS Management Categories and provides advice on Japanese knotweed Management plans and options.

“The PCA guidance also ensures that valuation surveyors can assess documentation provided by vendors, and signposts to other supporting documents in the PCA’s Invasive Weed Document library.”

Makita powers ahead with latest models

Makita UK has expanded its leading LXT outdoor power equipment range with the launch of the UR101CX1 LXT 36V Brush Cutter, and UR101CX1 and UR201CX1 LXT 36V Linetrimmers.

These 1kW high-power machines are a must in any landscaper’s toolkit. Powered by Makita’s 36V portable power pack, these tools feature three electronic speeds and a reverse switch to ensure easy removal of grass clippings.

The UR101CX1 and UR201CX1 also feature Makita’s Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT) that automatically adjusts the cutting speed according to the load conditions.

To protect the machine during use and ensure optimal performance, these machines have a high cooling capacity that suppresses heat generation of the controller and motor. Further to this, Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) adds additional protection by shutting down the tool if

The PCA has played a key role in driving forward the development of new information on Japanese knotweed.

The new PCA guidance note joins a range of publications in the Association’s Invasive Weed Control Document Library, including guidance notes, information leaflets and a Code of Practice.

The PCA Enquiry 28

the rotation speed suddenly slows, preventing overload and kickback.

Perfect sports fields with Attraxor

High quality, well-maintained sports pitches are essential to pupils’ sporting successes and achievements.

The BASF product Attraxor is a plant growth regulator containing the active substance prohexadione, that can be used to regulate growth of all managed sports turf, helping to create fields and pitches that are easier to maintain and have improved playability.

Prohexadione inhibits the Gibberellic acid pathway, which results in a reduction of turf height and turf biomass by up to 70%.

Turf root formation and sward density is enhanced, with positive effects on the play,

while turf colour and quality are maintained, promoting turf that doesn’t just look healthy, but is healthy.

In addition, due to its unique effects on seed head production, Attraxor is also used as a Poa annua management tool.

Makita

Measuring up to knapsack calibration

Correctly calibrating liquid spray applications is a keystone of effective spraying.

Doing it right, whether weeding or feeding, is critical to ensure operators deliver concentrations appropriate for the task in hand.

Approved by leading industry awarding body Lantra, Martin heads up Grounds Training at

a time of soaring demand for spraying qualifications.

“Local authorities, schools, colleges and companies are more aware of the importance of training now,” he says. “If you are spraying, qualifications such as PA1 and PA6 are legal requirements but increasingly we’re seeing organisations wanting to upskill

staff to give them the flexibility to spray in house, instead of using contractors.”

Grounds Training delivers a full suite of Lantra-approved grounds and sportsturf management qualifications as well as Lantra customised provision courses that cover line marking, natural and synthetic turf maintenance and maintenance and management of wildfl ower meadows, ponds and wetlands.

On knapsack training modules, Martin also focuses on ergonomic aspects of spraying to reduce operator body stresses and strains - using a Berthoud Vermorel Pro Comfort 2000 demo unit.

“From a training aspect, it is simple to use and to explain various points about spraying, which include operator comfort. The Vermorel’s back frame and straps distribute the weight of the knapsack and contents in a way that balances the forces on the body. The extendable lance is also helpful for illustrating how to spray safely near water, an increasingly popular course.”

Hozelock

The natural alternative to Glyphosate

Based on naturally occurring ingredients, Headland Amenity’s New-Way Weedspray provides a fast-acting alternative to glyphosate when it comes to grass, broad-leaved weed and moss control.

Ideal for use on hard surfaces and artificial sports pitches, its non-selective formulation provides total control against most soft-tissue it encounters, negating the need for separate applications when spraying for weeds and moss.

The active ingredient in NewWay Weedspray (MAPP No. 15319) – acetic acid – is formulated from high food-grade product and is developed with a naturally occurring protein ingredient. This combination doubles the herbicidal properties of acetic acid compared to standard products.

In addition to hard surfaces, New-Way Weedspray can also be used to control moss on synthetic sports turf.

Unlike many moss treatments, New-Way Weedspray will also control a range of weeds and grasses. While perennial weeds may require more than a single application for total control, annual weeds can usually be controlled in a single application - with browning of foliage occurring within a few hours of treatment and death of the weed

in one to two days depending on weather conditions. As there are no residual effects with the product in the soil, new sowing and planting may then be undertaken as soon as the weeds have died.

Headland Amenity also have a comprehensive range of selective herbicides, offering the safe, efficient and targeted control of weeds in grassed areas.

Headland Amenity Enquiry 33

Enquiry 32

As one of only two foliar acting herbicides approved for the control of moss on hard ground in the UK, New-Way Weedspray can be used in a variety of amenity situations such as footpaths and pavements, parks, and in industrial areas such as railways and fence lines etc.

STIHL expands cordless brushcutter range

STIHL has extended its range of cordless brushcutters with the launch of the RGA 140, the first tool in the STIHL AP System dedicated for use with the STIHL RG cutting head, enabling maintenance workers, landscapers and groundskeepers to cut weeds and grass with ease in sensitive areas.

Taking inspiration from the popular FSA 135 brushcutter and RG gearbox, the new RGA 140 features oscillating disc blades with low rotational energy,

enabling low-spin mowing on hard surfaces and around fragile obstacles such as cars or greenhouses.

Not only does this reduce the risk of flicking stones but, due to its low spin mowing and tailored RPM, the new brushcutter also reduces the safety distances to 3m from objects and 5m from people, making the tool ideal for use in built-up areas.

The RGA 140 also boasts a 230mm cutting diameter and

ergonomic controls. Featuring a quiet EC motor with three-speed settings and a clear LED display, users can continuously regulate the speed in order to work as efficiently as possible.

In addition, the new brushcutter utilises a bike handle for well-balanced operation, offering comfortable use for professionals, particularly over long periods of time.

Part of the AP System, the RGA 140 is compatible with STIHL’s

Smart Connector 2 A and features a mounting point on the tool housing, facilitating effective and timely maintenance, as well as increased productivity and reduced downtime.

This model provides professionals with a long service life thanks to its sturdy motor housing, mesh air filter, and robust gearbox. Working time with the recommended AP 300 S battery is up to 100 minutes.

STIHL

Enquiry 34

https://

GPS spraying technology

from Smithco

Smithco were one of the first companies to introduce GPS spraying technology when their Star Command system debuted in 2012.

Today they are on the third iteration of the system on their Spray Star range of industryleading sprayers.

The popular Spray Star 1200 features the most accurate

spray technology at the operator’s fingertips, while the GPS-enabled state-of-the-art Star Command 3.0 ensures a precise application every time.

Superior construction materials combine to ensure industryleading longevity across all product lines.

The cab-forward design provides superior visibility,

handling, and operator comfort, providing and excellent platform that makes the work simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.

For more information or to book a demonstration, please contact John Moore on 07512 909792 or jm@smithco.com

Smithco Enquiry 37

Weedingtech launch new Foamstream rental service

surrounding seeds and spores that haven’t yet germinated, providing a long-lasting solution that is safe to use around people, animals and sensitive environments including water courses.

The introduction of the new hire programme provides a fantastic opportunity for people to quickly and easily discover the environmentally-friendly Foamstream solution for complete weed and moss control, eliminating the sometimes lengthy and complex capital procurement process.

Since its launch in 2011, Foamstream has redefined nonherbicidal vegetation control. Its patented low-pressure process combines hot water and a biodegradable foam, made from natural plant oils and sugars, which acts as an ‘insulation blanket’ to retain the heat and keep the water in the ‘kill zone’ for longer. In addition to eradicating the plant, Foamstream also sterilises

SPRAY STAR 1200

A recent study into the overall efficiency of Foamstream, conducted by the University of Athens, concluded that its performance was comparable to that of Glyphosate, and it appeared to surpass the results of a number of other non-chemical methods which only provided a moderate level of weed control.

Effective and easy to apply, Foamstream is delivered through one of Weedingtech’s industryleading machines. The range is mountable on an array of vehicles and UTV’s and encapsulates different power options to deliver the perfect combination to meet the requirements of clients in all areas of grounds and green space management.

The new rental package includes 100L of the organically-certified foam, the latest high-specification machinery and full technical training for a set weekly rate.

In addition, an information of things (IOT) tracker is included as standard, to provide accurate measurement of output and ongoing remote support. Discounts are available for long-term hire of more than six months, with an additional option to purchase the equipment if desired, where 80% of the rental value is returned.

Not only does this new service provide a cost-effective option to those looking for a ‘greener’ solution to weed control, the Foamstream machines can deliver additional value when used for other outdoor cleaning tasks such as gum removal, power washing and sanitisation.

Kärcher keeps it professional

HYDRO TRACTION DRIVE

Centre mounted engine and hydropump providing the ultimate quality in serviceability and balance. Hydrostat allows for constant engine RPM providing flow and pressure to the spray system for a consistent spray application across any terrain. Smithco’s Spray system features unmatched control in maintaining ground speed, all while tackling any obstacles in its way.

ULTRA HIGH FLOW

Rocker switch operated pump. 70 gpm (225 lpm). 10-60 psi (0-7.4 bar). Stainless high volume centrifugal with silicon carbide seals. Making for a high performance and costefficient pumping system.

CAB-FORWARD DESIGN

Ergonomically designed for superior visibility, handling, and comfort, the Spray Star 1200’s cab-forward design makes the work simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.

Outdoor maintenance expert, Kärcher, has extended its award-winning professional products to include a full range of professional landscape management tools, designed to meet the needs of heavy users.

The new range features a brushcutter, line trimmer and multi-tooland brings Kärcher’s quality, expertise and innovation to the world of professional landscape management.

The full range unites professional grade equipment with the fl exibility of battery power to provide the performance needed to tackle the everyday challenges faced by the professionals with low noise and zero emissions.

For steep slopes, tight corners and precise edges, the line

trimmer goes where lawn mowers can’t, with variable speed, a lightweight powerpack and low vibration.

Perfect for wild growth, dense brushwood, shrubs and tough grass, the brushcutter features a 2-speed design and an ergonomic bike-handle for comfort. The pole chainsaw is perfect for lopping off branches from ground level.

Weedingtech, developers of the world-leading herbicide-free weed control product Foamstream, have announced the launch of a brandnew rental service - available to customers throughout the UK.

Weedingtech Enquiry 38

GMA announces judges for 2022 Industry Awards

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the names of this year’s panel of judges who will be recognising talent from across the grounds care industry by selecting the winners of the 2022 GMA Industry Awards.

The twelve judges represent a variety of sectors operating in the grounds care industry, and together, will collectively select a winner for each of the nineteen award categories. Listed alphabetically, the judging panel includes:

1. Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse

Full details of the award categories and how to nominate is listed on the GMA website. Nominations must be submitted before 17.00 on Friday 29 July 2022.

The GMA Industry Awards dinner is taking place at The Vox, NEC Birmingham, on the evening of Wednesday

2. Anthony Facey, Area Sales Manager at Tuckwell Group

3. Cheryl Hill, Groundswoman at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club

4. David Roberts, Director at Training Unlimited 5. Derek Walder, Operations Manager at Saltex

6. Jackie Evans, Head of Grounds at Wellington College

7. John Wright, Head of Grounds at Southampton Football Club

8. Lee Marshallsay, Grounds Manager at Eton College

9. Lee Metcalfe, Senior Grounds Manager at Manchester City Football Club

2 November, the evening of the first day of SALTEX. Tickets to attend the awards will be released on Friday 1 July. To find out more about the purchase of tickets, please email vnewton@thegma.org.uk.

To discuss sponsorship packages, please email scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

10. Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman and Facilities Manager at Bradford Park Avenue

11. Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club

12. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex County Cricket Club

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says: “The GMA Industry Awards dinner has always recognised all parts of our varied sector by celebrating those who work hard to keep green spaces accessible and make sport possible.

“We are grateful to all of our judges for giving their time to help us recognise the achievements of individuals and teams who are making a real difference in communities, clubs and educational settings across the regions.

“The GMA Awards are uniquely determined by fellow grounds

staff and people who have wide and diverse experience, making the GMA Industry Awards a truly authentic and peer-to-peer-led event. I would also like to thank our sponsors, Origin Amenity Solutions, Kubota UK, Redexim, Infinicut, AMS Robotics and SGL, whose support is what makes events like this possible.

“We’re really looking forward to the GMA Awards making its

post-pandemic return after two challenging years and we’re delighted to see the nomination entries continuing to flow in.

“The evening will provide a great opportunity to socialise and celebrate colleagues and peers and I would encourage all in sports turf and grounds care to save the date.”

The Grounds Management Association Enquiry 41

The Future Turf Managers Initiative returns for 2022

The Future Turf Managers’ Initiative has returned in 2022, with a new hybrid education programme that combines both in-person and online learning opportunities. Twenty BIGGA members will be selected for the FTMI Class of 2022. FTMI was established in 2013 by BIGGA and Jacobsen, a BIGGA Partner.

The intention was to educate up-and-coming greenkeepers

to help them on their journey to becoming coures managers. Since its inception, nine cohorts have progressed through the initiative, with over 180 BIGGA members counting themselves as FTMI graduates.

FTMI is sponsored by Jacobsen, which celebrated its centenary in 2021. This coincided with the challenges of COVID-19 but, keen to host this valuable

opportunity for BIGGA members, the programme transitioned into a series of online events.

Utilising video calling software, the education content during 2021 actually doubled, giving the FTMI Class of 2021 over 40 hours of classes, mentor sessions and peer-to-peer engagement. With a desire to bring the class together, an in-person event was

hosted at Jacobsen’s Ipswich headquarters in October, when restrictions allowed.

The team building day was led by FTMI mentor Craig Haldane, who returns to the role in 2022 and was a great success.

This year’s event will involve: • September 2022: Welcome event with a factory tour and education,

taking place at Ransomes Jacobsen in Ipswich.

• October to December 2022: Online classes and mentor sessions.

• January 2023: Two-day management class and graduation during BIGGA Welcome Celebration, taking place at BTME in Harrogate.

BIGGA Enquiry 42

Dennis G860

All signs point to Agrovista Amenity ISEKI’S fab four are pro at Stowe

As Steve says, the ISEKI TG6490 features an IQ dual clutch transmission which offers the control of a manual with the convenience of an automatic.

There are eight main gears and three ranges. Gears are changed by simply moving the gear lever through the straight shift gate.

Steve purchased his fourth ISEKI machine when he felt the time had come to upgrade the school’s ride-on mower.

The ISEKI SXG323 + is the ultimate in cut and collection mowers and offers power, performance, and unsurpassed productivity. A 48” (1.22M) mower deck provides a superior quality of cut while the large capacity, high torque 1123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient.

From fertilisers to furniture, advice to analysis – Truro Golf Club claims that Agrovista Amenity is one of its most trusted suppliers.

Located in the Cornish countryside, this 18-hole, par 67 parkland course stretches a total of 5,372 yards. It is a tight course with surprising slopes which presents a challenging test for low handicap players and enjoyable golf for all.

Head Greenkeeper Dominic Gibbard, who oversees the greenkeeping team, is proud of Truro’s thriving membership and claims that two-way relationships with reputable suppliers, such as Agrovista Amenity, are essential.

is one of my most trusted reps because I know he has been there and done it,” he said.

“He’s worked on some very good golf courses around the UK and in Europe, and whenever I have a question or have any ideas, he is usually the first guy I talk to. He always gives me impartial advice and I respect this approach.”

Therefore, when Dominic thought that the time had come to upgrade Truro’s course signs, he enlisted the help of David.

Immediately David got in touch with British Manufacturing Solutions (BMS), which is a family run business specialising in professional golf course products, signage, flags and more.

David arranged for some samples to be sent down to Truro Golf Club and Dominic opted for signs from BMS’ Noroko range.

Grounds Manager Steve Curley has revealed why Stowe School has purchased four different ISEKI machines in just three years.

Steve has been working at Stowe, a leading public school in Buckinghamshire for an incredible twenty-nine years. Overseeing a team of fifteen members of staff, Steve is responsible for three-hundred acres of sports fields and gardens including a nine-hole golf course.

In maintaining such a vast area of land, Steve inevitably has a wide range of equipment, but he claims his ISEKI fleet covers most bases.

It all started with the ISEKI TG6675 compact tractor, as he explains. “We needed something with a bit more horsepower to enable us to do heavier work,” said Steve. “After a few demonstrations of various tractors from our local dealer RT Machinery,

we decided to get the TG6675, with 65-horsepower, and that has allowed us to use some implements and attachments that we were not previously able to. It’s been fantastic for us.”

The ISEKI TG6675 sets the benchmark for compact tractor performance. It is built to exceptional standards of quality, starting from the front lights through to the back three-point linkage.

Based on the success of the TG6675, he then purchased an ISEKI TLE3400 shortly after.

This 38 horse-power tractor has a three-speed hydrostatic transmission and a lift capacity of 1000 kg. It is supplied with agricultural or turf tyres as standard. An optional front loader is also available.

“After purchasing these two machines, we decided to purchase the ISEKI TG6490 IQ compact tractor for top dressing and slitting,” continued Steve.

Furthermore, the SXG323+ performs exceptionally even in the wet conditions, allowing you to work without the weather restricting you.

ISEKI

Enquiry 44

“David

Bevan, (Amenity Specialist for Agrovista Amenity)

“Course furniture is so important, because they offer nice, fi nishing touches around the course,” said Dominic. “Golfers notice things like signs and benches, so we have taken our time to really fi nd the right product.”

Unlike real wood, Noroko from BMS, never needs treatment or painting. Made from recycled plastic it is UV resistant so the authentic alternative woodlike look will remain for many years. Furthermore, Noroko is able to withstand any weather or temperature change.

Agrovista Amenity Enquiry

45

Reduce environmental impact with Aspen Fuel

Operators looking for a cleaner alternative could consider fuelling their petrol-powered tools with Aspen – an alkylate petrol which is ethanol-free and virtually free from Sulphur, Benzene and many other harmful substances.

In contrast to the pollutants emitted by pump-petrol, with Aspen, you can mow for 100 hours before reaching the same level of toxic benzene emissions emitted in one hour of mowing with regular petrol.

Switching to Aspen is easy, and while it cannot reverse damage

caused by regular petrol, it will have a cleaning effect on the internal parts – particularly removing soot build-up in the exhaust port. No modifications are required to covert a machine to run on Aspen, only to avoid diluting the benefits, operators are advised to wait until the fuel tank is as empty as possible before switching. For older equipment, switching after a service where any susceptible parts should be replaced, is ideal. Aspen is available pre-mixed for 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines.

Metrac H75 is number 15 The importance of keeping it genuine

When it comes to maintenance or repair, choosing genuine parts is the only way to guarantee the performance and life of your mower.

At a glance, genuine parts and pirate parts may appear to be similar; but scratch the surface and the issue becomes clear.

“Genuine parts are exactly the same parts used to build the original machines,” explains Robert Todd, European Service Manager for Trimax Mowing Systems.

“Years of research, development and testing have gone into them. They are made from high quality materials and in some instances individual parts perform more than one function.

“Take the blades on a Trimax mower as an example. Primarily meant to cut grass in diverse types of terrain, they also direct airflow ensuring the cutting chamber remains unobstructed and clippings are well distributed.

“Beyond this, Trimax quality control ensures the blades are fl awless – they can encounter obstacles like small logs and rocks without shattering and exiting the mower as a deadly piece of shrapnel. Safety and quality are integral parts of the Trimax design, ensuring the whole machine meets or exceeds all regional safety standards.

“It is also worth noting that genuine parts often aren’t as expensive as you might expect. Most manufacturers will price their parts competitively, meaning you can still get a good price: and in some cases, genuine parts can even be cheaper than pirate elements.”

Trimax Enquiry 48

Two new Technical Managers

To support continued growth and development as part of Origin Amenity Solutions, Headland Amenity have announced the appointment of two new Technical Managers in the form of Laurence McCrory and Jack Hawkes.

Both will be responsible for delivering Headland’s sound and scientific advice and guidance on product selection, Laurence to customers in the South of England, and Jack to Sports Turf Managers in the South and Central regions. Laurence has been in the turf care industry for 26 years,

holding various positions at a number of golf courses including his most recent role as Course Manager at Castle Royle Golf Club in Reading.

Also a user of Headland products during his time at Leamington & County Golf Club, Jack Hawkes joins in the role of Regional Technical Manager for Sports Turf –seeing him support customers from football, rugby, cricket, educational facilities and private estates.

Headland Amenity Enquiry

50

Action Lawn sets high ambitions with Etesia

Action Lawn and Leisure has been appointed as a new Etesia dealer in Stirlingshire and surrounding areas.

Action Lawn and Leisure was founded in 1998 by Bob Bruce. It is a family run business which prides itself on offering a personal service with good advice and excellent product knowledge.

Specialists in manufacturing high quality grass cutting machinery for both the professional and

domestic market, Etesia’s extensive range of products have been in consistent high demand for a number of years. It is for this reason that the company’s vast dealer network continues to grow.

Etesia’s complete product range includes ride-on mowers, scarifiers, brush cutters, green technology and pedestrian mowers, and the lates dealer believes the machinery will be the perfect addition.

The Stuart Taylor International dealership has recently supplied an additional compact, hydrostatic drive, Reform Metrac H75 pro to Cheshire based contractor Ray Britland.

For Stuart Taylor International, Tom Taylor said the Reform H75 Pro model was voted tractor of the year at EIMA 2021 and is proving to be a real hit with customers for a wide range of tasks.

Ray Britland explained the company currently has 15 Reform Metracs on its fl eet. “A large percentage of our work is on sloping terrain and the muti functional H75 pro delivers both performance and operator safety,” he added.

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Reform range says the H75 model meets all end user requirements, including

versatillity and environmental friendliness.

Hydrostatic drive with electronic control offers two speed ranges, two terrain gear reductions and foot and hand drive modes.

When four-wheel steering is active, the front and rear wheels run exactly in the same line, ensuring tension-free traction on more difficult terrain.

Front, rear, four wheel and crab steering as well as offset fourwheel steering can easily be switched at the push of a button.

The system is completed by the electro-hydraulic spring brake with an auto hold function which allows smooth and judder-free setting off on slopes.

The new H75 also offers powerful working front and rear hydraulics with 1500kg lifting force and

standard weight compensation and the high efficiency of the electro-hydraulic power shift PTO provides power precisely when needed.

Operator comfort is catered for with a newly designed cab which has been completely decoupled from other vehicle components. This results in a major reduction in noise level and significantly lowered vibrations.

The ergonomic armrest with it’s central controls forms the basis for easy operation of the new Metrac H75.

It is attached to the driver’s seat, allowing fatigue-free working on any terrain, without interference from vibrations or slopes. The multi-function joystick combines all functions for driving and controlling attachments.

Simon Richard Enquiry 49

A fl eet of ten Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers has saved the Swansea City FC groundstaff a huge amount of time and made their working day more manageable according to Head Groundsman, Evan Davies.

Evan now oversees the maintenance of all three club sites – the Swansea. com Stadium, the first team Fairwood Training Ground and the Swans Academy which is situated at Landore.

“It is essential that the cleaning of pitches is completed as quick as possible,” he said. “The only way to achieve this was with a rotary mower with a bigger cutting deck which had the ability to increase the speed.

“I quickly found that it was only the Dennis PRO 34R that would work in this respect. Therefore, one of my fi rst purchases when I started the role was ten Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers.”

Designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface the Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum fl ow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The PRO 34R’s allow us to manage the working day so much better,” said Evan.

“At the training ground, for example, three members of staff can clean three pitches in two hours with the Dennis PRO 34R’s. With our previous rotary mowers that would have been a full 8-hour day carried out by 6 members of staff.

“This has allowed us to focus more on other tasks such as divoting and repairing the pitches, all things which we wouldn’t have had time to do before.

“The presentation it offers is also first-class,” he continued.

“Leading up to a matchday we like to give the pitch a rotary cut on the Friday or the Saturday because it helps to make the pattern stand out. The leaf itself seems a bit happier after being cut with a PRO 34. They are so easy to set with just a little pin drop. With other rotary mowers you just can’t get that precise height of cut.

“For cleaning, you’ve got the brush on it which you can use aggressively or use it lightly on the surface to pick the debris up – it is just a win-win for us. There are not many mowers that give you an outstanding clean, cut and finish.”

With the launch of the EGO ZT4200E-L Z6 Zero-Turn Ride-On (ZTR) Mower, Vince Brauns, Group Product Manager of EGO, shares his top tips for getting the most out of a ride-on mower.

It almost goes without saying, always read the manual before using a new ride-on mower.

And secondly – check everything! Check that the blades are sharp enough for a clean cut especially if you’ve got tall grass, and check for holes, stones, and other objects on the lawn which could damage the mower (or yourself) and remove them.

Caring for the lawn When cutting the lawn, using a high cutting blade speed and low driving speed will typically get the best results. If the grass isn’t too long, you can increase the driving speed without any real negative effect on the cut.

For longer grass, reduce the driving speed to ensure you get more effective cutting. Start with a high cutting height and reduce until the grass is as short as desired.

To achieve a healthy lawn, cut off only one-third or less of the total length of the grass. In cooler months, keep the lawn around 1.5 to 2 inches long (3.8cm to 5cm), during warmer months, increase this to between 2 to 3-1/4 inches (3.8cm to 10cm). New or thick grass requires a narrower cut or a higher cutting height.

Things to consider You should consider whether to mulch, side-discharge or collect grass cuttings. Bagging is usually the preferred method as you can cut in almost any weather, and it removes weed seeds.

However, unlike bagging, mulching returns nutrients so is ideal for unhealthy lawns by allowing the lawn to retain moisture. And in contrast, side discharge allows for a faster cut but can create more mess.

Avoid cutting wet grass as it not only sticks to the underside of the deck and prevents proper bagging or mulching of grass clippings, but you can also lose control of the mower in wet conditions.

Take care on the slopes

Sloping terrain is dangerous so remain alert when mowing them, avoid slopes steeper than 15 degrees, and only mow up and down. It’s advised to avoid stopping on a slope, but if necessary, use the parking brake. And when restarting the mower, use the lowest speed.

Try not to turn on a slope, but if it’s a must, do it carefully and always turn downhill. If the tyres lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly down the slope.

A world’s first

The ZT4200E-L is the world’s first zero-turn ride-on lawnmower that is compatible with EGO’s award-winning battery system. It can be powered by any combination of EGO 56V ARC Lithium Batteries which can be charged by the industry’s fastest 1600W charger that is capable of charging up to six batteries at once. The ZT4200E-L can reach speeds of 8MPH and can cover 3 acres on a single charge with six 10Ah batteries.

Dennis Enquiry 53

Designed for every challenge Championship standards with Jacobsen

The Award-winning design of the new XZ7 L152i from Cub Cadet redefines the zeroturn mowing experience - with enhanced strength, re-imagined comfort and a best-in-class cut.

The latest steering lever lap bar technology combined with the extremely robust construction of heavy-duty components

and high-performance engines makes the machine the ideal professional machines for large lawn maintenance.

The open continuous tubular lightweight steel frame is designed for strength and durability. The hinged/removable floor pan allows quick and easy access to the welded, all round

reinforced AeroForce Max™ mowing deck and engine for ease of maintenance.

A powerful Kohler EFI V-Twin dual cylinder engine gives the machine the power to mow up to 15,000 m²h.

With a large cutting width of 60”/152cm, the machine puts

owner/operator comfort at the forefront of its design with a premium high-back seat with armrests and adjustable suspension for fatigue-free working.

The XZ7 L152i is ideal for mowing rolling hills, with its outstanding stability on slopes, and around obstacles, with its effortless manoeuvrability.

Even on the most difficult lawns the spring-mounted suspension on the front wheels ensure a smooth ride with less vibration.

At Cub Cadet we trust our new XZ7 L152i to perform with maximum durability and robustness and offer a warranty of 3 years or up to 500 working hours (whichever comes fi rst) –for commercial or private use as well as offering a dealership service that delivers true advantages to you and your business.

EP Barrus Enquiry 57

TriSmart technology takes club to another level

The Course Manager at Fairhaven Golf Club claims that the advanced technology behind ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart wetting agent, has worked wonders on the dry, sand dominated course.

For nineteen years Joe Barnes has been progressing through the greenkeeping industry. In 2021, he saw an opportunity to become a Course Manager, but it had to match his ambitions.

Fairhaven Golf Course has all the characteristics of a traditional links course and being a sand dominated course can make moisture management particularly challenging.

Therefore, one such product which Joe reported excellent results from using was H2Pro TriSmart which is a high-quality wetter and water conservation agent. It is formulated with three water management surfactant technologies to provide great water penetration, even water spread through the rootzone and to improve the water holding capacity of sandy rootzones.

Joe and his team apply TriSmart monthly on the greens and tees through the growing season but must work with Mother Nature when it comes to applying it on the fairways.

After two years and 1,093 days of waiting due to the global pandemic, Golf Course and Property Manager Ian McQueen and his team finally got their chance to host the Canada’s major golf championship.

St. George’s Golf & Country Club was built in 1929, with the course designed by famous Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. Its city center location is hidden by trees and the undulations of the property, with fourteen elevated tees and valleys that run through every hole giving the course its natural character.

Achieving the desired firmness and ensuring every undulation of the fairways and rough are followed is down to the Jacobsen fleet of mowers. The Eclipse 2 walkers are joined by SLF530s, HR600s, AR321s, and LF1880s to provide a championship quality cut on all 7,025 yards of the course.

“This is our national championship in Canada. It’s a big event, and without the support of Jacobson and our local distributor, GC Duke, who is supporting us with equipment, we would not be able to accomplish what we need to,” Ian explains.

“Preparing for this championship has taken some time. We started this in 2018 to host it first in 2020, and as everyone is aware, it got postponed twice.

“The build-out of the stands started in the winter, and we finished building out the grandstands on June 1st, with the tournament starting the week of June six, but it’s taken a good two years in prep work to achieve the standards we want to present for the tour.”

Wet or dry grass, long or short, collect or mulch, the PH 1250 and PH 1500 models take it all in their stride.

And it’s that flexibility that sets the Profihopper apart from the crowd.

The sharpened wing blades on the horizontal SmartCut rotor cleanly cut and shred the grass before conveying it via the cross auger on to that unique second vertical auger to be packed into the collection hopper - meaning less time emptying and more time mowing. To add to that versatility, the sward is rolled after cutting and scarifying comes as standard.

The more than adequate power is provided by engines that are already Stage V Exhaust emission compliant and require no AdBlue.

Don’t compromise - choose the machine that comes with more compaction built-in for maximum work rates and less emptying.

Contact the Amazone Team on: 01302 755 725.

ICL Enquiry 58

Jacobsen Enquiry 59

Ventrac on Jack Nicklausdesigned courses

London Golf Club has taken delivery of the new Ventrac 4520 all-terrain compact tractor and selection of attachments to assist in the maintenance of their two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses near Brands Hatch in Kent.

Lee Sayers is the Golf Courses and Estate Manager and heads a team of 27 full-time staff and 15 part-time including two head greenkeepers, a workshop mechanic, irrigation technician and a gardener with 21 members of the team working on the golf course.

“That might seem a very large team to most people, but we have 500 acres of estate including two championship golf courses to manage and large areas of woodland; it’s an intensive job”, he says.

Lee began his career in 1991 at Cottesloe Golf Club in the suburbs of Perth in Western Australia, before returning to the UK in 1994 to take the position of assistant greenkeeper at London Golf Club. Four years later he joined

Hempstead Forest Golf Club near Cranbrook and in 2000 returned to London Golf Club as No. 2 to Peter Todd. In 2003 he joined Mid Kent Golf Club near Gravesend, where he spent 14 years until returning to take up his current role in 2017.

“Our members and guests expect a high level of presentation and we try to maintain a manicured ‘look’ across the entire estate, so the Ventrac was an obvious choice, he added. “I’d seen lots of ‘noise’ about Ventrac in the press and on social media together with good feedback from my peer group across the county, especially Mark Todd at the Wildernesse. We had a really good demo and that just reinforced my opinion, so we purchased the tractor unit and four attachments; the Contour deck, Tough Cut deck, Turbine Blower and Power Brush.

“The Tough Cut deck is great for maintaining the woodland margins. The out-front position of the Tough Cut deck combined with the low profile and agility of the tractor unit, means we can get in and under the

trees. Without doubt, it has lifted the presentation of the course. The Contour deck does a superb job on the Nicklaus-designed bunker surrounds, where we previously used ‘Flymo’ mowers on the steep sides. This has saved numerous hours and has increased efficiency.

“We have significant woodland and spend too many hours using backpack blowers removing leaves and other debris, not just in the autumn, but all-year round. This is so time-intensive, but the Turbine blower is brilliant; we can also use it to remove debris after scarifying and even blow cores from the greens after aeration.

“Changing between the different attachments is quick and easy. There’s no three-point linkage to worry about or adjustments to make, you simply drive out of the current implement and drive into the next one. The mounting system is ingenious; it’s so quick that it encourages you to use it to its full potential.”

Price Turfcare Enquiry 61

New John Deere fleet for St George’s Park

A new fleet of John Deere machines is helping to prepare the surfaces at St George’s Park, a world-class venue used by some of the best footballers on the planet and in demand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

After an extensive demonstration process of the machines available to them, the team at the home of the English National Teams chose John Deere.

Andy Gray, Head of Grounds and Estates, has a key role in

putting a strategic plan in place to meet any potential challenges.

“I’m responsible for making sure my team has all the tools they require to do their job effectively,” Andy says.

All the equipment was supplied by John Deere dealer Farol through Area Sales Managers Jacob Shellis and Tom Spencer.

The fleet is fully connected and all machines are remotely monitored by Farol under

Deere’s PowerGard protection plan. The deal is in place for five years.

This new John Deere fleet comprises three compact tractors in the form of a 2036R and two 4066R models, two TE and three HPX Gators, three 2750 E-Cut triplex mowers, two X950R riding mowers, one 7400A TerrainCut and a 8000A mower, one Progator and a HD200 sprayer.

John Deere Enquiry 62

Progressive is key to consistent cutting over contours

The Progressive range of multideck mowers, available in the UK through Vanmac, have been carefully designed with this in mind, offering unrivalled contour-following ability for an accurate quality of cut. While a multi-deck mower may not be required in every situation, it can offer a broader scope of use with its ability to accommodate both flat and undulating turf equally.

This flexibility delivers a quality cut without the risk of scalping or shredding the plant, helping to retain plant health and

reducing potential entry points for pathogens and turf diseases to take hold. Their versatility sees them suited to operation around the golf course, alongside other applications such as sports fields, turf farms and mowing tasks undertaken by local authorities.

The latest addition to the Progressive range is the TDR-X – featuring three independently floating decks which provide a combined cutting width of 3.2m. It all begins with an adaptive swivel hitch at the front, making

“We have had ISEKI machinery for the last 8 years at Haileybury School and currently run three TG tractors within our fleet of machinery. The tractors are predominately used for vertidraining, mowing, seeding and scarifying with its high lift capacity of 1,600kg and low ground pressure. The SXG mower is used for cutting some of the pitches and lawned areas but also collecting up all the scarifying and fallen leaves as the collection system is so good. I would recommend ISEKI to any of my colleagues and friends within the industry.”

Andy Richards,Grounds Manager,Haileybury School

the TDR-X more agile and ensuring it works with the tractor to follow undulating ground.

Vanmac Enquiry 63

AMS Contracting provide vital secondary drainage

Cricket is a cornerstone of Winchester College’s student experience, and to enhance their already exceptional standards, the school enlisted AMS Contracting to install secondary drainage on their outfield.

Head Groundsman, Kim Larcombe, oversees the 250acre site with the help of four groundsmen and five gardeners. Sixty acres are purely dedicated to sport, with cricket having a long and distinguished history at Winchester.

With a tight 55-day schedule planned for summer 2022, Kim must ensure that matches go ahead as scheduled, with rained off games one of the most

significant risks. Having had the outfield levelled in August 2021, the experienced 39 and a half year Winchester team member wanted to enhance the drainage with AMS.

Kim explains: “I had a preference on what secondary drainage I wanted to use, and I talked it through with AMS, and we looked at other options, but I had my preference.

“It was good to be working with a company who wanted to put options forward and explore them, but at the same time, they weren’t pushy at all. They just presented their opinions and were happy to proceed with what we wanted and work to get the best result.

“It’s filling in nicely, and it was left in good condition, so we were able to play on it a week after the work was completed, and that is a testament to how well everything went.”

The method of drainage requested by Kim was the Blec Vibramaster at 20mm sand slits, 250mm apart and 150mm deep.

This was implemented after the whole outfield had been ShockWaved and was followed with topdressing, drag matting and overseeding using a 2.5m Vredo overseeder in two directions.

AMS Contracting Enquiry 66

MAJOR Swift scores for the top league clubs

Since 1976, H&I Kelly Landscape has a reputation for quality workmanship and demands no less from its equipment.

The family-managed business has high profile customers including professional football and rugby clubs, sports arenas, schools, and commercial facilities across Dorset, Hampshire and parts of Wilshire.

When the time came to look for a new mower to manage their grass maintenance programme they reviewed the mower market to see what existed and kept coming back to MAJOR.

“We were looking for longevity, reliability and quality of finish,” explained Chris Kelly. “We had a demo of the MAJOR Swift 2.4m model and it confirmed our gut feel that the MAJOR brand was as good as it gets.

“It was also well-priced and good value for money. It leaves a

finish that is equal to any cylinder mower - it’s incredible.”

The MAJOR Swifts are made of high-performance Strenx 700MC steel and hot-dipped galvanised for increased lifespan. Four rotors with eight blades that overlap by 60cm delivers accurate cutting across the entire width of the machine.

“We maintain the pitch for Poole Town FC and the Directors have commented on how well the playing surface is since we began using the MAJOR Swift,” continues Chris.

“Chelsea Football Club trained on the pitch before their game with Bournemouth. Some of their team representatives even thought that the grass pitch looks like a 3G surface - that’s an amazing compliment,” concluded Chris.

Equipment Enquiry 67

MAJOR

Experience robotic line marking on the Turf Tank roadshow

Turf Tank is taking robotic line marking on the road with five dates across England, starting at Manchester University on 7th July.

The roadshow will also visit Bournemouth and Leeds universities on 12th and 19th July, Liverpool Football Club’s Melwood Training Ground on the 20th, and fi nish at Surrey University on the 26th.

Live demonstrations will take place, including the Turf Tank One’s set-up, programming and operation along with the base station. Any questions can be answered during every stage, and lunch and refreshments will be provided during the demonstration, with games and prizes also on offer.

Having already completed two dates in Belfast during May, Turf Tank UK Country Manager, Matt Murray, is looking forward to welcoming people to the roadshows in England.

“Over two days in Belfast, meeting people and showing them what the robot can do was fantastic,” Matt explains “I think the real benefit of people coming to a location similar to their own is they can see how the robot can work for them, how it can handle their conditions and ultimately, how seamless the process is.

“It’s also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions they might already have about robotic line marking, how the GPS side of things works or anything that comes up during the day.

“We like to keep it fairly informal, and everything is based outside on the turf, so it’s a solid four-hour session that people get a lot from.”

Free online registration is now open for every venue, and alex@turftank.co.uk or matt@turftank.co.uk can answer any questions regarding the events.

Turf Tank Enquiry 70

Designed by professionals for professionals

Grassline is a family owned and run business with over 25 years of experience in the line marking industry.

Responsive to customers individual needs, it can offer bespoke products to cater for individual requirements.

All the company’s line marking paints are safe, non-hazardous, organic and bio-degradable.

The TITAN spray line marker has been developed in consultation with professional groundsmen.

The result is a hand built, well balanced and robust, high specification spray marker that combines all the needs of the professional groundsman into a single machine and offers exceptional value for money.

Grassline Enquiry 71

Fleet continues to lead the field

Fleet Line Markers is one of the leading line marking product suppliers in the UK, helping businesses to mark lines for sports surfaces for over 50 years.

The company continually introducing the most innovative products to enable line marking to be completed more efficientlyand has been a driving force in improving sustainability, an issue that we are passionate about.

Fleet’s Synthetic Turf Coating (STC) is available in a range of vibrant, bright colours including - white, red, yellow and blue, providing an economical and long-lasting line. STC can be sprayed with Kombi and a wheeled knib is required to ensure excellent line definition.

Remarking of the lines on synthetics is recommended every six months however feedback from a lot of customers is saying that the lines are still acceptable after 12 to 14 months.

Faster, lighter and cost effective

The TinyLineMarker (TLM) Sport is Rigby Taylor’s latest line marking robot introduction for the autonomous, initial marking and over-marking of sports pitches.

Perfect for clubs and organisations that have single site use, or for sites with just a few pitches, it is a smart investment for training grounds, sports clubs, schools and district/borough councils.

Using the latest robotic technology and in-built GPS-RTK receiver and antenna, the TLM Sport’s modern, sleek design moves easily over the grass surfaces providing precision line markings to mm levels of accuracy.

There are 50 sports pitchmarking templates available and the robot is easily controlled by a single operator using the supplied Samsung tablet.

Once the lines have been marked the markings are never lost as once the operation has been completed, the location and markings are simply

stored and can be retrieved and replicated at any time.

The robot can continuously mark for 3-4 hours on a single battery charge (an upgraded battery is available providing longer spraying time) and built in detect and protect ultrasonic sensors are supplied as standard.

The TLM Sport is also superefficient. Once the robot is positioned on the pitch surface to be marked it can be left to get on with its work, freeing up the operator to carry out additional tasks such as mowing, aeration, spraying, spreading, etc.

As an example, using just 3 litres of Impact paint, the complete initial marking (no stringing required!) of a standard sized football pitch can be undertaken in just 20 minutes, including those pitches with fixed posts.

It is also eco-friendly. As CO2 emissions and water conservation become increasingly important, its battery powered, low energy consumption, no fuel or emissions and, with its Impact ready to use paint, no added water, the TLM Sport is the eco-smart choice.

Keeping the grassroots community in the game

Ampere Line Marking Sport Striper is a pitch line marker which is ideal for applying lines to football pitches, rugby pitches and cricket pitches on grass.

When used in conjunction with Ampere Athletic Line Marking Paint aerosols, you can produce perfectly straight lines between 3cm and 10cm wide.

With the added bonus that no maintenance or cleaning is required, this machine will save you both time and money.

Other benefits of the Sport Striper include:

• Easy and strong locking handle to adjust line width

• The aerosol twists and fits automatically via patented design

• 4 wide wheels for a better

Lantra on course with line marking

Lantra, one of the country’s leading awarding bodies for land-based industries, offers a specialist line marking course.

The course will introduce the basic competencies for setting out sports markings from scratch, preparation and application. It will emphasise the efficient, safe and legal aspects of line marking and the basic skills required.

This course has been designed for anyone who wishes to learn how to correctly set out sports markings from scratch across a wide range of sports, including running tracks.

It is suitable for both novice and experienced delegates.

The course aims to: Interpret the rules of the sport when setting out and marking out

• Understand and read the required dimensions of the sports pitch etc from a diagram

• Provide safe working practices and environment when marking out

• To be competent in the use and maintenance of marking machines

To be competent and understand the costeffective best practice of different types of materials available and to be able to calibrate them correctly.

stability Ensures perfect line even in windy weather Reinforced metallic chassis

Promain are proud suppliers of sports coatings products. These products include both indoor and outdoor line marking solutions, including football pitch marking paint.

Promain Enquiry 75

“It was also about helping the team, so they didn’t feel under pressure all the time. With the robot, where it’s taken us six or seven weeks to mark everything, we can effectively do that in a week now. Suddenly, the pressure has gone, and if we have staff on holiday or off sick, it keeps us out of trouble.”

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 74

Lee Marshallsay, Head Grounds Manager, Eton College

With approximately 80 acres of sports turf making up the 250 acre estate of Merchant Taylors’ School, the key word for Grounds Manager Richard Ayling when it comes to maintenance is ‘efficiency’.

Delivering that efficiency when it comes to topdressing is a Rink 2020 dropdresser from Redexim – purchased originally for the purpose of applying loam to the schools 11 cricket squares, but now demonstrating versatility for year-round applications around the site.

Richard and his team of nine are responsible for the upkeep of the surfaces, which alternate between summer and winter sports for use by both the pupils and a number of teams from the community.

“It’s a high usage site and the equipment we use needs to be

able to keep up with the tight turnarounds and renovation windows we have to work to” explains Richard, who has been at the independent day school for 26 years.

“Every cricket renovation season, we’re applying around 32 tonnes of loam dressing and our previous machine would only hold a quarter of a tonne at a time so we needed something bigger to make the job quicker and less labour intensive.”

After researching the options available, it was a Rink 2020 that fi tted the bill – accurately and evenly distributing dressings and offering a 2.0m 3 hopper capacity, equating to two tonnes of cricket loam per load.

“What we didn’t want with a bigger machine is something that would result in increased compaction.

“The design of the Rink, with its large rear tyres, effectively spreads the weight so we pass over the squares and leave no marks. It’s incredibly easy to use and adjust meaning we can simply load it up and go – getting the operation done, quicker and with improved quality of distribution.”

Thanks to its ability to accurately adjust the spreading thickness, once cricket renovation season is complete in early autumn, the Rink will then switch to hold sand and/or topdressing soil for inseason dressing and repairs to the football pitches and lawned areas.

“What was initially purchased as a solution to one specific problem, has become a versatile machine which we use in different ways throughout the maintenance calendar. It’s been a fantastic addition to our fleet.”

After seeing the machine at SALTEX 2021, South Wales Sports Grounds organised for a demonstration model of the Infiller to be shipped over from GKB HQ on the basis that if they were impressed with it, they’d keep it - and they did.

Adding to a vast and varied fleet of equipment for the construction and maintenance of both natural and artificial surfaces, the GKB Infi ller has dramatically improved the speed of infill spreading, whilst retaining the quality of finish.

South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) undertake contracts for a range of clients from local authorities to schools and independent sports clubs, everywhere between West Wales and Gloucester. Maintenance Manager Matt Dennison explains how they decided to take a look at the GKB Infiller, after noticing their previous machine was slowing down the process of dispensing and topping-up infill.

“We’re very particular about how we install an artificial/3G pitch, using the best tools and techniques to produce the best results” explains Matt.

“We wanted a machine that was simpler to use and that would

ultimately make the job quicker and more efficient. As soon as we received the Infiller in December, from our local dealer Hopkins Machinery, it was evident straight away that it ticked all the boxes.”

Suited to all types of infill material, the Infiller provides a quick and accurate spreading solution. The metering valve can be adjusted manually or hydraulically to suit the depth and type of infill required. The specification is completed by a large 3m3 hopper.

“One big key point for us is that you can rotate the seat to spread the sand in front of the wheels of travel, ensuring the infill gets down into the fibres before they’re flattened.”

Along with sand, Matt intends to use rubber in the Infiller and indicates that the machine and the team have a busy synthetic season ahead. “So far, it’s done two artificial constructions and is now about to do another.”

He concludes, “Because it’s so easy to operate, we’ve now got a number of our operatives trained up with it, who all can’t wait to benefit from the speed and accuracy we can now achieve in getting the job done.” GKB Machines Enquiry 80

Redexim Enquiry 78

Vredo introduce its fifth generation DZ5 Overseeders

After releasing their very fi rst overseeder in 1976, Vredo Dodewaard is now ready to introduce its fifth generation DZ5 overseeders, available from Campey Turf Care Systems.

In recent years, a great deal of hard work has gone into developing a successor to the current series. By continually listening to and observing with our customers in the Fine Turf sector, further efforts have been made to specialise in overseeding, and it has therefore been decided to extend the programme into a complete seeding line for the Fine Turf series (sport/golf/grass).

The current Compact and Super compact are the first to be renewed and will join the new generation as the DZ5 Single compact and DZ5 Super compact.

A completely new machine based on the familiar double-disc principle, with a single row of discs, which delivers the seed into the soil for optimum germination thanks to the perfect incision.

Compared to the current Compact series, the Single

compact is lighter and shorter than the tractor, allowing users to equip a light tractor with a wider overseeder.

The new machine has a disc diameter of 250 mm, which makes a finer cut, and a renewed roller of 220 mm diameter. This ensures perfect deposition and trapping of the expensive grass seed whilst leaving an even surface to be played on. In addition, the row spacing has been reduced from 7.5cm to 7cm.

This series has also been extensively updated, whereby the discs are arranged in two rows and therefore have a row spacing of only 3.5cm.

In the further development of the Super compact, weight savings and a shorter connection to the tractor were achieved so that lighter tractors can be used. This has the advantage of equipping a wider machine to the same tractor.

Using a lightweight tractor preserves good soil structure, and not only is the work more cost-effective, but the Super

Compact can also be transported more efficiently because less loading space is required. The cost savings achieved by the purchase and use of a lighter and more economical tractor are therefore a fact.

One of the reasons for the further development of these two series is to form a new platform through which various new innovative seeding techniques will fi nd their way to the market.

In addition, full-line seeding solutions are being developed that can be used on every conceivable seeding surface, such as outdoor seeding, hybrid sports fields and other seeding treatments for grass, herb and flower mixtures.

The new DZ5 generation from Vredo provides, in one fell swoop, a full line of professional overseeders suitable for all types of users, and the new techniques will be phased in after the Single compact and Super compact.

Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 81

Beauty through productivity

Turfco’s WideSpin 1550 topdressers are available in truckmounted and tow-behind models with engine or hydraulic power options. They are available with standard electronic control or a patented digital Smart Controller.

Standard electronic control models are easy to use and offer good value for the money. Smart Controller models offer rate calculation and programmable pre-sets for greater productivity and labour savings.

The result is that when using the WideSpin 1550 calculating and retaining application rates

is easier. Adjusting settings is easier and saving preferred settings is easier. Loading is easier. Topdressing greens, approaches and tees at the same

time is easier. And getting the exact spread required, every time, is easier.

Topdressing for flat or undulating greens

Since its introduction by GreenTek in the 1990’s the Greens-Groomer has been recognized as one of the most effective topdressing brushes ever invented.

It has 16 separate brushes mounted in a triple zig-zag pattern.

As the Greens-Groomer passes over the turf, the brushes move the sand forwards and sideways in three directions, making it ideal for filling coring holes.

The absence of power-driven rotating brushes ensures that the turf is not bruised and unpleasant dust is not generated, even when operating at speed.

The Greens-Groomer’s large 1.8 x 1.2m (6’ x 4’) footprint has a luting effect, keeping the surface of the green flat and true.

However, if your greens are intentionally undulating, you need a totally different type of brush that will accurately follow the contours and evenly brush-in the dressing. This is the purpose of the ThatchAway topdressing brushes.

These fit into the ThatchAway interchangeable cassette

system, and attach to all popular greensmowers.

The three individual brush units run on their own front and rear guide wheels to accurately follow the contours of the green without scraping the crowns or filling up the hollows.

Green-Tek Enquiry 83

Perfect

Toro has a range of top dressers and groomers for professional users that are versatile for topdressing and material handling jobs.

The Topdresser 1800 has a 18 Cubic Foot capacity with an application width of 60”, offering precise application control of wet or dry materials.

8 mph (12.9 km/h) topdressing speed. A remote on-off application lever allows precise control/ placement from the comfort of the operator’s compartment.

Toro Enquiry 84

Turfco Enquiry 82

It mounts to a Toro Workman or other utility vehicle and delivers a precise, productive performance with up to

SISIS is marvellous for football club

A range of SISIS synthetic turf maintenance equipment is helping to keep the ‘Wembley of South Wales’ in excellent condition.

Merthyr Town FC is a nonleague team from South Wales. It is a 100% fan owned community club that play in the Southern League Premier Division at its historical home of The MET Coaches Stadium at Penydarren Park, right in the heart of the Merthyr Tydfil Community.

Julian Axhorn is known as the Merthyr man for good reason - not only does he maintain the pitch, but he is on the board as the Treasurer, works on the turnstiles, and helps with numerous other tasks on a matchday. Therefore, when it comes to his own little slice of Wembley – he wants only the best.

“The pitch was replaced with a new surface a year ago and I thought the time was right to invest in new equipment,” he said. “We had a very old tractor

with a little brush on the back and it was very slow and antiquated. We wanted an improvement and after doing some research we identified the SISIS Brush-Pro and the SISIS SSS1000 as the ideal equipment.”

Specially designed for synthetic surfaces, the Brush-Pro is a ride-on brushing system consisting of a pair of mid mounted oscillating brush units and three rear mounted brushes. The oscillating brushes are ideal for periodic aggressive brushing to keep infill mobile, prevent algae accumulation, surface compaction and loss of porosity.

Equally impressive is the SISIS SSS1000 - a tractor mounted sweeper that can be pulled by any machine. The rotary brush has been designed for use on synthetic surfaces to remove surface debris, lift the carpet pile and redistribute sand or rubber crumb infill giving the surface maximum performance and extended life.

Kubota RTV supports community forest

Kubota has formed a partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, part of England’s Community Forests which together form the country’s largest environmental initiative.

For over 25 years the Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been working with local communities, businesses and partners to plant trees and create new woodland across 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes.

It is cared for by a team of five forest rangers who need to travel around 8km of hardened path, 4km of horse trail and numerous tracks to plant and care for trees and maintain wetlands.

Kubota has supplied the team with a new RTV X-1140 utility vehicle to help make their work more efficient, safer and more convenient.

The RTV X-1140 is powered by the renowned Kubota engine delivering 24.8hp, and can carry up to four people in comfort plus their cargo, or quickly switch to a two-seater with even more space for tools and equipment.

The full-size cargo bed offers plenty of room for tools and equipment, but the team often need to switch back to fourseater mode for jobs requiring more labour.

“It’s a quick and easy swap –when we had our training on this new machine it was good to see how simple it was to convert,” says ranger Lottie Scoltock. “The bed also has a useful hydraulic tipping function for jobs such as mulching flowerbeds.”

Kubota Enquiry 87

SISIS Enquiry 86

Simon Richard Ltd Tel: 01450 860774 Email: simon@simon-richard.co.uk

www.facebook.com/simonrichardltd

Johnsons’ plants help clinch silver merit award Campey celebrates official opening

Campey Turf Systems marked the official opening of their new showroom in Bosley, Cheshire, by welcoming over 150 guests to the new facility.

The new showroom, based half an hour away from their HQ in Marton, is home to the latest new and used tractors, machinery, new mowers,

parts, and clothing, from renowned names such as New Holland, Echo, Dennis, Trimax and Granit.

An auction and raffle was held on the day, which raised £1,290 for The Christie Charity, which provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. Prizes were kindly

donated by New Holland, Trimax Mowers, Vredo, Bellon Mit and Dennis SISIS. Campey Bosley is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm, with Campey’s team of experts on hand to give advice and answer any questions.

Campey Turf Care Systems

Enquiry 106

Commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley recently sponsored and donated plants to a show garden at BBC Gardeners World Live via Harrogate-based Grant Horticulture and The Northern School of Gardening. Charlotte Jones from Grant Horticulture and The Northern School of Gardening won a Silver Merit at last week’s BBC Gardener’s World Live at the NEC in Birmingham.

The award-winning beautiful border which included 300 plants to the value of almost £2,000 will now be donated to Harrogate Hospital, Johnsons and Grant Horticulture’s local hospital. The 300 plants donated will now be used to enhance Harrogate Hospital’s grounds and include varieties such as Achillea, Aquilegia, Astrantia, Digitalis, Geranium, Nepeta, Salvia, Iris, Lavender, Miscanthus, Erigeron and herbs including Mint, Thyme and Rosemary.

Johnsons of Whixley Enquiry 107