Landscape & Amenity Product Update September 2022

Penrhos Coastal Park crowned UK’s favourite park

Scotland, and Craigavon City Park in Northern Ireland. Stanley Park has been named England’s Favourite Park 2022, attaining prestigious ‘National Treasure’ status having now been named as the public’s favourite park in England three times.

Fields in Trust has also published a list of ‘Local Favourites’ – parks which placed in the top 20% of the public vote –demonstrating the love their local communities have for them.

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, said: “We’re incredibly excited to announce that Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead has been voted as the UK’s Favourite Park 2022 by those who use and love it. It is clear that this park is a very special place to a lot of people, and we are thrilled to officially crown it the UK’s favourite. We’ve had a fantastic response to the competition from all across the UK and I’d like to thank everyone who nominated and voted for parks over the past few weeks.”

The winners of a nationwide search to find the UK’s Favourite Parks have offi cially been announced.

Led by green space charity, Fields in Trust, the competition saw 364 parks nominated by those who use and love them.

Following a summer-long campaign that spotlighted the importance of having accessible green spaces in our communities, the charity announced that Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead achieved the most public votes and is officially the ‘UK’s Favourite Park 2022.’

In total, over 30,000 people cast their vote for their favourite park and Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead, Wales has emerged as the overall winner for the UK. In addition to these, national winners have also been named across the UK, including, Aberdeen’s Seaton Park in

STIHL launches most powerful cordless top handle chainsaw

STIHL has launched the MSA 220 T and MSA 220 TC-O, the manufacturers most powerful and durable cordless top handled chainsaws to date, designed for tree care professionals to remove larger branches or perform crown maintenance with ease.

Recommended with a lightweight 14” guide bar, both MSA 220 T models use a high performing PS3 full-chisel saw chain to achieve a fast, high-quality cut.

The recommended AP 300 S battery delivers 2.1 kW of electrical power, providing up to 29 minutes of working time and plenty of power for cutting larger sized branches.

Attracting close to 100,000 visitors each year, Penrhos Coastal Park is near Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales. The 200-acre park has everything from beaches to woodland walks and is extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike. With a rich history dating back to 1553, the green space is also home to several features of historical interest, including original Tudor era buildings.

Securing more nominations than ever before, the campaign has illustrated how appreciation of our local parks has grown since the pandemic. As concerns mount over the climate crisis, green spaces have been proven to improve air quality and significantly limit the impact of heatwaves, by lowering urban temperatures.

Fields in Trust Enquiry 1

Global support for SALTEX

SALTEX proves Britain’s exhibition scene is back to preCovid levels with international exhibitors and visitors from over 40 countries now signed up to attend.

Such overwhelming overseas support before the show opens its doors on 2 November shows the strength of this event, now in its 76th year, and it’s a great indication that Britain is back to being fully open for business as exhibitors and visitors travel to the event from as far afield as Australia.

The International Greenkeepers Association will again have a presence at SALTEX with members from

around the world registering to visit. Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, says: “There promises to be a diverse visitor profile this year, we know there are visitors from over 26 countries already.

“We had a good show last year with our post-show visitor survey, showing that 83 percent of attendees rated SALTEX 2021 overall as excellent, very good or good, and 67 percent of those saying they attended specifically to purchase new products or services, and 84 percent either had full purchasing responsibility or contributed to the process.”

Enquiry 3

Both models have an adjustable oil pump, an ergonomic trigger system and a 180° LED display, ensuring the operator always has a clear overview of key information such as the operating status of the saw and the chain brake position. In addition to these features, the MSA

220 TC-O also has an oil sensor that will notify the user when the chain oil tank is empty, helping to reduce potential downtime, premature wear to the cutting attachment and the risk of overheating.

STIHL Enquiry 2

SALTEX

The organisation’s search to find the UK’s favourite park in 2022 saw Penrhos Coastal Park taking the top spot. It was an interesting choice and highlights the real diversity of community assets that are available throughout the country and also the quality of such sites. But more fascinating were the facts and figures that accompanied the Fields in Trust’s search.

The competition in 2022 saw a staggering 364 parks nominated in total, with more than 30,000 people eventually casting their vote. The annual search secured more nominations than ever before, and Fields in Trust quite rightly points out that its campaign has illustrated how appreciation of our local parks has grown since the pandemic. Also, as concerns mount over the climate crisis, green spaces have been proven to provide important environmental and sustainability boosts for local communities.

It is more ammunition for the on-going campaigns to secure long-term recognition, resources and funding for the industry from central government. This month we reflect on a successful summer of sport and the changing seasons in our Professional Groundscare supplement, which has special spotlights on weed and pest control and sweepers, blowers, collectors and vacuums.

There is also a focus on winter maintenance in the main magazine, estate management, a round-up of brushcutter options and a look at hard and soft landscaping.

The busy summer now gives way to a busy autumn in terms of workload, but also as regards exhibitions with the likes of APF being staged and preparations now in full swing for SALTEX 2022 at NEC Birmingham.

Sale of horticultural peat to be banned to protect precious peatlands

All sales of peat to amateur gardeners in England will be banned by 2024, the Government has announced.

Peatlands are the UK’s largest carbon store but only approximately 13% of our peatlands are in a near-natural state. This degradation has occurred due to drainage for agricultural use, overgrazing and burning, as well as extraction for use in growing media.

Bagged retail growing media accounts for 70% of the peat sold in the UK and is frequently misused, for example being used as a soil improver rather than a medium in which to propagate plants. When this extraction takes place, the carbon stored inside the bog is released as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.

Peat extraction also degrades the state of the wider peatland landscape, damaging habitats for some of our rarest wildlife such as the swallowtail butterfly, hen harriers and short-eared owls, and negatively impacting peat’s ability to prevent flooding and filter water.

A significant proportion of the UK’s water supply lands or flows through peatlands.

The measures announced today will contribute to efforts to achieve our ambitious target of restoring 35,000 hectares of peatlands by 2025 and wider efforts to achieve net zero.

The announcement follows an extensive public consultation, which received more than 5,000 responses with over 95% in favour of government taking action to ban retail peat sales. The Government has also pledged to continue to work closely with the professional horticulture sector on speeding up their transition to peat-free alternatives ahead of a ban for the professional horticulture sector, recognising that the professional horticulture sector faces additional technical barriers that will take longer to overcome.

The Government is also launching a new £5 million fund to promote the use of peatlands for sustainable farming.

It will support the uptake of paludiculture – the practice of farming on rewetted peatland

– which will help further safeguard food security, produce alternatives to horticultural peat and reduce environmental impacts.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “This Government understands the importance of keeping peat healthy and in the ground, here and around the world – to lock up carbon, strengthen drought resilience and serve as a powerful nature-based solution to climate change.

“The actions announced today mark a new chapter in the story of our iconic peatlands –safeguarding their long-term health and vitality as part of our commitments to achieve Net Zero and deliver our 25 Year Environment Plan.”

HTA Enquiry 6

Toro UK dealers visit

US head office

Toro U.K. Limited recently took a group of UK dealers to Minnesota, USA, to visit The Toro Company’s global headquarters in Bloomington, and tour one of the company’s manufacturing facilities.

Dealers had the opportunity to tour Toro’s headquarters to see firsthand the vast testing facilities that underpin the quality of our full product portfolio, and visit Toro’s Center for Technology, Research & Innovation.

They were shown how Toro utilizes cutting-edge technology in the development of new products. This included experiencing the many applications of Virtual Reality in product development and watching prototype parts being 3D printed.

The group was taken to the Toro manufacturing facility at Windom, Minnesota, where they were able to

see zero-turn mowers, snowblowers and specialty equipment manufactured and assembled.

Dealers were impressed by the scale of the operation, and they were able to have a Q&A session with the factory team leaders to better understand how Toro has adapted and managed through the current supply chain issues the industry is facing.

Adding a bit of Minnesota fun alongside business, the dealers had an opportunity to experience full Toro hospitality when they went to watch the Minnesota Twins play the Chicago White Sox. Enjoying a real American institution on a glorious summer day, the dealers also saw the full Toro fleet in use at the baseball stadium in preparation for the game, before enjoying a drink and the atmosphere.

“Due to the current lack of quality alternative materials to peat, an immediate ban on peat could impact significantly on the availability of growing media.

“This would mean that the UK’s 30 million gardeners would be faced with products which have not gone through a lengthy enough quality assurance process, and which would have higher costs. All this at a time when so many are already challenged by the extremely high cost of living.

“The industry is developing new products and alternatives to peat and is making real progress on this journey. It has voluntarily committed to removing peat from growing media in retail as early as 2025 and last year made real strides, removing 30% of peat from

compost in one year alone. Defra’s announcement does not support progress and we repeat our ask to government that it put its energies into addressing the barriers to alternatives rather than unnecessarily legislating.

“We welcome Defra’s acknowledgement of the complexities of removing peat from professional horticulture, and of the need for exemptions from any ban.

“And whilst the announcements on investment in paludiculture are to be welcomed, the more immediate need for industry in the context of removal of peat by 2024 is to unlock access to more of the materials like wood chip and digestate fibre that could be available at the scale required by 2024.”

James Barnes, speaking for the HTA Growing Media Taskforce, said: “We have provided hard data and practical solutions to Defra from across our industry.

However, it is disappointing that (this) decision does not appear to be based on the evidence available.

The UK is leading Europe in peat removal and while this consultation process has been running, the industry has developed and put into progress a plan to remove peat voluntarily that is already seeing significant results. Any reluctance to embrace peat-free growing media is based on the significant red tape and technical barriers to removing peat which government needs to work with the industry to address.

Woodland Trust reveals nominations for UK’s Tree of The Year 2022

Voting is via the Woodland Trust website and is open until noon on Monday 31 October, with the winner announced on Friday 4 November.

Five gargantuan oaks, one of which is said to have provided the inspiration for the fantasy land of Narnia, and a spectacular ‘portal rowan’ are among the unique specimens in the running to be crowned the prestigious winner of the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for 2022.

Tree experts at the Woodland Trust and the public have selected a shortlist of 12 trees

from around the UK, which have all been recorded on the Trust’s ‘hall of fame’ for ancient trees, the Ancient Tree Inventory.

The competition celebrates these living legends and our panel picked their favourites from an original cast of hundreds that were highlighted by eagle-eyed volunteers since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Competition judge and ATI lead Tom Reed said: “The enthusiasm for ancient and veteran trees and the growing number of records being submitted to the ATI in the past couple of years showed just how much people love and value their trees. We selected the trees based on their size and significance for their species and also looked for trees steeped in history as well as trees that had high ecological, aesthetic or cultural value. It’s over to the public to pick a favourite from that impressive list.”

Now in its eighth year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition highlights the importance of rare ancient and veteran trees, their role in fighting climate change and

biodiversity loss in the UK, and why protecting them is vital for the future of the planet. Reed explained: “Oak trees, in particular, have the ability to steal the limelight as they are such awesome and striking specimens. Their sheer size captures the imagination, and the events they must have witnessed unfolding beneath their branches during their lifetime is mindblowing. The fact we have so many oaks featuring refl ects the make-up of the ATI, which has more than 40% native oaks in the database.”

Last year’s winner was a proud lone hawthorn, which captured the public’s imagination for its defiance in guarding the Scottish coastline. ‘The Kippford Leaning Tree’ took the crown after a hugely competitive social media vote across the Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Trust Enquiry 9

New growth structure in place at Green-tech

Green-tech is delighted to announce a host of promotions within the business as it continues to evolve and build for the future.

Dean Jackson, previously one of three Sales Managers, has been promoted to Head of Sales. This appointment allows Sales Director Richard Gill to focus on more of a higherlevel Business Development dynamic to his current role, exploring new market opportunities for the company to expand and develop.

In his new role Dean will be responsible for leading the full 30+ strong sales team and

driving sales to help achieve the company’s yearly sales budgets.

Filling Dean’s role, Josh Forster becomes the company’s youngest ever Sales Manager, a year after being named the company’s youngest ever Team Leader. Josh joined Green-tech as a school leaver and now aged 25 he will take responsibility for leading a sales team within the company, delivering his teams’ collective budget, and driving sales to help achieve overall company targets.

Hunts Engineering proving a successful dealer for Campeys

After working together now for just over a year, Hunts Engineering Ltd is proving a highly successful dealer in the Midlands, for Campey Turf Care Systems.

After Starting as an agricultural dealership focusing on engineering, the Warwickshire based family-owned company has established itself in the professional turf care sector.

With Peter Hunt having more than 35 years of experience in the industry and a strong reputation for customer service, Hunts make the perfect addition to the Campey dealer framework. Founded in 2007 owners of Hunts, Peter and Julie Hunt, want to continue growing the fine turf arm of the business, and they believe the Campey line of machinery is the perfect portfolio to do it with.

“We’re taking on everything that Campey does,” said Peter. “We want to have the complete range so we can go into a golf course, club or school and offer them a comprehensive package. For us, that was really important because we want our customers to come to us with any requests or issues and have an answer or solution for them.

“We’ve grown our business on the back of service and our dedicated and skilled team. Having the final solution is a big value to us and our customers. This industry is very much person to person, and demonstrations are important. Especially with Campey machinery because it’s not the run of the mill tractors and mowers; it’s specialist equipment.

“Personally, it makes our jobs more interesting working with this type of equipment. Most of the time, you can see an instant result or effect with this machinery, and we think that is why people respond to it.

“We also need support from Campey when we have questions and Jason Moody has been very good for that. When he says he’ll do something, he does it, which is so important for our customers and us.”

With two dedicated Campey salespeople and five fully qualified mechanics operating on-site and in the workshop, the Hunts backup team is more than capable of providing the first-class service customers expect from Campey.

Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 11

Woodland

Chris Swan has also been elevated to Buying & Product Development Director due to

his increased responsibilities for the procurement side of the business, reflecting the level in which he works and his

significance in supporting the senior management team.

Green-tech

Enquiry 10

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!

Rain Bird shows new irrigation technology

Rain Bird is exhibiting at GaLaBau, the international trade fair for the design and installation of urban, green and open spaces held at the Exhibition Centre, Nuremburg, Germany 14-17 September 2022.

Rain Bird GmbH (Stand 4-127) is exhibiting a number of new, innovative irrigation products including controllers and flow sensors which are designed to underline the company’s commitment to the Intelligent use of Water

The latest addition to the range is the RC2 smart irrigation screenless control solution which enables irrigation installations to be controlled from any location.

Quick Pair Technology enables seamless Bluetooth set-up with a mobile phone or tablet and the Rain Bird App enables WiFi access for irrigation scheduling, real-time alerts, automatic weather adjustments

which are all designed to save water and money.

The latest LXME 2 commercial controller is fully modular offering flexible features and is ideal for both new installations and retrofit applications.

With its large backlit LCD screen and simplified programming, users can customize station capacity from 12 to 48 stations and also to upgrade to the PRO version which gives access to additional features including advanced flow management capabilities.

Aside from controllers, Rain Bird will also highlight new flow sensor technology with the new cost effective and easy to install FG100 Flow Sensor.

Designed for residential and smaller commercial applications, it monitors irrigation for high or low flow, instantly identifying when

there is a leak or line break. Information is fed back to the ESP-ME3 controller and enables remedial action to be taken immediately and remotely through the Rain Bird App.

The FG 100 design includes a paddle wheel that sits in ceramic bearings which gives durability and also does not need to be removed during the annual shutdown when usung air to push water out of the system.

Contractors, landscaping professionals, architects and specifiers from federal, state and local authorities visiting the Rain Bird stand will have the opportunity to find out more about Rain Bird’s development of innovative irrigation technology designed to help all sectors of the landscaping industry to achieve its own water efficiency goals.

Rain Bird Enquiry 14

LTP to launch new ECOPROTEC Exterior range at show

Surface care specialist, LTP will be officially launching its new ECOPROTEC range for exterior use at the Landscape Show, at the NEC Birmingham on 28 and 29 September.

Exhibiting at Stand No. D81 –alongside exhibition partner, Barrettine – LTP will showcase its best-selling treatments, with new vibrant, image-led packaging designed to assist in specification.

The new updated website - at www.ecoprotec.co.uk - will also be launched, presenting technical resources and exterior solutions as a new and separate category from ECOPROTEC interior treatments.

With over 30 years’ experience in the tile and stone market, LTP’s ECOPROTEC brand has become established within the contract sector since its launch in 2016.

Treatments are predominately eco-friendly, low odour and low VOC and the entire range benefits from the most advanced research in waterbased technology.

The exterior range includes sealing & protection, cleaning & restoration and aftercare treatments designed for all types of polished and unpolished natural and artificial stone, porcelain, ceramic, concrete, masonry and terrazzo.

All treatments are made in the UK and offered alongside expert advice from LTP’s technical team.

Exhibiting partner, Barrettine will be showcasing its regular 5* Star rated, premier exterior wood care treatments that nourish & protect.

Renovating deteriorated, grey external wooden structures is also a must and Barrettine has the perfect products and solutions to bring them back to life.

Barrettine will also be launching the new Armourflex Ultimate UV Protection Oil - a premium blend of natural oils and protective

resins, containing innovative UV stabilising technologywhich is suitable for external cladding, furniture and joinery.

Armourflex Ultimate UV Protection Oil imparts a rich enhancement to the wood colour and character and protects against the UV damage that causes wood to grey, whilst repelling water and deterring the surface growth of mould and algae.

The oil-based formulation is perfect for both softwood and hardwood, giving a microporous finish that prevents peeling, flaking and blistering.

LTP Enquiry 15

Green-tech announces the addition of 100% biodegradable NexGen Tree Shelters to its range

The leading supplier of tree and shrub shelters Green-tech has today announced the addition of NexGen Tree Shelters to their extensive tree planting range.

Heralded as the natural alternative to plastic, NexGen tree shelters, shrub shelters, spiral guards and vole guards are 100% biodegradable, made from British wood, ethically sourced cashew nutshell liquid and castor oil, and an innovation custom polymer.

NexGen was founded by Gary Hurlstone. Gary follows in the footsteps of his father, Graham, who, invented the marketleading Tubex Tree Shelter in the mid-1980s. 35 years on and now aware of the harm that plastics can cause, Gary took his father’s design and began four years of painstaking research to produce

an updated version that would perform just as well, be costeffective, and, most important of all, be environmentally friendly. Gary is the proud next generation of his family to invent a highperformance tree shelter called NexGen.

Protecting in the region of 10+ million trees each and every year Green-tech will be a key distributor of the NexGen range.

Richard Gill, Sales Director for Green-tech comments, “At Green-tech we are continuously searching for products and solutions that complement our 28-year history of product research and development. Many of our customers require environmentally-friendly tree planting options and we are delighted to become an official NexGen distributor and add their

shelters to our range, giving our customers more viable choices. The research and technology that has gone into this product is impressive, as is the results. I am anticipating great take-up.”

The biodegradable NexGen shelters are lightweight and rigid to withstand handling and weather. They are designed to change colour over time to blend into the natural environment with no loss of performance and will start to break down after 5 years* to feed the soil and support the ecosystem.

Perfect for the environmentally conscious project, in addition to being 100% biodegradable, NexGen shelters are ecotoxicity and pH neutral. Independent testing has demonstrated that they perform as well as plastic and proven to last five years.

After which time they create a nourishing micro-environment and do not need to be collected. The NexGen shelters will help users meet their own carbon and sustainability targets.

Gary Hurlstone, Founder and MD of NexGen adds, “We want to help mitigate climate change, support the demand to plant trees and reduce the environmental impact of plastic in our countryside. We spent four years working with industry experts to develop the NexGen range of protective shelters and I am delighted that Green-tech is on board as a distributor. Greentech has a wide reach within the industry and were keen to add to their environmentally-friendly and plastic-free options, so NexGen is a great fit for them.”

Green-tech provides new irrigation bags for roof terraces

The building at 127 Kensington High Street was formerly the site of the original, highly regarded Pontings department store. The store was demolished in the 1970s and replaced with two separate office blocks.

To provide much improved mixed-use space, these structures were part removed leaving 30% remaining, and added to with extended areas and an additional two floors, as well as three levels of outdoor terracing.

The £53m project will provide primarily commercial space, with retail space on the ground floor and basement, as well as a new arcade entrance to Kensington High Street Underground station. It has an environmental BREEAM rating target of excellent.

Green-tech were contacted by Elite Landscapes Ltd, with whom they have a long working relationship going back over 15 years, to quote for the tree planting in soft beds on the terraces, including anchoring systems, underground root ball irrigation, and for the larger trees, slow-release tree Irrigator bags.

Green-tech launched the tree Irrigator bag in 2020 in response to requests for a surface fed but slow-release irrigation system. When using direct irrigation,

either from above or using perforated rings around the rootball, there is always the risk of significant water wastage, whereby a lot of the water soaks straight down to the subsoil when delivered in one go, bypassing the root system that needs it.

Made from green PVC mesh cloth, with a permeable membrane in the base, the Tree irrigator bag can hold up to 60 litres in a single bag (95 when doubled up), which it slowly releases over a period of 5-9 hours depending on the conditions. It is very easy to fit post-planting, and simply wraps around the tree trunk and is zipped up, then filled via a filler opening at the neck.

On open terraces where the beds are exposed to the effects of high winds, the Tree Irrigator bags also help by keeping the soil surface around the rootball covered, which prevents drying out.

Green-tech Enquiry 18

Unleash the possibilities with MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME

MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX), manufactured by MEDITE SMARTPLY, is a remarkable engineered wood panel with outstanding durability and dimensional stability.

It is guaranteed up to 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground and is especially beneficial in environments where humidity and varying weather are usually concerns – a huge benefit for landscapers.

MTX panels retain all the design, fixing, and machining flexibility of regular MDF panels, but can be used in places where regular MDF cannot. It is also resistant to rot and fungal decay, which makes it ideal for a wide range of external applications, be it fencing or garden furniture.

This ground-breaking panel allows for greater design flexibility, limitless creativity and can be used in applications once limited to products such as concrete, plastics or metals.

As part of the Coillte Group, MEDITE SMARTPLY has continuously developed innovative, versatile and sustainable products, which are suitable for bespoke creations –inside and outside.

MTX is FSC ® certified and CARB2 compliant just like the rest of MEDITE MDF range, giving landscapers great peace of mind when it comes making sustainable choices.

MEDITE SMARTPLY Enquiry 19

GftK is the state-ofthe-art in all types of paving jointing

Paving jointing, also known as the pointing or grouting, is the primary cause for most of the problems with paved surfaces, especially for natural stone paving with slabs, known as larger format paving, and setts, known as smaller format paving.

This is true in all different types of paved hard landscaping, from domestic patios to market squares and highway pavements, and including the problems of initial staining and difficulty in cleaning, followed by cracking, and allowing water ingress, to the pointing breaking-down and coming up under cleaning, such as by jet-washing domestic patios and driveways, to mechanical street cleaning machines used in public areas.

Restrictions and limitations in application for widely used ‘brush-in pointing compounds’ and cement based paving jointing materials, is also the reason for countless delays ‘waiting for the right weather’, which means their requirement for application in dry weather conditions and no rain in the forecast for pointing to go ahead.

This is what often causes delays in the completion and opening or putting back into service of many domestic, commercial, and local authority projects - as well as delays in getting paid for the contractors.

These pointing installation limitations are not only

an issue for the contactor and completion, but noncompliances are frequently responsible for a serious reduction in performance and a lack of durability in service.

There is now an abundance of premature pointing breakdown, followed by the paved surfaces failing, increasingly and visibly evident all over the country. This includes domestically at home in our patios and driveways, at retail developments, and in our town centres, on highway pavements, market squares and other public paved areas.

Typical signs of these failures are firstly cracking and then breakdown and break-up of the pointing, followed by full surface breakdown that soon follows. Fortunately, all these issues and potential issues can now be solved using the right GftK vdw paving joint mortar from NCC Streetscape, the exclusive UK Distributers of GftK jointing systems, who are the global pointing technology leaders.

The GftK range includes paving jointing products that are specifically designed for different types of paving, joint sizes and types of paved areas, as there is no universal panacea in paving jointing – though perhaps GftK’s vdw 850+ is the closest to being one!

NCC Streetscape Enquiry

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ISEKI is brilliant in Bradwell

A volunteer who is passionate about helping his local sports club has revealed how an ISEKI compact tractor is significantly improving the standard of pitches.

The picturesque village of Bradwell in Milton Keynes boasts successful football and cricket teams and both sports are played at the Bradwell Sports & Social Club. Until recently, the Bradwell teams had no control over the condition of the pitches as David Keene – Old Bradwell United FC’s Manager, Groundsman AND Chairman explains: “We were at the mercy of the parish council who carried out the groundwork on the football and cricket pitches, and they did it at their convenience,

but it wasn’t always convenient for us.

“It got to the point where our pitch was deemed poor by the Football Association and as a result, we secured some funding through a Football Foundation grant. This finally enabled us to purchase our own machinery so that we could maintain the pitches ourselves.

“Our local dealer, RT Machinery, recommended some tractors and specifically the ISEKI TM3267. We found that during the demonstration, the ISEKI tractor was the best within our budget.”

The ISEKI TM3267 compact tractor is a versatile 25hp diesel

compact tractor with a F8/R8 mechanical transmission.

The ISO-mounted operator’s platform combined with ergonomically positioned controls ensures operator comfort during extended working periods. The 3-point linkage has a lift capacity of 600kg or 800kg when fitted with the high-capacity lift kit.

It also features, as standard, a rear-PTO, two double acting valves, mid-PTO, two doubleacting auxiliary valves, weight frame and a choice of AG or Turf tyres. The TM3267 is available with an optional front loader.

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Deere keeps Yorkshire Sculpture Park in great shape

Multi

READER ENQUIRY 24

“Exhibitions and events run yearround,” notes Mark Chesman, Head of Estates and Projects. “Visitors expect everything to look clean, tidy and wellmaintained.”

Handling the scale of the park’s upkeep depends on minimal machinery downtime, made possible through a full, flexible service agreement with John Deere dealer Balmers GM.

The fleet of five diesel Gator TH 6x4s transports equipment, tools, material, and green waste around the park. “The tipping facility

is particularly useful, while its six tyres ensure lower ground impact,” Mark says.

“The Gator TE delivers zero emissions, has less vibration and is cheaper to run, with just a battery and motor. It’s charged up overnight and we get a full day’s work on that.”

Covering the 30 hectares of grassed open space around the hall is the JD 1600 turbo mower, supported by a 1580 ride-on collector mower – “a fantastic machine that ensures the Park is tip-top for exhibitions”. Meanwhile, John Deere’s 997 zero-turn ride-on handles the critical cutting in confined spaces.

award-winning Yorkshire Sculpture Park, with its iconic structures, attracts half a million visitors annually to its 500-acre estate near Wakefield.

ISEKI Enquiry

John Deere Enquiry 26

Vision fulfilled at Hampshire estate

Andrew Day, the Estate Manager at a large property in Hampshire, says his vision for the aesthetic appearance of the estate has been fulfilled with significant help from his two Ventrac all-terrain compact tractors and a comprehensive selection of attachments.

Andrew has been Estate Manager since 2011 and his vision for the estate has resulted in a level of presentation, high in quality and detail, across the entire property.

The estate is a large and varied property, set in the rolling hills of the Test valley, with challenging farming ground, renowned fishing on the UK’s pre-eminent chalk stream and some stunning vistas throughout.

“Our local agriculture and groundscare dealer is TH White, with whom we have an excellent working relationship. I wanted to enhance the overall appearance of the estate and they suggested the Ventrac. To be honest it didn’t initially catch my eye, until I gave it a moment and then decided to have a demonstration.

“The business owner of UK distributor Price Turfcare, Rupert Price, and his colleague Tony Doe turned up with a selection of attachments and put them through their paces in several different areas across the estate. It proved to be a very successful demo; their ability to fully demonstrate every aspect of each attachment resulted in the purchase of two Ventrac tractor units, four Contour mowing decks, a Tough Cut deck, an Edger,

Upson Mowers appointed to distribute Foxwood in the UK

Foxwood, European producer of professional compact chippers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Upson Mowers Ltd as the exclusive distributor for Foxwood sales in the UK.

Upson Mowers have over 50 years experience with machinery and as engineers ourselves we can appreciate the excellent standards that Foxwood work to. High performance, reasonably priced, ultra-reliable machines –that’s exactly what we want for our customers.

Sales figures have surprised us, the market was obviously ready for these machines and feedback has been very positive.

We have employed extra staff to cope with demand. These machines are quite remarkable when you put them to work, the first thing people notice is the time saving aspect. Green waste disposal can cripple small business owners, but when the large bulky branches are reduced to attractive woodchips the client often asks if they can be left on site for paths and borders.

Easy maintenance and sensible purchase costs put Foxwood in the right price band for all professional landscapers and tree workers.

a Turbine blower, a Power bucket and an Aera-Vator. With this level of investment, we have the versatility and flexibility to tackle a host of estate management tasks.

“One machine, together with a specialist attachment, can be used for taking down scrub in our nursery plantations, maintaining our field boundaries, keeping the riverbank pathways accessible, edging the roadways, blowing leaves and debris and striping up the numerous formal lawned areas. Some are kind enough to comment on the fantastic condition of the estate and our Ventracs play a very important role in this; they have helped me to fulfil the vision I had in mind. They are simply brilliant machines.”

Price Turfcare Enquiry 27

Upson Mowers Enquiry 28

Award-winning gardens get a Major boost

Newby Hall and Gardens is setting the highest standards of presentation. Located near Ripon in Yorkshire, the stunning home and gardens won the coveted “Historic Houses Garden of the Year” award twice.

“We have over 300 acres of parkland with an inner area of formal gardens covering some 25 acres,” begins Nigel Allison, Grounds Manager, Newby Hall & Gardens.

“Our cylinder mower was getting expensive to maintain, so we acquired a new Major MJ71-400T Trailed Swift Roller Mower.

“The finish we are getting from the Major Swift is superior to anything else we have used. And, we are covering the

grassland areas in half the time it took with the previous mower.”

The wings on the MJ71-400T fold to give a 2.4m transport width. “The undulating ground here was always a challenge with our cylinder mowers which often scalped the turf,” continues Nigel.

“The Major Swift handles even the roughest of ground without scalping, because the front and rear rollers means it follows the contours perfectly.

“Our decision to buy the Major Swift was based purely on build quality and mowing finish, and our experience has shown that we definitely made the right choice.”

Major Equipment Enquiry 30

Pellenc has the advantage at Hutchesons’

Iain Ellis, Head Groundsman at Hutchesons’ Grammar School, has highlighted the many benefits of using a range of Pellenc battery-powered equipment.

Hutchesons’ Grammar School is a co-educational, independent school in the south-side of Glasgow.

Founded in 1641, the school has a long-held record of academic achievement and offers pupils a wide choice of extra-curricular activities at its primary and secondary schools.

Many of these activities and clubs are focussed on sustainability – a topic which the school cares deeply about.

Approximately six months ago, Ian got the go ahead from the school to purchase a range of innovative Pellenc batterypowered equipment.

Organised and supplied by Allan Wright of Agrovista Amenity, Ian purchased an Airion blower, an Excelion strimmer, a Helion compact hedge-cutter as well as the Helion telescopic model, and the Rasion pedestrian mower.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users like Ian are turning to Pellenc.

It is an attractive alternative to those who have, for several years, been relying on fuelbased machinery.

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

Etesia UK Enquiry 31

EVO 205D SAFETrak delivers both quality and quantity

The Babraham Research Campus, one of the UK’s leading locations for academic and commercial bioscience, have taken delivery of an EVO 205D SAFE-Trak to keep pace with the site’s demand for wood chip and weed suppressant.

The 100-acre campus sits within an additional 360 acres of estate land, maintained by Estates and Waste Manager Matt Antrobus and two ground teams – all of whom have been mightily impressed with the power, performance and build quality of their new woodchipper from GreenMech’s EVO series.

The backbone of the EVO 205D’s design is a deep beam, high tensile steel chassis, with a generous infeed hopper measuring 1250mm x 700mm allowing the easy processing of bulky material. Maximum chipping efficiency is powered by a Kubota Stage V-Complaint 50hp diesel engine, while GreenMech’s SAFE-Trak system delivers ground clearance of up to 400mm, enabling access across uneven terrain and in difficult ground conditions.

“The EVO was installed in July by our local dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen and Julian Cullis of GreenMech, who delivered some outstanding training to the team that was on a par with – if not better than, some of the official woodchipper courses available.

“Although we’ve only had it a few weeks, the operators love it. The first major thing they commented on was the ease of manoeuvrability and access, meaning we can position the 205D exactly where we are working which saves a lot of time. Secondly, the feed rate is drastically quicker with this machine… the teams just can’t keep up with it.

“This EVO 205D will be fundamental to our new willow replanting and rotation programme which will help give us the quantity of wood and chip we need to continue our sustainable site management programme.”

GreenMech Enquiry 32

Nigel Allison, Grounds Manager, Newby Hall & Gardens, Yorkshire.

• Models from 1.9m to 7.3m in a variety of configurations

• Delivers professional, versatile cutting from 10-150mm

• Fully galvanised for extended machine life

• High blade-tip speeds finely cuts and evenly disperses clippings

The GMA’s CEO, Geoff Webb joined England Manager, Gareth Southgate and stars from cricket, rugby union and rugby league to mark a game-changing multisport, multi-million-pound investment announcement.

As part of a £92 million, threeyear multi-sport investment commitment, the Football Foundation has extended use of their FREE revolutionary pitch inspection app, PitchPower, to cricket, rugby union and rugby league clubs.

Through PitchPower, community clubs and organisations are able to carry out their own grass pitch inspections and receive bespoke advice and recommendations from experts at the Grounds Management Association to improve the quality of their grass pitches.

PitchPower has already been a game-changer in transforming the country’s grass football pitches. In its trial alone, PitchPower helped to inspect almost 5,000 football pitches, leading to £8.6m of Football Foundation investment.

The app is now available to rugby league and is set to go live for rugby union at the season opener on 17/18th September,

whilst cricket will follow at the next season.

Beyond inspections, from Spring 2023, a new £15m funding pot will also be made available via the Football Foundation over the next three years enabling cricket, rugby league and rugby union clubs to apply for a grant funded by the Sport England National Lottery fund.

Football Foundation says, “Grass pitches are essential to grassroots sport. Better grass pitches will mean fewer matches will be postponed and more people can play more rugby, cricket, and football. The PitchPower app will help revolutionise the quality of grass pitches across England. We know that more opportunities to

play improves not only physical health but also mental wellbeing, the places we live and the local economy too.”

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb says, “The Ground Management Association is proud to have been a key delivery partner in the pilot for the PitchPower app and continues to work closely with the Football Foundation as we extend the service to a wider sporting community enabling cricket and rugby to also start reaping the benefits.

“If there’s no ground, there’s no game. As simple as that, so we welcome this additional investment to support grounds management.”

GMA Enquiry 35

Dennis PRO 34R’s are supreme at BT Murrayfield

A trio of Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers have impressed Jim Dawson, Scottish Rugby’s Head Groundsman at BT Murrayfield, with him labelling them “supreme machines”.

Having been a greenkeeper and a groundsman, the well-respected Jim Dawson has worked in the turf industry throughout his whole career picking up several prestigious awards and accolades along the way.

After leaving his last position at Falkirk FC he has nurtured the pitch at Scotland’s largest stadium for just over a decade. Throughout his career, Jim has always been familiar with the Dennis brand.

“When I first think of Dennis I think of very sound and robust

machines,” he said. “They are very trustworthy, reliable and the construction of them is first class whether it be one of their cylinder or rotary mowers.”

Jim has been a long-term admirer of the Dennis G860 cylinder mower claiming it was a ‘gamechanger’ when it was first launched. Therefore, he welcomed the news of Dennis manufacturing a 34-inch rotary mower.

“Dennis made sure they got the right machine in terms of quality, usability and for the overall customer experience. It was key for them, and it absolutely worked.

“We got a demo of the mower and we thought it was out of this world. I put it to the board to request three PRO 34R’s and they supported my decision.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34inch (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface.

It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful

vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently. Many operators of the PRO 34R have praised the size and speed of the machines, claiming that they save a huge amount of time and resources. Jim and his team at BT Murrayfield are no exception.

Dennis Enquiry 37

Headland Greens Programme praised for transformation

After previously suffering with the side effects of excessive thatch content, the Course Manager at Gillingham Golf Club has praised a programme from Headland Amenity for its role in transforming the health and presentation of the greens.

Together with a comprehensive cultural regime, the improvement in course condition has seen a reduction in disease activity and reduced reliance on fungicides, and saw Gillingham proudly play host to a Kent Golf Captains event for the very first time.

John Hunnisett joined as Course Manager just over a year ago, where he was faced with a course that lacked any definition – with multiple areas including bunker surrounds and tee banks left completely unmaintained.

Soil analysis taken by Andy Ward, Headland Technical Manager, highlighted high levels of organic matter in the top 20mm which, combined with an increase in aeration, scarification and topdressing, has been improved with a new nutritional regime.

“Our summer programme consists of Protec Plus, TeMag Elite, Turfite Elite and Ascoflex Plus. This combination of products delivers a long-lasting, balanced supply of nitrogen together with maximising health and recovery following periods of heat and/or stress.

We have received lots of positive comments from the members about the

presentation, with many saying that the greens have never looked better.”

“In the autumn and winter we switch to Headland’s 20-2030 tank-mix which is probably my favourite discovery and has made the biggest difference to the greens.

“The combination of reducing organic matter and enhancing plant health with monthly applications of 20-20-30 between September and March drastically reduced the amount of disease we registered – and what we did get was easily recoverable and didn’t lead to scarring.”

Headland’s industry-leading 20-20-30 tank-mix combines Liquid Turf Hardener, Turfite Elite and Seamac ProTurf Fe, proven to deliver enhanced plant strength and disease resistance when applied as part of a preventative approach.

Headland Amenity Enquiry 38

VALE ATV weed spraying system can save time, staff resources and

VALE Engineering is the UK’s leading supplier of weed control and winter maintenance equipment for the municipal and amenity sectors.

The company supplies highspecification Yamaha ATV quad bikes fitted with weed spraying equipment that can save time, staff resources and money - according to Paul Eccles of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

The PKL Spraying System is generally considered to be

one of the most robust and reliable in the marketplace, being one of the only spraying systems suitable for kerb-edge spraying, hard surfaces and mowing margins.

Paul Eccles, Operations Supervisor at Tameside, comments: “VALE has saved us time, staff resources and, most of all, money.

“Their PKL system has allowed us to utilise our time and resources much more efficiently, keeping on top of

the weed growth as well as all our other commitments. I would definitely recommend the VALE equipment and training to others.

“For the cost, I genuinely can’t see a better way as these ATVs mean my team can get around easily and spray every street within the Borough. I would recommend the VALE PKL system to any authority with weed control responsibility.”

VALE

Enquiry 41

Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in their comfort zone

Head groundsman Jason O’Keele and his six-strong Epsom College team are all dab hands with knapsack sprayers.

“Everyone has their PA6 certificate so they can use them whenever we need to weed and feed,” says Jason.

The team manage an 85acre estate, 12 hectares devoted to sport, including five cricket squares, 12 turf pitches, two synthetics and plenty of planted-up borders lining college staff and pupil accommodation at the 1,200-head co-educational independent school, so there’s plenty of opportunity for them to hone their spray skills.

Part of Commercial Groundscare Services’ team of professionals who tend school sports facilities throughout Surrey, the Epsom College contingent are based permanently on site.

“I like to give team members different jobs to tackle as that creates more interest for them, rather than doing the same thing all the time,” explains Jason, whose allegiance to Hozelock Exel knapsack brands dates back some years.

“Our Cooper Pegler professional sprayer has always run without any trouble but I wanted a couple more knapsacks so that we could speed up the effi ciency of our spraying programme,” he says.

“I trialled the 16l capacity Pro Comfort 2000 sprayer in the

Berthoud Vermorel range, liked it, and have just bought another one. What impressed me were the chest and back strap supports. Ergonomically designed, they make spraying comfortable, and that’s important if you are out there for a day non stop.

“Also helpful is the zip bag of spare nozzles and accessories and the extendable lance, which lets us reach into corners and the back of borders.”

Jason keeps the weed and feed programmes separate, using each Vermorel knapsack for discrete duties.

“In spring and summer we’re out every fortnight for a couple of days, applying liquid iron across the ornamental lawns with one of the knapsacks while using a mix of systemic herbicide and liquid nitrogen with the other.

Winter sees the team applying moss and algae treatment liquid monthly to the two synthetic

pitches. Each of the three premium grade knapsacks –Vermorel 1800, Pro Comfort 2000 and top-range 3000 Electric – come with ergonomically contoured, sturdy backframe as standard.

Safety harnesses provide rising levels of support progressing through the line – from padded shoulder straps on the ‘1800’, to padded shoulder, waist and chest strapping on the ‘2000’ and fully specified ‘3000’.

All Vermorel knapsacks are easy to use and dismantle for servicing and repair.

They are also suitable for applying sanitisers and disinfectants and are available with a host of spares and accessories such as spray shields, seal and nozzle kits and multinozzle spray booms to give operators even greater flexibility.

42

HYDRO TRACTION DRIVE

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.

Cooper Pegler Enquiry

GPS sprayer leads step change in philosophy as new fleet beds in

A major overhaul of equipment and the adoption of cuttingedge technology is driving a new, long-term strategy at The Leicestershire Golf Club (TLGC).

Led by Course Manager, Steve Hardy, and backed up by the club’s management committee, the grounds team is now able to perform their roles to a higher level while also making significant efficiency gains.

Steve proposed sweeping changes. Within weeks he had organised demonstrations with major brands of the mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles he felt the club needed.

Working with Jacob Shellis from John Deere dealer Farol, Steve ordered four 2750

Precision Cut greens mowers, two 7500A fairway mowers, a 9009 Terrain Cut for roughs and surrounds, and a HPX Gator for picking up on the driving range and general course transport.

But the stand-out purchase for Steve is the HD200 GPS precision sprayer which has revolutionised the way the team applies herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers.

The 757-litre capacity PrecisionSprayer is based on Deere’s ProGator heavy-duty

utility vehicle chassis and is packed full of technology such as AutoTrac, which guides the machine for the operator, and automatic section control to turn on and shut off individual nozzles.

This means spraying greens becomes far more accurate as there is no overlap or nontarget areas sprayed with expensive chemicals.

Steve estimates that he is now spraying at least 30% less chemical, purely due to the accuracy of the machine – his chemical budget for disease control has already been reduced to reflect the change.

Smithco Spray Star for Hunstanton Golf Club

Located on the north Norfolk coast, Hunstanton Golf Club, with its superb championship links course, has recently purchased a Spray Star 2000 self-propelled sprayer from local dealer, Ernest Doe and Sons.

Commenting on the new machine, head greenkeeper Peter Read said, “This sprayer is a big leap forward and is really simple to operate. The guidance system is superb and you only spray the areas you want to.

“I’m saving around £600 every time I apply a wetting agent and that’s twice a month on greens and three times on fairways during the summer. I’ll probably save a further £2,000 on fungicide applications during the year.”

Smithco Enquiry

Alongside accuracy and convenience, Steve says he appreciates the time saving.

All the new machines are fitted with Modular Telematics Gateways (MTG) receivers, allowing Steve to track the status and performance of each model. The fully connected fleet is also remotely monitored by Farol so, when scheduled maintenance is required, TLGC is contacted without needing to act.

The information is fed to the John Deere Operations Center and so far, shows a great step forward in efficiency.

John Deere Enquiry 45

Weed removal without chemicals

Bema’s latest sweeper - the Groby Light – which allows easy and effective weed removal without using chemicals, is proving extremely popular with local authorities, municipalities and their contractors.

The Groby Light can be fitted to a range of small carrier vehicles and offers a broad choice of brushes, from steel fl at wire to PPN. The machine also features plastic-coated, steel fl at wire tufts to remove weeds from gutters, joints and other hardto-reach places.

46

“There is growing pressure to remove weeds from the public realm without using chemicals, as they can pose of health risk to people, flora and fauna,” says Philip Bryant of Bema Sweepers UK.

Foamstream helping to drive the rise in councils going chemical-free

As tighter controls come into force on the use of Glyphosatebased products around Europe, it is perhaps unsurprising that a recent study has found increasing numbers of councils in the UK have voluntarily turned to chemical-free weed control solutions.

One of the driving factors for this could be the improvement in the effectiveness of non-herbicidal methods available, with Foamstream from Weedingtech proven to deliver vegetation control comparable to that of Glyphosate in independent trials.

Effective from 1st July, rules regarding the application of Glyphosate have been extended in France – banning its use not just in municipality settings, but now in all public and private areas including residential properties.

However, despite its known toxicity and negative impact on

both the operator and environment, its use is still permitted in all situations in the UK.

The good news is that recent reports published in The Guardian demonstrate that the number of councils, from parish to county level, turning to natural alternatives is on the rise – with an estimated 80 councils around the UK now proudly chemical-free.

“This rise is brilliant news and indicates the increasing concern that councils and the wider public now have about Glyphosate” comments Thomas Hamilton, CoFounder of Weedingtech. “But for this positive growth to continue, Councils needs to be assured that the non-chemical alternatives available are effective and viable – from both a commercial and financial perspective.”

Since its launch in 2011, Foamstream has proved a

Nomix Enviro helps meet the challenge of climate change

successful solution to users from all corners of grounds and green space management.

The active ingredient is hot water, insulated by a biodegradable, organic foam derived from natural plant oils and sugars which keeps the water in the ‘kill zone’ of 57oC and above for longer. As well as killing the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, preventing future weed growth and resulting in half the number of treatment cycles required when compared to other non-chemical options.

In four separate trials conducted by the University of Athens, the overall efficacy of hot foam used to treat a wide range of broadleaf weeds - including species that can be difficult to control by conventional methods - was found to be comparable to that of glyphosate. It was concluded that Foamstream

provided an environmentally friendly and effective alternative, outperforming other nonchemical methods which only provided a moderate level of weed control.

One of the many councils now using Foamstream is Glastonbury Town Council, having previously used traditional herbicides to treat spaces in the town centre, residential areas and school perimeters. “A lot of our residents, myself included, are concerned at the use of chemical herbicides around the places where our children play” explains Councillor Emma George.

“One of the greatest things about Foamstream is its complete nontoxicity, backed up by its Soil Association stamp of approval, and its viability on all types of weeds and all types of surfaces.”

Weedingtech Enquiry 50

After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, many parts of the UK are facing severe drought. In planning their weed control programmes, amenity users are looking to reduce their use of water and adapt to the increasing challenge of climate change.

Conventional herbicide application, along with some nonherbicide treatments, rely on using large volumes of fresh water to treat weed growth. This can result in thousands of litres being sprayed on streets and other amenity areas, completely avoidably.

At a time when the use of water for domestic needs is being restricted, these practices are rightly being called into question.

Nomix’s Total Droplet Control system requires NO water at the point of application. All products are ready-to-use (no mixing needed) and applied at extremely low volumes. This protects a precious and diminishing natural resource and helps users deal with the impact of our changing climate. Additionally, some weed control

methods can consume significant amounts of fossil fuel during application. This can be from vehicles, burners, or generators, with some non-herbicide methods being particularly resource intensive. This results in unnecessary pollutants being released into the atmosphere, posing a risk to urban air quality, which has been proven as a major contributor to respiratory diseases and other illnesses.

Nomix Total Droplet Control helps users reduce their emissions, and thereby lessening the impact on the environment. Nomix’s hand-held applicators eliminate emissions at the point of application, being entirely powered by clean battery technology. No vehicles or machinery are required.

Nomix can help you meet the challenge of climate change, reduce your glyphosate usage, and reduce the number of applications needed by using our market-leading residual herbicide, Nomix Dual –the only extended-action product approved for use on UK streets.

Nomix Enquiry 51

Introducing the new and improved WeedMaster S

Multevo are the sole UK distributor of Waterkracht’s range of hot water weed control solutions.

Waterkracht’s Boiling Hot Water Technique delivers hot water at low pressure consistently at 98 C to kill the cellular structure of the weed. Their range of equipment requires absolutely no additives to kill weeds, eliminating the associated risks and additional costs.

The WeedMaster S is the most compact, manoeuvrable, and lightweight model in the range.

The system is powered electrically and features and integrated trolley for ease

of transportation. Users can achieve up to 1700m 2 daily weed killing coverage, with most common weeds completely eradicated in 3-4 treatments.

The new version allows for the equipment to be effectively used for high-pressure cleaning, adjustable up to 60 bar.

This greatly adds value to your operations, through the ability to cleanse street furniture and signs as well as remove gum and graffiti.

The upgraded model is fast becoming the chosen model for industries such as leisure, education, private estates, and national trusts.

Hard landscaping weed control from Becx

Fentons of Bourne Ltd is the sole UK distributor for Becx Machines, the Netherlandsbased manufacturer of high-end mechanical weed control and hedge cutting equipment for tool carriers and excavators.

Becx weed control implements feature weeding heads with diameters of 50 cm or 90 cm and are available with edging blades to complete two jobs in a single pass. They are compatible with almost all tool carriers, tractors

or loaders providing a costeffective solution for weeding applications

Fentons of Bourne are the UK distributor of Becx machine and director, Glen Bellamy says, “The quality of the Becx equipment is exceptional and the growth in their business in just over a decade is testament to the machinery they produce.”

Fentons of Bourne Ltd Enquiry 54

Multevo Enquiry 53

deepest surface

SISIS is marvellous for Merthyr Town 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.

The club has had its ups and downs over the years, but the installation of a synthetic pitch has helped turn fortunes around, as Merthyr man Julian Axhorn explains.

“Part of the improvement plan was to have a new synthetic pitch,” he said. “Previously, in winter the grass would disappear, and we couldn’t use the pitch. Now we can use it all year round and it also creates a vital revenue stream. We wanted to make it a community asset, and now everyone uses it – they

love it, and I love it. I call it the Wembley of South Wales.”

Julian 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.

Julian explained how the two SISIS machines play a part in his maintenance programme. “After every twenty hours of use we carry out one hour of maintenance, and this pitch is always in use,” he said. “Typically, we try and stick to a cycle, so one week we will do the brushing; the following week we will use the oscillating brushes, and then the next week we will do the sweeping with the SSS1000.”

SISIS Enquiry 58

The benefits of regular brushing on synthetic surfaces are well documented – keeping fibres upright and retaining the durability, safety and longevity of your artificial pitch.

For surface managers, this could be further enhanced with a pass by the GKB Aerator.

Considered by a leading carpet manufacturer to be even more effective at decompacting sand and rubber infill, the Aerators ability to tackle compaction regenerates a surfaces’ technical, play and drainage characteristics.

Compacted pitches processed with a brush could be considered a ‘quick fix’, with often just the top few millimetres of

infill being agitated. The GKB Aerator by comparison is equipped with twin spiked rollers which penetrate down to the bottom of the fibres.

Linked together with a chain drive, the spiked rollers generate a slight ‘heave’ effect, similar to that achieved with tines on natural playing surfaces, to open up the surface, return infill to the upper layers of the system and lever debris up to the surface for convenient collection.

The Aerator is available in three working widths up to 2m, with an option of either four, six or eight spiked rollers offering decompaction down to depths of 35mm.

For heavily compacted surfaces, there is also the option of adding additional weight to the unit to maximise the penetration of the carbide teeth. The hinged design of the unit also ensures optimum manoeuvrability, making it user friendly and efficient during turns.

In addition to improving the playing ability and meeting those required industry-approved standards, drainage will also be improved, which can help to reduce instances of algae and moss growth.

The GKB Aerator is most effective when combined with regular brushing and deeper surface cleans.

GKB Machines Enquiry 57

For the fast removal and collection of leaves and other debris, the Speed-Clean from Redexim is a land-driven surface sweeper which efficiently lifts and separates infill and contaminants in a single pass.

It is important that surface cleaning takes place as soon as any material is present on the top of the carpet. If left, allowing the debris to be broken down and trodden into the carpet, bigger problems with

drainage and compromised play performance and safety are likely to follow. The paddle brush system of the Speed-Clean effectively lifts the infill from the surface, where detritus is separated via an oscillating sieve and collected in bins on the rear of the unit. The cleaned infill is then returned to the surface, restoring a carpets permeability and playability.

Mega Twister blows in new era at Buchanan Castle GC Turfco Torrent 2 – Yearround precision clean-up

Buchanan Castle Golf Club, at Drymen, is within touching distance of Loch Lomond.

Twenty miles from both Glasgow and Stirling, the parkland course, designed by the legendary James Braid, lies in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands.

At the start of summer, Buchanan Castle’s well known head greenkeeper, Ronnie Myles, retired after 15 years, and his role has been taken up by two joint Head Greenkeepers, Chris Prior and James Macdonald.

“It’s turning circle comes in very handy. Getting in and around greens and bunkers is a whole lot easier. With our earlier blower you had to drive over greens to blow cuttings and debris out of play. This has extra power, incab hydraulic controls and easy rotation. You can park up in one spot yet still achieve more.

“Making fewer tractor movements ultimately is kinder to the turf and quicker. The Mega Twister has been here less than a fortnight but already we are saving lots of time on the fairways alone.”

leaves into sections and the Super 500 lifted them. That made a real difference. Come this autumn when the leaves start to fall, the Mega Twister and the Super 500 combined, will make the whole operation easier and faster still.”

Fairways GM’s Stuart Cameron, said: “The continuous airflow on the Mega Twister is powerful enough to shift leaves and debris effectively across wide areas, even while damp.

Turfco’s Torrent 2 is powerful all-purpose blower, available in tow-behind or tractormounted pto-driven formats and delivering unprecedented control over air speed, air direction, noise management and fuel consumption.

This is a precision clean-up tool that can used year-round to give golf courses or grounds a new level of polish and playability.

Talking to end users, power and airflow were important factors, but better control and precision would lead to greater productivity. As a result, the Torrent 2 features a faster, more precise nozzle rotation that’s operated by a wireless, handheld controller with productivityenhancing features.

Built on a heavy-duty frame with a rugged draw bar and adjustable hitch the Torrent 2 is designed for durability. The one-piece nozzle is made of impact resistant molded polyethylene. The enclosed deck dramatically reduces debris pickup from below the blower, decreasing wear on the turbine

and minimising overall dust and debris around the operator.

The wireless controller allows the operator to dial in the exact nozzle direction for optimal performance with fast, 360-degree nozzle rotation enhancing productivity and control.

Multiple air speed settings make it quick and easy to increase or decrease blowing force, while a dedicated button allows the operator to idle down when

people are near, and then quickly resume operation at the original setting once they clear the area.

The controller also features a shutdown switch that stops the engine at the press of a button.

An optional auxiliary control kit is available should the wireless controller be lost or damaged. The operator simply flips a switch from wireless to auxiliary and can then control the machine’s speed and direction.

Chris and James have been with the club for 3 years and 4 years, respectively. They share a commitment to present the best course they can for members and visitors all year round.

“Communication is key and, so far, we’re into a good system,” said Chris. “We discuss and agree priorities and projects well ahead. Every morning, first thing, we confirm that day’s tasks. We know what the other is working on,” continued James. “When things change, we keep in touch.”

One of their first decisions was the purchase of a Wiedenmann Mega Twister blower from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Inchinnan, Renfrew, when their existing blower started to fail. The Mega Twister offers a 390 m³/minute capacity and a 230° swivel action.

Buchanan Castle’s team of five normally cut grass across the whole course on Mondays and Thursdays during the season, using a blower to tidy loose clippings from the surface.

“This blower has everything we were looking for,” said James.

The Mega Twister is the second Wiedenmann machine in the club’s fleet.

“Last season, we purchased a Super 500 primarily for leaf collection,” continued Chris. “When you have as many leaves as we do, there comes a point where collecting them is the only way. Last year the old blower blew

“With the hydraulic ram option, the operator in the cab can adjust the nozzle height up and down as well as from side to side, letting you react to conditions. With all that swivel going on there’s no need to back up or stop.

“The goose neck nozzle which Chris and James chose, provides even more precision. The support wheels also protect the turf. It’s a topflight blower.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 62

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.

Turfco Enquiry 61

Ventrac for autumn clearing and sweeping operations

Leaf fall is earlier this year as trees shed their leaves due the extremely dry summer. That’s certainly not a problem for the Ventrac owner, as there’s a range of attachments that can help with the annual clear-up event.

The Ventrac KA160 Power Blower features a vertical shaft design that delivers powerful, yet quiet performance. The blower housing can be rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal axis allowing the operator to move debris in the desired direction without hindering operation.

Two guide wheels maintain a consistent distance from the surface to maximise operational efficiency. This blower can be used to remove leaves, light snow, water and other debris.

The Ventrac ET202 Turbine blower makes quick work of any clean up job and is designed to move large volumes of air and is much quieter than conventional

debris blowers. The powerful front discharge nozzle can be hydraulically rotated through 360 degrees from the operator’s seat and a front bumper protects the nozzle from damage.

Power and control allows clean-up work to be done simply, quietly, and efficiently. The Ventrac Mount System allows the blowers to mounted and detached quickly and then move on to the next job. The ET200 can be used to blow leaves, light snow, and remove debris from paths, car parks and other areas.

Demonstrating the versatility of Ventrac, it’s possible to swap out the blowers and in less than a couple of minutes attach the KJ520 Narrow Broom for sweeping operations.

It can be hydraulically angled left or right and lifted up or

down - all from the seat of the tractor. An optional electric actuator also allows the operator to adjust the speed and direction of the broom rotation, maximising its effectiveness.

The KJ520 Narrow Broom is designed for sweeping and removal of material such as snow, leaves, dirt, light gravel, and even thatch. It is designed to fi t narrow walkways 1.22 metres wide.

Price Turfcare Ltd, , is the UK & Ireland distributor of the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor and implements.

Price Turfcare Enquiry 64

Autumn preparation with SCH Supplies

After a hot and dry summer, the autumn months will be a relief for many that have struggled to keep their plants, trees and grass hydrated and alive.

However, autumn brings challenges, and there’s still plenty of work facing those who care for the outdoors.

Leaves will soon be thick underfoot, and a rake is often woefully inadequate even with hours of backbreaking labour.

Making life easier for those with the diffi cult task of caring for the land is the passion and expertise of SCH Supplies. As a British manufacturer of leaf collectors and sweepers, no one is better suited to help you with the task of leaf removal.

When it comes to efficiency and practicality, nothing compares to the Leaf Suction Unit (PSU), which is hungry to clear up large areas of fallen leaves.

The PSU features a powerful 9hp Honda engine, which is mounted next to the fan on a two-wheeled chassis. The fan is belt driven and not connected directly to the crankshaft, adding longevity to the engine’s lifespan.

The green waste passing through the fan is chopped up and propelled into the trailer, significantly increasing the storage density, allowing for fewer empties per day, and saving a great deal of time and cost in labour.

The favourite way of using the unit is to attach it to the rear of a leaf collecting trailer. SCH manufacture specially adapted

trailers with impressive storage, allowing leaves to be emptied somewhere more suitable. Alternatively, they can send you a trailer adaption kit, allowing you to modify your trailer; SCH can even collect your trailer and modify it for you.

By designing and manufacturing their equipment, SCH has excellent fl exibility when it comes to customers

requesting variations to their standard products.

Their vast array of suction units, sweepers, and trailers can be customised to suit the user’s requirements, allowing them to keep their land looking beautiful as efficiently as possible.

SCH Supplies Enquiry 65

Pellenc

Backpack Blower

Pellenc, the world’s leading expert in battery-powered tools for maintaining landscapes, has announced the latest product in its vast range – the Airion BackPack blower.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users are turning to Pellenc.

The ever-expanding Pellenc product portfolio consists of chainsaws, blowers, hedge cutters, pole saws, road sweepers, grass strimmers and mowers – offering a solution for every requirement.

The Airion Backpack blower is the most powerful batterypowered backpack blower on the market. With an airflow of 1,280m³/h and a thrust of 24N,

its performance is suitable for day-to-day road green space maintenance work in all seasons.

With its wide, thick shoulder straps and integrated adjustable belt, the Airion Backpack blower offers great comfort during prolonged working sessions. Its inclined pivot gives full freedom of movement with the nozzle, allowing manoeuvrability reminiscent of a hand-held blower. Its handle can also be adjusted to the user’s height with all controls are always within easy reach.

The large backlit display on the smart handle provides the user with real-time information including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes), option currently selected (boost and cruise control) and time worked on the current work site.

The Airion Backpack’s design optimises its aerodynamic efficiency by 15% compared to competing tools and its battery life has been extended up to three hours – depending on the battery used.

As with other tools in the Pellenc range, the Airion Backpack blower comes with IP54 water-proof rating and can be fitted with three different nozzles depending on usage –angled, angled-fl at or fl at.

Pellenc UK offers an industry leading four-year commercial warranty for all its batteries and a three-year warranty for all it tools.

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

Etesia Enquiry

They say that out of adversity, comes opportunity, and that’s exactly how the team at Mount Kelly are approaching a devastating fi re that destroyed their equipment store in November 2021.

With a need to replace the entire fleet of machinery, Grounds Manager Mat Stevens says that the purchase of the multifunctional S3 from Trilo has not only saved them buying multiple machines, but halved the workload on some of the sites most time-consuming tasks.

“I was actually on my way to SALTEX on the morning that the fire happened” explains Mat, who oversees the 140 acres that make up the college and prep school site alongside a team of nine.

“I was trying to make a mental note of everything we’d lost, which included a brush that we used to put on the back of a tractor for leaf and debris clearance. As soon as I arrived at SALTEX, the first stand I stopped on was Trilo and it quickly became evident that an S3 would be a great replacement.”

The ability to equip brush, scarifier and flail shafts makes the Trilo S3 a maintenance machine for all seasons. Featuring powerful vacuum suction and a 3m3 hopper capacity, Mat is quickly discovering the benefits the S3 can bring.

“We purchased the S3 along with the additional scarifier cassette, which was delivered by Vincent Tractors in June and since it arrived the team have been nothing but impressed.

“Its first outing was to clear hedge cuttings from a very hard to reach location, which was no problem whatsoever with the S3’s 6m wanderhose. It halved the time that job would have previously taken.”

Mat is also predicting similar labour-savings when it comes to autumn maintenance.

“The Trilo will absolutely transform leaf collection. In other years this would involve four or five people, blowing or brushing the leaves into piles and collecting them by hand.

“Now it will be two people maximum, collecting leaves and other debris in one pass. We’re also looking forward to scarifying our sports fields which hasn’t previously been feasible with the resources required but now, with the S3, we can really drive to improve the quality of our pitches.”

“It’s like five machines in one and has drastically reduced the amount of money we would have otherwise had to find to replace what we lost.”

Not only has Mat been over the moon with the machine, the service that came with the S3 has also been second to none.

He adds, “On the day the machine was delivered, Jeremy Vincent from Vanmac spent hours with the team and I going through set-up, and how everything works, even little things like how to clean it after use. The whole process has been faultless from start to finish.”

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Vanmac Enquiry 69

New brushcutter powers through for Makita

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.

Now supplied complete with Makita’s PDC1200A02 backpack battery pack, these newly listed CX1, CX2 and CX3 models enable users to work for longer in comfort, without having to recharge or change batteries frequently. This makes them ideal for contractors who need to carry out a variety of demanding applications, all from a single charge.

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 rotation speed suddenly slows, preventing overload and kickback.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “These new cordless garden machines have been innovatively designed to be compatible with Makita’s portable back-pack power units, enabling users to tackle large areas without the constrains of powers leads or health and safety hazards associated with petrol”.

Makita UK Enquiry 73

Extreme brushcutting made easy

Specifically designed for mowing high grass, thick weeds and heavy brush, the Tough Cut deck attachment from Ventrac is ideal for extreme brushcutting on slopes of up to 30 degrees. It will save huge amounts of hours compared to manual brushcutting.

A large front opening directs material into the deck where three heavy-duty blades counter rotate to cut and deposit waste evenly without windrowing.

The blades are sharp on both sides so they can be used on right or left-hand spindles, allowing for extended blade life.

Capable of tackling saplings up to 2.54 mm (1 inch) in diameter, the Tough Cut makes short work out of overgrown thickets.

It has three cutting heights: 76 mm, 92 mm and 108 mm. Easy servicing of belts and pulleys is provided by the hinged and removable cover, while the flip-up deck provides easy access for cleaning and changing blades.

Ventrac’s ability to mow difficult areas including slopes, wet areas and retention ponds, ensures that the Tough Cut deck is ideal for landscaping applications and makes previously impossible turf management situations, possible.

With out-front mounted couplings unique to Ventrac, the Tough Cut deck and all attachment can we changed in a matter of minutes .

Peter Pattenden, the Golf Courses and Estates Manager at Carden Park, says, “We manage over 1400 acres at Carden Park including the two championship

golf courses, the owner’s house and grounds and the tenant farms dotted around the estate.

“The Tough Cut deck is superb as it can cut through saplings, bracken and gorse, helping to maintain the areas that consume man-hours.

“We do a lot of woodland management, removing trees and scrub, and this means travelling across fairways to reach particular areas.

“The light footprint of the Ventrac, which I believe is just 6 psi, allows us to go in with either the Stump Grinder attachment or the Tough Cut deck to maintain these sites, without leaving wheel marks around the courses.

Price Turfcare Enquiry

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hits

Distinctive, and not too dissimilar in looks to a mini tank, the 1200 cm wide agria 9600 cuts and mulches on a variety of applications, including fine turf.

However, its remarkable performance on slopes up to 55 degrees is what has attracted huge plaudits from Health & Safety managers.

A handheld control pad allows its operator to stand 100

metres away, in an entirely safe location, while it works productively without fuss.

Clever design gives it a wide assured stance.

The tracks are at the absolute edges, the equivalent of an infinity display on a smart phone, and with its low centre of gravity, even on the steepest of gradients, it remains steady. As a rotary, it cuts in either

direction, so there’s no wasted effort spinning it around.

Its no-nonsense approach saves time, and vitally, turf damage. Electric ‘hybrid drive’ embraces the need to be environmentally friendly.

The agria 9600 is available from Wiedenmann UK dealers across the UK & Ireland.

Wiedenmann

UK Enquiry 76

Undertaking time consuming headland turns at the end of each mowing bout can be unproductive, awkward, and on steep slopes, potentially dangerous.

Furthermore, these repetitive turns can cause unnecessary surface disturbance and excessive track wear.

To overcome this problem and help boost productivity, McConnel has introduced the ROBOCUT RC28, a remote-control slope mower with bi-directional mowing capabilities. By locating the 1.1m rotary mulching deck directly beneath the 28hp Vanguard engine, the slope mower can efficiently mow in either direction.

By eliminating the need for time consuming headland turns, operators can mow to the end of the row and then simply track back in the opposite direction to make the return pass.

To ensure intuitive control, the RC28 automatically reverses the directional input from the remote-control unit meaning right-joystick input always turns right, and left-joystick input always turns left, regardless of the machine’s direction of travel.

In addition to eliminating headland turns, McConnel’s RC28 design also brings several further advantages including a lower center of gravity and

improved stability when working on slopes up to 55 degrees.

With working speeds up to 7kmh and option to add GPS autosteer guidance, the bi-directional ROBOCUT RC28 is proving popular with professional grass maintenance teams requiring a simple to use, easy to transport, high output slope mowing solution.

McConnel Enquiry 77

Outdoor power equipment specialist EGO has launched a new battery size and charging options to give landscaping and groundscare specialists increased run-time and no limits when it comes to battery power.

Addressing a common concern with battery power, EGO has launched its CHU6000 Professional Multi-Port Charging Case (which is able to charge any combination of up to six EGO portable batteries at the same time.

Working with the industry’s fastest charger, the new CHV1600E 1600W Multi-Port Charger, a typical 60Ah setup will charge in just three hours meaning users can comfortably work continuously throughout the day.

With a wheeled case for easy loading and unloading from the van, EGO’s Multi-Port Charging Case uses an intelligent power management system that replenishes batteries with the

lowest level of charge first, then brings all the batteries up to full charge at the same rate

Also, part of the EGO Professional range, the new 12Ah BA6720T battery is now the largest in its range and increases run time by up to 20 per cent across all EGO products. With EGO’s 12Ah battery, users can mow up to 1900sqm (almost 8 tennis courts) on a single charge,

while offering up to 6 hours of run time for selected hedge trimmers and line trimmers.

Joining six smaller sized batteries in the range, the battery is interchangeable with all EGO tools, and uses patented 56V ARC Lithium technology to provide the best balance between required performance and usable power.

EGO Enquiry 78

Help with your winter maintenance programmes

Following on from an extremely dry summer, especially in the south of England, this year’s winter maintenance programmes will be more extensive than ever and this is where Turfco’s range of broadcast topdressers, drop spreaders, blowers, overseeders and edgers, can help the busy turf manager.

“Our philosophy is to design and build equipment that increases productivity, saving work hours while reducing fuel costs when operating on fine turf surfaces,” said John Moore, Turfco’s European Sales Manager.

“Our WideSpin topdressers reduce the number of passes and compaction to complete the job, while ensuring an even distribution of material, even in wet conditions.

“Our Torrent 2 powerful allpurpose blower has been designed with significant input

from golf course, grounds, and turf managers. Available in tow-behind or tractormounted pto-driven formats it delivers unprecedented control over air speed, air direction, noise management and fuel consumption. This is a precision clean-up tool that can used year-round to give golf courses or grounds a new level of polish and playability.

“The TriWave 60 and TriWave 45 are a new breed of overseeder that can significantly increase the success of overseeding operations by up to 30%, especially on contoured ground.

“The TriWave 60 has three, 460mm (18”) wide patented floating heads which move independently and blade spacing at 38mm (1½”); it doesn’t miss low spots, it won’t destroy high areas or unmarked sprinkler heads, offering unmatched consistency in seed density and depth.

“The TriWave 45 is selfcontained overseeder, which can be towed behind a utility vehicle, quad bike, bunker rake or tractor, and provides versatility and easiest operation of any overseeder on the market.

“Power comes from an 18.4 kW (25 hp) Briggs and Stratton Vanguard petrol engine and is convenient and efficient to use.”

Farmtrac reveals a best-seller for a compact performance

As Farmtrac’s dealership has expanded, one thing that has become apparent across the country is the popularity of the FT26 and FT26H tractors, distributor Reesink Agriculture reveals.

Owning a smaller piece of land doesn’t mean you need less power, but it does mean you need to think about the size of your tractor. That’s where Farmtrac’s FT26 and FT26H come in: the perfect options to get the job done in tighter areas without compromising on results.

The differences between the two models start and end with the FT26 sporting a three-range hydrostatic transmission instead of a mechanical one. All the rest of the performance possibilities of each are the same.

So, what exactly makes this diesel duo so popular? Steven Haynes, tractor sales manager for Reesink Turfcare, explains: “The popularity of these models stems from their light and narrow body that effortlessly fits in tighter indoor spaces,

as well as their short turning radius which makes them highly manoeuvrable and opens them up to multiple audiences – such as smallholdings, equestrian centres and growers.

“And they’re powerful enough to handle fieldwork, boasting an impressive 750kg lift capacity at hitch point. Both the FT26 and FT26H deliver class-leading performance while offering serious value for money.”

Powerful and with highly fuel efficient three-cylinder engines, a choice of two transmission options including a three-range hydrostatic transmission with mid PTO bring the performance, but what about operating them?

Both models feature a wider platform with side-mounted shift gear levers, easy to view dash panel, power steering and four-wheel drive, which can be selected when maximum traction is required. Add in high intensity projector lamps, side-mounted led lights, top-mounted beacon lamp and rear-working lamp mean work isn’t curtailed in winter months.

With no clutch system on the HST model, clutch wear is not a concern and with two directional pedals to deal with – one for forward direction and one for reverse – there’s less fatigue for the operator.

Moreover, the FT26H comes equipped with cruise control as standard, making it easy to set a certain forward speed with just a push of a button.

To further their potential, their heavy-duty Category 1 threepoint linkage can be fitted with a series of attachments such as finishing mowers, flail mowers and rotary tillers from SICMA, as well as aerators and verticutters from 1st Products, all available from distributor Reesink UK.

For added peace of mind, they come with a robust five-year warranty, supported by Reesink Agriculture, the award-winning UK distributor renowned and trusted for its servicing, maintenance and back-up.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 82

PSD have a Winter maintenance range that will ‘Blow You Away’!

PSD Groundscare, supply a range of high performing vacuums, blowers & sweepers from innovative European manufacturers ELIET and Koppl.

Leading Belgium manufacturer ELIET have developed a range of highly efficient vacuums & blowers that includes leaf blowers and truckloaders making light work of the clearance task in hand.

Innovative German manufacturer Koppl provide a range of multi-attachment machines that can be fitted to a power unit and with an extensive range of attachments to choose from including weed

clearance, snow-blowers, snow ploughs & sweepers there is a solution for almost any groundscare requirement.

The wonderful advantage of the Koppl range is the power unit can be used all year round with attachments to suit the season.

PSD Groundscare, are a leading distributor of professional groundscare machinery including mowers, shredders & scarifiers and our extensive range ensures every season is catered for.

PSD Groundscare Enquiry 83

Turfco Enquiry 81

Gerrards Cross upgrades to invaluable ISEKI

Allen,

Club, claims that his new ISEKI TG6675 compact tractor has been invaluable since the day he purchased it.

Built in 1922, Gerrards Cross Golf Club is considered one of the most attractive courses in Buckinghamshire. With the River Misbourne meandering past the club house, and set in the grounds of an ancient estate, the woodland course measures 6,243 yards and is a testing par 69.

Pete claims that having a tractor to carry out a wide range of maintenance tasks on the course is essential. Therefore, when his previous tractor “couldn’t cope with some of the jobs” they needed it to do, it was time for an upgrade.

“When deciding on what tractor to purchase we looked across

the whole market,” he said. “We liked the ISEKI TG6675 because it was a nice compact size, it had the right lifting capacity and had a big engine so we could use all of the implements and attachments we have. Overall, it was the complete package and the best tractor we came across.”

The ISEKI TG6675 sets the benchmark for compact tractor performance. Designed and manufactured in Japan, it is built to exceptional standards of quality, starting from the front lights through to the back threepoint linkage.

Every component, including the engine and transmission, features ISEKI’s stamp of approval for quality and excellence that is rarely seen in the mini tractor market.

The new ISEKI TG6675 tractor is available with a ROPS,

or a factory fitted, fully airconditioned category 2 cabin. All instruments and gauges are easy to read and indicate driving information like engine speed, travelling speed, and PTO speed can be viewed at a glance. All levers are ergonomically located around the driving seat and there is ample space for the driver’s comfort.

“It is a solid yet compact tractor which is perfect for getting to every area of the golf course,” continued Pete. “It covers everything from a maintenance point of view, and it has been invaluable since day one.

“The backup and support have been excellent, and we couldn’t be happier. I would always consider another ISEKI machine to replace anything on our fleet which needed upgrading.”

ISEKI Enquiry 84

After 17 years with the same dealer, Bathgate Golf Club in Scotland has chosen Reesink Scotland to supply it with its first ever TYM tractor.

Head greenkeeper Rab Burns, who has been at the club, which is home to two former Ryder Cup captains, for 29 years, couldn’t be happier with the change: “We’re very happy with our new TYM tractor.

It does everything we need it to and is so reliable. We got it through Reesink’s Livingstone branch, whom we’d heard really good things about as a dealer, and they’ve delivered on price and support.

“It’s been a fair bet working with them, whatever we ask them to do, it’s done,” he continues. “It’s been very reassuring and a first-class service.”

The club chose the T555 model, one of the compact tractors recently involved in TYM’s redesign and a longterm customer favourite – for very good reasons.

Rab says: “This one has the same horsepower and similar performance as the previous tractor we had from a different brand, but the controls and the safety devices are much better.

“It’s easier to fix the attachments to the back and overall, it’s much more user-friendly, and seeing as everyone uses it, this was a big selling point. It’s the perfect

Polaris off-road 2023 line-up

Polaris Off-Road, the world leader in powersports and innovation, has announced its 2023 lineup, comprising a dynamic mix of rider-inspired vehicle updates, fresh new looks, and the expansion of RIDE COMMAND+, a mobileapp that builds off its RIDE COMMAND technology to

offer industry-first connected vehicle services.

“Over the last year, we’ve accelerated our pursuit to deliver the vehicles and performance our customers ask for. Whether it be the nextlevel performance capabilities of the RZR Turbo R and RZR

Pro R, or the technologically advanced, all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic – we continuously raise the bar and set industry standards,” said Steve Menneto, President of Polaris Off-Road.

As the leader in off-road, we continue to innovate and

evolve our lineup to serve a broad array of riders.

“The 2023 model year lineup is the latest example of our team’s ongoing commitment to answer the call from our riders.”

size, spacious and easy to control. It just suits us. Plus, it’s good value.”

Being so user-friendly allows the team to get the job done more quickly and efficiently, says Rab.

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Pete

Deputy Course Manager at Gerrards Cross Golf

The new tractor will be used mainly for loading sand and aggregates and for transporting a debris blower to help clear the course and surrounding spaces from leaves and grass cuttings.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 85

Polaris Enquiry

Birkdale launches new DuraPost hedgehog hole

In partnership with charity Hedgehog Street, Birkdale has added to its impressive DuraPost range with the DuraPost Hedgehog Hole.

Designed to be placed between a gravel board and fence post, the product creates a small tunnel for hedgehogs to freely pass between gardens.

Hedgehog Street - a partnership project between the People’s

Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) - has launched a campaign to sustain and improve suitable habitats for hedgehogs living in suburban environments.

Birkdale, the UK’s leading provider of fencing and gating accessories has offered its own support to the campaign by launching a new product – the DuraPost Hedgehog Hole.

The product creates a subtle and small hole in line with a gravel board and beneath a fence panel, encouraging hedgehogs to pass in and out of a garden with ease. Installing the system is an incredibly straight forward procedure - simply cut down a gravel board at the base of the fence, fit the hedgehog hole and fix it to the DuraPost using selfdrilling screws. Then assemble the rest of the fence as usual.

Like the rest of the DuraPost range, this product is made from cold rolled galvanised steel, ensuring it is incredibly strong and durable. The material is also infinitely recyclable, ensuring it is a very sustainable choice.

The DuraPost Hedgehog Hole is electrophoretic coated and powder coated black with a semigloss finish. The product weighs just 0.85kg and is available at your local Birkdale stockist.

Birkdale Enquiry 101

A decade of MM seed for Rugby School

James Mead, Grounds Manager at the world-famous Rugby School in Warwickshire, has revealed why he has used MM50 grass seed for the last ten years.

James believes that a grass seed is one of the most integral components in producing a high-quality sports pitch and it is for this reason that he chooses to use MM50.

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry, with over 40 years of experience and knowledge. The extensive product portfolio is second to none with performance proven mixtures that are used at many leading venues in the UK and Europe.

MM50, in particular, is one of the UK’s biggest selling grass mixtures. The hard-wearing ryegrass mix is very fine leaved, has high shoot density, is tolerant to close mowing down to 4-5mm and produces a great colour all

year round. It also has quick recovery from damage and play.

Both MM50 and MM60 (an ideal mixture for winter sports pitches) are treated with Headstart GOLD – a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination. It benefits from minerals such as Phosphorus, Sulphur, Copper and Molybdenum which all help

to stimulate root formation, development and growth ensuring that the seedling grass plant develops a strong root system during the critical start-up phase.

James also praised the support he receives from both MM and Agrovista Amenity (distributor of MM).

MM Seed Enquiry 102