Landscape & Amenity Product Update August 2016

Landscape Amenity

Play & Activity Today Spotlight on this vibrant sector Page 11-15

Handheld Tools

Influential Commons committee to investigate fate of parks

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee is launching an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority parks budgets and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.

The Committee will look at how parks should be supported now and in the future. This will include studying alternative management and funding models, such as a mutual or a trust.

Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee Chair, Clive Betts MP, said: “We will be keen to find out about innovative and successful approaches to managing and funding parks and what Government can do to support

these. We know people value their local spaces, and we want to develop a clear picture of the community benefits of public parks as well as who is using them, how often and for what?”

The decision follows a recommendation to the last Parliament by the former Communities and Local Government Committee in 2015 that a select committee inquiry should be held into parks.

Members of the British Association of Landscape Industries-National Contractors’ Forum (BALI-NCF) are responsible for maintaining thousands of parks and open spaces across the UK via outsourced models for many Local Authorities.

Phil Jones, Chairman of BALINCF, believes that, when looking at the issues on which the Committee is seeking feedback, BALI-NCF will be able to represent its members on all levels. “Whether it is the impact of reductions in Local Authority budgets or the viability of alternative management models, our members are well placed to provide input.” Jones added: “Many of the effects of reduced budgets have been felt by our member companies and this has directly affected their ability to provide the service that is expected by the local communities and visitors.”

“The goalposts have moved over the last twenty years and a realisation of the current issues

Pellenc launches Cleanion battery-powered brush

Pellenc has launched the Cleanion – a pedestrian batterypowered brush suitable for removing debris from natural and artificial grass and other hard surfaces.

Pellenc is sold exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK and the Cleanion is a revolutionary, selfdriven brush which is powered by the ULiB battery seen on the rest of the company’s range of tools.

With a large working width and a long operating time of battery charge sufficient for demanding professional use, the Cleanion has a range of uses.

The Pellenc Cleanion powered brush has adjustable speed and direction, as well as variable speed control for forward and reverse. Brushing pressure is also reflected in the LCD screen. Optional attachments including a

snow plough and can be changed conveniently using the quick release coupling and features a foldable handle for easy storage and transport between sites.

Etesia Enquiry 2

and a re-setting of expectations, coupled with alternative methodology for managing parks, is to be welcomed. I will be encouraging BALINCF members to further engage with their Local Authority customers and local communities where they operate and encourage everyone to take this chance in a generation to have their say. I believe that public parks are the lifeblood of our communities and play a crucial role in the health of the nation. It is now for everyone to provide evidence that this is the case.”

Further reaction to the inquiry can be found on page 5.

BALI Enquiry 1

Royal Reesink completes acquisition of Lely Turfcare

Royal Reesink N.V. has completed the acquisition of the turfcare activities of Lely Holding in the UK, Ireland and Denmark.

These activities mainly comprise the distribution of Toro machines for the maintenance of golf courses and public green spaces and TYM compact tractors (UK, IRE). These activities generated revenue of some €60 million in 2015, with around 125 employees. Revenue has grown in the first half of 2016.

Alexander van der Lely, CEO of Lely Holding, said: “The sale of our turfcare activities in the UK,

Ireland and Denmark is another step in our strategy of focusing exclusively on our core activity, milking systems and raw feed production. The distribution of Toro machines and TYM compact tractors is in good hands at Royal Reesink.”

The purchase price will be financed by an increase in bank financing from EUR 170 million to EUR 185 million as well as a subordinated loan to Royal Reesink that will be provided by River Acquisition B.V.

Royal Reesink already handles the distribution of Toro machines in the Benelux through its

Grass surfaces last longer and work harder with Loksand.

Specially formulated to make grass surfaces more durable, Topsport fibre reinforced Loksand is ideal for heavily trafficked areas, including equestrian paddocks, public parks, access roads and car parks.

subsidiaries Jean Heybroek and Packo.

Lely Turfcare Enquiry 3

Welcome...

The decision of an influential committee of MPs to launch an inquiry into the future of our public parks is both timely and welcome. With a new Prime Minister in place, a new set of challenges facing the Government in the wake of the EU referendum vote, and the level of uncertainty both of those factors will bring, putting our parks and green spaces into the spotlight now is hugely significant and important.

It will hopefully ensure that as new ministers look to flex their muscles and different government departments start to jockey for position in front of the Chancellor and Treasury, the report prepared by MPs and backed by our industry will hold some considerable weight.

There is no guarantee that the inquiry will prompt an increase in funding - the last month has proved that there are no certainties when it comes to British politics. However, having an increased level of support as the industry fights in corner will not do our parks any harm.

The announcement of increased lottery funding for parks is also significant. It shows just what can be accomplished at a community level if the right resources and encouragement is provided.

This month we have our regular Play & Activity Today supplement and it is worth noting the efforts the API in making sure our parks, play areas and the push for improvements to our collective health and well-being remain in the political arena. It promises to be an interesting second half of the year for industry as a whole.

Elsewhere in August’s issue, we have Jane Carley’s informed round-up of the hedge and verge mowing market, as well as features on estate management and handheld tools. There is also our in-depth round-up of the latest innovations in machinery, other landscape and amenity products and hard landscaping.

And if that’s not all, the countdown to SALTEX is now well and truly underway with confirmation of a new outdoor demonstration area for 2016.

Groves Editor

Paul

Outdoor demonstrations return to SALTEX

The organisers of SALTEX have announced that outdoor working demonstrations will be returning to the 2016 exhibition, which will be held on 2 and 3 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

The return of this feature will once again provide exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their products in an outdoor setting. The decision to bring back outdoor working demonstrations was made based on the SALTEX 2015 post-show feedback surveys.

Although more than 70 per cent of SALTEX 2015 visitors rated their overall show experience as being excellent, the survey also revealed that the show could benefit even further from the addition of outdoor demonstrations.

With SALTEX being the UK’s number one turf management event, it is imperative that the show continues to improve year on year; and the only way to make this happen is to listen to exhibitor and visitor feedback, according to IOG CEO Geoff Webb: “We are totally committed to the success of SALTEX, which is why we make sure that we listen to every single piece of feedback and implement tangible changes that will make the experience even better each year.

“SALTEX 2015 was a huge success but there is always room

for improvement. What we must do in order to keep growing the event is listen carefully to the people that make everything possible - the exhibitors and the visitors. Both the post-show exhibitor and visitor surveys indicated that outdoor demonstrations would be a much welcome return to the show, so we listened and made it happen,” he said.

The outdoor demonstrations will take place on a grass area directly outside the SALTEX halls 6, 7 and 8, and a number of exhibitors have been quick to reserve a plot.

The addition of outdoor working demonstrations signals one of a number of new features coming to SALTEX 2016. Recently, show organisers announced the highly anticipated SALTEX College Cup sponsored by Ransomes and plans are already well underway for the exhibition’s educational programme LEARNING LIVE, which will see a number of industry experts from all over the world focusing on a variety of key topics.

From working demonstrations to new ideas, products and machinery, along with exciting new features, an enhanced education programme and combined with the IOG Industry Awards, SALTEX 2016 will offer better-than-ever opportunities for visitors to find the products, advice and support they need.

SALTEX Enquiry 8

TMSystem saves time, resources and money

To increase the versatility of the machinery in their fleet, America’s Awbrey Glen Golf Club in Oregon invested in a range of ATT SMART Cassettes, supplied by CS Trading.

Superintendent Doug Feher owns a range of cassettes - SMARTThatchMaster, SMARTUltraGroomer, SMARTRazorCutter, SMARTScarifier, SMARTSarel and SMARTSpiker – to allow his team to conduct a variety of maintenance tasks including aeration, verticutting and thatch removal.

Since its inception 10 years ago, the TMSystem has increased its cassette offering,

whilst keeping pace with triplex mower manufacturers upgrades. The TMSystem is unique and by using the appropriate chassis adaptor kit, is fully compatible with all main-stream makes of triplex greens mowers and lightweight fairway mowers, like John Deere, Jacobsen and Toro.

The chassis can also be interchanged with ATT’s own 22″ INFiNiSystem. Awbrey Glen invested in the necessary adaptation kit to convert from a previous triplex unit over to their new Toro 3320 in February this year.

ATT Enquiry 9

Lawrence Dallaglio cuts first turf at academy

World Cup winner and British and Irish Lions legend Lawrence Dallaglio, OBE, cut the first turf and officially marked the beginning of construction work on Warden Park Academy’s full size 3G multi-use sports pitch last week.

The installation is part of a continual investment by the academy to build on its 60 years of District, County and national reputation for sporting excellence.

The new playing surface is being constructed in collaboration with Notts Sports, leading specialist in the design, advice and supply of artificial turf for multi-sports and playgrounds.

O’Brien will install a 6,052m2 3G FIFA 1 star compliant surface,

underground perimeter and lateral drains, granular unbound base, an airlastic loadbearing geotextile and shockpad, kerb edgings, perimeter fencing and floodlighting.

O’Brien Enquiry 6

Pupils impressed by new living wall

Living walls are becoming increasingly popular and commonplace, and as the name

The

Measuring

Mobilane Enquiry 7

air quality.

2 , the

Staff, pupils, parents and visitors to Phoenix Primary School in South Bermondsey are being welcomed by the sight of a new LivePanel living wall from Mobilane that features the school’s name written in plants.

suggests they feature live plant systems installed on to walls.

living wall delivers a range of environmental benefits on top of looking great, including attracting birds and insects, and helping to improve

40m

wall features a mixed selection of seasonal plants, with the word ‘Phoenix’ highlighted in the red leaves of Heuchera.

Minimising maintenance and perfecting performance

Situated in the High Weald of Kent, Chart Hills is an award winning golf course designed by six-time major winner turned golf course designer, Sir Nick Faldo. Built in the traditional US parkland style, the course’s greatest challenge comes from the large number of bunkers which line its fairways and surround its greens, including ‘The Anaconda’ which is the longest in Europe.

Ensuring effective and longlasting bunker drainage is surprisingly still a common problem for golf courses across the UK. With a requirement for an effective lining that could be retrofitted onto the existing green-side bunkers, the Chart Hills team began its search for a fresh solution that would avoid all of these common issues, reduce maintenance, and meet its high performance standards.

During extensive research, the Chart Hills team came across two courses already using the innovative bunker lining from Tarmac’s Topsport. Following these site investigations, the Chart Hills

team decided to apply the unique engineered solution to an initial five bunkers in 2014. A further 11 green-side bunkers, totalling around 900 square metres, were completed in 2015 and following their success, an additional 20 are due to be lined in 2016.

Peter Cullen, Technical Sales Manager, for Tarmac’s Topsport team, commented: “The simple structure of Topsport’s bunker liner is beneficial for a number of reasons. Chiefly, as it avoids the use of chemicals it can be laid in

all weather conditions, meaning work can be undertaken during the winter months when courses may be closed or used less frequently, minimising any potential course downtime.

“Chart Hills has certainly seen an improvement in free drainage. This has simultaneously reduced the levels of repair after very heavy rainfall, with the liner completely preventing washout from the bunkers to date.”

Tarmac Topsport Enquiry 11

Programme for SoilsCon 2016 unveiled

Soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare has announced that a second industry soils conference is to be held on 5 October 2016 at the elegant Phyllis Court, Henley-onThames, Oxfordshire, and it is likely to become an annual event.

The SoilsCon 2016 – Soil use, management and policy

event has already secured an impressive line-up of confirmed speakers, offering a full day of professional development, discussion and debate.

They include: Tim O’Hare, principal, Tim O’Hare Associates: Alistair Bayford, regional operations director

– strategic business at The Landscape Group; Luke Fay, managing director and senior arboricultural consultant at the Treework Environmental Practice; and Andy Spetch, national manager for British Sugar TOPSOIL.

Tim

O’Hare Enquiry 12

New board appointment at CLS

Stephen Miller has been coopted on to the board of Cleveland Land Services (CLS) in a move that marks the latest chapter in the story of a family business that spans three generations.

To support their continued business growth, and deliver even higher levels of customer service, DLF & Johnsons Sports Seed has expanded its professional Amenity Team in the UK.

Ian Barnett has been appointed regional amenity technical manager for the south west.

He brings a wealth of experience as a BASIS registered advisor, recently working as a Field Sales Manager for a leading national amenity distributor covering Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. DLF Enquiry 13

As contracts director he joins Director of Operations Brian Dunn, and his father, managing director John Miller (pictured, right), 50 years after his grandfather established the specialist sports and landscape contracting concern in Guisborough, Cleveland.

Stephen’s younger brother, Andrew Miller, 26, is currently sports installation manager at CLS Sports, while youngest brother Jack Miller, 20, works as a machine operator and is studying for his BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment.

CLS Sport Enquiry 14

Support for inquiry into future of public parks

The decision of the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee to investigate the future of public parks has been broadly welcomed.

Mark Camley, Chair of The Parks Alliance, said: “Parks, like other local government services, are widely valued but are under severe budget restrictions and we are now at a tipping point. If no action is taken, we will revert to the no go areas of parks such as in the 1980s.

“Lack of funding and investment, has meant that there is a significant maintenance backlog, a skills deficit developing and a general decline in quality of Parks and green spaces.

Lottery

have awarded more than £30.7million to 16 UK parks.

Coastal, country and city parks from Aberdeen to Dorset will be restored and transformed. Improvements for wildlife, opportunities for people and sustainable futures for parks are key themes of the projects.

During the projects receiving funding, more than 6,000 volunteers and trainees will be involved in everything from

“We all recognise the value of parks and the current funding crisis, but we need hard evidence and solutions to convince MPs, Ministers and wider decision makers. The Alliance will be gathering evidence and submitting it to the Inquiry and it is crucial all those that love parks get involved and offer solutions. All of us have a duty to seek answers to how parks might be financed in the future, what they might look like and how they will be managed.”

Merrick Denton-Thompson, President of the Landscape Institute, said: “The Landscape Institute has long campaigned that public health outcomes can be improved through good landscape planning and design.

archaeological excavations and river clean ups to prevent flooding, to gaining a qualification in woodland management or becoming a horticultural apprentice.

Cafes, sports facilities and rental space for small businesses and community groups are some of the areas being explored for generating income. Many of these parks are also looking to dedicated friends groups, trained volunteers and apprentice schemes to play a key part in the future maintenance of sites.

“Many of our members have worked on Heritage Lottery Funded restorations and designs for new parks. The provision of a network of high quality multipurpose green spaces improves air and water quality in addition to amenity in general. They are restorative, uplifting and healing for both physical and mental health conditions as research continues to show.

“Quality green infrastructure helps society tackle a range of other critical issues from species loss, to social cohesion and climate-change mitigation and adaptation. These issues are more acute than ever, but continuing budget cuts over many years and changes in planning policy have meant the downgrading of the requirement to put in place quality landscape

•

•

•

for green spaces and parks. Quality is being eroded.

“All new developments should consider the need for new green infrastructure and improvements to existing spaces with adequate consideration to its maintenance and management. Today many local authority planners and green space officers will tell you that this is not a priority in their borough. We should be smarter with our resources, recognising that capital expenditure should go hand in hand with provision for revenue expenditure.”

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths also welcomed the announcement and said people assume that their local park will always be there but this isn’t necessarily the case.

authority resources for nonstatutory services

• How new and existing parks can best be supported

• What additional or alternative funding is available and what scope is there for local authorities to generate revenue from park users

• What the advantages and disadvantages are of other management models, such as privatisation, outsourcing or mutualisation.

Reductions in public service budgets, particularly local authority expenditure, has put green spaces at risk, reduced maintenance and increased the likelihood of playing fields and parks being lost to development.

“The non-statutory status of parks means no national audit of green space is kept making it difficult to track the losses of these vital spaces,” she added.

“In the autumn Fields in Trust will be launching our own register of sites at risk across the UK to better quantify the one in five people who told us that their local park or green space has been under threat of being lost.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big

Fund

Parks Alliance Enquiry 17

The Committee invites submission of written evidence to its website on the following issues by Friday 30 September 2016:

Who uses parks and open spaces, how often and for what The contribution of parks to the health and well-being of communities

The impact of reductions in local authority budgets on parks

What the administrative status of parks should be in light of declining local

Reform Metrac H4X is up to speed on the M40 Fuss free water features

Supplied via the A J Scambler dealership, Camps Highways have recently added a third Reform Metrac to their fleet.

Contracts Manager Phil Wright says: “We have been using Reforms for some time now for their stability performance and safety when working on embankments.

“We use them with out-front flails and also 4 Meter flail arms where access is an issue, such as over barriers. We have found the Metracs to be a more cost-effective machine than some alternatives. The new 49hp H4X will be used for a range of year round tasks but particularly from late August, for at least fi ve weeks, cutting long grass and wild flowers along a huge expanse of the M40 from J1 - J15.”

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the reform range added that the Hydrostatic H4X models are light and manouvrable power units, suited to the widest possible range of grounds maintenance tasks and we are seeing an increase in demand based on

their multi-functionality and lifetime costs benefits when used with a variety of deck options and attachments including flail mower, snow blower and plough, road sweeper and more.

Simon Richard Enquiry

19

These water bowls available from The Pot Company are perfect for customers wanting a low maintenance water feature.

Made from high quality 3mm thick corten steel, the weather

resistant material covers itself in an attractive and protective layer of rust when exposed to the elements.

Available from 60-150cm in diameter to suit any space

and any budget. Contact sales@thepotco.com or 01892 890 353 for more details.

The Pot Company Enquiry 20

Snickers’ next generation of working clothes

Snickers’ Next Generation Workwear symbolises the brand’s commitment to delivering the very best in modern working clothes. The latest ALLROUND Workwear family has been designed to cope with just about everything in everyday working environments.

For professional craftsmen, they are probably the most advanced

working clothes of their kind with modern designs that ensure smart, professional looks and an amazing fit. Garments like WorkTrousers, jackets, rainwear, shirts and sweaters combine to deliver maximum, hardwearing comfort and innovative functionality.

Snickers Enquiry 21

ClearWater success in Scotland

ClearWater distributor, Turf Irrigation Services (Scotland) Ltd in Linlithgow has recently installed yet another of the acclaimed recycling systems in Scotland and on this occasion at Dunfermline Golf Club.

The smart installation, shown here, provides plenty of pressure from ClearWater’s effective pumps. Head Greenkeeper, Kenny Duncan said: “I’m delighted with the new ClearWater system, it really makes a difference to wash-off.”

Turf Irrigation Services (TIS) under the leadership of Managing

Director Quentin Allardice is proud of their association with Highspeed Group as distributor for ClearWater.

Highspeed’s MD, David Mears said: “TIS is well known in Scotland for their water engineering and irrigation skills in the golf sector and beyond, so adding ClearWater to their portfolio made good sense. We are pleased with the progress they are making introducing and installing ClearWater in Scotland.”

Highspeed Group Enquiry 22

The new Volvo D-Series short radius compact excavators have been designed to make your investment work as hard as possible. Machines of this quality will retain their performance and their value in the market for years to come. ECO mode will help to cut fuel costs by up to 10%, while auto-idle and auto-shutdown will kick in when necessary. Maintenance time will be cut too, with 50 hour greasing intervals and grouped greasing points to make your life easier. And speaking of easy – the operator interface has been designed to be easy to use, easy to understand and easy to switch between different operators. The ECR35D and ECR40D short turn radius machines will slip into the tightest spots; and for those of you without space constraints, there’s the new standard length EC35D. All built for the long term. Building Tomorrow.

Ben Burgess to expand turf sales area

John Deere’s long serving eastern counties dealership

Ben Burgess & Co Ltd will be taking over the trading area currently managed by A J & R Scambler & Sons Ltd of Bourn in Cambridgeshire, with effect from 1 November 2016.

Paul Thomas will be moving from domestic to commercial equipment sales to work alongside Chris Pateman in the new area.

Ben Burgess will also be looking to appoint a new domestic sales

person as well as additional sub-dealers to support sales and service of John Deere’s full professional and domestic turf equipment range across the area.

New fleet delivered to Golf National

Snickers workwear recommends Toe Guard safety footwear

Now part of the Hultafors Group UK’s portfolio of premium brands, Toe Guard does just what its name suggests – delivers great value safety footwear for all kinds of working environments and weather conditions.

The range of safety shoes and boots is one of the fastest growing in Scandinavia where demands for safety, quality and value keep their shoes and boots one step ahead of the competition.

With a variety of different safety shoes and boots available in the range, every product has in-built hi-tech designs that

combine top quality materials, ultimate comfort and maximum safety.

Hultafors Enquiry 26

Lewis backhoe reaches new parts

Local authorities, parks gardens and cemeteries have problems digging holes and moving soil where accessibility is a problem.

The Lewis Equipment 320S backhoe has been designed and built for the professional user with the larger compact tractors. Typical uses include golf course maintenance and cemetery work.

The 320S has a digging depth of 2·75 metres and with an extending dipper arm the reach is approximately 3·2 metres.

Unique features of the Lewis Backhoe range are that maintenance is minimal as no greasing of bushes is required as polymer IGUS bushes are used. Also, the design allows for quick and easy attachment and removal from the tractor.

Where the ground is hard through compaction or stones or where increased depth and lift capacity is needed Lewis Equipment recommend the 420S model.

John Deere Enquiry

24

Following the signing of a fiveyear preferred supplier agreement between Golf National and Ransomes Jacobsen, a new Jacobsen mowing and turf maintenance equipment has been delivered ahead of the forthcoming Open de France.

The first units to be delivered were eight Jacobsen Eclipse2 walk behind greens mowers with a mix of floating and fixed head and the two Jacobsen GP400 riding greens mowers.

They were quickly followed by the 16 Jacobsen medium duty utility vehicles; seven rough mowers including AR3s, AR522s and AR772s; five heavy duty Jacobsen Truckster XD utility vehicles; six fairway mowers including SLF1880s and the recently launched LF570, two trim mowers, the five Eclipse 322 hybrid riding green mowers plus additional equipment including Turfco topdressers, overseeders, blowers and Smithco sprayers.

In total 70 units have been delivered by Parisian subsidiary, RJ IDF, with teams of technicians from the UK and France preparing and setting up all the equipment to the requirements of Alejandro Reyes, the Superintendent at Golf National. As part of the five-year agreement the fleet

will be supplemented every year during the Open de France with additional equipment, especially greens, fairway and rough mowers depending on the needs expressed by Alejandro Reyes.

Ransomes

Jacobsen Enquiry 25

will be a welcome addition to your weed control armoury. Highly effective against a wide range of weeds – especially Japanese Knotweed, packs a powerful punch from very low levels of active and a small 1 litre pack. Equally reassuring, has virtually no odour and is safe to grass.

www.icl-sf.co.uk

Please contact your local sales representative for more information.

Nothing gets to grips with invasive and tough, woody weeds like

Lewis Enquiry 27

ProNitro shows significant difference in germination

When tasked with re-instating tee banks on the 6th hole, Head Greenkeeper of Mid Herts GC, Jody Wilson and his team, took part in a trial of the recently launched ProNitro coated seed from DLF

ProNitro is considered the ‘next generation’ of seed coat technology aimed at improving nutrient utilisation during the early stages of plant growth –particularly important when overseeding into a competitive sward.

Containing 15% Nitrogen, both fast acting and slow release,

Nitrogen uptake with ProNitro is up to 4 times more efficient compared to broadcast applied fertilisers. Roots and shoots grow rapidly, delivering up to a 30% increase in root growth, and the seedlings become strong and vigorous with up to 34% more viable plants. The enhanced root growth also improves the availability of soil nutrients and can reduce nutrient loss into the environment through leaching by over 50%.

In the trial, the area to the back of the tee was sown with Johnsons J Nitro Tee and the area to the front was sown with J Tee. Apart

from eliminating traffic on the trial areas, the only issues Jody faced was the nutrient poor, natural acid soil of a Heathland course and the cold, dry spring experienced in early 2016.

ProNitro is available exclusively in the UK on selected Johnsons Sports Seed ‘J Nitro’ mixtures. For the golf market, of particular interest is J Nitro All Bent for greens; J Nitro Fescue, 100% fine fescue for greens, tees and fairways; hard wearing tee renovation mix J Nitro Tee and J Nitro Fairway.

DLF Enquiry 29

New slow release fertiliser exclusive to Aitkens

A new range of slow release fertilisers from ICL - the Sportsmaster CRF Mini range – is available exclusively from Aitkens Sportsturf.

Designed for use on turf cut above 8mm, it is ideal for use on tees, fairways, sports fields, lawns and amenity turf. It is a welcome addition to an already impressive inventory of products.

This latest range of slow release fertilisers – excluding 19-19-5 – now contains Polyhalite, a naturally occurring mineral source of potassium, calcium and magnesium to enhance turf colour, turf quality, turf vigour and growth rate. Polyhalite is a low chloride fertiliser, and being a natural product with no

chemical processing makes it suitable as an organic source of nutrients. This product is ICL’s highest coated slow release fertiliser containing polyhalite, with the outer polymer coating covering the inner sulphur layer, which in turn covers the urea core. Within these two coating and core are the three nitrogen contents that ensure an immediate uptake.

The Polyhalite is combined with Poly-S, a controlled release nitrogen source that provides a slow release nitrogen source over a period of three months and is triggered by moisture permeating the outer polymer channels, through microchannels in the Sulphur layer and into the nutrient core where the urea is solubilised.

Once solubilised the urea travels back through the same pathways where it is released and made available for plant uptake, meaning the fertiliser is released at an optimum rate for plant uptake, whilst minimising the risk of leaching losses.

The product comes in a wide variety of analyses, each of which has been designed to support a wide variety of turf types throughout the year. The analyses include 24-5-11, 20-510, 19-19-5, 15-5-15 & 10-5-21, which are available to provide surfaces with valuable nutrients and nitrogen from the beginning to the end of a season.

Aitkens Enquiry 30

The innovative alternative to Georgian wired glass

When you have over forty years experience at a club it means you’ve usually encountered most scenarios, and in many cases more than once.

Provender Nurseries work with Mobilane

Provender Nurseries are now stockists of Mobilane Green Screens and Mobiroof green roof system. Supplying landscapers, planners, local authorities and garden designers in the South East Mobilane Green Screens are

a valuable addition to the already comprehensive plant stock on offer at Provender Nurseries.

A limited range of Mobilane Green Screens are held in stock however the entire

range is available to order through Provender Nurseries and subject to the usual trade discount.

Provender Nurseries Enquiry 31

That’s certainly the case for Mike Greenwood, head greenkeeper for 42 years at Ormskirk Golf Club in Lancashire, who has recently overseen the installation of a second irrigation system, 30 years on from the first.

This time opting for, with the advice of the club’s management committee and local installer LS Systems, a Toro GDC 2-wire system with Infinity sprinklers, Mike says that the reasons for needing a new irrigation system don’t change but the options available certainly do.

“As it was then to now our criteria for a new system focused on uniform coverage, adequate water pressure and cost-effectiveness. LS Systems guided us through the research

and selection process, which was a lot more extensive than it used to be! When they introduced us to Toro and its range of options it was evident they could provide us with what we were looking for.”

Accurate, efficient and costeffective, Toro’s GDC has proved itself the system of choice for golf clubs the world over since its launch. Using innovative technology, a 2-wire path communicates to buried control units and eliminates the costs associated with traditional valve wire bundles.

“The system covers 21 greens and all the tees,” says Mike.

“The control box is very easy to use and the sprinkler heads are much stronger now than they used to be. Trouble with vandals is rare here, but it is reassuring to see that the sprinklers are well protected, whether from accidental damage or otherwise. We haven’t been using the

system for long but I can confirm it is meeting our objectives to provide a more thorough and uniform coverage and the water pressure is a lot better than the last system. I would say that water use is optimised, too. Overall, we are very pleased with the investment.”

It’s a good time for the system to be up and running as Mike and his greenkeeping team of four prepare the 18-hole course for the Lancashire PGA Championship in September, which follows hot on the heels of the Lancashire Amateur Championship in May.

Toro Turfcare Enquiry 32

an elegant appearance, the feature ensures surface water is directed into the slots. This configuration also helps eliminate any cross-flow over the grating and important consideration for this project.

The RECYFIX® channel component is made from 100% recycled polypropylene (PP) and has an intake cross section of 372 cm2. The FIBRETEC® grating are factory fitted on all channels. PRO accessories include a trash box, foul air trap, mud bucket, closed and DN 70/100 end caps.

Ken Burgess, Hauraton‘s Project Manager comments; “As each one metre unit only weighed 3.4kg, the contractor, ATPS of Clacton on Sea, found the RECYFIX® PRO channels with their FIBRETEC® gratings easy to install in the concreted top level of the car park”.

For related Case Studies go to www.drainage-projects.co.uk

ICL support independent school groundsmen Council stops spraying chemicals to kill weeds with hot water

Groundsmen from independent schools across the country recently visited Haberdasher’s Aske’s Boy’s School in Hertfordshire to attend the annual turf care seminar staged specifically for the sector by ICL.

Delegates were welcomed to Haberdashers by grounds manager Mike Kemmett who

leads a team of 8 groundstaff maintaining the extensive sporting facilities of three cricket pitches as well as 12 rugby/ football pitches, two all-weather hockey pitches, three artificial cricket pitches as well as indoor cricket, swimming and athletic facilities.

ICL Enquiry 36

New appointment for Miroad Rubber

Safety surfacing specialists

Miroad Rubber Ltd has announced that Bob Jones has joined the company to develop their growing portfolio of regional and national accounts.

Bob brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent almost twenty years in the rubber recycling industry. For the last six years Bob has been with ReBound where he was instrumental in acquiring numerous national and International trade and retail accounts for the business while also developing innovative new products.

Miroad is a relatively new name in the UK, although it is well established internationally,

supplying clients like Lego and Disney on different continents.

Miroad offers EPDM granulate in 19 colours, their own in-house manufactured PU binder, SBR base plus a wide range of rubber tiles and pavers. Miroad keeps its overheads low and sells direct to ensure customers benefit from extremely competitive pricing with no compromise on quality.

Bob has joined at a time when Miroad are expanding and developing their presence in the UK with new products ready to launch this summer, and more to follow.

Rubber Enquiry 38

The Cardley Wave Mid Series results in fewer treatments, claims and costs whilst improving community relationships for the Shetland Islands.

Since launching in the UK early last year, Cardley Wave have helped local authorities achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to weed control and now more and more local authorities are looking to do the same. Cardley Wave offers an alternative to the conventional way of killing weeds using nothing but hot water to do the job.

William Spence, Executive Manager – Environmental Services, Shetland Islands Council said: “The environmental advantages are

that we are not using chemicals in any form thus reducing the risk of contaminating waterways and effects on pets and wildlife.”

With the machine also being used for the removal of algae and moss from paved areas around the main streets.

The islands are exposed to the weather elements more so than other parts of the country, previously limiting the use of traditional chemical controls, but by using the Mid-Series these limitations have been eradicated as it can be utilised in most weathers including wind and rain. This hand in hand increases productivity with the machine being used every day.

Cardley Wave Enquiry 37

Miroad

Sudstech helps create Gate Way to Manchester

Manchester’s Oxford road is undergoing a large-scale redevelopment throughout 2016.

The proposals include over 4k of major bus priority lanes and Greater Manchester’s first ever ‘Dutch-style’ cycle lanes which will see people on two wheels segregated from the traffic. The scheme has been revamped following a major public consultation with nearly 900 residents.

Sudstech have already provided approximately 1500m2 of sustainable porous paving in pedestrian areas to aid congestion

along the road from the 70’000 plus students that make the area their home every year.

Due to the heavy amount of foot traffic Manchester city council specified that the material needed to be extremely hard wearing, non-slip and completely SUDS compliment. Due to the versatile nature of the Sudstech product Manchester city council have also specified that the product be used for hundreds of innovative new tree pits included in the scheme.

Bituchem returns to exhibit at show

The Bituchem Group, a UK specialist in attractive and innovative hard-landscaping solutions, is returning to exhibit at The Landscape Show at Battersea Park this September.

The company, creators of Natratex and Colourtex, two materials which have been widely adopted in landscaping and development projects across the UK, will be exhibiting at the show with its team of specialists on hand to discuss the various landscaping solutions available.

So far this year Bituchem’s flagship Natratex and Colourtex

materials have been used to create new and exciting landscapes at Hertfordshire University and Butlins, as well as several primary schools, housing developments and local highways.

Bituchem’s stand at the show will primarily demonstrate the versatility of the products, which can be used for all landscaping requirements, with tailored products available for heavy duty and sustainable drainage applications.

Bituchem Enquiry 42

Plantscape helps town boost its flower power

41

Shoppers and visitors to Blackburn are enjoying more summer colour this year after the council increased the number of street planters installed across the town centre by nearly 50 per cent and significantly lengthened their growing time.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has taken delivery of 30 threetier Flower Towers, 100 Holestar raised planters and 45 barrier baskets from floral features suppliers Plantscape, which has fixed them in position along the town’s pedestrianised area and main streets.

This is a 46 per cent increase on the numbers of planters previously ordered by the council, which procured and installed them on behalf of Blackburn’s Business Improvement District.

The authority is also mounting a longer display than last year, when it did not place its order until July, and it hopes to keep the display in place until the second half of October.

Plantscape Enquiry 43

Town centre created around bronze clad car park

A stunning new Morrisons supermarket atop a two storey car park with bronze coloured cladding is the centrepiece of a major redevelopment of Crawley town centre. The scheme designed by architects Lyons Sleeman Hoare was being developed by Land Securities and St James’s Investments, with McLaren Construction and Warefence appointed to install the car park steel mesh and

cladding supplied by perimeter fencing manufacturer Zaun.

Zaun supplied Duo6 panels and posts, a fencing system based on a twin wire design, consisting of two horizontal 6mm wires resistance welded on either side of 5mm vertical wires. The result was a rigid perimeter fence that offered a high degree of vandal resistance and an extremely high level of through visibility. The

mesh also offered the versatility of integrating into a ‘green screen’.

The major upgrade of the town centre included £750,000 of improvements to the public highway with pedestrianised areas, improved street lighting and new LED traffic signals at the junction of Pegler Way and The Boulevard.

Zaun Enquiry 44

Sudstech Enquiry

todayplay&activity

Your essential guide for Sports & Playground Equipment in association with

New flagship playground opens to the public

Play specialist Sutcliffe Play South West has designed and installed Coronation Park’s new flagship playground, which was officially opened to the public.

The transformation, funded by Sedgemoor District Council, has created a destination park for Bridgwater.

Sutcliffe Play South West was awarded the contract to replace the existing playground with an exciting range of new play zones. This included an enclosed area for toddlers, an open plan area for juniors and teenagers, and a bark park for local dog walkers.

Sedgemoor District Council and Sutcliffe Play South West worked together to design a play area which includes 25 individual items of play equipment, in addition to resurfacing and fencing.

As Coronation Park is a popular destination for dog walking, a bark park was also incorporated into the design for owners to work with their dogs on agility and obedience.

The equipment, which is designed to reduce antisocial behaviour from dogs by providing a stimulating and exciting environment, includes dog tunnels, jumps and weave posts.

For younger children, an enclosed play area was created using a variety of equipment from the Sutcliffe Play Toddlerzone range, which provides a wide range of play opportunities designed specifically to develop key skills, including physical challenges such as climbing, balancing and coordination. Designed for older toddlers, to younger juniors, Toddlerzone ‘Sneak

& Peak’ was also installed, offering more challenging play.

For older juniors, the Mission Phantom unit was included in the design of the open play area with varying degrees of challenge, resting surfaces,

slides and glides. The play area also includes a large trampoline, double width hill slide and an exhilarating 25m cableway to encourage high energy invigorating play whilst keeping fit and active.

Sutcliffe Play Enquiry 47

Stats show upsurge in people doing sport

Figures from Sport England’s Active People Survey show that 15.83 million people over the age of 16 played sport in the last year.

That’s a return to the level seen after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. And it equates to 1.75 million more than when London won the right to host the Games. While 81,900 more men are playing sport, the overall increase is largely because more women are getting active, accounting for over 75 per cent of the

increase. The gender gap in sport has therefore reduced slightly, to 1.6 million.

Keep fit and going to the gym remain hugely popular, with the number of people doing them every week breaking the seven million mark for the first time. Exercise classes, like spinning and boxercise, continue to attract large numbers of people, especially women. The running boom looks set to continue, with 138,100 more people running regularly in the last 12

months, and a remarkable one million more people running compared to 10 years ago.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: “These figures are encouraging, especially the significant increase in the number of women playing sport and being active every week.”

However there has been a small reduction in the number of disabled people playing sport, down 2,400 in

the last year to 1.56 million. “I am concerned that, despite significant focus and investment, the number of disabled people being active has remained largely flat in the last 18 months,” Jennie says. “The sports sector needs to rethink how it supports disabled people, and in particular we all need to recognise that most disabled people are over 50 and that 75 per cent have more than one impairment.”

Sport England Enquiry 48

AUGUST 2016

Policymakers threaten UK children’s right to play

The latest report by the Committee on the Rights of the Child paints a damning picture of respect for children’s rights by UK law and policy makers, including the right to play.

The Committee monitors implementation of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child by ratifying governments. Its latest report highlights serious concerns about the impact of UK government austerity measures on ‘children’s enjoyment of their rights’, citing children from disadvantaged situations as being ‘disproportionately affected’.

The continued lack of measures to address ‘intolerance of childhood’ is slammed by the Committee, which raises deep concerns that children’s views are not being heard by those developing policies that impact children’s lives.

Children’s right to play is wholly undermined, the report says, by:

• The government’s withdrawal of a play policy for England;

• Insufficient provision of spaces and facilities for play and leisure, particularly those accessible to children with disabilities or from disadvantaged communities;

• A lack of public spaces where teenagers can socialise;

• The underfunding of play

and leisure policies in the devolved nations.

The Committee reserves praise for the Welsh government for its adoption of a play policy and integration of ‘children’s right to play systematically in relevant legislation and other relevant policies’.

API Chair Mark Hardy says: “The committee’s intense scrutiny of UK government commitment to honour the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child makes for gloomy reading. Its latest report is a damning reflection of the lack of priority given to children’s lives - particularly those that most need state support - by policymakers.

“If there was ever a chance to make good on the failings of protecting children’s right to play highlighted in this report, it is with the government’s forthcoming national strategy on obesity.

Without high quality places for children in every community to play, there is little opportunity for them to be physically active.”

The Association of Play Industries (API) campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value and benefits of play.

API Enquiry 49

'This is a great example of families being able to exercise and get healthy together. What was a derelict area of tarmac, has had this spectacular makeover and is now going to be great for all generations, for generations to come'

Councillor Vivienne Lukey, London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Play for all at West Bay

Huck Play and AllPlay have been working closely with Bridport Town Council since Westbay play area was first designed in 2008.

The brief then was to supply and install a play area for all ages, this was achieved with great success and has led to it being one of the most popular play areas in Dorset. It was this popularity which led for calls for it to be extended.

Again the town council turned to Huck Play and AllPlay to extend the area but this time to make the area suitable for all ages and abilities.

The new design included a Wheelchair access roundabout, a raised sandpit with hidden dinosaur bones, sensory equipment, slide, climbing tunnel, Group Swing, Toddler swings, Springers and a bridge linking the old are to the extension.

The design even included an adaption to the existing trampoline to allow wheelchair access. Huck, AllPlay and Bridport town council are proud of the area and are delighted that it offers Play for everyone from 0-99 years and of all abilities.

Huck Play Enquiry 51

Great green gyms in Knowsley

Proludic partnered with Knowsley Council to produce 15 sites under the green gyms initiative. These were opened this year and have been hugely successful.

Proludic have used their extensive product range and knowledge to design 15 unique and impressive sites which will cater for the whole community (from younger children, to families and senior citizens, personal trainers and fitness fanatics and finally to people just wanting to have a go and get fitter at their own pace).

The Proludic Urbanix equipment has predominantly been used across most of the sites. Proludic Urbanix is the market leading outdoor equipment

range which relies on a hydraulic piston to offer users 8 different levels of resistance. This is in stark contrast to other outdoor equipment which solely relies on user’s body weight.

To go alongside the Proludic Urbanix, they have also installed timber and metal trim trails, a social fitness zone (SFZ), Vitality outdoor equipment and Origin which is a robinia wood multi play range. As additional added value an orienteering trail was also set up.

Since the official opening a month ago the Council has worked hard to promote the green gyms initiative and have had a fantastic response.

Proludic Enquiry 52

Tennis on Tour with Judy Murray

Judy Murray decided that she wanted to actively do something about tennis at the grass root level in Scotland and Tennis on the Road was born. The programme would need the very best playing surface for the coaches and children to play on. The choice would be PowerGame from Sport Court which is a Gerflor owned company.

At Saracen Primary School in Glasgow they would benefit from playing on 11.4m x 6m of Sport Court PowerGame outdoor tiles in ‘Evergreen and ‘Purple’, which is of course a perfect match to the Wimbledon colours.

Gerflor Enquiry 53

University opts for Aquatrax style

The International Sports Village at Swansea University is home to premier indoor and outdoor facilities including a Class A, International Standard eightlane athletics track that hosts the university’s athletes, external community and athletics clubs as well as top-level sporting events.

Continuing their relationship, Replay Maintenance recently carried out their unique Aquatrax process on the track, to bring it back to an ‘as new’ condition.

Aquatrax is a unique process, combining pressure washing and vacuum extraction. The machine applies pressure water jets to dislodge the dirt before a vacuum extraction system removes the dirty water to a tank on the machine leaving a clean surface, free of contaminants.

First developed for the maintenance of polymeric athletics tracks, it has since been adapted to clean dirt and algal growth from unfilled or waterbased synthetic pitches.

Replay Maintenance Enquiry 54

Interactive swings of the future

Wicksteed Playgrounds has launched a brand new concept to the humble swing.

Memory Swing means toddlers and adults can maintain eye to eye contact whilst sharing a swing built for two.

Its unique, ergonomic design allows important interaction between toddler and parent/

carer with the adult easily and safely controlling the movement of the swing. Constructed from strong, structural steel to a grade of S355 and designed for the challenges of the UK market the Memory Swing brings a futuristic style of swinging to enhance those special playground visits.

Wicksteed Enquiry

Timberplay helps create an oasis at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is one of the fastest growing visitor attractions in the UK, with visitor numbers growing from 66,000 in the first year to 680,000 seven years later.

57

Innovative reserves designed around the needs of the animals have created a unique walkthrough wildlife park and visitor experience which is rated very highly on Trip Advisor.

Play areas are an important part of the attraction mix for the family audience and with the development in a new area of the park of a brand new camel reserve, the Masai Coffee Shop and picnic area, the time was right to boost the outdoor play facilities with a custom built play area from Timberplay.

Launched at Easter as the Oasis Adventure Play Area,

this spacious play area contains a wide selection of play equipment, chosen to appeal to children from the very young through to teenagers.

Toddlers and young children are catered for with a large sandpit, building site, see saw, balance blocks, jumping flower, play huts, dwarf hill, swinging horses, jumping discs and a specially modified whirligig, created to resemble a meerkat. Utilising sand as a safety surface has increased the play value of the space significantly.

Older children are spoilt with a huge selection of more challenging play equipment. A large climbing structure and a triangular platform combination, both of which can hold huge numbers of

Ennis-Flint reinvent playground markings

In April 2016, Ennis-Flint, the world leading supplier and manufacturer of road marking material, launched two new preformed thermoplastic road markings - Thermaline and Thermaline XF. While Thermaline XF is ideal for heavily trafficked areas such as highways, harbours, and industry areas, Thermaline offers a wider array of colours ideal for an aesthetically pleasing look –without compromising on safety.

Thermaline allows you to create unique designs that are safe, eye-catching, durable, and easy to apply. The material is applied with the simple use of a propane torch, alleviating any unnecessary outside costs and extra

equipment. Symbols and custom designs are shipped interconnected making the application straightforward and smooth. Ennis-Flint works to create products that work for everyone; and Thermaline is no exception. By introducing colourful and exciting new playground games, educational number grids, and creative surroundings, children are more encouraged to take part in outdoor activities.

It wants to help build brighter and inspiring playgrounds that come alive with a variety of colours, shapes, logos, and lettering - all without the hassle, cost, and worry.

Ennis-Flint Enquiry

59

children at any one time, promoting the development of not only motor skills, but also key social skills such as negotiation.

The huge Triple Beam Swing adds high energy fun, as the three beams respond to one another to create an exciting ride. Again, this swing is able to hold significant numbers at any one time, so it is perfect for a play area with very high visitor numbers. Always a popular addition, the Cable

Way also adds an alternative thrill.

See saws, both traditional and Jack Straw, together with a Nest Swing complete the extensive product range. Yorkshire Wildlife Park also selected wood chip as the safety surface across the wider site, creating a space that not only looks great, but also offers exceptional play value.

Timberplay Enquiry 58

Playinnovation targets

local authorities with range

With over 50 permanent installations in parks of their patented games including Street Snooker and Crossbar King, Playinnovation has developed their brilliant concepts specially to meet today’s low maintenance requirements needed by forward thinking customers in potentially harsh external environments.

More importantly, Playinnovation has repeatedly proved over a five-year period that their games walls are not only addictive fun, but also highly educational. Join the growing list of local authorities

and schools already working with Playinnovation by emailing contact@playinnovation.co.uk

Play Innovations Enquiry 60

Standard & bespoke Robinia Wood play equipment, crafted by experts, for natural, integrative play.

Bespoke play from Wicksteed

With over 95 years dedicated to the whole play experience, Wicksteed is the forerunner of bespoke play design and equipment in the UK and has the facilities to be able to create unique, one- ofa-kind, award-winning play areas that can be tailor made to suit any environment and space.

Designs can incorporate bespoke elements to totally transform areas and follow themes such as woodland, seaside, dinosaur or fantasy to reflect an individual site’s history or location.

Stuart Wetherell from Wicksteed commented: “Our team of experienced designers know what is creatively possible within a designated play space and can bring the most ambitious

and complex design concepts to life, from giant stone aircraft climbers to an impressive dragon’s head slide.

“We work closely with our clients to ensure that our designs are not only eyecatching but also that the play experience is the best it can be for all ages and abilities.”

Recent schemes include bespoke Twin Treehouses for a large country park, a massive Dragon’s Head opening into a tube slide with a series of intricately-twisted log climbers as a backbone for a site in Cambridge and a ferocious-looking Shark’s Head Rock Climber for a seaside location.

Wicksteed Enquiry 63

eibe’s royal seal of approval

It’s not often that an eibe playground gets visited by royalty. But that’s exactly what happened recently when HRH Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited the National Ponty Lido as part of their summer Welsh tour. The Lido, renovated in 2015 at a cost of £6.3 million, features a bespoke eibe playspace and has proved a magnetic destination for locals in the Rhondda Valley as well as visiting tourists.

The day was a great success and everybody had the chance to talk with the organisers and architects responsible for the Lido design in the morning; this was followed by a Q and A with the Prince. There was plenty of patriotism and some typically strong Welsh singing outside the play area. eibe’s managing director, Paul Redden, and Ben Neaves, Projects Manager, shook

hands with the royals and exchanged comments and thoughts on the play facilities.

Redden was intrigued by Prince Charles’ interest and fondness of our wooden equipment: “It was fantastic to have a conversation with him, it was clear he was impressed with what he saw and the creativity associated with the playground. He told me wood had always been his favourite material, to which I wholly concurred, obviously!

“He remarked how popular the playground was and indeed what an affect the whole Lido regeneration had had on the community. He seemed to know the history of the place, the Jenny Jones connection - his knowledge of Welsh heritage was incredible.”

eibe Play Enquiry 64

Award winning hospital playground accessible to all

Play specialists, Sutcliffe Play South West has installed an inclusive playground as part of a development plan to upgrade Ward 15 at Singleton Hospital, Swansea.

The new Children’s Development Centre went on to win a prestigious ‘Building Better Hospitals’ award.

Singleton Hospital wanted to rejuvenate the existing play area which was looking tired and worn and include a paved area which was not being used.

Sutcliffe Play South West worked alongside a project team at Singleton Hospital to create an inspirational design to meet specific requirements set by the hospital and fundraisers. The play area for the Children’s Development Centre now provides friendly

play opportunities for children with disabilities and their siblings, allowing both therapeutic developmental play and general play.

“We wanted to create an exciting and accessible play area for children of all ages

and abilities - a requirement which has undoubtedly been met.” says Danny Flynn, project manager at Singleton Hospital.

“Since the installation of the play area, Singleton Hospital has won Building Better

hospitals – Best Collaborative Arts Project award, recognising the transformation of the Children’s Development Centre which includes the external play area as key benefit.”

Sutcliffe Play Enquiry 65

Terrabound used in The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace

Addagrip Terraco ‘s Terrabound Resin Bound Surfacing provides a porous, smooth, contemporary, hard-wearing and low-maintenance surface using a range of natural and recycled aggregates.

With competition from new suppliers, manufacturers and DIY suppliers entering the Resin Bound Surfacing market, British Board of Agrément Certification is assurance of a product’s quality and fitness for purpose.

The design of a garden project at Hampton Court Palace called for a smooth, seamless surface that would be porous and low-maintenance whilst providing a bright, aesthetically-pleasing paving.

Resin Bound Terrabound in a 3mm natural aggregate Autumn Toffee blend was selected to meet these requirements and provide walkways that were comfortable underfoot and suitable for wheelchair access.

A total of 850m2 of Addagrip’s BBA accredited Terrabound Resin Bound porous surfacing was installed on the pathways at The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace.

Designed by award-winning landscape architect Robert Myers Associates and set within King Henry VIII’s former Tiltyard, where Tudor tournaments were once played out, The Magic Garden is inspired

New water based hockey pitch for college

After a competitive tender and interview process, Smith Construction has been awarded a contract to construct a full size water based hockey pitch complete with both a spectator viewing area and a warm-up area at Malvern College, Worcestershire.

The full size water based hockey pitch will be a fantastic addition to their current sport facilities; state-of-the-art sports hall, swimming pool, squash courts, cricket facilities, numerous tennis courts and an artificial grass pitch.

The new pitch has been in the pipeline for several years and is due to commence on site shortly. The team will begin by clearing the site and

stabilising the ground, using the pioneering method of lime and cement to create a stable base for the pitch.

The stabilised base design also means the ground works are not affected by the weather, meaning we have better control over the programme for our client.

The pitch will provide a safe area which can be utilised in all weathers, with the addition of a 3m high weldmesh fencing system and floodlighting. A full irrigation system will be constructed and the pitch will be surfaced using UK manufacturers Tiger Turf’s Wett Pro system.

Smith Constructor Enquiry 69

Golf centre boosts profits with the help of Huxley Golf

Portsmouth Golf Centre is bucking the trend when it comes to attracting new golfers, boosting profits at the same time.

The South Coast based golf hub has recorded an 11% uplift in lesson income and improved sales through its pro shop in the first four months of 2016. Owner Terry Healy puts this down to his investment in a new all-weather coaching area created recently by Huxley Golf.

Recognising that many golfers liked to practise outside, Mr Healy commissioned Huxley Golf to create an outdoor coaching zone to complement the Centre’s 22 hi-tech covered bays.

The new training facility features a 6ft x 48ft (1.8m x 14.6m) driving area and a 77 sq. yard (64m 2) five hole putting green with two chipping pods, all created

using Huxley Golf’s top flight all-weather surfaces. Located close to the 18th hole, fencing was skilfully designed to facilitate views of the Huxley Golf practice area, sparking interest and cleverly generating new coaching enquiries. Floodlighting across the facility extends coaching into the evening.

The Centre pro shop has benefited too, as golfers can use the area to try out new equipment in a nonpressured environment and on Huxley’s extremely realistic, yet durable, playing surface. Indeed, it has enabled the team there to introduce a new service, Putter Fittings, to its extensive list of custom fitting services. Sales have improved and the customer’s buying experience has been enhanced.

by the fairy-tale qualities of the Tudor Palace which is adorned with heraldry and mythical beasts. The garden has been designed to create a journey through different levels with its slopes and undulating pathways to give an element of discovery and surprise, providing opportunities for play that will engage and excite both children and adults.

Addagrip approved contractor Total Protection (GB) Ltd was honoured to be appointed by Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd to install a total of 850m2 of Resin Bound pathways to areas of the garden which are rich in character.

The surfacing was undertaken over 3 separate visits and included preparation of the concrete substrate by grinding and pressure washing it clear of all contaminants and creating the required 12mm depth ready for the Resin Bound Terrabound to be applied. Movement joint edge detail with matching coloured

inserts was also installed to correspond with the concrete joints beneath and provide a seamless-looking finish to the walkways.

Total Protection also undertook the painting for the fiery red ‘Dragons Head’ which provides a spectacular central feature to the new

garden. The inspirational Magic Garden, which has been six years in the making, was officially opened by HRH The Duchess of in May and marks an exciting new chapter in the palace’s 500 year history.

Addagrip Terraco Enquiry

68

New recruit for Countrywide Turf and Amenity

As part of Countrywide’s expanding Turf and Amenity division, Phil Garrod, the former head groundsman of the Honourable Artillery Company, has been appointed as uk sports turf manager.

Over the coming months and years, Phil will be responsible for providing agronomic and product support to customers nationally, in the non-golf sector and increase awareness of Countrywide’s extensive

portfolio of fertilisers, plant protection products, seed and aggregates.

Countrywide Turf is establishing itself within the sports pitch arena thanks to liquid and granular fertilisers, accompanied by Polyon controlled release technology, which are achieving excellent results.

Countrywide Enquiry 72

Practical demonstrations to manage cut stump re-growth

Forestry and amenity professionals can discover more about Nomix Enviro’s range of effective weed control solutions at this year’s APF show.

At stand 3A, visitors will be able to discuss their queries with Nomix’s BASIS qualified team and receive expert advice on topics such as how to prevent cut stump re-growth.

Practical demonstrations will also take place throughout the event to display the benefits of a number of products, including: Nomix Total Droplet Control (TDC); Ecoplug Max; and Nomix Stem Master.

The 2016 APF show takes place at Ragley Hall Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire on September 15-17 2016.

Nomix Enviro Enquiry 74

ICL’s spreaders change colour

ICL has announced that its range of market leading rotary spreaders have undergone a colour transformation from green and orange to blue and white to represent the new corporate colours.

The AccuPro 2000 and SR2000 - the number one choice of spreaders for groundsmen, greenkeepers and landscapers are renowned for accurately delivering seeds, fertilisers and top dressing.

Up until now, these popular spreaders have graced the likes of fairways, sports fields and landscapes in their signature green and orange colour. However, in line with new company branding both the AccuPro 2000 and SR-2000’s

hopper will now be manufactured in ICL’s shade of blue.

While the spreaders will be sporting new colours, the specifications will remain exactly the same, continuing to offer turf managers the very best in application efficiency.

Both models have been designed and built with quality, durability and cost effectiveness in mind.

Each spreader is manufactured to the highest industry standards, using high spec materials throughout the manufacturing and construction process, ensuring each meets ICL’s stringent quality control standards.

ICL Enquiry 75

Green-tech launches new green roof cassettes

Green-tech, the award winning landscaping supplies company has expanded its green roof product range to include the new gtSedum Roof Cassettes.

Designed specifically for extensive green roof installations, the new cassettes can convert a roof into a lush sedum green roof simply and effectively.

Incorporating a minimum of 8 types of sedum into each individual cassette, the new system is designed to provide an instant and practical solution to green roofs. Sedum is the ideal choice for extensive green roofs, as it requires minimal maintenance, is drought tolerant and requires a minimal substrate layer.

It is a well-rooted, low-growing plant therefore it is ideal for the harsh, open environments

typically associated with green roofs. Green roofs are quickly becoming a great resource for urban greening and conversions of large open roof spaces, with the evolution of sedum cassettes green roofs are achievable for all.

The installation process is straightforward, the cassettes are designed to simply fit together to any formation required. Each cassette incorporates a drainage layer to aid capillary action and a filter layer to ensure that the lightweight substrate is not

washed away. The lightweight substrate has been specifically developed for use in green roof installations with controlled levels of fertility to support sedum growth.

Enquiry 73

Green-tech

Plantscape acquisition enables TCL to broaden its service portfolio

Landscape and estate management providers TCL has added another major player to its service portfolio by acquiring Plantscape, the country’s leading supplier of floral displays.

Plantscape, based in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has been trading since the mid-1980s and provides services to hundreds of regional local authorities, including borough, town and parish councils, as well as many private commercial organisations.

The business plants up, installs and maintains thousands of its own patented planters every year, including its innovative hanging baskets, raised Holestar planters, window boxes, barrier baskets and floor-standing multi-tier planters, all featuring Plantscape’s once-a-week watering technology. TCL Group CEO Simon Cashmore said of the

acquisition: “I have been a fan of what Plantscape has brought to the market over recent years, providing innovative design-led products that truly transform the environments in which the products are used.

“With such focus on environmental initiatives within many customer groups, particularly local authorities, Plantscape products both look great and allow its customers to make considerable savings in overheads through efficient watering regimes and reduced water wastage.

“I am delighted that Plantscape’s managing director, Mark Stone, will remain with the business and continue to lead the process of developing further products and services.”

Plantscape managing director Mark Stone said: “Being part of TCL will provide access to a

far wider range of customers and allow us to continue to grow the business organically.

“TCL has a reputation for high quality service delivery and provides many services to the residential construction sector, education and early years’ sectors, local authority and leisure sectors.

“The acquisition will enable us to develop relationships with many more organisations and provide access to additional sectors that I believe our products would serve incredibly well.”

Pictured from left is Plantscape managing director Mark Stone with Tony Cammiss, managing director of TCL, Nick Truesdale, director of TCL North, TCL Group CFO Simon Abley and Simon Cashmore, CEO of TCL Group.

Plantscape Enquiry 76

through EFFICIENCY

Range of Wide Area Mowers

Primarily targeted at the municipal and groundscare contracting sectors, the MP family provides multiple options from a single design platform.

The versatility of the MP platform has resulted in a series of wide area mowers with the option of rotary decks or cutting cylinders. Engineered from the ground up for minimal, simple servicing and signi cant weight savings using high strength steel. The designed ef ciencies translate directly to keep your fuel usage down and operational costs low.

Two engines are available; a 49 hp Kubota diesel and a 65 hp turbocharged unit, providing bestin-class power-to-weight ratio. The advanced controller on the 65 hp engine facilitates ‘drive-by-wire’ and cruise control as well as PIN protected maximum mow and transport speeds.

Operator comfort is rst-class with an ISOmounted platform reducing noise and vibration together with a suspension seat ensuring long days of productive mowing.

Output from the MP Family is prodigious, but don’t take our word for it.

ICL offers scholarship opportunity for BIGGA members

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association has announced the launch of a new scholarship in conjunction with BIGGA Partner, ICL.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship will offer five BIGGA members the opportunity to attend the Continue to Learn education programme that will be held at BTME 2017.

Sami Strutt, BIGGA’s Head of Member Development, said: “As BIGGA Partners, ICL have long recognised the significant investment that greenkeepers make in developing themselves throughout their careers. Often this dedication is done at their own personal expense, and so I am delighted that ICL will help five BIGGA members with the

support they need to make the most of the Continue to Learn education programme at BTME 2017.”

The scholarship is worth approximately £500 per person and comprises three nights’ hotel accommodation and a 15-hour education bundle.

Applicants for the scholarship must be BIGGA members and a panel, made up of representatives from BIGGA and ICL will review all applications and select the recipients of the five scholarships. Successful applicants will be advised in October 2016.

BIGGA Enquiry 77

Planting is so easy

Trees which will be professionally planted on new sites, are usually purchased from tree nurseries where, as they have been gro wn, they have been re-planted several times and their tap root removed. This gives a more compact root ball which is close to the trunk compared to a tree which has grown from a seed in one place.

When commercially grown trees are sold, they are removed from ground by a three bladed shovel or with what is more commonly used now, a circular knife. The root balls are covered by a bale cloth so that the roots are not exposed and the bale is then enclosed in wire netting. The root system on a commercially grown tree is considerably smaller than the bale on a naturally grown tree, hence the reason for some type of securing system when planting.

The most commonly used method for stabilizing newly planted trees, is a wooden tripod or its derivatives. This is not an optimal solution, neither esthetically, nor with concern to the physiology of the tree. Consequently more

and more underground anchorage systems are being used. Underground systems are superior to tripod systems allowing the tree to be more esthetically displayed, and allowing the tree to develop correctly and establish a healthy root system. This type of anchorage also removes the problems associated with above ground securing, such as vandalism, continual maintenance, the chance of litigation due to obstruction and additional difficulties in maintaining grass around the planting.

The general thoughts and guidelines on underground securing is that it is acceptable as long as the system does not

damage the stem, crown or roots and that the bale diameter is large enough and the ground is appropriate. The bale should not be compressed or disturbed in a way that would damage the roots

There are several above ground and underground securing systems available and it is important to make direct comparisons before choosing what you consider to be the best for you. One essential question has been answered by field trials. How much anchorage does a tree need as a minimum? Extensive research by Dr Lothar Wessolly of Germany who is recognized as the worlds leading expert on tree stabilization, and using his “inclomethod” which uses the

angle of inclination under a so called “wind supplement load” in connection with an analysis of the wind pressure on a crown, you can get a generalized inclination graph and can determine the maximum wind force a tree can safely take. Dr Wessolly conducted these tests on more than 12,000 trees.

Test results (Fig. 1)

From the results, he was able to determine that trees with foliage, which were planted in sandy humus soil at Bad Zwischenahn in Germany, didn’t need any additional anchorage up to storm force 10. Of the trees planted, 74% were able to take up to storm force 11 and 48% still didn’t need support up to storm force 12. This determines that only a relatively small support is actually necessary. In addition to the newly planted trees, further trees with a standing time of one to three were tested to determine how long a tree should be supported until it can be left on its own. Oaks, chestnuts, horse chestnuts, maples, sycamore and linden trees were used, groups all of the typical planting size of 25cm – 30cm diameter trunks as well as solitary trees with 50cm – 70cm diameter trunks were used. The results show that additional anchorage should be used for dynamic and biological reasons.

Biodynamical background (Fig. 2)

A young tree strives to grow as tall as possible. Without any stimulus by wind, most of the trees resources go into vertical growth. During the vegetation period, there is a constant flow of auxin from the tree tops to the roots. This boosts the vertical growth and therefore inhibits the budding of side shoots, the growth of a wide crown and the main root system. In contrast, in a tree that sways naturally in the wind, phytohormone ethylene is produced. This hormone inhibits the transportation of auxin and creates a growth of cells in a radial direction. This results in a redistribution of the trees growth resources with a reduction of vertical growth and the reinforcement of stem growth and of the main root system. Therefore, trees should be grown without additional support or anchorage.

Possible securing methods

There is a simple principle in engineering, that stiff or rigid systems are not able to absorb and dissipate imposed loads. Dynamic systems on the other hand are able to do just that. This means that a if a tree is supported or anchored by steel cables or stiff tripods, all of the winds force goes into that construction, the tree does not participate in the absorption and the support system is unnecessarily strained. This results in the necessary over-dimensioning of these systems or, if that is not done, the support mechanism will fail. The tree also allows for this support in its system and remains too thin and weak for its height.

Test results also showed that rigid systems with steel cables that are kept under tension, lead to a tightening of the cables and a constriction of the stem which, results in a predetermined breaking point.

If the principle that load distribution, is supposed to function between the tree and its securing system, the possible movements and the maximum bend of the tree have to be known.

This was also examined at a tree nursery at Bad Zwischenahn, and it was found that it is possible to provide a tree with part of its possible movement for training itself. If this is done, the tree can develop in a biologically healthy and stable way.

Anchorage or Support above ground level.

Supporting with stakes (Fig. 3) The most common form of support is a tripod, but often a set of four stakes may be used. Both hinder the movement of the tree, causing an influence on the hormonal development of the tree, which needs natural movement for optimal development to get enough stimulation in its root system. It is also a fact that the system is forgotten about and the stakes are not removed after the roots have grown sufficiently. This can take years and from an aesthetical viewpoint this is not acceptable. The bindings can also go into the stem as the tree grows around it, causing a predetermined breaking point.

Another important point which must be taken into consideration is the often fatal effect of strimming. Often there is not enough room between the stakes and the tree. The work has to be done quickly and often there is a certain amount of indifference by the worker. This can result in damage to the stem of the tree and possible death. The only advantage of stakes is the possible use for advertising posters or to hide bad planting materials from the nursery.

Supporting with ropes (Fig. 4) Supporting trees with any kind

of cable or rope needs a lot of space and can create pitfalls. They are totally unacceptable in pedestrian areas

Static anchorage (Fig. 5)

There are anchorage systems on the market which use steel cables and ground anchors made of an aluminium wedge. The system is installed by hammering it into the earth with a peg, then fastening it with a ratchet to tighten the cable. Using this type of system the tree is stiff and rigidly anchored as if they were supported by stakes. Naturally this has the same disadvantages. This system also has the problem that if the trees stem thickness increases, it tightens the cables which then depress the cambiums, resulting in grooving, especially if the fastening is done by a sling.

Dynamic anchorage (Fig. 6)

The advantage of this type of anchorage is its suitability for the natural growth of the tree. The tree can sway freely and grow strong. However systems with screw in anchors require exact placing and adjustment. To install the anchors you must operate outside the planting hole, which can cause problems when setting because of obstruction by stones.

There are other systems which use shock absorbers or soft synthetic ropes. These are rather problematic because of the synthetic materials and its vulnerability to vandalism. A knife or pocket lighter is enough to severely damage the support and consequently the tree. The relative movement of the bale within the planting hole is not completely eliminated. On lawns, there is also the possibility of damage my mowers

Underground securing

All underground securing systems avoid any visual interference and are aesthetically more pleasing. The trees can grow unmolested, because

there is no interference to the natural sway and therefore with the hormonal interdependency, allowing the tree to develop to its optimum potential.

Bale pressing using aluminium earth anchors and tensioning ropes. By using polyester slings and aluminium anchors, non rotting materials are inserted into the ground, which is not really satisfactory. With this type of system, attention also has to be paid to the possible compression of the roots. Uninterrupted root growth can only happen where there is no sling, consequently, after the

tree’s roots have struck, the polyester slings and ropes must be taken out and disposed of.

Bale pressing using wood (Fig. 7)

This system has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that the system uses force on the bales by pressing them which is not good for root growth. The advantage is that the wood will totally decay. However, this takes longer than it takes for the tree to be standing securely.

Bale interlocking

This systems development started with consideration right from the start of the extraction of the tree at the nursery. The tree is taken from ground by a circular knife which results in a spherical bale. The bale is immediately covered with a jute bale cloth, which is secured in wire netting. In its new planting hole, it would obviously stand like a ball in a socket. A sphere has no resistance to turning, so this has to be prevented in its new location. Some trees naturally grow tap roots; therefore it makes common sense to employ this principle when replanting trees.

A new system has been developed taking into account this principle. Arbofix was first introduced at the GaLaBau exhibition in Nürnburg Germany, and was immediately awarded the coveted award for innovation. It is produced in four sizes to accommodate different diameters of stem. Arbofix is fitted with only 3 blows of a mallet through the central ring of the wire netting. The system works well with densely rooted bales without damaging the roots.

The practical proof of this system was demonstrated after hurricane Kyrill which occurred on 18th January 2007 Twenty one newly planted acer plantenoids with stems of 18cm – 20cm had been planted in a relatively light

substratum using the Arbofix securing system. The planting site was not completed, and the trees were standing on steep sided molehills made of the substratum. The trees were not supported on the sides by the planting holes. Despite the severe hurricane force winds, no tree was unearthed or even pushed over. The planting site was an unprotected high plateau in the black forest. Several other healthy trees which had been planted on the same site with other systems overturned or were badly damaged. This clearly showed the benefits of the Arborfix system.

Overview of plant securing systems (Fig. 8) Commercial landscape gardening companies work in a very competitive market place. Contracts are won and lost on price alone leaving narrow margins when calculating planting costs. The costs of different systems should therefore be compared. Not

only the initial purchase price but all costs incurred in a planting. The following costs are not totally accurate but are close enough for comparison purposes.

The calculation of the systems cost include (a) the purchase price, (b) the cost of storage and space, (c) the labour cost of installation, (d) maintenance costs after installation. With some other systems interfering material from the planting system must be removed after the tree is able to support itself. Materials such as support slings in the crowns, synthetic rope in the ground or stakes which no longer have a function should all be removed. The costs incurred here can be quite considerable when you take into account the time taken to drive to the planting site, and then the drive to dispose of the unwanted waste.

Workware Enquiry 79

isgrowing... 2and3November2016

SALTEX is at the heart of the industry and the must attend event for anyone working within the landscape and horticulture sectors.

Bigger exhibition

Latest industry innovations

New student competition

Enhanced expert advice

More educational seminars

Larger awards event

Free admission to exhibition. To register visit www.iogsaltex.com.

Pellenc launches new batterypowered pruning shears

Pellenc has launched two new battery-powered pruners – the Prunion and Vinion, which replace the older generation Treelion and Lixion pruning shears. Pellenc is sold exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

With a weight of less than 900 grams, the Prunion pruner offers users unbeatable cutting power and work quality.

Its grip fits any hand and its large cutting diameter makes it comfortable to prune with. Adapted to winemakers seeking lightness, ergonomics, maneuverability and precision, the Vinion pruning shears are a

high-tech revolution weighing just 670 grams.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come complete with a three year commercial warranty as standard - the first manufacturer to offer

STIHL FSA 90 cordless brushcutter

Landscapers and professionals gardeners alike now have a powerful yet quiet option for landscape maintenance.

STIHL’s FSA 90 cordless brushcutter is powerful, quiet machine with a cutting blade and ergonomic bike handle for trimming large areas of tough grass. The FSA 90 is powered by 36V Lithium-Ion PRO battery

technology and features STIHL’s powerful EC Motor.

Partnered with the AP300 battery, the FSA 90 runs for up to 39 minutes with ECOSPEED load control helping extend the battery life. Go to www.stihl. co.uk for more information.

STIHL Enquiry 82

Etesia Enquiry

81

EGO powers through tidy-up with ease

The EGO Power+ Blower is a handheld tornado, designed to tidy up gardens by shifting leaves and other debris with complete ease.

This innovative tool is a smarter, safer, more effi cient option than petrol, starting first time every time. There will be no more rushed trips to the petrol station, and you will no longer have to deal with the noise, fumes and vibrations associated with petrol.

The blower is powered by a 56V lithium-ion battery, which is the most technically advanced battery within the industry. Using jet engine turbine fan technology, with just one thirty minute charge, the blower will

power through your garden tidy-up chores for up to an hour, and it even features a turbo boost for additional force. It also boasts a large diameter blower tube for maximum air flow. The EGO Power+ Blower will take away the stress, strain and dread from your autumn tidy. EGO European marketing director, Steve Roskell, commented:

“EGO is the first range of cordless outdoor equipment with the power and performance of petrol without the noise, fuss or fumes. The blower is one of the most powerful rechargeable blowers on the market and delivers better results that its petrol counterparts.”

EGO Enquiry 83

this on battery-powered tools. Customers can now purchase Pellenc tools through Etesia’s finance partner.

Company expands into synthetic pitch maintenance with Charterhouse

Phil Day Sports (PDS has accumulated a fair amount of Charterhouse kit, including equipment to help with the increase of synthetic work.

Toby Grace, business development manager, said the advice of Curtis Allen at Charterhouse has been invaluable in meeting demand from clients for artificial surface maintenance work.

“With his help and recommendation we went on to purchase a Verti-Top Vac and an X-Treme Clean, followed by a Rink 1210 top dresser and most recently the Redexim Speedbrush,” he explained

The X-Treme Clean is purposely designed for deep clean and decompaction work and for PDS it has seen service to clean sand filled pitches. The Verti-Top has been used primarily for cleaning 3G pitches in addition to being put over a sand/rubber crumb surface after the X-Treme Clean has had a pass.

The multi-use Rink 1210 has seen its use double with PDS using it for cricket renovation work for topdressing with sand as well as distributing rubber crumb on synthetic surfaces.

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry 85

Spaldings signs national dealership agreement with Husqvarna

Spaldings expanded their outdoor power tool offering by signing a national dealership agreement with Husqvarna.

The agreement will see Spaldings stock a wide range of Husqvarna equipment and spares to ensure customers are well supported and benefit from the next day delivery service Spaldings offer.

“We are extremely proud to be entering into this agreement with Husqvarna, which will perfectly complement our offering to both the professional grounds maintenance and agricultural sectors alike,” said Nigel Whelan, Head of Product Development at Spaldings.

The range is expected to be available from mid-August and will be displayed on the Spaldings stand at the APF show in September.

For more information please contact Spaldings on 01522 507500; gcsales@spaldings.co.uk ; www.spaldings.co.uk

Spaldings Enquiry 86

Terex Powershift operating nationwide

The first site dumper units featuring Terex Construction’s allnew Powershift transmission have rolled off the production line at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Coventry.

The 2016 TA9P models, also featuring Stop-Start engine control and Autoshift technology, will be added to GAP Group’s national equipment fleet over the coming weeks.

Available on all models across the Terex TA9 and TA10 site dumper portfolios, Powershift transmission allows smooth and more efficient gear changes,

helping operators to select the correct gear for the required application – regardless of terrain or ground conditions.

Available with either a manual or optional automatic shift gearbox, the industry-first technology helps to improve productivity and ensures simpler operation. With the option to partner with Stop-Start engine control, the innovative update will improve site dumper productivity and reduce maintenance requirements for operators and managers alike.

New seed is sown at Acorn Hire

Volvo

The new arrivals are part of a continuing investment plan in Mr Glenie’s plant and tool hire business and join a mix of small plant available for non-operated hire including site dumpers up to 3 tonnes, walk behind rollers, access platforms as well as a comprehensive range of scaffold towers. The ECR25D is the smallest zero swing model in the

2.7 tonne

Both models feature simultaneous control of slew and offset movements provides faster, more precise performance and all hydraulic functions are performed in total independence for more control and less delay when handling multiple tasks. Volvo Enquiry 90

READER ENQUIRY 87

Terex Enquiry 88

Acorn Hire of Staplehurst, Kent has broken with tradition and purchased a quintet of Volvo compact excavators from Volvo CE’s utility dealer - the Glosrose Group.

compact excavator range and is powered by a 1.1 litre low emission engine developing 21hp. The

and slightly larger conventional Volvo EC27C is powered by a Volvo 1.6 litre low emission Stage III engine.

Top marks for SISIS Brush-Pro

Garry Watson, head groundsman at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, has chosen the SISIS Brush-Pro ride-on brushing system, for all his synthetic surface maintenance.

Among these facilities are three synthetic surfaces which are solely used for hockey. Two are situated at the girls’ school and quite recently the boys’ school had a sand based pitch constructed. All of these pitches see a tremendous amount of usage with school teams playing on them throughout the day and local hockey clubs hiring them out in the evening.

It is a very common misconception that synthetic surfaces require very little attention but just like natural turf, synthetic surfaces require maintenance as soon as they are constructed if they are to perform to the standard expected of them.

The SISIS Brush-Pro is a ride-on brushing system comprising a pair of mid mounted oscillating units and three rear mounted brush units that that have been specifically designed for maintaining

synthetic surfaces. Upon seeing a demonstration of the SISIS BrushPro, Garry was so impressed that he decided to purchase not just one, but two of them.

Brushing synthetic surfaces is essential to keep infill mobile, lift the pile and prevent algae accumulation, surface compaction and loss of porosity.

The Brush-Pro has been designed for maximum manoeuvrability and operator comfort with features such as an electric start, hydrostatic drive for forward/reverse and its brush combinations - oscillating for thorough periodic work and rear mounted brushes for routine frequent work which cause less compaction than conventional drag brushes.

“The oscillating brush is the best feature because it lifts the pile of the carpet up,” adds Gary. “The problem with synthetic surfaces is that you get a lot of flattening but the SISIS Brush-Pro brings the fibres back up leaving it in great condition.”

SISIS Enquiry 93

Vredo enhance precision Overseeder range

Vredo has revamped the precision Overseeder range by giving the machine a complete make-over, improving the shape, aesthetics and functionality, to make the best even better in the form of the Vredo Sport with DDS System.

The improvements begin with the lid and rear of the seed hopper, which now both have sleeker

round shapes. The curved edges encourages the funnelling of seed towards the cam wheel, providing even greater accuracy through a more reliable seed flow.

The Vredo Sport with DDS System model is now available for order from Campey Turf Care Systems.

Campey Turf Care Enquiry 92

Spaldings unveils exclusive range of mulching toppers

Spaldings has signed an exclusive deal to supply the UK farming and groundcare industries with mulching toppers from the largest manufacturer in Spain, TMC Cancela.

TMC Cancela manufacture around 2,500 toppers per year. With all design and construction taking place “In house” this gives a very high quality finished product far outweighing any competition.

Spaldings will stock machines including 1.8m flail, two 2.8m versions and a 2.2m offset flail. They will also stock two rotary machines of which one will be 2.0m and the other 3.6m folding.

Available on request will be two versions of a folding flail 4.8m and 6.1m machine.

Spaldings will also have access to the full range of TMC Cancela machinery which includes forestry and hydraulic (excavator) equipment.

Spaldings Enquiry 91

Big projects for Littlestone’s new TYM tractor

Kent’s Littlestone Golf Club has bought a TYM compact tractor for aerating, overseeding and rough cutting its two 18-hole courses.

Littlestone is a club known for its major focus on course conditions and has some of the finest greens in the South East. As part of a significant investment in a 17-strong fleet of new Toro turfcare machinery, the TYM T433 makes a likefor-like replacement of an older competitor tractor and was chosen for its complementary fit with Toro.

Course manager Malcolm Grand, who’s been at the club for 30 years, says he couldn’t be happier with the choice. “The T433 has exactly the right horsepower for the big tasks and its weight is just right for the greens and fairways. Plus, it fits all the attachments we need, such as front ‘bucket’

to help load the topdresser, towing our Toro ProCore SR70S aerator, as well as attaching a flail collector or an overseeder.

“This tractor has got it spot on when it comes to the way the attachments just overlap the tread width of the tyres meaning we don’t have to run back over the same area when we’re aerating. Things like that make a big difference and as a result we’re thrilled with its performance.”

The T433 is big on power and performance with a 43 horsepower engine capable of pulling an array of attachments over a sizeable area. At just 4140lbs, it is like Malcolm can attest to, ideal for use on a golf course, especially the green sand fairways.

Home to The Championship Links course, laid out across the county’s undulating landscape, and The Littlestone Warren, a

naturally rugged links attached to The Championship, the historic dual-course club is by its nature generally dry, as Malcolm, who’s head of an eight-strong greens team, comments: “Links courses don’t tend to have rapid grass growth because of the sandy free draining soil composition, but thanks to the extreme rain

this year we have a lot of grass to get through and deep roughs to tackle.

“The tractor will have a busy time of it come the autumn as we take on the roughs and in the winter with construction work.”

Lely Turfcare Enquiry 96

Make landscaping a breeze with Billy Goat

A sod cutter from Billy Goat makes lifting turf easy, particularly for those with larger areas to clear.

It inserts its blade up to 2.5” deep into the grass and cuts the sod from underneath the root to expose bare ground, it then makes a horizontal cut to allow the turf to be removed in strips.

Comfortable and easy to use, the Billy Goat SC180H sod cutter offers excellent manoeuvrability with variable ground speeds, as well as forward and reverse options that make it ideal for novices and professionals alike.

It has an 18” working width, hydrostatic drive and is powered by a Honda petrol engine.

Featuring Billy Goat’s unique “Set and Forget” blade depth adjustment, the SC180H allows for cut heights can be set with a single lever, lifting turf effortlessly.

A wide selection of cutting blades and blade angles allows users to quickly adapt to varying soil conditions and easy depth adjustment helps to effi ciently select a cutting depth. The cutter also boasts the fastest transport speed on the market running at a speedy 3.5mph, making work fast and efficient.

Henton & Chattell Enquiry 97

Dennis is pitch perfect

Bob Carder, head of grounds at Stamford Endowed Schools in Lincolnshire, has praised his range of Dennis mowers for helping him keep on top of a busy work schedule.

The schools boast 45 grass areas for various sports. To help Bob keep on top his turf maintenance operations he chooses to use a range of Dennis mowers which includes two Dennis FT510’s, a G760 and a Razor Ultra 560.

Each machine plays a key part

in Bob’s turf maintenance programme and are used in conjunction with one another, as Bob explains.

The Dennis FT510 is an interchangeable cassette cylinder mower giving users options to fit twelve different heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers and slitters as well as 5 or 10 blade cutting cassettes.

The FT510 and G760 mowers assist Bob in a range of tasks

across a variety of sports turf and the Dennis Razor Ultra 560 provides him with even more versatility. The machine has a 560mm (22”) cutting width and incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, an ultra-short wheelbase for undulating greens, tungsten tipped groomer, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels.

Dennis Enquiry 100

Spaldings appointed national dealer for Greenworks cordless tools.

Spaldings has announced its appointment as exclusive nationwide dealer for the Greenworks Tools 82V Commercial cordless landscape tools range.

This range is specifically aimed at the professional user and consists of a mower, chainsaw, axil blower, high capacity blower, hedge trimmer and loop handle brushcutter. Greenworks Commercial 82V range is

the most powerful cordless product available on the market. Commercial 82V tools will not only outperform any other professional battery product on the market but will outperform its equivalent petrol machine whilst giving lower running costs, lower noise, lower vibration and zero emissions. The Greenworks Commercial 82V tools will be available for delivery nationwide by Spaldings from August 1 2016.

For more information contact Spaldings on 01522 507500 or go to www.spaldings.co.uk.

Spaldings Enquiry 101

Major Owen’s 30 years as a Kubota dealership

Major Owen, the leading distributor of high quality construction and groundcare equipment in North Wales, is celebrating its 30th anniversary as an official Kubota dealer this year. The dealership’s 30-year milestone, hot on the heels of being accredited with the Kubota Gold Service Excellence Award for its fifth consecutive year, means that the partnership with Kubota is the longest commercial relationship Major Owen has had in the history of the business.

Major Owen employs 26 people, including 14 service staff, and operates out of the same premises in Parc Road which now stands at 18,500 square foot.

A range to suit all from Kioti

A complete range of compact tractors to suit all applications is available from Kioti UK.

With models ranging from 26hp through to 73hp, the company plan to introduce flagship models from 90-110 HP later in the year with a major focus on the groundcare market.

Potential buyers won’t be disappointed with the superb finish of the Kioti product. manufactured using high quality components and advanced paint finish techniques, the tractors will maintain their finish for many years to come. Time has also

GreenMech to launch new features at APF 2016

GreenMech, Europe’s largest manufacturer of wood chippers, will be showcasing at this year’s APF Show their newest innovations.

Stand 80/110, in the outside area, will be showing a selection of GreenMech wood chippers in a new livery and sporting a new folding table, bottom control bars and all new infeed touch controls.

Amongst them will be the first showing of the new look Arborist 130 and Arborist 150 chippers.

GreenMech staff will be on hand

to offer comprehensive technical advice and explain the very flexible finance options that are currently available.

The Arborist 130 and Arborist 150 are simple-touse, cost effective, road tow chippers designed for quality, performance and economy. They both have a generous 970mm x 790mm in-feed hopper which aids bushy brash reduction, coupled with a 150cm x 230cm letterbox-style throat enabling heavily forked branches to be fed in easily.

These two new products will be shown beside other popular machines from the GreenMech range, like the CS100, QuadChip 160 and the SAFE-Trak 19-28.

GreenMech’s Sales Director, Martin Lucas, is upbeat, “We’re expecting the new additions to our ARB range to make a big impression this year at APF and look forward to introducing all the new features to new and existing customers.”

GreenMech Enquiry 104

Kubota Enquiry 102

Scottish first for Branson Tractors

Agri-Services of Darvel have been appointed the first dealership in Scotland for Branson Tractors.

Agri-Services have an established reputation supplying and servicing machinery and equipment to groundcare contractors of Scotland since 1970.

In mid-2015 that Kukje Machinery appointed The Compact Tractor Centre of Bidford on Avon as the UK sole importer and distributor of the Branson Tractor range.

Branson Tractors Enquiry

107

Votex clearing the way for Sunderland AFC

Thatch and debris can be common problems on football pitches but Glen Campbell, academy head groundsman at Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light, has found a way to clean up his act.

Using a Votex VT420 compact vacuum sweeper supplied through Greenlay our dealer for the North East, Glen maintains clean surfaces at the UEFA five star training facility for all of the Black Cat’s academy players and first team.

The impressive suction power and low overall weight of

the Votex has been a real improvement for Glenn giving a much cleaner operation and lower surface impact.

“The wheels are a lot wider and the machine is lighter as well so there are no tracks left or compaction of the surface which is very important,” he said.

“We have to make sure the pitch is soft for the players to prevent stress injuries so it works very well in that respect as well.”

Campey Turf Care Enquiry 109

Details of new Fiat Fiorino announced

The FIAT Professional Fiorino, the original small van that established a new commercial vehicle segment, has been refreshed for 2016 to consolidate its market position and offer even more to the professional user.

The new Fiorino retains the compact dimensions that make it perfect for use in cities, agile in traffic and easy to park, without sacrificing any of its remarkable load capacity of up to 2.8 m3 or payload capacity of up to 660kg.

The evolution of the FIAT Professional Fiorino introduces some modern design touches,

inside and out, with new features that will propel it to the top of its class in terms of performance, running costs, comfort and functionality.

The new Fiorino retains its commodious, squared-off load compartment accessible thorough large rear doors that open to 180 degrees and have ergonomic vertical handles that are designed to be approached from either side and opened with minimal effort - very useful when the operator’s arms are full.

Fiat Professional Enquiry 108

National Trust garden puts faith in Kubota

Machines from

Groundcare range are playing a central role in the maintenance of one of West Sussex’s most picturesque National Trust gardens.

Head Gardener Paul Gallivan joined Woolbeding Gardens six years ago having spent 15 years at RHS Garden Wisley, and has long been a Kubota fan. Paul and his five-strong gardening team boast a Kubota range that includes an STV40 with cab and loader, a B1620 compact tractor, a G23 ride-on with high dump collector and a one tonne capacity Kubota tipping trailer. Paul’s relationship with Tom Gaskin, from local Hampshire-

Gaskin

with the

First look at designs for new VW Crafter

The first sketches of the new Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter, which is due to be launched this autumn, have been revealed.

to

Rod Gaskin Ltd has supplied the majority of Woolbeding’s groundcare kit to date, but they also handle all servicing and repairs, with great success.

The team’s G23 high dump mower is the workhorse of the fleet, and since it’s arrival five years ago it has improved efficiencies for the team, negating the need for laborious manual grass collection. Upgrading his G23 is top of Paul’s wish list and he has no plans to look to other manufacturers when he does.

Kubota Enquiry 110

Clearly displaying Volkswagen’s design DNA and conceived as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series, the all-new Crafter promises innovation, plus a high level of functionality and quality.

tely new vehicle. Experts at Volkswagen Commercial vehicles have worked closely with current customers, frequently accompanying them during their daily routines, to explore their needs and find out their visions of what they wanted the new Crafter to be, allowing them to help shape the new generation.

VW Commercial Enquiry 111

Kubota’s

based Kubota Main Dealer, Rod

Ltd is key

his longevity

brand.

At the cutting edge

A look at the latest equipment for hedge and verge maintenance reveals plenty of innovation, reports Jane Carley.

The wide range of hedge and verge mowing machinery now available means that amenity managers can choose to purchase a compact machine to fit on their existing tractors and keep vegetation in check in-house or engage the services of a contractor using higher capacity, more sophisticated machines.

There’s also the opportunity to ‘think outside the box’ and put specialist equipment to work in parks or open spaces.

A good example of this is the latest addition to Bomford Turner’s range, the Flailbot, a remote controlled mower with extendible tracks which could come in handy for maintaining steep verges and banks.

Each of the two tracks – which can be specified in rubber or steel - can be independently extended by the operator by 250mm / 10”. By widening the footprint to aid stability and grip, the mower can operate on inclines up to 55 degrees.

Power is supplied by a 40hp Perkins engine.

To maintain the optimum cutting height and angle, the 1500 mm cutting head floats over the terrain, adjusted automatically. A range of tools and accessories allow Flailbot to be configured for applications including green maintenance, earthmoving, snow clearing and agricultural processing.

With a range of up to 150m, the remote gives joystick control of forward or reverse track speeds, from 0-7 km/h. The unit also displays real-time data, including machine incline, attitude and speed.

Long reach

Bomford Turner is best known for its range of reach arms, starting with the Microklippa which can be used on a range of power units from small compact tractors to pivot steer loaders, in conjunction with a front mount kit. With 3.2m or 3.5m reach it offers swing over capability for left or right hand cutting and can be specified with cable or Electronic Proportional Control (EPC)

The Wren is a recent addition, and fitted with twin pumps and fully independent hydraulics can operate a range of different attachments. It offers 3.0m or 3.5m reach, left or right hand cutting and front or rear mount option

Also available with a range of mounting options, the Robin is a professional compact Arm mower with 3.4m or 4.3m reach. It offers parallel linkage and hydraulic breakout on the second arm as standard. With a choice of end drive cutting head or cutter bar, the Wren can also be specified with EPC if required.

For more demanding tasks the Raven offers up to 4.7m reach

and is suitable for any tractor over 40hp. In addition to cable lever control the Raven can also be fitted with the LPH Low Pressure Hydraulic Joystick, which gives proportional control of the arm and switch control of the head angle. Arm float functions are available via buttons on the rear of the stick for enhanced control whether hedge cutting or verge mowing.

Expanded range

McConnel has expanded its flagship 85-series with the launch of a new 6.5m TelescopicVariable Forward Reach model.

The new PA6585 Tele-VFR has been created to meet the demands of contractors who want to combine the popular 6.5m reach option with the performance of McConnel’s 85-series machines, the visibility and comfort enhancements of VFR, and the flexibility of a 0.9m telescopic extension.

Driven by high-performance 85hp hydraulics, the new machine features McConnel’s Revolution control system which offers precise proportional control of eight different functions; rigid 5-point axle mounting,

and heavy-duty build quality capable of withstanding the busy workloads of professional contractors.

It also comes with McConnel’s Easy Drive System as an option, which automatically adjusts the flailhead to the contours of the ground, reducing operator fatigue and increasing verge mowing speeds up to 18 km/h.

One of the most important characteristics of the new armset is that it takes full advantage of the 120-degree focal range of the human eye, allowing operators to flick simultaneously back and forth from the road to the flailhead’s position alongside the cab without compromising safety.

These improvements in visibility help increase working speeds; enhance safety and greatly increase comfort for the operator, says McConnel.

By enabling an extended forward reach of up to 2m, the new machine increases the working area by as much as 400% and allows operators to work safely and effectively around roadside obstacles.

McConnel

Bomford Turner

TELE-VFR technology also enables cutting directly behind the cab when working in very narrow lanes where space is at a premium and there is no room to extend the arm. This creates opportunities for work in challenging environments where a conventional reach arm machine would struggle.

The new machine is the first Tele-VFR model to be designed for use with McConnel’s 1.2m TwinCut dual-rotor flailhead. TwinCut can tackle even mature hedgerows in a single-passdelivering both a heavy-duty cut and a fine finish in a single operation and saving time and fuel costs.

McConnel’s 85-series offers a choice of six different reach options from 6.0m to 9.0m; three control systems; a choice of mounting options; four different armset configurations, four floatation options, and 32 different

Flagship machines

Wessex Machinery now offers reach mowers alongside its comprehensive range of in line and offset verge mowers.

Flagship models the T500G and TPE600 have a reach of 4.85m and 5.96m respectively with a 1.2m working width head, and feature the option of cable controls or the EP-Tronic proportional control joystick.

In the mid-range the T43OD offers a 4.33m reach, with a 1m width cutting head and a choice of Y-pattern or boot flails and a mechanical break-away device. The arms are fabricated from heavy gauge circular steel tube for maximum resistance to torsion stress and the moulded hydraulic oil tank is designed to significantly reduce the overall weight. A thermostatically controlled oil cooler is an optional extra.

For a smaller hedgecutter, designed to suit compact tractors from 25hp, the T320A features a 0.8m cutting head. It is a lefthanded hedge cutter is designed for use on the public highway. The floating head on this machine allows an even cut over uneven ground and front steel guards eliminate projectiles being thrown out in work. There’s an adjustable steel roller and tractor stabilisers help to maintain rigidity on the tractor. An additional option is a cutter bar which is ideal for use on public footpaths.

The hedgecutter division of Maschio has been designing and manufacturing reach arm machines for over 20 years, and the range is now available in the UK from Opico.

Extra safety protection systems are built into every hedge cutter as standard allowing Maschio hedge cutters to be lighter and yet able to withstand the rigours of everyday use.

Safety valves are all fitted into the main hydraulic block, removing the need for any extra weight to be added onto the arm and helping to prevent overloads and damage. These valves prevent too much pressure being put on any part of the machine by the tractor leaning, driving into something, or the operator making a mistake.

Another key feature is the Contour Following System (CFS). Once the hedgecutter is set at the desired position, the CFS uses an over centre valve in the ram, controlling the first arm, so oil in the top part of the cylinder (the lift) can return to the tank if excessive pressure is put on it e.g. when the head rises up to follow the contours of the

ground. The hedge cutter’s arm and head automatically adapts to ground contours.

If the hedgecutter runs into a steep ground level drop, the arm will stop -20 cm from the start position that was previously set, preventing the head from falling down and the tractor from overturning.

The range of machines currently consists of two main models with different reach sizes within each model.

The Maschio Camilla range of hedgecutters is suitable for semiprofessional users looking to deal with annual hedge growth and grass maintenance. Suitable for tractors from 2300kg and 60hp

upwards, models are from 4.75 to 6.1 metre reach.

Features include parallel arm, balanced helical rotor and dual breakback safety system The 600T model features a telescopic head arm to increase reach without sacrificing compactness.

The Maschio Katia range of hedge cutters is suitable for the professional user looking to deal with hard to reach vegetation, annual and biannual hedge growth, says Opico. Suitable for tractors over 3000kg and from 80hp, there are two models in the range with 5.4 and 6.25m with Avant Forward Reach to bring the cutting head alongside the cab for improved visibility.

The Spider gets upgraded

All

significantly reduce ground disturbance. The recently upgraded Spider Mini is ideal for the smaller groundscare contractor or high-end consumer. The Spider 1 and Spider 2 offer greater productivity with cutting widths of 0.8 m and 1.23 m respectively and are frequently used by local authorities, groundscare contractors, golf course operators, the Environment Agency and Ministry of Defence.

working attachments from cutterbars to ditch cleaners.

Maschio

Ransomes Jacobsen

Flexible solutions

The Kuhn Amenity Pro offers shredders, verge mowers and hedge cutters designed to accept a variety of different shredder heads: from standard rotors and T-flails, to specialist thick wood rotors, cutter bars and tree pruning saw heads.

Kuhn’s hedge and grass cutters are offered in a range of reach arm options from 4.20-6.20m and are available with several different cutting heads for brush-cutting, hedge and bank trimming and verge shredding.

The compact Agri-Longer is the smallest Kuhn hedge and grass cutter with a reach from 4.20-4.80m. The positioning of the arm and cylinders allows the machine to be easily used in narrow lanes and even with the cutting head positioned behind the tractor wheel.

The Poly-Longer has a reach from 5-5.50m while the Kuhn Pro-Longer has a reach from 5.10-7.40m: both machines use a swivel-mounted parallelogram arm for extended vertical and horizontal reach and for increased arm rigidity.

Kuhn’s range of offset-arm verge shredders features three models of its Spring-Longer machine (working widths 1.60m, 2.00m

and 2.30m) and three models of the TBE and TBES range in working widths from 1.80m to 2.50m.

The Spring Longer mower unit’s 900 mm hydraulic offset (makes it easier to clear obstacles; it can also shift to the back of the tyre making it highly compact for road transport. TBE/TBES verge shredder’s features an offset gearbox design making it possible to obtain a 1.15 m lateral offset in relation to the centre of the tractor, particularly suitable for wide tractors and combinations with a front shredder.

Kuhn’s range of multi-purpose shredders also includes the BPR and BPR PRO horizontal axis shredders. These machines can be either front or rear mounted and are available in working widths from 2.10-3.05m for the BPR and from 2.80-3.05m for the BPR PRO range which is intended for use with higher power tractors.

Solar farms can be controversial developments, but landscaping maintenance of the grassed areas surrounding the panels is offering useful work or contractors.

A new turn for Humus STM Co Ltd in Warwickshire have been dealers for the Humus

range of grasscare machinery for many years, including the spiral ‘Safety Cut’ mulching head

Humus has specialised in machinery for cutting grass in the fruit growing areas, and the required maintenance under tree branches has led to the development of the AFLR unit for maintaining grass under solar farm PV units.

The attachment acts like a rearmounted mowing deck with three available cut sizes of 1.40m, 1.83m and 1.93m, with the addition of side shift to position the head well under a PV unit, utilising a swing-out head. This swing-out head features a sensor to move it back out of the way when it reaches any part of the frame structure.

The AFLR1800, for example, cuts 1.4m with the swing out head in, 1.76 with it out, plus the facility to move the whole unit laterally 1.6m.

There are two larger units –the AFLR2300 [1.83 to 2.39 with 2.33m sideshift] and the AFLR2500 [1.93 to 2.56 with 2.49 sideshift].

Minimum power requirements are 20hp [AFLR1800], 35hp [AFLR2300] and 40hp [AFLR 2500].

STM

Teagle extends range of market leading flail mowers

Teagle Machinery is extending its range of Flail Mowers and Mulchers with the introduction of the New X-Pro Models.

The Heavy Duty X-Pro tops out the range of front and rear mounted machines available from this market leading brand with its target market the professional user looking for a robust, high performance machine operating in a wide variation of applications, for example land reclamation and highway maintenance.

X-Pro has been designed for optimum manoeuvrability with its compact double skin chassis incorporating wear resistant Domex for durability and longevity.

Suitable for tractors up to 250HP, X-Pro features a 219mm

x 12.5mm high capacity Mega Rotor with HD “M” Hammer Flails each weighing in at 2.2Kgs capable of mulching a wide variety of vegetation from grass to pruning’s of 10cms.

Supplied as standard with 1000RPM heavy duty drive line, Walterscheid PTO shaft, protected by a freewheel in the gearbox and five automatically tensioned vee belts.

Hydraulic side shift is standard specification for the X-Pro which also features, height adjustable, large diameter rear roller, Hardox wear resistant skids, and adjustable rear discharge hood. Prices start from £11,155.00.

Bomford Turner leads the way

A leader in green maintenance technology for more than 100 years, Bomford Turner is recognised around the world for its high-performance hedgecutters, boom mowers, remote controlled flail mowers and cultivation machinery.

Bomford Turner prides itself on quality and innovationdelivering durable and productive machines that are a firm favourite

with farmers, contractors and governmental departments.

Key products include: reach arm boom mowers; reach arm boom mower attachments; remote controlled flail mowers; flail mowers and rotary toppers; forestry mulchers; and soil preparation machinery.

Bomford Turner Enquiry 119

A-Plant add more Irus remote mowers to the fleet

Supplied through UK distributor Loxston Groundcare, national equipment hire company A-Plant have added a further eight Irus remote controlled mowers to their groundcare equipment fleet.

For A-Plant, Groundcare Business Development Manager David Kendall said: “We have had Irus as a part of our specialist slope-mowing offering for some time and have had no issues with them.

“The build quality is exceptional and the unique tilting engine

gives the operative a balanced machine with proven capabilities when cutting at up to 50 degree angles for extended periods. Our latest order was for five Quadrak wheeled mowers and three Deltrak tracked machines.”

Peter Loxston said: “Irus are ‘goanywhere’ machines capable of mowing in places where people can’t. Operated by way of multichannel radio and designed for mowing and maintenance of vegetation on precipitous slopes, parks, roadside verges and railway embankments, they offer reduced risk of injury to operators.”

IRUS offer a range of implements to fit their machines, including forestry pulveriser, stump grinders and rotary and

scythe mowers.

Loxston Groundscare Enquiry 121

Too steep to walk?

PSD Groundscare is supplying the new Gekko from innovative, multi-award winning German manufacturer Koppl means you can now choose whether to operate your mower via walkbehind or remote control.

The Gekko is a robust and reliable solution for banks mowing that is suitable for heavy use in tough working conditions including areas that are difficult

to reach via the easy to use remote control function.

Koppl have been manufacturing since 1896 and produce an extensive range of implement carriers (5.7hp – 23hp) and attachments including sweepers, rotavators and mowers to suit individual specific needs.

Parts Depot Enquiry 122

Teagle Enquiry 120

Landscape Amenity PRODUCT UPDATE AUGUST

University praises MM60 seed

Charlie Yeomans, head groundsman at the University of Warwick, has praised the robustness of Limagrain’s MM60 grass seed.

Across the university campus, students can make the most of a vast array of sports including American football, football, rugby, hockey, lacrosse and

cricket – to name but a few.

Charlie instigated a testing process eight years ago in order to create a new turf care programme and he chose Limagrain’s MM60, one of the leading winter sports mixtures.

The MM60 grass seed is a 100% Ryegrass formula which is perfect for renovation and

divot repair. Renowned for its extremely fast germination; MM60 has a high disease resistance giving fantastic aesthetic qualities. Presentation aside, it is the seed’s high tolerance feature which has impressed Charlie the most.

Limagrain Enquiry 139

Stewart Garden to launch new products at GLEE 2016

Stewart Garden is once again exhibiting at Glee, the premier trade show for the garden and leisure industry.

The company, now over 70 years old, has a lot to be proud of and to celebrate.

Stewart Garden continues to invest and grow and looks forward to showcasing exciting new initiatives on its stand, 18K14-L15.

Launched in 2015, the Varese planters collections has gone from strength to strength, exceeding its targeted growth. The elegant, Italian inspired planters are widely available and now come in three stylish colours and three sizes.

Glee 2016 takes place from 12 – 14 September at the NEC, Birmingham. To find out more, visit www.gleebirmingham.com.

Stewart Garden Enquiry 140