Landscape & Amenity Product Update February 2019

Almost £14m funding approved for historic parks

Sydney Gardens in Bath is one of six UK public parks and gardens to be rejuvenated with £13.8million National Lottery funding.

In need of urgent repairs, the Grade II registered Sydney Gardensone of the UK’s only surviving Georgian Pleasure Gardens and local park of novelist Jane Austenwill have a new lease of life thanks to an investment of £2,742,300 National Lottery money.

They were designed for entertainment and wellbeing in the late 18th century and had a keen visitor in Jane Austen. Just before she moved within view of them in 1801, she wrote: “It would be very pleasant to be near Sydney Gardens! We might go to the Labyrinth every day.”

Alongside a jaunt through the labyrinth, a visit to a pleasure garden was a time to mix and socialise with minimal supervision, and maybe even meet a potential partner.

Since Jane Austen’s day the park has fallen into decline. But soon, thanks to the grant awarded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, today’s visitors will be able to enjoy a rejuvenated 21st-century pleasure gardens.

They will be able to make use of a new café, play areas for all ages, a changing places facility (accessible changing rooms and toilets) and community spaces, alongside the soon to be restored Grade II listed Loggia, Minerva’s Temple, Edwardian toilets and grade II* listed canal footbridges.

New areas of garden with wild flowers and planting for pollinating insects will be introduced and areas of the park currently closed to the public will be reopened. Four tennis courts will be refurbished and a new labyrinth-in-grass will be included for modern day Jane Austens.

Sydney Gardens is one of six parks receiving National Lottery

money totalling £13.8million, reinvigorating them as vital community spaces by restoring historic features and planting; creating new facilities including play areas, cafes and toilets; and improving habitats for wildlife.

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Chief Executive Ros Kerslake said, on behalf of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund: “The health and wellbeing benefits of local green spaces were well known in Jane Austen’s time and remain true today.

“They are home to some of the country’s most cherished heritage and provide fantastic opportunities for enterprise and community activities. Over £950million of National Lottery money has been invested in regenerating public parks and urban green spaces so far and they remain a priority into the future.”

HLF

Toro’s new greens mower provides quieter cutting

Toro’s new hydraulics-free Greensmaster eTriFlex with Lithium-ion battery cuts noise by 50 percent for quiet, leak-free, clean cutting was launched in the UK by Reesink Turfcare at BTME 2019.

The eTriFlex is a classic example of Toro responding to

customer demand by creating a machine which significantl reduces noise.

Alongside the Lithium-ion battery is a proven Kawasaki twin cylinder 14hp air-cooled engine with a reduced speed of 2400rpm, shrouded in venting. It’s this design that

ensures perceived bystander noise level is reduced by half. Jeff Anguige, national sales manager, at Reesink, says:

“The eTriFlex is a mower you could talk about all day. It’s quiet, and with no hydraulics it delivers clean and leakfree cutting. It ticks the green credentials box with its allelectric components and brings an estimated 22 percent saving in fuel, in comparison to say the Greensmaster 3320, thanks to its efficient power supply.”

The company is calling it the most advanced riding greensmower ever-bringing a newstandardinmowinggreens. Plus, the cut is consistent from the firs to the last green as it’s no longer dependent on changing oil temperatures.

The six parks are:

• South Cliff Gardens in Scarborough’s South Bay £4.66m

• Castle Park in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire £1.94m

• Sydney Gardens in Bath £2.74m

• Fairhaven Lake and Gardens on the Fylde coast, Lancashire £1.47m

• El lington Park in Ramsgate, Kent £1.64m

• Stevens Park in Dudley £1.4m

Furnitubes launch new Uniun range

Designed by Furnitubes’ inhouse designers, Uniun offers a contemporary solution for both seating and planters for internal and external spaces.

The distinctive trapezoidshaped base is available in a wide range of colours, with the module being used as a full planter, or combined with an Iroko laminated timber bench top to create a seating module

or combined seating and planter module. The full seating platform can comfortably accommodate 3-4 adults, with the half platform generally accommodating 2 adults, and the geometry of the Uniun range allows endless layout confiuration options, in linear and gentle curved forms as well as grouped clusters.

Furnitubes

The professionals finish

Hedge & Verge Mowers

Jane Carley puts the spotlight on remote options

Robust steel edging and planters designed for high quality commercial and domestic projects.

A new year begins and a new-look for BIGGA’s flagship annual event BTME divided opinion amongst both visitors and exhibitors as the crowds descended on Harrogate.

It is fair to say none of us really like change and some of the grumbles can be put down to the differences that were self-evident from 12 months ago. However, that is not the whole story.

There are undoubtedly issues that need to be resolved by the organisers ahead of BTME 2020, although it was refreshing to hear BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton acknowledge these challenges and promise they will be addressed. The overall lay-out, signage and flow have come in for criticism from both visitors and exhibitors alike so it will be interesting to see what happens in the year to come.

But there is also no doubt that BTME 2019 heralded some significant new product launches and the introduction of some major industry initiatives. These once again ensured that BTME has helped kick-start the year in style.

This month we have our Play & Activity supplement and look at the continuing challenge of increasing access to play, sport and good quality activity facilities. There are now a number of high-profile campaigns and programmes running that highlight the importance of play and activity.

Elsewhere, we have Jane Carley’s look at the rise of remote control and robotic systems in hedge and verge mowing. There is also a special feature on Fencing and Security, as well as our usual mix of industry news and views.

Paul Groves, Editor

Report highlights huge step change needed in SuDS delivery

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are an important way of managing surface water runoff in built developments. Partly or wholly natural in design, SuDS were first introduced to the English planning system in 2010. National planning policy encourages SuDS in all major developments ‘unless there is clear evidence that this would be inappropriate’, while as of January 2019, SuDS are mandatory in Wales for all new developments over 100m2

But a new report by the Landscape Institute and Construction Industry Council highlights the huge step change still needed in this area. Ninetysix per cent of local authorities report that the quality of planning submissions for SuDS are either ‘inadequate’ or ‘mixed’. And as of 2017, 25% of local authorities had no formal SuDS policies in place, nor any immediate plans to implement any. This is putting communities under threat of surface water flooding as climate change continues to put pressure on our landscapes.

“The problems for LLFAs in delivering good quality SuDS are clear,” said Sue Illman, CIC Champion for Flood Mitigation and Resilience, past President of the Landscape Institue and co-author of the report.

“At a time when climate change and sustainability are such prevalent issues, the shortcomings and inconsistencies highlighted in this report are of real concern.

“But the review also shows how relatively small changes in government guidance could provide better outcomes for communities and the environment.”

The LI and CIC’s new report surveyed Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) - who are responsible for fl ood strategy, including SuDS - across the country. The research aimed to evaluate the current system, and how policy is (or isn’t) leading to successful SuDS schemes on the ground.

The research shows that delivery is currently a long way behind the ambition. Only 3% of authorities reported receiving adequate information to appropriately assess a planning application for SuDS.

As for local authorities themselves, most are gearing up for more SuDS, but coverage is uneven.

“SuDS can do far more than just manage surface water,” Sue continued. “When designed and implemented properly, SuDS schemes manage the quantity and quality of water, improve biodiversity, and help create attractive and healthy places.

Land Trust secures funding from Denise Coates Foundation

The Land Trust has secured funding of £291,000 from the Denise Coates Foundation that should ultimately rise to £747,123. The grant will enable the Land Trust to carry out a major project at the Trust’s site at Hassall Green, a two hectare green space which the Land Trust took ownership of in 2014.

The planned five year programme will see extensive improvements made to the site with four key objectives: make the site safe for regular use by the general public; restore and improve habitats; increase biodiversity; and engage the community. Euan Hall, chief executive of the Land Trust, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from the Denise Coates Foundation. It is

a significant sum of money that will make a real difference to the charitable objectives that we are able to deliver at HassallGreen.

“The current site budget only allows for a relatively basic level of maintenance to be performed and the additional funding will enable the Trust to undertake a transformative programme over the short and long term. This will significantly improve the site and its habitats; making it more aesthetically pleasing, enhancing its biodiversity and creating a real focal point for the local community.”

The grant will also enable the Land Trust to expand its successful Green Angels training and education programme which delivers training courses

on subjects including habitat creation and management, environmental education and hard landscaping. The project focuses on encouraging social cohesion and improving the future prospects of the local community. Initially trialled on a former Land Trust site in Liverpool, Green Angels has helped nearly half of its participants back into employment, while many others have gone on to further education.

Land Trust

"Parks and green spaces is an important element of Edinburgh. If we can free up what limited resources we have to look after the borders and plants, it's a winner for everybody because the borders are clean and the grass is still getting cut. It keeps it to a standard that we couldn't keep before”. - Edinburgh City Council For more information and to locate your local Authorised Husqvarna

Winners of the BIGGA Awards 2019 revealed

The winners of the BIGGA Awards 2019 have been announced at the Welcome Celebration sponsored by Jacobsen, which took place on the opening night of BTME.

In the three main categories of the awards, greenkeepers from Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Northumbria were announced as winners.

Jack Percival, 24, was among the prize winners at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, where he was awarded the Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Jacobsen.

Chipstead deputy course manager Jack hosted an event in Croydon on 23 December that provided food and warmth for the homeless during Christmas.

The 24-year-old, who was himself homeless for six months when he was 17, put out an appeal on social media for donations, with a huge number from within the golf industry and the wider world responding.

travelled via bus to Croydon to give out food to the homeless.

The greenkeeping team at Harleyford won the BIGGA Awards 2019 Championship Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor just five years after the club was declared bankrupt.

Course Manager Craig Earnshaw and members of the Harleyford team accepted the award.

Harleyford, which is the home course of European Tour star Tyrell Hatton, has a team of six greenkeepers whose office is 1.5 miles from the golf course –meaning a 15-minute drive from the maintenance facility to the first tee.

Stuart

at Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumbria was named winner of the BIGGA Awards 2019 Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness.

In addition to taking on parenting duties and embracing his changing role at the golf club, Stuart has continued to provide excellent educational opportunities for fellow BIGGA members through his incrediblysuccessful Bunker Camps, which was a sell-out in 2018 as greenkeepers from across Europe came together to take part.

Invasives Science Live is a success

Over 60 contractors and invasive weed eradication specialists recently attended Invasives Science Live – a unique event that showcased the latest research and technological innovations in invasive weed control.

The event, held in Cardiff, was hosted by ICL, Complete Weed Control and Green-tech in association with Advanced Invasives and provided education for delegates to gain a better understanding of chemical performance and various control methods, focussing primarily on Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam.

Complete Weed Control Managing Director Ian Graham introduced the event by offering an insight

into the recent trial work with Advanced Invasives – something which the delegates would later explore in more detail at the impressive private trial facility.

Roundup Technical Development Manager Barrie Hunt from Bayer was the first speaker to provide an update on legal and best practice information of glyphosate to help plan ahead of their 2019 weed control programmes.

Next was Dr Dan Jones, Managing Director of Advanced Invasives, to give an insight into their seven yearlong field trial on Japanese Knotweed control – the largest in the world. The ai:LAB is the company’s 12 acre field-testing site in South Wales where

research has been undertaken into how to best tackle invasive plants in real-world conditions. The research tested 19 methods over 3 years of treatment and sets a new standard for evidence-led research.

Following Dr Dan Jones was Business Director Dan Clugston to explain the dangers of Japanese Knotweed, how it is best dealt with, and the impact it can have on property.

After lunch, delegates were transported to the nearby trial site where they were separated into three smaller groups in which they visited three specific work stations.

ICL

Etesia launch two new professional pedestrian mowers

Etesia have launched two new 46cm cutting width professional pedestrian rotary mowers ahead of the 2019 season which extends their range of mowers already available on the market.

The work was a huge success, but is just one example of Jack’s incredible efforts to support the homeless and those less fortunate. Each Christmas he had previously made up sandwiches and soup and

The team has not only been commended for its incredible work in preparing the course to a standard worthy of hosting a professional tournament, but the staging of the event didn’t go without incident.

Bunker Camp has been running for five years and was initially envisioned as a way for Stuart’s young team – he was only 23 at the time – to interact and network with other likeminded greenkeepers.

The PHTS3 is a single speed self-propelled mower, while the PHE3 is a push variant. Following the same concept of the PRO46 range of pedestrian mowers first launched in the early 1990’s, both models feature Xenoy cutting decks for increased strength, shear washer crank protection, individual height of cut adjusters, a new 22mm handlebar design, the latest Honda GCV170 engine and are supplied complete with 80 litre grass box and rear deflector as standard.

The Honda GCV Series of engines provide best in class power and torque with easy and reliable starting with reduced noise and vibration levels. Easy service and maintenance with large petrol filler cap allowing operators to view the fuel level while filling, extended oil dipstick makes filling easier and a host of other features expected from a professional machine. Extremely versatile, both new models are capable of mowing

with or without collection in all conditions, or for high-quality mulching with the addition of a mulching plug kit accessory (PR46E).

The design has been proven over many years and has an unbeatable record of quality and performance unrivalled in its class. It provides outstanding collection performance, even if the grass is long and wet –something that Etesia has prided itself on over the past 30 years.

One main feature of these models is the ‘one cut’ principle. This means the grass is only cut once before being sent to the grass box. The benefits of this are reduced power consumption from fast deck material ejection and secondly, as it is not multi chopped, the grass does not stick to the cutting deck in the same way as multi-cut grass does preventing unwanted blockages. The grass box is manufactured out of the same Xenoy compound as the cutting deck for maximum strength and comes complete with fill indicator.

Both new models are sold with a comprehensive Etesia two year professional warranty.

“We have gone back to basics with these two new models and to what people expect from an Etesia mower – robustness, reliability and able to cut, collect or mulch in any weather condition,” commented Etesia UK Managing Director Les Malin. “They both have the Xenoy cutting decks which have proved so popular with contractors, landscapers and local authorities and we are very hopeful that customers will see the benefits of reduced maintenance costs and extra reliability.

Dealers are already taking orders for these new models, so we are expecting a very busy start to 2019.”

Imeson, general manager and head greenkeeper

BIGGA

Timberwolf launches new campaign on Stage V legislation

Timberwolf, Europe’s leading manufacturer of commercial wood chippers, is launching a campaign to help the arboriculture industry understand the key information surrounding the latest round of emissions legislation.

As part of the Government’s commitment to reduce engine emissions, non-road mobile machinery, including wood chippers, will be affected in the latest round of changes known as ‘Stage V’.

The ‘All the Facts, #NoOmissions’ campaign, launched this week, setting out facts and information about ‘Stage V’, which takes effect

in January 2019. Timberwolf, which has more than 30 years of industry experience, is taking the lead in providing clarity over the legislation, following speculation and misinformation surrounding the new rules.

Over 20,000 people work in the arboriculture industry across Britain, contributing over £700 million to the UK economy – and Stage V is set to have an impact on the engine technology of essential machinery used every day.

Pre-Stage V diesel engines used in machines above 25hp, such as wood chippers, mowers and stump grinders, will no longer be produced after this year, so

when manufacturers have used their stocks of these engines, new diesel machines will be fitted with Stage V-compliant engines that produce less emissions.

The ‘All the Facts, #NoOmissions’ campaign is running across Timberwolf’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels, and includes striking graphics to make the facts around the legislation clear and accessible to everyone.

Timberwolf Product Marketing Manager Antony Alexander said: “Our ‘All the Facts, #NoOmissions’ campaign is about giving the facts about the new legislation, as lots of

Makita unveils more cordless professional chainsaws

Makita chainsaws are renowned amongst forestry professionals for power, performance, reliability and great value.

The new Makita DUC355Z and DUC405Z twin 18V Brushless LXT Chainsaws supply energy to the powerful 36V DC motor drive system inherent in these models.

Combining the power and marketleading features that the industry has asked for, these new chainsaws

are expected to be well received. Compact and lightweight, these rear-handled chainsaws, with bar lengths of 35cm and 40cm respectively, can utilise twin Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries that generate a 1100 watt output to run the 3/8th inch chain over the 35cm and 40cm bars at up to 20 metres per second.

This exceeds the performance of Makita’s mains powered machines. The Brushless motor ensures longer

runtime, substantially greater power and overall lower maintenance.

These powerful chainsaws provide the additional benefits of low noise in operation, low vibration of 5.3 m/s² for operator protection and comfort when cutting into wood, unbeatable charge times and zero emissions for improved environmental and sustainability qualities.

people are being told that diesel machines can no longer be used, which is totally wrong.

Current diesel wood chippers can be used and traded after the implementation of Stage V in same way they can be today.

“This isn’t the end of diesel, far from it – it’s the start of a new wave of innovation in our industry.We’ve invested in a large stock of pre-Stage V engines so that we can produce our market leading wood chippers for some time to come, but we’re excited to be leading the way in designing Stage V compliant machines with unrivalled performance.”

Timberwolf

Rigby Taylor introduces Cold Start Boost-R fertiliser

Rigby Taylor has introduced Cold Start Boost-R 11-5-5 +8 Fe + O.8 MgO as a true cold start fertiliser that provides turf with nitrogen in cold conditions, in conjunction with a rapid colour boost.

Effective at temperatures of 5 degrees C, Cold Start Boost-R will prepare the plant for the spring, greatly improve early season colour and assist in combating turf disease attack while enabling grounds staff to produce playing surfaces that continue to meet expectations.

With a nitrate and high iron content, as well as magnesium for increased colour, Cold Start Boost-R also includes zeolite to reduce leaching and improve cation exchange capacity

Nitrogen: an application of a fertiliser containing sulphate of ammonia, urea and nitrate in temperatures of 5 degrees C, will enable the nitrate to provide the plant with a quick ‘kick’, while waiting for the sulphate of ammonia to become available.

Iron provides an almost instant visual response and will assist in

the hardening of the plant foliage as a defence against early season disease pressure. This also helps reduce surface scarring.

There are three-fold benefits of the use of magnesium compared to formulations containing just nitrate and iron. Magnesium allows the plant takes to up nitrate when it is photosynthesising, even at cold temperatures, naturally provides colour and increases the plant’s ability to utilise iron.

Rigby Taylor

Makita

The perfect jacket and trouser combination for winter

Snickers Workwear is continually improving its working clothes with superb new stretch Work Trousers and Hi-Tech Jackets.

With great fit and superb value for money, the brand new comfort fabrics woven into Snickers’ newest streetsmart Work Trousers deliver enhancedfreedomofmovement as well as improved comfort and close quarter mobility.

They’re perfectly complimented by the new, Hi-tech range of AllroundWork and FlexiWork jackets.

They include 37.5® fabric technology garments for superb working comfort as well as othersthatare100%waterproof, plus Hi-Vis working clothes for tradesmen and women that deliver maximum warmth, dryness and visibility when you need it most.

Danarm’s hydrostatic roller mower becomes a reality

Danarm are pleased to announce that the long awaited new model LM560HXAR-HST-PRO is now in production and the first shipment has been received.

The hydrostatic gearbox has been developed by KAAZ themselves and thoroughly tested over the last few years.

Prototype units have been tested by several contractors here in the UK with great success.

We believe that having a commercial roller mower with a hydrostatic gearbox is unique in the market. Going by the excellent feedback received from professional users during Saltex 2018, we are very optimistic that this model will

speed range to allow cutting in every condition and at a pace to suit the operator.

Combining this with the fan assisted collection and improved material grass bag ensures this model is the machine of choice to achieve that classic striped lawn that we all love so much.

The Kaaz products are designed, engineered and built in Japan to a high quality standard to ensure long durability. As the main UK importer for Kaaz we can give two years commercial warranty

Limagrain succeeds at Charterhouse

Lee Marshallsay, grounds manager at Charterhouse in Surrey, has reported successful results after using a range of MM grass seed from Limagrain UK.

Lee has been grounds manager at the prestigious Charterhouse for the last two and a half years. He oversees a team of fourteen members of staff who meticulously tend to the school’s grounds and sports fields.

“Last summer we were looking at re-building our cricket square and it was an opportunity to look at other grasses, other mixtures and what other suppliers had. I was looking

around and the MM50 kept coming to mind – a lot of groundsmen seemed to be using it and seemed to be really happy with it.

I trialled a number of other mixtures and I have to make a decision on what seed I believe works best on our site. For me that was MM50.”

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK sportsturf and amenity industries and is relied upon at top sports grounds throughout the UK and beyond. In particular, MM50 is ideal for cricket squares and outfields.

Limagrain

Ensure the life of your deck with Trex Protect

Today’s high-performance composite deck boards, like those from Trex, are warranted to last for 25 years or longer. But what about the substructure material underneath? If the posts and beams that support the deck are made of wood, they are likely to deteriorate long before the decking warranty elapses.

Now, there is a simple and costeffective solution to combatting the damaging effects of nature and time. Trex Protect Joist and Beam Tape is a self-adhesive butyl tape designed to protect wooden joists and beams from moisture that can lead to rot, wood decay and the loosening of deck screws and fasteners. Trex

Protect works by shielding the tops of joists, rim joists, ledger boards and beams from moisture. It also acts as a barrier between wood and galvanized metal commonly used in construction hardware such as joist hangers.

Additionally, Trex Protect seals deck fasteners and helps deck screws hold longer and

stronger by preventing moisture penetration and defending against splitting that can result from seasonal freezing and thawing.

Available in two widths 4.13cm for joists and 7.94cm

for beams – Trex Protect works on horizontal and vertical surfaces and is applied as a ‘cap’ (vs. wrapping), which allows the wood to breathe.

Trex Protect

Designing a car park, coach park or even an HGV park? We’ll have a SuDS-compliant solution for you.

Designing a car park, coach park or even an HGV park? We’ll have a SuDS-compliant solution for you.

Designing a car park, coach park or even an HGV park? We’ll have a SuDS-compliant solution for you.

Designing a car park, coach park or even an HGV park? We’ll have a SuDS-compliant solution for you.

Whether you are looking for a grass or gravel finish, we have a wide range of grass reinforcement meshes and permeable pavers to suit your project.

Whether you are looking for a grass or gravel finish, we have a wide range of grass reinforcement meshes and permeable pavers to suit your project.

Whether you are looking for a grass or gravel finish, we have a wide range of grass reinforcement meshes and permeable pavers to suit your project.

Whether you are looking for a grass or gravel finish, we have a wide range of grass reinforcement meshes and permeable pavers to suit your project.

Whether you are looking for a grass or gravel finish, we have a wide range of grass reinforcement meshes and permeable pavers to suit your project.

Not sure what’s right for you? We can arrange a site visit.

Not sure what’s right for you? We can arrange a site visit.

Not sure what’s right for you?

Not sure what’s right for you? We can arrange a site visit.

● www.sure-green.com

Not sure what’s right for you? We can arrange a site visit.

● www.sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

● www.sure-green.com

Designing a car park, coach park or even an HGV park? We’ll have a SuDS-compliant solution for you. www.sure-green.com 01376 503869

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● www.sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● sales@sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● sales@sure-green.com

Snickers

BASIS helps Green-tech enhance professional standards

Green-tech, who is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year; reinforces its commitment to investing in people by sending its team out in force.

Five people have attended rigorous BASIS training courses to strengthen the company’s inhouse expertise.

Roger McGivern and Josh Forster from the Sales team have successfully completed and passed the BASIS Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture and have been added onto the BASIS Professional Register as Associate members.

This foundation course on pesticide use and best practice will allow them to have a greater understanding of their customers’ needs. This means Green-tech has even more

people available to assist groundsmen’s, greenkeepers and landscapers working in the amenity sector.

Glenn Brown, Andrew Walker and Cameron Fyfe from the Warehouse team have all passed the BASIS Nominated Storekeeper Course, a formal qualification in the storage and handling of chemicals and pesticides.

As their role involves the handling and distribution of chemicals and pesticides, they attended the BASIS Nominated Storekeeper Course which equips trainees with the knowledge and skills to meet the standards of pesticide storage as outlined in the Code of Practice for Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry.

Sales Director Richard Gill comments, “This foundation course has enhanced and broadened our inhouse expertise which will naturally benefi t our customers making a choice on professional chemical products.

“Both Roger and Josh have a wealth of industry and product knowledge;thiscoupledwiththe knowledgegainedisarealboom for Green-tech.”

BASIS was established by the pesticide industry in 1978. It is an independent standard setting and auditing organisation for the pesticide, fertiliser and allied industries and, in short, promotes and encourages professional standards in these industries.

Able creates bespoke shelter for transport hub

As part of a £5 million infrastructure development for Bournemouth University, a new bus hub has been built to offer bus passengers a high-quality purpose-built facility for their journeys to and from the Talbot campus.

Together with Atkins architects, Able Canopies designed and erected two bespoke canopies providing shelter for the hub and incorporating transparent photovoltaic glass technology into an attractive, practical and modern design. Josh Foord,

Technical Sales Manager at Able Canopies, commented: “The shelter had to complement the design concept of the bus hub and had to deliver on the University’s sustainability goals by utilising transparent photovoltaic glass technology to increase on-site energy generation capacity.

A bespoke solution based on our stylish Kensington system allowed us to meet those needs and build in effective drainage, seating and under canopy wind protection.” Able Canopies’ successful Dual-Pitch free

standing Kensington was an ideal solution, allowing for the easy incorporation of the additional elements required by the site.

Two Kensington canopies were created, measuring approximately 22 by 5 metres each, from a powder coated and hot dip galvanised steel frame and ten-millimetre thick toughened glass panels, alongside the solar glass inserts. With its robust steel frame, the structure is able to withstand all weather conditions.

Able Canopies

Traffic resistant pointing for stone sett driveways

This is another prestige stone driveway securely jointed by pointing the 100mm rumbled magma granite setts, with GftK’s ‘state-of-the-art’ wet-slurry applied, self-compacting and non-staining, vdw 850 jointing mortar from NCC Streetscape.

This unique material is rapidly becoming the UK’s market leader in natural stone sett paving jointing, as it is in Germany today. On this project it was selected by

the natural stone specialists, PDG Groundworks, because it provides extremely strong and durable joint installations subject to frequent vehicular traffic, making it especially suitable for driveways and highways applications.

The vdw 850 jointing mortar is capable of accommodating frequent and heavy vehicle traffic loads and in service also prevents weed growth or boring insect infestations, plus

it is resistant to de-icing salts, freeze thaw action, pressure jet-cleaning, and even to mechanical street sweepers.

GftK’s vdw 850 jointing mortar also has additional advantages for both contractors and owners in its application, because it can be applied in the cold and during wet weather, even in the pouring rain.

NCC Streetscape

Green-tech

Maintenance made easy with ECOPROTEC treatments

Over the winter months, moisture and bacteria can lead to moss and algae build-up, discolouring hard landscraping and making it slippery.

A viscose-type product, like ECOPROTEC External Paving Cleaner, will cling to the surface and will clean and remove dirt, including stubborn green and dark deposits caused by plants and leaves; a bleaching action helps restore natural stone walls and paving to its original condition.

Once clean, it’s worth protecting the surfaces from stains and the

elements with a sealer. Modern, water-based treatments, like ECOPROTEC Natural Finish Stone Sealer, can be applied in damp weather and provide a more convenient (and safer) alternative to spirit-based products.

Two new products are joining the British-made ECOPROTEC range this year, to help restore hard landscaped areasECOPROTEC Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover and ECOPROTEC Blackstone Sealer & Restorer.

LTP

Firestone’s Geogard is the pick of the crop

Firestone Building Products’ GeoGard EPDM lining system has been used to refurbish a 2,700m 2 irrigation lagoon for Kent-based soft fruit grower, Hugh Lowe Farms.

The company has invested significantly in making its farms as self-sufficient as possible in terms of water for irrigation by collecting run-off and rainwater into a number of tunnels and reservoirs to irrigate its crops. One of these reservoirs was operating at

just 50 per cent capacity due to issues with the existing lining, which was leaking and causing stored water to be lost into the ground.

Hugh Lowe Farms turned to pond specialist, Fairwater Ltd, to refurbish the water storage lagoon, using Firestone’s GeoGard EPDM lining for its ease and speed of installation, extended service life, puncture resistance and U/V resistance.

Newcastle pitch features fully automatic controllable irrigation

When the decision was made to install a new playing surface and irrigation system at Newcastle United, MJ Abbott selected Rain Bird products.

950E valve-in-head sprinklers were chosen for the perimeter and the corners of the pitch.

8005 pop up rotors and Rain Curtain nozzles that ensure uniform water distribution, were selected for the central areas.

Accoya selected for unique botanic gardens project

Accoya wood has been specifie for an integral part of the ‘Understanding Plant Diversity’ project in Cambridge University’s Botanic Gardens, one of the largest university-owned botanic gardens in the world.

Following an invited competition in the summer of 2016, Chadwick Dryer Clarke was appointed as the project lead to create a path structure to inspire and intrigue visitors.

‘The Rising Path’, a galvanised steel structure clad with Accoya wood balustrades and decking, was created to meet the brief. The

65-metre long dynamic spiral, which has a three-metre high elevated viewpoint, features an interpretation hub designed to inspire visitors to explore the

garden’s Systematic Beds and offer new ways to explore the science of plant taxonomy.

Integral to the new pitch was the SISGrass Hydrobox system which was developed specificallyfor use with pop-up irrigation systems, including Rain Bird. The IQ Cloud Platform, used in conjunction with an ESP-LXD controller, gives the groundstaff a real time, fully automatic remote control system.

Rain Bird

Top sprayer operator Award presented to Keith Gallacher

The prestigious title of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOY) has been won by Keith Gallacher, Head of Complete Weed Control South West and East Scotland.

ASOY recognises and rewards top sprayer operators across the amenity industry. It aims to improve standards, by identifying the best practice of individuals to enhance results – and share their experiences across the industry. Presented for the second time at BTME 2019, the ASOY Awards are organised by the Amenity

Forum, and sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, in association with BASIS. As well as the overall top operator, Keith was the winner of the Landscape and Industrial using vehicle mounted equipment category. Two other category winners were also recognised

by the Awards. Ryan Shepherd of Hortech won Landscape and Industrial sprayer using a knapsack, while Andy Baker won the category for Sports turf using a boom sprayer or knapsack.

Accoya

Amenity Forum

Firestone

CWC enjoys glyphosate roadshow success

Complete Weed Control’s glyphosate roadshow has been hailed as a huge success after the seminars provided vital guidance on the application of glyphosate to over 150 delegates throughout four UK locations.

Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide and has been proven to be effective in controlling unwanted vegetation in public spaces, gardens and in agriculture.

However, over recent years it has been exposed to an abundance of scrutiny and debate which has

left more unanswered questions and created further confusion.

In this series of seminars, which took place in York, Bristol, London and Stirling, Complete Weed Control aimed to provide a greater clarity on glyphosate, as managing director Ian Graham explained in his introduction at each venue.

“As an organisation we felt it was time to put together a series of seminars to deal with the issues surrounding glyphosate and its use in the amenity sector.

There has been a considerable and sustained volume bad

press and a much negativity surrounding this product - so we felt it was essential that we explore the reality and present the data that exists from numerous agencies around the worldthathavealldeclaredthis product to be safe.

“As contractors we are very happythatourusingitisentirely appropriate as it delivers a safe, environmentally sound and cost-effective means of dealing with weeds.”

Complete Weed Control

SCH Supplies announces retirement of founder Andrew Rodwell

After being in the

The future of the built environment

Introducing Futurebuild 2019

Futurebuild is the evolution of ecobuild. It brings together opinion-shapers, decision-makers and product innovators under a common purpose to explore the latest technologies and approaches, and debate the biggest issues facing the built environment –now and in the future – both in the UK and overseas.

Futurebuild is home to six focused Hubs dedicated to knowledge sharing across key elements of the built environment and an industryleading content programme driving meaningful debate on the biggest industry issues.

He will hand over the reins to Ian Holder and John Free, who have been with SCH for 14 years each.

The company is proudly based in Holbrook, Suffolk, however the company’s fleet of delivery trucks span the entirety of the British mainland.

SCH began in 1986, when Andrew became frustrated at the lack of suitable lawn care attachments to fit his garden tractor. Not being one to back away from a challenge, Andrew set about designing and manufacturing the attachments he wanted and started selling them to friends who had encountered the same problem.

The very first SCH brochure was a simple, black and white four page leaflet, but from little acorns mighty oaks do grow, and the company now print in excess of 50,000 copies of their freely distributed 80 page brochure.

The company now employs 25 local people, who design, manufacture and delivery an

All companies face challenges, and SCH is no different. SCH has survived two recessions and a devastating fire in 1995 which wiped out 95% of their stock and left the workforce struggling to cope. But Andrew has always been proud to say that no customers were let down, and normal service was resumed very quickly.

Other challenges have included the influx of bulk shipments of flat packed machinery from the Far East. However, as Andrew says, SCH products will always appeal to those who want to take delivery of a British built, robust item which will last for many years, not just for a season or two.

The handful of original garden machinery dealers who were prepared to sell those new machines back in 1986 has now metamorphosed into a network of over 1,000 dealers throughout the UK.

Andrew hopes SCH’s loyal customers and dealers will show Ian and John the same support that they have showed him, and would like to thank everyone involved in the continued success of the company.

SCH

RDS innovations make it even more flexible

Two new innovations have made the premier rapid-deploy perimeter protection system even quicker to install. Steel fencing manufacturer Zaun Limited has designed a new QuickFit post system for its multi award-winning Rapid Deployment System (RDS), that was first created for political conferences and forms part of the National Barrier Asset. And they have pre-assembled a ‘plug & play’ variant of perimeter intrusion detection experts Harper Chalice’s FenceSecure to offer a speedily-installed temporary HVM and detection fencing system.

RDS has been the firm favourite with police for securing party conferences since it saved up to 90% of police time and proved its rapid-install-with-high-security

credentials during a whistle-stop tour from Brighton to Birmingham via Manchester for the three main UK political parties’ autumn conferences in 2012 and at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland in May 2013. The new QuickFit post system halves the manpower for installation, with a team of two able to install a 30m run in just half an hour in trials.

Opposing wedge-shape protrusions on the posts and clamp bar serve as a pincer system to clamp the fence panels to the posts. They are locked in place with a single bolt fixing per post with the head of the bolt completely encapsulated inside a tube so it cannot be removed.

Zaun

captain’s chair for 30 three years and having reached the grand age of 80, Andrew Rodwell, Founder and Managing Director at British garden machinery manufacturer SCH (Supplies) Ltd has decided to step back from the day to day running of the company.

array of products from grass care systems to trailers, waterers, flail mowers and more.

The bin for tight spaces

Leafield Environmental is extending its Envirobin range with the launch of the Mini Classic, a new, compact sized, external litter bin that is both stylish and economical.

Standing 950mm high, with a small diameter of 456mm, the Mini Classic has a respectable capacity of 70 litres when used with a plastic liner although a galvanised steel liner is also available with a 60 lire capacity.

Rotationally moulded from resilient, corrosion resistant, UV stabilised MDPE, the Mini Classic has smooth edges and large radii to minimise dirt traps and a dimpled surface to discourage fly posting.

Available in a range of standard colours and from recycled materials, subject to availability, the bin boasts a gold or silver band of distinction around the circumference and front and rear label panels for promotional purposes.

Stylish, slim-line and compact, the Mini Classic enjoys a similar range of options to its big brother the Heritage Classic. Ground fixing kit, ashtray, stubber plate, fire extinguisher and locked access are all available on demand.

Leafield Environmental

Talasey Group announce product range expansion

Landscaping supplier Talasey Group has launched 12 new ranges joining their Vitripiazza collection in 2019.

The expansion of the Italian porcelain paving range is a direct response to the increased demand for porcelain in 2018, following popular landscaping trends, highlighting the material as a desirable addition to outdoor living spaces.

One of Talasey Group’s leading product brands, Vitripiazza, offers a wide variety of vitrified porcelain paving that is carefully sourced from Italy, renowned for its superior quality. Suitable for a wide range of landscaping needs, the versatile range spans from entry level products for modest budgets, through to high end luxury products

such as Guidare, which is designed for driveways, to Collosso flagstones, which are a huge 1200 x 1200mm in size, providing a show stopping ‘wow factor’.

The product expansion also extends to the Pavetuf range. A Tile Grout available in a choice of four colours is also being introduced in order to support the installation of Vitripiazza products.

Talasey

Opening deadline met thanks to GftK’s vdw 850

Another stunning project – but it was only completed and opened successfully in time for Christmas, by using GftK’s vdw 850+ from NCCStreetscape Ltd.

The advanced Paving Joint Mortar was specified for the unique George & Dragon Pub in Dartmouth, because the Architect and Main Contractor both understood that this was effectively the last operation outside after all of the engineering and drainage works

and it had to be completed and hardened over the foundations ready for offi cial opening.

Despite almost continuous rain and gale force winds for nearly three weeks, the black limestone and granite sett paving was able to be laid and successfully jointed using GftK’s vdw 850+ in good time for the scheduled VIP Reception and Opening Night .

NCCStreetscape

Bowland and Pembridge join Glasdon’s ecofriendly picnic table range

The weather-proof benches offer easy seating access, and accommodate up to 8 people in most environments.

Manufactured using 100% recycled material; the attractive Pembridge Picnic Table is traditionally designed, durable and sustainable. Pembridge is available with Enviropol or Timberpol material slats.

The Bowland Picnic Table offers a contemporary twist on picnic tabledesign.Combiningacurved Armortec coated steel frame with a choice of seven different coloured, environmentallyfriendly material slats, Bowland offers strength, style and sustainability.

Glasdon

World’s first zero ground strike temporary host and PID fencing system

Two of the biggest names in physical perimeter security have come together for the first time to develop a world’s first in temporary protection.

CLD Fencing Systems, the UK’s largest manufacturer and supplier of rigid mesh fencing and security gates, and Gallagher Security, the global leader in Perimeter Intrusion Detection systems (PIDs) launched FenceSafe-E at International Security Expo 2018 in London on 28 and 29 November.

FenceSafe-E combines the best of the zero ground strike temporary security fencing system FenceSafe with the full benefits of a Monitored Pulse Fencing (MPF) system. Using preassembled modular units and the revolutionary FenceSafe system, the temporary secured perimeter can be rapidly deployed anywhere around the globe.

During development trials, fence lines of over 30m with 45-degree corners, ends and 90-degree returns were erected and commissioned with full pulse fencing within 90 minutes.

Russell Wells, Sales Director with CLD Fencing Systems, said: “One of the key issues faced with temporary monitored protection occurred on the straining of the wires. By using pre-assembled strained ends and corners we

were able to develop a system that can offer the protection of a permanent fencing system with the deterrent of a pulse fence, whilehavingzerogroundstrike.”

Kevin Godfrey, Strategic Business Development Manager atGallagherSecurity,continued: “We are extremely excited to be working with CLD to offer customersthefl exibilitytoeasily installahighsecuritysolutionon atemporarysiteandthenremove it when it’s no longer needed.”

The new FenceSafe-E allows the establishmentofatruemonitored temporary perimeter that is matched with all the aspects of a rigid mesh fencing system and access control. FenceSafe-E conformstoBSEN1991forwind loading,resistingoverturninwind speedsinexcessof100mph.

The fencing system itself is manufactured to BS 1722 Part 14andPart17.Itcanbesupplied either galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 or polyester powder coated to BS EN 13438.

The full range features profi led, twin wire and 358 mesh panel options with temporary sliding and swing gates that all host the Gallagher MPF. The entire system is available on either a hire or buy basis.

Trailed post driver brings hammer muscle to small or elderly tractors

The latest innovation in fencing equipment from Bryce Suma is a high output heavy-duty post driver that can be operated by a tractor of modest size and weight.

Jock Bryce of the Kelso-based manufacturer points out that normally, Suma heavy-duty post drivers carried on the rear threepoint hitch need a substantial tractor to maintain secure stability on site and during road travel.

“But not everyone has need of a 120-150hp tractor, so our new Suma TR400 is a trailed design that can be operated by a small tractor, whether new or quite elderly,” he explains. “As long as the tractor can summon up a 25-30 litres/min oil supply to operate the 400kg hammer at a sensible speed, then that’s all you need.”

The Suma TR400 has all the performance and operating features of a top-end tractormounted post driver but with the added benefit of storage space for up to 20 strainer posts, 100 round or square fencing stakes or eight to 10 rolls of 100m net, plus barbed or plain wire.

The chassis houses a secure container for a chainsaw and

other hand tools, there are tool trays for fencing gear on the drawbar and adjacent to the hydraulic controls, and vertical slots for storing wooden support blocks to place beneath the two stabilising hydraulic jacks.

These extend from the frame by the offside wheel and from the bottom of the mast as part of a package of hydraulic features that also provide mast side-shift and two-way vertical alignment.

Back-shift and side-shift enable the operator to precisely position the mast for driving fence posts or the patented integral hydraulic swing-around rock spike.

In addition, the drawbar design allows the chassis to be ‘jackknifed’ at up to 90 degrees to the tractor to get into tight or awkward corners and wheels set out wide with large flotation tyres provide good stability and flotation on soft ground.

As on all Bryce Suma post drivers, the mast on the new TR400 is a two-stage telescopic design that provides 3.6m of hammer drop to strike the steel cap that holds and protects the post.

Bryce Suma

Two decades of excellence

Established more than two decades ago, Duralock has developed into a worldrenowned company, focused on delivering the fi nest equestrian and sports fencing.

Produced in the UK and shipped Worldwide, we have a truly international reach, with clients across the globe.

In January 2019 Duralock announced the appointment of

His wealth of experience and knowledge of the sports industry will

invaluable to the growth of Duralock’s presence on and off the field.

Duralock

Fibreglass GRP Palisade Fencing Panels now available online

FibreGrid, the leading producer of anti-slip flooring products, is pleased to announce that its Fibreglass GRP Palisade Fencing Panels are now available to buy online. FibreGrid’s fibreglass GRP Palisade Fencing Panels are a nonconductive, non-rust alternative to traditional steel fencing. They are extremely heavy duty and impact resistant, yet lightweight enough to install without any heavy machinery - a two-person team can easily complete the job.

They are now available to buy online in 3 different heights, and can be purchased in metre lengths. Standard stock colour is grey, but they can be manufactured in any BS or RAL colour.

Benefits of FibreGrid panels: • Impact resistant - they have a high energy absorption and can be repeatedly knocked without causing permanent damage, unlike

steel which will buckle under impact (by a bump from a forklift for example).

• Lightweight - you don’t need any heavy lifting gear or specialist equipment to install our GRP Fencing - a two-person team can easily complete the job.

• Chemical and rust resistant -the chemical resistant resin means the fencing can be used in the toughest conditions such as oil rigs, chemical plants, rail and coastal applications.

• Non-conductive - the fencing is radio frequency transparent and sound absorbing, making it suitable for a variety of environments and applications where radio frequency may be a factor. It also isn’t magnetic, meaning it’s suitable in environments where this may also be an issue.

Postsaver protected fence posts guaranteed to last for 20 years

For those looking for a wooden fence or gate post that is proven, and guaranteed, to last for 20 years there are only 2 options available.

Creosote treatment is proven to work but is expensive, unpleasant to handle and as a wood preservative is likely to be phased out due to its very poor environmental credentials.

This leaves only one option, which is a post treated with the current environmentally

friendly wood preservative, then fitted with a Postsaver ground-line barrier sleeve.

Postsaver ground-line barrier sleeves have been in production since 1994 and are proven to protectthevulnerablepartofthe post from ground rot - the No. 1 cause of fence post failure. Postsaver sleeves are low cost, easy to apply and supplied in sizesto fi tallfence&gateposts.

Postsaver

CLD Fencing Systems

Fibregrid

Matt Bartle as its new Business Development Director. M att has over 18 years’ experience in the sport industry, having worked for both Sport England and The FA.

prove

Campaign calls for two-hour screen time guideline

A new report out today shows for the fi rst time a strong link between recreational screen time and children’s inactivity, with children choosing to spend hours indoors and on screens instead of playing outside.

The report released by the Association of Play Industries -A Movement for Movement –reveals that children have never moved so little and points to substantial evidence

that screens are a key reason.

There appears to be a ‘rapid and dramatic’ change from outdoor to indoor time, with a 50 per cent increase in children’s discretionary screen time (DST) in less than a decade.

By the age of eight, the average child will have spent one full year sitting in front of a screen.

The report’s author, Dr Aric Sigman, a health education

lecturer and leading expert on the effects of recreational screen time on children, says action is urgently required.

“This report confirms what most parents already know, that discretionary screen time is their children’s main activity.

Whether it’s watching TV, playing games on laptops and iPads or spending time on social media, recreational screen time is occupying hours

of their day, and has replaced outdoor play.

Parents are looking for support and guidance on how to go back-to-basics to limit discretionary screen time and get their children outdoors and playing again.

The introduction of a two-hour limit for daily recreational screen time will offer specifi c advice to parents and with the

support of government, we can start to tackle the increasing screen time issue.”

The Association of Play Industries Chair, Mark Hardy, says: “Unless the government takesstepstohelpparentsreduce children’s discretionary screen time, current attempts to tackle childhood obesity and poor mental health are likely to fail.

“At the same time, we also need urgent investment in freeto-use outdoor play facilities, particularly in deprived areas where such facilities can have the greatest impact. Our recent Nowhere To Play report highlights the alarming decline inplaygroundsinrecentyears.”

The Association of Play Industries’ campaign is focussed on two main asks, calling upon the government to: issue an offi cial recommendation of two hours discretionary screen time perdayforchildren;andinvestin outdoorplayprovision,especially in deprived areas, to reverse the declineinplaygrounds.

Green spaces become outdoor learning and training venues

Elba Park is a site playing a lead role in The Land Trust’s education work and was awarded Land Trust Education Site of the Year after delivering activities to nearly 1,000 school children over the last 12 months.

Based in Sunderland the team at Elba have built excellent working relationships with local schools which has seen children enjoy activities such as geocaching, pond dipping, meadow sweeps, crafts, surveys and identification, bulb and tree planting and heritage activities.

Students from Portland Academy, a school for young people with special educational needs and disability, attend weekly sessions at the site with

Funding to help children get active

The Daily Mile is aiming to increase children’s activity levels as Sport England invests £1.5 million of National Lottery money in the groundbreaking scheme.

Sport England recently published its first Active Lives Children and Young People report, which showed that more than 2.3 million children do fewer than 30 minutes of physical activity a day. This new partnership

with The Daily Mile will fund the recruitment of national and local coordinators to support and encourage more schools in England to sign up – with a vision of helping all 20,000 primary schools in the country to take part in an active mile a day. A third of children in England do fewer than 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

Sport England

post-16 students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award.

The Land Trust

Association of Play Industries

Wicksteed

Feel ‘the power’ with Connor Sport Court

Connor Sport Court, owned by international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor is the market leader in sports surfacing.

In a testament to improving kids’ lives Connor and Gerflor as companies are constantly looking for opportunities to create a better world. In the sports division, it manifests itself in creating safer places for children to unlock their potential and become champions of life.

A strong partnership with the charity Beyond Sport looks set to enable this commitment to flourish. The safest outdoor court in the world PowerGame® from Connor

Sport Court features the lowest skin abrasion of any outdoor court surface and is made of the highest quality materials and UV stabilisers to protect the specifiers investment and is a perfect fit

for a host of performance sports including; badminton, tennis, basketball, netball and hockey.

Playforce supports children’s hospices across the UK

As part of Playforce’s ‘Nature Month’, the company selected children’s hospices across the UK to receive brand new ‘natural world’ play equipment, free of charge.

The hospices were nominated by national charity, Together for Short Lives, following their 2018 Children’s Hospice Week.

Together for Short Lives is the UK charity for seriously ill children living with lifelimiting or terminal conditions that cannot be cured.

Myra Johnson, Director of Communications & Engagement

at Together for Short Lives said:

“We are here to support and empower children and their families – and to build a strong and sustainable children’s palliative care system – so that no family is left to cope alone.

“Together with the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, we provide a lifeline to families, whenever and wherever they need it.

Children’s Hospice Week is our biggest appeal and this year we asked our children and families to share their favourite things to do – playing outside was one of their top five moments.

Playforce’s donations are a lovely way of supporting

this and the UK’s children’s hospices.”

Emily Northin, Director of Marketing at Playforce, said: “We work with a number of children’s hospices and have long admired. Together for Short Lives for the difference it makes in encouraging support for them. At Playforce we’re passionate about helping children to enjoy the outdoors and nature.

We saw our recent Nature Month as an opportunity to help more children – and those closest to them – to do this, at a time when they need it most.”

Playforce

StreetGames to expand in 50 areas

Young people in 50 of England’s most disadvantaged areas are being given the chance to get more active thanks to a £6.6 million, three-year partnership with StreetGames.

The awarding of the National Lottery funds follows a £500,000 grant made to the charity last year, and will allow them to build on their 11 years of using sport to enhance the life chances of young people growing up in deprived areas.

StreetGames uses the experience of their award-winning coaches, local know-how and the latest in community sport, research and insight to help communities throughout our nation to become healthier, safer and more successful.

The charity has welcomed 3.86 million total attendees to their sessions and events in 11 years. The charity has worked with more than 1,000 locally trusted organisations that are embedded in communities, bringing the benefits of sport and physical activity to more than 530,000 young people.

Their CEO and co-founder, Jane Ashworth, has overseen the charity welcome a total of 3.8 million attendees to their sessions and events, involving 6,182 coaches and 15,000 volunteers – and she is still determined to see it grow.

“StreetGames is absolutely committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people and their communities through sport,” she said.

“Not only getting them more active but ensuring we support their mental and physical wellbeing, develop them as individuals within their communities, combat inequalities and help build an activity habit that stays with them for a lifetime.

“This critical Sport England investment will allow us to continue using sport and physical activity to help create stronger, more resilient communities in these 50 areas and beyond.”

Gerflor

New Wicksteed outdoor gyms for London borough

Wicksteed are delighted to open some fantastic new outdoor fitness zones in the London Borough of Croydon.

The sites are a great showcase for some of the best pieces from our comprehensive range of outdoor fitness equipment from the Wicksteed Fitness Legacy Zone range, including the Calisthenics Zone, Pull Down Exerciser and Cycle Bike.

The new Calisthenics Zone at Purley Way in Croydon has been received incredibly well with the Kinetick Kontrol

Calisthenics group. Kinetick Kontrol are a fitness group based in Croydon with members coming from a broad range of athletic backgrounds including sprinters, triple jumpers, footballers and basketballers.

Edris Kizito of Kinetick Kontrol commented: “It (Wicksteed Calisthenics Zone) has been amazing. It has allowed us to be able to promote these free sessions on Saturday. In an area where there was not much to do for young people, alternatives being unhealthy or getting in trouble with local enforcement.

“To summarise, it has been the tool we needed to help our community.Breakingstereotypes, promoting health and wellness, and giving our community relatablepositiveinfl uences.”

Wicksteed understands the importance of a fi t and healthy lifestyle and as such has created the Wicksteed Fit app to accompany their Fitness Zones.

The app can be found on the home page of the Wicksteed websitewicksteed.co.uk

Wicksteed

New report finds screens are displacing play

‘A Movement for Movement’ report addresses the relationship between an increasingly screenbased, sedentary, reduced-sleep lifestyle, declining outdoor physical activity, and the implications for children’s physical and mental health outcomes.

By the time they finish primary school many children have the highest levels of body fat on record. Rates of child type 2 diabetes and mental illness are also the highest in our history. Children now sleep less and have the highest level of admissions to NHS hospitals for sleep disorders. At the same time British children are spending the highest ever amount of their discretionary time in front of screens.

“These issues are often presented as separate lifestyle factors yet there is growing evidence that they are not unrelated,” says Dr Sigman. “Increasingly, interrelationships are being identified between physical activity, free play, sedentary behaviour, discretionary screen time, sleep, mental illness, body fat and type 2 diabetes.

A bird’s eye view

The Priory Parish CE Primary School contacted Creative Play as they were looking to redevelop their existing play area. They wanted to remove the whole area and start from scratch to create a new environment that would allow children to explore the outdoors whilst developing fundamental movement skills and building confidence.

The area was to be used by both KS1 & KS2 children, therefore Creative Play had to provide something that would be suitable for a wide range

of ages and abilities.After removing their current steel equipment, fencing, bushes & shrubs as well as excavating the ground, Creative Play installed a wide selection of equipment including a Jigsaw Tower System, suitable for a wide age range, a variety of Trim Trail items including a Jelly Board, Stepping Logs and Parallel Ropes, and a bespoke Octavia Shelter with planters, chalk board and trellis archway entrance.

Now the new area now offers a great mixture of equipment for not

only play but outdoor learning and exploration, too.

In addition to the play equipment we laid multiple safety surfaces; Wetpour, Rubber Mulch and Artificial Grass, throughout the area. This helped to enhance the natural feel and complemented the surrounding area perfectly whilst, more importantly, ensuring the new playground met all the BSEN 1176/1177 standards.

Creative Play

“There is an urgent need to reconceptualise these behaviours not as separate components but as inextricably linked. Parents and policy-makers must now work in tandem to ensure that all elements of children’s movement behaviours are considered together, rather than being seen as the responsibility of separate government departments.”

There is an ideal ‘routine’ of activity within a day, also known as Sweat, Step, Sleep and Sit. Dr Sigman recommends these behaviours are adopted by parents in their back-to-basics approach to encourage more movement.

“Parental monitoring and the establishing of discretionary screen time limits can shape longterm media consumption habits and may prove a major preventer of mental health problems including screen dependency disorders,” says Dr Sigman.

“And as children move far more when they are outside than inside, and the majority live in urban areas, investment in attractive, good quality, free

and local playground provision is vital so they have somewhere to play.” API Chair Mark Hardy adds: “We commissioned A Movement for Movement to draw together the alarming body of evidence showing the effects that less play and more screens are having on children.

“In light of the shocking statistics in this report, there is a real urgency to drive change before the long-term and permanent effects on children’s health and wellbeing become irreversible. This requires action from both the government and parents to counteract the effects of too much recreational screen time. Parents need to be supported in imposing limits on this and provided with easily accessible areas in which their children can play.

“Play is such a huge part of a child’s development and playgrounds are a much-needed resource that are sadly under threat. This urgently needs to be reversed to ensure the health of a generation.”

API

A healthier approach to weed control in playgrounds

A question often posed by residents to their local councils is whether there is still a need to continue spraying traditional herbicides such as glyphosate in public areas when chemicalfree options exist.

Typically, glyphosate is used across all public spaces on streets, in parks and in playgrounds where children and animals play.

Whether herbicides are proven to harm people and animals is

Sutcliffe Play spins into 2019

Sutcliffe Play, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of children’s playground equipment, is introducing a new range of spinners and rotators for 2019.

“We’re always looking to go that extra mile with equipment that’s guaranteed to excite and delight, and our new range of rotators and spinners is no exception,” says Andy Love from Sutcliffe Play.

New products include: Whirlybob Roundabout; Hula Rotator; Space Trainer; and Maelstrom.

Andy continues: “Our range of spinners and rotators is perfect for any child looking for an exhilarating play experience, whether that be as a standalone item, or as a playground filler when used in conjunction with our wider play offering.”

Sutcliffe Play

Orchard range continues to grow

Sutcliffe Play is introducing innovative new additions to the wooden Orchard play equipment range for 2019.

“We’ve been hard at work developing exciting pieces for our popular Orchard range, which is specifically designed to enable inclusive play in a more natural environment,” says Andy Love from Sutcliffe Play. “We’ve developed an indepth understanding of inclusive play over the years, allowing us to design kit that’s functional,

durable and fun for children from all walks of life. These new additions offer a combination of physically challenging activities that children of all ages and abilities can enjoy, complementing a more natural setting where required.”

The new equipment includes:

• Orchard Ship – this themed unit will make an impact in any play area. Complete with a central mast with a top sail, as well as Moon sail and Flying Jib, the fore deck

includes a climbing wall, vertical rungs and binocular lookout. A rigging net also connects the deck to the aft deck; a larger platform with five sides which enables crawling or shuffling to reach the various inclusive elements.

• Hazel – the first unit in the Orchard range to be designed with inclusivity front of mind, this unit can be linked with a variety of other units in the range for a unique playground design.

Inspired by nature, with 12 play activities, the central deck features five sides with a variety of access points for users of different abilities and inclinations.

Andy continues: “Every child should have equal access to opportunities to play side-byside; our new additions to the Orchard range offer something for everyone, to stimulate the senses, for a unique play experience.”

New Proludic outdoor gym takes residents’ workouts to the max

Charnwood Borough Council has invested £40,000 in a new outdoor gym with its own phone app at Southfields Park in Loughborough to improve the open space and encourage people to get active.

Designed and installed by Proludic, the outdoor gym comprises 12 stations from Proludic’s Urbanix range, set in dedicated zones – upper body, lower body and cardio – to provide a full body workout.

Certified to gym standard EN16630, the Urbanix fi tness range allows users to exercise all of the main core muscle groups as well as undertaking cardiovascular workouts.

The patented bi-directional hydraulic system can be set in eight different positions,

enabling people of all abilities to exercise at a pace suitable for them and to progress the diffi culty as fi tness improves. The Polysafe seats and handles are user friendly, and designed to stand up to intensive use in an outdoor environment.

Proludic also installed a Calisthenics Rig for users to create bespoke workouts and surfaced the area with a mixture of Wet Pour and Rubber Mulch to create an all-weather surface, making it accessible all year round.

Users can download the free Proludic Sports app for instructions on how to use the equipment, track their workouts and set up fitness groups.

“The new outdoor gym is a great addition to the park. We asked residents what they

wanted and introducing a wider range of facilities was popular among respondents,” says Councillor Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough.

“The gym means residents and visitors can get some fresh air

and a bit of additional exercise and the app can provide some guidance and a bit of motivation. We hope people will enjoy using both.”

The

The

The

The

Proludic

Sutcliffe Play

Charterhouse break new ground with launch of OxyShot

Charterhouse Turf Machinery launched a new machine into their aeration portfolio – the OxyShot.

Produced in response to industry demand for a machine similar to the popular ‘Robin Dagger’ airinjection unit, Charterhouse’s new machine promises to relieve compaction, improve drainage and revitalise growth.

Ideal soil conditions should comprise of 45% mineral, 25% water, 25% air and 5% organic matter. Any imbalance in any one of these components can result in the soil becoming inert, restricting growth or even killing the grass plant.

For strong, healthy root formation and a free draining soil, maintaining

Club Car introduces Lithium Ion golf car

Club Car, a world-leading manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has unveiled its lithium ion-powered golf car, TEMPO LI-ION.

TEMPO LI-ION, which extends Club Car’s TEMPO line of vehicles, is a redesigned car with

a lithium ion battery seamlessly integrated into the car’s construction and operating system.

The result is maximum management efficiency with up to 50 percent electricity savings, and a zero maintenance battery.

Club Car

a network of pores and fissures in the topsoil is essential.

The new OxyShot uses a single 25mm probe to inject air into the soil in four directions, at a pressureofupto110psiandtoa maximum depth of 500mm (20”).

It can also be fitted with an optional 14mm probe, to reduce the working depth to 250mm. The compact, highly manoeuvrable pedestrian unit can be easily transported to the desired location or problem areas to lift the soil, thus relieving compaction and improving drainage without the need for chemical applications.

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

New INFINICUT FX mower launched

The launch of the new fixed head INFINICUT mower from Cub Cadet at BTME 2019 follows on from the hugely successful FL floating head mower.

The INFINICUT FX incorporates many of the key tried and tested features in a simpler, more affordable package.

Available in 22”, 26”, 30” and 34” cutting widths, industryleading cut quality remains at the heart of the new FX design philosophy. Key attributes such as lightweight design, Lithium battery power and quiet operation come as standard, while transport wheel and other bespoke options are available.

The cassettes are ‘bottom mounted’, bolted in place, which reduces the risk of the unit oscillating when in use. The FX also offers the ability to parallel the whole machine on the rear

traction roller which keeps the machine cutting well and true.

As with the INFINICUT FL, the new fixed head machine can utilise the interchangeable ATT TMSystem cassettes. In addition to the accuracy and cleanliness of cut achieved

with the SMARTCut cassette, the operator can easily switch this out for another cassette from the range to aerate, brush, de-thatch, scarify, top-dress, groom, level or mow, all with a single machine.

Cub Cadet

In the right place at Harrogate

Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multiimplement compact tractor and Ryan turf maintenance equipment, certainly selected a prime position at the revamped BTME.

Managing Director, Rupert Price said: “We deliberately chose a location in one of the walkways that linked the Purple and Green zones and it worked exceptionally well for us. Many people asked if we were

late booking our space, as it was a slightly unusual position, but this was a deliberate decision that paid off brilliantly.

“Needless to say, with the amount of footfall across the stand, we’ve had some great enquiries and there’s a lot of work to do over the coming months, when we’ll be following up the leads and booking demonstrations.”

Price Turfcare

Trio of new products from Headland Amenity

Three new products have been introduced to Headland Amenity’s range of speciality fertilisers and chemicals for golf and sports turf.

The new additions include H-Cote and Protec Plus fertilisers and a triple-active selective herbicide, Columbus.

H-Cote controlled release fertilisers are a new range of mini-granular fertilisers, designed to fill the gap between traditional outfield and fine turf products.

The 150 SGN mini granules are easy to apply and rapidly

dissipate into close-mown turf. Protec Plus liquid fertilisers feature slow-release nitrogen from a unique liquid source of methylene-urea.

The particularly low salt index of this material renders the finished products extremely safe to apply even under extremes of hot/ dry weather and contributes to a consistent, reliable and longlasting turf response.

Headland’s new triple-active selective herbicide Columbus is formulated from Clopyralid, Fluorxypyr and MCPA for control of a broad spectrum of common turf weeds.

For use on all managedamenity turf, its unique micro-emulsion f o rmu latio provides enhanced herbicidal activity to help ensur good control, with treated areas able to be re-seeded from as little as eight weeks after application.

DLF Select programme takes the guesswork out of seed quality

Following two years of research and investment, DLF will launch the new ‘DLF Select’ quality programme and seed range for the 2019 season.

In a world where it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve high purity standards, DLF have developed a new programme within their production chain to safeguard quality and ensure they remain the preferred, reliable, supplier to the top turf managers worldwide.

DLF Select ‘00’ quality guarantees the highest purity based on a standard ISTA analysis. In a standard sample of the ‘00’ quality grass seed, 0.0% of other seeds are found.

For even further reassurance, a 10x sample search is performed for the ‘S’ grade. The superior ‘S1’ standard guarantees the result of 0.0% other seeds, while ‘S2’ indicates no coarse grasses, with only traces of non-harmful dicot species.

Besides the mentioned Select purity grades, DLF also offer professional ‘A1’ & ‘A2’ grades for the amenity market, that offer a vast improvement on the baseline EU purity rules and standards. A list of DLF varieties available within the Select programme, is available on request.

DLF Johnsons

Pitchmark launches

Turfix at BTME

Turfix will act as Pitchmark’s sole UK distribution arm, offering premium pitch solutions to the professional sports turf sector.

This will include bespoke advice, education and the supply of a wide range of products from manufacturers including Pitchmark, ICL, Harrod Sport, Tildenet and BMS.

“We have developed very good relationships with other manufacturers in the sports turf industry worldwide,” says The Pitchmark Group’s Chairman, Mark Rodman, who has over thirty years of experience in the horticultural and amenity sector.

“We have a highly experienced team with years of knowledge of a wide variety of products.

Pitchmark is a line marking specialist brand, and to in order to offer complimentary product ranges we felt creating a new structure was the best approach.”

WhatmakesTurfi xdifferent,Mark says, is the quality of service, with the facility to spend more time with groundsmen and implement specifi cally tailored solutions for all their requirements.

Every turf support manager has been a groundsman or greenkeeperintheircareer,adding a unique level of understanding. Turfix customers nationwide will also have access to a unique GPS pitch-marking service using Pitchmark’s LineMaster system.

Pitchmark and Turfix

Headland Amenity

TurfTeq tackles tough challenges

The self- propelled, walkbehind TurfTeq Power Broom features a 46” (1168mm) width, 2-speed, rotary brush.

The 18” (457mm) diameter brush is spirally-wound, so sweeps every millimetre of the surface. It is easily adjusted for height and ground pressure, and can be instantly altered to sweep left or right or ahead.Driven by 13hp, Honda-engined tractor, differential lock is standard

equipment ensuring the machine has maximum traction. The hydrostatic transmission adjusts instantly from ½ mph to 4 mph.

TurfTeq’s multi-use tractor also powers other TurfTeq attachments such as the Plough, Bed Edger/Trencher, Surface Preparation Rake and Brush Cutter.

Groundscare Products

Multi-tasking machines from Wessex

If you’re struggling to keep on top of fallen leaves or scattered debris in your garden, fi eld or park, a leaf collector could be the solution.

There’s no need to struggle with a rake for hours with one of these innovative machines. The selection of leaf collectors available from Wessex International showcases some of the most innovative and functional machines on the market.

Browse our collection to fi nd leaf collectors for all manner of applications, including those specifi cally designed for golf courses and those which can handle almost any type of terrain. Choose from large tractor mounted leaf collectors or ones which are suitable for

ATV and UTV, or infact any machine with a ball hitch.

If you’re looking for a leaf collector which is low maintenance and easy to use, Wessex has the right solution for you.

Fitted with a unique emptying hopper these multi-functional collectors will seamlessly brush the leaves together and collect them – all you have to do is

remove and dispose of the leaves at the end of your collection.

These machines are also fully adjustable and boast a range of protective features to ensure that they operate well, even in long grass and rough terrain.

Wessex

New battery powered litter vacuums

The latest innovation for indoor and outdoor cleaning equipment from the British manufacturer Overton UK is a range of powerful and quiet battery powered vacuum litter collectors.

The new range comprises of a BackPack vacuum with a 35ltr capacity weighing 13kgs empty that provides maximum flexibility when cleaning stairwells or other hard to reach areas, a 120-litre vacuum with wide wheels for stability and a vacuum unit that fi ts to the

Overton range of street orderly Barrows.

All the vacuums have a 75mm diameter suction hose and the unique design prevents any collected material passing through the impellor reducing noise and ensuring no damage to the machine when collecting litter.

The vacuums are powered by a powerful 50V Lithium-Ion battery which give a working time of between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on usage. The

batteries are easy to remove and replace and all the vacuums come complete with a battery charger.

These vacuums are ideal for collecting small material such as smoking related litter, broken glass, confetti, small amounts of leaves and sweet papers etc and battery power means the vacuums are quiet in operation, have low hand arm vibrations, minimal servicing and removes fuel costs and storage issues.

Clear up with high performing machines

PSD Groundscare, a leading distributor of professional groundscare machinery have an exciting range of vacuums, blowers & sweepers from innovative European manufacturers ELIET and Koppl.

Leading Belgium manufacturer ELIET have developed a

range of vacuums & blowers that includes leaf blowers, truckloaders and the Cameleon multi-vacuum.

Innovative German manufacturer Koppl provide a range of multiattachment machines that can be fitted to a power unit with over 50 attachments to choose from

including snow-blowers and sweepers.

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

Overton

PSD Groundscare

Wiedenmann saves grounds team time and trouble

A busy Middlesex grounds team are saving valuable time each month thanks to the Wiedenmann Super 500 significantly reducing time spent on collecting.

Chris Lynch, Grounds Manager at John Lyon School, Harrow-on the-Hill and his two assistants, Mark Chandler and Joe Naughton now have breathing space to tackle different projects.

The site, at Sudbury Fields in North West London, has four full size football pitches, three junior size pitches, four training zones and three cricket squares. On any given afternoon up to 200 pupils and PE staff from the independent boys’ day school, make full use of the playing facilities.

“We’re saving at least two days a week with the Super 500,” he explains. “Just last week all pitches were raked quite roughly to take out dead grass. Lots of material came out. We took the Super 500 across and in one pass it picked everything up. I was beyond impressed. All 28 acres collected with one pass in just over two days.”

Wiedenmann’s Super 500 is a three-in-one sweeper, collector, scarifier known across the industry for its versatility

and 2.5m³ capacity. The John Lyon team has seamlessly incorporated the Super 500 into their weekly routine.

“We have the largest collection of oak trees in the neighbourhood and need to lift leaves before they contaminate the turf surface so the Super 500 is out on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. We cut on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and mark everything on Fridays, weather dependent of course” explained Chris Lynch.

“The Super 500 has been set up as a scarifier which just tickles the surface as we work. We don’t want to go into hard, as leaf collecting is the priority for now. When I joined, one of the biggest problems I inherited was thatch and there is still some thatch level in our pitches. The Super 500 given time will help alleviate that, stopping debris working its way down through the surface. In this instance, it’s not necessarily what you see on the top that causes problems, it can be what’s down below. I am looking forward to getting this into the surface far more aggressively come renovations time next spring.”

Wiedenmann

Make short work of autumn clean up

Billy Goat wheeled vacuums are suitable for all residential, commercial and municipal property clean up requirements.

Designed for use on both lawns and hard surfaces, Billy Goat wheeled vacuums are built to last, with many now being in service around the world for more than 20 years.

The Billy Goat range of vacuums features 13 products, the newest of which, added in 2018, is the KV601. The KV601 builds on Billy Goat’s 40-year legacy of strong suction, simple operation and reliable design that makes outdoor vacuum clean-up easy.

It is part of the KV series which is designed to meet the needs of both the domestic and residential markets, however, the KV601 boats a Briggs & Stratton Professional series engine which is designed to tackle the toughest of tasks. Not only that, but it has low emissions which meet the latest EU directive EU-V for emissions.

Whether it’s residential clean-up for your patio, lawn, driveway, walkway, shrubs, beds, decks, trees, or fence edges – the KV inhales and bags all clean-up debris.

An optional hose kit helps between shrubs and beds and harder to reach areas. The series

has both hand and self-propelled models, and has a 27” width with a five blade impeller and serrated edges. The KV Series maximises suction and tackles debris with ease.

It is also available with an on-board 2” chipper to help clear branches too.

For smaller jobs, the lightweight Little Billy is perfect for domestic and residential applications; it is 20” wide with a wide nozzle that provides superior

Pellenc blower offers perfect balance

Pellenc, manufacturer of batterypowered tools for maintaining landscapes, has completed its range of battery-powered products for professionals with the Airion 3 blower.

The rewarding result of the company’s innovation and experience in multifunctional, long-life batteries, this remarkably lightweight and perfectly balanced new tool offers ergonomic benefits which are essential to user comfort. The Airion 3 also has the special feature of being both quiet and odourless.

Whereas traditional blowers tend to swing downward towards the nozzle, the Airion 3 has an angled air intake, which offsets the swing effect from the air blast.

This keeps the tool correctly balanced at any speed setting without putting strain on the wrist. This design also significantly reduces the blower’s noise disturbance for people in the surrounding environment, with the added benefit that the user no

longer needs to wear ear defenders. The Airion 3 is the ideal tool for cleaning jobs in urban areas, parks or gardens. Its speed controller and boost feature make it possible to manage the blowing power based on the surface to be cleared. Even leaves that are soft, wet or stuck to the ground are no match for the Airion.

Protected against dust and moisture, the blower is also designed to withstand the test of time. Its motor is housed in a magnesium alloy body that guarantees both proper

temperature dissipation and total sealing (IP54).

The Airion 3 benefits from several improvements over its predecessor: new materials for the air intake elbow and the outlet nozzle, as well as a new cable with high fatigue resistance, which considerably increases the tool’s service life.

The tool’s battery level display, available with the 1200 and 1500 batteries, makes it possible to manage battery life perfectly. In addition, the Airion 3 is the first tool in the

suction and instantaneous clearance. For additional suction all Billy Goat vacuums are available with optional hose kits.

Billy Goat

Pellenc range to profit from the Fast Connector system for rapid tool connection / disconnection.

This feature allows you to quickly remove the tool while working if there is a risky situation or to use both hands freely without having to remove the back battery.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come with a three-year commercial warranty and are distributed in the UK and Ireland exclusively by Etesia UK.

Etesia

STIHL’s cordless blower is the professional choice

The BGA 100 is a professional, hand held blower for professional gardeners, landscapers and contractors. Used in conjunction with the AR backpack batteries or the battery belt, the BGA 100 produces optimum blowing power across three power stages.

By simply applying added pressure to the trigger lever, the power boost feature can be activated to allow for full blowing power for those really tough jobs. Weighing only 2.5 kg (not including battery) this lightweight and well-balanced blower makes for comfortable use over long periods.

The cordless design means it’s use is not dictated by a cord, allowing the operator to roam freely to

complete a range of clearance tasks around areas such as schools, parks, hospitals or gardens.The efficient and powerful motor delivers impressive blowing performance whilst operating quietly, making it ideal for use in noise sensitive areas.

The new STIHL AR 1000 backpack battery is ideal for use in conjunction with the powerful BGA 100 blower, which can run for up to 225 minutes on a single charge. When used in conjunction with the AL 500 charger, the AR 1000 backpack battery can be charged in as little as two hours, cutting down the time expenditures usually necessary for charging.

STIHL

Mowing from a distance

The robots are coming to a green space near you, and it could be good for business.

There’s a growing choice of remote-controlled mowers that not only tackle health and safety issues associated with ride-ons but can also take on a wider range of tasks on difficult terrain outside the mowing season.

Reversible cutting decks avoid scrubbing by tracked machines, and mowers that can swap from ride-on to remote control offer the best of both worlds.

Robotic mowers, once considered a conversation piece for well-heeled property owners, are now viewed as a serious commercial proposition, cutting noise and emissions and, with their electric drive, boosting green credentials as well as saving labour.

Remote control mowers

The versatility of remote control mowers is generating sales from contractors looking for a power unit to work safely in testing conditions, suggests Mark Parnham of Kilworth Machinery.

“They are proving popular for work on motorway embankments, railways and even shooting estates on steep terrain,” he comments.

“We have a customer who has replaced a ride-on slope mower with a Green Climber remote control unit for improved safety on roadside work.”

The machines are getting more powerful too, with 75hp versions rivalling the leading slope mowing tractors. He adds that while operators have to be attentive to what the machine

is doing, the remote units are straightforward to use, and the ability to stand in a safe place while the mower works on a bank reduces fatigue.

Green Climber machines are generally specified with a flail mowing attachment, which produces a tidy finish but can mulch saplings up to 5cm diameter, comments Mark, but a lighter flail or heavy duty mulcher can also be supplied.

“But it’s the range of other attachments that is broadening their appeal; from stump grinders to post knockers and trenchers.

We can adapt an existing power harrow with a hydraulic kit, which can be removed if required to use the implement on a tractor, and have even fitted a sprayer to a Green Climber unit for one customer.’

Green Climber machines are currently available with 30, 50 and 56hp high torque diesel engines, featuring adjustable track width and sideshift

attachment for the mower.

Cutting widths are 1.15m for the 30hp LV300 and 1.3/1.5m for the two larger models; all are rated for 60deg slopes.

Kilworth also offers the more compact XRot dedicated mower, which weighs in at just 300kg and has a cut width of 80cm.

With a choice of 12 or16hp engines, the XRot can cut in reverse, avoiding the need to turn at the end of a run and eliminating scrubbing on turf.

McConnel has added three new models to the Robocut range the RC56, RC75 and RC28 offering more power, advanced features and a new control system.

The dedicated mower RC28 will be available from this spring, featuring a 28hp Briggs and Stratton petrol engine driving the deck and 48V AC electric drive to the rubber tracks.

With fully variable speed range and zero turn capability, the RC28 exerts minimal ground pressure.

Suitable for work on gradients up to 60deg, the mower has a keyless start system and is operated via the Hetronic digital control system.

An LED screen provides operational information such as pre-set and current cut height, speed and signal strength, plus servicing data such as rotor and engine hours and operation job time.

A twin rotary 1.1m cut deck is fitted with Hardox 700 blades and offers bi-directional cutting to minimise scuffing; the quality finish is said to allow use for parks and gardens as well as rough grass. Future developments include proximity controls and GPS. Engines on the RC56 and RC75 have been developed in a partnership with Hatz GmbH specifically for working on steep gradients of 55 degrees, with increased power.

A new common chassis design provides a lower centre of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution for maximum stability and control in challenging terrain. Dual roll-over protection bars, quick access lifting points and accessory mounting points also come as standard.

The introduction of fully enclosed body panels protects the power unit from damage when working in harsh environments, whilst also keeping out grass and debris.

The stylised design also incorporates gull-wing style side panels that provide access to the engine bay.

For

of 25mm from up to 150 metres away, eliminating wasteful overlap with each pass and increasing productivity.

Attachments include flail and rotary mowers, a mulcher and forest flail, stump grinder, trencher, rake, brush, chipper and a selection of buckets and grabs.

Etesia now offers its Attila rough terrain mower in a remote control version, using an iPad as the control terminal.

The mower’s out and no-one’s driving it. Jane Carley looks at remote control and robotic mowing developments.

the first time GPS Autosteer is available, developed in conjunction with Trimble, and enabling operators to control cutting to an accuracy

McConnel

Kilworth

The Etesia SKD ExxDrive has been developed with partners FeBroLift GmbH and allows the user to operate the machine by means of gesture-controlled operation via an app on an IPad, without having to sit on the mower itself.

All functions can be accessed via the tablet, including the ‘deadman’ button which ensures safety, switching off the mower via a secure emergency stop.

Suitable for fitting with a dual wheel, the SKD ExxDrive can be used for mowing on steep slopes with low risk to the operator, who can stay at safe distance, while still ensuring high productivity in difficult terrain.

Retaining all the features of the standard SKD mower, the ExxDrive has an 85cm cutting width and steel reinforced decks, designed to withstand demanding mowing conditions over a long period.

STM offers RoboFlail tracked remote control machines in four variants: the Mini, the RoboFlail One Petrol, the RoboFlail One Diesel and the RoboFlail Vario.

The Mini is has a 50cm cut using an underslung rotary deck; the RoboFlail One is avaiable in petrol and diesel

versions and has a 1.2m cut underslung STM deck for cutting in either direction.

Giving the facility to attach outfront PTO driven units, the RoboFlail Vario is a diesel powered tracked machine.

The RoboFlail One Petrol is a lighter weight machine than the larger out-front remote control mowers on the market; and coupled with its new deeper profile herringbone tracks designed to minimise slipping in wet conditions, this looks

to account for a steady rise in sales in recent months.

The machine comes with a UKbuilt three-blade rotary deck slung directly underneath, which makes for a compact design that’s useful for transporting and planning cutting patterns. It can be used to cut grass up to 60cm high, but can also leave a neat regular cut down to 7.5cm.

OGM works in the Worcester and Gloucester areas in conjunction with fellow contractor Ground Control.

Owen Follis explains that one task is regular cutting for reservoirs, which involves many steeply angled areas of grass, and finds a clear advantage with the RoboFlail:

“This machine can cut in either direction, so we can approach a slope and climb it, cutting in a straightforward backwards and forwards operation with no turning required.”

AS Motor’s AS 940 and AS 940 XL ride on brushcutter have been especially developed for mowing on steep and difficult terrain - equipped with 27hp, four-wheel drive, limited-slip differential and cross blade,

the AS 940 tackles dense, high grass and undergrowth, with a 90cm cut width.

For areas where mowing is unpleasant or unsafe for the operator, including steep terrain, loose substrate, mowing under trees and bushes, along hedges and even areas around wasp nests - the AS 940 Remote Control offers all the benefits of the standard AS 940 but with the option to convert to remote control when required, says importer PSD Groundscare.

Using a professional remote control unit with 300m range, the AS Motor 940 offers adjustment of the cutting height, engine on/off function, mower deck on-off switch, steering via remote control and emergency stop of the machine.

The maximum incline transverse to the slope for remote control operation is 33deg, compared with 21deg for ride-on operation; the unit weighs in at 298kg.

Irus started building mowing machines in 1928, introducing its first track laying remote controlled flail mower, the Deltrak, in 2005.

Since then four variations of the Irus Deltrak have been produced, with the current Deltrak 2.5 being one of the best performers in its class, says importer Loxston Groundcare.

It features a 38hp Kubota engine with shaft drive to its 60 litres/min hydraulic system, and is designed to be light and agile, with a pivoting chassis, enabling it to stay balanced on slopes up to 55deg.

There is a choice of three track profiles to ensure this machine will not slide in the most demanding conditions, and it can be fitted with a stump grinder, mulcher and rotary broom as well as flal and finger bar mowers.

Pete Loxston comments: “The 30hp Evotrak is probably the best climber on the market, combining high power and a low weight of 640kg (depending on track type), yet it is still a high performer, at a very competitive price, featuring a 125cm flail deck as standard.”

It has a wide track layout for stability, but is compact enough to be carried in a van. A wheeled option is the Quatrak, a low impact, four-wheel drive, fourwheel steer machine, with choice of wheels, rotary or flail head. Designed as a specialist slope mower, this model is said to be ideal for roadside work and parks, working on banks up to 55deg.

The new Twin features a 60hp Kubota Engine with 100 litres/ min hydraulic power, and powered adjustable track width.

If offers continuously adjustable control of engine speed and of rotational speed and direction; implements can be fitted front and rear for simultaneous working, for example a forest mulcher and stump cutter.

“This is a seriously heavy duty remote mower, but retains the Irus trademark of grip and stability,” says Pete.

Contractor Blackdown Environmental has been an Evotrak user for more than two years. Operations manager Ed Nicholson explains:

“We chose the Irus machine because it is a small, light machine, with very low impact and high performance, and very cost effective. We’ve also enjoyed great support and back up from the UK distributor Loxston Machinery.”

Robots now a commerical option Husqvarna is targeting robotic mowers at commercial customers with the Automower 500 Series. The range now consists of three models with an

area capacity of up to 5000m 2 per machine.

New for 2019 is the all-wheel drive Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD which allows slopes of up to 70% to be maintained,

compared to 45% for the standard models.

The mowers are designed to cut little and often, recycling the micro-clippings back into the soil improving grass

quality whilst maintaining a consistent grass length.

All models come with Husqvarna Fleet Services built-in, enabling fleet management and mower

control from a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Said to be ideal for applications including grounds maintenance, sports facilities, commercial properties, holiday

Husqvarna

Loxston

parks etc, multiple machines can be installed for businesses with several grassed areas, and the Automower can also maintain complex areas with obstacles and work at night.

All models are specified with an anti-theft alarm and GPS theft tracking, automatic passage handling, lift and tilt sensors and ultrasonic collision sensors.

Working height adjustment is electric and the mowing unit is weather proof; GPS assisted navigation guides the mower around the working area.

The Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD is suitable for a working area of 3500m² and can operate at a maximum incline of 70% / 35°, while the high capacity Automower 500 can handle a working area of 5000m² and maximum incline of 45% / 24.5°.

For more compact areas the Automower 520 has a working area of 2200m² with a maximum incline of 45% / 24.5°.

in mowing costs.

The mowing range includes the ParcMow, with a mowing capacity of up to 12,000sqm and the BigMow which is designed for areas up to 24,000sqm.

Control is via a web-based server, using the Connected Line tablet or smartphone app, which also provides an antitheft solution in the form of geofencing and GPS alerts to precisely locate the mowers and warn the operator if they leave a given area.

The system also provides a service history, allowing purchasers to keep on top of maintenance.

AMS reports that the mowers have proved popular for driving range outfields, where they work alongside the company’s ball pickers, sports pitches and contract mowing.

Using BigMow, stadium managers can cut energy costs by £500-£1000 per pitch, as well as reducing labour and machinery maintenance costs and eliminating the need to remove clippings, using the mulching blades, says the company.

Other benefits include reduced emissions due to the electric drive and lower noise levels. Compaction is also minimised due to the light weight of the mowing unit.

Sonar is used to avoid collisions with obstacles, and if the mower is lifted off the ground, the blades are immediately mobilised and retract underneath the hood.

Any malfunctions or possible theft are also reported to the Connected Line app.

Gardens and parks are another market, as cutting height is adjustable from 20-100mm and the floating cutting heads adapt to ground contours.

Case study

McConnel unveils new range of products and updates

McConnel has unveiled an all-new Telescopic, Variable Forward Reach arm-set (TeleVFR) a new REVOLUTION power arm control system, new Power Arm cutterbars, sawheads and range of fl ail mowers.

Improved arm geometry, increased strength and additional head angling are the key benefits of McConnel’s new 6.5m TeleVFR arm-set.

The new design increases reach in all direction whilst

also improving close-in cutting performance.

The use of larger box section, Strenx steel and wider 60mm pivot pins further enhance the strength and durability of the arm.

The head angling linkage has also seen significant change with the repositioning of the angling ram.

The new layout results in a compact design, and neat protected hose routing, whilst providing the attachment with greater torque and consistent angle rotation. McConnel’s

flagship control system, REVOLUTION, has received a major overhaul for 2019 with a new compact digital display, new operating system, soft-touch armrest and additional new features such as the ability to quickly change between pre-set hedgecutting to verge mowing setting at a touch of a button.

For the first time, REVOLUTION control can now also be specified with a new mini joystick control for true fingertip control.

Automated Managed Services (AMS) the UK distributor for Belrobotic robot mowers, said to offer up 50% reduction

Council continues long relationship with Ransomes

Amber Valley Borough Council, located in Derbyshire, has been a Ransomes customer for more than eighteen years. The council has continued its long relationship with the Suffolkbased mower manufacturer, with its latest purchase of two Ransomes MP493 rotary mowers from local dealer Sharrocks.

Robert Castledine has been the grounds maintenance team leader at Amber Valley Borough Council for eighteen years. He manages a team of 10 employees, with two teams of three staff allocated to mowing. Responsible for the north-side of the borough, the new Ransomes mowers maintain all verges, parks and cemeteries in the area.

“We have a very varied topography in Amber Valley,” Castledine said. “There are hills,

verges, conservations, enclosed spaces and housing estates. We needed a versatile machine to cope with our various requirements. The Ransomes MP493 gives us that.

“In the past, we have used the Ransomes Commander amongst other Ransomes triple mowers. They have always been reliable, well-built and the best value for money on the market.

I’ve always been extremely happy with the machinery and the service from our local Ransomes dealer. We have been dealing with Sharrocks for around 18-months, as they’re new in the area, but are already very pleased with the service and product information they’ve given us.”

Sharrocks have been a successful Ransomes dealer for many

years, and has recently extended its territory to Derbyshire, taking over from previous dealer, Platts Harris. With depots in Wrightington, Lancashire and Sandbach, Cheshire, Sharrocks has a comprehensive portfolio ofgroundcaresolutionsandwas named the Ransomes UK and Ireland Proturf Dealer of the Year 2017.

“The Ransomes MP493 is a very robust mower,” Castledine continued. “We put our machinery through a lot, so it needs to be able to withstand this; it was the only mower robust enough to do the job. Productivity and after-cut appearance are also important factors for us, and this mower definitely ticks those boxes.”

Ransomes

First UK R-Series excavators at KC Plant

KC Plant Limited, a new plant hire company based in Watford in Hertfordshire, has purchased the first Bobcat R-Series E26 2.5 tonne and E27z 2.7 tonne mini-excavators in the UK. The E26 and E27zs are part of an order placed with Bobcat for 18 mini-excavators, including the company’s popular E17z 1.7 tonne and E85 8 tonne models as well as Bobcat hydraulic breakers. The E26 and E27z are part of

Bobcat’s new R (RevolutionarySeries mini-excavators from 2-4 tonne, comprising three more models – the E27, E34 and E35z – all five machines offering a best-in-class mix of high digging forces, superb stability and smooth controllability of working functions complemented by low weights for easy transportation.

Bobcat Machinery

Cut to the chase with Toro EdgeMax bedknives

Switching out the old and worn for a new set of Toro EdgeMax bedknives will save you time and money and bring a sharper cut to your Toro greens and fairway mowers.

Brought to the UK by Reesink Turfcare, Toro’s bedknives come with a host of benefi ts. Made of solid, hardened steel, Toro EdgeMax bedknives provide up to three times longer edge retention than a standard fairway bedknife and twice as long for greens.

Michael Hampton, parts manager

at Reesink says: “With genuine Toro parts, you can be sure you’re getting firstrate parts built to fit perfectly with your machine, with consistent hole alignment on every bedknife, certified and trackable steels coils and computer-controlled machining and finishing, thanks to Toro’s leading manufacturing process.”

Designed to meet strict Toro engineering specifications, the longer lasting bedknives don’t sacrifi ce on quality and guarantee excellent after-cut appearance. Plus with the

bedknives staying sharper for longer, the machine incurs less wear, enabling it to work more effi ciently and smoothly, delivering a healthier turf.

Available across Toro’s Greensmaster and Reelmaster ranges on models fitted with DPA (Dual Precision Adjustment cutting units, EdgeMax bedknives bring a 9.5mm and above height of cut to fairways and a 1 59mm and above height of cut to greens.

Reesink

Salsco greens rollers a timesaver for RAC

A top golf venue has reduced greens rolling time by nearly a third after investing in leadingedge machinery.

Since purchasing two Salsco HP11-III greens rollers, The Royal Automobile Club has cut time devoted to the task from five and a half hours to three and a half hours daily, it reports.

“This is a massive reduction,” states Golf Course Manager Lee Strutt, who test-drove the machine on a visit to the Golf Industry Show in 2017. “The

time saved frees up operators for other duties and that’s a major benefit.”

The HP11-III’s powerful Honda petrol engine delivers speeds up to 11mph, while three independently controlled rollers with 73in operating width cut a swathe through the time operators have traditionally taken for this aspect of greens upkeep.

“The rollers average five to six minutes a green,” explains Lee, who manages the 36-

hole Championship Old and Coronation courses with a team of up to 26. In his three and half years in post, Lee has rung the changes in cultural practices across the 36-holes of what is one of Britain’s most prestigious member clubs and the HP11-IIIs fit into that strategy.

His investment in the high-end rollers is delivering benefits for both the greens team and players, by improving presentation and playability.

CLS

John Deere teams with Precision Makers on autonomous solutions for golf

John Deere has announced an exclusive agreement to develop autonomous mowing solutions for the golf and sports turf industry with Precision Makers, a Netherlands based company that specialises in autonomous technology for various types of equipment.

“The turf industry is looking for more sustainable operating models to maintain precision turf, and expanding the use of technology will be critical to the future success of turf managers,” says John Deere’s global golf director Manny Gan.

“With labour costs and availability becoming an increasing concern in many parts of the world, customers are eager to introduce autonomous equipment into their operation to ensure tasks can be completed with consistently excellent results and precision.”

Precision Makers is an affiliate of Dutch Power Company

(DPC), which already has an ongoing supplier relationship with John Deere.

“John Deere looks forward to working with Precision Makers to bring the best autonomous

technology to the precision turf industry to ease labour cost concerns while providing high quality solutions for precision turf applications,” says Gan.

John Deere

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Pellenc dealers visit French factory

Twenty Pellenc dealers from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland recently visited Pellenc’s state-of-the-art facilities in Pertuis, France to reward them as the best performing dealers for the range of environmentally friendly battery-powered equipment.

After arriving in Marseilles, the delegates were driven to Pertuis and given a presentation of the company and told how Etesia UK, the exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, and Pellenc had come to work together ten

years ago before they set off on a tour of the impressive R&D department, which has seen 844 patents registered.

The second day gave everyone the chance to test out the latest equipment ahead of its 2019 launch before departing for a sight-seeing tour of Marseille.

Etesia UK Managing Director Les Malin said: “To get feedback from Pellenc dealers on new products ahead of their official launch is invaluable

“Our customers now acknowledge that battery products are here to stay and can see the benefitsof this technology, so it’s vital that our dealers see what our future plans are. We are very proud of our relationship with Pellenc and have gained recognition with local authorities, landscapers, contractors as well as groundsmen and greenkeepers who are now looking at environmentallyfriendly products as a real alternative to petrol machines.”

Etesia

Outstanding results for Green-tech in their annual customer survey

Green-tech, who is celebrating its 25th year anniversary during 2019 has announced the results from their annual survey which demonstrates their strength in the industry and cements their place as the landscapers chosen supplier.

The survey was sent to Greentech’s customers at the end of 2018 and aims to discover their thoughts and opinions on all aspects of the business; from their people and products to their ordering, delivery and pricing structure.

Ninety-eight per cent of recipients rated dealing with Green-tech as excellent or good. Other headline figure include: 98% think the product range is excellent or good; 98% say Green-tech’s product availability is excellent or good; 97% think the sales support and knowledge is excellent or good; 99% say their advisor is effiient; and 96% are very likely to recommend Greentech to others.

proud

set of results. We work incredibly hard to give our customers the best service, prices and delivery and its fantastic to know it’s paying off and appreciated. A staggering 98% of respondents have said that dealing with Green-tech is good or excellent which is testimony

In keeping with previous years, the Green-tech’s sales advisors scored exceptionally well with 98% of respondents saying they rated them as good or excellent overall.

Green-tech

McConnel’s compact Power Arm series combines the benefits of a light, robust design with outstanding manoeuvrability and precision.

Offering a choice of reach from 3.4m to 4.8m and powerful dependent 30hp hydraulics, 30-series Power Arms can be fitted to a wide range of utility vehicles and compact tractors including front or rear mounting.

Available with a choice of proportional control systems and a range of attachments including fine cut rotary heads, multisaws and cutterbars, the machines deliver all the benefits of McConnel’s advanced hedge and verge-cutting technology for compact and low horsepower tractors.

For more information call 01584 873 131 or visit www.mcconnel.com

Chairman Richard Kay comments. “I’m very

of this

to our consistently high output and service across all areas of the business.”