Landscape & Amenity Product Update June 2017

Next Government given blueprint for saving parks and green spaces

of their parks manifesto. The election presented an opportunity to ensure the UK’s parks, playing fields and green spaces are addressed as a vital national issue by the next government.

Fields in Trust is calling on the next government to recognise

the vital contribution that parks and playing fields make to the physical health and mental wellbeing of our communities.

Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths said:

“Fields in Trust’s submission to last year’s Communities and Local Government Committee’s Public Parks Inquiry called for a change in the way public green space is conceived, not as a drain on spending that requires a considerable amount of money to maintain - but rather as an asset which can be deployed to achieve longer term savings and happier, healthier more connected communities.

“It is important that we re-value the enormous contribution our green spaces make to our communities.”

The FiT Manifesto for Parks furthers the calls set out in our CLG Inquiry submission through four policy “green lines”: championing our parks is about revaluing our green spaces to ensure their contribution to society is properly recognised; supporting our communities calls for parks to be available to all; activating our nation puts parks at the heart of efforts to create a healthier nation; and protecting our green future looks at how the next generations require a safeguarding of our parks today.

Fields in Trust Enquiry 2

Ban on common weed killer could create £228m bombshell

Research made available to the Amenity Forum has concluded that a local authority ban on common weed killers used in the professional amenity and garden sectors which contain glyphosate would add £228 million to council tax bills each year

The ban could force some UK councils to spend considerable sums in capital outlays to replace conventional spraying systems with alternative approaches

The figures come at a time when no less than 30 local authorities are being lobbied by some in their communities to ban the same weed killers that are used in amenity areas and gardens throughout the UK. The research shows that a ban on weed killers containing glyphosate would add £228

million to the UK’s council tax bill each year.

Amenity Forum Chairman, Professor John Moverley OBE, commented: “We recognize concerns can arise but, in dealing with them, we need a rational debate based upon science and facts. The management of weeds and pests in amenity impacts upon every UK citizen.

“Nobody working in the professional amenity sector would wish to do anything to endanger public health and safety and always makes use of all options available. Any weed killer coming to market undertakes rigorous testing before it is released and during its use.”

Amenity Forum Enquiry 1

Infinicut is a game changer for tennis

As the summer tennis seasons gets under way the focus shifts to the quality of playing surfaces at the venues hosting major tournaments in 2017, including the main event at Wimbledon.

The Parks Alliance has released six ‘park pledges’ which it encourages both the next Government and opposition parties to embrace. They are:

1. Continue to appoint a Minister for Parks as a key priority, ensuring that they have a good understanding of the sector and resources to champion parks and open spaces.

2. Commit to respond to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee

“Parks” report as soon as possible following the election and act upon the recommendations through the establishment of a Cross Departmental Working Group and parks ‘Task Force’.

3. Prepare, resource and implement a parks/open space strategy that leads to investment in the sector and helps identify robust, effective and innovative funding, governance and management models for parks.

4. Work with local authorities to reverse and mitigate the

impact of cuts; protect funding; and generate sustainable income streams for the parks and spaces that are so vital to our health and well-being.

5. To champion parks within Parliament and work with their local authority to identify a ‘Park Champion’ in each council.

6. Commit to ensure the Brexit process, particularly the transition of legislation to the UK, leads to genuine enhancements for parks and open spaces.

Choosing the correct mower for the type of surface that is being maintained – for tennis that’s a reel mower. The reel mower was invented by Edwin Budding in 1827 and has remained primarily unchanged for nearly 200 years, until the Cub Cadet Infinicut came about.

The Cub Cadet Infinicut has one of the shortest footprints of any walk behind mower on the market allowing ultra-low heights of cut. It is a visually striking machine available with an all new dual power source –hybrid engine/generator power system or LiPo battery power to reduce noise and improve fuel efficiency.

On page 4 this month we take an in-depth look at preparations for the AEGON Trophy series at The Northern Lawn Tennis Club, in West Didsbury, the AEGON International at Eastbourne and the Wimbledon tournament at the All England Lawn Tennis Club

Cub Cadet Enquiry 3

interview with Phillip Coxill from Lilleshall

By the time you read this we should (hopefully) know the make-up of the new Government.

Whatever the outcome, lobbying of the Government will begin immediately to ensure the UK’s parks, playing fields and green spaces are addressed as a vital national issue.

There may well be higher profile issues that the Government will need to tackle, but the campaigning of recent years to safeguard the future of parks and green spaces is important.

The likes of Fields in Trust and the Parks Alliance will be fighting to keep the issue in the spotlight. And we back their efforts completely.

This month we have a special focus on two and four-wheel tractors from Jane Carley as well as product reviews for Aerators and Sweepers, Collectors and Vacuums. On the hard landscaping side, we carry an overview of paving and there is the usual diverse mixture of product news and industry views.

Our industry is full of skilled professionals who make a telling contribution to their communities and the economy. It is a simple fact that the Government needs to listen to and acknowledge.

Editor

NO LOOSE PARTS Easy to handle and economic.

Paul Groves,

Royal Birkdale gets ready for The Open

Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport hosts the 146th Open Championship this July, which will be the 10th time it has been held at this stunning links course north of Liverpool.

As course manager for the past 22 years, this will be Chris Whittle’s third Open at Royal Birkdale, following two more when he was course manager at Muirfield and deputy at Royal Lytham.

Although he says the course set-up for 2017 will be very much the same as it was for the last Open here in 2008, there have been a few recent changes to the course maintenance equipment fleet supplied by local John Deere dealer Turner Groundscare of Tarvin in Chester, whose area sales manager Ian Roberts has been looking after Royal Birkdale on

both the sales and service side for over 22 years.

Eight new 180SL walk-behind greens mowers have now replaced the previous 220C models, and have been joined by two new A Series machines, an 8000AE hybrid electric fivegang cylinder mower for the surrounds and an 8800A rough mower. Additional tournament support machinery and staff will be provided for The Open as required.

Two new electric TE Gator utility vehicles have also been added to the fleet this year, which now includes three heavy-duty Pro Gators. One is equipped with an HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayer, one with a cargo box and one with a Dakota top dresser.

New world record set in returfing of pitch

Global pitch specialists SIS Pitches have helped to set a new world record in returfing the football pitch at Qatar’s Khalifa International Stadium.

An impressive 7,885m2 of turf was installed in just 13.5 hours, up by over 30 minutes on the previous world record, also set by SIS Pitches in 2014, at the Amsterdam Arena.

Marking the first project completed ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the work has been carried out alongside local Qatar partners Al Nakheel, who provided support staff and equipment. This work was also carried out in the presence of the clients Aspire Zone Foundation and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.

The Khalifa International Stadium is set to be opened today, when players will take

to the new turf for the first time in the newly renovated 40,000+ seater stadium.

David Ball, SIS Pitches’ Middle-East Managing Director, said: “On the back of some great projects at the 2018 World Cup Russia, it is great

for us to be at the forefront of plans for the next FIFA tournament.

“The FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 is the first to be held in the Middle East and we are delighted to be associated with another big sporting event.”

“We are proud to have beaten our own world record, and whilst we look to complete our work efficiently, our passion for performance, quality and consistency is what we always strive for.”

John Deere Enquiry 7

SIS Pitches Enquiry 6

Tournaments present different challenges for tennis groundsmen

In the main, groundsmen are subjected to the same problems and tasks whatever the surface.

Yet tennis poses an additional burden because of the lengthy tournaments that occur every year. Whilst the day to day wear can be taken care of within normal maintenance practices, a week long, or even two week long, tournament poses additional constraints.

The perceived speed of a court is affected by a number of factors such as the general compacting of the soil over time, as well as

the weather before and during the event. The ball will seem heavier and slower on a cold damp day and conversely lighter and faster on a warm dry day. The amount a ball bounces is largely determined by the soil, not the grass.

The AEGON Trophy series moves into Manchester in mid-June at The Northern Lawn Tennis Club, in West Didsbury. Whilst this weeklong tournament is great news for the club, it creates a lot of work for Head Groundsman Des Ruchwaldy and his team.

Preparation work started last autumn with the tournament courts being fraise mowed, solid tined, seeded and top-dressed - a full renovation in fact. The renovation was carried out in the second week of September and, thanks to the warm temperatures and dry conditions, they had good coverage by early October.

The tournament courts are only part of the 7,500m2 of grass

within the club grounds. During the season (May to September) he will do nothing more than keep to a regular mowing and verti-cutting regime, alongside regular fertiliser applications and aeration work. Because of the nature in which the members play, concentrated around the T on the baseline, this area does tend to disappear quite quickly.

Moving south, the Devonshire Park International Lawn Tennis Centre in Eastbourne has just three weeks between the end of the AEGON International and the start of the AEGON County Cup – with club members in between to contend with as well.

The AEGON International has grown to a nine- day event seeing the return of the ATP alongside the WTA starting June 23. When it’s all over Turf Manager Danny Negus and his team have just three weeks to get the courts looking pristine again for the AEGON Summer County Cup being staged in the last week of July.

Devonshire Park has two show courts and eight outdoor courts side by side, and has recently undergone a multi-millionpound redevelopment project. During events the park can become very flexible and have up to 21 courts available.

Preparations for the AEGON International involve construction of the stands and pavilions which damage large parts of the park. The stand for the AEGON International comes in usually two weeks prior to the event and the regeneration work begins before the tournament starts and the damage begins. They cut the grass down to about 7mm and apply a trinexapacethyl growth regulator to help the plant to retain its energy. The plant still grows but it doesn’t elongate as much. If they keep the plant strong and healthy it will recover better when the stand comes down.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Head Groundsman, Neil Stubley, has the ultimate tennis groundman’s job, being responsible for the prestigious grass courts of the Wimbledon Tournament - 18 Championship courts and 22 grass practice courts.

The courts are in play from May to September (except Centre Court and other Show Courts which are used only for The Championships) with the grass plant itself having to survive in Wimbledon’s dry soil.

Since 2001 the courts have been sown with 100% Perennial Ryegrass to improve durability and strengthen the sward to better withstand the increasing wear of the modern game. Expert research has also shown them that a cut height of 8mm is the optimum for present day play and survival of the surface over the tournament period.

Their preparations begin the day after each championship ends when they remake every

The Cub Cadet Infinicut has one of the shortest footprints of any walk behind mower on the market allowing ultra-low heights of cut.

It is a visually striking machine available with an all new dual power source – hybrid engine/ generator power system or LiPo battery power to reduce noise and improve fuel efficiency.

The unit has rigidity and weight to minimise oscillation when the reel is rotating –this reduction in resonance reduces premature wear on

the components. The feel of the controls make for simple adjustments, and the ergonomic, easily adjustable handlebar can be set to the most comfortable operating position.

The

court from scratch. Nine tonnes of grass seed is used each year with all courts being re-lined, rolled and mown daily during The Championships. Neil and his team of 16 permanent ground staff (28 for the period of The Championships) take around 15 months to prepare a Championship standard court before it can be played on.

During The Championships the grass will be cut every day to maintain this 8mm height and they put a little bit of water on the courts at night to help the grass survive. Court wear, surface hardness and ball rebound

are all measured daily. For the remainder of the summer the courts will only be cut three times a week and watered as they need to mature and naturally firm up.

During tournaments mowing is the consistent factor – doing it correctly will enhance the appearance of turfgrass whilst maintaining and improving the overall plant health, but conversely, mowing incorrectly will ruin the appearance of a sward and negatively affect its physical condition.

Club Cadet Enquiry

11

Cub Cadet Infinicut is optimally balanced during mowing and when turning at the end of a run. Consistent working height during operation is enhanced by the collection bucket being mounted on the traction unit frame to limit the weight transfer to the cassette.

Innovation continues to drive Spider forward

One of the pioneering remote controlled, four-wheel drive slope mowers – the Spider – continues to evolve as the Czech Republic-based manufacturer invests in research and development.

The DVORAK - svahove sekacky Ltd. (DVORAKmachine division) was founded

in 2004 by its current owner –Mr Lubomír Dvořák – and the patent protected Spider has been the dominant product of the company for many years.

It was Lubomir himself who came up with the ideal of the Spider, when he worked for a road construction company, once a section of motorway was completed they were tasked with maintaining the steep grass road verges, he wanted to find a solution to speed up, and more importantly make safe the job of cutting the grass and vegetation on steep banks.

More than a decade on, the company makes over 1,500 parts of the mower themselves, reducing the reliance on other

providers, thus improving their quality control and waiting time. In fact, it is only the Kawasaki and Briggs & Stratton engines, the wiring looms and a few other minor parts are supplied by third parties.

The first Spider the ILDO1 was launched in 2003 powered by an 18 HP Kawasaki engine, offering an 80 cm cutting width, using 1 blade with the capability of mowing slopes of a maximum of 55 degrees using a winch.

In 2014 the company launched its now popular Spider Mini powered by a 6.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, offering a 56 cm cutting width using 1 blade with the capability of mowing slopes of a maximum of 30 degrees.

It is the Spider’s unique patented drive system, fondly known as the “Dance Step”, together with constant 4-wheel drive ensures the machines fantastic manoeuvrability, climbing ability over different terrains that make these machines unique.

However, like most companies they spend a lot of money on research and development, the company has for a number of years have been looking at what the next generation of spiders they could bring to the market. During a visit to the factory we were given the opportunity to see one of their latest prototypes

- aptly named Spider 3 – which looks set to be a big hit with local authorities and contract firms.

It is essentially a remotecontrolled ride on transport unit that can offer different mowing options to the end user, its operator can sit on and operate it from a seated position, when mowing reasonably flat areas and then jump off and stand and control the mower on steeper slopes.

The company have recently changed their distribution in the UK and are now represented by T H WHITE Machinery Imports Ltd.

It has also recruited two wellknown UK sales managers, Nick Penn is European Sales Manager, while Jason Bristow heads up the Americas sales operation supported by Lubor Hladik, International Sales Manager.

The factory is geared up to produce two spider mowers per working day, there are plans to extend the factory doubling its, size in the coming years enabling to cope with the growing demand for spiders worldwide.

DVORAK Enquiry

Hultafors Group acquires Puvab to complement Snickers range

The Hultafors Group has acquired Puvab – the specialist in protective clothing for workers in energy and utility markets as well as those in other industries that need flame resistant safety wear.

The acquisition is part of the growth strategy for the Hultafors Group, and further strengthens and compliments the Snickers Workwear brand in the UK.

David Clark, managing director of the Hultafors Group in the UK, said: “Providing products which ensure our end users higher productivity and safety is core in the Hultafors Group strategy. Having Puvab with its leading products in our portfolio complements our offering within protective workwear and safety shoes very effectively.”

Group Enquiry 16

Exterior painting is covered with Sandtex Trade video series

As the summer season arrives and projects move outdoors, Sandtex Trade is issuing a timely reminder of its series of videos, produced to give specifiers the complete picture on exterior painting.

‘This Is Sandtex Trade’ is a series of five videos, presented by Crown Paints Product Trainer Kevin O’Donnell, which take viewers through a variety of subjects associated with painting outdoors.

All five videos have been designed to meet the individual needs of specification professionals and build on the content already provided on Sandtex Trade’s website www.sandtextrade.co.uk

The videos can also be accessed easily with a fully responsive format for all media devices including mobiles, tablets and computers.

Sharon Smith, Crown Paints Trade Brand Manager, said: “We produced the ‘This Is Sandtex Trade’ series to meet the request from specifiers for more video content.

“They have been produced to offer a wealth of information, which delivers useful information in an engaging and easy to view style.”

The ‘This Is Sandtex Trade’ series can be viewed on the Sandtex Trade website as well as the brand’s YouTube channel

Perfect pointing despite the weather

JB Shingles top off luxury treehouses

JB Blue label Shingles were specified for their ability to provide a high quality long-life solution with low maintenance, which fit perfectly with the natural

environment. Furthermore, the JB Cedar Shingles specified were also treated with JB FRT Exterior, which gives them a fire classification to BS 476-3, the same as a clay tile, for added reassurance and the protection of the visitors. ShingleFix further reduced the installation time of the project- by up to 50% on larger builds.

At this private development project in Perranporth Cornwall, medium sized granite flags with narrow 5mm joints were specified to suit the look and function of the steps up to the front door.

The flags were first sealed using NCC Streetscape’s GftK’s vdw 950-3in1-Protect and then the joints were wet-slurry grouted with GftK’s vdw 815 Paving

Joint Mortar - An epoxy bound, graded sand, self-compacting pointing mortar specifically designed for such narrow joints, and which also produces a fast curing, strong, durable finish that is resistant to traffic, weathering and even pressure jet cleaningunlike most pre-bagged pointing products on the market.

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 18

https://www.youtube.com/user/ SandtexTrade

As well as visiting www. sandtextrade.co.uk, users can get more from the Crown Paints’

Specification Team by calling 0330 0240310, email info@crownpaintspec.co.uk or www.crownpaintspec.co.uk

Trade Enquiry 17

iTurf programme is a winner

A tailored iTurf Programme from ICL has signalled consistent and excellent results according to Dale Frith – Head Groundsman at Fleetwood Town FC.

Dale has seen six seasons of success on the pitch he meticulously attends to.

“I’ve been here for six years so I like to think I know this pitch pretty well, and how it reacts at various times of the year to different products, he said.

“With that in mind, we developed an ICL iTurf programme and over the last few years it has remained

consistent in the products we use and the approach that we take. The programme is focused on using both the controlled and slow release fertilizers which contain technologies that are proven by some of the extensive research ICL has carried out. In my opinion that is the best approach to achieving the best turf.”

Dale says that using the best products in the most efficient and responsible way through the iTurf programme has been key to improving a somewhat problematic pitch.

Hultafors

Luxury treehouses at Center Parcs, Elveden Forest in Suffolk have welcomed their first guests following completion using JB Western Red Cedar Shingles from leading roof systems manufacturer Marley Eternit.

Marley Eternit Enquiry 19

Sandtex

Two new Otterbine aerating fountains to celebrate golden jubilee

There’s nothing like a bit of ingenuity to bring in the results, as Lewis Mattholie, deputy greenkeeper at Brickendon Grange Golf Club, can attest to.

With its 17th hole voted the Greatest Amateur Hole in the UK in the 2016 Grass Roots Golf competition, Lewis and the team at the Hertfordshire

club wanted all the club’s holes to be equal.

And with the problem of slightly stagnating water in two of the ponds flanking the eighth and eighteenth holes to solve, and the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary to mark, Lewis decided it was time to tackle the problem.

By choosing Otterbine’s Fractional five-in-one aerating system, which combines beauty with function, the club not only benefits from two new beauty spots, but improved water quality too.

The Fractional can be relied upon to keep the ecosystem of any smaller area of water in perfect balance thanks to its ability to transfer an impressive 1kg/2.2lbs of oxygen per hp/hr and its pumping rate of 115m3/ph.

The project came about to mark the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary in 2016 and one member of the club was so taken with the idea they offered to step in and pay for both fountains.

Reesink Turfcare

Enquiry 25

Industry united for football and Perennial

Leicester City Football Club hosted Perennial’s #PlayThePitch event at the end of May with 16 teams taking part.

It was the team from Gavin Jones Ltd – GJ United – who proved victorious over the course of the competitive tournament, which also proved a fabulous way to raise money for the only charity in the UK dedicated to helping all those who work in horticulture.

Hosted by LCFC Grounds Manager John Ledwidge and supported by ICL, leading innovators in the sports turf, landscape and horticultural markets, the tournament saw the teams play in a group stage, followed by a fast-paced knockout tournament for the last eight.

Teams represented ICL, Ambience Landscapes, Deco-Pak, Elite Landscapes Ltd, Gavin Jones Ltd, GIMA, Horticulture Week & CED Stone, the IOG, London Stone, Crowders Nurseries, Whiting Landscape Ltd, John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance and a team from Landscape & Amenity Product Update.

Laura Garnett, Senior Development Manager at

Green-tech welcomes its first two apprentices

Green-tech launched its Apprenticeship scheme in April with the appointment of two Apprentices. Green-tech operates its Apprentice Scheme through Tyro Training, the commercial training division of Craven College.

Green-tech offered an apprenticeship in their sales department and one in their marketing department. The successful candidates have signed up to a Business Administration apprenticeship. Kate Farrar who

joins the marketing department has chosen to specialise in digital marketing and Sam Styan who joins the sales department will be specialising in sales.

Green-tech’s Managing Director Rachel Kay concluded: “Greentech is a young and dynamic business that is continuing to grow. We’re hoping to take on more apprentices to provide us with the skilled workers that will be the future of Green-tech.”

Green-tech Enquiry 27

Perennial, said: “We are hugely grateful to John and the team at LCFC for their support – it’s just the sort of unique fundraising event that we strive to offer as a way to support colleagues who are struggling.”

Photography: Carl Harrison, CDHPIX.

Perennial Enquiry 26

Reesink and Aquaturf test the waters with training day

Experts in turf maintenance equipment Reesink Turfcare and turf irrigation specialists Aquaturf Solutions held a free Turfcare Professionals Irrigation Training Day in Dublin this spring to teach course managers how to identify and understand potential faults in their systems, and to demonstrate best operating practice.

Aquaturf’s managing director Stephen Daly says: “We teamed up with Reesink to deliver this collaborative event because of their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the industry and irrigation products.

“Both companies jointly acknowledged a skills gap in the industry’s knowledge of irrigation management, and with market feedback saying there’s a lack of training available to endusers, it was the perfect cue to stage the event.”

Robert Jackson, Reesink irrigation sales manager, explains why the day was needed: “Irrigation is a topic often left in the background until necessary. The result of this is when problems do arise, course managers don’t know how to rectify them and have to bring in contractors, costing both time and money.

“The aim of the training day was to provide information that can be applied to all brands of irrigation equipment, advise on the best sprinkler configurations

for different areas of a course and to help end-users develop a trained eye to implement preventative measures against potential problems or ably respond to existing ones.

“We stripped everything back to the basics of sprinklers and hydraulics, to enable course managers to more confidently manage their irrigation systems and give them a degree of selfsufficiency.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 28

Ransomes helps burgled cricket club

Ransomes has donated a Ransomes Super Bowl pedestrian cylinder mower to Cowbridge Cricket Club located in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, after the club became a victim of a burglary.

Having used Ransomes equipment since opening in 1895, Chairman of Cowbridge Cricket Club Hugh Williams wrote to Senior Director of Ransomes Alan Prickett, to describe the club’s predicament and financial impact upon the organisation.

“Our loss of the Super Bowl was a major blow,” Williams said. “The burglary put us in a difficult position as the excess and depreciation of the mower

meant that we could not replace the mower like-for-like through our insurance policy.”

Ransomes

Jacobsen Enquiry 31

Hultafors’ new knives and hand axes

With a selection of toughened, corrosion-proof Heavy Duty Knives, Safety Knives, Chisel Knives and Utility Knives for general purpose tasks on site, there’s also precision products.

The latest additions to the range are the Outdoor Knives are ergonomically designed with comfortable, secure grips and, made from the highest quality Japanese steel, which is honed and sharpened for durability, effectiveness and to withstand corrosion.

forged with dense, steel heads and hickory handles. They’re all top quality products, highly durable - suitable for small-scale felling, lopping branches or clearing bushes and brushwood - and certainly a cut above the rest.

Armorgard ticks all the security boxes

Armorgard

Hand Axes for Felling, Carpentry and Trekking activities are all hand-

Hultafors

Hultafors Enquiry 32

New name, new look, same great products

Active Products is the exclusive UK distributor for the Dansand No Weed range of joint filling products, which are popular with home owners, garden designers and landscapers.

Solves weed problems on patios, driveways and paving using environmentally friendly, natural and durable products.

The previously known No Weed Dansand will be

marketed and sold under the newly branded name No Grow. This will provide users with greater clarity around the product capabilities, to prevent weed growth in the joints, as well as launching the new design of the bags providing: high recognition; revised instructions for usage; and no change in EAN numbers.

The new name change to No Grow will be rolled out across

the current three products, which are already available within the UK market;

Dansand Joint Filling Sand – for narrow and light coloured joints

• Dansand Stone Dust for paving – for dark joints

• Dansand Polymeric Joint Filler – for hard joints

Whilst there is a new name and a new look design, the quality

the Dansand product has become renowned for, will remain, offering the same great benefits.

Active Products Enquiry 33

TuffBank is their best-selling secure site storage solution which sets industry benchmarks in quality.

Heavy-duty steel plate construction and Armorgard antijemmy technology is virtually impregnable and designed to foil even the hardest of attacks.

Armorgard claim they are the best people to come to for a solution because of their product knowledge, the choice of products and the sheer volume of stock available. This is borne out with the popularity of TuffBank tool vaults, an industry

The TuffBank TB1 van box, TB12 and TB6 truck boxes are the frequent choice for commercial vans and dropside trucks. Features include keyed alike 5-lever deadlocks, heavy duty Chubb style keys, unique external and internal anti-jemmy systems, welded security id numbers and 6mm reinforcement. Thieves want their spoils quick and easy. Confronted with TuffBank they face a heavy-duty deterrent.

TuffBank is unique in design, crafted by Armorgard’s own engineers and the company pride themselves on their friendly, knowledgeable staff to give you an outstanding service.

Armorgard Enquiry

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is a company that focuses on providing the best solutions to solving the issues of tool theft, and they pride themselves on the strength of the products.

benchmark in quality and yet outstanding value for money.

SoilsCon 2017 – save the date

Now firmly established in the landscape industry’s events calendar, SoilsCon 2017 will be held on October 18 at last year’s beautiful venue – the elegant Phyllis Court in Henley-onThames, Oxfordshire.

This year’s event will be the third soils conference to be organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, and it promises landscape architects,

contractors, garden designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers and other industry professionals a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and debate, with presentations by some of the country’s leading experts in their respective fields.

Speakers confirmed so far include: Tim O’Hare, Principal, Tim O’Hare Associates; Tim White, Senior Associate, Tim

O’Hare Associates; Carol Devos, CEO, TerraCottem; Martin Gammie, Managing Director, Consulting with Trees Limited; and Dr Louisa RobinsonBoyer, Head of Research and Development, PlantWorks Ltd

Subjects will include:

• Soil management practice on greenfield sites - North West Cambridge case study

• The beneficial use of new generation soil conditioning technology to improve soil performance

• Thinking outside the tree pit – what sustainable urban tree planting really looks like

• The role of mycorrhizal fungi in facilitating water and nutrient uptake

A feature of this year’s conference will be a Soil Surgery, held during the day’s networking periods. Members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team will be on hand to help delegates with their specific soil issues.

SoilsCon Enquiry 36

Doosan wins new A-Plant compressor order

Doosan Portable Power has been awarded a new £3 million order for portable air compressors from A-Plant, the leading UK plant, tools and equipment hire company.

The new A-Plant compressor order comprises over 300 Doosan models, including around 60 of the innovative ‘Dual Mode’ 7/73-10/53 and 7/124-10/104 models from Doosan.

The balance of the A-Plant order is made up of 7/20, 7/26EG, 7/41 and 7/41G single- and two-tool models, as well as the new 10/174 model, the largest single axle portable compressor from Doosan.

Andrew Hatton, Business Director EMEA for Doosan Portable Power, said: “We are delighted to win the new A-Plant order, which shows great confidence in the product range and the aftermarket service we offer.

“This is the biggest order yet for the new 7/124-10/104 ‘Dual

Vitalnova Blade is a proven biostimulant

Biostimulants are substances and microorganisms applied to plants and rootzones to enhance plant growth, and rootzone microbial activity.

Whilst biostimulants can never replace macronutrients there are many reasons why a Turf Manager would include them to support their annual nutritional programme.

Vitalnova Blade is a carefully formulated biostimulant for turf developed by ICL to boost microbial activity and encourage better rooting, amongst other things.

It is a product that combines seaweed and carbohydrates to provide a readily available source of carbon together with

a range of micronutrients, amino acids and bioactive molecules.

Consequently, regular applications of Vitalnova Blade through the growing season have been independently proven to stimulate soil biology and plant growth to enhance the benefits of a conventional fertiliser programme.

Independent research for Vitalnova Blade has demonstrated an increase in soil borne microorganisms as well as improved rooting.

Plots treated with Vitalnova Blade showed a doubling of indigenous mycorrhiza levels as well as up to a 50% increase in beneficial bacteria levels when compared with untreated control plots. Such increases in fungal

and bacterial activity increase soil nutrient re-cycling to help release ‘locked-up’ nutrients and enhance growth.

Furthermore, the same trials showed a 40% increase in rootmass compared with the untreated control plots. With a greater rootmass the turf’s ability to take up nutrients and water is increased to give a stronger, healthier plant and minimise stress which leads to better pest and disease resistance. The small quantity of macronutrients included within Vitalnova Blade (5-6.53.5) also help to enhance the benefits of routine fertiliser inputs by supplying a direct source of readily available nutrients to support overall plant health.

Dr Andy Owen ICL International Technical Manager says: “Vitalnova Blade is a well-researched biostimulant for turf surfaces.

“The components have been carefully formulated for the best results. We have independent trials data that shows it can improve turf rooting and mycorrhizal association. In my opinion it is a great product for feeding your soil biology and all round turf health.”

Formulated for use on golf course greens, tees, fairways and sports fields, Vitalnova Blade is designed to be used during the growing season (April – September) with the first application being made once consistent growth has been

Mode’ compressor and along with the 7/73-10/53 model, the growth in the numbers of these ‘Dual Mode’ models in the A-Plant compressor fleet is a perfect demonstration of the benefits this concept brings to the rental industry.

“The order also includes the first of our new Stage IV single axle 10/174 14.9 m³/ min models offering excellent mobility at this capacity size in the A-Plant fleet.”

Doosan Enquiry 37

achieved. It is best applied monthly at between 20-30 l/ha and makes the perfect tank-mix partner for Greenmaster liquid fertilizers and Seamax Seaweed where the aim is to optimise turf health and recovery and maintain a natural colour. It can also be

tank-mixed safely with Primo Maxx where a growth regulator is required although the application rate may need to be altered depending upon the frequency of Primo Maxx application.

Jacksons Fencing issues education best practice guide

Jacksons Fencing has released its Education Best Practice Guide to promote the use of safe physical perimeter security in educational facilities as a way to ensure the safety and health of the public.

Educational facilities should have a robust perimeter security strategy in place that identifies risks and puts controls in place to minimise any harm to pupils, staff and visitors. These processes must help prevent breaches, as well as encourage staff to be more aware.

Having the right procedures in place ensures safe, secure and healthy environments that encourage learning and development.

Cris Francis, Head of Commercial Sales at Jacksons Fencing comments: “Learning establishments are generally complex sites to protect as they contain multiple buildings – each with their own access points, open spaces between structures, play areas as well as sports halls and fields.

“As there isn’t a provision of security personnel in schools, physical perimeter solutions including fences, gates, turnstiles, bollards and barriers must be in use to act as a restriction. When combined with access control, these clearly visible measures will help to protect against a range of threats and vulnerabilities.”

Jacksons Fencing Enquiry 41

Fine porcelain pointing made easy

Another great job by the real professionals at Arbour Design and Build, led by Richard Bickler and using GftK’s vdw 815 Paving Joint Mortar from NCC Streetscape that is ideal for grouting these top quality Emperor Limerick Porcelain slabs of larger format paving (larger format generally means the paving units are larger than 400 x 400mm).

In addition to its ease of application and high performance and durability in service, this advanced material is specifically designed for narrower joints (down to 3mm).

As with all of the range using GftK’s Epoxy Bound technology, ease of application also allows grouting and finishing the work in bad weather, even in the pouring rain.

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 42

ACO unveils new Building + Landscape division

Leading manufacturer of water management systems, ACO has rebranded its landscape offering to reflect the growing needs of the domestic market, and will now provide drainage solutions for both external and internal applications.

Previously focusing on exterior water management, ACO’s Urban + Landscape division will now be known as ACO Building + Landscape, and cater for every aspect of the domestic market with an all-encompassing approach to drainage.

The Building + Landscape range has developed its product portfolio in line with the growing trends across the UK and now offers a broad spectrum of solutions, to be used inside and outside the home.

Given the rise in housing

and cities, the risk of flooding in these areas has increased.

Therefore, the Building + Landscape range now features a range of backflow valves, specifically designed to provide a solution for flood control in domestic applications.

ACO Junior, ACO Triplex and ACO Quatrix devices all provide anti-flooding protection against the ingress of grey and black water. The range of valves can be installed in basements or existing pipes, providing resilient flood protection for areas that are at risk or prone to flooding.

Finally ACO Building +Landscape has recognised the growing requirement of effective water management solutions for flat roofs, balconies and roof terraces. A diverse portfolio of roof outlets has been launched, providing high

for flat roof applications, to suit individual needs.

drainage

Enquiry 40

Phil Windus, Market Manager at ACO, comments: “We have a strong portfolio of landscape

products and we believe our broader offering will further strengthen our reputation in the industry.” ACO

High quality finish for Fiori Grande

The Fiori Grande range from The Pot Company is a collection of large polycarbonate pots made through high end rotational moulding techniques. The resulting finish is of a very high quality, does not feature any join lines, is easily cleaned and has a contemporary feel.

This range includes a variety of lightweight, statement pieces as well as luminous pots which are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Sizes range from diameters of 29cm to 220cm.

IAE fits the bill for Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover looked at several screening options for the new recycled waste area at their £3.85m factory expansion at i54 Business Park, Wolverhampton. IAE’s recycled plastic RCP Screen-V1 proved to be the right product at the right price for their requirements.

Jaguar Land Rover has a strong commitment for recycling its own factory waste and this was a key factor when deciding to what system to go with.

Chip, crack, splinter proof and maintenance free qualities coupled with the tough and durable long lifespan caught the eye of their project engineer in charge of sourcing materials for the factory expansion.

With a proven track record of providing other large facilities with similar solutions Jaguar Land Rover felt confident they had chosen the right product and the right company.

IAE Enquiry 45

The BALI Zone comes to SALTEX 2017

Manufacturing a stylish garden with Wybone

Leading litter and recycling manufacturer Wybone have introduced a new range of Square Flower Planters, manufactured from quality galvanised steel, and powder coated to offer an expert finish.

Available in a choice of pastel shades, the planters add a touch of colour to their surroundings, with added drainage holes to ensure rainwater can run out

of the bottom. Using the same manufacturing techniques as their litterbins, these planters are built to beat the elements and maintain a stylish appearance.

Wybone are offering 10% off your first planter order using the code LAPU10. Visit wybone.co.uk for more information.

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), has underlined its continuing confidence in the strength of SALTEX by committing to its own dedicated area at the show, which will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017. Many BALI members have also been longstanding SALTEX exhibitors and the association strongly believes that the show provides an ideal platform for these same organisations to connect with existing trade contacts and secure new business.

“Due to the reputable nature of the show, BALI has supported the event for many years,” said marketing and communications manager Darren Taylor. “I think it is a great venue in a fantastic location and the event creates the perfect opportunity to meet up with current BALI members and to talk to potential new ones, particularly those organisations offering turf care services, sports

amenity and the provision of playground equipment.”

It has already been confirmed that BALI registered Affiliate members Green-tech, M&M Timber and Boningale Nurseries will be exhibiting within the BALI Zone, and Darren believes that by offering such a varied product line-up, it will attract a wide range of visitors from throughout the main hall.

BALI is working closely with SALTEX organisers to provide leading industry speakers for this year’s Learning LIVE – SALTEX’s all-encompassing, free-to-attend education programme.

BALI Enquiry 47

Stay ahead of the curve with

Trex

Break free from the traditional straight-and-narrow garden as Trex, the eco-friendly decking brand, unveils its curved decking solution to the UK.

With its ability to bend and shape Trex composite deck boards, the CustomCurve Heating & Bending Solution gives homeowners and contractors across the country the ability to raise their outdoor living projects to an art form.

Taking garden styling to the next level, the groundbreaking CustomCurve is an innovative heating unit used to assist in bending Trex decking, railing and trim. It features a straightforward process and operates at a fraction of the time and cost of existing bending methods.

With CustomCurve, homeowners can achieve a modern outdoor space that suits their taste and style, no matter the size or shape of their garden.

The Pot Company Enquiry 44

Wybone Enquiry 46

Sadolin Classic –the versatile choice for decking

Anyone looking to introduce superior wood protection to decking projects can rely on Sadolin Classic to deliver a beautiful finish, with long-lasting defence against the elements.

Offering a trusted and time proven solution, Sadolin Classic’s high performance formulation enables the product to absorb deep into the timber,

ensuring exceptional coverage and maximum protection from the weather.

One of the most versatile products in the Sadolin range, it is particularly effective on large areas of timber such as decking, as well as cladding, fascias, decking and rough sawn timber.

A range of colours are also available, with a choice of more than 40 shades.

Sharon Smith, Crown Paints’ Trade Communication Manager, said: “Sadolin Classic delivers a highly attractive, translucent finish, which gives the finishing touch to projects.

“This is our most versatile woodstain due to its ability to be used on all exterior wood including decking.

“For optimum protection, it is also ideal as a base stain on new joinery, when used in partnership with Sadolin Extra durable woodstain.”

Sadolin Classic is also featured in the established ‘This Is Sadolin’ video series, in episode two - and there’s a product video too on the website www.sadolin.co.uk and YouTube site www.youtube. com/user/SadolinWoodcare.

Sadolin Enquiry 51

UltraScape helps to preserve historic thoroughfare

UltraScape’s BS 7533 mortar paving system has been used to rejuvenate a busy high street in Wakefield as part of plans to regenerate the area.

Albion Court is an historic, well used thoroughfare which had deteriorated considerably and posed a health and safety risk to pedestrians.

Wakefield Council, in line with English Heritage conservation principals, uplifted and relaid the 80 year old cobbles to help preserve and enhance the historic surface.

The reclaimed cobbles were bedded using UltraScape ProBed HS which provided a perfect bound base for the paving elements. The fast strength gain of Pro-Bed HS allows pedestrian areas to be trafficked in as little as 12 hours. It was supplied in 25kg bags and 1 tonne bulk bags and 30 tonne silos for the larger areas.

Manhole covers and gullies were reinstated using UltraScape’s Resi-Bed resinous mortar. The product provides exceptional strength and bond for areas under extreme stresses.

UltraScape Pro-Prime was applied between the paving elements and bedding mortar

to help yield a bond strength compliant with BS 7533 and prevent costly failures.

UltraScape’s Flowpoint has a high fluid consistency and was ideal for grouting the varying joint widths and depths created by the cobbles.

Simple to use, it was poured over the area and washed clean, filling all joints evenly, without staining.

‘UltraScape’s products produced outstanding results and were easy to work with and will certainly be used on other schemes in the future.’ Craig Pritchard, Wakefield Council.

For further information on UltraScape’s BS 7533 compliant mortar paving system, please visit ultrascape.co.uk or call 01827 254402.

UltraScape Enquiry 53

Natural Paving announces landscaping award winners

Natural Paving Products (UK) Ltd is delighted to announce the winners of its annual Landscaping Professional Awards.

After receiving an incredible number of high quality entries the company has settled on this year’s winners, split across the following categories: ‘Best Garden Design – Large, Best Garden Design – Small, Best Garden Patio – Large, Best Garden Patio – Small, Best Driveway and Best Craftsmanship’.

Eric Marrat of Elite Landscapes has been awarded ‘Best Garden Design – Large’ (pictured). Eric devised a one-off design, which combines two sets of contrasting colours to create a striking visual effect. To create the look, he used both Nuvola and Tempesta porcelain paving from Natural Paving Product’s Vitripiazza range as well as integrating bespoke made Noir Gold setts into the design.

Winning this year’s ‘Best Garden Design – Small’ award was Nathan Proud of Garden Creations. To do so, he combined Natural Paving Product’s Nero and Tempesta vitrified porcelain paving, which perfectly complement each other.

Creating a large paved area to provide an outside lounge area, Tony Ward of Award Landscapes was the clear winner of this year’s ‘Best Garden Patio – Large’. Using Natural Paving Product’s Birch flagstones, Midnight Blue block paving and kerbs, he has created a stunning visual aesthetic with a modern feel.

Likewise, Harlow Garden Services who transformed a humble garden

into a wonderful outdoor space with a functional patio have been victorious at this year’s awards, winning the ‘Best Garden Patio –Small’ prize. Using an interesting mix of materials to transform a dormant space into a practical and stylish driveway, Greenhalgh Landscape & Build have been awarded the ‘Best Driveway’ prize.

Finally, taking the award for ‘Best Craftsmanship’ was Charles Pickwell of Pickwell Paving. With exquisite attention to detail and precision cuts, the company has created a bespoke garden path and patio area.

Natural Paving

Products Enquiry 52

Stamford paving range goes from strength to strength

range, with its simple riven styling, offers exceptional value when it comes to creating paths, patios and utility areas around the home.

Each flag has a sharp edge detail that looks great when laid with narrow joints and maximizes the speed and ease of installation.

Stamford Ultra is available in single size packs of 450x450mm flags covering 13.54 m2 in a choice of three colours: Natural, Buff and Charcoal, providing a range of options for your next landscaping project.

The

Now for 2017 this range will now be augmented by Stamford Ultra which adds more variety than ever before. The gently rippled texture of Stamford Ultra provides a completely different aesthetic to the range giving customers a fantastic alternative to the riven surface of regular Stamford paving

Stamford Ultra will complement the rest of the Stamford range perfectly and we see it quickly becoming a classic amongst designers and landscapers –especially since it will be available in Charcoal which was first introduced to the Stamford range earlier this year – fast becoming a popular choice with our customers.

Landscaping Enquiry 54

Brett Landscaping has introduced Stamford Ultra, the latest edition to the hugely successful patio paving range Stamford, after seeing a sustained increase in demand from its customers for something different which would set it apart from a conventional riven finish.

classic Stamford economy wet-cast concrete flag paving

Brett

A national treasure that continues to shine

Lilleshall is one of the UK’s National Sports Centres, training grounds for the country’s leading sportsmen and women. Contributing Editor Laurence Gale catches up with Phillip Coxill, Lilleshall’s National Sports Centres Operations Grounds Manager.

As well as being a national sporting centre of excellence Lilleshall’s facilities are open to the local community and the centre also provides a fabulous setting for weddings, conferences, team building events and other celebrations. It ensures that Phillip Coxill and his team are kept constantly busy

and have developed a number of skills to help maintain the 15acre estate that was originally built in 1831 as the hunting lodge and family retreat of the Duke of Sutherland.

Over the last 40 years, investment in facilities and services for our athletes has meant a steady rise in the achievement of our GB teams at Olympic and Paralympic games, with athletes who trained at Lilleshall successfully bringing home 6 medals from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and 13 medals from the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As for the grounds these are regularly used and enjoyed by all, who come and train and use the facilities at Lilleshall. Complimenting the excellent indoor facilities Lilleshall boasts several top spec natural grass sports pitches including two 4G artificial pitches.

Further refurbishments and update works have also taken place across the site including the installation of new LED lighting, refurbishment of the existing sports hall, squash courts, dining area and improved disabled access routes.

Q: What is your official job role and who do you work for?

A: My role of Operations Grounds Manager sees me responsible for all things green and growing at the three national Sports Centres, Lilleshall, Bisham Abbey and Holme Pierrepont Country park ( National Water Sports Centre).

I have been in post for five years. I am employed by Serco who won a 15-year management contract to run the national

centres in 2011 and is responsible for providing a range of support services, including catering, hospitality and events, landscaping, reception and security services, marketing and communications.

Both Lilleshall and Bisham Abbey recently passed a rigorous two-day assessment which involved a review of general practices on site, such as health and safety, a mystery visit and interviews with employees, customers, partners and NGBs of sport.

Overall, assessors were impressed by the quality of Serco’s business planning, its dedicated team and the exemplary relationships with elite sport and NGBs, all of which was in line with the ethos of delivering a world class facility.

Q: What type of facilities do you manage?

A: Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall provide outstanding training environments for elite athletes from sports such as professional football, rugby, tennis, Archery and hockey.

We look after a wide range of natural and artificial playing surfaces at the Centres along with many acres of informal and formal gardens. Both centres also provide excellent amenities for their local communities and grassroots teams.

Q: How many staff do you manage?

A: I have seven members of staff at Lilleshall, five at Bisham Abbey and another five at Holme Pierrepont, we invest in reliable machinery to help us be as efficient has possible. Especially as we have to maintain the pitches on a daily basis and to a high standard.

Like most high-end sporting facilities, we invest heavily in

our end of season renovations, which usually sees us, koroing off the surface vegetation, aerating, topdressing with sand and overseeding our pitches.

Q: What interesting projects are you undertaking at any of the centres?

A: Sport England have recently invested a further £11m to improve sporting and conferencing facilities at Lilleshall NSC, with the addition of a new five-court sports hall, a new changing pavilion for the two artificial pitches, a training room for on-site first aid and physiotherapy, a new 25-room accommodation block together with refurbishment of the existing accommodation, provision of a strength and conditioning gym and a rehabilitation centre for the English Institute of Sport (EIS).

We are currently installing some new Desso pitches at Bisham Abbey, while at Lilleshall we have recently refurbished the Italian Water Gardens, and in the process of creating a new 2.5km wildlife trail which is due to be completed in July 2017. The trail will offer local schools and community groups an outdoor education experience.

Q: And finally, where do you see yourself in five years?

A: Hopefully continuing my role of Operations Grounds

Manager with the aim to ensure all these new projects are completed on time and within budgets. I also want to see further improvements to our pitches, and more importantly encourage the next generation of sporting stars to play on decent playing surfaces to help them fulfi l their dreams and ambitions.

The team at Lilleshall use a vast array of products, machinery and services to upkeep the estate.

The different requirements of individual parts of Lilleshall’s estate means the team and Phillip Coxill need to keep up-to-date on the latest product innovations and enhancements to existing range to ensure the best solutions are being used.

The team is continually testing new products and items of machinery across the estate.But Lilleshall also works with an established group of suppliers that help the team maintain the estate.

Existing and long-term partnerships include Rigby Taylor for a wide variety of turf management products, as well as specialist machinery and equipment supplied by New Holland, Kubota, John Deere and Dennis Mowers.

Trilo S3 is a revelation at golf club

The Trilo S3 vacuum sweeper is a versatile and adaptable machine to easily collect grass clippings, leaves and litter and finds a natural home on the golf course.

Suitable for year-round use, the S3 was designed in direct response to industry demands for a light-weight unit working at a respectable 1.5m width.

At only 1200kg it only needs a mid-range 30HP compact tractor, however, the full floating brush head, and low ground pressure, allows the machine to work under the heaviest of conditions where others may struggle.

The modular design of the Trilo S3 means users can tailor elements of the machine, including brakes and tyre options, to their specific requirements.

It comes with the options of a scarifier, flail shaft and gulley brush rotor giving the operator the ability to conduct multiple turf maintenance tasks all

with one unit. These heads are interchangeable and can be swapped in and out in under one hour resulting in less time spent in the workshop and more out in the field.

The vacuum’s power is provided by a 700mm, 4-bladed fan which lifts and holds the grass vertically to deliver a higher quality of cut and finish.

The material is then removed and collected into a 3m3 hopper which can be emptied via the S3’s 1.6m high tip facility. Utilising a single ram lifting and tipping system is just one way that the Trilo machines are built with low maintenance in mind.

The S3 also features a 5m long, 200mm diameter wander hose to allow for easy cleaning of confined or restricted areas such as bunkers, shrubberies or refuse bins.

Sweep away with Wessex range

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

Hitched to a telehandler, fork lift, skidsteer or tractor you can use

it for clearing leaves and rubbish and at the first sight of snow it will be ready to clear large areas quickly and efficiently.

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

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

As there are no motors, belts or chains and no flying debris, the MegaMax is safe and maintenance free, with hardwearing brushes designed to

Little Wonder there is a clean sweep

Little Wonder’s ProVac selfpropelled vacuum sweepers

Schiller

sweep up to 450 miles before the hard-wearing polypropylene bristles need changing.

Even then it’s an easy job to replace them. Another key feature is the bristles are rigid enough to allow the broom to stand up without additional support for quicker and easier mounting to the host vehicle

There is a variety of SweepEx push brooms to choose from including the basic ValuSweep, to the Mega and SweepEx Pro, to suit all applications. The MegaMax is available in 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.4m widths.

Wessex International Enquiry 60

Votex B40 blower clears the copses

Campey Turf Care Systems has provided a remedy for an ongoing leaf and debris problem at Cotswold Hills Golf Club in the shape of the Votex B40 Blower.

The power the B40 blower comes from the intuitive design that is applied to all the models within the Votex range. The blowers are designed according to the ‘forced air guidance’ principal and have a double-sided air inlet. This

enlarges the air intake without enlarging the turbine.

Though the capacity is high, the weight of the rotating parts is extremely low. This low weight prevents overcharging of the power train of the tractor when thrown into gear. The blower can fit several PTO speeds and directions.

Campey Turf Care Enquiry 61

Trilo Enquiry 59

ELIET and Koppl ranges help PSD clean up

PSD offer an extensive range of products that includes vacuums, blowers & sweepers from innovative European manufacturers ELIET and Koppl.

Leading Belgium manufacturer ELIET have developed a

range of vacuums and blowers that includes leaf blowers, truckloaders and the Cameleon, a multi-vac that combines a vacuum with an optional shredder unit and additionally ELIET also offer highly effective snow blowers.

Highly innovative German manufacturer Koppl offer a range of multi-attachment machines.

With a large range of implement carriers to suit your needs and an extensive range of attachments that includes a snow-blower, snow plough and sweeper, Koppl have a great offering. The wonderful advantage of the Koppl range is the implement carriers can be used all year round with other attachments to suit the season.

Additionally, PSD Groundscare supply mowers, brushcutters, mulchers, shredders, scarifiers and overseeders.

Parts Depot Enquiry 65

Wiedenmann Super 500 is the ultimate 3-in-1 sweeper collector

This time of year Wiedenmann UK’s hugely versatile Super 500 is in high demand.

Mike James, Wiedenmann UK’s Northern Sales Manager said: “The Super 500s is certainly the machine of the moment.

“From the first cut in spring right through autumn, nothing really compares for sweeping, flail mowing, scarifying or collecting. It’s a real multi-tasker.”

A favourite of those who manage extensively maintained areas or golf courses, the Super 500 is not weather dependent, happily working in wet or dry conditions.

The parallelogram-guided sweeper head ensures that implements maintain an optimal working position at all times. This is a great advantage as its floating head ensures a clean pass over undulating ground.

Its high performance vacuum packs the 2500 litre hopper every time leaving a professional clean finish. In any of its modes it produces a high airflow which ensures that the collected material is well compacted.

“The Super 500’s excellent airflow is a major contributor to its success especially if much of the material being processed is wet,” continued Mike James. “Clever design of the tank, the wind paddles and a balanced rotor generates a faster rotating speed which in turn benefits the quality of cut and finish.”

One of the recent recipients is Carl Hamlett, Course Manager at Lancaster GC who purchased his from local dealer, Balmer GM.

“We’ve bought it to help with our rough management programme,” said Carl Hamlett. “We’ve many undulations and traditional ‘ridge and furrow’ so the fact that it follows contours so well without scalping and produces a consistent height of cut whether its scarifying or flail mowing will be a big advantage.”

Airion continues to blow Pellenc customers away

Five years after the release of the first generation battery-powered hand-held blower Airion 1, Pellenc has launched the Airion 2.

The new generation hand-held blower is more powerful, more accurate and more comfortable, based on customer experience feedback.

As with the older version, the Airion 2 can be used near noisesensitive areas such as hospitals, hotels schools, camp sites and town centres.

It is also perfectly suitable as a cleaning tool for roads alongside sweepers at any time of the day and works just as effectively as a replacement for the traditional sweeper in towns as it does in parks and gardens.

Weighing just 2.55kgs, the power of the Airion 2 has been enhanced by 30% compared to the fi rst version and is the only battery-powered blower

available on the market with a thrust of 17.5 newtons, while its low noise (79 decibels) can reduce the nuisance for the operator and their working environment. It is also waterproof to IP54 standards.

One such user is the grounds team of Leicester City Football Club. John Ledwidge, the club’s grounds manager was looking for a healthier and safety working environment for his grounds staff.

As a manager it is imperative that I consider health and safety as well as the comfortable use of machinery for my staff,” he said. “For example, heavy vibrating tools can bring about White Finger (an industrial injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery). Then of course if you’ve got a hand held product with the engine at the base - they are quite heavy and cumbersome and they take their toll on your

arms. Then there are the petrol fumes to consider.

“For me, ultimately it’s always about the end product. Is it as powerful as a petrol engine? Yes. Does it do as good a job? Yes. If all that falls into place as well as having the added bonus of being environmentally friendly and being better for my staff to use – then it makes complete sense. I think more and more people are gaining confidence in battery powered equipment and they are right to do so.”

As with all other Pellenc products, the Airion 2 uses the ultra-high capacity technology of the Pellenc lithium battery and guarantees non-polluting, odourless operation with quick start-up and up to one day battery life.

The Pellenc ULB battery range is designed for professional tool use. Pellenc is the only professional tool manufacturer to offer a whole range of tools that operate with ultra-high capacity multi-purpose batteries.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come complete with a three year commercial warranty as standard - the first manufacturer to offer this on battery-powered tools. Pellenc products are exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

UK Enquiry 66

Etesia

Wiedenmann Enquiry 67

Club brings in year-round aeration with Air2G2

It is well known that aeration is one of the most important practices carried out by greenkeepers, and that fact is why Woodhall Spa Golf Club has acquired an Air2G2 from

Campey Turf Care Systems, via the dealer Burdens.

The vast site is managed by course manager, Sam Rhodes, where he and his 17-staff work to keep the

Return to Stourhead for Terrain Aeration

Many of the views at Stourhead, the Wiltshire estate cared for by National Trust since 1946, will be familiar from the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice staring Kiera Knightly.

Terrain Aeration, the deep penetration aeration company, was recently asked to return to Stourhead to carry out aeration work along the paths and lawns, having treated the areas some nine years ago.

Following the paths around the lake takes you on a journey inspired by Greek mythology and scenes of the Grand Tour of Europe, so popular at the time of building.

Over a number of days, Terrain Aeration carried out the work using their Airforce Terralift machine and the new SuperScamper Terralift, to relieve compaction and aerate the well-trodden routes.

The Terralift hammers a hollow probe one metre into the soil, releases a blast of compressed air and on the tail end of the blast dried seaweed is incorporated. This sticks to the walls of the fractures and fissures created and over time expands and contracts with the moisture content to keep the fissures open.

The process is repeated at two metre spacings on a staggered grid pattern with each shot interconnecting with the previous

one. This is highly effective in treating areas where compaction and panning occur, causing standing water and affecting the grass growth. The Terralift was used predominantly at Stourhead to treat the daffodil lawn.

The SuperScamper, developed from the original Airforce Terralift, was used to treat the long strip between the path and lake, alongside the ‘Grotto’ and the ‘Pantheon’. The machine provides the operator with greater versatility and less weight as the compressor is towed, making the machinery much lighter on the turf surface, and suited to difficult terrain.

Deep aeration helps to compensate for the heavy footfall over the areas where people move from one monument to the next, and towards the end of the week at Stourhead, Terrain also treated an area used as a romantic setting for wedding parties and ceremonies.

Terrain Aeration Enquiry 72

courses at a standard befitting of the tournaments they host, with the Air2G2 now an integral part of the maintenance operation.

The importance of the machine comes from the expectations of golfers. Gone are the days when winter golf is seen as a bonus, and in are the demands for perfect putting surfaces all year round. This expectation is managed by Sam and is the reason the Air2G2 is an exciting addition.

“The reason the machine gets me excited is because aeration is one of the most important things you can do on a golf course,” Sam explains. “A lot of the aeration machinery out there

works very well but causes a lot of surface disturbance.

“In modern day golf the condition of the greens is important throughout the year. Years ago, winter golf was a bonus, now there is a lot more pressure on turf professionals to maintain good quality playing surfaces 12 months a year.

“The beauty of the Air2G2 is I can go out there now, I can do the work on a green to break up any compacted layer underneath and help with the drainage, come off, cut the green and you wouldn’t know I’d been on it.”

Campey Turf Care Enquiry 70

SISIS Aer-Aid the solution for St Ives GC

Golf club favours Wiedenmann values again

Mid Kent GC Course Manager, Lee Sayers has opted for his fourth Wiedenmann Terra Spike purchase in a row.

The Master Greenkeeper at the Gravesend club already has an XP8, the deepest aerator in the Wiedenmann range, and previously two others.

“At the demo the quality of the GXi8 HD’s finish was exceptional so it wasn’t a difficult decision. We know first-hand that Wiedenmann aerators are strong and reliable but we wanted this one for its versatility,” said Lee Sayers.

easily,” he continued. “Now every 5-6 weeks definitely on our green we’ll be doing some kind of aeration. Three different sets of tines have been delivered so I will use all three regularly. It might be a 8 mm tine going 60-70 mm deep or 12 mm tine going 250 mm or on occasion a side eject hollow tine. I could have gone for something even smaller or lighter but 1.8m is a decent working width to cover ground fast and make the most of our window of opportunity so we get through all the greens in a day and a bit more elsewhere. When maintenance time is as precious, it suited me the best.”

thatch issue on the greens at the stunning course in Cambridgeshire.

Tasked with keeping the course to its exceptionally high standards is Rob Duff who occupies the dual role of course manager and head greenkeeper.

“We had a problem with thatch in our greens because of the nature of the grass,” he explained. “It consists of velvet bent, which is naturally thatch grass and in some places we had approximately 3 inches of thick thatch.

“Therefore I decided that an aggressive solution was needed and this is why I starting using the SISIS Aer-Aid.”

The Javelin Aer-Aid machine is a specially designed tractor mounted vertical action aerator. Not only does it aerate with a vertical action but it also injects air into the root zone at a fast working rate, creating thousands of fissures. The cam trigger

mechanism ensures that the air is always expelled at the bottom of the tine penetration, enabling treatment to be targeted precisely and consistently.

The 10mm diameter ‘tipped’ tines are spaced at 75mm (3ins) with depth of penetration, infinitely variable, to a maximum of 127mm (5ins). These air injection tines are specially designed to use the maximum air available from the compressor and produces clean, fresh, air at a constant rate of 88 litres per minute, while surface disturbance is kept to a minimum.

Rob added: “I’ve been impressed with its versatility; I can use it as a spiker, I can change the depths of the tines, I can use solid tines or pencil tines, I can hollow core with it and I can inject air into the profile. It can do pretty much whatever you want it to do.

“It’s a very robust machine, as all SISIS products are, and the back-up I receive is excellent. A quality product combined with first-class back-up is all you can ask for.”

Every six weeks or so, the greenkeeping team of six at Mid Kent has a planned maintenance day. Until now their XP8 has been deployed everywhere, including tees and greens. At 2.1 m wide, weighing 1200 kgs and going down to 400 mm it has been hugely productive. However, the addition of the GXi8 HD means the heavier machine will be allowed to concentrate mostly on fairways while the new one does both fine turf and fairways.

“We’ve managed well with the 65 hp tractor but ultimately a smaller tractor (50 hp) and aerator (900 kg) will get in and around the tees and greens more

John Bignell, Groundcare Area Manager from dealer, Ernest Doe & Sons, Dartford, who have supplied and serviced machines for Mid Kent GC for many decades, said: “Lee and his team purchased a Wiedenmann Whisper Twister blower last autumn so they know build quality is a given with any type of Wiedenmann and not just Terra Spikes. This was all about speed and coverage and an absolute requirement for the neatest of finishes so the GXi8 HD was the machines for purpose.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 71

Rob Duff, course manager and head greenkeeper at St Ives (Hunts) Golf Course, has praised the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 for helping him to combat a recurring

Widen your aerating options with Toro’s ProCore 1298

The highly productive Toro ProCore 1298 wide area aerator is ideal for any form of turf management, from amenity and sports to formal and golf.

Designed to work at depths of up to 100mm, but more suitable for work within the 25mm to 75mm range, the 1298 is perfect for use from spring to late autumn.

The model can be fitted with a range of genuine Toro tines for different applications, which are renowned for their longevity, durability and ability to deliver immaculate holes for best compaction relief and drainage.

A 98-inch working width means this model is capable of covering a huge amount of ground. The 1298 can deliver holes spaced at a tight 25mm at a rate in excess

of 2000m2 per hour and, by increasing the hole spacing and tractor speed, this machine could potentially cover an impressive 9000m2 or more per hour.

Picture that, you could aerate a full-size football pitch or 18 golf greens in an hour.

But opting for a wider, tractordrawn aerator doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice quality for productivity. Thanks to the design of the ProCore’s turf retainer and its ability to follow contours, the results it delivers are as good as narrower tractordrawn aerators or dedicated pedestrian models.

While its results are noticeable, you’ll be hard pressed to spot where the ProCore 1298 has been put to work. A key feature of this

aerator, and the entire ProCore range, is they leave a clean, even finish, keeping surface disturbance at a bare minimum.

Plus with the 1298’s standard three-bolt clamp tine holder, it’s easy to swap tines or adjust their working depth.

CE marking for Classen aerator

Classen’s new TA18 aerator now has CE marking in compliance with EU health and safety requirements.

This follows the conformity assessment and issue of the EC Declaration of Conformity, so dealers can be assured each machine will come with CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation.

What’s important about this is the CE has been done by an independent company to confirm the vibration figures at only 3.6ms². The assessment complements the innovative features of the new aerator, with its compact, streamlined design and steerable tine bank.

The width of the aerator is just 27.2”/69cm allowing it to fit through almost all gates and doors and the small footprint with the handles folded makes

it exceptionally easy to store and transport.

For groundsmen, landscapers, hire outlets and homeowners the Classen TA18 is the ideal solution for highly productive treatment of grass areas including hills, slopes and inclines. It’s the most compact aerator in its class and easily negotiates around trees, shrubs and in tight spaces while aerating at speed.

There are five banks of tine wheels with tight tine placement to pull more holes for faster results, and yet the width of the aerator is just Power comes from a Honda GX120 engine which drives the aerator at speeds up to 4.2mph/6.7kmh and the easily reached operation controls ensure user comfort and less fatigue. The TA18 can aerate up to 29,500 square feet of lawn per hour, making it the

But for those maintaining a wide variety of turfed areas requiring different tines there is the option to fit a QuickChange holder to the 1298, which uses a simple socket system to allow even faster tine fitting and removal.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 75

GKB Sandfiller on par for golf centre

Leeds Golf Centre in West Yorkshire has teed off for spring with their new GKB Sandfiller, which was delivered in January.

The decision to buy the GKB Sandfiller came about from a conversation between Head Greenkeeper Chris Green and Paul Nicholls at Russell’s Groundcare, which led to a demonstration.

The Sandfiller provides a fast solution to drainage with economic and environmentally friendly intensive aeration, while being cost-effective with its all-inone combination of aeration and

sand filling. The material removed from the top layer by verticutting is collected immediately in a sideways tipping container.

“We prefer it to hollow core and it brings the green back into play straight away,” Chris says, “it’s not intrusive to the golfers and means we can keep the course open. Given that the Sandfiller will be in constant use, and came at a very good price, it is proving to be the most economical, labour saving solution for us.”

GKB Machines Enquiry 76

Promote growth with Plugr

ideal, productive addition to a landscaper’s equipment fleet.

Another key feature of the Classen TA18 is the two ergonomically shaped and removable weights at the front and top of the machine, which ensure even weight distribution. These are easily removed to make it, at just 214lbs/97kg, one of the lightest aerators available and easily lifted for transportation with its integrated lift handles.

The foldable handle cuts the transport size by half, and there are built in tie-downs to secure it. The Classen TA 18 Aerator has clearly been designed with productivity and portability in mind and it comes with a twoyear commercial warranty to add to it being fully certified, to give the contractor, hire outlet and end user complete peace of mind.

Schiller Grounds Care Enquiry 78

The colder months can have a significant impact on gardens, even the best cared for of lawns can need a helping hand to encourage new growth and revitalise them.

A key way of doing this is through aeration. The days of traditional aerating with a garden fork are gone, particularly for owners of larger lawns.

Plugr aerators from Billy Goat offer a compact solution that can improve drainage and promote new growth with absolute ease. By making holes throughout the turf that allow air circulation through the roots, Plugr products help restore lawns to their perfect green condition.

Ideal for large domestic gardens is the PL1800 reciprocating aerator, which has an 18” working width, along with four tines that puncture the turf and place cores 2.75” deep,

aerating at 22,000 square feet per hour. With an easy folding handle it allows for compact use, transportation and storage.

The PL1800 is available with either a Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine. Billy Goat products are exclusively available in the UK through Henton & Chattell dealers nationwide.

Henton & Chattell Enquiry 77

Nine reasons why choosing the right tine is important

Of all the management practices used to maintain healthy turf, it can be strongly argued that professional aeration has become the most valuable.

Relieving surface or deep compaction, improving drainage, controlling thatch, and managing high temperature stress by increasing gas exchange, all require different skilled approaches or methods of aeration.

From coring, using hollow tines, solid tine aeration, slicing or spiking, water injection cultivation, deep tine aeration, and ‘linear’ aeration, there are certain considerations that can make the process easier and more efficient.

Here Reesink Turfcare, exclusive UK distributor of Toro Parts, lists the top nine reasons reasons why choosing the right tine is so important for effective aeration

1. Tine quality - in order to maintain the turf’s good health, it’s vital to ensure the very best equipment and parts are to hand.

2. Hole quality - clean-cut holes are important for a speedy recovery and the best way to ensure the speediest of recoveries is with tines that boast sharp edges and smooth sides.

3. Inferior or spurious tines - more man-hours and money are wasted cleaning up after

inferior tines and buying and applying replacements.

4. A perfect fit - fiddly ill-fitting parts waste time and effort too.

5. Choice - there are over 150 Toro tines to choose from meaning that no matter the turf application, soil situation or season, there’s something for everyone, guaranteed.

6. Increased productivitygenuine Toro tines are designed to last three to four times longer than standard tines.

7. Improved performance - tough design of Toro tines, including durable brazed tip joints that ensure a strong bond with inbuilt resistance to separation and breakage, help maintain consistent aeration depths

8. Planning - aeration schedules vary depending on soil type, budgets, resource, climate and usage and can be a balancing act for greenkeepers and groundsmen to ensure the health of the soil without disrupting play.

9. Service Reesink Turfcare currently holds 15,000 Toro items available for delivery at 24 hours’ notice pretty much anywhere in the UK and 12,000 fast-moving lines are housed at the European distribution centre in Belgium with 48-hour availability.

Etesia launches MSC45 pedestrian scarifier

Etesia has launched the MSC45 – a powered pedestrian scarifier for domestic and professional use on lawns and amenity areas.

The machine has a working width of 45cm comes complete with a Honda GX160 5.5hp engine ensuring that it will be suitable for applications ranging from treating the

Groundsman Industries offer pedestrian turf aerators

average lawn to rejuvenating estates and formal grounds.

Scarification is one of the most essential lawn care tasks.

The Etesia MSC45 pedestrian scarifier can be used for regular use or as part of a maintenance programme at different depth settings with the use of interchangeable reels that can be swapped without the use of any tools allowing the spring mounted tine reel to remove thatch and the scarifier unit to

take out more of the bulk. The raking action removes thatch and organic debris to improve drainage characteristics and to allow more oxygen and water into the root zone.

The new model in the new scarifier range has been built for dependable operation and durability which has become synonymous with the Etesia brand.

Etesia UK Enquiry 82

More efficient Redexim Verti-Drain for golf club

Yelverton Golf Club in Devon has a problem with rain – too much of it.

In order to deal with the deluge Course Manager Kristian Summerfield recently took delivery of a Redexim VertiDrain 7316 from Charterhouse.

Kristian says the 18 hole moorlands course, set on the edge of Dartmoor, “is very wet due to thin and rocky topsoil that’s susceptible to compaction” – that and the annual rainfall that tops 2500mm.

Having previously used the Verti-Drain 7316 during his time at the club in Holland, Kristian was confident that it would be the right model for the demands of the Yelverton course.

He needed a unit light enough for work on the greens but something big enough for viable use on the fairways. With the significant weight reduction compared to their previous machine, and slower motion of the tines, the Verti-Drain 7316 rides over any large rocks instead of forcing through them, avoiding unnecessary extra costs.

“We’re out once a month on the greens, tees, approaches and fairways with 8mm tines in use between April and October,” said Kristian, who is supported by a team of four greenkeepers. “When it’s time to conduct the aeration work we start at 3am to try and get round before the golfers catch us up.”

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry 85

New Plugger aerator from DJ Turfcare

DJ Turfcare launched the new Plugger PL415, a pedestrian aerator that incorporates the best of other Pluggers in the range, at the end of 2014.

The robust ‘unibody’ is designed for ease of maintenance and the reciprocating tine action PL415 is able to work in tight spaces.

A choice of tines makes this an essential piece of kit for fine turf managers – and the narrow build makes this Plugger ideal for areas with small gateways.

There’s a choice of a Briggs and Stratton Intek 5.5hp engine or a Honda GX 160 commercial grade OHV 5.5hp engine.

The PL415 has folding handles for easy storage and transport.

The machine is ideal for those turf professionals looking to upgrade to a pedestrian aerator specially designed to include the best of all the Plugger models.

Groundsman Industries manufacture a range of pedestrian and tractor mounting aerators.

The Groundsman 345HD is a compact pedestrian aerator that packs a big punch. At 80cm (32”) it can access garden gates and aerate all types of grass surfaces including Gardens, Parklands, Pitches, Fine Lawns and Sports Greens.

The crank driven plunge action mechanism can drive the tines

into the most compacted of surfaces to a depth of 13cm (5”) with minimal surface disruption. Quick change Hollow Core, Solid and Slitting Tines are available plus Cluster Tine Heads for thatch removal or surface preparation for over-seeding.

A drop-seeder attachment can be fitted to work in conjunction with the Cluster Tines.

Groundsman Industries Enquiry 84

Dj Turfcare Enquiry 86

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 83

STM-SCAG V-Ride earns its stripes

The “V-Ride” stand-on mower is in the range of SCAG mowers supplied by STM Co Ltd and Jamie Jones of Jamie’s Garden Services, a contractor in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, has added to its virtuosity by having a striper unit added.

He chose a V-Ride after much research. He likes the stand-on principle and has since found it has been a wise choice for the work he does.

With the 48” deck the unit fits easily on his trailer; he also said: “The Scag V-Ride is flexible in that you have all the benefits of a Ride-On machine, but the ability to use it as a Walk-Behind has been beneficial on banks, and where there are low tree branches.

If I have a nice open piece of lawned area then I use the striping kit. I feel that it is important to stand out from other grass cutting providers and the finished product is what matters to customers.”

As for choosing STM, he was complimentary about each of the three possible suppliers he finally selected, but said: “In my opinion the SCAG machine from STM was the best of the three - and STM went the extra mile by fabricating the bespoke roller system for me.”

The machine has earned its stripes – as, indeed, have SCAG and the team at STM.

New Ranger on Sculthorpe Moor

A Polaris Ranger 6×6 off-road utility vehicle has proved the ideal solution for Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve in Fakenham, Norfolk.

Much of the area is marshy ground, with scrub and a high water table so it takes a special vehicle to carry out the wide variety of tasks demanded by the need to access an area with no roads.

The Trust first saw a Polaris 6×6 model at LAMMA and local Polaris dealers, Linstead Farm and Garden Machinery, provided a Polaris Ranger 6×6 for testing.

The Ranger went up against several other machines on test.

The Ranger 6×6 has six-wheel Independent Suspension with up to 9.6” of travel and 12” of ground clearance, which, coupled with its powerful 800cc engine, enables it to deliver exceptional

off-road traction and a smooth, comfortable ride.

Another consideration is the large amount of tools and equipment the Trust volunteers have to carry and the Ranger offers a roomy 39 gallon capacity with huge rear storage boxes. The rear dump box has a 1,250 lb capacity for larger loads and, most importantly, the 1 tonne towing strength is more than enough to manage the draw bar weight of the Trust’s large trailer.

The Hawk and Owl Trust is a registered charity and the Polaris Ranger 6×6 has been kindly anonymously donated.

The Ranger will have a strong role in Sculthorpe Moor’s research, conservation of the wildlife reserves, running of education centres and ongoing projects.

Polaris Enquiry 89

Golf club chooses four Wiedenmann machines

head greenkeeper Steve Hemsley and his team of four thoroughly reviewed all options before deciding upon the right machines for task.

Delivered in March were a Whisper Twister blower, a Terra Spike GXi8 HD aerator, a 1.7m Terra Rake and a Super 500 three-in-one sweeper collector.

With the help of dealers, Balmers GM and groundscare specialist, Andrew Meeks in particular,

“Easily the Super 500 will make the biggest impact,” continued Steve Hemsley. “Already you can see an instant difference to several vast areas of unplayable rough.

“It doesn’t matter that we have undulations, the Super

500 follows the ground so we’ll cut and collect at every opportunity, dragging the Terra Rake through to clean it, removing hidden debris.”

The Terra Rake, known industry-wide as an ace scarifier, is also earmarked to target thatchy areas on the fairways and roughs.

Bolton Old Links’ final machine, the Whisper Twister blower is another purchase

Exciting times for Boston West

Set in the Lincolnshire countryside just a short drive away from England’s scenic east coast, Boston West at Hubbert’s Bridge in Lincolnshire was established in 1995 and features an 18-hole parkland golf course, a 20-bay floodlit driving range and a six-hole, par-three academy course.

Proud of its high standards and top quality greens surfaces, this proprietary owned golf club is now benefiting from three new John Deere machines delivered by dealer F G Adamson & Son, which has outlets in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Bought using a John Deere Financial package, the kit includes a 2500B triplex greens mower, a 9009A TerrainCut semi/rough five-deck rotary mower and a 36hp 3036E compact tractor equipped with a D160 front loader.

Course manager Tom Luffman said: “It’s an exciting time at Boston West with the purchase of these three new John Deere machines.

“The 2500B greens mower delivers a superb quality of cut, which will enable us to provide members and visitors with faster and truer putting surfaces.

“In addition, the 9009A TerrainCut mower with TechControl will present the rough to a higher standard – I believe its ability to follow the course contours and maintain an even cut is second to none.

The 3036E compact utility tractor is also a fantastic addition to our fleet for its allround abilities, from loading sand to slitting greens.”

with lots to do. “Our course is on quite an exposed site,” continued Steve Hemsley. “We’re not troubled so much by leaves as we have mostly pines, but collecting windfall is constant.

“The blower will be able to round up debris and blow into the path of either the Terra Rake or the Super 500. What a difference that will make. Then it will be back on rough management duties or

Deere Enquiry 90

John

tidying up after we’ve scarified the fairways.

“All our new Wiedenmanns are versatile and particularly efficient when working together. That’s in keeping with the spirit of our greenkeepers here. Job variety and rotation is important to us all. Everyone is being trained on all machines giving total fl exibility for the work ahead.”

Bolton Old Links GC’s championship course is poised for some significant grooming after taking delivery of four Wiedenmann UK machines.

Wiedenmann Enquiry 91

Volvo premier new live-demo event format

For the first time, Volvo Construction Equipment have invited operators and customers to test-drive their popular machines and trucks at two ground-breaking live-demo events in the UK

Called ‘Live it. Dig it’, the events took place across two weekends in March 2017, firstly in Alloa, Scotland, followed by a repeat event in Birmingham.

The Live It. Dig It events were the largest ever demonstration days Volvo CE has held to date with visitors driving a broad range of Volvo products in reallife working environments.

A wide range of Volvo excavators, along with the A45G articulated hauler and

L150H

The line-up of excavators included the EC380E, EC330E, EC220E, ECR145E, EC140E, EW160E and from the compact range the ECR35D, ECR88D, EC55C, ECR25D, EC18D and EC15D. The EW210D was also on static display along with an EC380E high-reach excavator at the Birmingham event.

96

Roller mowers firmly in the running

For the groundsman who needs a large area mower to use with a tractor of seventy horsepower plus, the Wessex RMX-500 Trideck has to be in the running.

The Wessex Tri-deck machines have set a benchmark in high output roller mowers, incorporating all the benefits of the popular rigid deck units into one machine, and what a machine it is. The RMX-500 will leave a finish equal to a cylinder mower on fine turf, at a fraction of the cost.

The sheer speed of cutting means considerable savings are to be made, with reduced fuel consumption being as much as fifty percent. Maintenance is substantially reduced and servicing is economical when compared to a cylinder mower.

Etesia launches Bahia Joyride

Etesia UK has announced the launch of the Bahia Joyride – a unique ride-on mower controlled by a joystick or via GPS for autonomous operation.

Working in partnership with FeBroLift GmbH, the Bahia Joyride is operated exclusively by a joystick: some of its features, such as automatic emptying of the grass box (optional) or start/stop of the machine and cutting deck controls are all controlled from the central joystick control unit.

The joystick control can be installed on the right or left hand side of the machine ensuring that the ride-on mower can be used by people with reduced mobility and also by experienced professionals.

Les Malin, operations director of Etesia UK explains: “We started from a standard Bahia with a Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki or Honda engine on which we

installed a joystick control as well as a servo motor for the steering and another servomotor for the forward drive, which enables users to control the machine with a simple joystick with all the controls within easy reach: blade clutch, initialisation to start and authorisation of mowing in reverse.”

The functions are simple: a steering control to go left or right; a steering control to go forward or backward; starting the blades is located at the front of the joystick with a short press to turn on or off; an initialization button to calibrate the joystick when the machine is started; mowing permission in reverse, to force the blades into operation when moving backwards with the machine.

The Etesia Joyride retains all of the features of a standard Bahia model. The compact design is ideal for multi-tasking and easily adapts to every terrain,

every grass cutting situation and every task. The pocket-size cut and collect mower, at just 0.82m wide and 1.98 m long, features an incredibly tight turning circle and is able to nip into every nook and cranny as well as being able to be easily

transported in the back of a van or on the back of a trailer.

All engine variants of the Etesia Bahia are available for the modular specification.

Etesia UK Enquiry 95

Dennis G34D praised by Doncaster Rovers

James Davison, head of grounds at Doncaster Rovers Football Club has praised his new Dennis G34D

The Keepmoat Stadium - a 15,000 capacity venue - is home to Doncaster Rugby League FC, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Doncaster Rovers FC. The grounds team also tend to a 500

seater stadium containing a six lane running track for athletics and maintain Doncaster Rovers FC’s training complex at Cantley Park.

According to James, it is for this reason that he chooses Dennis mowers when it comes to maintaining the pitch.

“When the stadium was first built we had two Dennis G860 cylinder mowers,” he said. “Soon we will

be celebrating the stadium’s 10 year anniversary and throughout that time the G860’s have always done a first-class job. I’ve never had any problems with them so why change a brand when it does everything you want it to do?”

Based on his experience of using the G860’s, James purchased two of the new Dedicated G-Series range of mowers, which have been designed and built

following the same concept as the Dennis G860 machine.

Available in three different cutting widths – 26”, 30” and 34” - the mowers incorporate a largediameter eight-bladed cutting cylinder to cater for a wide range of uses to leave a precision cut. The handlebar design makes maneuvering easy and the wide adjustment makes it comfortable for all cutting heights.

James uses his G34D in his match day preparations which start with a double cut on a Thursday before a game, and then subsequent double cuts on the Friday and on the Saturday. He admits that a longterm element of superstition plays a part in three double cuts over the course of three days – but so far the results speak for themselves.

cylinder mowers claiming they provide him with a finish worthy of Premier League standards.

Dennis Mowers Enquiry 98

wheeled loader were featured, and Volvo Trucks also took part with their latest FM and FMX vehicles.

Volvo Construction Equipment Enquiry

Wessex International Enquiry 97

City of Culture’s green spaces entrusted to Toro

Kingstown Works Limited (KWL) based in Kingston upon Hull, this year’s City of Culture, has recently invested in seven Toro Groundsmaster 3400 out-front rotary mowers to be operated by its largest client Hull City Council.

The seven machines will play a key role in keeping the green spaces of the city in the best possible condition during this all-important year.

In a tender process, completed by Russell Groundcare, via the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, Toro achieved the best results for price, capability and delivery, and it isn’t for the first time.

In terms of the machines’ capabilities, such an important

consideration in the tender process, it’s easy to see why the GM3400 scored so highly.

Constructed from high-strength seven gauge welded steel, 33 per-cent thicker and 75 percent stronger than ordinary ten gauge commercial steel, the GM3400 is robust and tough.

A Kubota four-cylinder diesel engine, delivering 26.5 kW (35.5hp), means it’s powerful with a high performance rate, too.

With a tilting operator platform, large opening engine cover and easy-to-remove access panels, maintenance is unrestricted. Within minutes, an operator or service technician can achieve direct access, reducing daily check and cleaning times as well as service maintenance downtime.

The GM3400 also benefits from low maintenance costs and a high 15.5mph transport mode.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry

Council chooses portable Toro T4240 for multi-site use

East Cambridgeshire District Council maintains approximately 70 hectares of open space, and having recently become responsible for even more sites across the area, has invested in the portable Toro T4240 highoutput cylinder mower to manage a multitude of sites.

101

MAB joins Canycom dealer network

MAB Groundscare, has become the latest dealer selling Canycom Samurai brushcutters imported by ICB Plant & Machinery Ltd

MAB Groundscare Director, Mark Brown, said: “We first saw the Canycom Samurai brushcutter at SALTEX last November and were really impressed by the build quality

and features. Having seen the machine in action, we were amazed at what it could achieve. The stability angle of 30˚ is a real selling point with nothing like it on the market.”

Many dealers are seeing that the unique stability angle of 30 Degrees which all the six models in the range are CE certified, is

a real benefit to their customers and is also opening up new markets and customers for them.

The council’s team leader, Tim McCreadie, opted for the T4240 in particular because it was one of the ‘lightest’ mowers he came across, making it easy to transport between sites safely.

“As the machine is lightweight, and its outer units can fold neatly out of the way, it’s easy to tow from site to site, which is important to us as we cover a wide area geographically,” he said.

“With a local village college, secondary school and sixth form putting their confidence in us to deliver their grounds maintenance needs, we’ve invested in the T4240 at the right time. The mower is perfect for these sites due to its wide width of cut and we’ve found its cutting cylinders provide a superior quality of cut to rotary mowers, giving a lovely finish to school sports surfaces.

An added bonus is that it looks really smart and professional to our customers too.”

The machines safety features also appealed to Tim, as did awardwinning aftermarket support from Toro’s sole UK distributor, Reesink Turfcare.

Reesink

Turfcare Enquiry 102

New mini-excavator launched by Doosan

The new DX17Z mini-excavator from Doosan is ideal for rental and urban construction sites with limited space.

It is designed for all types of applications that require frequent mobility, compact size, powerful performance and a comfortable working environment for continuous work on confined space sites

The 1.7 tonne DX17Z is a Zero House Swing (ZHS) mini-excavator offering easy transportability and more functionality than a Zero Tail Swing (ZTS) mini-excavator, in that ZHS fully protects the front upper structure corners within the swing circle. As a result, ZHS functionality provides 320° of free rotation while working close to any object.

Doosan Enquiry 104

ICB Plant Enquiry 103

Burden Bros Agri takes on complete Charterhouse range

Charterhouse Turf Machinery has announced the appointment of Burden Bros Agri Ltd as their dealer for Sussex.

Operating from their Framfield depot, Burden Bros Agri Ltd will be stockists of the Redexim range of both natural and synthetic turf maintenance machinery, as well as the Graden range of products.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, Burden Bros Agri Ltd is a family run organisation offering new and used machinery from a wide

range

Understanding the role of bedknives

It’s the time of year when advice on checking bedknives is regularly dispensed, and rightly so with high season fast approaching.

Michael Hampton at Reesink Turfcare, the UK distributor of all genuine Toro parts, explains here the important role bedknives play in the fine finish expected from a cylinder mower.

“Along with the cylinder and the frame, the bedknife is one of the three main structural members in a cylinder cutting unit,” he said. “The bedknife is attached to the bedbar and the assembly is mounted to the main frame in a manner that allows for paralleling and adjustment to the cylinder.

“A cylinder mower cuts grass with a scissor-like shearing

action as the moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bedknife. The cutting action requires the bedknife and cylinder blades to be sharp, matched and in close relationship with each other and the bedknife sharpened to be flat and square so the sharp edge touches the cylinder blades across their entire length.”

Toro bedknifes are precisionengineered for a superior quality of cut. Every bedknife Toro manufactures is designed to meet strict Toro engineering specifications to ensure the best quality of cut and after-cut appearance, and to last as long as possible until replacement.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 108

Club chooses Wiedenmann duo for rough management

One of Lancashire’s finest venues, the Lancaster Golf Club has opted for a Wiedenmann Terra Rake and a Wiedenmann Super 500.

The James Braid designed course, coveted for its wide fairways and spectacular 18th hole, is about to embark on a major rough management programme.

Carl Hamlett, Course Manager, said: “We’ve many undulations and traditional ‘ridge and furrow’.

“We know the Super 500 follows contours easily without scalping and produces a consistent height of cut, whether scarifying or flail mowing. When we had it out for demo it just outdid everything else we’d seen”

“The Terra Rake will work in tandem. It scarifies, pulls out

thatch and can help us with a long list of other tasks. We’re really happy to have them both on board.”

Supplying both machines was Darren Barker, Sales Director at Balmers GM, Burnley branch, Wiedenmann UK’s local dealer for the area.

Wiedenmann Enquiry 109

A new alternative for the perfect striped finish

For more than 50 years, Allett has specialised in the design and manufacture of precision, singlecylinder, walk-behind mowers that produce a quintessentially striped lawn.

Allett is a brand steeped in history and prestige, whilst still embracing technological advances to keep abreast of the industry. The latest development from Allett sees them entering the lithium-ion market with its new Liberty range of lawnmowers.

The Liberty lawnmower is available in three different models - the 30cm; the 35cm and the 43cm. All three feature a rear roller to truly give the perfect stripe, and are powered by Allett’s 40 volt 4Ah lithium-ion battery that can recharge from flat in 1 hour 45 minutes.

The Liberty 30 push mower is the entry level model for small to medium gardens. It has a five blade carbon steel cylinder and

a 32 litre grass box capacity. Also well suited for small to medium gardens, but offering more features, is the mid-range Liberty 35. The Liberty 35 is a self-propelled model to enhance the ease of use for the operator. It is compatible with the Allett Lawn Care cartridge range of the aerator, lawn brush, scarifier, dethatcher, verticutter and 10 bladed cutting cylinder for the complete lawn package!

The final new mower is the Liberty 43 which is the top of the range model. With a selfpropelled feature, steel front roller and double section rear roller with geared differential it gives the ultimate in cutting perfection. To compliment this, it has a vast 62 litre grass box collection. Like the Liberty 35, it is also compatible with the Allett Lawn Care cartridges.

Managing director of Allett Lawnmowers, Austin Jarrett commented: “Battery powered products have significant benefits – not just for the environment but also for users. They are incredibly convenient and offer significant power without compromising on the cut quality

of established names as well as parts, service and support to the agricultural and turf industries.

Nick Darking, Sales Manager for Charterhouse added: “Burden Bros Agri Ltd have a proven track record for providing quality products, sales and customer service and we look forward to working together with them to offer a better, more localised service across this region.”

Chaterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry 107

The only way is Cub Cadet’s Infinicut for Essex

After 20 years of service the Essex County Ground in Chelmsford decided it was time to replace their existing mower fleet.

Head Groundsman at the club, Stuart Kerrison, wanted something ‘technologically advanced’ and, after

some research and some recommendations from trusted industry colleagues, decided the Infinicut mowers from Cub Cadet were the smart choice.

As the ground is surrounded by houses, the environmental benefits offered by the Infinicut was one of the first things that drew Stuart’s attention.

What also drew Stuart towards the Infinicut was the range of cassettes available to carry out a host of maintenance procedures as well as the superior cut that the unit produced. In early 2017, they took delivery of one 34” Infinicut mower for use on the outfields and two 22” models for the squares along with some ATT SMARTUltraGroomer cassettes.

The benefits of using the 34” Infinicut on the outfield are also becoming apparent.

Spearhead announces support to Grassmen charity of the year

Spearhead Machinery and H. Fulton Tractors have announced that they will be supporting Grassmen’s charity of the year by donating a Destroyer as second place in their annual charity raffle draw.

The raffle, in support of the Makea-Wish Foundation, was launched on the Grassmen stand at the Balmoral Show held at Lisburn, Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Grassmen stand at up-and-coming shows including Royal Highland Show, Royal Welsh Show, Tullamore Show, and finishing

off at the National Ploughing Championships in September.

Antony Prince, Director of Sales & Marketing commented “It’s a privilege for Spearhead to work with the Grassmen in offering a prize in the charity raffle and we are extremely happy to support this with the donation of one of our Destroyer heavy duty machines.

“We hope that the fantastic prizes on offer will ensure successful sales of raffle tickets, and allow a sizeable donation to the Make-a-Wish Foundation at the end of the year.”

Spearhead Machinery Enquiry 115

GreenMech dealer network in the South West gets realigned

GreenMech have continued their dealer realignment programme by replacing T H White with new dealers New Forest Farm Machinery and GA Groundcare, whilst existing dealers Burden Brothers Agri Ltd will be extending their coverage area.

All existing warranties relating to GreenMech chippers, sold by T H White, will be supported by these new dealers.

Based in Ringwood, New Forest Farm Machinery will be providing sales and support throughout the Hampshire and Dorset regions. Taking over the areas of Wiltshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire will be GA Groundcare.

Finally, Burden Bros Agri Ltd will now be servicing new and existing customers in Surrey, adding to their established areas of Kent and Sussex.

Commenting on the new arrangements, Sales Director for GreenMech Martin Lucas said, “We are very pleased to have joined forces with a number of new dealers in the South West. All of these partners have proven track records for providing quality sales and customer service and we look forward to the opportunities this will offer new and existing customers in these areas.”

GreenMech Enquiry 114

Leeds unites with GKB Machines

Ventrac dealer network continues to grow

The UK Ventrac dealer network continues to grow with the appointment of SGM Contracts in Scotland.

“The product is particularly appealing to the hire market and therefore my first choice in Scotland is SGM, who I have known for many years.”

GKB

The first of these is the GKB Combinator, which the club is using for fraze mowing on the training ground surfaces, with the whole of four First Team and Academy pitches being treated in April 2017 and four more in May.

“We had seen the Combinator working before and it was an easy choice to make,” says Elland Road Head Groundsman, Kiel Barrett.

“They are straightforward machines with easy blade changes from fraze mowing to scarifying and ideal for our natural, non-reinforced surfaces. It’s lighter and well suited to our 50hp tractor, with a good, wide working width.”

The Combinator combines frase mowing and verticutting in one machine, with the easy removal of the complete upper layer of unwanted turf. With the ground prepared Kiel and his team can seed the areas, returning the natural grass surfaces over eight to ten weeks to normal growth.

Kiel had also been looking for some time at sand spreaders and saw the GKB Sandspreader as the ideal machine for sand top dressing of the pitches all year round. GKB produce several versions of sand spreader, trailed and mounted, with hopper capacity from 1m3 to 4m3. They suit a variety of purposes, evenly distributing materials, such as sand and mulch on sports pitches, with variable spread widths and depths.

GKB Machines Enquiry 116

The family-run business is one of the leading providers of both groundcare and garden machinery, offering a range of products and related services to councils, contractors, turf maintenance professionals, golf clubs and domestic home gardeners.

Rupert Price, Managing Director of UK importers Price Turfcare said: “From my point of view, I wanted a focused dealer who could give Ventrac the best possible coverage bearing in mind the product can be utilised in a multitude of markets, ranging from golf to contractors and municipal.

Managing Director of SGM, Steven McInroy, commenting on the agreement added: “We are always on the lookout for niche, but quality products to add to our portfolio from both a sales and hire perspective and we are delighted to be promoting the product.

“Rupert very kindly brought a machine to Scotland for us to look at and immediately we were taken with its operating capabilities and quality and are delighted to have secured the franchise.”

Machines have supplied Leeds United Football Club with two new sports ground renovation and maintenance machines.

Cub Cadet Enquiry 113

Price Turfcare Enquiry 117

New mower takes the effort out of mowing

Toro, a global leader in turf and landscape maintenance equipment, is excited to introduce a new high-wheel push mower to its homeowner range this April.

Designed with small- and medium-sized gardens in mind, the competitively priced 20943 model features a selfpropelled transmission and soft-grip handlebar, making this mower comfortable to

use and easy to manoeuvre, even over tougher ground.

With a 46cm steel deck, Briggs & Stratton engine, and seven cutting heights between 25mm and 70mm that can be selected using a single point adjustment, the mower will be at home in a variety of gardens, from finer lawns to orchards.

The mower offers 3-in-1 capability that allows owners to either collect, mulch or rear discharge the grass cuttings.

The 55-litre grassbag can be lifted through the handle bar enabling easy emptying and attaching, and when the mowing is done, the underdeck is easily cleaned by attaching a hose to the wash-out port.

Toro Enquiry 120

Load-X smart loader attachments

Load-X is the newest division of Northern Ireland’s Blaney Group which is also home to established brands including Quad-X ATV equipment.

The Load-X ‘Power Wash 1000’ Power Washer is the latest labour saving device in cleaning and maintenance, where you can get the job done without ever leaving your seat. Powered off the tractor/handler there is no

need for dangerous electrical cables and no need for hoses to get tangled up, making your job safer and easier.

The Load-X Power Washer comes with its own inbuilt water reserve, carefully designed to allow for safe travel even at higher travel speeds by minimising water surges.

Quad-X Enquiry 121

Kubota offers 0% finance across RTV range

Kubota UK has announced the launch of its latest incentive programme, offering customers 0% finance across its marketleading RTV range.

This promotion is available on Kubota’s RTV-X900, RTV400 and RTV500 machines, giving customers the opportunity to purchase one of these high power utility vehicles on the 0% finance scheme on a payment profile of 2+22 monthly payments.

The popular models provide unrivalled multi-use performance, enabling both groundcare and agriculture professionals to complete a wide range of tasks swiftly and easily.

From transporting substantial loads to navigating uneven and steep terrain, the compact RTVs combine speed, agility and reliability together to be an essential part of a professionals’ fleet.

Kubota’s RTV-X900 is powered by a three cylinder 21.6HP diesel engine and variable hydrostatic transmission, delivering maximum torque for a one pedal drive that requires minimal use of the brake. The machine’s allround independent suspension systems also offers a comfortable and smooth ride, while the towing capacity boasts an impressive 1000kg to help complete a wide range of maintenance tasks.

For those looking for a smaller utility vehicle, look no further than the petrol powered RTV400 and RTV500.

Carefully designed to navigate any terrain easily and efficiently, the models combine size with substance, capable of handling small to medium loads due to their high power and torque.

Both models boast a range of features, including an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system for

on-demand power to optimise acceleration and improve the machine’s responsiveness.

Customers can take advantage of this fantastic offer until the 31st July 2017, receiving 0% finance across all three models from their nearest UK Kubota dealer.

UK Enquiry 119

Hayter launch new Osprey 46 mower range

Hayter, maker of the finest mowers, are launching a new range of four-wheeled mowers this spring - the Osprey 46.

The new range comprises of a Push and an Autodrive model – both fitted with Briggs & Stratton engines.

Both Osprey 46 mowers have a 46cm cutting width and feature versatile 3-in-1 capability, with cut and collect, mulch and rear discharge as standard.

Easy to manoeuvre and use, a single lever adjustment offers seven cutting heights between 25 and 70mm, and the 55litre grassbag that can be lifted through the handle-bar with ease.

Hayter Enquiry 122

Kubota

Versatile and light of tread

Jane Carley looks at the latest groundcare tractors on the market

The latest crop of groundcare tractors offer more functionality and versatility with the use of advanced engine and transmission technology to cut running costs. Yet the focus is still on a lightweight machine which has minimal impact on turf and other sensitive surfaces.

A new addition to John Deere’s compact tractor range is the 2R series.

The 26hp 2026R is ideal for operating in more confined spaces, says Deere, while the 36hp 2036R has a wider footprint and longer wheelbase, combined

with increased tractor weight for better stability.

Both models offer ergonomic controls, a tiltable steering wheel and cruise control. The 2036R also offers a premium air suspension seat and the CommandCut mower deck lift system. There is the choice of open operator station or cab.

The new CommandCut system for the mid-mounted rotary mower deck on the 2036R provides cutting height adjustment with the turn of a dial and the nudge of a lever.

Both models also have Twin Touch foot controls, which simplify the selection of speed and direction of travel. An eThrottle feature allows the machine to automatically increase or decrease engine speed as required, while

standard cruise control keeps ground speed consistent.

Independent ptos allow front, mid and rear-mounted implements to be attached at the same time. AutoConnect mid-mounted mower decks are easy to attach and remove for higher productivity, while new QuikAttach 120R and 220R front loaders are designed specifically for the 2R Series.

Additional benefits are provided by the new John Deere designed and manufactured front hitch options. The 2036R also features an electric lock-out valve so that the operator can easily lock the hitch in the transport position with the flick of a switch from the tractor seat.

An alternative machine

The Ventrac 4500 compact tractor, imported by Price Turfcare, offers groundsmen an alternative to traditional compacts.

Rupert Price, managing director of Price Turfcare, explains: “With more than 30 different

attachments, the Ventrac 4500 is probably one of the most versatile compact tractors on the market today. It can be used as a mower, with five different mowing decks for various types of turf but can also be operated as a trencher, aerator, stump grinder, edger, leaf blower, snow blower, snow plough, gritter and more, so there is no reason why it cannot be used year round.”

“And that makes sound commercial sense. In the UK we are used to one machine for one particular application, but why should an organisation invest thousands of pounds in numerous machines that can only be used for one or two tasks?”

Mr Price points out that the machine also offers enhanced stability on sloping ground. “Not only does the tractor frame articulate, it also pivots in the centre to maintain contact with the ground and improve weight distribution. Its compact frame is designed with a low centre of gravity and for increased safety and stability on hillsides. Optional wheel

extensions allow operation up to 25deg and dual wheels allow it to tackle 30deg slopes.”

The Ventrac’s mounting system also makes for easier operation.

“With a little practice, you can switch almost any attachment within a minute, without any tools or heavy lifting. The majority of attachments are in front of the tractor for increased visibility, better reach under trees, and more control over the work being done. Better visibility also creates a safer environment for the operator and bystanders.”

After a recent demo tour of Scotland with a selection of implements, Amey, the international infrastructure support services company, has hired a Ventrac 4500 from new Ventrac dealer SGM Contracts, to help maintain the M9 motorway as part of their delivery services contract for Scotland’s South East Trunk Roads Network.

Kirkland UK is now the UK importer of Antonio Carraro tractors.

JohnDeere

The range includes the TTR 4400 HST II isodiametric reversible hydrostatic multifunctional tractor.

This model features hydrostatic transmission to give infinitely variable speeds from 0-30kmh, with rapid changes of direction via the balanced pedal.

The RGS Rev-Guide System is Antonio Carraro’s reversible driving system on a rotating turret which inverts the driving direction in just a few seconds in order to work efficiently with towed or front-mounted equipment. The seat, steering wheel, dash and pedal assembly are simply turned through 180 deg for an identical, but reverse, driving direction.

Actio, Antonio Carraro’s cast iron full chassis with oscillation uses a central articulated joint to allow longitudinal oscillation up to 15deg, ensuring constant traction and grip on undulating ground

Specially designed for groundcare, the TTR 4400 can be fitted with a variety of implements such as mowers, shreders, loaders, hedgecutters, blowers, trailers and sprayers. Designed for specialised agriculture, groundcare, construction and earth-moving, the Tigre 4400 F is a differential wheel steering 38hp tractor. The differential wheel system means there are two brake pedals, enabling sharper manoeuvring.

Power and comfort

The new cab version of Kioti’s CK10 series range is suitable for a whole range of users looking for medium power compacts whilst keeping

overall weight to a minimum, suggests Kioti UK’s General Manager Patrick Desmond.

“The CK4010 Cabin features the proven 35 and 40hp models, fitted with luxury panoramic cabins offering plenty of space for even the largest or tallest operator and full air-conditioning for those warm summer months.”

A new look for the Landini compact tractor is combined with proven specifications and features for groundcare operations.

The new three-model Landini 2 Series, which has replaced the Mistral, sports new family-look styling for the engine hood to match the rest of the Landini range and a new roof panel

housing the ventilation system on the cabbed version.

The new hood retains the clamshell format of the previous design, with a high-lifting upper section giving ready access to all routine service points, while detachable lower panels completely expose the engine and its ancillary equipment.

Standard open platform versions of the 2 Series have been joined by the ‘GE’ model, which has a new front axle and modifications that shave 94mm off its height - significant for work amongst trees with low-hanging branches, for example.

The GE and Standard versions have the same choice of 30kph 12x12 or 16x16 creeper gearboxes with synchro shuttle selection of forward and reverse. Likewise, the two-speed independent rear power take-off, which provides one setting for ‘power’ and one for ‘economy’.

“With implements that don’t need a lot of power, the ‘economy’ pto gearing allows the engine to be run at a lower speed to reduce both noise output and fuel consumption,” points out Ray Spinks, sales director at Landini distributor AgriArgo UK.

“A ground-drive setting relates the speed of the pto to the forward speed of the tractor, which is useful for maintaining correct application rates with sand spreaders and similar machines.”

Power is supplied by 44 and 47hp non-turbo Yanmar engines in the 2-045 and 2-050, with a turbo version in the 54hp 2-060.

A 19.7-litre/min pump is dedicated to the steering system and a 28-litre/min unit supplies the 1200kg rear implement linkage (and optional 400kg front linkage if fitted), and up to three remote services valves.

“This tractor is going to suit customers in the landscaping industry, especially those who are looking for high lift capacity on both front and rear of the tractor and also want to keep weight to a minimum for towing behind a 4x4.”

“Kioti UK offers a comprehensive range of specialist wheels to suit every application including those who need to work regularly on fine turf. A two year guarantee, standard with every Kioti tractor, gives the customer total peace of mind.”

The extensive range consists of no fewer than 22 different models starting from just £1115 +vat. All Grillo two wheel tractors are gear driven with every gear and shaft produced in our own factory utilising the latest machine tools, indeed such is the high quality that Grillo actually supply components to other manufacturers.

l Our most popular model is the G85D which has a 9hp Subaru petrol engine, 58cm tiller head 2 forward & 2 reverse gears plus differential lock.

l The largest & most powerful machine in the range is the G131, this is features a 12hp diesel electric start engine with 4 forward & 2 reverse gears with high or low ratio, differential lock & huge 70cm tiller head.

BCS Two Wheel Tractors offer unmatched performance and reliability.

An all-gear drive system and top-of-the-range engines are just two of the features that reflect the superior build quality.

As a dependable working tool

BCS Two Wheel Tractors are unrivalled in their versatility and functionality.

Choice of power units

Petrol or diesel engines

PowerSafe® hydraulic clutch

Over 30 attachments

Find out more by visiting www.tracmaster.co.uk or call 01444 247689.

UNBEATABLE

Over

Landini

Kioti

McCormick

AGRIGARDEN MACHINES

Grill Agrigarden is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of two wheel tractors

Tackling tough tasks

Operators with a big workload have a versatile option in the latest X6 Series, suggests McCormick.

The tractors are powered by a four-cylinder engine with outputs starting at 111hp for draft implements such as cultivators and an additional 10hp becomes available automatically whenever working with a pto-

driven implement or pulling a trailer on the road.

“In standard form, these tractors offer a relatively simple but comfortable and easy to use machine with a well-equipped cab and good manoeuvrability,” says Paul Wade, McCormick product specialist.

“The ‘LS’ version, with higher flow load sensing hydraulics,

more transmission and pto options, and suspension for the cab and front axle, meets more demanding performance needs.”

Air conditioning, rear window wash/wipe, a radio, roof beacon and Deluxe air driver’s seat are standard.

Mechanical drive versions have a 36x12 40kph transmission with 40kph Eco and 50kph

The new VT-Drive models have a stepless transmission with very fine infinitely variable speed control from zero to top speed.

Cab suspension for added ride comfort and independent front axle suspension for increased stability when travelling on the road are also amongst the equipment options for these tractors.

Simon Richard is UK Sales Agent for the Reform specialist tractor.

He comments: “The 109hp Reform Mounty offers hydrostatic drive, a low centre of gravity, four-wheel steering, manoeuvrability and strong linkages. This makes it the perfect power unit for a huge range of ground care tasks using front or rear mounted wide area mowers, flail mowers, verge mowers, front-end loaders, fine turf work attachments and jungle busting work on slopes at up to 43 degree angles.”

Contractors Country Conservation, who offer a countryside stewardship service to a wide range of users, have added a Mounty 110V tractor to their fleet.

Proprietor Jon Weatherhead says, “We chose the Mounty as it is a more dual purpose machine. We have implements which can be powered by the 110v to cut grass, apply fertiliser and harrow and roll.”

“Having the Mounty means we can now offer roadside embankment maintenance as a

service and the machine is also ideally suited for solar farm work. Visibility around the tractor when driving is better which means potential damage and downtime from objects hidden in vegetation is reduced.”

New Holland’s range of compact tractors features the latest in engine technology. The T4 series is powered by a 3.4 litre, Common Rail F5C engine with PM Cat technology for Tier 4B compliance.

Developed by New Holland’s sister company, FPT Industrial, the PM Cat is located in the exhaust system downstream of the diesel oxidisation catalyst. When particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas passes through it, it is burned off. This filter never blocks due to the high flow of exhaust gas, and does not require regeneration. This system requires no additional efforts from the operator to activate the cleansing process and best of all, the system is absolutely maintenance free, an industry first.

New Holland introduced Common Rail engines in 2003, and today’s 58-74hp T4.55-65-75 series benefits from this technology. Precision fuelling enables an enhanced response when the engine is placed under load - as exactly the precise quantity of fuel required is injected, fuel savings of up to 13% have been achieved.

A power-to-weight ratio of 30.4 kg/hp delivers outstanding productivity while reducing compaction. Turf tyres are available with all T4 models.

The T4’s service intervals have been further extended by 20% to 600 hours, resulting in higher productivity and lower downtime

gearing options that provide a top speed at more economical engine revs. Creep gears, fuel-saving economy pto and ground-drive power take-off can be added for specialist turf equipment applications.

Simon Richard

New holland

Operator comfort in the T4 cab has been further enhanced with the addition of an optional ‘baler bar’, which is used to mount incab monitors.

Its location, to the right of the operator, means that it is in the ideal line of sight when working.

Latest addition to the Iseki range from Ransomes Jacobsen is the new series of TLE tractors.

The TLE3400 is powered by a 38hp three-cylinder diesel engine, which operates at 2600rpm.

The single piece bonnet provides easy accessibility to the engine compartment and operator platform is designed to be spacious and ergonomic; all main operating levers are mounted within easy reach and are colour coded for clear distinction. The heavy rubber platform mat reduces vibration and improves grip.

Versatility on demand

The Iseki TLE3400 features a three-speed hydrostatic transmission system, operated using a single pedal, allowing an increase or decrease in speed within the range selected. A

choice of agricultural or turf tyres are available as standard.

The TLE3400 also features power steering, a fuel capacity of 43 litres and a lift capacity of 1000kg at the link ends. A front loader is available as an option and a range of attachments can be used.

Reesink Turfcare offers a wide range of groundcare tractor options in the TYM brand.

The TS25 is one of the few subcompact tractors on the market available with a choice of manual or hydrostatic transmission which means the tractor can be tailored to specific turf maintenance needs, says the company.

Reesink Turfcare suggests that for loader and mid-deck work, the simple-to-use two-range hydrostatic transmission is the best choice, whereas for aeration and sprayer work, which requires a set working speed, the 6x2 manual transmission machine will deliver the best results.

Powered by a 25hp Yanmar engine, the TS25 has rear lift capacity of 600kg, plus mid- and rear ptos and hydraulic flow of 26.3 l/min.

Adding to its versatility is a wide range of accessories including a spool valve kit, backhoe, midmounted mower, front weight kit, front loader and a rear counter balance.

PSD Groundcare supplies the Gekko two-wheel tractor from German manufacturer Koppl which can be operated in walk-behind or remote control modes.

The Gekko is designed as a robust and reliable solution for bank mowing that is suitable for heavy use in tough working conditions including areas that

are difficult to reach via the remote control function.

Powered by a 23hp engine, the Gekko has a remote control range of up to 300m and is capable of working on slopes up to 45deg. High ground clearance and a low centre of gravity makes it suitable for challenging sites and twist-grip steering improves manoeuvrability when used in walk-behind mode.

Koppl has been manufacturing since 1896 and produces an extensive range of implement carriers from 5.7– 23hp and attachments including sweepers, rotavators and mowers.

Case Study: Top marks for John Deere

A new fleet of John Deere compact utility tractors supplied by dealer Ben Burgess Groundscare of Norwich to Gresham School in Norfolk are central to maintaining and improving the presentation of Gresham’s grounds and lawns as well the playing fields, which cater for rugby, football, hockey, cricket and rounders. There are also grass and hard surface tennis courts, and two Astroturf pitches.

Machine reliability was a key factor in the change to John Deere. “Our previous tractors were old and very tired,” says David Olby, Gresham School’s service manager. “They were unreliable and maintenance costs were high. John Deere has an excellent reputation for reliability and, with Ben Burgess, we have good access to aftersales back-up and parts.”

A ‘horses for courses’ analysis saw the arrival of five new tractors: two 4R Series compact models, a 49hp 4049R and a 66hp 4066R fitted with an H180 front loader, and three subcompact tractors, a 32hp 2032R and two 26hp 1026Rs. All are high specification machines, with rear three-point linkages and ptos as standard equipment,

while the 1026Rs are also equipped with 1.37m midmounted rotary cutting decks.

“The 4066R powers a 3.5m (11.5ft) Trimax Snake rotary roller mower which we use on the outfields,” says David. “This replaced a set of cylinder mowers and although the grass looked untidy initially as the mower took the thatch out, these areas now look great. The 4066R and Snake combination also allows us to cut in damper conditions.”

Also part of the overall dealer package was a McConnel reach arm hedgecutter, which is used on the 4049R compact tractor. This model also pulls trailers and powers slitters and aerators. The H180 front loader is used for operations such as moving materials during autumn renovation work and loading top dressers.

Commenting on the performance of the 1026Rs, which are used to mow areas such as the cricket outfields and to rake the Astroturf pitches, David Olby also says: “They are great machines and leave a lovely finish.” The larger 2032R tractor is used primarily for trailer work.

Koppl

TYM

JohnDeere

Case Study: Kubota investment matches top quality facilities

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in York has purchased nine Kubota machines from dealer Russell’s, including two L4240 compact tractors, four W831R-PRO pedestrian walk-behind mowers, two G23 ride-on mowers, the RTVX900 utility vehicle and two Kubota trailers.

Opened in 1912, the Independent boarding school’s sporting curriculum is one of the most expansive in the country, with tennis, basketball, handball, hockey, rugby, football and cricket just a few of the sports on offer.

With £20 million invested in new pitches alone in the past six years, the team’s daily maintenance requires high power machinery as they have natural grass, synthetic, water-based and traditional sand-based pitches to contend with.

Grounds Manager Ben Grigor explains: “When we were resourcing new groundcare machines, it was paramount that we chose equipment that facilitated the consistent maintenance of 22 pitches, day in – day out.”

Case Study: MF is contractor’s choice

“When I joined the Collegiate in September, they already had some older Kubota machines that had done thousands of hours of work and they’re still going strong. So I knew that Kubota was up to the task.”

The two L4240 compact tractors offer easy operation for the team when completing spraying, top dressing and aeration work. G23 ride-on mowers are at the forefront of the pitches’ daily maintenance, providing clean and consistent cutting every day, while also

being a useful tool during winter for cleaning up leaves and debris after professional and school matches.

“The Collegiate’s recent investment into its facilities, staff and machinery already reflects their continued commitment to making the sporting ground one of the best in the country. Big changes are set for the year ahead and it’s up to us and our machines to ensure that the pitches are kept to the highest possible standards,” comments Ben.

Case Study: Iseki the choice for grant-funded investment

Old Saltleians Rugby Club, located in Birmingham, has purchased an Iseki TLE3400 compact tractor from Ransomes Jacobsen with the assistance of a Groundmatch grant of £5,000 from the Rugby Football Foundation (RFF), a Limited Company Charity set up by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 2003.

Club Chairman Peter Holmes and Secretary Colin Gardner sought advice from Keith Kent, the RFU head groundsman, about the best machinery options for the club

Explaining the decision-making process, Peter said: “Keith’s input towards this project has been really helpful. We are a small local club with very limited funds, and we have always used second-hand machinery. We explained our situation to Keith and, without hesitation, he recommended Iseki’s TLE3400.”

In addition to his club secretary duties, Colin Gardner also operates the tractor.

He comments: “The tractor is extremely easy to use; we

were all able to pick up the controls very quickly. It’s a versatile tractor; in the future, we’ll look at buying more attachments for it.

I can’t find any faults with it; I almost wish the grass would grow quicker so I can use it more often!”

Peter and Colin both suggest that the purchase will mean significant savings being made in fuel and servicing costs due to the efficient and reliable reputation of Iseki machinery.

Peter May runs a contracting business serving approximately 250 clients within a 40-mile radius of his base at Harlow, Essex.

“The amenity side of the business includes sports pitch maintenance, spraying, cultivation and seeding, vegetation clearance and all aspects of fencing,” he explains.

“We also operate as subcontractors for another company, providing a winter gritting service. This takes the form of using four trailed gritters and pickups to cover supermarket car parks and industrial premises – at more than 100 locations in all –as well as snow ploughing.”

Massey Ferguson tractors are key to the operation.

“Over the past nine years, we have run three MF 6480s, two MF 7618s and currently have a MF 7718, a MF 6480 and a MF 1747 compact tractor,” he reports.

The MF 1747 Compact tractor was purchased in March this year to bring in-house the amenity sector work which had previously been sub-contracted out and

which had been restricting the company’s flexibility.

This machine now undertakes such tasks as stone-burying, seeding and mowing –with either a McConnel roller mower or a hired-in Amazone flail collector.

“We are also planning to buy a small sprayer for it,” says Peter, “As our current quad bike and trailed sprayer is somewhat under pressure.” By using the MF 1747, it can be towed around on a trailer – even into London, where a lot of spraying work is done for another contractor.

He comments: “We are really pleased with this tractor, as it’s really economical to run, it’s comfortable and will enable us to expand the amenity side of the business further. We ordered the MF 1747 with a heated air seat, over-sized turf tyres, air-conditioning, heater and hydrostatic 32kph gearbox. “

“We also specced it loader-ready, as we would like to use it in the winter on snow ploughing duties using a front-mounted plough. And as a little finishing touch, we ordered it with twin beacons

to match the rest of the fleet! We plan to keep this machine for quite a few years, with the aim – hopefully – of acquiring an additional model in due course.”

“Operating the MF 1747 for a long day is not uncomfortable, especially when you take into account that it has no suspension at all. Even in a small, basic machine like that, everything is positioned where you need it to be.”

Kersten makes a simple change

All of Kersten’s 2 Wheel Tractors support a range of attachments to keep you working 12 months a year from just a single power unit, cutting down on service costs, storage space and operator training.

The Quick Attach 35 and Quick Attach 70 system’s allow attachments to be changed very quickly without tools. This means you can easily change the attachment and get on with the next task at a moments notice.

The three-step process is simple:

1. Pull the spring-loaded locking

pin up and lock in the raised position by inverting the handle.

2. Disconnect the hydraulic hoses using the quick release couplings. These are male and female connectors, will only fit one way to ensure correct drive rotation of the implement.

3. Slide the attachment out of the socket.

Re-fitting is a reversal of the above procedure. Less than 30 seconds is all it takes to go from mowing to ploughing, or sweeping to spreading.

Getting in step with

Grillo

Grillo is one of the foremost producers of walking tractors with production starting in 1955.

The range is impressive with over 15 different models and numerous attachments available such as ploughs, mowers, brushes, snowblades and throwers to name but a few.

Engines are from the world’s leading manufacturers, such as Honda, Subaru, Kohler and Lombardini.

Grillo’s latest models are the G108 & G110 featuring their new instant reverse system “IRS “.

This device allows the operator to instantly change from forwards to reverse simply by operating a lever on the handlebars.

All gears are produced in house allowing complete quality control at all times.

Every tiller head is gear driven for complete performance in various types of soil and longevity.

Most machines can be equipped with a quick coupling device which enables the various attachments to be changed in seconds, also new is a range of contra rotating tiller heads allowing an extra fine tilth in fewer passes.

Grillo

Kubota

MasseyFerguson

Iseki

New Business Development Manager for Etesia UK

Etesia UK has announced the appointment of Stephen Muir in a newly formed position as Business Development Manager.

Stephen started his career in the automotive industry in which he worked with prestigious brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi, and it was during this

time that he gained his Business Managers Accreditation.

After this successful spell in the automotive industry he moved into the groundcare sector and utilised his experience of working with leading brands by undertaking the role of Area Sales Manager for Ransomes

Jacobsen dealer Fairways (GM). During his time here, Stephen played a key part in helping to develop the company into arguably the largest machinery and service supplier to Scotland’s groundcare industry.

In his new position as Business Development Manager, Stephen will be further promoting and creating brand awareness for Etesia, and also Pellenc and Oeliatec – for which Etesia are exclusive UK distributors.

Commenting on his new position, Stephen said: “With over twenty years’ experience in sales I believe this is a fantastic opportunity with Etesia UK. We have an excellent product range and I will continue to ensure that our customers are provided with world-class products, service and back-up. It’s an exciting time because we have a host of new innovative products to offer and new customers to find – and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

School to create a Sensory and Physical Development Area

Woodley School and College in Huddersfield will be working with the UK’s only employee-owned playground equipment company to build a new Sensory and Physical Development Area.

Sutcliffe Play invited teachers and pupils to get a behind the scenes look at Sutcliffe Play, including a tour of the factory to see how equipment is made and the chance to put equipment to

the test on the playground outside the company’s office. Woodley School and College has recently become a facility that caters purely for autistic children and is working with Sutcliffe Play to design not just an inclusive space but a space that specifically met the needs of the school and its users.

The space will feature five key inclusive areas: Music Zone; Active Zone; Climbing Zone; Quiet Zone; and Daydream Den.

says: “By inviting the School Council to visit Sutcliffe Play it allowed our designers to see how they played on the various items of equipment and importantly it highlighted what would be suitable. It also gave the children the opportunity to see how play equipment is made and how much development goes in to manufacturing it.”

Kevin Sellwood at Sutcliffe Play

Sutcliffe Play Enquiry 148

Etesia UK Enquiry 149