Landscape & Amenity Product Update April 2019

Major new research highlights the importance of local greenspaces

New data from Natural England shows the majority of children and young people are regularly spending time outdoors.

Natural England’s Monitoring of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) report found that 70% of all children in England under the age of 16, and 64% of young people aged 16-24 are said to be spending time outside at least once a week.

However, there are still clear inequalities with children living in lower income areas being less likely to visit the

natural environment compared with those living in areas of higher income.

The findings highlight the importance of local greenspaces, including urban parks, recreation grounds and playgrounds for children’s play and experience of the natural world.

Across all age groups and backgrounds, local greenspaces provide an important opportunity for children to experience the natural environment on a regular basis, with these spaces becoming even more vital for children who are least likely to

Kingston Landscape Group is Supreme Winner at APL Awards 2019

Kingston Landscape Group Ltd take home the top accolade at the APL Awards 2019. The annual awards ceremony, sponsored by Bradstone, took place at The Brewery, London, to celebrate and recognise the outstanding landscaping carried out by members of the APL.

Kingston Landscape Group Ltd, based in London, took the Supreme Winner Award for their project: Streatham Hill. This entry was also the winner of the Commercial Garden and

Soft Landscaping categories. Streatham Hill is a gated residential development built around a landscaped communal courtyard garden located in South West London.

Measuring approx. 1,228m2 the south facing garden is enclosed on three sides by five and six storey apartments with planting selected to provide year-round interest.

visit the natural environment frequently.

This is one of the reasons why Natural England is leading a new cross-government project to review and update standards for green infrastructure, in addition to working with the Parks Action Group, to overcome barriers to access, and to ensure England’s public parks and green spaces meet the needs of communities now and in the future.

Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive of Groundwork UK and member of the Parks Action Group, said: “We know that

parksandgreenspacesarehugely important to the development and wellbeing of children and young people - helping them connect with nature, increase physical activityandbuildsocialnetworks.

“To better understand how young people currently use the natural environment is the first step in helping them get more involved in making decision about their local area, a key priority if we are going to deliver the aspirations of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.”

The chainsaw of the future arrives

The new STIHL MS 500i, the world’s first chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection and a never-before achieved power-to-weight ratio, will be available to forestry professionals in May 2019.

Weighing only 6.2kg (only 0.2kg more than the STIHL MS 462 C-M), the STIHL injection technology not only provides the chainsaw of the future with incredible torque, but also ensures rapid acceleration of the saw chain from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.25 seconds.

Thanks to the intelligent lightweight design, the MS 500i is also outstanding with the best ever power-to-weight ratio - 1.24 kilograms per kilowatt, an exemplarily low value never achieved before by series-manufactured chainsaws.

The government, through its 25 Year Environment Plan, published in January 2018, has set an ambitious target to improve the environment within a generation.

Kicking off this target is the launch of the Year of Green Action, focusing on connecting people with the environment to improve health and wellbeing.

Within this, Government has set out a range of commitments to enhance opportunities for children, young people and adults from all backgrounds to engage with the natural world, and to help improve social injustice by opening up the mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Although light in weight, its performanceisclassleading,with 5 0 kW/ 6.8 hp, meaning this this chainsaw is suited to felling large stands and timber harvesting.

Natural England

APL

STIHL

Welcome...

Each month we celebrate our fantastic industry and the world-class products and professionals it produces.

April is traditionally our Best of British supplement, a time when we focus a little more on the incredibly diverse range of home-grown companies and skilled professionals who make our industry envied around the globe.

It is, arguably, even more timely that we celebrate our success this year with the continuing political and economic uncertainty that is impacting on the UK. Without wishing to mention the B-word too much, it is testament to our industry that it has adopted a “business as usual” approach to everything in recent years.

Of course, you could say what else are we supposed to do? But our industry’s approach contrasts sharply with many others which have suffered significant downturns in the last 18 months and longer.

But our home-grown products and the people who populate our industry continue to set a global benchmark for quality that has helped keep us buoyant, positive and ready to tackle whatever challenges are thrown our way next.

Elsewhere this month we have Jane Carley taking an in-depth look at sports turf maintenance – both natural and synthetic – as well as a major product showcase on pedestrian and remote-control mowing.

There is also a look at water management, the latest machinery news and case studies and a spotlight on the urban environment. Next month we have our Professional Groundscare supplement – another opportunity to celebrate the best of our industry.

Contents:

Terms and Conditions -

While

Paul Groves, Editor

ICL reveal three-year wetting agent project

ICL has started a major research project exploring the use of wetting agents to further improve water use and to potentially help optimise nutrient use for managed amenity turf.

It is a three-year research project delivered through the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University.

The Centre is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is supporting local sports field construction specialists J Mallinson in collaboration with surfactant specialists at ICL.

Dr Andy Owen (ICL International Technical Manager) has been instrumental in planning the project:

“I have known the research team here at Lancaster Environment Centre for a number of years and the chance to collaborate and generate useful research optimising inputs to turf through wetting agent use is invaluable.”

Graduate researcher Vasileios (Billy) Giannakopoulos is working under the supervision

of Dr Jaime Puertolas and Professor Ian Dodd.

The project will be utilising ICL’s H2Pro range of wetting agents which includes TriSmart, AquaSmart and FlowSmart and the research team will be using these products in a series of experiments, both laboratory, glass house and field-based.

A year has already passed on the three-year project and Dr Puertolas believes that some new ground-breaking information could well be on the horizon.

“Understanding surfactants and what they do is a very interesting subject, we normally modify the soil moisture by how we place the water through irrigation type or the frequency of the irrigation application but this is another way of manipulating how the water is distributed in the soil,” he said.

“We hope to generate information which could improve irrigation effectiveness and better understand water and nutrient movement through a soil and uptake by a plant.”

ICL

Charterhouse becomes BIGGA Education Supporter

Charterhouse Turf Machinery has joined forces with the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association to provide educational opportunities for golf course professionals nationwide.

In its new capacity as Education Supporter for the association, Charterhouse will help provide valuable professional development opportunities for BIGGA members.

For over 35 years, Charterhouse has been a leading provider

of professional maintenance machinery to keep both natural and artificial surfaces in firstrate condition.

The company distributes the Redexim range of aerators, overseeders, topdressers and scarifiers for natural turf. To compliment this, the Graden range of pedestrian verticutters and the BLEC range of specialist landscaping and turfcare products, are also available.

Campey goes green with electric five-deck mower

Campey Turf Care Systems is giving turf professionals a green solution to mowing with the introduction of the Fleischmann Electric 5 Deck mower.

The mower has five 2.20 metre cutting decks with six spindles per deck, giving a 10-metre overall cutting width. The mower features a braked steering rear axle and the two-point pivoting front mount hitch provides high maneuverability, enabling cutting speeds up to 20kph to be achieved.

Each blade on the five cutting decks is powered by a low maintenance electric motor, leaving behind traditional gearboxes and PTO shafts and eliminating the risk of oil leaks. The six high tip speed blades in each deck give more cuts per metre and offer excellent clipping dispersal.

The modern generator used to power the mower is very efficient and lowers all the

factors you’d want less of. That’s low PTO requirements, low engine revs and lower noise output for quiet operation

Themechanicsoftheoperationare enhanced further by the five low ground pressure castor wheels. Each deck has five wheels which are expertly designed to follow contours and iron out bumps in the surface without leaving any marks. The wheels are also used to easily set the height of cut with all other operations controlled from the in-cab control box.

Transporting the mower is simple with hydraulic folding wings reducing the width of the machine to a 3-metre transport width The process of folding has been meticulously tested to ensurethatnomarkingorscuffing occursduringtheconversionfrom working to transporting.

Campey Turf Care Systems

ECOPLUG MAX

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Meeting professional standards is a hot topic

The management of amenity areas is a vital and important task creating safe and healthy public spaces fit for purpose.

It is vital that such tasks are undertaken to the highest professional standards but, as it stands, although there are a number of recognised assurance schemes, there is no overall standard which can easily be recognised as demonstrating those undertaking amenity management operations are professionally competent and using methods at the highest standards of best practice.

Given that, the Amenity Forum is developing a standard for the sector. This will inform the public, and those who place tenders or employ operators that the processes implemented are safe and healthy and fit for purpose.

The standard will be akin to the Red Tractor logo which is widely recognised in the food sector. It will be instantly recognisable and will verify that the various assurance schemes in the sector are maintained at the overall standard.

In the current climate, cost will always be a key factor when considering amenity management plans but it is vital that quality and standards are an essential element in the final decision. The new standard and accompanying logo will give confidence to all involved.

Those attending London and Belfast recently as part of the popular series of free Amenity Forum Updating events organised welcomed the proposals.

It was recognised that many do currently look to employ contractors and the like with assured credentials such as Amenity Assured, there remains others who operate outside such standards.

The new Amenity Standard seeks to address this and ensure it is as widely recognised in the amenity sector as the Red Tractor is in food.

Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Forum, said: ‘’I would like to see this standard as an essential requirement when employing anyone involved in amenity management. If employing a gas fitter, I seek to ensure he or she is CORGI registered, a similar requirement should be essential in amenity management.

“There are a number of well recognised assurance schemes in our sector, this new standard seeks to embrace these and in a simple way, provide everyone of an assured standard and best practice. I would like to see the logo associated the standard to be proudly displayed across the UK in our parks, golf courses, sports grounds and indeed all our public spaces.”

The new standard is due to be launched later this year and in the meantime, everyone is urged to seek evidence of a recognised assurance scheme when employing those charged with amenity management in all its forms.

On course for quality at Dumbarnie Links

Dumbarnie Links is a brand new 18-hole golf course development on the south coast of Fife that is set to be open for play by spring 2020.

Luke Beardmore of OB Sports Golf Management –the US firm hired to manage Dumbarnie – and John Deere dealer Sandy Armit of Double A signed a partnership deal last year for the supply of grow-in and maintenance equipment for this exciting £11 million project, which is supported by the local landowner Lord Balniel of Balcarres.

Luke feels that John Deere has been at the forefront of the project’s success so far, adding: “Our initial success has largely been based on our strong working relationship with John Deere, and specifically the dealer Double A.

“The ability for Dumbarnie to work with the dealership team allowed us to keep the preliminary costs down while still focusing on the highest quality standards every day. This partnership has truly been a win-win for everyone.”

Perennial online budgeting tool offers financial confidence

Perennial is combating money worries for people working in horticulture, including those who are self-employed, looking for work or retired, with its easy-to-use online budgeting tool and is encouraging everyone to check their financial wellbeing, regardless of their financial status, to understand their financial situation and proactively manage their money.

Wendy Tozer, Debt Advice Manager at Perennial, says financial concerns are a huge contributing factor to stress and other mental health issues.

“But financial wellbeing is so much more than managing debt and we want everyone working in horticulture to have the confidence to take control of their money,” she added. “Our online budgeting tool can help you understand your financial situation and suggest changes for successfully managing monthly budgets.”

Perennial’s online budgeting tool is available via the Perennial website and can be used on a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone.

Perennial

GKB tick all the boxes for artificial sports turf maintenance

Launching his dedicated artificial sports turf maintenance business, Sports and Courts Maintenance Ltd, Jon Lawson was looking for something that would decompact and assist in the deep cleaning and rejuvenating of artificial sports turf and was impressed with the robustness of GKB’s Renovator and the size of the double heads of the Rotobrush.

Owner and Managing Director at Sports and Courts Line Marking Ltd, Jon Lawson explains: “GKB is known for reliability and was so impressed with the rotary brush.

“I needed something that was going to do the job and that was robust and reliable. We have a lot of tennis clubs complain that they’ve got very compacted baselines and the Renovator and Rotobrush tick all the boxes.

“For us it was the answer to going forwards with the new business, offering this additional service on top of the deep cleans and everything else we already do”.

The GKB Renovator’s five rotating brushes form the foundation of the machine and because the brushes interlock into each other, you will not miss a single inch when you are operating on your pitch.

Whilst the GKB Rotobrush enables you to brush deeper and more effectively as the rotating brush disc is provided with extra rigid bristles which are pressed into the synthetic turf.

Where the functioning of normal brushing and cleaning stops, the Rotobrush will continue.

GKB

Amenity Forum

John Deere

Out-of-the-ordinary Outcross

The Toro Outcross 9060 broke cover at SALTEX and drew crowds with its unusual appearance. Jane Carley takes a test drive at Radley College.

With a long bonnet and fore end loader out front, plus a rear threepoint linkage and PTO - but with two seats in the cab – is Toro’s Outcross a tractor or a UTV? In fact, it combines the best of both.

Reesink UK’s Dean Rook explains: “The Outcross can load materials, carry equipment, power implements and tow a trailer.

It could avoid the need for a buggy to support a tractor, for example when doing jobs that require two men to carry out the operation and clear up debris, while it also offers extra load capacity for tools or materials.”

“Initial interest has been particularly strong from golf clubs, but this is machine that could be really useful for all types of groundcare operations.”

Weighing in at 2989kg with cab and loader, the Outcross offers a light tread on the standard turf tyres (agricultural-type tyres are an option), and punches above its weight with 1.13 tonne lift capacity on the cat II linkage and 7257kg drawbar towing capability; open centre hydraulics offer output of 54 litres/min.

The loader will lift just under a tonne and has a maximum height of 2.72m to fill larger trailers and top dressers.

Swap the standard 435kg capacity transport box for a

Powered by a 60hp Yanmar liquid cooled engine, the Outcross has a two-range hydrostatic transmission, so it is easy to drive for anyone used to a UTV or compact tractor.

A shuttle lever makes for quick cycles when loading, and cruise control eases transport; eco mode controls the revs at each speed to save fuel and top speed is 36kph.

Having the bonnet outfront is a little disconcerting initially as the driver sits to one side of it rather than centrally as in a tractor, but the optional cab is spacious and offers good all-round visibility, with large steps and a grab handle for access, plus heating and air conditioning.

The machine appears bulky, but four-wheel steer helps manoeuvrability in a tight yard and minimises scuffing when turning on turf – turning radius is 145cm.

Electronically controlled fourwheel drive handles steep

996 litre, 2 tonne cargo bed and you can move products delivered on a universal pallet.

There are four specification packages available – the base model comes with a fourpost ROPS, pto, drawbar and linkage with a price tag of £60,950.

For just under another £9000, you can add the front loader and counterweight, and £79,650 buys the loader version with heated and air conditioned cab; You can also choose a cabbed model without the loader and there’s a road homologation kit option for £1250.

or wet ground with ease and ground clearance of 20cm should cope with rutty tracks.

The loader has quick attachment for the choice of buckets and forks, and fitting it to the tractor is even simpler, using tool-free latches and an integrated parking frame.

A really neat addition is an inching control for attaching implements.

Using a wired remote control box which overrides the parking brake, the operator can manoeuvre the Outcross to hitch up to the attachment without jumping in and out of the cab; there’s also a pto control to line up the outlet to the implement shaft.

Once you’ve got over the perception of the Outcross as ‘just’ a UTV, the possibilities are endless – this is a machine

that could mow, spread fertiliser, spray, aerate, clear snow and ice…you could keep it busy 365 days a year.

The dash incorporates an LED displayforoperatinginformation and to allow settings for up to 16 implements from an extensive menu including all current Toro products to be set and stored.

Reesink

Turfcare

It’s about obsessing over the little things, the details no one else sees. It’s never tolerating anything less than the best. Perfection is a mindset. And that’s worth being proud of.

Fr

Roadside maintenance contractor praises new product ‘Diamond’

in the industry for over 20 years and are contracted to maintain a wide range of areas including highways, amenity, residential and commercial premises.

Horsetail remains one of the toughest and most frequent weeds that RSM Maintenance must control, with their spray operators spending a large proportion of time treating areas that quickly become overrun with the weed.

Horsetail (also known as Marestail) is a notorious difficult to kill perennial weed, with its persistency and extensive deeproots often proving troublesome for herbicides containing glyphosate alone to kill.

With cases of Horsestail showing resistance to glyphosate

becoming frequent across the UK, land owners, gardeners and contractors have been faced with a huge problem when previous go-to products containing glufosinate were withdrawn from sale in January 2019.

RSM Maintenance are based in the East Midlands and have been

After becoming increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the results from applying glyphosate to Horsetail, RSM Maintenance contacted the BASIS trained technical team at Agrigem for help. ‘Diamond’ (A brand-new product that is exclusive to Agrigem and their distributors) contains active ingredients (160g/l of 2,4-d + 240g/l of glyphosate) that offer quicker control of tough weeds, as well as penetrating deeper into the root system than glyphosate alone.

RSM Maintenance director Rob Minnitt shares his experience of replacing glyphosate with Diamond “Since introducing Diamond to our spray programme earlier this year, we have seen significant differences between Horsetail previous treated with glyphosate and areas we have treated with Diamond. Not only is Diamond fast acting, we have found that we are now not needing to re-treat areas, which saves me both money and time. We now apply less glyphosate per square metre, but achieve a better result,”

Please contact the BASIS & FACTS trained Technical Team at Agrigem for a full illustration of how Diamond could fit within your spray programme. Diamond is exclusively available through Agrigem, who offer next day delivery. Diamond will also be available through various distributors across the country.

Agrigem

Makita’s first

Makita’s first DAB Job Site Radio with Bluetooth, the Makita DMR112, is the latest addition to the audio range that will meet everyone’s taste in music and quality.

With a dual power source by either AC adaptor or by Makita’s CXT or LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, that can be found in Makita’s cordless power tools range, this radio provides total convenience and cost efficiency.

The Makita DMR112 radio with Bluetooth is capable of receiving DAB, DAB+ and many national and local radio stations.

DAB+ is the current standard across much of Europe with the main advantage of being three times more efficient, carries far more radio stations than DAB, and at a far higher audio quality.

DAB+ is also a much greener technology because the overall transmission power required is far lower.

This radio has a two-way speaker system of twin 89mm diameter speakers that provide high quality sound and a maximum output, when using an 18V LXT Li-Ion battery, of 4.9 watts from each.

This rugged IP64 protectionrated dust and showerproof site radio has an elastomer bumpprotecting casing, foldable antenna for added protection, an AC adaptor jack and digital amplifier and LCD display, which offers equal protection to the existing range from Makita.

This new body only radio has a Band III frequency range of 87.5 – 108 Mhz and is equipped with Bluetooth Class 2 to wirelessly play music from a mobile phone, MP3 player or tablet with a range of up to 10 meters.

‘futureproof’

job site radio with Bluetooth and DAB+

A neat, flat top surface provides stability for mobile devices and

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whether

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

to suit your project.

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

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

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

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

● www.sure-green.com

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

● 01376 503869

● www.sure-green.com

● sales@sure-green.com

● www.sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

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

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● sales@sure-green.com

Makita

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

New website launched by Simon Richard

Simon Richard Ltd, UK Agents for the Reform bank tractor, Muthing fl ails and Woods rotary cutter ranges have launched their new website.

Simon Richard says “the new website is now up and running with lots of new machines on view including the Woods full range, all now available in the UK. Find out more at www.slopemower.co.uk

The new 37.5 technology for climate control fleeces

moisture transport to keep you working comfortably wherever you are on site.

The 37.5® Technology fabric in the Fleece is a very quickdrying material that captures and releases moisture vapour – like yoursweat-forsuperiorcoolness and dry working comfort.

The bin for tight spaces

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

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

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

Talasey introduce new products and services

Talasey Group has introduced a plethora of new products and services to their 2019 brochure.

The Italian porcelain paving range, Vitripiazza has seen the most change, due to the recent demand for the material, as discussed in the BMF latest quarterly meeting – referred to as the ‘hero product of the year’, and the ‘clear customer choice’.

Recognising this customer demand, Talasey Group decided to expand its product offering, with the addition of 12 new Vitripiazza ranges, a whopping 48 new SKU’s!

The landscaping supplier has also added11‘specialorder’coloursto theirresinboundaggregatesrange, Resiscape, a range of unique colours, that offer something a littledifferenttocustomers.

A new accessory has also been added to the Pavetuf range, known as Pavetuf Risers. A unique elevated system which can be installed underneath paving or decking surfaces, to promotegoodairfl ow.

Talasey Group

York City Council are in the process of regenerating parts of the Shambles in Roman city York in North Yorkshire and appointed local company JC Trees, a long-standing client of Green-tech, to install the trees.

Green-tech’s specification team, gt Specifier, was contacted for assistance with product demonstrations and technical information.

Green-tech supplied everything needed for successfully planting a tree in an urban landscape setting. This included the AborRaft tree planting system which is strong geocellular units that lock together to form a raft system that sits within the tree pit and provides load bearing support.

Green-tree Subsoil was used as well as ArborRaft soil which in conjunction with the ArborRaft system eliminates compaction of

ACTIS

the soil and growing media within the pit and offers an ideal growing environment for trees in an urban setting to establish and flourish.

Green-tech’s new tree anchoring kit was specifi ed to secure the trees. The Mona tree irrigation system was chosen because of its ease of install and effectiveness in delivering water to the tree roots at a consistent level.

Gt RootBarrier was installed to protect the nearby utility pipes from future damage of spreading tree roots. It effectively controls the roots whilst protecting them from pollutants and acids in the soil.

To finish, a contemporary cast iron tree guard and grille was installed with bespoke etching specific to York City Council.

Green-tech

Simon Richard

Snickers

Leafield Environmental

The Solid Gear OCEAN Safety Shoe –precision safety and comfort

Solid Gear continues to modernise PPE footwear with a safety shoe that looks and feels more like a trainer.

Combining a lightweight athletic look and superb safety features, the new OCEAN safety shoe is ideal for workers who are constantly on the move.

The shoe’s midsole is made of a poured PU rather than a traditional injected PU to give a more cushioned feel underfoot, while the thick rubber outsole provides a high level of anti-slip protection and durability.

With an eye-catching style, the shoe’s BOA comfort fastening

delivers a better overall fit making it easy to take the shoe on and off.

Added to which, the shoe’s fibreglass toecap and ballistic midsole combine with the other protection features and anti-static properties to deliver S3 protection.

Solid Gear

Water Garden named as Otterbine contractor of the year 2018

Portsmouth based family business, Water Garden Ltd, has won the prestigious 2018 Reesink Turfcare UK Otterbine Contractor of the Year award.

The company achieved the highest Otterbine sales figures for 2018 thanks to their knowledge of the product, belief in the brand and support from Otterbine and its UK distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Andy Staves, managing director of Water Garden Ltd, explains: “We don’t deal with the cheap and cheerful, we want the best, which is why Otterbine is the principle supplier for our aerating fountains,” he says. “Anything else simply doesn’t come close to the quality they offer.”

Even with such a dedicated sales team, the company can only go so far without the right back up and support from the manufacturer, says Andy: “We have a really close relationship with Reesink and Otterbine, in particular Reg Varney, the international region manager, who’s really helpful.

“Any issues we’ve had, they’ve been tackled head on without hesitation, and resolved quickly, allowing us to give the best possible service to our customers.

“It’s imperative we get the support we need, when we need it, and that’s what Otterbine and Reesink provide.”

Water Garden Ltd has recently benefi tted from Otterbine water management and product training courses, adding to the company’s extensiveknowledgeofthebrand.

Reesink’s national sales representative for Otterbine, Pete Newton, comments: “Water Garden Ltd is incredibly deserving of this year’s award. It isadelighttoworkwiththemand particularly rewarding to work with a company who recognises theimportanceofqualityproducts and who has expert knowledge in the industry. We hope our close partnership continues for many years to come.”

Otterbine

The Slatter Groupa one stop solution

S&C Slatter has for many years been synonymous with the design and construction of high-quality sports facilities and estate infrastructure.

Now with the acquisition of White Horse Contractors into The Slatter Group, clients can take advantage of an extended range of products and services from a single supply point.

In addition to the artificial turf pitches, synthetic multi-use games areas, netball and tennis courts, athletics tracks and artificial

cricket pitches with which S&C Slatter has earned an outstanding reputation, White Horse Contractors brings a whole range of skills and resource in natural turf sports grounds and outdoor leisure spaces. Land drainage systems, water and environmental engineering, and landscaping are key specialities.

Even your car parking, road and pathway requirements can now be handled – by the Group’s inhouse Surfacing & Civils team. The scope of The Slatter Group embraces design, planning,

construction and maintenance services for new build, refurbishment, enhancement and change of use projects of all sizes and complexity. The service reach is National.

Whatever your sports, active lifestyle or outdoor environment project, it’s just one call to Jason Douglass at The Slatter Group on 01635 345 210 or email jdouglass@theslattergroup.com www.theslattergroup.com

S & C Slatter

Times have changed. So have tools. And our new commercial range is all the proof you need. Take the EGO Power+ line trimmer. It’s powered by the most technologically advanced, petrol-matching, Lithium-ion battery system out there. It’s built stronger, with a carbon fibre shaft that’s as tough as it is light, and it’s engineered to handle the heavy strain of every day use. So don’t stick to what you know. Switch to the power of EGO

Toro irrigation saves water at Royal Birkdale during record heatwave

Royal Birkdale Golf Club saved 25% on water consumption during the 2018 heatwave thanks to Toro. The timing could not have been more fortuitous as Royal Birkdale Golf Club turned on its new Toro irrigation system in April 2018 just in time for one of the hottest summers the country has ever experienced.

Little did Chris Whittle, course manager at Royal Birkdale, know, as the tender process for a new irrigation system started in September 2017, that within weeks of installation a record equalling heatwave would hit the country.

As golf courses fought to prevent their turf from being burnt brown and water costs rose accordingly, Chris was in the fortunate position of having efficient, accurate and precise irrigation at his fingertips with a new Toro Lynx central control system and all new sprinklers, including Toro Infinity, across the 240acre 18-hole links course in Southport, Merseyside.

“Prioritising water allocation meant we kept the course playing well, looking fine and in the best possible health,” Chris explains.

The25%savingsisaconservative estimate, says Chris: “It was a figure that was unexpected in how significant it was. We hoped to make savings with the new system obviously, but not while we contended with extreme heat andlackofrain,theworstofwhich wehadn’tseeninyears!Whenwe realisedhowmuchwe’dsavedwe couldn’tbelieveit.”

Otterbine fountain at the heart of Ladbrook Park

Three impressive interconnecting lakes make up the centre of Ladbrook Park and with 12,000m 2 of water in total, it’s paramount a high-quality aerating system is in place to keep the water clear and healthy.

And for 15 years, Otterbine’s Sunburst aerating fountain has been more than up to the task, “The lakes are central to the course and provide the backdrop to many of our 18holes, so having a reliable

aerating fountain that keeps the water clean and clear, while also creating a striking centrepiece is of the utmost importance,” says course manager, Kevin Fellows.

“For 15 years, the Sunburst has given us everything we needed. When we first excavated the lakes in conjunction with a local contractor, there was a transition period when we had a lot of weed and algae build up which was causing problems and fixing that as

soon as possible was a real priority.” To combat this, the club worked with a water management company who recommended the Otterbine Sunburst fountain.

Everyone was confident the Sunburst was up to the task of keeping such a large body of water in good condition, and that confidence was well founded.

Otterbine

Makita holds back the water at RHS Chelsea

The 10th Welcome to Yorkshire garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019, designed by multi award-winner Mark Gregory, features an authentically built canal with flowing water and genuine canal lock gates.

A massive volume of water will be circulated by several Makita submersible water pumps that will ensure the towpath, lock keepers lodge and, importantly, RHS Chelsea’s Main Avenue remains safe, dry and disaster-free for the anticipated 157,000 annual visitors and members of the Royal family.

No less than ten Makita PF1110 submersible pumps will push the flow of water in the Welcome to Yorkshire garden.

Each pump will deliver a minimum of 250 litres of water per minute from a submersion depth of 5m, to a max head height of 10m.

These pumps have a stainless steel body making them suitable for draining muddy water, wells and tanks and are also ideal for lifting water for irrigation.

Each pump weighs 7kg, has an input wattage of 1100w and is available in 240V only.

Makita

Preventative approach works for Preston

GC

in reducing disease pressure, he also embarked on a full H2Pro TriSmart programme.

The breakfast clubs were arranged by ICL’s North West Technical Area Sales Manager Phil Collinson.

As a result of the meeting Andrew incorporated an early application of Medallion TL at a rate of 3L/ha prior to his annual renovation work.

To compliment Andrew’s preventative strategy and to assist

This unique wetting agent consists of a triple-active formulation which provides great control when it comes to moisture management.

“We apply TriSmart on the greens at 10 L/ha every 4 weeks from April through to September. 2018 was the year to find out which wetting agents really work and I can safely say that TriSmart has excelled.

“Since using the product I haven’t had any compromised

greens even during the hottest and driest periods. It also worth bearing in mind that I have an irrigation system which perhaps isn’t the best and the greens dry outveryquicklybecausetheyare sand based.

“However, I’ve managed my moisture levels incredibly well and TriSmart has done exactly what it says on the tin!”

Andrew claims that the research and trial work conducted by ICL and Syngenta was a big factor in him deciding to use the products.

ICL

“Not only that, but despite the need for more irrigation than we’ve experienced for many years, we made huge savings in water consumption.”

Reesink Turfcare

An ICL/Syngenta breakfast club meeting for Greenkeepers led Andrew Merry, Course Manager at Preston Golf Club, to change his mind-set when it comes to disease management.

Star Rubber Environmental is proud to introduce hand created 3D graphical animals that bring a new dimension to children’s play. Bringing children face to face with the bugs and different animals they see in nature, read about in books and watch on the tv! •Face to Face Play

to install

Factor

Crafted

Recycled

Made from 80% recycled rubber and the remaining percentage a quality EPDM rubber. Star Buddies offer a great new style of play to schools, nurseries, public parks and so many more environments.

Star Kerb Star Covers

This unique product has been designed to create the perfect transition from resin bound surfaces to tarmac or concrete, removing the age old problem of thermal shrinkage. An easy and mess free installation means it drastically increases installers site time productivity. StarKerb has proven to be a vandal resistant edge as well as a non trip definitive marination zone between play areas.

Can be used with:

The Star Cover is a quick and easy solution for the use of surfacing over existing drains and manhole covers within play spaces or new play areas. Made from high quality zinc and powder coated in a range of colours combined with simple installation means there is little need to drainage covers to spoil children’s play.

This Kerb provides an ultimate soft kerb edge between play surfaces. Easy installation makes this product simple and highly effective to use. Removing the issues of thermal shrinkage on edges whilst providing a professional finish to any play area.

Can be used with:

Best Of British

Headland celebrates 25 years in UK Turf and Amenity Market

As Headland Amenity approach the 25th anniversary since their entry into the UK turf and amenity market, the company has never been better placed to support its customers in their continual search for quality and improvement.

Trading started in September 1994 as a part of Headland Agrochemicals, a UK supplier of Seaweeds, micronutrients, adjuvants and chemicals into agriculture.

“Headland Amenity’s early product range was not as large as it is today, but featured some well-known names such as Multigreen and Seamac even then,” said Mark De Ath, Headland’s founder and current Operations Director.

“Our aim was to bring only good quality products to the market with a heavy emphasis on research and development.”

A management buyout in 2002 secured the future of the business and subsequent growth has established Headland as a major force in the UK market.

Today, as part of the Origin Amenity structure, Headland is able to utilise the groups own fertiliser manufacturing facility based on Humberside and trades with customers the length and breadth of the UK as well as throughout Europe.

“The company has come a long way since its inception in 1994, but the original ethos has not changed” says Mark.

“Providing effective products that give great results and backing that with excellent support and advice has served us well up until now and will, I’m sure, continue into the future.”

Headland Amenity

Timberplay scoop best Supplier award at NFAN Conference for the second year running

Timberplay were delighted to win the prestigious Best Supplier award at the 2019 NFAN Conference, held in Edinburgh.

The award was presented to Timberplay as a result of the ambitious waterplay facility, H2Odds, installed at Odds Farm Park in Spring 2018.

This jaw-dropping installation also came within a whisker of winning the Innovation Award, instead receiving the runner up, Highly Commended award.

Odds Farm Park have worked with Timberplay over the past six years, enhancing their play facilities year on year.

Working in collaboration with Odds Farm, Timberplay created designs for a water

play facility unlike any other, incorporating 500m² of water play, 80m of channels streams and pools and 28 distinct play features including locks, dams, the Archimedes Screw and Waterscoop Wheel.

This challenging play installation delivers an immersive water play experience and was a great hit with visitors over the Summer.

Ben Harbottle, Sales Director at Timberplay comments:

“The entire Timberplay team pulled out all the stops to deliver the new play facility and it was great to receive recognition for all their efforts.

“We enjoy a very good working relationship with Odds Farm Park.

They are very ambitious in their ideas and we enjoy working on their challenging briefs to deliver creative play solutions to exceed their expectations. We would like to extend our thanks to the Odds team and we look forward to seeing what they will do next.”

Weeding out the competition - British born, globally grown

British born Weedingtech, manufacturer of Foamstream, is leading the herbicide-free weed control revolution across the world.

The patented process has a unique insulating layer of biodegradable foam, made from natural plant oils and sugars, which sits on top of hot water.

This works by trapping the heat delivered by hot water on the plant for longer – ensuring a more effective kill compared to other alternative thermal processes.

Foamstream is used by many forward-thinking sustainablyfocused institutions around the globe such as local authorities, utility companies, educational institutions and leading contractors both in the UK and internationally.

Weedingtech work globally with Tier 1 partners to supply their innovative herbicide-free weed control technology across four continents.

Foamstream is safe for use around people, animals and delicate ecosystems including waterways.

With its dual-purpose weed control and cleaning functionality which includes power washing, gum removal and sanitisation, Foamstream allows customers to gain maximum value from their systems using them all year round, in any weather and on any surface, including hard, soft, porous and artificial.

Weedingtech

NFAN is the trade association for the farm attractions sector and the annual awards, the Farm Attraction ‘Oscars’, were held at a glittering dinner hosted by Scottish Radio and TV presenter Arlene Stuart.

Timberplay

Aggregate Industries scores a home win for Hearts FC

Leading Scottish football club Heart of Midlothian Football Club has upgraded its famed Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh with a new state-of-the-art hybrid pitch thanks to Aggregate Industries’ drainage stone, sand and rootzone.

Having used a natural grass pitch and without a full pitch replacement in over 20 years, Heart of Midlothian Football Club wanted to significantly invest in a state-of-the-art pitch that would give the first team the best playing surface possible.

Keen to invest in a robust pitch that will serve players and fans alike for years to come, Heart of Midlothian Football Club opted for the installation of a new £1m hybrid pitch combining natural grass with synthetic reinforcing fibres.

The pitch includes a comprehensive piped drainage system, stone layer, base sand and rootzone layer, along with an entirely new irrigation system and upgraded undersoil heating system.

Working with main contractor Carrick Sports Construction and surface specialists STRI, Aggregate Industries was tasked with supplying high-quality drainage stone, sand and rootzone on an incredibly tight schedule.

One of the main challenges included working within a restrictive traffic management plan and driving through narrow roads due to residential, commercial and school buildings surrounding the site.

An investment of this level demands the highest level of performance, hence the Aggregate Industries team at Levenseat Quarry in West Lothian suggested the use of a bespoke mix of solutions.

This included ProPitch Root Zone, a blend of quality screened topsoil and the firm’s ProPitch 25 medium-fine silica sand, to produce a high quality growing medium as well as the best aggregates for drainage.

During a four-week construction programme which commenced on 10 May 2018, Aggregate Industries delivered 1,800 tonnes of ProPitch Rootzone to create a 100mm top layer, 1,800 tonnes of ProPitch 25 to create a 100mm middle layer and 1,500 tonnes of 2-6mm aggregate to create a 100mmbottomlayerfordrainage.

With precise planning and working collaboratively with all project partners, Aggregate Industries was able to achieve consistent and punctual deliveries throughout the project, helping HeartofMidlothianFootballClub createthemostprecision-managed pitch in the world - on-time and to budget, while receiving glowing customerfeedbackintheprocess.

DuncanMcCool,salesmanagerat AggregateIndustries,said:

“As one of the most high-profi le pitch construction projects in Scotland, using the best quality materials is essential to creating a hybrid pitch that will truly stand thetestoftime.

“Wearedelightedthatourbespoke mix of drainage aggregates, sand and rootzone, as well as precisely scheduled deliveries, were able to meet the unique specifi cations of thisambitiousscheme.”

Aggregate Industries

Masters winner challenges Huxley Golf

So impressed with the impact that his Huxley Golf indoor putting green had on his game before going onto win The Masters, Danny Willett returned to the world leading golf surfaces company to challenge them to create a new practice area: one with a very specific brief.

The resulting practice area has been carefully crafted to create the contours and three-hole locations to give Danny a wide range of difficult wedge shots.

The back tee lines up to the centre of the green so that the front centre flag has exactly three yards

either side of it, allowing Danny to work on scoring as he practises. There are a further two tees and a fringe surround of varied width to create an interesting shape that blends well with its surroundings.

Measuring 900 sq. ft. (84 sq. mtrs.), the Huxley Golf team created

GreenMech to launch the next evolution of woodchipper

The ARB Show will see a new product launch from GreenMech that is set to be the next evolution of woodchippers.

Visitors to stands C8/9 and D8/9 will be the first to see the brandnew machine, which promises to extend GreenMech’s portfolio in the arb sector.

Alongside this, other highlights will include the recently introduced SURE-Trak 19-28, now available as a stand-alone model, and their petrol-powered Arb 150p chipper.

For occasions where operators encounter either challenging ground undulations, or where levels differ significantly between the two tracks, GreenMech’s new SURE-Trak 19-28 model safely overcomes both challenges.

The independent pivoting track assemblies allow each track to maintain contact with the ground while following the contours, to provide a surer footprint and improved stability.

The patent-pending pivoting track system allows safe traversing and climbing of slopes in excess of 35 degrees.

Its assistance in keeping the body of the machine level also protects the engine by keeping it within its approved manufacturer tilt levels.

GreenMech’s Arborist 150p, fitted with a 37hp Briggs & Straton Petrol engine, can offer comparable performance to the higher horse-powered diesel engine of the existing Arborist 150, but at a much-reduced cost.

It features a generous 970 x 790mm in-feed chute to accommodate a 150mm chipping capacity, while the 150mm x 230mm letterboxstyle in-feed throat opening makes light work of brash and heavily forked branches. The Arb 150p also comfortably meets the sub750kg towing restrictions.

All of GreenMech’s hydraulic machines are fi tted with their patented disc-blade system, providing up to 150 hours of chipping before re-sharpening is required.

They also come with a 3 Year, no-quibble warranty, the support of GreenMech’s wellestablished UK dealer network and a variety of flexible GreenMech Finance options.

GreenMech

the area using the company’s tournament quality Premier Nylon Golf Green – chosen for its superb ball reception and durability. The contours that Danny required were created while constructing the special base for the green.

Huxley Golf

Sherriff Amenity’s Marathon fertilisers help overcome 2018 drought

With prolonged heat and drought conditions challenging turf managers up and down the country, Tim Attwood, sports field groundsman at Beaudesert Park School in Minchinhampton, Stroud, believes that his use of Sherriff Amenity’s Marathon fertilisers have helped his turf to endure this testing period.

The school has excellent facilities which includes 15 acres of beautiful playing fields. Football is the main focus at the start of the spring term which is shortly followed by hockey.

Rugby is the major sport in the autumn term and as you would expect, cricket is prominent in the summer.

“I’ve used Marathon fertilisers on sites where I have worked before and they have just always worked,” he said. “They are also semi-organic which ticks a nice big box for me.”

The range of Marathon fertilisers feature a patented organic complex base that provides the extended release characteristics needed to give gentle root development without producing excessive top growth.

The slow release mechanism avoids soft growth that is more susceptible to disease attack whilst the high potassium content helps to harden turf against fungal pathogens and low temperature stress.

The British company with a global reach

Fleet Line Markers is the world’s leading manufacturer of Line Marking paints and machines.

Fleet is the only UK Company that manufactures a satellite guided line marker and a laser guided line marker.

Fleet have now announced the launch on May 1 2019 of the first environmentally friendly paint drum called the COG Drum system.

It has been awarded several accolades already since being previewed by different organisational trade bodies.

These awards include SAPCA Finalist, Packaging Innovation 2019 Finalist and a European Grant recognition for the potential lowering of Global CO2

The COG Aline is a new line marker available from Fleet and will be officially launched at the same time as the COG on May 1st 2019.

This economical, easy to use, environmentally friendly machine has been hugely successful in all its pre-launch demonstrations and the first 50 machines have already been allocated.

The COG drum is going to replace single use plastic in the Fleet range.

All 9 Fleet branded factories around the world will be adopting the COG drum over the next 24 months.

Iain McGuffie, CEO Fleet Line Markers Limited, who was also an organic farmer stated: “The effort and the cost to Fleet is a good investment.

“Not all investments are financial, especially having Grandchildren I would like Fleet tocontributeincleaningupsome of the damage single use plastics have created.

“Fleet, by reducing single use plastics, have a target to reduce globalCO2 pollutionoverthenext 5 years by 5,000,000 tonnes.”

The analysis has been further amended with ingredients to supply the correct balance of nutrients required by the turf.

With the analyses of each product in the range being geared to a specific growth stage or season, Tim incorporates three particular Marathon fertilisers into a year round maintenance programme.

Sherrif Amenity

JCB celebrates record number of contracts for apprentices

A record-breaking group of JCB apprentices had two reasons to celebrate during National Apprenticeships Week in early March.

A total of 79 apprentices were awarded their apprenticeship certificates – at the same time as getting coveted contracts of employment with the Staffordshire-based digger maker. The group is the biggest in the history of JCB to graduate as Level 2 and 3 apprentices in a single year. They received their awards from JCB directors at a special graduation ceremony at JCB’s World Headquarters, Rocester.

JCB has a long history of recruiting apprentices and this year marks 55 years since the first intake of nine completed their training and were presented with their apprenticeship certificates by company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.

JCB Chief Executive Graeme Macdonald: “Over the past five years JCB has invested £30 million into its training programmes with more than 700 new recruits joining the business as apprentices or graduates. Their commitment to learning has been exemplary and their hard work has paid off with the award of full-time contracts.”

JCB Director of Learning and Development, Max Jeffery said:

“The apprentices who have been awarded full-time contracts range from age 18 to 38 and include a former professional rugby player, pub landlord and cleaner as well former students from the JCB Academy. The diversity of this year’s graduating apprentices shows this is a great route into a new and promising career – no matter what your background, age or experience.”

Fleet Line Markers

JCB

COG Aline Marker

New from Hayter this spring is the Harrier 48 and 56 Pro models.

Hayter

blade design, as well as well as the much loved two-year warranty.

High performance from Addagrip

Addagrip approved contractor Resarf Flooring Ltd was asked to install a free draining Addaset resin bound surfacing system for the garden and landscaped area at the National Performance Centre, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

Pearl blend. The perimeters were cut back and the surface prepared before the addition of a graded overlay to suit the level requirements and edging detail.

This spring they are excited to launch the all new Harrier Pro. Designed for landscape professionals, the Harrier Pro mowers are robust, vigorous and flexible to enable users to tackle a variety of turfs with ease.

Standard features include the all-new cast Aluminium cutter deck, transmission system and

Other notable features are Hayter’s Vari-Pitch technology –a favoured feature from the Harrier 41 series and the EasyWash system to allow quick and easy cleaning access to the cutting chamber.

Available in dealerships from spring 2019.

Hayter

The Heriot-Watt Edinburgh Campus became home to Oriam, Scotland’s National Sports Performance Centre in 2016. The £33 million purpose-built sports facility provides a high tech training hub for a range of users including Scotland’s national football and rugby squads.

Due to the failure of an existing surface, the university was looking to replace the area with a quality paving system that would offer a decorative, durable, low maintenance, porous finish to the area overlooking the pond. The client selected a BBA certified Addaset resin bound surfacing option in a 6mm Scandinavian

The result is a stunning new contemporary looking, low maintenance, porous surface to suit the state-of-the-art sports facility.

Addagrip Terraco Ltd manufactures and formulates resin-based surfacing and flooring systems.

Founded in 1980 – the company established itself as a leading industrial resin flooring contractor, formulating a range of high quality products to meet industry requirements. Six years later it switched from contracting to supplying its world-class portfolio of products.

Addagrip

Johnsons supplies awardwinning holiday resort

Professional nurserymen

Johnsons of Whixley have supplied plants worth more than £75,000 for an awardwinning holiday development close to the glorious beach at Bude, Cornwall.

Johnsons supplied plants to Darwin Escapes for the modernisation of the company’s Sandymouth Holiday Resort, over a period of six months.

The supply included 9,000 shrubs and 8,000 hedging transplants, along with hundreds of herbaceous plants.

Johnsons of Whixley, based between York and Harrogate spanning150acresofland,isone of the UK’s largest and longestestablishedcommercialnurseries.

Johnsons of Whixley

Green-tech supply over 2,000 tonnes of Green-tree Topsoil

A newly built secondary school in the North East of England has had its sports pitch constructed and grounds landscaped by Brambledown Landscape Services, one of the UK’s leading Landscaping, Sports Pitch & Groundwork operations.

Brambledown Landscape Services turned to Greentech to supply premium grade Green-tree topsoil, specifically manufactured for high quality sports pitch application.

Green-tree advisers met with Brambledown Landscape Services and a soil consultant early in the supply chain process as the material needed to meet stringent requirements for agronomic make up and drainage.

It was agreed that the end product would be manufactured using Green Pas100 compost and selected sands.

The requirement was for over 2,000 tonnes of Green-tree topsoil to be supplied in a very narrow time frame.

The Green-tech team pulled together a comprehensive schedule to ensure that the topsoil was manufactured and stockpiled in a quarantined area; ready for the pre-validation testing that was required before input could commence.

Once the data came back as suitable and the soil was signed off, Green-tech organised haulage to fulfil the challenging schedule.

The Green-tech team worked closely with Brambledown to ensure that the deliveries were timely and kept pace with the gang placing and spreading the topsoil; ready for the drainage and turfing to be laid.

Green-tech

has designed and manufactured lawnmowers in their factory in Hertfordshire since 1946.

SCH Supplies continues to build on a rich tradition and solid foundations

In 1987, entrepreneur Andrew Rodwell noticed a gap in the market when he became frustrated at the lack of suitable lawn care attachments to fit to his garden tractor.

With the help and encouragement of Malcolm Vandenburgh at Wests Engineering Ltd, the pair set about designing and manufacturing a range of grass care machinery.

Before long, SCH (Supplies) Ltd was created and began selling machinery to the public from their workshop in Holbrook, Suffolk. Malcolm later continued with his core business at Wests.

To market and grow the company, SCH attended many garden machinery shows cross the country, talking to potential customers and machinery dealers, who sell products on behalf of SCH.

As of 2019, SCH have over 800 machinery dealers across the

UK and Europe, who drive the majority of SCH’s sales.

Andrew has always encouraged his staff for input on the companies’ products, which has been an essential driving factor to their profile of over 250 machines, ranging from grass care and flail mowers to trailers and leaf collectors.

There is a wide range of experience at SCH, as their 25 employees design, manufacture and deliver their products themselves.

After reaching the grand age of 80 last December, Andrew has decided to hand the reigns over to two of his long-term employees, Ian Holder and John Free, as he takes a wellearned retirement.

He’s happy to be leaving the thriving company with an annual turnover in excess of £1.5 million.

Ian and John have been with SCH for 14 years each, and will be adapting their previous roles as the works manager and accountant to run and oversee the company.

Andrew is sure they will continue his entrepreneurial spirit, as new and innovative products will be added to the SCH range in the coming years.

They are fortunate enough to have an enthusiastic and dedicated team to support them, including Alan Lawrence, who has helped smooth the transition by taking over many responsibilities of the works manager.

SCH produce over 50,000 copies of their free 80-page brochure, which contains their most popular products. Many of these have been inspired by the unique and innovative requests by customers over the past 33 years.

SCH Supplies

Blazing a trail for Britain

A multi award-winning British manufacturing company with a proud 80-year history as a market leader in hedgecutting and verge mowing machinery, McConnel is the world’s leading supplier of Power Arm technology.

McConnel designs, builds and tests a comprehensive range of reach arms, mowers and cultivators at its awardwinning Shropshire production facility.

It precision-engineers the vast majority of its components onsite and has achieved the UK’s ISO9001:2008 hallmark of quality management.

A successful export company with a worldwide reach, McConnel supplies machines to more than 50 different countries.

Its comprehensive product portfolio covers everything from huge 9.0m reach embankment mowers, self propelled crop sprayers to ALL-TERRAIN remote control machinery.

A key ingredient in McConnel’s success has been its commitment to innovation and quality, developing state-of-the-art products which have set new standards in the market and propelled the company to a series of accolades including the Queen’s Award for Technology.

McConnel also gives customers more choice than any other company - offering 12 distinct series of Power Arms, more than 15,000 build variations, as well as bespoke machines with a unique specification designed with the customer’s precise needs in mind.

Future growth plans will concentrate on the fastgrowing cultivation sector and on an already thriving export operation, where McConnel has forged strong partnerships with a highly committed network of international dealers.

McConnel

Demand for self-watering planters rises

Plantscape has developed a new nursery site in Yorkshire in response to rising demand for its self-watering planters and hanging baskets by towns, cities, In Bloom groups and BID organisations across the UK.

The new 10,000 sq ft facility in York will enable the company to produce another 1,200 planters a year.

Its current 100,000 sq ft nursery complex in Derbyshire grows plants for 12,500 planters. The new site, which consists of a large greenhouse and five polytunnels, will be used to service some of Plantscape’s contracts in the north and Scotland including historic walled cities York and Chester.

Plantscape

Dennis G860

Campey Turf Care recognises awardwinning dealers for 2018

Campey Turf Care Systems has announced their award-winning dealers for 2018 with George Browns named as Dealership of the Year.

The Bedfordshire company are joined by Finish dealer, NH Koneet, who was awarded Most Improved Dealer whilst German company Rasenwelt won European Dealer of the Year 2018.

George Browns has been selling Campey products from their six depots since 2002 and now offer the entire range from Dakota and Imants through to Raycam and Vredo.

For Browns, Campey products lend themselves to the hire market as much as they do retail sales, making them very popular with customers who recognise the impact they can have.

Jon Ryan, a member of the professional grass machinery sales team, collected the award on behalf of George Brown’s at BTME 2019 and appreciated the work of everyone at the dealership had been recognised.

“We were delighted to be named the Campey UK Dealer of the Year,” he said. “It recognises the work of everyone in our six depots and the combined efforts of the sales and hire side of the business who have come together to make a successful team.

“We started with Dakota TopDressers in 2002 following on with Vredo Seeders, Imants, Koro and Raycam. To be honest there aren’t many Campey products that we haven’t sold which says a lot about their products and us a dealership.

“It’s a balance between us and Campey as we go out and offer the products to our customers but Campey themselves bring enquires to us and that’s the bond between the dealership and the manufacturer, we also see that in their product support and knowledge.

“Campey offers a wide range of machines like the Koro FTM, Air2G2, ShockWave, and the Raycam SPEEDRESSER.

“All of the ranges are popular with our customers because they’ve come from an innovative and forward-thinking company that have seen the challenges faced by turf professionals and made a point of providing a solution.

“Because of that they are now a company that sets the trend of the industry rather than following it.”

Managing director of NH Koneet, Teemu Hakkinen, hopes the successfulrelationshipwithCampey will continue as new customers in Finland continue to adopt the exclusiverangeofmachines.

“It is an honour to receive this award. It refl ects the successful relationship we have had with Campeysovermanyyearsandthis is down to them supplying quality productswithanexcellentback-up service from a very reliable company,withexcellentpersonnel inthefi eldandatheadoffi ce.”

Rasenwelt’s impressive performance in 2018 also saw them named the European Dealer of the Year with the awardreceivedbySalesmanager Armin Langenmair and his team.

Campey Turf Care Systems

Marshalls achieves the BSI Kitemark for BIM Objects

Marshalls has become the first in its field to achieve the BSI Kitemark for Building Information Modelling (BIM) Objects.

Marshalls has been creating 2D and 3D models of its products since 2011, giving clients and customers access to a high quality library of accurate and detailed objects for their designs and schemes.

The achievement of the BSI Kitemark strengthens this work further; all digital objects have been through a strict assessment and confi rmed as highly accurate representations of the physical objects.

Not only does this enhance the credibility of Marshalls’ BIM library, it also gives the customer complete confi dence in using the objects at design stage, and then the products in real life.

Donna Garside, Technical Services & Design Team Manager from Marshalls said:

“BIM is and will continue to play an important role in the future of the construction industry.

“Marshalls recognise this, which is why we are committed to using the latest technology, allowing us to adapt the physical landscape in a digital environment.

In doing this we can inspire and share our vision with our customers.”

The fact that Marshalls is the first in the hard landscaping field to receive the BSI Kitemark, shows the business’ commitment to accuracy, detail and continuous improvement.

Andy Butterfield, Product Certifi cation Director of Built Environment at BSI said:

“We’re delighted that Marshalls has achieved this Kitemark which demonstrates that they have embedded BIM into their processes and are delivering high quality BIM objects.

“This scheme was developed by industry experts to give architects and designers the assurance that the BIM Objects they are choosing for their projects accurately represent the physical product, reducing the number of checks they will need to undertake throughout the project.

“The industry is highly competitive, therefore it’s really important that organisations can differentiate their products when tendering for BIM projects and to gain access to new markets.”

Marshalls

Dennis & SISIS Groundcare Seminar widely praised

For a number of years, the Dennis and SISIS pre-season indoor seminars have toured the country and have successfully seen over 1,800 ground staff in attendance. As they continue to grow in both size and reputation, the seminars are continually evolving with the people of the industry in mind.

Designed to educate those involved in groundcare on a variety of sports turf topics, this seminar signalled an exciting new chapter in the series and it certainly didn’t disappoint the two hundred and fifty strong audience which consisted of volunteers and professionals representing schools, sports clubs, local authorities and contractors.

The seminar was well supported by the industry and welcomed a number of key sponsors which included Bernhard and Company, Consolidate Turf, CricketWorld. com, Garside Sands, Harrod Sport, Headland Amenity, Limagrain UK, Poweroll, RT Machinery and SIS Pitches.

After an introduction from Dennis and SISIS’ Robert Jack, former Rugby Union star Kyran Bracken, arguably best known for his heroics in England’s victorious 2003 World Cup win, took to the stage to relay some

highly interesting and humorous stories about that memorable campaign in Australia.

It was then straight to business with back-to-back presentations from key speakers Rob Kendle (ATB Sports Solutions), Dr. Iain James (TGMS Ltd) and Alex Vickers (IOG consultant). Once refreshed, delegates settled into their seats for an afternoon feast of knowledge served by Chris Wood (ECB pitch consultant) and Keith Kent (RFU head groundsman, Twickenham).

The day concluded with a special recognition award by Tim Lamb, former chief executive of the ECB, to Chris Wood for his outstanding contribution to the game of cricket over the past 50 years, which also saw a standing ovation from the crowd. Keith Kent may well be responsible for one of the most prestigious stadiums in world sport but claims that every day should still be a learning day.

“I think that as part of everybody’s education every day should be a school day and a seminar such as this, where there are such high-quality speakers, is a vital opportunity to progress. For me, it is all about the education and that is why I’ve brought my staff along. I like them to see what I do because I don’t want to be the boss who just disappears.

Dennis & SISIS

Grown in Britain and supplied throughout the country

Boultons Nurseries are an established wholesale plant nursery propagating and growing plants for supply all over the UK.

We do our own propagation where possible ensuring a range of ‘British Grown’ plants. Shrubs are available throughout the year, with a planned programme of herbaceous plants flowering throughout the main growing season.

Boultons have many contacts with other nurseries enabling reciprocal trading and are able to source alpines, herbs, heathers, trees, bulbs and bedding.

Our plants have been used and continue to be specifi ed in many of Britain’s most famous gardens and parks.

As nurserymen, we embrace new technology and have been at the forefront of modern growing techniques, with a signifi cant shift to more environmentally

friendly ways of peat free plant production. Boultons is celebrating over 10 years as a ‘peat-free’ nursery.

Byusingournewcompostwecan deliver environmentally friendly peat free plants, throughout the UK from our nursery located in the heart of the country.

Our main areas of supply are Local Authorities, garden centres, large estates, The National Trust (who only buy peat-free plants), new house builds, landscapers etc.

Boultons remain committed to improving all aspects of growing plants in an environmentally friendly way, from in-house propagation, using peat free compost, reuseable pots and natural pest control while still achieving the high standards and quality plants expected by our customers.

Boulton Nurseries

Home-grown manufacturing expertise

There are over 250 years of British manufacturing experience between Thomas Elliott, Vitax and Supaturf. Thomas Elliott itself has been producing fertilisers in Britain for over 140 years.

In addition to this proud history, Vitax has been holders of the Royal Warrant for supplying the Royal Households for over thirty years!

From three manufacturing sites across Britain, Vitax supplies products to all of the horticultural, amenity and retail sectors of the market, winning the ‘Best Consumer Packaging Award of The Year’ awarded by GIMA, and GCA fi nalist in ‘Supplier of The Year Award’ in the retail category in 2018.

From quality composts for the grower, to bio stimulant turf health products for the greenkeeper and from rodent control to water soluble fertilisers, Vitax have the products to keep you going all year round. Backed with an impressive export record, Vitax is truly a global brand.

From the United States to Asia and on to the Middle East, the Vitax group of companies have unrivalled experience in global plant growth and health in an unending list of crops.

Go to www.vitaxamenity.co.uk, www.vitax.co.uk and www.thomas-elliott.co.uk for all of our products.

See our landscape mainenance range at www.kuhn-amenitypro.co.uk

Dennis and SISIS hosted its first dedicated Groundcare Seminar at St. Albans School, Woollam Trust Playing Fields with delegates all claiming it was a huge success.

Vitax

Tools for perfect pitches

When the going gets tough, the tough get specialist machinery for renovation.

Jane Carley looks at the latest trends in equipment for natural and synthetic turf.

Routine maintenance keeps pitches in good condition, but the requirement for play yearround, plus the increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, means that more intensive treatments may be needed to avoid waterlogging and keep grass growing.

Latest addition to Charterhouse Turf Machinery’s aeration portfolio is the OxyShot, designed to relieve compaction, improve drainage and revitalise growth. Maintaining a network of pores and fissures in the topsoil is essential for strong, healthy root formation and a free draining soil, explains the company.

The OxyShot uses a single 25mm probe to inject air into the soil in four directions, at a pressure of up to 110psi and to a maximum depth of 500mm.

It can also be fi tted with an optional 14mm probe, to reduce the working depth to 250mm.

The compact pedestrian unit can be easily transported to the desired location or problem areas to lift the soil, thus relieving compaction and improving drainage without the need for chemical applications.

The OxyShot is said to be an ideal tool in the armoury of groundsmen and greenkeepers for use on high traffic, high footfall areas including walkways, bunkers and greens.

Deep decompaction of sports pitches, golf courses and amenity areas is a contract service that has been offered by sports turf specialists Terrain Aeration for over 25 years.

The Terralift machine not only solves the immediate compaction problem, the process has a beneficial effect that lasts many years, says the company. A hollow probe is hammered one metre into the soil using a JCB road breaker gun, and once it has reached one metre depth, compressed air is released up to a maximum of 280psi, to fracture and fissure the soil.

The probe is withdrawn and the process repeated using two-metre centre spacings on a staggered grid pattern - this means that each shot interconnects with the previous ones. On the tail end of the air blast, dried seaweed is injected which sticks to the walls of the fractures and fissures and, over time, expands and contracts with the moisture content in the soil.

The 3cm probe holes created by the Terralift machine are backfilled with aggregate to provide a semi-permanent aeration/ventilation shaft, helping to keep the whole aeration process working.

Terrain Aeration

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

The top 2cm should be topped with the usual top dressing to encourage grass growth over the probe holes. No single machine will solve every compaction issue, suggests Campey Turf Care Systems, which offers a number of aeration options.

Being able to aerate without closing pitches has become increasingly important during busy winter periods, with the Air2G2 Air Inject working in wet conditions without disruption.

Whilst the machine can be used during wetter conditions to keep the root zone open, it can also be used effectively in a longterm maintenance programme, suggests Campey. The machine can also be used for prevention.

Stoke City Football Club head groundsman, Andy Jackson wanted to stop compaction building up around the under-soil heating pipes in his training pitches.

“The Air2G2 is really good with Desso construction pitches in preventing any compaction around the heating pipes and the lower profile. There’s no other machine we can use to do that job. It’s pedestrian operated so there’s no weight on the pitch, easy to use and you can aerate using varying amounts of air.”

“We also use it on the soil pitches because they are predominantly heavy clay, which means they can get quite hard in dry conditions and very wet during the winter.”

Where thatch causes drainage issues, the Imants RotoKnife is a valuable tool, suggests Campey.

“It is a versatile, effective linear aerator designed to relieve surface compaction, improve aeration, reduce thatch build up and remove surface water.

“The disc rotoshaft can be set in five positions offering flexibility in working depth and linear spacing, allowing deep slitting to a depth of 150mm or shallow slitting at 50mm spacing. The RotoKnife is an ideal root zone enhancement tool for both warm and cool season grasses and can even be used as a surface smoothing roller.”

Campey has been a longstanding advocate of linear aeration and the benefits it gives to the root zone without causing major disruption to the turf (see case study on next page).

A combination of airinjection and linear aeration is recommended, with Campey product specialists available to give advice on specific aeration questions. The 4GCS is a versatile pitch maintenance system, suggests SCH (Supplies).

“A single pass allows up to four operations to be carried out simultaneously, including surface aeration, dethatching, brushing and rolling, which when combined together, enable groundsmen to prepare and maintain the pitch to a high standard, in very little time,” says the company’s Sam Elliss.

Campey Turf Care

“It is an ideal unit for general pitch grooming/maintenance on both sports fields and fine turf.

The star-shaped slitters pierce the surface to increase drainage and promote root growth.

The brush and rake tines tickle over the surface to remove thatch and enhance the quality and appearance of the area. The rear roller firms up the surface and gives that much sought-after striping.”

A weight tray is incorporated in the design which gives the option to add top weight to vary the penetration depth of the slitters. All three tools can be adjusted by individual screw jacks for depth and pressure, and the side wheels lower for transport.

The four attachments can be arranged in any order and can be lifted out of use when not required.

Latest addition to GKB Machines’ armoury is the Top Air, a slitter/aerator designed to minimise surface disturbance and work at high forward speeds, and available in 1.22.4m working widths.

“The Top Air features a frontmounted roller, which helps to true and level the surface without closing the slots as a rear roller would,” explains UK sales manager Tom Shinkins.

“The standard slitting tines can be swapped for discs which make a continuous slit in the turf, useful for chafer grub control. Popular for both sports fields and golf greens, Tom explains that the Top Air was developed by GKB’s contracting arm, which was frequently asked to roll and slit pitches.

“Using the Top Air, both operations can be carried out in one pass, useful for amenity managers with limited time or staff,” he points out. “GKB has recently built one to order for Harrow School with a narrower working width and fitted with the discs.”

The DZC 600 pedestrian Overseeder from Eliet can now be supplied with tungsten tipped blades for a longer life and reduced downtime. Tested and approved by STRI, the Eliet Overseeder can renovate tired and thin grass, giving a visible result in less than a month, explains Scott Lelliott from importer PSG Groundscare.

Case Study

ShockWave saves fixtures

Chris Shepard, Head Gardener at Ribble Council has 14 sports pitches and the fields at Clitheroe Castle to look after as well as other non-sports areas across the Ribble Valley.

He explains: “There were some pitches that had standing water, but it had got to a point where we needed to do something regarding drainage for all of them and we thought that the ShockWave was the way to go to get better use in the winter periods.”

“There was one area that would always hold water but that’s gone now.

“It’s still a bit softer underfoot than the rest of the field but you’re not squelching water like you would have been.

“Once we go on that area again, we’ll be able to go deeper and get down to 45cm.”

The ShockWave is specifically designed to revitalise heavy wear areas by relieving soil compaction and in turn improve aeration and remove surface water.

In work, the linear aerator causes very little disturbance,

so play can continue virtually straight away.

For Chris this is an important factor when deciding when to deploy the machine because it can be used close to fixtures to provide maximum benefit without any risk of causing injury to players.

The ShockWave comes in five different models with the depth ranging from 120380mm.

Often it is best to start at a shallower depth to relieve compaction before setting the machine to go deeper on a second run and alleviate any remaining problem areas.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has invested in an Imants ShockWave to help alleviate compaction and prevent cancellations.

Campey Turf

“The grass will be available for normal use immediately after overseeding, which for customers including golf clubs, cricket clubs and football clubs is extremely important,” he says.

The cutting blades at the front of the machine open 10 to 15mm deep grooves in the surface in preparation for the grass seed.

They rotate over the top and cast soil in an arc to the rear of the machine so that it does not fall into the newly cut grooves. Seed is carried under the projected excess soil by the Helix Seed DuctTM distribution system, into small funnels leading to outlets precisely located above the clean grooves.

A small air pressure generator blows air through the seed funnels, helping the seed to settle faster and with more precision in the grooves.

A powered rubber roller immediately follows the seed distribution process and ensures that there is good contact between the soil and the seeds by pressing the earth down. Now part of the Redexim stable, turf managers can take advantage of BLEC’s proven range of renovation equipment.

The BLEC Laser Grader is aimed at turf professionals who require a strong, accurate grader designed to cope with demanding conditions.

All models are manufactured to a high standard using quality materials to ensure long life, with proportional electric/ hydraulic valves fitted to deliver smoothness and accuracy.

The 1500TPP model features a 1.5m working width and has six ripping tines for the loosening of heavily compacted ground. The frame features four wheels with each pair controlled by their own hydraulic cylinder, giving the operator the ability to use the machine for dual grading or alternatively, all four wheels can be locked for single grading.

Complete with its own Briggs & Stratton engine, it can be towed by prime movers already used on site, such as a bunker rake.

Particularly suited to work on the golf course, it is used to accurately grade the surface to a tolerance of +/-2mm.

All models within the Laser Grader range are set up to accept any make of laser equipment, though a laser control box and receiver can be specified. Larger models offer up to a 2.4m working width, with the contractor in mind.

Synthetic surface maintenance

Many older synthetic playing surfaces which were sold with the promise of being ‘maintenance-free’ are now deteriorating and require more comprehensive renovation, suggests GKB Machines.

One of the most sought-after machines in GKB’s range is the Renovator, aimed at pitches which have received inadequate routine maintenance and have become compacted, affecting ball roll and leading to waterlogging and burns to players.

“The Renovator actually developed from our Rotobrush, which is used to remove debris such as moss and fallen leaves from the perimeter of pitches,” explains Tom Shinkins. “We realised it decompacted well, so the twin rotary brush design was enlarged to make 1.2, 1.6 and 2m versions.”

Infill is brought to the surface and the carpet fibres lifted by the brushes before the rubber crumb is brushed back in, reducing bounce and roll to meet with FIFA standards.

Case Study Seeders key to course development

The club has undergone a transformation in recent years, including a push towards increasing Fescue cultivars into the greens and fairways. Head Greenkeeper David Childs says: “Our sward conversion programme has been in place for three seasons and was kickstarted alongside investment in new machinery,” he explains.

“We went for the Redexim Verti-Seed 804 for the greens as we were impressed with the gear system which meant we could accurately control the amount of seed the machine was putting out.

“For fairways, we chose the larger Redexim Overseeder 1275.” The current regime involves a double pass on the greens, in August and October.

“The Verti-Seed is a really simple machine to set-up and leaves a nice smooth finish, which is key for the work on the greens.

“Because the seed is delivered straight down into the soil profi le, we’ve been achieving fantastic uptake, even in the drier conditions.

Following the work, the surfaces look great again in as little as a week which, as September is a very busy time for us, is important.”

Two passes are also conducted with the Overseeder on the fairways later in the calendar, to capitalise on the increased moisture content therefore helping to maximise uptake.

“We estimate it’s going to be another three years or so on the current programme before we will then reassess.

Increasing the fescue content will ultimately reduce our reliance on feeds and water, which will be positive for us.

The Redexim machines are vital in achieving that outcome and to date, they’ve been producing the results we’ve been looking and hoping for.”

Norfolk’s Sheringham Golf Club has called on a duo of seeders from Charterhouse Turf Machinery to help their aim of achieving

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Removing this as and when it occurs is the most effective way to prevent this material reaching the bottom of the carpet, which can ultimately cause issues with compaction and drainage.

The Verti-Clean picks up surface debris with a rotating brush, powered by ground wheels, and throws it onto a vibrating sieve.

The sieve filters any infill material back on to the playing surface, whilst retaining the debris and collecting it in a lightweight hopper, that can easily be removed for emptying. The finish is a revitalised surface with clean infill.

A Verti-Clean 1500 has been used at Scotstoun Stadium since September 2017. Head Groundsman Paddy Ferrie was recently crowned the winner of the ‘Best Maintained Artificial Surface’ category at the IOG Awards.

Case Study Wiedenmann the choice of leading contractor

Specialist sports turf contractor Premier Pitches has added a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD to its machinery list, specifically for work at renovation time.

Director, Jonathan Woolfall, of the Sheffield firm which won The IOG Contractor of the Year in 2016 & 2017, said: “A lot of clubs want deep aeration built into endof-season packages.

“We bought this machine principally to use during the renovation period, so mainly April, May and June.

“When you do renovations there can be many tractor and trailer movements across a pitch which inevitably lead to compaction.

“After we’ve put the sand and seeds in the ground, an efficient deep tine with the GXi8 helps air circulate below the surface, then, we just leave it alone.

“It’s a good way to conclude such works. We needed to replace a machine so, with dealer Balmers GM, we looked about to see what was available.

“I felt that the precision and build quality of the GXi8 were second to none.

“It’s light, fast and easy to transport around the country on a small truck. We bought it with the knowledge that it will be with us for a very long time.”

Easy tool-free adjustments mean that heave and depth settings can be finely tuned to suit conditions.

Importantly, the GXi8 HD offers Advance Tine Control a uniquely patented feature which makes sure the tines’ incision into the ground is always precise leaving a neat finish. It has a working depth of up to 250 mm and covers a whole pitch in less than three hours.

GKB Machines

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Wiedenmann

“Because of the pitch’s surroundings, at certain times of year we get a lot of leaf-fall and debris on the surface, for which I needed something that can conduct a more thorough clean.

With this machine I can work at a nice steady pace, collecting any leaves or debris before they become embedded into the pile.”

SCH (Supplies) Ltd recommends its Triangular Brush to carry out routine maintenance on artificial playing surfaces and natural grass.

The implement has been redesigned for 2019, and features a double width brush at the back, as well as a significant improvement to the steelwork that secures the brushes.

The Triangular Brush gives artificial and natural grass areas that vital ‘scratch’ in between major services, enabling groundsmen to prepare and maintain pitches to a high standard, in very little time.

A weight tray is incorporated in the design so that top weight may be added to aid penetration on heavily compacted surfaces.

When in operation, the brush is dragged by a chain attached to the towing vehicle. The wheels on the upper side of the brush make it an easy task to transport it to the storage area - simply turn the brush onto its wheels.

A removable clevis hitch is used during transportation in order to give the brush stability.

Case Study

Ventrac versatility scores at Tottenham Darren Baldwin, Head of Playing Surfaces and Estates at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, is finding a Ventrac compact tractor and a selection of attachments useful to help maintain the 77-acre Premier League training complex.

“The Ventrac’s biggest attribute is its versatility. It’s one tractor but there’s a whole range of applications that it can be used for,” he explains. As well as a mower deck and trencher, the Ventrac has been supplied with two brushes.

“One we set hard for the roads, car parks and paved areas, while the other is set soft for our synthetic pitches. The 2017-18 winter was particularly harsh with a lot of snow through January and February and it’s been brilliant removing the snow from our synthetic pitches and the roadways, enabling us to keep the site open; probably the best piece of kit I’ve had to help keep the site operational.”

This rugged workhorse is built to tackle the toughest jobs and delivers outstanding cutting performance time after time. Toughness and strength are brought together with incredible zero-turn agility making light work of cutting around any obstacle. The GM7200 from Toro, gives you more in every way. reesinkturfcare.co.uk

More mobility. More agility. More control. Experience zero-turn technology from Toro.

Ventrac

SCH Supplies

Kioti has the ideal machine

The

Three

Manufactured in the UK to take on the world

Manufactured in Wessex’ own factory in the UK the CRX-320 is an exceptional mowing experience.

Full width rollers front and rear and 3.2m wide, it’s nothing short of a precision cut and outstanding stripe. Keeping the rollers as close as possible maximises

ground contour following, with excellent floating capabilities to closely hug the undulations.

The renowned CRX swing tip Gold Cut blades give you the superb cut and make for easy maintenance, while the wideangle PTO gives you tight-turn

capabilities for increased manoeuvrability. All you need is a 35hp tractor and only one spool valve, which makes it economical to operate with the simplest machinery.

Wessex International

saving and reduces unnecessary noise levels making a better work environment.

A full choice of tyre options including specialist turf wheels ensures that the sward is protected. Kioti

Contact your local KUHN Amenity Pro dealer or visit our website for more information on our product range of amenity sprayers, shredders, spreaders, landscape maintenance and tillage equipment.

www.kuhn-amenitypro.co.uk

SIS Pitches shortlisted for Best Technology for Elite Performance award

SISGrass hybrid technology has been recognized in the Best Technology for Elite Performance category in the 2019 Yahoo Sports Technology Awards.

This year, once again, seeing fierce competition with entries representing 50 sports from 30 countries doing battle. The complete shortlist sees NASCAR, Hawk-Eye, Sky and FIFA, STATSports and SIS Pitches lining up to take the silverware.

The winner will be revealed on May 2. In the meantime, SISI

Pitches is continuing to showcase its work through its new hybrid grass VR experience.

It provides users with a virtual reality tour of the SISGrass Universal installation at The Oval

Stadium.SISGrassUniversalisa revolutionary innovation, able to changehybridpitchprovisionfor cricket and golf surfaces.

SIS Pitches

New Lawnflite PRO –mows professionally fast

The Lawnflite PRO range of lawnmowers have been designed and built for professional users who need a powerful, reliable machine for their demanding workloads.

New for 2019 is the Hydrostatic Roller Lawnmower, the 553HRSP-HST.

Developed specifically for the UK market, the lawnmower boasts a Hydro Max Speed drive which produces a fast ground speed of 1.8 metres per second, making it 50% faster than the non-hydrostatic model.

The advanced, quiet, fanassisted collection system ensures a superior quality of cut, right across the wide 15mm to 77mm cutting range and the smooth steel roller produces a beautifully traditional striped finish to the lawn.

The 553HRSP-HST also comes with a ‘Blade Brake Clutch’ which stops the blade from turning while

the engine is still running so the grass bag can be emptied; coupled with a large heavy duty 75 litre fabric catcher which enables longer mowing time – this mower saves time and hassle.

The heavy duty die-cast alloy deck, built for professional use, is rustproof, adding to the longevity of the machine and the shaft driven gearbox offers extra durability – all powered by a commercial-grade 163cc Honda engine.

Sealed roller bearings, strong handles, and a front mounted bumper for extra protection against accidental damage add to making this the ideal machine for professionals who want to get the job done quickly.

Everything has been thought through to make sure that users have an enjoyable and comfortable experience using the 553HRSPHST, whilst still producing a fast, professional finish.

Toro introduces new ProStripe 560 Mower

The Toro Company is launching the new ProStripe 560 striping mower.

The model is designed with premier sports venues, municipalities, resorts and golf clubs in mind; combining the benefits of a precise cut and clean striped finish with the simplicity of a walk power mower.

The compact lightweight design is ideal for striping smaller

areas of turf whilst offering added precision, productivity, reliability and durability

Key features include a two-piece ribbedrollerfortheperfectstriped finish, a 3-speed Blade Break Clutch transmission system, and the exclusive MatchCut™ technology to quickly fine tune the cutting height.

Toro

Husqvarna Automowergive your business more time

The Husqvarna Automower 500 Series is a range of robotic mowers specifically developed for the needs of commercial customers.

The mowers allow grassed areas to be maintained efficiently and to a consistently high standard whilst enabling the redeployment of resources onto more labour intensive tasks.

The range produces no direct emissions and are near silent making them ideal for night time operation or in noise sensitive areas. They are also extremely cost effective to operate.

Three models are available with area capacity up to 5000m2 per machine. Multiple machines can be used in areas greater than 5000m2

The new Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD allows slopes of up to 70% to be maintained as well as rough terrain, the standard models have slope performance of 45%.

The robotic mowers are designed to cut little and often recycling the micro-clippings back into the soil improving grass quality whilst maintaining a consistent grass length throughout the growing season.

Husqvarna Fleet Services which is a fleet management tool is in-built on the Automower 500 Series. Performance, settings, locations and machine health of an entire fleet of Husqvarna robotic mowers can be tracked from anywhere using the software solution.

Husqvarna

E P Barrus

Etesia launch two new professional pedestrian mowers

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

The PHTS3 is a single speed self-propelled mower, while the PHE3 is a push variant.

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

The Honda GCV Series of engines provide best in class power and torque with easy and reliable starting with reduced noise and vibration levels.

Easy service and maintenance with large petrol filler cap allowing operators to view the fuel level while filling, extended oil dip-stick makes filling easier and a host of other features expected from a professional machine.

Extremely versatile, both new models are capable of mowing with or without collection in all conditions, or for high-quality mulching with the addition of a mulching plug kit accessory (PR46E).

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

One main feature of these models is the ‘one cut’ principle. This means the grass is only cut once before being sent to the grass box.

The benefits of this are reduced power consumption from fast deck material ejection and secondly, as it is not multi chopped, the grass does not stick to the cutting deck in the same way as multi-cut grass does preventing unwanted blockages.

The grass box is manufactured out of the same Xenoy compound as the cutting deck for maximum strength and comes complete with fill indicator.

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

“We have gone back to basics with these two new models and to what people expect from an Etesia mower – robustness, reliability and able to cut, collect or mulch in any weather condition,” commented Etesia UK Managing Director Les Malin.

“They both have the Xenoy cutting decks which have proved so popular with contractors, landscapers and

AS 940 SHERPA 4WD RC: THE WORLD‘S FIRST RIDEON MOWER WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND REMOTE CONTROL

Mow difficult terrain safely For more than 50 years AS-Motor have been working continuously on new technologies and the systematic further development of its mowers. We are proud to present this unique mower to our customers, the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC the world’s first ride-on mower with remote control. For significantly more safety and convenience on steep slopes, on difficult terrain, on areas that are difficult to access, and wherever mowing was previously too difficult. Whether in manual operation or remote controlled, with the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC you mow high grass and steep slopes conveniently, safely and economically

local authorities and we are very hopeful that customers will see the benefits of reduced maintenance costs and extra reliability.

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

www.as-motor.com

PSD Groundscare Ltd Tel: 01282 856819 Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com Web: www.psdgroundscare.com

Compact Spider mower capable of 55°

The new Spider X Line is their smallest commercial machine to date, offering a compact profile with huge performance.

The unique wheel stowage design enables the incorporation of a specially designed terrainfollowing mowing deck, giving you a consistent, high quality cut on the most uneven turf.

The

professional approach

to ground care...

The X Line includes all the benefits of a larger Spider slope mower in a 1m2 sized machine, enabling users to get the very best performance while being able to transport the mower easily on a trailer or in the back of van.

With an integrated winch, until now only seen on the larger Spider mowers, the X Line is capable of mowing slopes up to 55° - that’s 17° more than the worlds steepest ski slope, Harikari in Austria – which boasts an eyewatering 38° pitch.

The remote control removes the operator from the working area of the mower, away from noise and vibration. Not only that, the X Line can mow at speeds of up to 6 km/h with a 65cm mulch cutting deck, meaning you can cut more grass in less time.

Unique to Spider is the ‘Dancing Step’ drive system, which enables the X Line to move with zero turn capability. This is supremely useful when mowing around obstacles or when coming up against boundaries, saving time on each turn compared to other robotic mowers.

Finally, in addition to its powerful Honda GXV390 10.2hp petrol engine, the X Line boasts a lightweight chassis and four-wheel drive, giving it exceptional traction with gentle treatment of turf even in wet or soft conditions and eliminating erosion on slopes.

Etesia

TH White

Dennis G860 a game-changer for Wolves

A new strategy devised by the owners of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, has resulted in the club purchasing three new Dennis G860 cylinder mowers.

It’s an exciting time for the West Midlands based club; when the new owners took control last year part of their strategy was to place a big emphasis on the style of football they wanted Wolves to play. As a result they were committed to investing in the surface at Molineux Stadium.

A state-of-the-art Desso Grassmaster hybrid pitch, which is used by top clubs across

Europe, was installed shortly after the new owners’ arrival. Secondly, it was time to look at upgrading the turf maintenance machinery.

“When the option came to invest in new machinery, we jumped at the chance of going back to Dennis,” says Anthony Parker, deputy head groundsman. “Certainly for me, I’ve come from a private school background where I have been brought up on Dennis machines.

“We also used to use the Dennis Premier here on our old fibre elastic pitch. However, the Desso Grassmaster is renowned for

being a bit firmer so we decided to go for the Dennis G860 when the new pitch was installed.”

Lightweight at just 166kg; it is easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for - throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive. The mower also features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion.

The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette

system to assist with a wide range of tasks.

With a simple one-minute changeover, users have the option of fitting thirteen different types of cassettes including scarifi ers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as six, eight or eleven bladed cutting cylinders.

“We purchased three G860’s with the full range of cassettes which gives us so much versatility,” says Anthony.

“We use them on a daily basis. The verticutting unit is used quite regularly to clean out the surface and we really see the benefi ts from this. The brushes are a great option too and we use the machines at both the stadium and the training ground.

“With three mowers we now double cut on match days and the G860’s are perfect for presentation and getting a quality finish every time. They create the ideal pitch suitable for how the owners want the team to play.

“Dennis mowers are simply renowned for being a quality piece of kit and the equipment speaks for itself. They are really user friendly and since we’ve had them all of the team have been really impressed.”

Dennis

STIHL professional mower range grows

STIHL has introduced a new range of RM 756 series petrol powered lawn mowers to its expanding range of highperformance professional models, designed to tackle the toughest grass cutting jobs with ease.

Packed with innovative features to make landscaping tasks simple, the new RM 756 series all utilise a powerful and robust Kawasaki engine that is built to last, as well as a three litre fuel tank to offer professional users long running times.

There are three levels of specification for the 7 series: the RM 756 GS with 3 speed drive and a dual handlebar, RM 756 GC with 3 speed drive and mono handlebar or the RM 756 YC with hydrostatic drive and mono handlebar.

On the YC and GC models, the solid mono handlebar ensures users can empty the tough fabric 80-litre grass bag with ease, whilst low vibration figures across the range allow the mower to be used in comfort for a full working day.

The mowers also features height adjustable handlebars to meet the requirements of any professional.

The RM 756 series feature a brake bladeclutchmechanismtoincrease working speed by allowing the grass catcher bag to be emptied whilst leaving the engine running, or allowing the user to move the mower from area to area whilst utilisingthedrive.

The 54 cm deck housing is made from high quality magnesium to maintain durability and reduce weight, where as the full size polymer deck insert offers impact protection, further

® line of all electric precision mowers was designed to be user-adjustable to match the conditions of any given day. From the dynamic return floating head mechanism to the variable clip speed, height of cut adjustment and moveable bedknife the INFINICUT® provides more functionality than any other pitch mower. Combine that with today’s highly technical approach to pitch construction and unpredictable microclimates, the INFINICUT® ensures a healthy turf while providing an unrivaled quality of cut.

Introducing a new Fixed Head option

Engineered for flat surfaces, the new fixed head mower provides the same cut quality without sacrificing precision, all at an unmatched value.

Has petrol had its day?

Following the successful launch of the Pellenc Rasion Basic and Smart models, the company has announced the latest pedestrian rotary mower in the range – the Pellenc Rasion Easy.

The Rasion Easy is a combination of the previous two models as Etesia UK managing director Les Malin explains:

“We found that the manual operation of the Rasion Basic has been more appropriate to commercial operators yet they also liked the self-propelled element of the Rasion Smart.

For this reason, Pellenc has launched the Rasion Easy – a combination from both of the previous models.”

The Rasion Easy has an IP54 water rating and features a grass density detector – a patented feature exclusive to Pellenc which allows the mower to detect the height and density of the grass and change the engine speed accordingly.

This saves power as operators do not have to run the machine under full-load unnecessarily A cutting width of 60cm with height of cut between 25-75mm, 70 litre

grass box capacity and two front swivel wheels ensure the Rasion Easy is ultra-manoeuvrable.

Weighing less than 30kgs and folding handlebars means that transportation between sites is effortless.

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 is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

Etesia UK

Versatility and durability are key

The versatility of remote control mowers is generating sales from contractors looking for a power unit to work safely in testing conditions.

Kilworth’s Green Climber remote control unit is winning orders for improved safety on roadside work. The machines are getting more powerful too, with 75hp versions rivalling the leading slope mowing tractors. Green Climber machines are generally specified with a flail

mowing attachment, which produces a tidy finish but can mulch saplings up to 5cm diameter, comments Mark,

but a lighter flail or heavy duty mulcher can also be supplied.

Kilworth

Remote machines to tackle all terrains

Simon Tullett Machinery offers RoboFlail tracked remote control machines in four variants -the Mini, the RoboFlail One Petrol, the RoboFlail One Diesel and the RoboFlail Vario.

The Mini is has a 50cm cut using an underslung rotary deck; the RoboFlail One is avaiable in petrol and diesel versions and has a 1.2m cut underslung STM deck for cutting in either direction.

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

The RoboFlail One Petrol is a lighter weight machine than the larger outfront remote control mowers on the market; and coupled with its new deeper profile herringbone tracks designed to minimise slipping in wet conditions, this looks to account for a steady rise in sales in recent months.

The machine comes with a UK-built three-blade rotary deck slung directly underneath, which makes for a compact design that’s useful for transporting and planning cutting patterns.

It can be used to cut grass up to 60cm high, but can also leave a neat regular cut down to 7.5cm.

Simon Tullet Machinery

Allett’s introduces an electric Evolution

Allett’s C34 Evolution is a large area, walk behind cylinder mower that utilises the latest Lithium Ion system battery technology.

The company maintains the C34 Evolution will drive the future of mowing systems for sports stadiums, training grounds and prestige lawns, without compromise and with all the attributes of the Allett heritage.

The battery system will power the 86cm mower, without a reducing performance, for over six thousand square metres (1.5 acres) per charge and changing batteries takes less than thirty seconds. While the battery drive and chassis design are brand new, the C34 Evolution is fully compatible with Allett’s turf maintenance system.

There’s plenty of power to drive interchangeable cartridges to scarify, rake, aerate, brush and verti-cut and it takes less than one hour to recharge batteries.

Electric power for the professional brings a whole range of benefits. Primarily there’s no noise, no emissions at the point of use, less maintenance and easier controls.

Couple this with no fuel management and storage requirements, no pull start and a lower lifetime cost of ownership and it’s easy to see why the Allett C34 Evolution has its place in groundcare, turf management and sports stadiums; particularly when they are enclosed.

Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) is also much reduced, allowing longer operating times. There is variable speed control and touch button control to give half speed reduction for turning and manoeuvring.

Built-in back-lapping gives the ability to keep blades sharp for cleaner cutting and quiet operation.

Using Lithium Ion technology in the C34 Evolution, with the latest brushless motors and controllers, gives extended discharge times. The cost of a complete charge is only 0.40p and maintenance is kept at a minimum.

The bonus is the batteries from this mower can also be used to power other equipment such as brushcutters,chainsaws,blowers and long-reach hedgecutters.

Allett

Trimax announces the Snake Series 2

Trimax Mowing Systems has announced the world launch of the Snake Series 2. The S2 is set to significantly up the stakes in the golf and sports turf mower sector. The new machine comes with many of Trimax Mowing System’s most significant and innovative advances as standard.

The Snake was meticulously designed from the ground up, utilising 30 years of innovation, refined engineering practice and customer insights.

Designed specifically for golf fairway and rough maintenance, its success has been unparalleled, and Trimax Snakes are now found at many of the world’s most prestigious golf courses.

With its high manoeuvrability and floating deck design, which handles undulating turf

without scalping, it wasn’t long before other sports clubs and municipalities recognised the value of the Snakes capabilities.

Trimax designs and builds machines which deliver low total cost of ownership and long commercial life. Greasing, cleaning, servicing, washing and adjusting all eat into active mowing time. Their mission is to minimise or eliminate down time where ever possible and keep your mower doing what it was bought for – cutting grass.

The S2’s new features include: wider cutting option; LocTEK Roller Retention System is standard; thicker roller tubes, auto belt tensioning; maintenance-free pivot bushes; and PTO fitting and removal is now easier thanks to increasedclearance.

New Portable Power from Takeuchi

Takeuchi’s new Takeuchi TB225 offers the latest compact mini in the towable weight class.

It offers landscapers a far more powerful yet legally towable option – compact in size with the advantage of extendable tracks. In both cab and canopy the TB225 comfortably works within towing restrictions; weighing-in at just under 2400kg cab or 2265kg canopy, there’s plenty of room for attachments and materials on the trailer.

Maximum productivity is guaranteed, the TB225 comes with 16.5kW of power, 19.3kN of digging force and breakout of 12.8kN; far more powerful than other mini excavators in this weight class.

It comes with familiar expandable tracks for maximum access; taking the machine from a very narrow 1100mm up to 1500mm.

TB225 features joystick proportional control. The thumb operated slider on the joystick gives maximum precise variable hydraulic control, ideal for auxiliary attachments including augers and grabs.

This feature is common on larger excavators and now Takeuchi have added this popular feature to the towable range. To meet the higher demands of safety across construction and utilities Takeuchi’s TB225 is ready for lifting with the audible lifting

check valves on both boom and dipper, fitted as standard. For added asset protection the TB225 comes with the TSS Takeuchi Security System fitted as standard.

Cub Cadet Europe sponsors La Liga

Cub Cadet has launched a twomonth sponsorship campaign with the most prestigious football league in Spain, La Liga.

The company made the investment to tie in with its innovative, precision, high-quality Infinicut lawn mower range, suitable for cutting sports turf and pitches.

During matches running through to May 19, a series of animated stadium ads will be on display around the pitch with the slogan ‘Cub Cadet –Mow Like a Pro’.

These commercials will be broadcast across European TV channels,

as well as exclusively on ITV4, which means that they will be seen by millions of viewers.

Trimax P

Takeuchi

Cub Cadet

Growth sees Reesink Turfcare expand customer service offering

Reesink Turfcare, the UK distributor for top turfcare brands including Toro, TYM Tractors and Otterbine lake and pond aeration, has invested in six new service vehicles for its mobile technicians.

With the up-to-date and extended fleet, Reesink is now more equipped than ever to provide customers with an effective and dependable service, says Reesink’s operations manager David Jackman.

“By investing in this new fleet of vans, we have more reliable and efficient equipment, which means we can provide an improved service to our customers,” says David . “We take maintenance of our products

seriously and this fl eet of vans is essential to deliver back up if and when it’s needed.

“We pride ourselves on providing excellence and that doesn’t just begin and end with the sale of the product.”

Three of the vans will be at Reesink’s Sheffi eld Park service branch in East Sussex, one at the branchinLivingston,Scotlandand two at the East Anglian service branch based at the company’s headquartersinStNeots.

The six vans all come fully racked which includes a work bench and shelving kit solution, and can easily transport all the toolsandpartsneededforon-site service visits and breakdowns.

Reesink Turfcare

Reesink’s range of small tractors just got bigger

Reesink Turfcare’s range of small tractors just got bigger with the introduction of the nimble TYM T194.

With the agility of a mower and the additional features and practicality of a small tractor, the T194 adds a completely new dimension to the TYM range.

The T194 joins the popular subcompact TS25 to bring customers who don’t need a larger framed mid-duty model but need the most amount of power, productivity, versatility and efficiency one compact package can offer, more choice.

TYM sales manager Steven Haynes says: “We’re responding to customer demand by adding another small product to our range of tractors.

“It appears customers, predominantly those with large gardens or small estates, and contractors, caravan parks and many sports venues, want a powerful option in a compact package.

“When it comes to towing, moving and maintenance tasks, these tractors are more than capable.

“Reesink brought TYM to the UK market because its tractors deliver enhanced performance and engineering excellence. These smaller tractors are no exception to that. They provide our customers an effective but compact solution for their turf maintenance needs.”

Reesink Turfcare

Makita cordless backpack pruning shears share the load

On the serene, undulating grounds of New Hall Vineyard in Essex, Makita’s new cordless 36V LXT backpack pruning shears are making light work of the annual seasonal prune.

The new Makita Twin 18V LXT pruning shear, the DUP361ZN, provides 36V of power and features a 2-stage blade opening adjustment which varies according to the size of the branch.

The shear has a maximum cutting capacity of 33mm and a maximum blade opening of 54mm. The blade can be interlocked with the trigger providing smooth blade movement similar to that of a hand pruner.

A newly designed slim backpack harness provides comfort, while an arm band and cord holder prevents the connection cord from dangling around the operator’s body and from getting caught on branches.

Makita

Better Safe Than Sorry

Working beyond the limits of equipment on steep inclines could be a thing of the past following the introduction of Tiltmaster to the UK groundcare sector. The three different models available can be quickly fitted to any machine providing a constant supply of working angle information to ensure the operator stays working safely within their machines capabilities. The three different models are Tiltmaster C for Compact Tractors (0-15 degrees), Tiltmaster D (0-25degrees) and Tiltmaster Extreme for specialist machines (0-45 degrees). Tiltmaster, now available from as little as £39 plus VAT, is a simple and effective method of providing additional health and safety data to users of groundcare and other machinery.

Simon Richard Ltd

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

www.facebook.com/simonrichardltd

BBA testing completed for Ronseal

Highly skilled test experts at the British Board of Agrément proved their versatility when a market-leading manufacturer of wood care products submitted a range for BBA Certification.

The Ronseal Trade range, which includes 10 Year Woodstain, Ultra Tough Floor Varnish and

Crystal Clear Exterior Varnish, was dispatched to the BBA’s hi-tech test centre in Watford, Hertfordshire, to be put through its paces in exhaustive testing conducted over a number of months.

For Ronseal, BBA Certification was crucial because it gives end

users additional reassurance that the Trade Range, which achieves quicker drying times and a longer lasting fi nish, has passed verified, independent testing and delivered on Ronseal’s ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’ promise.

Ronseal

Keeping Limagrain in the family

After a recommendation from his father Keith, Alex Exton, head groundsman at Witham Hall in Lincolnshire, claims he has not looked back since using a range of MM grass seed from Limagrain UK.

Alex has a busy schedule which sees a tight turnaround in transforming the pitches for the

relevant sports in between terms. Throughout his tenure at Witham Hall, he has relied on Limagrain’s MM50 for the cricket squares and Action Replay for all of the outfi elds which includes the rugby, hockey and football pitches.

Limagrain’s Action Replay belongs to the company’s

Designer range of amenity grass seed and is an excellent mixture to use when renovating winter sports pitches.

It will establish very quickly producing a dense, hard wearing sward for all heavyduty sports areas.

Limagrain UK

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

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

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