Landscape & Amenity Product Update July 2018

Coalition of heavyweights calls on main political parties to support parks

A coalition of national organisations call on political leaders to save the UK’s parks.

The Charter for Parks, calls on Prime Minister Theresa May and First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones and Arlene Foster, to reverse the decline of local parks across their nations.

The Charter calls on the UK’s four political leaders to:

• Endorse a legal duty for all public green space to be managed to a good standard.

• Ensure adequate longterm resources for ongoing maintenance, management and improvements.

• Recognise the right of every citizen to have access within walking distance to a good quality public green space. Celebrate the central role well-run parks play in our neighbourhoods for all sections of our communities.

• Embed effective protection from inappropriate development or use, or loss of any part of our parks.

• Encourage and enable community involvement

and empowerment of local people and park users.

The coalition of organisations behind this charter include The National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces and Keep Britain Tidy along with Greenspace Scotland, Fields in Trust, Friends of the Earth, Llais y Goedwig (the voice of community woodlands in Wales), The Parks Alliance, The Parks Agency, The Gardens Trust, Unison, and 38 Degrees.

Dave Morris, Chair of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, said: “Time is running out for local parks across the UK. Continuous budget cuts to staffing and maintenance are leaving them vulnerable to neglect and deterioration, or even sell offs. Many people think local councils are legally responsible for maintaining local parks and open spaces but unfortunately, unlike waste collection, that’s not the case yet.”

“Our Parks Charter calls on the leaders of all four home nations to take action to ensure these essential and highly-popular

public resources are properly funded, managed, maintained, and protected for current and future generations.”

“As the voice of the movement of more than 6,000 local Friends of Parks Groups throughout the UK we recognise the immense contribution that these community volunteers are playing. Now it’s time for government to show an equal commitment to act. The public will not forgive political leaders who let the sun set on the UK’s parks.”

Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy said: “As the operators of the national standard for parks and green spaces – the Green Flag Award – we know how important the provision of these quality spaces is to local communities, and we welcome this charter.”

Rishi Sunak, the minister for Parks and Green Spaces said: “I am fully committed to working together with the many organisations, voluntary bodies

and local communities who dedicate their own time to support the sustainability of our much valued parks and green spaces.

“While there are many challenges ahead, I am excited by the work the Parks Action Group is undertaking to identify positive solutions, so we can continue to provide safe and inclusive green spaces for our diverse communities to enjoy.”

Green Flag Awards

New ride-on flail mower from AS Motor SALTEX 2018 visitor registration now open

The new AS 1040 Yak 4WD ride-on flail mower from AS Motor combines the cutting performance of a flail mower with the climbing ability and comfort of an AS 4WD ride-on mower.

The professional AS 1040 Yak mulches dense growth on demanding terrain and is available in the UK from PSD Groundscare.

At just 335kg, the AS 1040 Yak 4WD’s compact design provides stability on slopes and difficult terrain, while flail mowing technology delivers incredible cutting force and clean mowing results at high work rates. An asymmetrically-placed flail mower deck allows flush, close-to-theedge mowing with particular

ease. The low centre of gravity and optimal weight distribution characteristic of AS ride-on mowers qualify the AS 1040 Yak 4WD for use on steep terrain. Permanent 4WD and aggressive tread tyres provide excellent traction while pendulum bearing support on the front axle ensures continuous ground contact.

A robust flail mower deck reliably shreds growth up to 1.5 metres high to a fine mulch.

Equipped with a 4-stroke overhead valve (OHV) engine from Briggs & Stratton and a 100cm cutting width, the AS 1040 Yak 4WD achieves work rates reaching 6,800m2h.

Cutting height can be adjusted to seven levels from 30-110mm and the mower reaches a speed of 6.8km/h in forward gear and 6.3km/h in reverse.

PSD Groundscare

Event organisers have announced that visitor registration for SALTEX 2018 is now officially open at www.iogsaltex.com.

SALTEX 2018 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 31 October and 1 November and visitors can now register their attendance for free via the newlydesigned website.

The new website has been built to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing both visitors and exhibitors to access all the information they need in preparation for SALTEX 2018.

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) 10th annual Industry Awards celebration will also take place on October 31.

IOG

A coalition of heavyweight organisations chose the longest day to launch a fresh appeal to the UK’s political leaders to safeguard the future of the nation’s parks and greenspaces. It was a timely decision given the glorious weather the majority of the country basked in on June 21 as people took advantage and enjoyed maximising their time outdoors.

Drawing support from organisations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the coalition’s latest campaign is aimed at the leaders of the main political parties and sets out clear objectives for them all to ensure the right level of funding and resources is made available to keep parks and green spaces open and an important community asset. It signals a busy summer for the industry as a whole. Whereas many industries and sectors go through something of a summer lull, our industry goes into overdrive. Whether it is the annual summer of sporting excellence – this year the World Cup in Russia is showcasing UK groundscare expertise, plus we have our usual world class tennis and cricket events – or companies highlighting high quality new products and services, the next few months will be an extremely busy time. Indeed, with visitor registration for SALTEX 2018 already open, the exhibition halls already filling up and the seminar programme being developed, the busy summer months will be followed by a busy autumn and winter too.

This month we have our Professional Groundscare supplement, with Jane Carley focusing on sports turf maintenance, as well as special spotlights on Line Marking and Top Dressers and Spreaders. Elsewhere we look

Tree champion for urban green spaces

A new Tree Champion to drive forward planting rates and prevent the unnecessary felling of street trees has been appointed by Environment Secretary Michael Gove. Sir William Worsley, current Chair of the National Forest Company, has been tasked with setting a bold direction for the country’s forests and woodlands over the next 25 years and supporting the Government’s manifesto commitments to plant 11 million trees, plus a further one million in our towns and cities.

Alongside the Government’s recently-launched review into National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Champion will help to improve the environment for the next generation and make the ambitions of our 25 Year Environment Plan a reality.

He will bring together mayors, city leaders and other key players across local government to prevent the unnecessary felling of street trees – alongside supporting the introduction of a new duty for councils to properly consult with communities before they cut down trees.

With a number of grant schemes already in place to help landowners grow woodland cover, the Tree Champion will support the development of a future scheme outside the EU –

Sir William Worsley will be appointed in the role for one year, and his responsibilities will include:

• Promoting the Government’s woodland creation schemes to landowners and other stakeholders and encouraging the right trees to be planted in the right places.

• Driving forward the Government’s manifesto commitment to plant 11 million trees.

• Working with Defra and Forestry Commission on the design of future environmental land management outside the EU.

• Identifying and promoting best practice across local

one that encourages large-scale tree planting, reduces carbon and rewards landowners for enhancing the environment.

As Chair of the National Forest Company, Sir William Worsley currently oversees the successful National Forest – which has transformed 200 square miles of industrial land in the heart of England and now attracts over eight million visitors a year –helping wildlife like otters, water voles and dragonflies to flourish.

Sir William Worsley said: “Trees and woods are an important part of my life, as they are to local

government to prevent the unnecessary felling of street trees – supporting the introduction of a new duty for local councils to consult before felling.

• Working across local government to ensure ancient woodland is more strongly protected.

Supporting the planting of one million urban trees, and influencing decisionmakers to generate ideas and buy-in locally.

• Working with Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer to drive the protection of tree health across England, raising awareness of the impact pests and diseases have on our environment and economy.

communities. They transform our landscapes, improve our health and wellbeing and help grow the economy.

“I look forward to working with stakeholders and local authorities to promote these benefits and grow the country’s woodland cover.”

The appointment of a Tree Champion is a key commitment of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. The plan, launched in January this year, sets out how we will improve the environment over a generation, including through growing woodland cover.

Since the launch of this plan, Government has committed to providing almost £6 million to kickstart the creation of an ambitious Northern Forest along the M62 corridor. We want to see 50 million trees planted over the next 25 years from Liverpool to Hull – boosting habitats for woodland birds and bats and protecting iconic species like the red squirrel.

The Government has also made it easier to apply for its woodland creation grant schemes, recently approving two large-scale woodland creation projects. More than 600,000 trees are being planted at Doddington North Moor in Northumberland, while Lowther Park in the Lake District is planting more than 200,000 trees thanks to government funding.

Arb Association

STIHL adds to workwear range

STIHL has expanded its range of high-visibility workwear that offers professionals the very best in comfort and mobility.

The new lightweight MS Protect cut protective highvisibility jacket and trousers -both available in different sizes – provide professionals with freedom of movement, and are ideal for a range of applications including arb, forestry and landscaping work.

The Protect MS jacket comes with two chest pockets as

well as an outlet opening for harnesses on the back. The elbows and shoulders feature thorn protection and breathable ADVANCE cut protection has been included in the chest, shoulder, arm and stomach areas for improved ventilation.

Designed with ventilation on the back of the thigh and sturdy material at the knee and lower leg, the Protect MS trousers are the perfect accompaniment.

With two side pockets, one back pocket, one tape measure pocket and kidney protection,

the trousers offer professionals with a functional solution. For end-user safety, the visibility of both the jacket and trousers fall in line with EN ISO 20471 protection class 2, and achieve class 3 high visibility when combined.

Both products also meet class 1 EN 381 cut protection standards for further peace of mind. The trousers are a type A design, so they offer protection at the front of the leg.

Ariens Company announces changes to structure

Ariens Company has announced several organizational changes to the international business organization, aimed at putting more focus on the specific needs of the international market in the long-term.

“As we approach a new fiscal year, we have an opportunity to assess our business structure and make adjustments as part of our continuous improvement process,” says Larry Weyers, President, Ariens Power Equipment from their Brillion,

Wisconsin HQ. “Ultimately we want to give the team control to develop the right products, for the right market, at the right time.”

In the United Kingdom, Darren Spencer has been promoted to Vice President – EMEA and Asia.

Spencer will have oversight and responsibility for all operations and business within Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia as well as developing business within Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Spencer has been with Ariens Company (through the Countax acquisition) since 1990 and has held various positions within the company.

He started as a Sales Assistant, and his career path has included roles as Operations Director, Director of Aftermarket and Distribution, General Manager for Australia and most recently as European Managing Director.

Ariens

STIHL

Limmo Peninsula enhanced by Wildflower Meadow

Hampshire-grown wildflowers have recently commuted to London, playing their part in the regeneration of Canning Town as part of London’s ambitious Crossrail project.

A beautiful wildflower meadow supplied by wildflower experts Wildflower Turf Ltd is now capping a maintenance and escape shaft for the Elizabeth line on the Limmo Peninsula.

Overlooked by high-rise developments and next to the River Lee, the peninsula was Crossrail’s primary worksite for their eastbound tunnel boring machines, and the area adjoins Canning Town Tube and Docklands Light Railway station.

Working with landscaping partner Turney Landscapes Ltd, Wildflower Turf Ltd was commissioned by CSJV – the Costain Skanska Joint Venture

responsible for the turning the former construction site into the permanent Elizabeth line access shaft - to provide a biodiverse solution that will provide local workers and Canning Town residents alike with a temporary landscape that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically-friendly.

Turney Landscapes installed 2,600m² of Wildflower Turf Ltd’s Roof Turf in March and April of this year, across and down the sloping 8-metre-high exit shaft.

Despite the challenging landscaping conditions, the turf is already flowering with the wildflower meadow providing a spectacular display of colour.

Steven Turney, Director at Turney Landscaping Ltd said: “Working on such a large-scale and time-critical site as the

Limmo Peninsula, it is crucial that our suppliers are able to adapt to many and varied requirements.

“The team at Wildflower Turf Ltd assisted us to ensure that this project was delivered on time and in budget, and the wildflower meadow is a dynamic addition to the local area.”

Wildflower Turf is recognised as the leading organisation in the UK for those seeking knowledge or products to develop wild flower spaces.

Founded in 2003, Wildflower Turf Ltd pioneered a soilless growing system which has transformed the reliability of establishing wild flower meadows. The company has a range of Wildflower Turf products to create and enhance a low maintenance, biodiverse and beautiful meadow.

All photos by Turney LandscapesLtd.

Wildflower Turf

GKB North of the Border

When your heritage as a machinery manufacturer and dealer dates back to 1816 you expect nothing less than the best.

The Groundcare Division of Thomas Sherriff, which began in 1986, is based in East Lothian and with a further six branches provides comprehensive sales, parts and service support for commercial, agricultural and consumer equipment.

The company has now become an official GKB Machines dealer, taking delivery of the first three machines, a Combiseeder, Sandfilller and SP100 Sandspreader.

Sherriff’s had seen GKB products at a number of events and were impressed with the build quality but needed to see how they performed. “When we met GKB they came across as a forward-thinking company,” says Thomas Sherriff’s Groundcare Manager, Richard Scott, “and with a background in contracting and maintenance they have an exceptional insight into what groundsmen and greenkeepers need from products for maintaining sports turf and golf courses.” Thomas Sherriff arranged with GKB’s Operations Manager, Tom Shinkins, a series of product demonstrations for customers

locally where the three machines were put through their paces.

The GKB Combiseeder was developed to meet market demand for a fast, efficient way of seeding and surface aerating with virtually no surface disturbance. The Sandfiller provides a fast solution to drainage with economic and environmentally friendly intensive aeration and sand filling in a one-pass action.

The SP100 Sandspreader is a top dresser that conveniently mounts onto a turf truck such as the ProGator, Truckster or Workman.

GKB Machines

PERFECT EVERY BLADE.

The Ransomes Mastiff.

The Ransomes Mastiff is the premier sports surface and pitch heavy duty roller mower powered by a reliable 9hp petrol engine. Able to produce a distinctive 91cm pristine striped finish, the Ransomes Mastiff continues its legacy of a better, more consistent cut – day in and day out.

Arrange a demonstration by contacting your local dealer at: www.ransomesjacobsen.com or call 01473 270000

Bothams Prestige refine their renovations with help from Campey

Long-term Campey Turf Care Systems customer Bothams

Prestige Sports Turf & Amenity has re-fined their renovations with the new and improved Koro FTM 2000. The Yorkshire company has been buying Campey’s products for 15 years and in that time, they have seen consistent upgrades to machines that maintain their status as the most innovative on the market, with the Koro FTM and new UNIVERSE patented rotor the perfect example.

The new two metre machine provides the cleanest Universe fraise mow possible with the en-hanced rotor through a number of improvements, and the co-owner of Bothams Prestige, Josh Botham, has praised Campey and Imants for listening to their customers.

“Campey listen to the contractors/customers and improve the machines year on

year and that’s why we always buy new machines from them,” Josh said.

“The improvements to the new Koro are massive. It’s so much cleaner and more efficient because of the changes they’ve made to the balance and other areas. The scraper bars on the front and rear roller help prevent any build-up of waste and clean it to 1mm, which helps to keep the opera-tion a lot cleaner. They’ve also angled the conveyor, so it carries the material in a more even way compared to the older model.

“We use the machine with the new Universe rotor for renovating hybrid pitches but it’s so versa-tile we use it from DESSO GrassMaster to natural pitches for light fraize mowing right up to com-plete removal.

“Our customers are so much happier when we use the new

ISEKI UK to sponsor professional golfer

Sam Forgan

Sam, who is based at the wellrespected Stowmarket Golf Club in Suffolk, is currently competing on the Euro-Pro tour having narrowly missed out on getting his card for the Challenge Tour last year.

“Hopefully this sponsorship will give me more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year” said Sam, commenting on the recent announcement “Working with ISEKI will also be a great learning experience for me and will give me an understanding of the supply side of the golf industry. I am really looking forward to the experience”

David Withers, Managing Director of ISEKI UK, pictured here with Sam was equally excited about the new relationship. “I had the pleasure of meeting Sam and hearing more about his ambitions for the future and we are delighted to be able to help in this way” said Withers, adding “whilst this is good for Sam it is also good for us, Sam travels allround the country playing golf and will be promoting our wonderful products everywhere he goes……also hoping he might give me a few pointers to improve my swing!!”

ISEKI UK

Campaigners claim HS2 green corridor nothing more than greenwash nonsense

HS2 has launched plans for what it calls ‘an unprecedented green corridor’ stretching alongside the route of the project. The announcement includes the news that seven million trees will be planted along the line of phase 1 from London to Birmingham, and an additional £2m is being made available in the Woodland Fund to support the planting of trees along phase 2a from Birmingham to Crewe.

But the Woodland Trust believes the only thing unprecedented about it is the amount of ancient woodland the railway will destroy. More than 40 hectares of rare ancient woodland will be destroyed by HS2. Luci Ryan,

ecologist at the Woodland Trust said: “This is utter greenwash nonsense from an organisation trying to pretend that HS2 isn’t the most environmentally destructive infrastructure project this country has seen in decades.

“Some 98 beautiful, rare, irreplaceable ancient woods will be destroyed or damaged by this scheme. That’s 98 habitats and ecosystems that support a whole host of mammals, birds, invertebrates, fungi and plants. And once that ancient woodland is gone, it’s gone forever so while planting new trees is all well and good, it’s no substitute for what will be lost.”

Woodland Trust

Koro FTM. Every customer we have done work for this year have commented how much better it is and that’s due to the improvements Campey have made”

The redesign of the KORO FTM was done to make the machine more user-friendly with every as-pect of performance analysed. The redistribution of weight means a much smaller tractor can be used to run the Koro FTM, because the centre of gravity has been shifted towards the tractor mak-ing it easier to lift. Even when the removeable weight is taken off the machine still has improved balanced against previous models.

Maintaining the new range of machines has also been enhanced to improve working reliability, with the modular set-up allowing the machine to run without belts with a strong state of the art driveline that is maintenance

free, something that is important for contractors who often have very tight schedules.

“We got our new Koro FTM at the end of March 2018 and we’ve already used it on excess of 10 pitches with no issues,” Josh said.

“Being a contractor means that time is of the essence and with football renovations, everybody wants you at the same time. We work seven days a week from 6am until 10pm for at least two months, but we can always rely on Campey’s products to allow us to keep up with the pace.

“You get the aftercare with Campey and that’s what we look for. You can guarantee them to be with you the same day if you hit any problems.”

Campey Turf Care Systems

ISEKI UK has announced that it has signed a one-year deal to sponsor local professional golfer Sam Forgan.

Snickers’ climate control workwear

The onset of summer and warmer weather calls for a change of focus on what you choose to wear on site.

From keeping warm and dry in winter, warmer weather brings with it a need for professional craftsmen and women to be cool and dry - to maintain well being and working efficiency.

That’s why Snickers’ new working clothes for the summer uses 37.5 ® fabric technology which is really good at ‘wicking’ moisture away from the body and keeping you dry.

In the Snickers Workwear FLEXIWork, LITEWork and RUFFWork product families, there’s NEW Shirts, Shorts and

Versatile BATTERY POWERED IRRIGATION CONTROLLER

Rain Bird’s new 9v WPX battery operated irrigation controller is a more versatile and user friendly solution than many other similar battery or mains controllers.

IP 68 compliant, 100 per cent water and dust proof, the WPX is fully submersible and ideal for installation in a valve box. With its solenoid mounting bracket, it locates easily on top of a solenoid valve. It can be used anywhere, including wet or muddy conditions.

A tightly sealed dual battery chamber and waterproof case keeps water out, even in the harshest outdoor conditions. The

Oak framed garage kits by Round Wood of Mayfield

If you have a project requiring a traditional oak framed garage, you may want to consider the range of ‘Chippy’ kits offered by Round Wood of Mayfield.

Kit frames are particularly suited to trades people (as well as accomplished DIYers) as they are pre-designed, available on short lead times and go together easily. All buildings are preassembled in workshop, with posts being numbered, to ensure ease of fit once on site.

They also represent excellent value, given the economies of scale Round Wood have been able to achieve by investing in significant machinery. Prices start at just £2,395 for a 1-Bay garage kit, which includes the 150mm oak post frame, as well as softwood studwork, rafters and weatherboard.

The range of ‘Chippy’ kits comprises 47 standard designs,

from 1 to 4 bays, in a variety of roof profiles. Additional options of half-bays, log stores and side aisles allow for most requirements to be catered for (although modifications are possible).

As the ridge heights are below 4m on all designs, permitted developments rights are granted for many projects (exempting them from planning). The smaller frames in the range are also exempt from Building Regulations (having an internal

footprint of under 30/m 2 ), providing certain site criteria are met.

Round Wood of Mayfield also offer groundwork, assembly and roofing services. Whilst, however, they already have nationwide teams, they are looking for new contractors to aid their ongoing expansion and will consider regional exclusivity arrangements. If you believe you could assist in this area, contact jason@roundwood.com in the first instance.

use of Rain Bird’s DC series highly waterproof connectors will also ensure that connections do not deteriorate. A rubber cap protects the WPX’s LCD screen from dust and the effects of UV.

Rain Bird

Makita launches two LXT linetrimmers and dual-purpose grass shears

Makita continues to expand the inventory of cordless tools designed for the professional grounds maintenance industry, adding new technical features and improving performance.

The new Makita DUR189Z 18v LXT linetrimmer, which replaces the popular DUR184L model, has a 240 watt output Brushless motor providing capacity to run the head at three selected speed settings.

Having the motor at the drive head improves the balance of the machine and eliminates the loss of power through the traditional drive shaft where the motor is at the operator end of the machine.

too and replaces the hugely popular DUM168 model. Fast, powerful and brilliantly handy, a compatible hedge trimmer attachment is also available that has a tool-less blade change. The shear has a double blade action, a cutting width of 160mm, and a 3-stage cutting height adjustment from 15 –25mm for really fine work. With an ergonomically designed soft grip handle and light in weight at just 1.8kg, including the battery, user comfort is guaranteed while low noise emissions will ensure Sunday morning peace and quiet for family and neighbours. This model is available as a body only.

For more information on Chippy kits, you can call Round Wood of Mayfield on 01435 860 260, or visit their dedicated garage kit website: www.oakframedgarages.co.uk.

Round Wood supply nationwide from their base just outside of Mayfield. In addition to oak framed buildings they offer hardwood decking, oak and walnut flooring, joinery products and garden features.

Round Wood

The DUR189Z linetrimmer has the benefit of the innovative Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), where the revolutions per minute are automatically increased from between 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000rpm according to the density of the weeds and foliage being cut. This allows for greater and improved energy saving, lower noise levels, optimum operation and user comfort. A speed indicator is conveniently positioned on the control panel.

Makita’s new DUM604Z 18v LXT grass shears will be a favourite

Makita

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

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

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

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

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

Not sure what’s right for you?

Not sure what’s right for you?

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

● 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

● www.sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● 01376 503869

● sales@sure-green.com

● sales@sure-green.com

Work Trousers that are superlight and quick-drying with advanced ventilation to keep you cool in the heat.

Snickers

Dedham Vale Tree Surgery chooses Timberwolf

Dedham Vale Tree Surgery hold Timberwolf’s range of wood chippers close to their hearts, recognising their power and performance is second to none.

Offering a comprehensive range of tree surgery services across South Suffolk and North Essex, Dedham Vale Tree Surgery’s priority is client satisfaction, from initial visit to completion, and they recognise that Timberwolf wood chippers help them complete work quickly and efficiently for their customers.

Harry Adams, company founder of Dedham Vale Tree Surgery, comments: “We’ve tried other brands of commercial wood chipper before, but their performance was nowhere near as good as Timberwolf.”

Dedham Vale Tree Surgery have owned Timberwolf products for the last three years, initially choosing a pre-owned TW 150DHB from Authorised Timberwolf Dealer Ben Burgess.

Investing in their first commercial wood chipper was a big decision for a fledgling business, but Dedham Vale Tree Surgery recognised the high levels of service and support provided by the Timberwolf Authorised Dealer network and felt confident they were buying a high quality pre-owned machine that had met a series of stringent checks.

In 2016 Harry added a TW 230DHB to his fleet and it has become a firm favourite due to its sub-750kg towing weight, compact size and manoeuvrability, which makes it perfect for their work on domestic properties.

The class-leading feed opening means up to three members of the ground team can feed the machine at the same time and the quad force rollers, no stress system and 35HP Kubota engine ensures the chipper keeps up with the demands of any job. In Harry’s own words: “It’s a mean machine.”

Jacobsen tournament support at Ryder Cup and HNA Open de France

Jacobsen turf equipment is an Official Supplier of The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, and is providing tournament support to the greenkeeping team during the competition as well as the recent HNA Open de France tournament.

Technical staff from the Ransomes Jacobsen facility in Ipswich assist staff based at Ransomes Jacobsen France (RJF) in Toulouse throughout both competitions.

In 2016, Le Golf National signed a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Ransomes Jacobsen. The prestigious golf

course, which belongs to the French Federation of Golf, has demonstrated its confidence in Ransomes Jacobsen France, which has supplied equipment to the facility since 2010.

In addition to the course’s regular fleet of Jacobsen equipment, an additional 31 pieces of equipment have been delivered to support The Ryder Cup and HNA Open de France. The additional machinery consists of nine Eclipse 2 greens mowers, three SLF-1880 fairway mowers, three AR-3 rotary mowers, two Jacobsen Trucksters, four Smithco Lite rollers and 11 mower caddies. An additional

iGRASS releases new line

three Eclipse 2 greens mowers will be delivered after the HNA Open de France, to assist with The Ryder Cup preparations.

Alejandro Reyes, Golf and Courses and Estate Manager at Le Golf National, said of the support provided by Jacobsen and RJF: “The quality of

machinery, the back-up support, and the product innovation are just some of the reasons we choose Jacobsen. Together, we have created a world-class golf course that will host the HNA Open de France, The 2018 Ryder Cup and the Olympics in 2024.

Jacobsen

Highland Show means business

Simon Richard Ltd, UK Sales Agents for the Reform specialist tractor, Muthing flail and Woods Batwing rotary cutter ranges say this year’s Highland Show proved to be an excellent productive event for business.

The leading supplier of artificial grass for landscape trade professionals, iGRASS, has released a new product, called In-Line.

In-Line is an innovation in landscape surfacing to achieve that highly desirable ‘just mowed’ lawn effect, without the hassle. Formed of two stripes of lawn running parallel to each other, the product uses four natural shades of green, a combination of two shades within each stripe. Each stripe is 50cm wide, imitating the results of a lawn mower, achieving the authentic, just mowed, quintessentially British look.

Suitable for a variety of projects, In-Line is highly effective on

frontages to create impressive looking entrances but is equally show stopping in modern properties and commercial areas thanks to its lush 40mm pile.

iGRASS is the next generation in artificial grass, available exclusively to the landscaping trade. Innovative production methods have created a unique ‘intelligence yarn’ with the latest technological enhancements for durable and professional looking grass. The luxury products at different pile heights allow landscapers and designers a wide variety of lawn styles to suit client’s needs.

Artificialgrass.com

Simon Richard said: “We enjoyed an excellent four days culminating in the appointment of three new dealers for our range.

“They were Kelso & Lothian Harvester Houndridge covering the Lot,hians Borders and Northumberland, A L Agri in Forfar who will service that area and Inverness based Farm & Forestry Equipment Services, covering the highlands.”

The ClearWater Cup 2018

The annual ClearWater Cup took place recently at Corhampton Golf Club with The South Coast Greenkeepers playing The Wessex Managers.

The club is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and aims to provide members and guests with a quality golfing experience within a friendly and welcoming environment.

All lived up to expectations and the greenkeeping team could be justifiably proud of the course. Highcliffe Castle’s Mike Cartwright captained the

Greenkeepers and Barton on Sea’s Sean Trussel captained the Managers and a hard-fought event took place; the mangers keen to take the cup from the greenkeepers.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, however, the match ended in a draw and so the Greenkeepers retained the trophy.

Acumen ClearWater’s Matthew Mears presented the cup at an awards dinner.

Acumen ClearWater

Simon Richard Ltd

Timberwolf

When it comes to the challenge of looking after parks and pitches all year round, STIHL tackles it head on. With a range of tools designed to maintain grounds to the highest and most professional standards. Not only does STIHL set the standard for quality, efficiency and reliability, our tools are also easy to maintain and offer superb parts availability. All of which adds up to minimum downtime and maximum performance.

Ed Mowe Head Groundsman, Leicester Tigers.

Exposed granite flags – perfect pointing despite the weather

This private development project in Perranporth, Cornwall, used medium sized granite flags with narrow 5mm joints to suit the

look and function of the steps up to the front door.

Using solutions from NCC Streetscape, the flags were first sealed using GftK’s vdw 950-3in1-Protect and then the joints were wet-slurry grouted with GftK’s vdw 815 Paving Joint Mortar.

This is an epoxy bound, graded sand, self-compacting pointing mortar specifically designed for such narrow joints, and which also produces a fast curing, strong, durable finish that is resistant to traffic, weathering and even pressure jet cleaning - unlike most prebagged pointing products on the market.

Dennis and SISIS help prepare for Waterloo Championships

The Dennis FT510 and SISIS Dart are currently helping Mark Audin prepare the green at the Waterloo Hotel, Blackpool, for the biggest national tournament in the crown green bowling calendar.

Regarded as the ‘Wembley’ of crown green bowling, The Waterloo Hotel has been hosting tournaments for well over 100 years.

Mark Audin has been working at The Waterloo for 10 years and for the last 5 he has held the position of bowls manager.

For the essential task of verticutting, Mark relies on the Dennis FT510, which is an interchangeable cassette cylinder mower. It offers the operator ultimate versatility by having the option of fitting twelve different

cassettes including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers and slitters as well as 5 or 10 blade cutting cassettes.

For reducing turf compaction at The Waterloo, Mark uses the SISIS Dart – which is an independently powered vertical action aerator.

This popular bowling green aerator has a working depth of up to 100mm (4 inches) which can be easily adjusted from the operator’s position using the balanced depth control lever. Powered by a 6.5hp engine, the unit can also be fitted with a wide range of interchangeable tines to meet the operator’s requirements making it ideal as a bowling green aerator.

Dennis and SISIS are proud supporters of the Waterloo

Championships and have a long history of supporting the sport of bowls. The British manufacturers of turf maintenance equipment host an annual series of free educational bowling green

the UK, which have significantly grown year on year.

Medal for John Deere show garden

The John Deere garden celebrating 100 years of tractors has been awarded a Silver Gilt medal at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

A blend of wetting, spreading and extending agents that enhances total herbicide activity, uptake and performance.

Speedway Total is a spray adjuvant that contains a blend of surfactants and spreaders. It is designed to enhance the effect of glyphosate and other total non-selective herbicide treatments.

Improves the speed of herbicide kill

Enhances the uptake of herbicide to help control of difficult weeds

Shown to improve performance of glyphosate against rhododendron

www.icl-sf.co.uk www.icl-sf.ie Tel: 01473 237116 Email: prof.sales@icl-group.com Contact your local distributor or ICL Technical Area Sales Manager for more information.

Designed by Elspeth Stockwell and Jo Fairfax, the garden features a striking ring of 100 golden tractors rising above upright grasses that represent fields of crops and meadow style planting portraying the rural landscape.

The charred oak circular seating and backdrop hint at farm buildings dotted across the countryside.

Elspeth Stockwell is a qualified horticulturist and medalwinning garden designer. Artist and sculptor Jo Fairfax develops lighting and sculptural installations and his work has won many awards. Both designers live in the East Midlands, near to John Deere’s UK & Ireland headquarters at Langar, Nottingham.

This year is a special anniversary for John Deere as the company marks 100 years of selling tractors. Blacksmith John Deere founded the company that bears his name in 1837, in Illinois, when he invented a new type of plough but it was 1918 before the company moved into the tractor business.

A century of tractor innovation has followed, including the launch in 1963 of the company’s first lawn tractor, the 7hp 110, drawing on the experience and technology of its larger agricultural cousins.

John Deere has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural, turf and lawn & garden equipment, its ethos firmly rooted in its founder’s core values of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation.

John Deere

Front

2.3

seminars throughout

Dennis

spring-longer

NCC Streetscape

No more fade to grey with new ECOPROTEC Blackstone

Surface care specialist, LTP has introduced a new outdoor sealer and restorer to its ECOPROTEC range. Developed for dark natural stone and artificial stone surfaces, new Blackstone has an eco-friendly water-based, impregnating formulation which restores the appearance of faded limestone, marble, slate and concrete.

Like all LTP products, the new treatment is manufactured in the UK and is offered alongside expert advice from the ECOPROTEC technical team.

Ideal for external hard landscaping - from paths to patios - ECOPROTEC Blackstone is fast and safe to use and the permanent finish created provides protection against the elements. It can be applied in multiple coats until the desired colour effect is achieved – from grey to ebony. On honed

surfaces, it is applied with a cloth or sealant applicator and, on rough cut/textured surfaces, with a foam roller or paint brush. Surfaces can be walked on four hours after the final application and can be returned to ‘heavy use’ after 24 hours.

New Blackstone is available in one litre and five litre units and is offered as part of LTP’s extensive range of ECOPROTEC surface maintenance products.

LTP

GeoCeramica paves the way to success for Brett Landscaping

Instant upgrades with Bradstone’s Walling Slips

Brand new for 2018, Bradstone has introduced Natural Stone Walling Slips to offer a quick and easy solution to transform any old, tired garden wall.

Walling Slips are not only an attractive addition to any garden, but can offer an instant update by adding stylish shape and structure to your garden design.

Available in six stunning shades; choose from Natural Sandstone in Fossil Buff, Sunset Buff and Silver Grey, Smooth Sandstone in Sunset Buff or Natural Slate in BlueBlack and Rustic Gold, to give a new life to any weathered wall.

For a superb natural stone look, the Natural Slate and Natural Sandstone slips are Z-shaped giving the appearance a random look, while the Smooth Sandstone slips are individual blocks in a mix of sizes to give a more formal, contemporary look

ends available in selected colours to create a neat finish on corners and avoid the need for cutting.

Walling Slips can be added to any structurally sound backing wall, whether it’s concrete or brick. Use Bradbond walling adhesive to stick to the existing

wall, or speak to a Bradstone Assured installer to complete the works for you. Bradstone Assured’s network of approved installers have all met strict selection criteria to ensure only the best and most capable landscaping professionals are recruited.

Bradstone’s extensive collection of premium porcelain, natural stone, reconstituted stone, edging, walling and other features, such as stepping stones, are available from a nationwide network of stockists.

Bradstone

Launched in 2017,

the speed, ease and cost benefits from unbound installation methods.

GeoCeramica is a new product range which innovatively combines porcelain paving with a pre-bonded drainage mortar base.

Traditionally porcelain paving had to be installed using bound methods which can be time consuming, costly and complex. With GeoCeramica, the combined porcelain and drainage mortar allows the paving to be installed using unbound methods (sand laying course and a narrow sand filled joint). This allows the benefits of porcelain paving to be enjoyed whilst also offering

Overall, this is a simple way of adding value and long-term benefit to the hard landscaping of someone’s new home.

The product is available in thicknesses of 40mm for patio paving and pathways and 60mm for driveways. A 10mm ‘tileonly’ option is also available for internal spaces. These options allow flowing designs and layouts, between the inside and outside, to be created and achieved. With 14 colour options, this gives specifiers maximum design flexibility.

Brett Landscaping

Telephone: 01257 266696 Email: sales@nccstreetscape.co.uk

Paving Joint Mortars from

Brett Landscaping’s GeoCeramica paving has quickly become one of the company’s most popular products.

Stunning Burlington slate setts jointed with vdw 850

This driveway and terraces surrounding this stunning private residence in the Lake District were all designed and laid using Burlington Stone’s ‘Cumbrian Black’, tumbled natural stone setts.

The paving was all jointed and pointed in a single operation using GftK’s vdw 850 paving joint mortar from NCC Streetscape.

The GftK vdw 850 was selected because it is extremely durable and easily able to accommodate frequent traffic over the driveway, including a high percentage of 4X4’s and visiting delivery vehicles of up to 20 Tonnes, plus it is fully resistant to de-icing salts and freeze-thaw cycling in winter time. The unique vdw 850 is easily ‘wet-slurry’ applied over pre-dampened paving.

MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME helps create urban oasis in London Bridge

Marlborough Sports Garden, a long-time community recreation space in London Bridge, has been regenerated and reopened, featuring unique hexagonal planters made from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME.

Some may recognise these planters from this year’s Ecobuild exhibition back in March, where they made up a ‘pocket park’ designed by The

Edible Bus Stop, an awardwinning landscape architecture and design consultancy, in partnership with MEDITE SMARTPLY.

These planters have been donated to Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) who coordinated the regeneration of Marlborough Sports Garden and will continue to manage it.

MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX) was chosen for its exceptional capabilities to be extremely hardwearing in outdoor conditions, even in contact with soil for up to 25 years.

It’s also sustainably manufactured in the UK, using FSC certified

wood sourced from fast-growing pine forests in Ireland.

The planters now sit along the edges of Marlborough Sports Garden, fi lled with live trees

Talasey Group expansion plans with new managing director

Talasey Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Whitlock as its new Managing Director while company Founder Mark Wall becomes CEO.

Following on from the launch of Natural Paving USA Inc in 2017 and the introduction of Talasey Group as the overarching corporate entity for the UK in January this year, the company continues to enjoy a period of significant growth and development.

Since entering the US market, Natural Paving has quickly found traction and is already supplying its natural stone hard landscaping products across the South Eastern belt of the USA.

CEO Mark Wall’s strategic focus will now shift to the growth and development of Natural Paving USA Inc with

Chris Whitlock taking charge of Talasey Group’s operations.

Mark Wall, CEO, Talasey Group commented: “The past year has been a particularly busy and exciting time for us with our expansion into the American market, as well as the overall company rebrand which we rolled out earlier this year.

“As part of our due diligence we are now taking important steps to ensure the continued success of our UK operations, while I turn my attention to the US market. We have an ambitious target for turnover in the next five years and the appointment of Chris Whitlock as Managing Director is one of the measures we have put in place to support our strategy.”

Chris was previously Managing Director at Harlow Bros Ltd and brings with him over 30

years’ extensive experience working for leading companies in the building materials industry including 12 years with the SaintGobain Group and 14 years with Travis Perkins. Chris is a highly

Marshalls protects and serves police HQ

Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, has partnered with Northamptonshire Police to help secure its new headquarters in Kettering.

A range of products from Marshalls’ Landscape Protection portfolio have been provided to help secure the exterior of the building, including Geo bollards and seating, a Pluto cycle shelter and bespoke concrete planters. The full range of products help

protect public spaces while also fitting seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

Jaz Vilkhu, Managing Director of Marshalls Landscape Protection, said: “Our Landscape Protection products achieve the desired aesthetic aim while also protecting against any potential accidental or criminal damage, ensuring the new building is fit for the future.”

Dav d Keegan Garden Design

NCC Streetscape

and plants which were kindly donated by Palmstead Nursery in Kent.

MEDITE TRICOYA

experienced Managing Director renowned for his commercial focus and a history of increasing profitability and compliance.

Talasey Group

Marshalls

The eco-friendly weed removal solution

PSD Groundscare offer a range of weed strippers and brushes that offer the ideal solution to unwanted weeds.

Eco-friendly and entirely chemical free, these devices offer an easy and effective solution to weeding.

The weed strippers from Koppl and AS Motor provide

completely green weed removal, they will eliminate all traces of weeds, algae, moss and lichen and the debris that they thrive in, making regular maintenance simple and effective.

The weed strippers offer outstanding performance on many surfaces, including cobbles and block paving

and with the quick change functionality of the Koppl power unit it can be used for many other tasks such as sweeping or snow clearance.

PSD Groundscare

Emergency Authorisation for new Acelepryn soil pest control

An Emergency Authorisation has been granted for the use of the Syngenta insecticide, Acelepryn, for the control of Chafer grubs and leatherjacket on golf course greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields.

The approval was applied for by STRI, on behalf of and with support from the amenity industry.

Chafer Grubs and leatherjackets cause damage to turf through extensive feeding on roots, which can be severe in localised patches. Furthermore, extreme damage can

occur when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the grubs.

The Emergency Authorisation permits Acelepryn use in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified advisor.

With the loss of available control options independent advisors, ADAS, has calculated the economic cost of Chafer Grubs alone at up to £85 million a year

for golf courses in the UK, from lost income and damage repair.

The report also highlighted that on the 40% of racecourses affected by the pest’s damage, lost income could amount to up to £605,000 per course.

“Since the withdrawal of effective insecticides, economic damage from chafer grubs and leatherjackets has been of major concern to many of us,” reported STRI Head of Research, Dr Ruth Mann. “Obtaining this Emergency Authorisation of Acelepryn enables us to manage

the most damaging effects of these soil pests as part of an integrated turf management programme.”

The UK Emergency Authorisation for Acelepryn has been granted from 7 June to 30 September 2018, to cover the key Chafer Grub and leatherjacket treatment timing.

The Emergency Authorisation covers golf greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields, specifically where there has been a history of pest damage or a recognised risk of damage. In all instances the use of Acelepryn must be recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.

The authorised label permits application at the rate of 0.6 litres per hectare, applied in 500-1000 l/ha water. Ideally Acelepryn should irrigated in after application. One application per year is permitted, with the latest time of treatment being 30 September.

Turf managers or owners who believe they have suffered economically damaging effects of Chafer grubs and leatherjackets are advised to contact their BASIS agronomist or ICL Area Manager in the first instance.

Syngenta

Strong customer focus leads to launch of M600

Weedingtech, manufacturers of Foamstream, continue to develop their product range with the launch of their latest unit – the Foamstream M600.

The smallest system yet, the Foamstream M600 is a smaller, lighter and more compact version of the M1200, the municipal range’s larger offering.

It was designed specifically to satisfy the demands of contractors, councils and other organisations who have the need to treat remote, hard-to-reach areas.

The M600 will allow customers to make use of their existing contract or fleet vehicles, fitting neatly on to most UTVs and allowing for easy manoeuvring around small

spaces - especially within inner city, urban environments.

With its wrap around 270 litre water tank as standard, the M600 offers users full operational access to those hard to reach places without the need for bowser or mains water supply.

The M600 is not only the perfect solution for those looking for an effective and compact weed control system, but it allows for year-round use as a solution for all green and urban space management jobs. Multifunctionality comes from interchangeable lances, providing the user with a solution for vegetation control and a range of sanitisation jobs such as street cleaning, gum removal and power washing.

Herbicide resistance is a very real threat to our ability to effectively control weeds in amenity situations and groundsmen need to take steps to avoid it, warns Monsanto.

Technical Development Manager Barrie Hunt explains: “There are currently no known cases of glyphosate resistance in the UK, however, globally, resistance has evolved as a result of repeated use and over-reliance on this active ingredient.”

In Europe, resistance has been confirmed in two plant

families and six species. They are the Fleabane (Horseweed) species Conyza bonariensis, Conyza canadensis and Conyza sumatrensis, and Ryegrass species Lolium rigidum, Lolium perenne and Lolium perenne var. multiflorum.

Barrie comments: “Fleabane, or Conyza, resistance has developed in amenity situations, including railways and roadsides, as well as in perennial crops. Ryegrass resistance has occurred predominantly in perennial crops and also in arable farming.”

20 countries across Europe and North America with its proven technology.

Ecoplug Max prevents re-growth in Yorkshire

Weeding Tech

Act now to beat herbicide resistance

“Ryegrass resistance has not been found in specific amenity situations, however many perennial crop situations directly mimic practice in amenity.”

Development of resistance in Europe is mainly due to repetitive or inappropriate practices, he explains:

“These practices include overreliance on of the same herbicide i.e. glyphosate, not following label recommendations and a lack of, or limited, Integrated Weed Management strategies.”

Minimising the risk of resistance is based on Good Plant Protection Practice and an Integrated Weed Management Strategy, which all groundcare professionals should be carrying out as a matter of routine, but a Resistance Management Strategy should also be put in place.

“Whenever possible, use mixtures of herbicides, and consider integrating nonchemical control measures,” explains Mr Hunt.

“Monitor and assess herbicide performance after spraying to detect any loss in control, - good record-keeping is key to the early detection of resistance.”

Planning applications carefully to ensure that the active ingredient is at its most effective helps to prevent survivors, he emphasises, as repeat applications to surviving plants present the greatest risk of resistance developing.

“If resistance is suspected, contact your supplier and/or the product manufacturer, and act quickly to prevent spread - use a strategy involving alternative herbicides and non-chemical techniques. Then collect seed samples for testing to confirm resistance,” Mr Hunt advises.

“However, by being vigilant, we can hopefully avoid resistance, and help these valuable chemicals to continue to maintain the quality of sporting and leisure facilities.”

Monsanto

Launched in 2011, Weedingtech’s patented technology has led it to become the world leader in the herbicide-free weed control market, now servicing more than For

Martin Lingard, Contracts Manager for Lowther Forestry, has reported that ICL’s Ecoplug Max is helping him manage an extensive tree and shrub clearance project throughout Yorkshire.

Lowther Forestry – a nationwide forestry, landscaping and fencing contractor was established in 1979 and now has four regional offices. Over the years the company has significantly grown and prides itself on providing exceptional quality, value and sustainability to businesses and organisations throughout the United Kingdom.

Martin Lingard has been with the company for 19 years and after looking for an alternative to liquid glyphosate for stump control, he turned to Ecoplug Max – which he purchased through ICL distributor Green-tech.

Ecoplug Max is a patented tree stump control application method which delivers glyphosate directly into the tree stump, killing its root system and preventing re-growth. Each plug contains 300mg of granular glyphosate which are simply placed into holes drilled into the stump using the Ecoplug drill bit. The plugs are then hammered in forcing out the sides of the plug, releasing the glyphosate into the phloem.

“We have been using Ecoplug Max for the past few years as part of a tree and shrub clearance project for the Environment Agency,” says Martin. Based on the work last year we have seen fantastic results - we’ve had no comeback or re-growth of willows.”

Ecoplug Max supports requirements of the sustainable

use directive to minimise use of pesticides. With the glyphosate encapsulated inside the unit, it never gets in direct contact with anything else but the plant, in turn minimizing the risk of the operator coming into contact with chemical or chemical spillage. Furthermore, it also eliminates the risk of damage to surrounding trees and vegetation. Quite simply, it stays where it belongs – inside the plant.

“As a product, it is so much better than spraying the stumps,” says Martin. “The beauty of it, is that it is so easy to use – we just apply the plugs easily into the holes that have been pre-drilled. It is certainly more efficient as well; in the past when we were spraying, just a little bit of breeze would mean that we would have to stop and wait until it passed. We’re also not having to carry lots of liquid so it is ideal from that point of view. It is safe to handle as well because you have no risk of spillages.

“We work in environmentally sensitive habitats and by using Ecoplug Max there is no risk of drift or contamination of habitat and the product, when applied, is not at risk of wash off by rain or flood. There is also the added benefit of less handling on site of concentrated herbicide product.

“Overall, I would say that it is a very good product and one that I would not hesitate to recommend.”

ICL

The Evolution fertiliser range offers a wide choice of granulation size, analysis, coatings and release modes to meet the needs of your turf all year round.

0115 9390202

0115 9398031

info@sherriffamenity.com

ww.sherriffamenity.com

Training key to future of invasive weed control

As non-native weed species become increasingly problematic across the UK and more individuals specialise in the controlling them, industry leaders are calling for minimum standards of practice to be set in order to to maintain a consistent quality of work.

We speak to a founding member of INNSA and joint MD of Japanese Knotweed Control, David Layland, to find out more about the expanding sector and why training and continued learning is so critical.

Q. How has the invasive species control industry grown over the years?

A. When I first started working in the sector, around 15 years ago, there were just two or three other specialists in the business, and invasive weeds were rarely spoken of.

But in the last 10 years, as awareness of the problem has grown and the need for management has increased, so has the number of contractors. There are now around over 200 businesses operating in the invasive weed sector.

Most contractors are very reputable, but there are a few ‘rogue’ businesses that threaten the reputation of others, and there is currently no minimum mandatory standard to audit these operations.

I believe that if it was compulsory for all contractors to become Amenity Assured, this problem would be greatly reduced.

Q. Are there any mandatory qualifications required for treatment?

A. Anyone wishing to apply a pesticide must hold a recognised pesticide application certificate, such as those offered by LANTRA or City & Guilds.

For example, the City & Guilds PA1 certificate, which then must be followed by a PA6 qualification which enables individuals to make treatments with a hand-held lance or knapsack applicator or PA6INJ for injecting

Q. Have you taken any other training courses?

A. Yes, I hold the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Amenity Horticulture) –Invasive and Injurious Weeds, which enables qualified individuals to give advice and demonstrate their professional knowledge and understanding of the most effective methods for weed management.

The IPM process

1. Survey the site 2. Consider all available options for control, rather than just herbicides

Treat appropriately considering the results of the initial survey

Follow up the treatment if necessary with practices such as tactical mowing or replanting

The course adds up to five days’ worth of training, but additional reading is required around the formal sessions that are spread throughout a number of weeks.

It covers all aspects of nonnative weed control, with everything from identifi cation and biology to legislation as well as safe use and suitable treatment methods. This is followed by a rigorous examination and testing by BASIS examiners.

Q. Do you regularly update your training?

A. Of course, continued professional development (CPD) is essential to keep up to date in such a fast-moving industry, where regulations often change, and new techniques develop all the time.

As part of the PA1 and PA6 qualifications, individuals should be collecting CPD points. But to remain on the BASIS Professional Register

and keep up to speed, after completing the Invasive and Injurious Weeds training, members can collect BASIS CPD points in various ways including reading literature, attending trade events, roadshows and conferences.

Q. How has this additional training helped in your daily work?

A. The training puts emphasis on what you already know but allows you to take a step back to focus the mind on alternative practices and control methods.

One key aspect of the syllabus that has influenced change in our business was Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how to create a suitable plan with this in mind. This encompasses taking all available tools and practices into consideration for control.

The first step when creating an IPM strategy should include a site survey to give an understanding

of the species being treated, considering other influencing factors such as the time of year and the surrounding environment. Following, this it’s important to note that a herbicide isn’t always the best option, but if it is, then the most appropriate product should be selected with the survey findings in mind.

After the plant has been removed, more often than not,

there’s a high chance that it will re-grow. So, the area may need re-planting with a preferable species to outcompete any unwanted re-growth. Since using the training as an opportunity to fine-tune the IPM technique, and implementing more stringent plans, herbicide usage across the business has been significantly reduced. This brings about cost savings at the same time as helping to protect

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the environment by minimising chemical presence in the soil and water.

Implementing an IPM strategy can also aid in maintaining the efficacy of herbicides, as tolerant plant strains are less likely to develop when using non-chemical controls combined with herbicides.

BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Amenity Horticulture) – Invasive and Injurious Weeds

Tailored to contractors, distributors, manufacturers and advisors

Entry requirements: It is recommended that candidates have some initial training or practical experience prior to enrolling on the course

Impact of amenity activity on biodiversity, the environment and water

Recognition, biology and control of weeds, pests and diseases

Composition, activity and persistence of pesticides

Pesticide application

Safe use, handling, transport and storage of pesticides

BASIS

Logic Deck Mounted Sprayer – DMS Range

The Logic Deck Mounted Sprayer Range has been designed to fit into a trailer, onto the rear cargo space of a UTV or in a pickup. The capacity is 270

litres. A choice of 4.5, 9 or 14.4 litres/min pumps are available

hand

Rotational moulded tanks and high quality pumps are at the heart of a good, reliable spraying system and Logic has resisted the temptation to reduce the specification of these vital components.

DMS prices start from £1430.00 + VAT for the basic unit with numerous spray boom options. Contact Logic for more details, or see the website www.LogicToday.co.uk

Logic

Expansion helps Progreen to maintain high quality services

Progreen Weed Control have consolidated their long-term growth in the Amenity sales sector with a new warehouse and training facility right next door to their current office and BASIS-approved storage facility. Growing from small, humble beginnings many years ago and as one of the pioneers of online sales – Progreen now employs a local workforce to run an expanding business, including; sales, packing, NSK qualified storekeepers, BASIS/ FACTS qualified technical advisors and Marketing specialists.

The range of over 500 products available to order online or by

phone includes; pesticides, fertilisers, grass seed and equipment - boasting brand names such as; Kurtail Gold, Cooper Pegler and Amvista fertilisers which are regularly updated and the range of products increased.

Progreen has always been active in training and in 2017/18 that provision increased considerably with bespoke, on-site courses for several major UK companies, BASIS NSK training delivered (and planned for 2018) plus the usual range of PA Pesticide courses on behalf of City & Guilds, such as PA1, PA6, stem injection and Ecoplugs.

A new, purpose-built training room, in the new premises, has already seen several courses through its doors and allows Progreen to offer ever more flexible training solutions for small, medium and large businesses.

Progreen

INNSA guidance assisting buyers of Japanese knotweed remediation services

UK Trade Body INNSA has released specific guidance to assist buyers of Japanese knotweed remediation services.

This guidance will be particularly useful for local authority procurement departments, particularly in light of recent government intervention requiring that all amenity herbicide application is carried out by contractors who are members of the Amenity Assured scheme.

Following recent reporting of the “Swansea Japanese knotweed study” released in April 2018, INNSA noted widespread misreporting and misunderstanding of the results of the study, which is consistent with a lack of knowledge about this area of significant concern, which costs the UK economy over £160m every year.

“There is still a huge amount of misleading advice and conflicting information out there,” says

Chris Oliver of JKSL, an INNSA Contractor Member “Even after the detailed results published in the Swansea study, we found a lot of the media were sensationalising and printing misleading headlines. This leads to more confusion for buyers and an inconsistent approach to tendering.

“Our advice is that Japanese knotweed can be remediated by an experienced specialist in line with the Environment Agency guidance and the INNSA Code of Practice.”

But Chris Oliver warned buyers: “Our members’ extensive experience does agree with the study findings that there is no “quick fix” solution to Japanese knotweed, and that herbicide treatment can take in excess of three years, even using appropriate products.”

INNSA encourage anyone who is specifying invasive species remediation works to use a registered INNSA Contractor Member to carry out the works to

ensure the best quality advice and reliable works with the option of extended guarantees for up to ten years after completion.

As a minimum, INNSA recommend that buyers only use contractors who are members of the Amenity Assured scheme, both for quality assurance and to ensure that you are meeting your legal duties. This is in line with requirements issued in 2015 by the then Secretary of State for Communities and

Local Government that UK Local Authorities must only use Amenity Assured contractors.

All INNSA Contractor Members are members of the Amenity Assured scheme.

INNSA is the UK trade body dedicated to the remediation of invasive species including Japanese knotweed.

INNSA

Environet and DuPont announce successful field trials of new membrane

A new membrane developed by global science and engineering firm DuPont, Plantex Platinium, has been found to be successful in containing Japanese knotweed, following field trials carried out by Japanese knotweed removal specialists Environet.

Where the removal of Japanese knotweed through physical excavation is the preferred solution, horizontal membranes laid beneath the surface of the ground can be useful in locations where it is not possible to remove or kill all the knotweed crowns and rhizomes.

This could be, for example, where underground services such as drainage and sewerage are present, where the land cannot be disturbed as a result of a tree preservation order, or where the costs are prohibitive.

Existing membranes that are effective at dealing with Japanese knotweed are usually impermeable to water, which, when installed horizontally over large areas, can create problems with drainage leading to flooding and ground instability.

Leaders in membrane innovation, DuPont approached Environet in 2017 with Plantex Platinium, a new permeable membrane designed to control Japanese knotweed without the associated drainage issues.

Environet conducted field trials over the 2017 growing season (March to November) at their Japanese knotweed infested test site in West Sussex.

To put the product under extreme test conditions, no attempt was made to remove any of the crowns or rhizomes prior to the installation of a 10m x 5m sheet of Plantex Platinium. The membrane was then covered with a minimum of 100mm clean topsoil and monitored throughout the season for knotweed growth.

No emergence was observed during the monitoring period, however, new growth was encountered around the periphery and was evident running horizontally beneath the membrane when it was lifted.

Environet

ACO stabilisation tile system reduces weed growth

ACO’s

installation and reduces the likelihood of weed growth.

The robust system is suitable for loads of up to 40 tonnes per square metre, so is ideal for properties with vehicles of varying sizes.

GravelGrid’s incorporated Dupont Typar geo-textile fabric allows for easy

What’s more, the structure of the tile eliminates the risk of potholes and the porous SUDs solution also allows for an unimpeded flow of surface water, decreasing the rate of run-off and leading to significant cost savings where conventional drainage solutions are not necessary.

lightweight reinforced gravel tile, GravelGrid, is designed for driveway applications, as well as paths and gardens.

Innovative pilot machinery bank launches with great expectation

Sports administrators are closely watching a revolutionary project which if takes off has potential to be rolled out country wide.

An innovative pilot scheme offering sports clubs access to affordable quality pitch maintenance advice, labour and machinery is up and running from a golf club in North Yorkshire.

The ‘machinery bank’ with eight pieces of maintenance equipment will potentially assist hundreds of eligible sports clubs in a 20-mile radius of Thirsk. Qualified greens staff will carry out the work at affordable rates.

The joint project between the IOG and Sport England has been co-ordinated by Ian Powell, Grounds & Natural Turf Improvement Plan (GaNTIP) regional pitch advisor for Yorkshire & North East.

“Essentially it’s a mechanism to help least resourced club teams play on a better surface for more of the playing season. But it’s not just for golf; football, rugby

and cricket can all get a boost,” confirmed Ian Powell.

“It’s radical because conventional thinking has been turned on its head. It’s not one contractor or a club that’s behind it. Guided by consultants, Sporting Assets, who have considerable expertise in the area of community sports funding, they advised a company limited by guarantee was set up to run the scheme separately from the golf course.

“The new company is called Hambleton Sports Improvements after the district where it operates. The solution is a winwin for everyone playing on natural turf locally.”

Purchased equipment concentrates on essential processes which coincide with the tried and tested GaNTIP programme reports.

versatile kit, suitable for routine maintenance at different levels of sports clubs which also withstands the rigours of golf course duties.”

and a double sized Terra Brush with folding wings.

“With this in mind the equipment purchased includes a John Deere 4066R, a Charterhouse Verti Quake, a Star Green sprayer from Vale Engineering and from Wiedenmann a GXi8 HD Terra Spike, a 2.1m Terra Rake, a Super 500 towed flail mower/ collector, Terra Float over seeder

“At the heart of the scheme is the greenkeeping team of Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club led by Course Manager, Roger Mackerell and his deputy, Simon Todd. They are the the project champions if you like.

Machines are stored and maintained at the golf club and the scheme has been designed for maximum take up.

“A formal service level agreement is in place which will be reviewed regularly to enable the club to use the equipment on its own course.”

With links through the National Governing bodies, as well as Sport England, a complete data base of hours, type of work as well as costs will be kept and submitted on a quarterly basis for all to monitor and follow for future projects.

IOG

ALL BENT is number one bentgrass mixture for golf greens STRI Group announce Research Day dates

Grass expert, Barenbrug UK, has dominated the BSPB Turfgrass bentgrass trials this year, with a top rating for its new cultivar, Charles – making ALL BENT the No.1 100% browntop bentgrass grass seed mixture on the market.

Designed specifically for overseeding and species exchange in golf and bowling greens, the aggressive nature of this cultivar heralds new standards for course managers looking at long term sustainability using fewer chemicals.

For the majority of golf courses, particularly those on traditional “soil push-up greens”, replacing annual meadowgrass with browntop bentgrass could have

“Decompaction, over seeding, spraying, scarification and fertiliser applications are what’s most required to rejuvenate an existing surface, “continued Ian Powell. “It’s about getting significant benefits in yearround smoothness and trueness, as well as providing substantial savings in fungicide, fertiliser and water costs.

David Greenshields, Barenbrug Product Manager said: “ALL BENT is a vital new tool in the armoury of a course manager looking to provide consistent and reliable colour and performance for players—but in a more sustainable way.”

The majority of golf and bowling greens in the UK are dominated by annual meadowgrass (Poa annua), which has inherent challenges in maintaining high quality surfaces, particularly for year-round play.

The STRI trials show that Charles breaks new ground for visual merit and shoot density, and promises to play a key role in outcompeting Poa annua in a close-mown green.

Barenbrug

STRI Group has announced the dates for its free annual Research Day event, hosted at its worldclass facilities in West Yorkshire. Greenkeepers, grounds staff, course managers, stadium managers and other sportsturf professionals are all invited to attend the open days on the September 19-20 2018.

On the days, STRI researchers will present the latest trials and technology, sponsored by STRI’s research partners, that will benefit the sport industry in the future. STRI’s consultancy team will be giving attendees a guided tour around the STRI research grounds.

There’s also delicious food served throughout the day

and it’s a great opportunity to meet and catch-up with fellow sportsturf industry professionals.

The event is supported by ICL, Syngenta, Sherriff Amenity, Bernhards, Aquatrols and MLR Sports, who are all currently investing in R&D projects to help improve the quality and management of sports surfaces.

Dr Christian Spring, Research operations manager at STRI, said: “STRI’s research days are interactive and informative, and allows both greenkeepers and groundsmen to keep abreast of the latest developments and concepts in the sportsturf industry.”

STRI Group

SISIS TM1000 recommended for cricket clubs

David Hodgson, groundsman and president at the Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club in Headingley, Leeds, believes that a lot more local cricket clubs would see significant improvements if they used a SISIS Rotorake TM1000 tractor mounted scarifier.

David, or ‘Hodgy’ as he is more commonly known in the local area, has been looking after the facilities for the past twenty years and president of the club for the past twelve.

The compact ground surrounded by trees, hosts on average, between 85 and 100 fixtures per annum and David leaves no stone unturned when it comes to preparation.

The SISIS Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor mounted heavy duty

scarifier and linear aerator and is un-rivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch.

It includes a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours and its contra-rotating reel throws debris forward ensuring a clean, consistent groove resulting in an excellent

finish. With interchangeable blades and a quick, simple depth setting without tools, it seemed to be the perfect machine for David.

“I have the scarification reel and the fraze mowing reel – which I think is absolutely brilliant,” he said. “I’m also now looking at purchasing

SISIS

Euroflor urban meadow to welcome visitors to Hever

Hever Castle Golf Club’s head greenkeeper Rob Peers is a man on a mission: “to encourage visitors to both the golf course and the castle estate to fully enjoy and be fully immersed and engaged with the complete site”.

And he is confident that by using a variety of Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor urban meadow flower seed mixes he will achieve this and, by so doing, ‘integrate’ the golf course with the castle estate and enable and encourage all visitors to Hever - golfers and their partners/guests and, likewise, castle visitors – to be fully aware of everything that the historic site in Kent has to offer.

Foley United becomes a BIGGA Education Supporter

Foley United is proud to announce a new relationship with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) as Education Supporters.

In becoming the latest BIGGA Education Supporter, Foley United will support the members of the association and the wider greenkeeping industry and provide a number of educational

opportunities through the BIGGA framework.

These opportunities will include seminars and workshops to outline grinding best practice, while giving a full explanation of the different options available when it comes to all aspects of grinding.

Dutch stadium praises the results of using INFINICUT

A renovation of stands at Holland’s De Adelaarshorst in 2015, saw the start of new opportunities for Go Ahead Eagles FC and its Head of Operations Ronnie Janssen.

With its new capacity of just under 10,000, the stadium was one of the host venues for the UEFA Women’s Euro Tournament in 2017, which is also where Ronnie had his first experience with the Cub Cadet INFINICUT mowers.

With the generous backing of the supporters’ club, they were able to purchase their own fleet of two INFINICUT 34’s at the end of 2017.

Fantastic results have been achieved with the mowers throughout the 2017/18 season,

receiving top marks in the league for their pitch multiple times.

“Since using the INFINICUT we have not looked back – the machine operates in a new way to any other mower and has improved the quality of our pitch,” he said. “We couldn’t have achieved this without the generosity of our Supporters Club so it’s really a big thank you to them.”

Cub Cadet

“With over 400 acres of golf course and estate, including formal gardens, there’s something here for everyone,” says Rob, “and by using the Euroflor mixes to create colourful and eye-pleasing areas with the wow factor, I can foresee a real crossover of visitors between the different areas of Hever – effectively

bridging any ‘gap’ between the golf course and the estate.”

Rob and his eight-strong greenkeeping team devote around 80% of their time managing and maintaining the 27-hole golf course; the remainder is spent on areas of the estate that border the golf course and are outside of the remit of the castle’s gardening team.

Rob has an infectious enthusiasm for biodiversity and environmental issues - “on the greens, for example, we are doing more to make the sward as healthy as possible by, for example, increased aeration and using more sand rather than chemicals” - and this embraces measures (including bee hives) to improve the incumbent fauna and flora.

Several areas of the estate have been made ready for the Euroflor mixes and in most cases this has entailed clearance of grass, brambles and weeds or a reduction in lake-side reed beds.

Rigby Taylor

the brush for cleaning the squares during the playing season.

“Personally, I think that a lot of local cricket clubs would benefit from using the SISIS Rotorake TM1000.”

Foley United

London GC gets advice on how to get your feeding programme

No matter how many years of experience a greenkeeper builds up, one of the biggest challenges that remains is how to achieve consistency throughout the year. This is never more relevant than in light of recent extremes in weather, causing huge peaks and troughs in growth.

When it comes to nutrition, Lee Sayers, The London Golf Clubs’ Golf Courses & Estate Manager, looks to Headland Amenity for advice on applying short-term foliars.

Now on his third stint at the London, but first in charge of the two internationally-renowned 18-hole courses, Lee has worked with Headland Amenity products for a number of years. “With Headland we cover both ends of the spectrum when it comes to plant nutrition – applying long-term, slow-release, low nitrogen-based products as a base feed topped up with sprays and feeds that go on the greens every 7-14 days. Short-term feeds give you what you need, when you need it and puts you in control of your plant growth.”

“To get our feeding programme right, it’s all about monitoring three major factors. Firstly, just looking at the plant – you can tell by the colour how healthy it is and what is required to sustain that. Secondly, monitoring the clippings. People may assume

this is a luxury we can afford to do with the size of team we have, but in-fact it takes the guys just a minute per green to measure in litres how many clippings are taken off each green. Finally, we have to keep a close eye on the weather - sometimes the biggest variable. Using this information, together with a little guess work to predict what may occur over the next 10 days, we will adjust our feeding programme accordingly.”

With continuous monitoring, a feeding programme can be altered to ensure a balance between plant growth and health. Feeding too much will see a healthy plant, but one that grows too much slowing down the speed of the greens. Feed too infrequently, you can cut the greens less but can leave the plant vulnerable to disease.

Final word from Lee, “In a perfect world, you’d be running through the season with consistent growth but I’ve been in this game for a long time and it’s still very hard to achieve! The London is always on a knife edge, but by putting our heads together and using advice available from companies like Headland, as well as making sure we’re out monitoring the plants every day, we can take a step towards achieving that goal.”

Qualibra is perfect for Royal Cinque Ports

James Bledge, Course Manager at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Deal, Kent, says he has successfully treated Dry Patch with monthly applications of Qualibra wetting agent.

The course has repeatedly suffered from Dry Patch even with previous wetting agent programmes and as a result, last year James trialled Syngenta’s Qualibra – which is distributed by ICL.

“I’ve used a number of wetting agents before but I’ve always had a problem with Dry Patch, we are situated on sand with only around 3” of topsoil so infiltration rates are pretty high,” he explains.

“We also lose a lot of moisture – Sometimes up to 10% Volume water content in a day. Therefore, I decided to look at Qualibra and trialled it last year to see how it performed. I’m a big believer in doing a full year’s trial with products, especially a wetting

agent, because I think you are wasting your time if you do anything less than that.

“You need to see it consistently throughout every month to see how it is performing and also just give it a chance. - not just apply it

on a turf nursery in June and see how it performs in one month.”

James applied Qualibra to his greens, tees, approaches and fairways at 20 L/ha in March and continued with monthly applications until October. His

goal was to optimise the use of water resources and move surface water down to maintain, firm, fast conditions, as well as improving the playing surface quality for members.

ICL

Bernhard and Company signs up as a BIGGA Partner

Bernhard and Company has become the latest turf industry organisation to formalise its support of members of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association by becoming an official BIGGA Partner.

Bernhard and Company began working alongside BIGGA in 1998 and since 2002 has sponsored the annual BIGGA Delegation to America.

Each year 10 members are flown to the United States, where they

undertake a range of course visits and educational opportunities, before representing both Bernhard and BIGGA at the GCSAA’s Golf Industry Show. Over the years some 160 BIGGA members have benefitted from this incredible opportunity.

A specialist in sports turf technology, Bernhard is committed to providing innovative turf care solutions to golf courses and sports turf facilities worldwide.

BIGGA

Visit www.ransomesHM600.com to watch the machine working and book a demo with your

The Ransomes HM600.

The HM600 has been built in collaboration with Müthing to deliver a robust, reliable mower with the ability to tackle the toughest jobs, and the finesse to manoeuvre tight spaces while providing a quality after-cut appearance. From a clean, fine, rolled finish across sports pitches to routine cuts, the HM600 leaves an even spread of mulched clippings. It also tackles the irregular cuts, bringing the lesser maintained areas back under control.

local dealer.

Headland Amenity

Dennis Razor tops the list at Merchant Taylors’

After Richard Ayling, grounds manager at Merchant Taylors’ School, drew up a shortlist of new potential machinery to purchase, the Dennis Razor fine turf mower saw off competition to receive a unanimous vote from himself and his team.

The illustrious Merchant Taylors’ School in Hertfordshire has a glowing reputation for good reason. It boasts first-class results both in the classroom and outside on the magnificent playing fields

The site in total including the prep school is approximately 280 acres and that comprises of 80 acres of sports fields on the main school site, 20 acres on the prep school site while the rest of it is made up of buildings, lakes, lawns and woodland.

In managing the maintenance and upkeep of this vast area, it is

safe to say that Richard, who has been working at the school for nearly 23 years, certainly has his work cut out.

He heads up a team of ten which consists of groundsmen and gardeners – all of whom play a vital role.

Therefore, when it comes to purchasing new machinery, Richard insists that it must be a team decision.

“We were looking for something that was fairly simple to use, had easy height adjustment and a nice balance,” he says.

“I took my staff to SALTEX in November last year and had a good look round the show to see what was on the market. We looked at various machines and drew up a shortlist. After a couple of demonstrations we were all in favour of the Razor.”

Superbly balanced and ideal for cricket pitches and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor features a 560mm (22in), 11 blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish.

An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces.

The Dennis Razor encompasses the simple ‘no tools required’ click height adjusters for quick and easy operation, a feature which particularly struck a chord with Richard and his team.

“Its ease of use is the best feature and I particularly like the click system on the height adjustment setting. The Razor was exactly the machine we were looking for.”

Richard purchased four Dennis Razors – one for the school’s lawn areas and three for cricket pitch preparations.

The team normally start using the Razor 8-10 days prior to a game taking place and Richard was quick to praise the machine’s quality of cut.

“For cricket preparation we use the Razor to cut down to 3-4mm but they are superb for trimming off the squares as well and they cut nicely at 15mm too.

Ultimately they produce a fantastic finish on every occasion.”

Dennis

Graden CSI helps club improve water dispersal and greens speed

At more than 100 years old, Kent’s St Augustine’s Golf Club has changed a lot over those years and is now a long way away from the grazing land that once occupied its 60 acre site.

However, the pop-up greens, on original clay soil, used to cause Head Greenkeeper Gary Kennington and his team a headache when it came to topdressing and drainage.

That was until the club discovered the benefits of the Graden Contour Sand Injection (CSI) unit, which has helped to improve water dispersal and greens speed, all with minimum surface disruption.

“Though we’re not strictly a links course, as there’s a road between the club and the Kent coast, we do still have to deal with the climatic challenges our location brings” explains Gary. “One year in particular, going back now 7 years, the weather

meant the usual tactic of tining and topdressing wasn’t getting sand down into the greens as well as the team hoped. At the time the Graden CSI was a relatively new concept in the UK so we hired a unit and quickly realised that it could really help.”

The Graden CSI is a 3-in-1 verticutter with the ability to aerate, scarify and remove thatch to any depth between 1mm-40mm, whilst simultaneously backfilling the grooves with either sand or a combination of sand and seed. Its ability to conduct multiple jobs in one pass reduces play downtime without causing any detrimental effect to the firmness of the ground.

“With this CSI you’re getting the sand into the green, rather the putting it on the top, allowing you to get greens back into play in as little as half an hour,” he adds.

Chaterhouse Turf Machinery

JOB DONE.

3.03 metres.

2.37

Aggregate Industries helps sport pitches stay high and dry

Aggregate Industries is set to revolutionise sports pitch construction and maintenance with the launch of Pro Pitch Elite – an infill sand proven to have the best drainage rates available to the UK market.

Unveiled by the company’s Garside Sands division, the innovative Pro Pitch Elite infill sand has been specifically designed to include larger rounded particles in order to provide superior void space through the playing surface of synthetic sport pitches exposed

to extreme weather conditions. The new product will be sold alongside the company’s existing Pro Pitch 2EW sand, the UK’s best-selling high-performance infill sand, which outperforms it nearest competitors, and remains the product of choice for the leading synthetic sports contractors.

The Pro Pitch range recently proved its unrivalled credentials during independent lab testing which found Pro Pitch Elite drained 116% better than the most popular

competitor sand available, while the high-performance Pro Pitch 2EW sand boasted its own absorbent characteristics

MM is the solution in Hertfordshire

In order to satisfy the needs of the members at Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, course manager James Bonfield is using a range of Limagrain UK’s MM grass seed mixtures to produce

the best possible playing surfaces.

Limagrain’s MM25 is an ideal mixture for the construction and renovation of sports pitches,

whereas MM22 is great for divotting, repairing, overseeding and construction of tees, fairways and outfield areas that are subjected to high levels of wear.

The course in Hertfordshire is divided by a road, of which, one half is old farmland so the soil is very rich and the other side being parkland tends to grow more efficiently. With both MM22 and MM25 at his disposal, James had the flexibility to apply the two mixtures where he felt most appropriate.

James also relies on MM22 for his tees and uses a slightly higher application rate due to the

- draining 44% better than the same competitor sand.

HTS Group Ltd invests in Toro after impressing at show

At SALTEX 2017, Toro’s LTF3000 triple flail mower stood out from the crowd to Harlow Council-founded facilities management company, HTS Group Limited.

In fact the company, which deals with grass cutting and landscape maintenance for the postcode, was so impressed it promptly invested in two machines.

machines and replace a 12-yearold cylinder mower to maintain medium-sized open spaces across the Essex district too small for a tractor-drawn mower and too large for a rotary.

Where it is difficult to maintain fescue in the sward or where levels of wear are greater, many greenkeepers and course managers choose MM9 – a three way browntop bent mixture, which James applies to his greens shortly after renovations in late September in order to get more bents into the surface.

Completing his range of MM products, he applies the all ryegrass mixture MM50 to his walk off areas “just to give them a bit of love towards the end of the season.”

Limagrain

BIGGA’s latest Master Greenkeepers announced

From London to Connecticut, two members of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association are celebrating after achieving their Master Greenkeeper certificates, marking them out as leading lights within the turf management industry.

Andrew Kerr, Course Manager at Surbiton Golf Club in London,

and Anthony Girardi, Golf Course Superintendent at Rockrimmon Country Club in Connecticut, have become just the 73rd and 74th recipients of the Master Greenkeeper certificate.

Recognised as a prestigious and highly-sought after greenkeeping industry award, Master Greenkeeper certificates are achieved through a three-stage

process. To be eligible, BIGGA members must have been working in the industry for 10 years, with three spent in a head greenkeeper, course manager or superintendent role.

Stuart Green, BIGGA’s head of member learning, said: “Our Master Greenkeeper certificate is now in its 28th year and yet only 74 golf course managers

and superintendents from all over the world have made the grade, highlighting what an incredible achievement this is.

“Master Greenkeeper is a learning experience and I would recommend any golf course manager, who aspires to the highest standards, gives it a go.”

BIGGA

As Andrew Bradley, landscapes manager at HTS Group, explains: “The LT-F3000 not only stood out with its signature Toro red, but for looking professional and robust. After making some enquiries, it was clear that it would tick all of our boxes, too.

“Post-show, I got in touch with our local Reesink Turfcare representative, Danny Lake, who took me on a tour around the Spellbrook Toro Factory in Bishop Stortford. Seeing machines hand built before my eyes convinced me that for quality and robustness, Toro was the way to go.”

Two LT-F3000 flail mowers join HTS Group’s fleet of 19 grounds

Another box ticked for Andrew is that the LT-F3000 is road legal. He says: “With most sites six miles away, and their proximity to busy roads making parking a nightmare, being able to drive our machines to jobs is a must. A bonus with Toro’s triple flail is that it has a good road speed of 15.5mph.”

And the machines are proving their worth in action too, meaning Andrew’s show instincts were well-founded: “The wet spring has made grass grow like mad, but the flail mowers are chewing through it effortlessly. This would have been too much for our cylinder mower,” he says.

Reesink Turfcare

Dennis G860

Aggregate Industries

“The Toros, however, make light work of the grass and even leave a beautiful striped finish to really top it all off,” Andrew concludes.

Time to rethink the way we manage surfaces

Changes in pesticide legislation are having a deepening effect on sportsturf quality. In 2017 we lost the most effective fungicide combination - Tebuconazole and Prochloraz and the summer of 2018 will see the industry lose our remaining contact curative active, Iprodione.

Turf managers are therefore having to shift their emphasis to a proactive approach to plant health, both in terms of nutritional programmes and the mechanical maintenance that is conducted on a turf surface. Andy Russell of Headland Amenity, together with John Coleman of MTD Specialty Turf Products explore the importance of plant health.

“In terms of disease management, this will be a game-changer and will effectively end the option of reactive fungicide applications” explains Andy.

Using preventative fungicides to control Fusarium Patch (Microdochium nivale) will continue to be an essential tool in the turf manager’s armoury – especially during the warmer, more humid, autumn months. However, producing a grass plant that is strong and healthy, therefore making it difficult for disease to take hold, is now more important than ever.

Headland Amenity’s disease management strategies feature both the timely application of preventative fungicides, and the use of specific forms of nutrients to maximise plant health going into and during, the winter period.

This approach takes a longer term, strategic view utilising pre-emptive applications of plant elicitors and plant hardeners, applied before and during the

main disease period to discourage disease establishment.

“Our industry-leading 20-2030 tank mix combines Seamac ProTurf Fe and Liquid Turf Hardener plant protectants and Turfite elicitor to work together to strengthen the plant against disease. These three products, applied prior to the onset of disease have shown to be the most beneficial in helping to minimise the effects of Microdochium nivale over the autumn/winter period.”

This approach is now well established and testing to show real reductions in disease levels has been ongoing at the STRI for the last 11 years. The unique formulations of the three component products (Turfite, Liquid Turf Hardener and Semac ProTurf Fe) have consistently shown the best results when compared with other products.

The same trial work quickly established that the favoured application rates for best results were 20L/ha Turfite, 20L/ha Liquid Turf Hardener and 30L/ ha Seamac ProTurf Fe (hence ‘20/20/30’ mix).

“While chemistry continues to be a good tool in preventing expensive outbreaks of disease, it cannot be used as an effective plant health strategy on its own. It must be used in conjunction with careful maintenance practices.” explains John Coleman.

We’re all familiar with the disease triangle whereby the plant acquires disease due to three interactive components - the host plant, the environment and a pathogen. Disease susceptibility can be reduced by changing any one of these three aspects. For example, we can break the triangle by making the host plant less prone to pathogen attack by reducing pathogen entry points.

Similarly, we can alter the immediate environment surrounding the plant to make it less favourable for the pathogen to prosper. We can use simple mechanical techniques to reduce pathogen entry points, maintain plant vigour and improve the surrounding environment. Mowing is the most routine task employed in the maintenance of sports turf. It can have either positive or negative consequences

for plant health depending on mower performance.

Attainment of correct cutting performance to minimise leaf blade damage and maintain good plant health on sports pitches, will include, but isn’t limited to, a good sharpness of cut; choosing the appropriate attitude angle and behind centre distance (BCD) of the bedknife and the correct frequency of clip for the conditions present at the time.

Poorly sharpened mowers tear and shred grass blades rather than cut them cleanly, increasing the plants vulnerability to disease. Setting the mower with an attitude angle that is too aggressive can weaken the plant during times of plant stress allowing the pathogen to more easily “take hold”.

Frequency of clip (FOC) is important in ensuring the correct quality is achieved for the specific height of cut as an incorrect FOC can mulch the plant leading to an unclean cut and an increase in plant pathogen entry points.

The maintenance of correct organic levels is also paramount to minimise the environment that harbours pathogens.

A thatchy surface is moisture retentive and as a result has less O2 present and does not promote good air movement. A good tactic to maintain low thatch levels is to employ a vertical mowing program combined with an approved top-dressing regime.

The Cub Cadet INFINICUT has been specifically designed to handle the numerous variables that modern day sports venues encounter. Its ingenuous ability to alter geometry and working parameters ensures

sward consistency is attained regardless of the time of year or conditions encountered. Plant health can only be augmented by choosing the correct equipment set-up for the circumstances that prevail at any given time.”

Getting the nutritional and mechanical maintenance right to produce a healthy, strength and vigourous plant, can deliver benefits right through to the next growing season.

The healthy sward coming out of winter is more able to respond to inputs, allowing an early and cleaner spring start as temperatures rise.

Fuelling the debate on the 3 E’s - engines, the environment and efficiency

Changes to engine legislation will affect many machines regularly used by landscapers and arborists, including chippers.

Timberwolf’s ‘white paper’ provides a guide to what is happening.

Recognition that diesel engines emit damaging compounds in their exhaust gases has led to an ongoing programme of legislation to limit emissions. This requires engine manufacturers to develop new models to meet this legislation.

Machinery manufacturers are obliged to fi t the compliant engines to new machines within

150p

For Owner Adam Lonsdale, his decision was swayed not only by the build quality and back-up service available from GreenMech compared to the alternatives available in the current market, but also by the superior performance of this petrol version.

“We’d had a demo of both the diesel and petrol Arborist 130 machines, when Ashley mentioned that a 38hp petrol model was then about to launch,” explained Adam “After seeing the Arborist 150p at

a specific timescale. New legal standards have been introduced in ‘stages’ or ‘tiers’ to encompass specific groups and power ratings of engines. Regulation (EU) 2106/1628 include engines used in ‘non-road mobile machinery’.

The key date is January 1 2019, when ‘stage V’ requirements come into force. Currently ‘Nonroad mobile machinery’ includes

a range of equipment commonly used by landscapers and arborists, often powered by engines within the ranges of 19≤37kW (Stage IIIA) and 37≤56kW (Stage IIIB). Examples include mowers, selfpropelled skid steers, stump grinders and chippers.

Within the industry, most existing hydraulic chippers will not meet the requirements of the new regulations. This means Timberwolf and other manufacturers’ machine ranges will either require petrol or new type Stage V diesel engines to be installed, requiring a redesign of current product offerings. Current diesel engines can be supplied until the end of 2018,

unless they are within what is known as the transition engine scheme, which most of our range is, being Stage IIIA or IIIB engines. As the manufacturer, Timberwolf is permitted to incorporate these transition engines into a finished machine until the end of June 2020.

Timberwolf will naturally be offering machines with Stage V diesel engines, but we will also offer the customer a range of petrol alternatives. Stage V diesel engines will be more expensive than the recently launched petrol and current diesel offerings due to the mechanical fuel systems being replaced with more complex and costly high pressure

common rail fuel and emission cleaning systems. In addition, the new diesel engines will require the higher quality EN590 standard of diesel.

This is available either from petrol station forecourts as “white” duty paid diesel or from bulk fuel suppliers as the same EN590 standard but dyed red and only for use in machinery, thus saving on the duty.

The new EN590 standard for diesel is critically important, failure to ensure this standard will lead to engine damage. In contrast, petrol is of a uniform standard and is suitable for use in the new Timberwolf range of petrol powered machinery.

Now, with our newly launched petrol chipper range, it allows customers to choose between petrol and diesel engine formats. These petrol engines have been specified and tested to run to the demanding duty cycles required, and are equally durable and suited to the professional working environment.

All engines selected by Timberwolf are capable of lasting as long as the rest of the machine if serviced and maintained correctly.

There are further bene fi ts to using petrol engines - some cities have banned diesel usage on plant and machinery within their limits, and many more are planned in the future, but petrol machines can still be used in these locations. In addition, petrol engines do not require a diesel particulate filter (DPF). DPFs can get blocked if not used regularly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, which can incur signi fi cant service costs to the end user.

Existing Machines on the Market Customers with existing Timberwolf diesel chippers will still be free to use their machines under the new legislation and will be able to sell on or trade in a second-hand machine. It will also still be possible to purchase a second-hand diesel chipper from the trade and Timberwolf Dealers.

Petrol is also widely and conveniently available for landscapers and tree surgeon crews, compared with red diesel.

Wiltshire Countryside Services have purchased an Arb

from GreenMech.

Fleet produces costeffective paints and solutions

Major investment made by Origin’s Amenity Business

Origin’s Amenity Business has announced its acquisition of Linemark UK, the country’s leading innovator and supplier of pitch line-marking paints, machines and accessories.

Linemark UK joins Rigby Taylor and Headland in providing technically advanced and innovative solutions to turf management professionals.

Linemark UK has been the exclusive supplier of linemarking products to Rigby Taylor for 10 years, working closely with the company to bring to the industry Impact, the market-leading, ready-touse paint, which has won many awards including the Queens Award for Innovation and the Queens Award for International trade (Export).

Premiership pitches and sports grounds across a range of sports surfaces.

Other paints include the Duraline range for both natural turf, synthetic and hard surfaces together with Preline, the only MAPP-approved paint for initial marking.

Commenting on the acquisition, Chris Clark, Rigby Taylor’s executive chairman, stated: “Pitch line-marking paint and its application is an important market sector for the company. With Linemark UK joining the Origin family, we consider that Rigby Taylor will consolidate its leading market position and continue the high level of innovation and development for the benefit of our customer’s both now and in the future.”

UK as it looks to build on its successes and create, alongside Rigby Taylor, an exciting future within the Origin organisation.”

Linemark UK and Rigby Taylor pioneered the introduction of an Integrated Paint Technology System to sports pitch linemarking, matching for the first time innovative paint

formulation chemistry, advanced spray nozzle technology and application performance.

The result was the introduction of Impact paints, which brought to the industry the highest level of line-marking performance ever achieved.

Linemark Ltd

Manufacturing a wide range of paints for natural grass, synthetic surfaces including EPDM and hard/tarmac surfaces, Fleet are recognised as world leaders and innovators.

Amongst Fleet’s latest innovations is their unique, eco-friendly, automated nozzle cleaning system called the FLOZLE.

All quality paint will dry and block nozzles, a FLOZLE prevents this from happening.

Keeping your Kombi marker running in an economical and environmentally friendly way.

Fleet has a proud history of innovation:

• 1994: the UK’s first ride on marker Fleet’s Fastliner

• 1995: The Fleet Kombi destined to be the most popular marker in the world.

• 2006: The BeamRider, giving laser straight lines and perfect 90 degree angles simply and easily, was introduced. BeamRider is still the World’s most accurate line marker available.

• 2018 The E-MAQA marker is launched, giving the advanced professional

• huge time savings and planning capabilities, UK designed & engineered.

MAQA is now being used at all levels including Rugby Clubs, Universities, Private Schools and Contractors.

Fleet is celebrating their 65th anniversary later this year. A £2000 Competition is being launched to celebrate, see fleetlinemarkers.co.uk for details.

Fleet Line Marking

Intelligent line marking from Rigby Taylor

Intelligent One, a GPS-controlled robotic line marking system that can automatically mark out a football pitch in just 30 minutes, is now available to UK sports clubs, schools, contractors and local authorities.

It has been developed by Rigby Taylor, the company at the forefront of supplying innovative products for the successful management and maintenance of turf surfaces.

Already being used in Denmark by professional football clubs, Intelligent One connects to

positioning satellites via a sophisticated Leica GPS system and is operated via a tablet by entering pitch dimensions with two fixed points.

The pitch can then be marked - including centre circle, D and corner areas, as well as the penalty spot - without any further operator involvement.

Designed for use with Rigby Taylor’s award-winning Impact Integrated Paint Technology, Intelligent One is programmable between pitches on the same site and can mark multiple pitches from one battery charge.

Initially designed for marking grass football pitches, Rigby Taylor is now also investigating its use for other sports and playing surfaces.

This paint is now sold to over 43 countries worldwide and used by international, national stadia,

Tony Holt, managing director of Linemark UK, commented: “This is fantastic news for Linemark

THE WORLDS NO 1 GLOBAL BRAND FOR SPORTS LINEMARKING

Rigby Taylor

Pitchmark takes new lines in expansion

A family-run business based in Bristol, UK, Pitchmark has been innovative in raising the standard of line marking since the company’s inception in 2010.

As expansion continues, they have made a number of new appointments and developments to consolidate the increasing demand for

their range of high quality line marking paints, machines and accessories for all types of sport and sports surfaces.

Pitchmark products are used in over thirty countries worldwide and were supplied to every stadium at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and UEFA Euro 2016 in France.

As part of the planning for the future, Darren Rodman (Marketing Manager), Tim Rodman (General Manager) and Jon Griffiths (Production Manager) have now become shareholders and directors of Pitchmark, working alongside existing directors Mark and Sue Rodman.

The team has also been joined by Dave Blanchard who will be known to many in the industry and also represents Pitchmark’s ambition to grow the brand, while aiming to

improve the quality of working life for ground staff.

“We are always working tirelessly on research and development,” says Mark Rodman “and it’s all about regularly coming up with exciting and innovative ideas. That, and understanding what groundsmen want is what keeps us ahead.”

The company has taken on five new staff in the six months to April this year, including a new Warehouse Manager who has been recruited to help improve processes and procedures as the business continues to grow.

“These recent changes are very exciting and will allow us to secure our place at the forefront of the industry for many years to come.” Mark added.

Android-based Supaturf SWOZI raises the bar

GPS-guided linemarking has further advanced with the Generation 3 SWOZI from Vitax Supaturf.

The Supaturf SWOZI marked a quantum leap in the speed and efficiency of linemarking, with turfcare professionals able to mark out a football pitch in an average time of just 30 minutes.

The technology already allows sports contractors and site-based grounds professionals to mark out far more pitches in a day than when using traditional machines.

Generation 3 SWOZI features upgraded control system, electronics and communications, using a Windows-based app now ported to Android,

introducing variable or constant rate paint outflow to give users more flexible work patterns.

The new terrain compensation module (TCM) boosts line quality and further eases marking out, while strip mowing is now available through the Android app store for loading on to the rugged, waterproof Samsung Galaxy Active 8-inch IP67 display tablet fitted to the latest version.

Users can now swap seamlessly between GPS with SWOZI RTK base to RTK app or to laser tracker without changing equipment or hardware.

Vitax

Pitchmark

Groundscare solutions you can rely on

Groundscare professionals have been telling SCH (Supplies) Ltd that much of the machinery marketed to their sector has effectively priced them out of attaining maintenance equipment that is reliable and does an excellent job without taking them over budget.

“We are having more and more conversations with sports groundsmen and professional landscapers and gardeners who have been relieved to discover SCH can fill the gap in the market for them,” says SCH managing director Andrew Rodwell.

“Previously they have had to choose between hugely expensive machines that are more than required or at the other end of the scale, cheap, flat packed imports that are just not up to the job.”

In response to this need, SCH have spent several years developing machinery that fits into that middle ground without loss of quality.

Machines like their D Turfcare System, where purchasing the mounted frame then gives you the option to purchase as many or as few of the attachments as

you need. These attachments include an aerator, slitter, sorrel roller, de-thatching rake and hollow tine corer. This heavy duty system has an overall width of 70” (1780mm) and the attachments have a working width of 60” (1500mm).

The system was created to be versatile and effective and of course, sensibly priced with the frame currently retailing at £620.00 plus VAT and attachments from £743.00 plus VAT.

“That’s just one example of the groundscare products we’ve developed in over thirty years of trading,” he added.

“We also hear from professionals who need something very specific and as long as what they need is a workable unit, we are happy to design and construct to their exact specifications.”

There are many more products in the SCH 80 page brochure that can be ordered free of charge by calling 01473 328272 or emailing sales@schsupplies.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can browse the website www.schsupplies.co.uk

SCH Supplies

The TurfMaster is in a class of its own

The Toro TurfMaster (model 22205TE) is in a class of its own when it comes to professional groundscare.

Not only is the machine easy to handle, but it also covers more ground in less time than smaller models. This professional mower is the ideal choice for landscapers who are mowing in varied conditions and need a machine that is built for heavy use.

The TurfMaster comes equipped with a twin-blade cutting system and 76cm deck to increase user productivity, and save up to 40% on mowing time.

Not only will efficiency be improved, but with heavy-duty components such as deck skid side skirts, a steel bull-nose front bumper, tough sealed transmission and a strong onepiece handle, the demands of commercial mowing will be met with ease.

The innovative Blade Brake Clutch (BBC) stops the blade but enables the engine to continue running while emptying the grass bag or travelling over nongrassed areas.

The powerful Kawasaki commercial engine comes with

a 3.8 litre fuel tank, which saves time on refuelling and allows for longer mowing time. Designed for heavy use, the engine also comes equipped with spin-on oil filter and dual element air filter.

What’s more, the mower is extremely easy to control with the easy-to-operate, dual action single-bail control system and conventional walk-behind design.

The TurfMaster can also be purchased with accessories such as a Walk Power Mower Cover and Grass Bag Assembly.

Retailing at £1,599.00, the TurfMaster delivers professional-grade toughness with a professional quality of cut.

Time savings via wider cutting path and enhanced speed of Turfmaster vs. 53cm Toro mower, and will vary due to mowing conditions.

The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions

for the outdoor environment including turf maintenance, snow and ice management, landscape, rental and specialty construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With sales of $2.5 billion in fiscal 2017, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 125 countries.

Through constant innovation and caring relationships built on trust and integrity, Toro and its family of brands have built a legacy of excellence by helping customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties and agricultural operations. For more information, visit www.toro.com.

A fantastic mower that’s low maintenance and cost effective to run

Keith Petley is a former transport business owner, whose attention to detail and organisational skills are evident throughout his sports turf management company Southern Ground Care Ltd.

The Southampton based company, established in 2012, is a bona fide family enterprise with Keith, his son Lewis and wife Angela all involved in the business.

“We have many loyal customers who have come to expect a high level of workmanship from us,” explained Keith.

To ensure continuous client satisfaction, the company only

use first-rate machinery and mowing equipment.

With this in mind, the company purchased a Major 2.4m Swift Roller Mower and a Kubota STV 40 last year through their local dealer Rod Gaskin.

Southern Ground Care has ground maintenance contracts throughout the South of England so the Major Swift earns its keep in a variety of locations including schools, football, rugby and cricket pitches.

“The front and rear rollers deliver a beautiful striped finish even when the grass is wet,” said Keith. “It’s a gear

driven mower so any issues with belts are eliminated. The user friendly height adjustment system allows us to cut from 10mm to 150mm depending on where we’re working.

“In addition to doing a fantastic job, the mower is easy to maintain and cost effective to run.”

Major Equipment

Hayter

Club delighted to be early adopters of the Wiedenmann Terra Float Air

In a previous life Stuart Hogg, Course Manager at The West Lancashire GC was among the first to own the Wiedenmann Terra Float & Terra Seed.

Last year, more by coincidence than by design, he found himself back in the market for an overseeder just as the Terra Float Air was re-engineered and relaunched with an added computerised pneumatic unit.

“We bought one of the original launch Terra Float and Terra Seed combinations in autumn 2010 when I was Course Manager at St Anne’s Old Links, on the Fylde coast,” he said. “They served extremely well.

“When I moved to The West Lancashire in April 2015, I inherited a more traditional type seeder. For the first couple of seasons we made do then we hired in equipment. Last winter a funding package allowed us to invest in a new machine. Darren Barker at dealers, Balmers GM, showed me some others but I liked that the three Wiedenmann drums are floating so cope well with undulations of a links green. I knew I liked it before and the Air version was better again.”

Offering maximum accuracy at quantities as little as 1 g / m² the Terra Float Air, combines

three units in one. A base unit aerates or loosens soil to 30 mm using either spikes or fine slits assuring a receptive seed bed either pre or post top dressing. Next the distribution of the seed is absolutely uniform via the air flow and deflector system.

Finally, a brush and roller combination incorporates top dressing materials to the ground before smoothing the surface. With its very fine seed rollers exact calibration is achievable.

Those with expensive or ‘rare seed’ can be confident of success while memory function on the control pad stores input and calibration data for the next use.

The West Lancashire GC is a proud host of R&A and England Golf competitions as well as featuring in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Great Britain. It is one of England’s ten oldest clubs and will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2023. The role earmarked for the Wiedenmann Terra Float Air has been well considered to help deliver incremental improvements to the quality of the course and take advantage of the machine’s versatility and potential.

“This purchase is not just about one area or one type of grass or indeed just limited to seeding,” said Stuart Hogg. “We want to be able to do tees, greens, fairways and walkways with different grass species. The fact that the seed delivery hoses are kept dry and clean with the airflow is a big plus. If we want we can brush the greens without overseeding or we can sarrel roll the greens. There is much that can be done. But for now we’re going with little and often; playing the long game. It will take a period of time before we see a change of any botanical composition in the grass but that’s where we want to be in seasons to come.

“So far the Air has had one outing around the pathways with dwarf rye fescue mix, a couple of passes on the tees and three passes on the greens both with a pure fescue mix but we’re on a break until after The R&A’s Open qualifying and the club championships. During August, September and possibly October, weather dependant, I expect it to be constantly overseeding the greens every two to three weeks to let germination happen ahead of winter.”

Where the Air comes into its own is its high performance air stream which effortlessly directs precise amounts of the seed to the prepared perforated holes A series of steel deflector plates ensures uniform depositing of the seeds from a short distance while lifting the unit automatically triggers a shut off.

“The in-cab control saves time and effort. Our team really likes this. If one of the greens, or a specific area is a bit weaker there’s no requirement to get out and recalibrate the machine. It’s a couple of presses of a button and the machine does it for you, storing the data for next time. You are far more in control of which green gets what and such versatility on a golf course makes the job a little bit easier,” concluded Stuart Hogg.

Stuart Hogg is one of a rare breed of course managers having spent his entire career on links courses. He took up his Course Manager post at The West Lancashire GC after 11 years at St Anne’s Old Links and before that spells at two other links courses, Fortrose & Rosemarkie GC on the Black Isle and West Kilbride GC at Seamill in Ayrshire. At The West Lancashire he is supported by a team of seven full time plus three seasonal staff.

Wiedenmann

TOPSOIL attracts prestigious customers

Since the launch of British Sugar TOPSOIL’s task-specific products, HortLoam premier planting topsoil and Sports&Turf topdressing, the UK’s largest supplier of quality topsoil has attracted an impressive list of prestigious customers.

The University of Bristol Botanic Garden, RHS Garden Hyde

Hall and Uppingham School have all selected HortLoam for projects where a friable, easy-to-work, nutrient-enriched topsoil is required to boost the establishment and growth of trees, shrubs, perennials and vegetables.

Sports&Turf is the choice of Peterborough United FC,

Bury St Edmunds RUFC, Northwood and Muswell Hill Golf Clubs, and Kings College, Cambridge, for the reparation of winter pitches, construction and repair of tees and fairways, and the renovation of ornamental lawns.

Both HortLoam and Sports&Turf were designed in response to customer feedback from professionals in the landscaping and groundsman/greenkeeping sectors and offer unrivalled consistency and efficacy when used for specific tasks that require something more than TOPSOIL’s general purpose landscape products.

Turn to Spyker to spread the workload

Spaldings have a range of Spyker heavy duty commercial push spreaders.

The quality and range of these spreaders is unrivalled in the industry and offers a choice for every size of project or job.

This powerful, quality driven line features the option of stainless steel frames and hoppers. They are matched with metal gear systems (with a life time warranty) and durable hardware to provide years of smooth and consistent performance.

Accu-Way, a Spyker innovation, supports the proper consistent distribution of material being applied. Adjustable in seconds it assists you in preventing overspreading and striping of turf.

British Sugar TOPSOIL

Spaldings

Phased-release fertilisers enhance pitch performance at Russia 2018

A specialist range of phasedrelease granular fertilisers is being used at all 12 of the Russian stadiums hosting the current FIFA World Cup.

Designed specifically for use on all sports pitches where a consistent and long-acting supply of nutrients is required, the FloranidTWIN range of fertilisers from COMPO EXPERT provides up to 16-weeks of nutrients from a single application.

These fertilisers are specifically designed to provide a consistent and efficient source of nutrients to enable the pitches to perform well under difficult weather conditions.

“Floranid fertilisers have been used by the majority of Germany’s Bundesliga pitches for several years, where they are chosen for their ability to give a phased release of nutrients over a 16week period,” explains Richard Brown of Germinal – COMPO EXPERT’s UK distributor.

Floranid fertilisers contain a proportion of fast-acting nitrogen in ammonium and nitrate forms,

as well as a phased-release element based on the advanced isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) or ‘Isodur’ molecule. They also contain a second phasedrelease element in the form of crotonylidene urea or ‘Crotodur’.

The inclusion of Crotodur raises the Activity Index of FloranidTWIN fertilisers from approximately 95% to over 98%.

The FloranidTWIN range of fertilisers is available in the UK via an exclusive distribution agreement with Germinal.

AQUA-AID EU’s OARS PS used to prepare Le Golf National

AQUA-AID EU’s OARS

Penetrating Surfactant (OARS PS) has been used extensively at Le Golf National as the Paris club prepares for the 2018 HNA Open de France and the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Golf courses and estates manager, Alejandro Reyes, was appointed to his position in 2013 and was tasked with creating a Ryder Cup landscape using the 7,331 yards of The Albatros course, and extensive product testing was carried out to find the best programme possible.

Following recommendations from those within the industry Alejandro was supplied by his local dealer Jacques Laborier of Celtic France and tested the OARS PS for himself and has been using it ever since as part of a programme that had the course in spectacular championship condition through 2017.

“I first heard about OARS PS in Spain, but I didn’t use it until I came to Le Golf National,” Alejandro said. “I’d had good feedback about OARS PS from different colleagues and had quite few telling me to test it because it was working very well for them.

“With OARS PS we saw a reduction in dry patches and what

I really liked the most was that I had the feeling, and still have the feeling, that it works and the water moves better throughout the profi le, and for me, that’s the key.

“We use it every other week all around the course. We have two kinds of tank mix with a pure foliar, so we have all the package we need to give to the plant. Then on the alternate weeks to that, we are spraying an irrigated mix where we are using bio stimulants that we are mixing with the OARS PS.

“We have very little issues with dry spot on the course now but if we do we’ll use OARS Pellets for hand watering to fix local dry spots.

“We’ve been testing many different products and 2017 was the last year for us to test anything, and it was a very good year for us when it came to maintaining the golf course. We were very happy with the condition, and how it was looking at the end of September was awesome. I have the confidence that we had found the winning formula and we need to stay with it, to maintain continuity of the condition of the course. We had a great 2017 HNA Open de France and really within this year it’s just about replicating those standards.”

OARS PS is a combination of the university researched, field proven and patented organic acid redistribution system, OARS, and multi-branched penetrant chemistry. OARS PS controls soil water repellency while providing uniform soil moisture for a longer period of time, providing a firm, fast surface.

The OARS pellets used at Le Golf National to combat localised dry spots work as a corrective approach and remove the build-up of organic acids that coat the surface of sand particles, which cause water repellence and localised dry spot conditions.

For AQUA-AID EU managing director Hans de Kort, having the opportunity to work with Alejandro alongside distributors Celtic France is a fantastic chance to see OARS PS in use.

“It is great to have professionals like Alejandro in the industry,”

he said. “When it comes to products like surfactants you have to be able to judge it on its functionality, and Alejandro has done that with great success.

“We are very proud to support the green-keeping staff at Le Golf National in the lead up to this year’s golf events and like all golf fans we look forward to watching the 2018 Ryder Cup in September.”

Whilst Le Golf National, owned by the French Golf Federation, is no stranger to hosting major tournaments with 25 French Opens already played on the course since 1991, the scale of the Ryder Cup challenge is massive. The regular team of 30 increases to 80 for a French Open but for the Ryder Cup it will grow to 180 with the full support of Official Ryder Cup Supplier Ransomes Jacobson.

The INFINICUT® 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.

Aqua Aid

Germinal

Aqua-Zorb Liquid eliminates Dry Patch at golf club

After trialling a range of various wetting agents, Jonathan Smith, Course Manager at Cowdray Park Golf Club, West Sussex, found exactly what he was looking for in Sherriff Amenity’s Aqua-Zorb Liquid.

Jonathan Smith has been Course Manager at Cowdray for 17 years and oversees a fully qualified and dedicated team of seven members of staff.

In the summer of 2016 Jonathan and his team embarked on a series of wetting agent trials in a bid to reduce the carbon footprint without compromising on the overall condition of the beautiful golf course.

“After weeks of hot weather and no rainfall, areas of the course started showing signs of stress and Dry Patch,” said Jonathan. “Even with our fairway irrigation - slopes, high spots and mounds couldn’t hold any moisture –so we trialled various types of wetting agents on our problem areas and Aqua-Zorb Liquid by far had the best results.

“Within 14 days, the majority of Dry Patch had gone and the turf had almost fully recovered. For the remaining part of the

summer, and with equal amounts of irrigation, the non-treated areas remained hydrophobic and stressed. However the AquaZorb treated areas thrived with vigour and general appearance.”

Aqua-Zorb Liquid from Sherriff Amenity is a concentrated nonionic turf wetting agent that will enable water to move faster and deeper into the soil profile. One application can last all season and it is renowned for treating the cause of Localised Dry Patch.

Aqua-Zorb can also improve drainage, alleviate compaction, reduce the quantity of irrigation required, suppress the formation of dew and greatly improve the quality of the sward.

Based on the success of applying Aqua-Zorb in 2016, Jonathan decided to apply it to the entire course in spring last year. In mid-April he applied Aqua-Zorb Liquid at a rate of 50 litres per hectare to the tees, approaches, surrounds and all the fairways.

Jonathan applied it on a morning of expected rainfall and sure enough, approximately 4/5mm of rain fell that day, which washed the product in nicely.

Soil Biology provides the antidote to Augusta Syndrome

Every year, `Augusta Syndrome` can cause greenkeepers grief as the new golf season tees off.

Those pristine greens and fairways millions marvel at during the Masters tournament can trigger despondency in even the most upbeat greenkeeper.

Not at Harpenden Common Golf Club however, where, on the eve of the first of the Majors, the turfcare team is gazing over lush greens to rival those of Augusta National itself.

“We are enjoying our fastestever start-up to the season in our history,” states Course Manager Steve Brocklehurst. “The recovery we are experiencing is fantastic. Our greens look magnificent and members are amazed by the quality so early on in the year.

“In terms of colour, grass growth and coverage, the greens are in their finest condition in my 45 years at the club.”

The transformation follows the club’s switch to a soil biology management approach introduced by treatment specialists Soil Biology Ltd.

“We’ve applied products unique in the sector to reduce and control rootzone pH,” explains Soil Biology lead scientist Hillery Murphy. “This allows the grass plant to take up vital nutrients such as calcium, manganese, silicon and magnesium more readily, even in cold conditions. It is these nutrients that support the biological process.”

Head Greenkeeper Sean Brocklehurst adds: “The course looking this good this early gives us a head start in retaining members and attracting new ones.

“Subscriptions fall due around this time of the year and if golfers can see a level of visual defi nition between greens and approaches they would only expect to see at the end of April

or early May, they may well want to join up now.

“Also, we can start management practices earlier in the year as the sward is already strong enough to take our triple mowers and we can begin Verticutting sooner.”

Hillery Murphy continues: “The pH in the rootzone on many courses is simply not low enough to promote thatch degradation and soil biology. Our Springload rootzone and Flex foliar treatments with added biostimulants reduce the pH

of the spray water and that of the rootzone to trigger the early start-up.”

As another cold front threatens to push back onset of the 2018 golf season, Harpenden Common and other courses that adopt Soil Biology’s twin-pronged turf and rootzone treatment can enjoy watching top golf on Augusta National’s manicured holes without the notorious sector syndrome gripping them.

Soil Biology

Leaf collection made much easier with Trilo

Four SU60 vacuum units from Trilo are the latest additions to fleet at the City of Wolverhampton Council, and have quickly made the momentous task of leaf collection that much easier.

At just shy of five million square metres in area, the grounds maintenance and street cleansing operation is certainly ‘large in scale’.

The 131-person team, including six dedicated grass cutting teams, is headed up by Citywide Area Manager for Environmental Services Richard Macvicar.

With the team having previous experience of Trilo equipment

and recognising its reliability and effectiveness, Richard went to local dealer Oakleys who carried out a demonstration.

The council took delivery of two units at the beginning of 2017, and another two in the autumn, split between the two city depots. They went into the leafing period with four units ready for fulltime operation, shared between the parks, highways and street cleansing teams.

“The Trilo SU60’s are towable on a general license and can be detached and easily manoeuvred for easy transportation around the yard and out in the field,” he said. “The manual wonderhose helps us get to space-restricted

areas, with the size and capacity of the machine ideal for roadside work, where you’re additionally restricted by traffic and pedestrians.

“As planned it’s also been great working alongside our

SU60s

road sweepers, which gather the leaves into piles before the Trilo’s come along and collect them.”

Working widths from

The MAJOR Swift Roller Mower is an high-output machine, suitable for the maintenance of parks, schools, sports grounds and turf farms.

Sherriff Amenity

Trilo

Bush Hill Park invests in irrigation renovation

Bush Hill Park Golf Club is a stone’s throw from Enfield Town in North London. Originally 9 holes, this 100-acre parkland course was designed by Open Championship winners James Braid and Harry Vardon and enjoys a reputation for being the best maintained in the area.

Much of the irrigation system was installed 25 years ago, had deteriorated and needed a complete overhaul. Head Greenkeeper Graham Careford has worked at Bush Hill Park since 1986 and explains,

“The ground here is clay so very dry in summer. With only a small number of heads on tees, irrigation coverage was poor, combined with leaks and frequent system breakdowns. The challenge any club like us faces is that you can’t see how badly the irrigation system’s deteriorated because the pipework’s buried underground.

Extra watering takes place in the early hours or at night, and staff working overtime to keep the course in the best condition won’t usually be seen by most club members and players. Keeping an unreliable and ageing irrigation system going becomes increasingly expensive.”

To help build the case for investment in a new irrigation system, Graham began keeping a detailed timeline, recording all system faults, breakdowns and overtime as well as taking photographs of course conditions. This information was presented to the management committee to inform decisionmaking and help the club properly evaluate its various options. The club appointed Irritech Limited to undertake the irrigation system design and specification and to coordinate a competitive tender process for a fixed price contract including warranties and retentions.

The committee decided that the major investment of £300k in a new Rain Bird IC™ Stratus™ II Central Control System with Windows™ 10 functionality and mapping for greens, approaches and tees would provide the system reliability and future water efficiencies that would maintain the quality of the course for many years to come.

With over 300 sprinkler heads, 7 miles of piping, 6.5 miles of cable and 3,500-man hours, the contractor, Irrigation & Water brought the project in within budget. The new system will be operational this spring.

Irrigation & Water Director

Ashley Proctor, comments: “Our biggest challenge has been heavy clay and high water table which meant adopting a more sympathetic approach to ground conditions. It’s taken a little more time and care but that’s been essential to minimise damage to the course. This is our first complete Rain Bird renovation and we’ve had a superb Rain Bird team working with us providing all the technical support, training and back-up we needed to make sure the system was installed to the right standards. We’re delighted to have been involved in what’s been a landmark project.”

Jimmy Sandison, Regional Golf Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland, Iceland and Scandinavia, adds: “We were thrilled to be awarded this project and Graham Careford and the project team were a delight to work with from the start. We all knew ground conditions were going to be a challenge but Bush Hill Park now has a highly efficient irrigation system that can be upgraded easily upgraded in future years, reducing the cost of overall ownership.”

Rain Bird

Richard Peel Groundcare keep the water moving

Richard Peel Groundcare has installed sand-banding on 14 greens at Dyrham Park Golf and Country Club to enhance their primary drainage system.

The picturesque Hertfordshire course is renowned for its water hazards, with several placed across the 6,497 yards, but keeping water off the greens is what head greenkeeper, David Hicks was concentrated on.

The club had new drainage installed in their greens in 2015 and to make the system more efficient David wanted to use

sand banding to link the two systems together, prompting him to use Richard Peel Groundcare’s Imants SandCat for the job.

Overall the project took four and a half days to complete, with one day lost due to 51mm of rainfall

over 24-hours that stopped all work on the course. However, at a rate of six greens a day all work was completed well within the pre-arranged time frame.

Fantastic results from Toro flail mowers for Scarborough Council

Scarborough Borough Council’s recently appointed parks and countryside manager, Tim Allison, has invested in Toro for the first time in the form of five new Toro LT-F3000 triple flail mowers, and the green spaces of the North Yorkshire seaside town are already benefitting from the change.

Previously cut by cylinder mowers that struggled with long grass and dandelions, the highway verges, small open spaces and mini golfs of Scarborough are now being maintained by the five innovative flail mowers, five days a week.

With 28 years’ experience working in various roles within Scarborough’s parks and countryside service, Tim wanted to re-evaluate the council’s grounds strategy to uphold its national reputation for prestigious green flag award-winning parks and open spaces, such as Peasholm and Falsgrave Park.

He explains why he decided to take this new approach of using flail instead of cylinder mowers

The professional approach to ground care...

and Toro, which is distributed in the UK by Reesink Turfcare: “We lined up five different cylinder, rotary and flail mowers from different brands and put them to use in a local park. The Toro LT-F3000s were agreed to be by far the best, both in build quality and the standard of cut they produced.”

Tim compares the after-cut appearance produced by the machines to a ‘green carpet’: “Thanks to the ability of the LTF3000 to tackle longer grass, we’ve raised the height of cut and there are many benefits to doing this.

“Firstly,” he says, “there are shorter grass clippings, which are swept into the freshly-cut sward. Because of the space in the flail head, where grass does not build up, clippings are not left in clumps but spread evenly in the machine’s wake and hidden from view – giving the impression of a green carpet.”

Reduced grass growth is another, says Tim: “The higher you cut

grass, the less you promote its growth. So while grass isn’t cut as short as when we used cylinders, it remains a neater length for longer. This is ideal because time is of the essence.

Finally, and most importantly, Tim adds, there is public perception: “Rather than seeing short grass for a moment followed by a long period of rapid growth, the public is now seeing spaces across the borough maintained at a constant rate.”

Reesink Turfcare

Richard Peel Groundcare

New life for old greens with Terrain Aeration

The original course at Hartley Wintney Golf Club dates back to 1891 when it was laid out as a traditional nine-hole parkland course.

An extra 9 holes were added in 2000 to offer a well laid out variation of both traditional and new designs.

Hartley Wintney GC has called on the services of Terrain Aeration.

Following preparation Terrain Aeration moved in with the specialist Superscamper Terralift deep penetration aeration system, working two metres apart, to blast air at 18 bar pressure to break up the compaction and panning.

Where the ground is exceptionally hard the specially incorporated JCB hammer drives the probe down to the one metre depth, where it releases the air blast, followed by the injection of dried seaweed. This serves to maintain the aeration to get oxygen to the grass roots and continue to relieve compaction as the seaweed swells with moisture, keeping the fissures open. The compressed air exits through the previously created Verti-Drain slits.

Terrain Aeration has been treating golf courses, sports pitches, amenity areas, trees and gardens for over 25 years using the Terralift deep penetration aeration system and have a long history of testimonies to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Terrain Aeration

Club trials enriched biochar to eliminate fungicide use

A new turf improver with roots in traditional green keeping is arming course managers with a natural alternative to ever restricted fungicides and chemical fertilisers.

Carbon Gold’s Enriched Biochar

Soil Improver is a horticultural form of charcoal blended with optimum levels of fungi, bacteria and trace minerals, and is approved by EU certification bodies for organic growing.

David Chammings, Amenity Specialist for Sherriff Amenity, a division of Agrovista UK, has been the Chairman of Greens at Okehampton Golf Club for the past three years. His position and experience allow him to trial innovative techniques on different areas of the course, and he approached Carbon Gold,

keen to be the first to trial biochar on golf course greens.

In 2016, Stuart Entwhistle joined as Course Manager, and together he and David devised a trial outline to test how Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar would perform on specific areas of the

course, in the hope of finding a new solution to old problems.

A full review of the trials will appear in the Professional Groundscare supplement of January’s issue.

Hurlston Hall Golf Club opt for precision greens drainage

The condition of a golf courses greens is what a head greenkeeper is judged on, and Duncan Ross’ surgical precision has made them the go to contractor for Hurlston Hall Golf Club.

The completion of the latest two greens are the latest in a project that has seen nine completed.

For Chris Ball, former head greenkeeper at Hurlston Hall who recently took up the role as links manager at Hillside Golf Club, working with Duncan Ross on a long-term drainage project generated a refined understanding whilst solving the clubs’ problem greens.

“For us they are a local company and when you factor in getting other companies in from the North West of England there’s not many specialising in drainage.” Chris said. “I think Duncan has refined his methods over the years and it’s almost like key hole surgery.

“We’d done seven greens previously with Duncan and we’ve been going around the course targeting the nine worst

and the ones that have just been completed were the last two that were screaming out to be done.

“You can immediately see the difference in the greens, but you’ve still got to do your bit as a greenkeeper and maintain the organic matter.

“I can’t fault the work they do, and the fact now is that he knows what he’s doing, and we now know what he wants to do beforehand and that’s key.

The first year everyone was still learning, we put holes in the greens for aeration but this would slow them down as when it came to taking the Turf up it would fall apart, and now we know not to do anything when Duncan is coming in because it makes it more efficient for them and prevents adding time onto the project.”

Having gone through the process of getting to know how one another works the other aspects of being able to use a local contractor have become more prominent. All of the materials used on the project are locally

sourced, which keeps costs down with no compromise on quality.

And when it comes to drainage quality is paramount. Like everyone else, Chris was under pressure to have the course open, but because of the weather in the North East of England his focus was primarily on providing the best greens possible during the peak golf season.

“They all perform great in the summer which is key,” he said. “I’d say they’ve improved play in the winter if we have a normal winter, but what’s happening now is the greens are drier than the rest of the course and people still can’t play because the rest of the course is under water.

“We’ve definitely got better performing greens for longer but in the North West of England it’s seriously wet. But when it does stop raining they dry out a lot quicker and you know you can withstand the torrential down pours in the summer because the drains are going to take care of it.”

Duncan Ross

Carbon Gold

Winning with maintenance

Using the latest techniques and materials for routine sports field maintenance can produce high quality playing surfaces throughout the season, while keeping major renovation costs down. Jane Carley gets some expert tips.

Routine scarification can help clubs improve playing surface conditions without the costs of a full renovation such as fraise mowing, suggests GKB Machinery’s national sales manager Tom Siskin.

“Regular thatch removal keeps the organic matter levels down and helps pitches recover more quickly,” he explains. “It’s especially beneficial for smaller clubs and societies which do not have the budget for major renovations.”

Using the GKB VStrong heavy duty scarifier and collecting the material separately is gentle on pitches as it removes less material than an integrated scarifier/ collector, leaving the sand and soil infill behind, he adds.

Another technique popular for costconscious clubs is to decompact and recycle sand and soil with the GKB Ecodresser, he comments:

“You can decompact through the root zone depending on its depth using a digging blade and the removed material is then redistributed as a top dressing. The rising costs, and in some areas short supply of, sand makes this a highly cost-effective operation.”

Tom cites Harrow School as an example, where the 10 pitches need 100 tonnes of top dressing each at a cost of £30,000. “By purchasing the Ecodresser, the head groundsman has been able to halve his sand budget.”

Overseeding high wear areas such as goal mouths and the centre circle can be beneficial to maintain pitch standards where a more extensive re-seed is not practical, suggests Nick Darking,

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Sales Director.

“But you do need a machine with plenty of weight as pitches start to fi rm up, such as our Speedseed or Multiseed. The Disc Seeder also has the benefit that it penetrates the ground and buries the seed safely away from birds.”

He adds that keeping the surface open throughout the season, finding windows for VertiDraining if the budget and manpower allow, makes the pitch easier to work.

“Scarifi cation is a good option for clubs that can’t strip the pitch every year, preventing a build-up of decaying organic matter that can lead to black layer. There are a number of solutions for this, including the Graden Swing Wing or GBS 1200 verticutters, or for a one-pass operation, the Charterhouse Turf Tidy, which collects the removed material in its hopper.”

Nick comments that while Redexim is always looking at ways to improve maintenance techniques, leading groundsmen also make a significant contribution to research, by trialling combinations of turf treatments.

“Steve Braddock at Arsenal will do as many treatments as possible to get the best results, for example combining the VertiDrain with the linear action of the Verti-Quake.”

“That said, contractors will come back for proven machines such as the Verti-Drain time and again when purchasing new machinery.”

Cricket groundsmen are increasingly carrying out ‘mini-

renovations’ as the season progresses, according to John Milner of SISIS who is also groundsman

“There’s more use of machines like a Sisis Rotorake 600 HD scarifier working the top 6-8mm, followed by seed and top dressing to make a ‘new’ pitch,” he explains. “If this is done in May or June, the regrowth means it is ready to use in 6-8 weeks. Seed is often put in with a pedestrian dimple-type seeder such as the Dennis S500 with seed box.”

He points out that this is a highly efficient way to get grass growth at a time when it may otherwise

come back coarse, especially if cut too low, which also slows the speed of recovery.

“There is a definite trend towards increased cut height, even at professional level, where it might be 7-9mm for a four-

day game to give the pace and bounce required. The wicket may look white, but that is down to covering it and keeping it dry.”

While the machinery used itself may be traditional there are some advances

“We offer a saw tooth scarifying blade with 17 tungsten tips which produces a very neat slot for seed and top dressing which speeds recovery – it has been used with success at the Oval and other prestigious grounds.”

AS 1040 YAK 4WD THE PROFESSIONAL RIDE-ON FLAIL-MOWER. STRONG, ROBUST, PERFORMS ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN.

The new AS 1040 YAK 4WD is a major innovation of ride-on mowers, setting new standards for slope mowing. The flail mowing unit provides a wider cutting width with maximum stability. Rotary mowers with similar working widths hit their limits in extreme terrain. In the event of unseen foreign objects, the flail mower unit is at significantly less risk of damage and ensures greater operator safety. For visually perfect mowing results across the complete working width.

Rather than placing the grass in swaths, like rotary mowers, the flail mowing unit returns tiny particles of grass back to the soil as natural fertiliser.

The AS 1040 YAK 4WD’s newly developed 100 cm wide flail mowing unit is a superior alternative to the conventional rotary mowing unit.

PSD Groundscare Ltd

Tel: 01282 856819

Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com Web: www.psdgroundscare.com

for his local cricket club in Godalming, Surrey.

Recyclingmaterialremovedduringdecompactionwithamachinesuchasthe GKBEcodressercancutsandcostssignificantly.

CharterhouseTurfMachineryrecommendsoverseedingsmall areasthatreceivehighwearthroughouttheseason.

Awareness of the effects of compaction has grown in recent years, suggests Ian Pogson of Campey Turfcare, with experts such as the RFU’s Keith Kent promoting the benefit of decompaction.

Ian points out that the latest generation of linear decompactors are suitable for more routine use.

“You can decompact without surface disturbance using a machine like the Imants Shockwave, helping to minimise waterlogging and combat poa,” he comments, “And it is a cost-effective process that is within the reach of most clubs. Where there are more generous budgets, great results are being achieved with forced aeration using the Air2G2 machine.”

Linear decompaction is replacing spiking, he suggests, which can lead to holes that simply fill with water on clay soil. “As restrictions on chemicals progress, we will rely more on cultural techniques. And modernising the way that pitches are looked after is not just for leading clubs.

Campey Turfcare carries out pitch renovation programmes that are open to all and we often meet volunteer groundsmen looking after community pitches who are just as keen to move away from traditional ‘fertiliser, mow and roll’ techniques to the latest methods.”

Groundsmen face new challenges with the loss of significant pesticides due to regulatory changes, suggests Bayer Technical Manager, Dr Colin Mumford.

“Products such as Merit Turf for Chafer Grubs were withdrawn from the market two years ago, yet we are only just seeing the impacts due to the high levels of control that had been achieved. This year could be a different matter and with no new chemicals available - although an emergency use approval has been announced for the insecticide Acelepryn - parasitic nematodes have become the key method of control. Groundsmen need to observe their turf carefully for pest activity as timing is crucial – leave it too late and the older grubs can protect themselves against the nematodes.”

Monitoring the sward and keeping a close eye on weather conditions is increasingly important to prepare for pest and disease threats, he adds, and technology has a role to play.

“Online apps and tools can be extremely helpful, and groundsmen do have greater access to knowledge via the internet. The free Bayer TurfXpert app, for example, which can be downloaded via our website, the App Store or Google Play, is a geolocated to give specific weather data, as well as offering sprayer set-up for individual products and step by step

calibration. Operators can also use the app to generate a spray record which can be emailed to them for printing off in the office.”

Manufacturers have responded to the need to reduce the environmental impact of their products by developing active ingredients which are effective at much lower concentrations, he points out.

“Historically, many turf products were formulated for agriculture and used under an EAMU, but are now developed specifically for the grass plant, so can have tailored levels of AIs. The fungicide Chipco Green, for example, was formulated at 5100g ai/ha, whereas our latest product, Exteris Stressgard, is formulated at just 250g ai/ha.”

Fast establishment and recovery are fundamental to successful inseason repairs, suggests Richard Fry of Rigby Taylor.

“Choosing the right R Range mixtures with Germin-8T seed treatment will help keep the playing surface in good shape, whatever the sport.”

“Germin-8T features a penetrating surfactant, sugars and micronutrients helping speed up establishment. High disease pressure can be devastating to both the performance and visual qualities of the surface. Increased disease tolerance also plays a vital role in recovery from the impacts of wear and mechanical maintenance. The Mycorrhiza and Trichoderma in Germin-8T treated ‘R’ Range mixtures naturally help support plant health.”

At Bloxham School in Oxfordshire, head groundsman Glenn Davies and his team manage around 40 acres of sports surfaces, including four cricket squares, seven rugby pitches and one football pitch, all natural grass.

The grass seed of choice is predominantly R9 for the cricket squares - a 100 per cent fine ryegrass with low growth characteristics, which reduce mowing frequency but offers a host of advanced and unspecialised characteristics for high tolerance to wear, drought and disease.

On the rugby pitches the seed mixture selected is R11, some of which is also used on the cricket outfield. R11 is a 100 per cent perennial ryegrass that gives rapid establishment with all-year-round colour and is particularly disease tolerant.

“The use of R9 and Kettering loam on the squares has complemented our maintenance routines that have considerably improved the playing surface year-onyear, helping us to create wickets with true and even bounce,” says Glenn.

Increase air flow to achieve green grass

Plugr aerators from Billy Goat can improve drainage and promote new growth with absolute ease.

By making holes throughout the turf, the aerators increase air circulation through the roots, helping to restore lawns to their perfect green condition and creating healthy grass growth and stronger turf.

The Plugr aerator range consists of two models, each available with the choice of two petrol engines. These are the PL1800 (with either a 205cc Briggs & Stratton engine, or a 118cc Honda engine), or the PL2500 (with a 163cc Honda engine, or a 196cc Honda/Hydro Drive).

The PL1800 has an 18” working width, along with four tines and weighs just 109kg. It is ideal for smaller properties or rental

scenarios, and places cores 2.75” deep and aerates 22,000 square feet per hour. It has an easy folding handle that allows for compact use, transportation and storage.

The PL2500 is suited for more intense usage on larger areas. It has a 25” working width and eight reciprocating cam driven tines that punch to core depths of 2.75”. It can deliver aeration to up to 42,500 square feet per hour.

AdvancedseedmixturesfromRigbyTaylorhavehelped BloxhamSchooltoimproveheavilyusedsportsfields.

Billy Goat

ICL offers market leading spreaders

ICL has a range of market leading rotary spreaders with the AccuPro 2000 and SR-2000 the number one choice of spreaders for groundsmen, greenkeepers and landscapers.

The pedestrian machines are renowned for accurately delivering seeds, fertilisers and top dressing.

Both models have been designed and built with quality, durability and cost effectiveness in mind. Each spreader is manufactured to the highest industry standards, using high spec materials throughout the manufacturing and construction process, ensuring each meets ICL’s stringent quality control standards.

AccuPro 2000 key features:

• Large pneumatic tyres

• Durable large diameter frame

• Patented Helical Cone for a uniform, consistent spread pattern

MDS

• Extended handle with tufffoam grips for added comfort

The SR-2000 has all the features of the AccuPro 2000 plus:

• Large diameter, more durable stainless steel frame

• Positive on/off side deflector provides effective product delivery control

• Standard port shutoff control for greater application efficiency

Both the AccuPro 2000 and SR-2000 are ideal for applying fertiliser to larger areas and boast an extremely fast application process as well as an accurate spread.

By adjusting the helical cone, the location of the fertiliser coming from the hopper to the spinning disc can be adjusted and, therefore, fine-tuned to give a consistent spread pattern and left/right swath width.

ICL

Fertiliser spreaders with 10 to 18 metres spreading width, 500 to 1200 ltr capacity and hydraulic or electronic control options available. See our landscape mainenance range at www.kuhn-amenitypro.co.uk

A Rink DS800 makes it onto the new equipment list at Thorpeness GC

A massive fire in January 2015 saw Suffolks’ Thorpeness Golf Club lose all of their equipment – valued at £355,000. For Course Manager of 22 years Ian Willett, the replacement of his fleet has been gradual, ensuring that each new machine is spot on for the current requirement of the course. In 2017 it was the turn of a new

topdresser and a Rink DS800 from Charterhouse Turf Machinery was bought after advice from local dealer Tomlinsons.

“We tend to stick to regular light dressings to keep things balanced” explains Ian who is supported by a team of six full-time, and two part-time, greenkeepers.

“I spoke to our local dealer and they brought the Rink over for a demonstration. It’s a great piece of kit that’s quick and easy to use. The size of the unit is just right and, when mounted on our ProGator, can do greens, collars, approaches as well as tees – it can get just about everywhere.”

The Rink DS800 Topdresser can be trailed behind a 30hp compact tractor with the benefit of 4 wheels on an articulating axle, or fitted to a John Deere ProGator or Toro Workman truck for a lighter footprint.

It has a variable spread pattern up to 12m (36ft) and delivers an accurate finish thanks to the dual spinners which can apply precise amounts of material, even if the material is wet. Keeping operations simple, at the start of the season Ian will work out the set up and adjust the Rink accordingly, so for the occasional heavier dressing only a small adjustment is required. “With one hopper of sand we can dress

Simplicity is the key with Dakota

Dakota has redesigned and refined their famous electronic control panel to it easier to use as the range continues to be the most versatile, cost-effective, and accurate material handlers on the market.

Campey Turf Care Systems 16year association with Dakota has seen a host of innovations on the Turf Tender machines, with the latest control panel upgrade a clear signal of the company’s intent to continue innovating.

A number of upgrades have been to the panel to make it meet the

demands required. The first is the universal RAM mount that allows you to attach the display at a point convenient to you.

This makes using the new features within the panel extremely user friendly. This display contains reference guides for adjusting the spinner paddles and rate settings, helping to provide the most even spread possible.

These durable spreaders allow you to cover large areas while maintaining an extremely light footprint so as not to disrupt turf, and are ideal for sports fields and

fairways. Designed to save time, eliminate waste, and reduce operating costs, Turf Tenders can also top-dress, fertilise, repair divots, load small top-dressers, fill bunkers, and move a wide variety of materials from the seat of the tractor, without having to replace attachment options.

Now, with the upgraded control panel the user is also able to take full control of the brakes and vibrator on equipped units, and the start/stop, throttle up and down on the engine units equipped with a power pack.

The 4.3-inch LCD display also offers four memory presets and boasts variable belt and spinner speeds among the features.

The extensive range of Dakota Top Dressers from Campey Turf Care Systems has mounted models suitable for all the major makes of trucksters including Jacobs, Toro and John Deere Pro Gators. The towed range can be used with tractors from 20hp for the Dakota 410 with Ultra Trac

two greens and can get around all 18 in as little as four hours.”

The topdressing work, in conjunction with vibrate rolling the greens has helped the team create a course with true putting surfaces. “We’re not aiming for extremely fast greens. We want people to enjoy playing here so my aim is to create a fair, but challenging experience.

“Now that we have the Rink, the regular and accurate dressings around the course are already making a big difference to the overall playability.”

tyres to a minimum of 40hp for the larger capacity Dakota 440 with 4 x 20” Supa Trac tyres with its 1.78m wide hopper.

All of the Dakota Top Dressers are extremely versatile and will deliver wet and dry material on any sports surface with consistent accuracy of application. This is because of the easy calibration system on the vehicle mounted control panel, which requires no manual adjustment of the dual spinner discharge system.

Campey Turf Care Systems

the worker is king

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

More volume, less down time

CEMO have added an additional hopper accessory to their popular KS-35 Drop Spreader. This increases the 35 litre capacity of the standard spreader to a massive 60 litres. The standard hopper takes approximately two bags (50kg) of top dressing, so with the attachment, 75kg of top dressing would be achievable.

The KS-35 drop spreader can be used for salt, grit, fertiliser as well as top dressing, and has a robust stainless steel grate that allows accurate adjustment of the volume of the medium being spread.

The spreading width is a wide 60cm, which allows accurate gritting of paths.

Fast and accurate spreader gives KUHN the edge

The KUHN MDS 10.1 and 12.1 spreader range offer the perfect solution for Farmers, Small holders, Vineyards and Orchards.

With 10 to 18 metres spreading width, 500 to 1200 ltr capacity available and the option of hydraulic or electric controls. The MDS offers a wide range of solutions.

The FAST FIT disc system, stainless steel hopper base construction and no maintenance gearboxes are a standard feature on the MDS range.

It also offers an easy to use accurate spread pattern

adjustment, with an application rate that starts from 3kg/Ha.

Additional accessories include 2 row spread kits, various

agitators, extensions, hopper covers, lighting kits and border spread limiters.

KUHN

High quality from GKB

The GKB Sandspreader is the machine that distributes a great variety of materials in the appropriate quantities.

The GKB SP100 Sandspreader version can be mounted on a turftruck such as the ProGator, Truckster or Workman for convenience. Heavy applications of predominantly sandy materials

on sports pitches can help to shape the camber of the surface and improve drainage.

Suitable top dressings can be used to connect the surface with the drainage layers beneath by brushing them into holes created by the decompactor.

GKB Machines

Take a look at the Bannerman Mini Topper

Recent years have seen a considerable increase in lawn care companies offering lawn renovations as part of their yearly treatment package.

This treatment is carried out by heavy scarification, aerating, over seeding, then using then Bannerman mini top dresser to apply a uniform layer of good organic matter. This will ensure quicker grass seed germination, less loss of seed through birds

feeding, this will create faster growth and a thicker healthier grass plant.

The mini-topper is equipped with adjustable front and rear brushes in-between the hopper and drum, opening or closing the distance between the front brush and drum controls the flow rate of product from the hopper.

Blade Machinery

MDS

Fertiliser spreaders with 10 to 18 metres spreading width, 500 to 1200 ltr capacity and hydraulic or electronic control options available.

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

CEMO

Get your turf pitch ready with professional groundscare equipment by Toro

For professional landscapers and contractors across the country who want to achieve trophy winning turfs this summer, they should consider using trusted products from Toro, a global leader in turf and landscape maintenance equipment. Look no further than the Toro Z Master 8000 Series when aiming to get trophy worthy lawn this summer. Delivering a superior quality of cut and a refined finish at more productive mowing speeds, this professional mower is ideal for large turfs.

The 8000 Series comes equipped with a high blade tip speed, ensuring superb collation performance and a high-quality finish every time. Users will benefit from a longer mow time with the 28L fuel tank and the high-capacity collection system. The 335L hopper fills evenly from back to front for maximum efficiency, meaning less time emptying and more time mowing.

Mowing with ease in tight spots, the effortless controls and outfront deck design allow for

comfortable manoeuvring where traditional ride-ons can’t reach.

The rear-discharge deck lets you trim on either side, while keeping walkways free from grass cuttings.

Any unexpected downtime won’t be an issue, as the professional mower boasts features that reduce the need for extensive maintenance such as a heavyduty sealed gearbox and a simple, reliable belt drive system. With ground speeds of up to 5mph and a hydro drive system for efficient, precise control the 8000 Series is the answer for a perfect cut in less time.

For those long summer days at the controls of a mower, Toro’s TITAN HD Series with MyRIDE delivers high levels of operator comfort, durability, professional results and performance. Users can be assured of high quality with the TURBO FORCE deck, which provides commercialgrade strength and a fantastic quality of cut.

New Etesia fleet for Greenfingers

Greenfingers, based in Midlothian, Scotland, have renewed their fleet of Etesia groundcare equipment by purchasing 14 Pro 46 PHCS pedestrian mowers and a Buffalo 100 BPHP ride-on mower.

Established in 1991, Greenfingers offers professional garden and grounds maintenance and commercial soft landscaping throughout the Lothians, Borders and Fife.

The contractor has been relying on a wide range of Etesia equipment for a number of years, and proprietor Jason McCran revealed how it all started.

As part of his fleet renewal, Jason purchased 14 Etesia Pro

46 PHCS pedestrian mowers and a Buffalo 100 BPHP ride-on mower.

Jason’s team use the Buffalo BPHP for the larger green space areas that the company maintains. Featuring a 100cm cutting deck and a 20.5HP diesel Perkins engine, up to 12,000sq.m. of grass can be cut and collected per hour.

The efficiency of the unique cutting system allows professionals to work faster and operators see increased productivity as the Buffalo 100 excels when used on wet grass or in the rain. This machine is also fitted with a built-in grass collector with a capacity of 600 litres, and the hydraulic emptying

system is controlled from the driver’s seat.

The Etesia Pro 46 PHCS offers extreme versatility with the ability to cut, collect and mulch without the need for an accessory. Built upon the DUOCUT concept of combining 100% collection and 100% mulching decks together, the Pro 46 PHCS delivers

The innovative MyRIDE suspension system provides a smoother ride, which helps reduce operator fatigue, allowing the operator to mow for longer; therefore, increasing productivity and return on investment. The suspended operator platform allows for 7.6cm of travel, isolating bumps and reducing vibrations the operator will feel during use. The feature also allows the operator to easily and quickly adjust rear-shock ride settings without the need for tools, to suit their individual ride preference.

The mower features a reliable and powerful commercialgrade engine to provide optimal performance. Heavy-duty features such as the two-barrel carburettor, automotive-style piston assembly, cast-iron cylinder liners, and self-cleaning air filter housing, ensure this engine is up to the task.

Toro

Charterhouse sales team gain hands-on experience of BLEC machinery

Newly appointed BLEC dealer, Acorn Tractors from Derbyshire, recently joined forces with staff from Charterhouse Turf Machinery (CTM) for an in-depth training session on the BLEC range of specialist landscaping and turfcare equipment.

BLEC was purchased by Redexim almost two years ago and is now a division within CTM. In that time the range of specialised landscaping and turfcare equipment has been streamlined and re-engineered by the Redexim team to feature a wealth of features.

allow the combined staff to trial and test the range in the field to better assist and advise current and future customers. The day featured a broad spectrum of BLEC machinery including the BLEC Cultipack Seeder, the BLECavator 145 compact stoneburier, Power Box Rake and Laser Grader 1500TPP.

The Charterhouse team gained valuable time and field experience with machines for a variety of applications under the guidance of Acorn Tractors staff who have been involved with BLEC products for many years.

high performance without compromising the results of either of the functions. By crushing the grass finely, even if it is long and wet, it excels in its collection abilities. Fitted with a powerful 5HP Honda engine, the PHCS offers low vibrations with ‘soft grip’ handle bars which can fold for easy transportation.

The day was the Brainchild of Division Manager Curtis Allen to

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Billingbear Park invest in Ventrac

Billingbear Park, located alongside the M4 at Wokingham in Berkshire, is the latest golf club to purchase a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor complete with a rotary Contour mowing deck.

Supplied and delivered by local dealer, GA Groundcare Ltd, the new combination will be used for multiple tasks across the familyowned 9-hole complex.

Etesia

Price Turfcare

Kubota provides Merlin Housing Society with much-needed mulching power

Between restricted budgets and strains on resources, it’s not often that local authorities and housing associations can save money whilst also achieving a higher standard.

However, Merlin Housing Society has achieved just that by recently investing in Kubota’s leading GR2120 ride-on mower.

Based in the heart of SouthGloucester, Merlin Housing Society is a community-focused housing association that strives

to provide residents with the highest standard in affordable housing.

Daily maintenance is led by David Yabsley, who heads up a team of ten professionals, recently purchased Kubota’s GR2120 ride-on mower, supplied by Lister Wilder’s Cirencester depot, to support them in their completion of daily maintenance tasks.

The latest addition to the fleet is saving the team valuable time and money as they no longer

need to constantly empty a grass collector or haul large loads long distances for disposal. There are also additional benefits in returning finely chopped grass cuttings to the ground because it effectively feeds the surface and promotes better long-term lawns.

The decision to buy a Kubota GR2120 ride-on mulching mower from Lister Wilder improved this significantly, as instead of cut grass being discharged into a collector, it circulates beneath the cutter deck to be chopped into tiny particles. These are then blown right down into the base of the turf where micro-organisms aid rapid decomposition with a resulting return of nitrogen to the soil.

Dave said: “The new mower also cuts brilliantly and leaves a really nice finish without piles of grass lying around.

“The quality of appearance means that our customers like what they see and are happier because our teams on site are able to use the time they are saving for things like path edges, pruning and leaf collection. We were taking 14 or 15 days to do the complete the round, but now we are

Storm-tec exclusive Polaris dealer

Carlow based Polaris dealer Storm-tec has been appointed exclusive Polaris ORV dealer for the Republic of Ireland.

The dealership will be working with and managing a small sub dealer network that looks after all Polaris requirements in the Republic.

Since becoming a Polaris dealer in 2016 Storm-tec has greatly expanded their farming and countryside business

and Dealer Principal Conor Gribbon reports high sales of the Polaris Ranger Diesel to the Irish Coast Guard, while the Polaris Sportsman is very much the popular machine with the agricultural community.

The dealership prides itself on selling only top quality equipment and working with world class brands. The Belfast branch has an in-house marine service centre and runs a Managed Service Solution for

servicing and storing life jackets, dry suits and other marine wear.

The branch has built an exceptional reputation supplying clients in the marine industry, including the Irish Coast Guard who now have forty-five Polaris Ranger Diesel models, Community Rescue Service, the Rivers Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Polaris

doing it in 10 or 11 days, which is a massive improvement.”

The 21hp diesel-powered mower is tough, easy to operate, and fitted with all-wheel-drive hydrostatic transmission.

Key features include the unique Kubota Glide Steer system, which delivers a combination of manoeuvrability and turf protection as the front axle approaches its full lock of 70 degrees.

Glide Steer enables the operator to drive around an obstacle such as a tree with an extremely tight turning circle, allowing a singlecut pass without the worry of the wheels scuffing the turf. At full lock, the uncut circle left by the GR2120s mower is only 100cm. For Merlin’s team, it drives easily into a box van.

Kubota

Grinders up the game in Russia

Twenty Neary grinders are upping the game at stadiums and training centres across Russia for the 2018 World Cup.

In March 2018, well before the latest festival of football kicked off at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Foley United’s / Neary European sales representative, Arjen Spek, delivered a grinding workshop at a Turf Professional event in Moscow, organised by the Russian Neary distributor

Unisaw, with 130 attendees getting hands on experience with the Neary machines while learning the benefits of grinding to OEM specifications.

Arjen Spek was delighted with the interest shown and the subsequent installation of twenty Neary Grinders across the World Cup venues in Russia, with the main goal to educate and train.

2BT

ProSport

www.landscapeandamenity.com

New Pellenc 1200 battery and harness enters UK market

The new Pellenc ULiB 1200 battery and harness has entered the UK market with battery life increased by 20% compared to the to the ULiB1100 battery.

Pellenc is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK and the ULiB 1200 battery meets all of the professional requirements in terms of

performance, comfort and technology, and offers increased autonomy of up to 20% - up to five hours of work with the most energy-consuming Pellenc tools in the range.

The new harness associated with the ULiB 1200 battery reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders considerably by a better distribution of the weight and leaves the user free of their movements. The battery is also waterproof to IP54 standards.

The new battery has the highest capacity on the market and is equivalent to 5640 litres of petrol.

Pellenc engineers have worked on the balance and ergonomics to ensure power, precision and comfort.

This major innovation allows an extended life of 40% and is in line with Pellenc’s desire to reduce direct CO2 emissions and guarantee recycling at 80% of the product.

With more than twelve years’ experience, Pellenc is the pioneer of professional batterypowered tools and this new battery guarantees performance, ergonomics and battery life that will revolutionise the use of professional battery-powered tools.

The ergonomics and lightness of the new Pellenc harness offer an optimal level of comfort in use.

Its weight is perfectly distributed on the essential axes of back support. 70% of the mass rests on the hips and only 30% on the shoulders.

The intuitive adjustment of the entire carrying system, from the straps to the backbone, adapts to any working habits of the user.

The battery is also reversible on its harness to facilitate work closer to the ground with the Airion blower.

Etesia

Rigby Taylor helps the Bank of England maintain standards

As grounds and facilities manager at the Bank of England Sports Centre – the Roehamptonbased facility that is open all year round for a wide range of outdoor (and indoor) sports but especially football, rugby, cricket and tennis, including an intense period for the Wimbledon Championships’ qualifiers – Ian Wall is a busy man.

He says he needs products and suppliers he can count on to enable him and his grounds team of six others to keep all the surfaces looking pristine and playing well. Rigby Taylor is included here, supplying a range of products for the five winter pitches (three football; two rugby), cricket, 14 permanent match-standard tennis courts, plus an all-weather pitch that is used for hockey, tennis and football as well as rugby fitness training, plus six all-weather tennis courts.

Rigby Taylor supplies a variety

seeds with outstanding tolerance to, for example, shade, drought and wear - as well as Greenor selective systemic herbicide (for a wide range of broad-leaved weeds including white and yellow suckling clovers) and the RT Outfield range of granular fertilisers that release nutrients over a six-/eight-week period.

Also, Duraline and the awardwinning Impact XP line marking paints are used (applied using an iGO machine) and Rigby

Cricket, however, is also a major participation sport for the centre and it is here in particular that Rigby Taylor products are put to good us

“We get great results by using R140 tetrapolid perennial rye seed for the outfield and R9 dwarf rye on most of the squares,” says Ian, “while the chemicals are also applied successfully on all the grass surfaces [except the