Landscape & Amenity Product Update May 2017

New research shows hundreds of playgrounds set to close

Research undertaken by the Association of Play Industries has uncovered the extent to which local authorities across the country have been closing children’s playgrounds. This new research revealed that between 2014/15 and 2015/16 local authorities across England closed 214 children’s playgrounds, and when asked about future plans they admitted their aim to close a further 234.

These closures come at a time when childhood obesity and wellbeing are high on the Government’s agenda.

A Freedom of Information Act request to all councils, carried out by the Association of Play Industries, revealed the following number of playground closures:

• 2014/15: 112

• 2015/16: 102

The request also asked for future plans to close playgrounds and revealed

Commenting Mark Hardy, Chairman of the API said: “With increasing childhood obesity and the health benefits of activity and play well known, now is not the time for community playgrounds to be closing.

“This action goes against the Government’s clear intention to get children more active and needs to be stopped as quickly as possible. Our survey revealed a 37% cut in Government funding to local authorities.”

The report, ‘Nowhere to Play’, shows that £100 million could

the following number of playgrounds earmarked for closure:

• 2016/17: 80

• 2017/18: 103

• 2018/19: 51

Figures for 2017/18 and 2018/19 do not include information from over a third of councils questioned as they had yet to make plans for this time.

Over 375 exhibitors commit to PLANTWORX 2017

The PLANTWORX Construction Machinery Exhibition returns to Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire, from June 6-8 2017.

The UK’s Largest Working Construction Equipment Show, hosted by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), will be the biggest event to date where visitors can expect to see the very latest in construction machinery and equipment innovation.

Every area of the construction machinery sector will be represented at the show including earthmoving machinery, lifting and access equipment, compaction kit, tools, rammers and hammers, compressors, attachments and much more.

Visitor registration is now open and it’s free. A preview of Plantworx 2017 can be found on pages 24-26.

Enquiry 2

reverse the decline and get us back on track to increase the number of playgrounds available to children across the country.

The API says it is realistic in realising in this period of austerity that direct government support may simply not be available and therefore urge government to support reinstatement of funding from the Big Lottery.

“We know that money is tight for councils across the country, but we can’t just stand by and watch as children’s playgrounds close,” added Mark Hardy.

“We are calling on the Government to halt this decline and invest in the next wave of playgrounds to ensure our children have access to free play and activity.”

Further information on the report can be found in our Play & Activity supplement this month.

API Enquiry 1

Team LAPU ready to #PlayThePitch

Teams from across the industry are training hard in preparation for Perennial’s #PlayThePitch football tournament, sponsored by ICL, at Leicester City FC King Power Stadium on May 23. As offi cial media partner for the event, LAPU will be

reporting live on the day via our Twitter feed as teams go head to head for glory.

All proceeds will help Perennial support colleagues from all sectors of our profession with free and confi dential help and

advice. Visit hortaid.org.uk to join the campaign and help Perennial change lives.

See page 8 for more information

Perennial Enquiry 3

PLANTWORX

It is timely that our latest Play & Activity supplement is published as the Association of Play Industries has issued a timely wake-up call.

As the industry continues to push for greater investment and a more secure future for our parks and green spaces, the API’s research shows just how vulnerable such sites continue to be. Little wonder the API has found such widespread support from across the industry for their calls on Government to help reverse this alarming decline.

This is a call that we support too and which the wider industry should embrace along with efforts to protect our parks and green spaces.

It is also timely that we have a Q&A interview with John Moverley, chairman of the Amenity Forum, who provides an up-to-date picture of weed, pest and disease management and the challenges facing the industry in 2017 and beyond.

In Play & Activity this month we have a special report on all types of play and sport surfaces. Elsewhere we have a diverse range of product showcases, from green roofs and living walls to brushcutters. There is also a look at ATVs, UTVs and work trucks along with the usual mix of product launches and industry news.

Paul Groves, Editor

Research into barriers to creating healthy places

Design Council has launched a new research project in partnership with Social Change UK to explore the barriers that stop built environment professionals from creating healthier places through their work.

The collaborative national research survey will help us to better understand the role of built environment professionals – including architects, urban designers, highways engineers and town planners – in addressing health challenges in the UK.

Some of the country’s most pressing health challenges, such as obesity, mental health issues, physical inactivity and the needs of an ageing population, are influenced by our physical environment. With mounting pressure on health and social care services across the UK, preventable diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes continue to account for a large proportion of hospital admissions and care costs.

Design Council wants to better understand what it is that hinders professionals in creating places that help people of all ages and backgrounds lead healthy, active lives, eat well and enjoy their social lives.

Clare Devine, Design Council’s Executive Director for Architecture, Built Environment and Design, believes creating healthier places in which to live and work is an important part of reducing the burden of preventable diseases on individuals, public services and the wider economy.

She said: “There are many good examples of how designers are shaping places that help us all to live healthier and happier lives. However, despite the growing evidence of the vital role placemaking can play in improving health, we are not seeing healthy environments being created at the scale required. We instigated this research as now is the time to tackle these issues through the way we shape our buildings, streets, parks and neighbourhoods.”

The large-scale survey will capture what people working in the built environment currently do to create healthy places and the barriers that prevent them from going further with their work. The research will inform future work to tackle public health issues through development and regeneration.

Kelly Evans, Social Change UK, explained: “While there are many factors that influence the long-term health and wellbeing of the population, a growing body of evidence is showing how the places that people use in their daily lives affect their physical and mental health. We want to know what professionals are doing to help make a positive impact on people and communities – or what is stopping them from putting health into their design plans.”

The results will be publically available in June 2017.

Design Council Enquiry 7

DLF seeds continue to triumph at Emirates Stadium

Together with some key distributors and customers, DLF Seeds recently hosted a groundsmens trip to the Emirates Stadium in London.

Delegates were treated to a stadium tour, a look around the maintenance sheds and discussed how the Johnsons J Premier Pitch mixture has played a fundamental role in the recent rebuild of the stadium pitch and the results it has already delivered.

Commenting on the day, Regional Manager for DLF Craig Spooner said, “It was a fantastic opportunity for our customers to see and hear first-hand how the Emirates team monitor and maintain their facilities.

“We had a great day for it, the turnout was fantastic and the feedback we’ve received from all so far has been very positive.

I’d like to pass on my sincere thanks to Paul Ashcroft, Reece Watson and Alan Russell at the Emirates for delivering a factual and informative day for all.”

Johnsons J Premier Pitch is the UK’s No. 1 sports turf renovation mixture, featuring top rated perennial ryegrass cultivars Eurodiamond and Columbine.

It is also available as J Nitro Premier Pitch, the ProNitro coated option.

DLF Seeds Enquiry 6

Driving a Deere for dementia

HMP Kirkham prison officer

Andy Maxfield from Inskip in Lancashire is aiming to break a six year old Guinness World Record by driving from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a John Deere lawn tractor, while raising money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Andy and his daughter Kathryn, who is a hairdresser at Leckonby Hair Studio in Great Eccleston, are planning to drive non-stop to break the record, which stands at four days and 23 hours.

They will be using a standard 24hp X950R lawn tractor (less the rear collection system and mower deck) and support

vehicles provided by John Deere. The X950R has cruise control and a top road speed of 10mph, and will also be equipped with a GPS tracker to qualify for the record.

The ‘Driving the Distance for Dementia’ Challenge is due to set off from John O’Groats at 10am on Tuesday July 25 2017; the traditional distance by road to Land’s End is 874 miles. The planned route goes past the family home in Inskip, where Andy Maxfield spends much of his spare time cutting the grass in public open spaces around the village.

Deere Enquiry 9

Bumper year for green roof construction

As sustainable and energy efficient construction continues to rise, the number of planning applications for green roofs across Great Britain in 2016 surged by 34 per cent compared to the figures registered in 2015.

According to recent data, it was the southern regions of England that dominated green roof applications in 2016, accounting for 65 per cent of the total.

Regionally, London accounted for the highest number of applications with 266 in the year.

Across all the construction sectors it was housing that

generated the most green roof applications in 2016, with 42 per cent of the total, almost three times the amount from the second placed commercial & retail sector.

Until last year, applications for green roofs had been stagnant since 2013. The boost in application numbers has been linked to a number of factors such as biodiversity awareness, environmental effects and the potential financial benefits from installing a green roof.

Maggie Fennell, Head of Boningale GreenSky, the award-

winning green roof division of Boningale Nurseries, said the report positively reflects the growth in confidence the Green Roof industry has seen and importantly, gives recognition of the environmental benefits they bring.

“The extensive flooding we’ve seen in recent years has shown that the need for extra housing supply can only be met if new construction is designed according to ‘Water Sensitive Urban Design’ principles, thus reducing the inundation of existing housing stock in vulnerable areas,” she explained.

“Also, the recent successes of national bee and pollinator campaigns have shown that green infrastructure has a measurable, positive effect on valuable wildlife. Other ecosystem services, like air quality, are coming more to the fore too.

“A crucial factor in Green Roof success is the ability to specify roofs according to the

relevant performance criteria and objectives required - and their contribution to BREEAM credentials.

“Confidence in the industry has been aided by the development of practical expertise - in particular with the GRO (Green Roof Organisation) guidelines. This all shows that the industry is moving on from being a specialist field to a standard feature of mainstream construction.”

This month we put the spotlight on green roofs and living walls on pages 14-15

Club chooses Sportsmaster CRF Mini for longevity

Eoin Riddell,

Sutherland, Scotland believes that the use of ICL’s Sportsmaster CRF Mini granular fertilizer has significantly improved his tees.

To keep the tees on both courses in the best condition possible, Eoin uses a range of Sportsmaster CRF Mini controlled release fertilizers, which he applies at a rate of 30g/ m2

In choosing Sportsmaster CRF Mini, Eoin says that he was looking for a product which provided him with more longevity than standard release or liquid fertilizers.

“It’s all down to the longevity of the product,” he says. “We

can apply this product and be happy knowing that it is working efficiently away; whereas with other fertilizers we would have needed repeat applications in order to achieve the same results as we are now getting with this product.”

The Sportsmaster CRF Mini range contains a combination of Poly-S controlled release technology with conventional granular fertilizers to provide a consistent growth response for up to three months. As a further benefit, the Sportsmaster CRF Mini range was also recently boosted by the addition of Polyhalite - a naturally occurring mineral source of potassium, calcium and magnesium.

This improved formulation has brought even greater results as Eoin explains: “Not only do we get great longevity from just one application but I also really like the nice green colour it gives us.

“We get a fantastic growth response from the product on the tees which is really important as they aren’t particularly big and they take a lot of wear.”

New disc-blade sharpener from GreenMech

British woodchipper manufacturers GreenMech have introduced their own disc-blade sharpening unit for users to quickly sharpen their GreenMech blades and minimise machinery downtime.

Being non product specific, the unit will be of particular interest to hire companies and contractors with multi-machines in their portfolios.

Commenting on the introduction of the sharpening unit Sales Director Martin Lucas said: “This is a great add-on to have in the GreenMech range. Giving users the autonomy to sharpen their own blades as and when it’s required speeds up the sharpening process for the customer whilst

also improving the efficiency of the chipper, helping it to perform at its best.”

For those who wish to return their blades to the manufacturer, GreenMech will continue to offer their factory disc-blade sharpening service.

Introduced in 1995, GreenMech’s unique disc-blade system already offers significant cost-savings over conventional straight chipper blades. In operation, only 30% of the discblades circumference comes into contact with the woody material.

This means that when these edges become worn or damaged by contaminates, the blades can be

turned to the next sharp section, before the need to sharpen. This equates to 600% more blade life and up to 150 hours of chipping before requiring re-sharpening.

These pioneering round blades are now the preferred choice with many contractors and come fitted as standard on all GreenMech hydraulic chippers.

Sudstech patented permeable paving system

Beach effect achieved

Sudstech

system

artificial beach at the request of Lenzie Moss school in East Dunbartonshire. Sudstech rose to the challenge and created a realistic beach effect for the children to enjoy. Several colours of stone were blended by our approved Scottish installer Oakburn Gardens and trees. Sudstech’s patented two part poured system of recycled tyre and stone sub base water allows water to drain through the surface, just like a real beach and with no additional drainage required. Considerable savings can be achieved by using the surface which is virtually maintenance free and is Permeable in excess, of 50,000 litres, per m2, per hour. In many cases surface water run off charges can be avoided. Sudstech is extremely hard wearing and is also suitable for use in car parks and other public realm areas.

to

T: 0161 212 1617

E: info@sudstech.co.uk www.sudstech.co.uk

John

Boningale

Course Manager at Royal Dornoch Golf Club in

GreenMech Enquiry 12

Digging deeper into reinforced rootzones for landscapers

Landscape architects face a constant challenge to balance aesthetics with practicality, particularly with turf.

In busy periods, many businesses use over-flow car parks or temporary grass roads, resulting in significant turf damage.

“I would urge landscapers not to be put off, given that many offerings available – including Loksand from Tarmac’s Topscape team – have been pioneered following experience supplying bespoke solutions for the country’s most prestigious sports facilities.

However, this can be avoided by taking inspiration from the world of sports surfaces.

Given the high-impact nature of grass-based sports, keeping the surface in premium condition is essential. One way to ensure this is with a fibre-reinforced sand incorporated into the rootzone, before the pitch is seeded. The additional fibres enable the use of the appropriate sand grade to give a free-draining surface, stability, and prevent surface break-up.

The same principles of achieving stability through substrate reinforcement can be applied to the landscape architecture sector.

“Given the trend of keeping paved areas to a minimum, high numbers of green spaces are being used for different purposes, from overflow car parks and grass roads to music festivals,” said Tim Edwards, Technical Sales Manager at Tarmac’s Topscape team.

“However, the turf and rootzone underneath may be unable to cope with the intense demands placed on it. As such, it can quickly compact and lose structure, becoming aesthetically unattractive and unsuitable for further use.

“Loksand Fibre-reinforced sand for commercial landscaping projects works much the same as it would for a sports pitch.

“The modified rootzone should be partnered with specially pregrown Loksand turf. This ensures the fibre reinforcement of the rootzone extends to the grass surface, offering greater security and resilience than traditional turf. Furthermore, pre-grown turf allows the contractor to complete the grass surface far quicker than producing it from seed.”

A fibre-reinforced sand offers rootzone support to several different applications, including new-build and renovation projects.

“Ultimately, a fibre-reinforced sand and rootzone gives landscapers the opportunity to enhance a project’s aesthetic attributes by negating the likelihood of severe turf damage and removing the need to resort to paved areas,” added Tim.

“It provides a fantastic opportunity for the commercial landscape market to capitalise on the research and development undertaken by the professional sports turf industry.”

Tarmac Topscape Enquiry 15

Experience the Difference

DO A GREAT JOB FASTER A

The Z997R Zero Turn mower gives you our proven cut quality and durability with increased manoeuvrability. Meaning you can get the job done even faster.

CORE Edge provides Flexible steel edgings

The new CORE Edge range is available in three face widths 65mm,100mm & 150mm and a range of finishes.

CORE Edge’s new design is manufactured to make the edging stronger with a unique fold along the centre of the groundspike to reinforce and strengthen the spike, making it ideal for tougher ground conditions.

However, if softer ground is encountered, there’s an innovative spike extension that simply fixes through the groundspike to house a 300mm galvanised rebar support.

Steel thickness and length options include 1.6mm by 1075mm for pedestrian applications –available in packs of five – and 2.5mm with a choice of 1075 and 2275mm lengths for commercial / traffic applications.

Landscape Products Enquiry 18

Makita chainsaws create Darth Vader for Rogue One

Actor Spencer Wilding takes the role of the iconic Darth Vader in the latest Star Wars film, Rogue One, and has been immortalised in a most unusual way. Chainsaw sculptor Ian Murray was commissioned by the actor to create a life size interpretation of the character. Ian said: “I have owned a Makita 3500 chainsaw for three or four years now and it works very hard in my sculpting.

“I use proper carving bars and chains and as a full-time professional wood sculptor I need hard working reliable saws. The Makita machines give me that reliability to earn a living.”

Makita Enquiry 19

Avant’s Optidrive improves engine performance

Avant has developed a new, innovative solution for improving the performance of the drive circuit in Avant loaders. The drive system in Avant loaders consists of a variable displacement hydraulic pump, four hydraulic drive motors and some valves which are connected together with hydraulic hoses and fittings.

Avant was the first manufacturer to design

and utilize such a system in a compact loader. In the new system the amount of hydraulic hoses and fittings has been radically reduced and optimized, where the name Optidrive derives from as well. The new Optidrive is a standard feature first in Avant 700 series, later also in the 500 and 600 series.

Avant Enquiry 21

Snickers on-site climate control workwear

Snickers has incorporated 37.5® Technology fabric into its garments, making them very quick-drying material that captures and releases moisture vapour – like your sweat - for superior coolness and dry working comfort.

For the spring and summer months, Snickers have a range of shirts, jackets, shorts and trousers including Mechanical Air Flow features which are breathable openings in the garments and stretch mesh fabric for inside leg ventilation.

So, to make sure you get the right protection, flexibility, durability and ventilation, check out the

Grant Associates expands in Singapore

Grant Associates is expanding its presence in Singapore with new offices and staff appointments as demand grows for services across South East Asia.

Two new members of staff have joined the landscape architect’s Singapore office, which has moved to larger premises at Tras Street in Tanjong Pagar – a historic district within the city’s Central Business District.

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Zhang Yuan joins the team as Landscape Architect after a five-year stint at Ballistic Architecture Machine, an awardwinning, multidisciplinary design studio based in Beijing and New York. Tan Wei Lin, a recent graduate of Singapore Polytechnic, joins as Graduate Landscape Architect.

Grant Associates Enquiry 22

CORE

Snickers Workwear product families for precisely the right garments to fit your workday.

Snickers Enquiry

Champions to host Perennial’s football tournament

Leicester City Football Club is a showcase for UK groundsmanship and LCFC Grounds Manager John Ledwidge has arranged for Perennial to host a unique tournament that will pitch horts against horts in a frenzy of competition! Supported by ICL, leading innovators in the sports turf, landscape and horticultural markets, the tournament will be great fun for players and a fabulous way to raise money for the only charity in the UK dedicated to helping all those who work in horticulture.

ICL, says: “Everyone at ICL is thrilled to be playing a part in the day not only as event sponsor but also as one of the teams. The #playthepitch tournament is a real testament to the way in which Perennial brings people from across the horticulture industry together and we hope to help make it a real success.”

The event will feature 16 teams who will play in a group stage, followed by a fast-paced knockout tournament for the last eight. In addition to ICL, the following have submitted teams: Ambience Landscapes, DecoPak, Elite Landscapes Ltd, Gavin Jones Ltd, GIMA, Horticulture

Week & CED Stone, the IOG, London Stone, Crowders Nurseries, John O’Conner and Whiting Landscape Ltd. TSP Media – owner of LAPU magazine - is also putting forward a team. The final will be played on the full-sized pitch and will involve the whole team.

Laura Garnett, Senior Development Manager at Perennial, says: “This is a chance in a lifetime to experience playing like a pro footballer on a Premiership pitch. We are hugely grateful to John and the team at LCFC for their support – it’s just the sort of unique fundraising event that we strive to offer as a way to support colleagues who are struggling. We can’t wait to see everyone on the day.”

Tickets are available for spectators to come and cheer their team on the day. Spectator tickets cost £15 and include catering. To book call: 01372 384249.

To find out more visit perennial. org.uk/playthepitch. Follow the event live on Twitter via @PerennialGRBS or @LAPUMagazine #playthepitch

Headland’s Terafirm tackles excessive surface water problem

Groundsman David Ember of Southampton Solent University, along with 3 others, has around 13 hectares of grounds and sports facilities to take care of.

So when it comes to a nutritional regime they need help - and they need it to be simple and effective. Headland Amenity’s Alex Hawkes has been supplying just that.

“We’re home to approximately 12,800 staff and students located near to the City Centre and the maritime hub of Southampton,” explains David.

“We have a diverse set of grounds including 3 rugby pitches, 2 fullsize football pitches, a 3G pitch and smaller soccer pitches used for 5, 7 and 9-a-side games. The flagship for us is our stadium pitch, which is home to Team Solent who currently play in the Wessex Premier League.”

The pitch will host approximately 60 games this year which is a heavier schedule than in previous years. Despite the stadium pitch being the only surface with a primary drainage system installed, David was having significant problems with the pitch holding water and turned to Headland’s Alex Hawkes for advice. “I

asked Alex if there was anything we could try to get the water away from the surface quicker and he suggested we try Terafirm.”

Terafirm soil penetrant works by reducing the surface tension of water, minimising lateral water movement and facilitating drainage. Terafirm also acts to speed surface drying and open up pore space within the soil during dry down by accelerating natural soil contraction.

David again: “Using Terafirm has made a significant difference. At its worst it would take anything up to 5 dry days to drain away the water from a heavy downpour. Now with the same conditions the pitch would be playable the following evening.”

In addition to Terafirm, David also uses Headland’s 20/20/30

programme and Xtend 1010-10 on the stadium pitch. “Xtend is applied as part of our renovation work to aid seed germination and establishment. With it being a slow release fertiliser it works well for us as it means we don’t have to be going out and putting fertiliser down every month – that’s just time we don’t have.”

On the outer pitches, Multigreen is used in March and again in October, along with C-Complex during renovations.

Final word from David: “Alex is always on the end of the phone when we need him and thanks to his advice we’re now in a much stronger position to better the quality of the surfaces we can offer our students.”

Headland Amenity Enquiry 25

TURF TO THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES AND QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK

Adam Ferjani, Marketing & Communications Manager at

Perennial Enquiry 24

Keeping park aesthetics up despite funding being down

at how to make that all-important budget go further without a drop in park appeal.

Edinburgh City Council has estimated that for every £1 spent on green infrastructure around £12 of social, economic and environmental benefits are delivered through the community use of parks and green spaces.

So with that kind of return on investment, Danny Lake, regional grounds manager at Reesink Turfcare, looks here at what groundsmen can do to ensure green land is maintained in the most efficient and cost effective way.

“The pressure to implement further cuts means that investment in good machinery is imperative for long term plans,” says Danny.

“Traditionally lots of councils would use triple cylinder mowers, which provide the best cut and after-cut appearance, but can only cope with grass that is cut quite frequently –diffi cult during the spring and autumn growth.

“Councils are now cutting verges, parks and recreational areas less often in order to make savings and this has meant that many are

moving to rotary mowers, which can cope with longer grass, less frequent cuts and are cheaper to maintain. This has partly solved the problem, but the finish a rotary mower leaves isn’t always aesthetically pleasing and can cause extra clean up work around paths where grass clippings and debris are left.”

The solution to the problem is to consider a triple flail mower such as the Toro LT-F3000, which mimics the size, cutting width and manoeuvrability of a traditional triple cylinder mower. The flail cutting heads are able to cut long and short grass, wet or dry, and leave a much better after-cut appearance than a rotary mower.

Another savvy way to save money is for owners of the LT-F3000 to invest in the interchangeable cylinder attachment which gives the front-facing triple mower the capability to cut two ways: tougher cutting with the flail or finer with the cylinder. This is very useful for contractors maintaining roadside verges and local parks or playing fields, for example.

The LT-F3000 offers a completely new cutting concept to triple mowing, giving users a chance to cut longer, wetter and coarser grass in one sweep.

ICL launch Landscaper Pro range

The Turf and Landscape division of ICL has announced the launch of Landscaper Pro – featuring a range of unique products for landscapers and gardeners to help meet the demands of modern day lawn and landscape management.

The fertilizers in the Landscaper Pro range will result in less waste and healthier turf as well as improve its tolerance of environmental stresses such as shade and drought.

The Landscaper Pro range includes the following lawn fertilizers:

• Landscaper Pro Spring & Summer which offers a strong immediate response.

• Landscaper Pro Autumn & Winter to help prevent stress during colder months.

• Landscaper ProTablet a controlled release fertilizer that feeds the plant for up to two years.

• Landscapers Pro Feed Weed & Mosskiller which maintains growth and contains a selective herbicide for weed control plus iron for moss control.

• UNIVERSTAR Balance which has been developed as a convenient and cost effective general purpose fertilizer for use on lawns, beds and borders.

The Landscaper Pro Performance grass seed provides the perfect foundation to get turf off to the best possible start. Containing high quality perennial Ryegrass and Fescue, Landscaper Pro Performance produces a hardwearing and fine blade which is ideal for areas used by children and pets. Offering rapid germination, it is available in both 5kg and 10kg bags.

For fertilizer and grass seed application, the Landscaper

Pro range features a variety of spreaders such as the Handygreen II - with an ergonomic design to reduce wrist fatigue and the Accupro 1000 which has been designed to deliver an even and balanced spread pattern.

Also included within the Landscaper Pro portfolio is Osmocote PrePlant which helps growers add value to their offering and help boost incremental sales to the landscaping sector. Designed for use when planting trees, hedging plants, hardy nursery stock (HNS) and herbaceous perennials, Osmocote PrePlant provides an ideal NPK and trace element package (16-11-10+2MgO+TE) promoting good establishment and ongoing healthy plant growth. It is suitable for a wide range of trees and plants including Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Buxus, without fear of root scorching.

Along with Ranger - a hard surface cleaner for use on concrete, asphalt, tarmac, block paving, artificial sports surfaces and any hard surface areas (except memorial marble/slate).

Landscapers and gardeners will be pleased to see the inclusion of the Humax range of growing media, which offers a wide choice of products and package sizes to suit the amateur as well as the experienced.

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.

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

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 28

Small but extremely convenient

The GARDENA combisystem has a successful history that spans more than 40 years and hobby gardeners place their trust in the system products, which equips them for every garden task.

GARDENA has further improved the ergonomics of the Hand Tools to make for a more comfortable handling experience.

The new GARDENA combisystem Hand Tools are especially flexible, as they can also be extended with a combisystem handlem whereby the handle is simply loosened via the soft plastic screw, and another handle is mounted and screwed down.

A different attachment tool can however swiftly be placed on the new, ergonomically

shaped handle, depending on the requirement. The new handle features soft plastic elements and a rounded handle end which prevents the hands from slipping.

The Duroplast coating also offers additional corrosion protection.

Enquiry 31

Capel Manor College wins gold

Capel Manor College is celebrating success with a Gold win for its show garden at the Young Gardeners of the Year competition at the Ideal Home Show.

This year the contestants were tasked with designing and creating a front garden, including a front door and a path to inspire homeowners and passers-by.

Capel’s design illustrates what can achieved in a front garden. ‘Garden Without a Boundary’ was designed by current Garden Design student Ollie Neaves to draw you through the garden on a journey to the front door illustrating how a garden can brighten up a home and neighbourhood.

“The students worked really well as a team, they overcame some tough problems and finished the

garden to a very high standard.” says Zephaniah Lindo, the Horticulture Lecturer leading the student team. “The garden attracted a lot of attention from the other colleges and organisers and it was said that it raised the standard for future entrants.”

The Young Gardeners of the Year competition, now in its seventh year, offer students a great opportunity to showcase their work

Capel Manor Enquiry 32

Brighten up your hockey goals with Harrod UK

Harrod UK supplies a bespoke range of hockey goals which can be personalised with your club logo and colours.

The London 2012 Olympics gave Harrod UK the first opportunity to showcase the outstanding quality of the company’s market leading concept, that is now widely adopted as the industries preferred choice for aluminum freestanding goals. You may also have seen the bespoke hockey goals at Rio 2016.

Make goals even more special by creating an eye-catching goal just like Great Britain’s Olympic gold medal winning women’s team did last summer.

As the first company in the UK, to design and manufacture a unique range of integral selfweighted hockey goals, Harrod UK has continued to lead the way developing a service that allows

universities, schools and clubs across the country to customize our market leading FIH approved competition hockey goal.

What the Harrod UK hockey goal service offers:

• Bespoke outer graphics

• Bespoke laser cut carpet

• Choice of net colours (green, black and blue)

• Choice of goal colours (red, blue, black, green, yellow, maroon and orange).

If you want to add the ‘wow’ factor to your hockey pitch why not add a tailored shelter to the pitch? Harrod UK also offers a bespoking service for shelters too.

Add your logo and club colours to a shelter with Harrod UK’s superior London 2012 shelter, which is available in 2 sizes: 7 and 10 seats.

TriCure AD

Gardena

Harrod UK Enquiry 33

Ben Burgess increases partnership with Dennis & SISIS

Ben Burgess Grounds Care Equipment, an existing Dennis and SISIS dealer for Norfolk, has increased its area partnership after it was announced that the East Anglian grounds care retailer will now be distributing the two brands’ leading range of turf equipment to the areas of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.

Ben Burgess has been serving the Norfolk and Suffolk farming community since 1931 and has supplied grounds care equipment since 1962.

The company has gone from strength to strength throughout that time and now boasts six depots consisting of a large sales force specialising in various fields of expertise, highly trained technicians, dedicated parts teams and a comprehensive hire department.

With the grounds care side of the business seeing exceptional growth throughout the years, the company has enjoyed a long partnership with Dennis & SISIS, according to Ben Turner – Group Grounds Care Manager for Ben Burgess: “We have many of their

Fine porcelain pointing made easy

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

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

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

machines in some key locations throughout our region and carry out service work on them for some incredibly big names.

“The product range is exceptional and we’ve been very successful in distributing the equipment such as the Dennis G860 - which is a very solid and reliable product synonymous with the Dennis brand. I don’t think there are many clubs or sports and playing fields round here that don’t have a SISIS Quadraplay – which is a very versatile piece of kit. Overall we have a very strong partnership with Dennis &

SISIS and they complement the portfolio of quality brands that we offer across our business.”

Grounds care professionals in the areas of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire will get the opportunity to receive a fantastic insight into the range of Dennis & SISIS equipment when Ben Burgess hosts a number of open days throughout 2017. It will be a fabulous chance to see how they can best use the products and take the most benefit from them.

SISIS Enquiry 36

Johnsons launch new tetraploid ryegrass seed mixture domestic lawns

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s new formula features tetraploid ryegrass, whereas previous formula only featured a diploid variety.

The terms ‘diploid’ and ‘tetraploid’ ryegrass refers to the number of chromosomes per cell in the grass plant. Diploids have two sets of chromosomes per cell while tetraploids have four.

Anyone who remembers their school science lessons will know that the extra chromosome

provides not only a bigger cell size, but also supplies more energy to the seed.

This extra energy, when planted, is expended within 10 days, delivering quicker germination rates.

The extra energy also provides deeper roots, which explains why grass grown from a tetraploid seed requires less watering and feeding.

Deeper roots also come into their own during periods of drought

as they have the capabilities to locate water from sources far below the surface.

Extra energy also means that the new formula mixes from Johnsons Lawn Seed are almost fool-proof. Many people suffer from lawn seed failure as a result of burying the seed too deep.

The poor little seeds do not have enough energy to break through to the surface, however in the case of the tetraploid new formula, this problem has been combatted.

The extra energy delivers the grass shoot to the surface, whilst driving the roots deeper for a much firmer and permanent rate of establishment and development of a long-lasting, hardwearing lawn.

Lawn Seed Enquiry 38

Make the most of your triplex greens mower

There is a range of ATT SMART Cassettes to tackle everyday problems experienced on golf greens. Visit our website to learn more.

Johnsons

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 37

Perfect pointing despite the weather

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

The flags were first sealed using NCC Streetscape’s GftK’s vdw 950-3in1-Protect and then the joints were wet-slurry grouted with GftK’s vdw 815 Paving Joint Mortar - An epoxy bound, graded sand, self-compacting pointing mortar specifically designed for such narrow joints, and which also produces a fast curing, strong, durable finish that is resistant to traffic, weathering and even pressure jet cleaningunlike most pre-bagged pointing products on the market.

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 40

ACO drainage power in Battersea

The 200-acre Nine Elms regeneration zone centred around the Battersea Power Station site, will encompass more than three million square foot of retail, hospitality, and office space, as well as 4,000 new homes.

Given the high-end nature of the development, delivering a discreet but effective water management solution that would seamlessly blend in with the wider aesthetic was an essential part of the site’s infrastructure work. ACO assisted in helping create part of the integrated drainage solution.

As part of Phase 1 of the new development, which focuses around the original power station site, 2,200m of ACO’s MultiDrain M100 channel is being installed, complete with sleek Brickslot grating, to aid with the fast removal of surface water from the area.

Management, commented: “ACO Brickslot is designed to be a subtle and unobtrusive grating which, when combined with ACO MultiDrain MD galvanised or stainless steel channels, formed the ideal solution for the discreet drainage applications required for the Nine Elms project at Battersea Power Station.”

As well as its sleek profile, the vertical sides of the Brickslot grating enable pavements to be laid directly to the unit’s edge and, once installed, provides a totally secure drainage system that is less vulnerable to vandalism or loose gratings. ACO Enquiry 42

Win a tub of Roxil Wood Protection Cream

Five lucky readers of Landscape and Amenity Product Update the chance to win one 3L tub each of the new Roxil Wood Protection Cream from Safeguard Europe.

The Roxil Wood Protection Cream is a silicone cream emulsion that weatherproofs the surface of wooden structures for 10 years with just a single coat application.

The cream protects wooden surfaces from the undesirable effects of moisture ingress, which results in reduced warping and reduced moss / algae growth, whilst maintaining the natural appearance of wood. For more information about the Roxil

Wood Protection Cream visit www.roxil.com.

To participate in the promotion simply send an email with your name, address, email address and telephone number to: roxil@safeguardeurope.com or fill out a form on www. safeguardeurope.com/roxil-lapu.

Safeguard Europe Ltd Enquiry 41

Contract spawns Zaun flat-panel masterpiece

A massive Middle Eastern contract has given rise to a new flat-panel mesh security fence from Zaun Limited.

Zaun has designed a variant of its original HiSec ‘358’ welded mesh configuration with an extra wire every 250mm on the inside to enhance security and keep the panel flat without the need for rails or pressed V-beams.

The British manufacturer will ship a staggering 200-plus 40ft containers of the new HiSec Plus panels over the coming year to secure a Middle Eastern site of critical national infrastructure.

Eye-catching finish for fire pit

The Corten Steel Fire Pit by The Pot Company is a firm favourite at this time of year. It comes in five sizes from 60-150cm so is suitable for a wide range of outdoor spaces and budgets! This is the perfect low maintenance garden feature, starting out as

blue steel as soon as it is exposed to the elements it will naturally weather and develop a rich eye catching finish. This natural fixed coating of rust will protect against further corrosion.

The Pot Company Enquiry 43

The first six containers have left the manufacturer’s Wolverhampton headquarters with a further six set to leave before Easter.

The design department has offset the additional 4mm wires – setting quite a challenge to the production team – to enhance the security characteristics and make the single panel act almost like a dual skin fence.

Zaun research and development manager Adam Christie says: “It’s brilliant to see this new system coming off the production line as it’s been more than four years in the making.

“The customer had a very clear specification of what they wanted, but we’ve been able to work with them over time to make enhancements and to reassure them at every step of the way on quality, design, production, sourcing and logistics.”

The additional horizontal wires of HiSec Plus remove the typical bowing of traditional 358, while the 2.4m-high fence line is further secured with stainless steel razor coil topping and coated barbed wire as line wires.

The panels are bolted to 5mmthick cold-rolled steel posts, which are being welded to steel base plates at Zaun by a new robot welder bought specifically for the task, with each post and base plate a massive 75kg in dead weight.

The rolled steel is folded back on the front attack-prone flange of the post to create an effective 10mm thickness of steel. The post assemblies are then bolted in the field to a continuous concrete beam.

The enhanced HiSec specification and fencing system cements Zaun’s ability to deliver bespoke highsecurity fencing solutions.Zaun’s HiSec 358 is approved by NOMS for use in HM Prison Service where this mesh type is used prolifically due to its tight mesh formation and the fact it can go to 5.2m in height in a single panel.

It can easily be integrated with different toppings, as in this case, and with CCTV, PIDs and other electronic security enhancements.

Zaun

Nick Burchett, Regional Sales Engineer at ACO Water

Charcon supplies BIG regeneration project

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has supplied a complimentary range of precast concrete flags, blocks and kerbs to Evolution Gateshead for its renowned multi-million regeneration project: Gateshead BIG.

Gateshead BIG is the UK’s largest residential regeneration programme outside of London.

Charcon was tasked to provide hard landscaping solutions that would pave the way for good vehicular access and safe pedestrian routes.

Drawing from its extensive range of flag and block paving, Charcon was able to recommend an appropriate and cost-effective palette of over 10,600m2 of hard landscaping materials.

A total of 5,880m2 of Moordale Textured flag paving in Grey was installed, offering a premium yet cost-effective solution for the pedestrian areas. Ideal for urban pavements, Moordale Textured incorporates yorkstone and limestone aggregates to provide the very best performance and durability, as well as good slipresistance values.

To complement the above and inject an element of traditional character, 2,450m2 of Woburn Rumbled cobble paving in Rustic was used for various accompanying walkways and thoroughfares. Reminiscent of traditional sandstone setts, Woburn Rumbled offers a natural and attractive time-worn appearance, thanks to a number of colour mix options that generate subtle shade differences between adjacent blocks.

Bollards HQ enjoys sales surge

Bollards HQ, the bollard division of street furniture specialist Townscape Products, has announced a surge in sales for Q1 2017 ahead of its first full year in business.

Established just nine months ago to provide a fast and efficient online bollard ordering service for specifiers, contactors and planners – the division is quickly establishing itself as a leader in bollard ecommerce.

From a standing launch in June 2016, the operation has grown steadily. In Q1 2017 sales surged 110 per cent compared to Q4 2016.

Jonathan Goss, managing director at Townscape Products, said: “Bollards HQ was

launched to provide the industry with an online procurement platform for the very highest quality, competitively priced bollards – but more than that we have an easy to use platform, broad range and offer a quality personal service.

Bollards HQ offers a full range of concrete, timber, stainless steel and Performacast polymer and solar bollard models as well as numerous styles including everything from Acorn to Manchester.

Townscape Products Enquiry 49

In addition, 2,270m2 of Europa block paving in Brindle was specified for those areas expected to see heavy-use trafficking.

Offering a high level of durability and good grip, Europa is available in a wide range of shades and various sizes, including three mixed colours for aesthetic appeal, as well as a mechanical lay option for increased speed and efficiency of installation.

For the finishing touches, Charcon also supplied British Standard Edging and Kerbs, both in Plain Grey.

Charcon Enquiry 47

BALI membership hits 900

The team at Landscape House is celebrating welcoming BALI’s 900th member.

This tops off an incredible, celebratory year, which included the 40th BALI National Landscape Awards – the largest ever, attended by 963 guests.

On being told that his company had helped BALI reach such an important milestone in its 45 year history, Tom Seward, owner of Newbury-based TS Landscapes, said: “I am delighted to have been awarded BALI Registered status as this is something I have strived to achieve for a long time now, and to hear that TS Landscapes is BALI’s 900th member is a bonus; well done BALI.

“I wanted to join BALI not only to make use of the many benefits it offers but also as reassurance for our customers that we are a reputable company with very high standards.”

BALI’s wider membership is 1,723, making it by far the largest representative trade body for the landscape industry in the UK. Its size, the professional reputation of its Registered Members, and its collaborative work with other industry bodies on a raft of projects and initiatives, has resulted in it being Government’s first port of call on issues concerning the landscaping sector.

BALI’s Chief Executive Wayne Grills said: “BALI is going from strength to strength and its size and status ensures our members and the wider landscaping

sector have a voice at a time of economic uncertainty.

“We will continue to serve our members to the best of our ability, supporting their businesses and helping to make sure they have access to skilled staff once our exit from the EU becomes a reality.

“I would like to thank the Landscape House team for their tremendous hard work in building the association’s membership to this point and for delivering an impressive range of membership benefits. Exciting times are ahead.”

Vertiss offers a new approach to living walls

Vertiss is a new way of greening previously unused vertical surfaces that can now be decorated with all kinds of ornamental, kitchen garden and aromatic plants in an original and unique way.

Vertical gardens are now possible with this environment friendly green living wall. Novintiss provides the perfect green space, flourishing natural greenery bursting with life. Like a real garden, the vertical

garden creates an attractive living space.

The advanced design features of the Vertiss green wall make it exceptionally easy to plant a vertical garden both inside and

outside. Plants quickly take root and become established in the special growing medium designed for long term use in green walls. Developed and tested over several years, the Vertiss green wall concept has proven success.

The mineral balance concept ensures there is no risk of damping-off disease affecting the plants in the Vertiss modules. The vertical planting modules are chemically inert, fully recyclable and rust resistant, enabling highly practical and efficient installations on any vertical support.

The modular system is suitable for any type of installation: interior green wall, exterior vertical garden, green facade, living wall, green planted partition wall or screen.

Vertiss Enquiry 52

earth retaining solutions

Flexible and sustainable walls to transform sites

Biotecture’s sustainable living walls are a truly flexible, modular system that helps transform any built environment.

The patented hydroponic system brings a new level of sustainability through intelligent water management and stable system dynamics.

The company’s trusted, panelbased system is extremely flexible to suit any size or shape installation. It is in use in a huge variety of contexts, including university campuses, high end retail outlets, restaurants and private gardens, as well as office buildings in Norway, private homes in Spain, and hotel landscaping in the UAE.

Biotectures Enquiry 53

Leading the way with green corridors

Standing at 350m high and holding 10,000 plants, the huge vertical garden at the Rubens Hotel in London represents the most ambitious installation by Treebox to date.

Living walls are rapidly becoming an essential tool in the drive to improve our urban environments for the sake of business, local communities and the environment.

The installation at the Rubens was largely the result of a Green Infrastructure Audit carried out by the business led, and business funded, Victoria Business Improvement District (BID). Living walls arguably present the most cost effective, space saving way of incorporating greenery into our cityscapes.

“Used broadly enough, these verdant screens eventually create a network of green corridors that serve as an organic counterpart to the bricks and mortar of even the most intensively developed cities,” said Armando Raish, managing director of Treebox.

“Buildings can be transformed instantly through living walls, green hoardings, vertical rain gardens and other innovative

forms of ‘greenfrastructure’. These green features boast an array of positive effects, with one of the most significant being to purify air.

“The herbaceous plants and other vegetation that make up living walls and screens absorb pollutant particulate matter (PM10s) - caused mainly by traffic - and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Boosting air quality is a key concern.”

A number of academic studies have pointed to the respiratory illnesses and deaths that are caused by polluted air; and the UK’s pollution levels could be much improved. Last year the European Union ruled that the UK was in breach of its air quality directive. Moreover, 16 areas of the UK are forecast not to meet the EU’s legal nitrogen

Through the wider use of such greenfrastructure, green corridors can be created that link open spaces and parks, further reducing pollutants and promoting wellbeing with all the knock-on benefits to business this brings.

Treebox Enquiry 54

Scotscape living walls at M&S stores

Scotscape Ltd, the market leader in the design, installation and ongoing maintenance of living wall systems, installed four new living walls at Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food stores as part of M&S’s ‘Plan A Sustainability Programme’ which has inspired retailers worldwide to improve their sustainability performance.

Having built a series of sustainable learning stores over the past couple of years at Sheffield, Norwich, Stratford City and Cheshire Oaks, Marks and Spencer has further refined its commitment to implementing successful sustainable building features.

Along with 100% LED lighting, re-using waste heat, and rainwater harvesting, Scotscape Living

Walls have now been applied to four of the company’s existing Simply Food stores at - Slough, Heswall, Oswestry and Epping.

The key benefits of living walls include air-purification, sound abatement, insulation (leading to improved U-values and carbon reduction) and flood water mitigation.

The installation of well-designed and well-maintained living walls also contributes significantly to the development of biodiversity in our cities, providing habitats for insects, birds and butterflies. In the retail environment living walls bring an ‘eco store’ to life for customers and employees.

How to ensure your green roof thrives

Green roofs can look vibrant and exciting without high maintenance, says Boningale GreenSky’s leading plant expert.

Maggie Fennell, manager of the innovative Shropshire-based company that pioneered the development of SkySuperstrates and SkyPlugs for green roofs, said because so many colourful and hardy plants can survive the harsh conditions of a green roof there is no longer an excuse for boring planting schemes.

She said when green roof designers use 150mm deep substrate, it opens up the types of suitable species that can be planted because there is room for extra root growth and more capacity for water storage.

“Extensive green roofs are traditionally dominated by sedums because they are extremely drought tolerant, or by wildflowers to support

biodiversity. But, clients are increasingly reluctant to use wildflowers because they can get large and unsightly, resulting in a large maintenance burden.” explained Maggie.

Sometimes this leads people to opt for a sedum roof with poorer species diversity and shorter flowering period.

Instead, Maggie says planting a range of low-growing native wildflowers and evergreen plants with a wide variety of forms and flowering times would provide the best aesthetic and biodiverse performance with the lowest maintenance requirement. Hardy and drought-tolerant alpines and cultivars also thrive brilliantly on extensive green roofs, too.

To boost seasonal and all-year colour, herbs and bulbs should also be planted.

Inleaf, the Manchester-based commercial plants specialist has added a Mobilane LivePanel system and three LivePictures to its showroom to allow the company to better demonstrate their benefits to clients, as well as to other installers interested in becoming Inleaf franchisees.

Founded by husband and wife Daniel and Charlotte Athertona qualified Landscape Architect - Inleaf are keen supporters of Mobilane systems and have recently completed the design and installation of a 25m square installation as part of an office refurbishment for

a pharmaceutical company in Chester.

Daniel said: “In terms of general plants in the commercial space, we are finding a wide range of companies coming to us for solutions, with clients understanding the wide range of benefits of plants in the work place.

“However, there is still a job to be done in educating smaller businesses, which is where our demonstration systems at the showroom come in.”

Mobilane Enquiry 58

Scotscape Ltd Enquiry 56

Boningale Enquiry 57

Star Rubber provides an extensive range of innovative solutions

Star Rubber provide everything the safety surfacing community desire, from installing surfaces such as traditional EPDM, Tiger Mulch and Agri-Flex to supplying Tiger Mulch material to trained licensees as well as innovative Star Kerb, Star Covers and the tools needed to succeed in the installation of Wet pour. Testing all our products to the highest standards of BS7188 and BSEN1177 whilst using the strongest and most reliable binders available. This Reflects the reason all our surfaces come with a 5-year guarantee and the piece of mind the end user can enjoy environments safely.

Tiger Mulch/Agri-Flex:

Star Rubber is the UK’s only manufacturer of Tiger Mulch and Agri-Flex, durable bound rubber mulch and aggregate systems made from 100% recycled truck tyres combined with high performance PU resin. An ideal landscaping or play surface product that has been tested to the highest standards of BS7188 for Slip Resistance, rate of ignition, tensile strength and more and BSEN1177 for critical fall heights up to three metres.

Wet Pour:

Our Wet pour surface Safti-Top is a permeable surface perfect for every aspect of children’s play, installing graphics or using vibrant colours collaborated with the highest standard of certification means children have excellent entertaining areas to run and play whilst staying safe in the event of bumps and falls.

Christchurch Quomps Splash and Play Park

Before the summer of 2016 Star Rubber Environmental Ltd took on the over haul of resurfacing both the main play park and the splash park on Christchurch quomps. Covering over 1200m2 and under tight time scales the team were hard pushed to design and carry out the resurfacing work.

‘Stretch Your Imagination, Let Us do the rest’

Originally the councillors were happy to settle with a surface similar to what they had before, block colours of blues, and greens. However with the large open spaces and idyllic location we were determined to achieve the ultimate ‘WOW FACTOR’ with;

• Raised and soft Sand dunes under the water jets

• Sparkling sand

• Kerbed and filled steps

• Flowing blue River surfacing linking play park to splash park

Using the highest quality materials and with a stretch of imagination the children in living and visiting Christchurch have one of the best and safest play spaces in the country.

With sand dunes doubling up as a raised area keeping kids out of the water, like an island, yet keeping them safe as its extra soft should there be any falls.

The Star Kerb was used with the EPDM, meaning the old problem of slippery steps; bumps and burses were no longer an issue.

“Cheers, it looks amazing…REALLY AMAZING”

Matthew Reeks, Christchurch and East Dorset Council

Star Kerb:

Star Kerb has been designed by Star Rubber Ltd to create the perfect edge for laying wet pour onto a hard surface, steering clear of the traditionally risky chase cut and totally irradiating the age old problem of thermal shrinkage. Providing a firm vandal resistant edge as well as a distinct clean finish to the surface, which also stands as a demarcation point for the start of the surface. Star Kerb can be used in collaboration with a new surface or also help repair existing surfaces.

Star Cover:

The Star Cover is a quick and easy solution for the use of surfacing over existing drains and manhole covers removing unsightly iron works and erasing the costly construction fees. This enables the original drain to remain fully accessible for maintenance, whilst punched wholes in the bottom of the drain cover increase drainage and greatly reduce pooling. Available in various sizes and depths the Star Cover is zinc and powered coated with a uniquely designed lifting system, which acts as an anti tamper and anti finger trap whilst a double rolled edge gives you a very soft feel under foot.

www.landscapeandamenity.com

Organisations back API after report into state of playgrounds

The Association of Play Industries’ report, ‘Nowhere to Play’, shows that £100 million could reverse the decline and get us back on track to increase the number of playgrounds available to children across the country.

Many leading figures in the world of children’s play and

activity have endorsed this report and its recommendations.

“Play is the first step children take towards physical literacy and an active lifestyle and therefore investing in play spaces and securing their future should be a priority in combating the negative health impacts of

a sedentary population,” said Helen Griffiths, Chief Executive, Fields in Trust.

“Parks and playgrounds are vulnerable to closure in these challenging times and it’s important that we revalue the enormous contribution they make to our communities. Fields in Trust welcomes this new research from the API and supports the call for increased investment that will positively impact the health and wellbeing of children and young people.”

Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said councils are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles among young people and recognise that access to playgrounds and sports facilities are an important part of that.

“They want to do everything they can keep our parks and playgrounds intact but are doing this in the face of unprecedented budget constraints,” he added.

“Given ongoing funding reductions, many councils continue to have to make difficult decisions about which services are scaled back or stopped altogether. Decisions like this are never taken lightly and councils are exploring new ways to fund and maintain these facilities. Many are also working with their communities to help maintain them, or through crowdfunding for new equipment

The British Association of Landscape Industries said it fully endorsed the “excellent” report and described the loss of playgrounds up and down the country as unforgivable.

The Register of Playground Inspectors International has seen first-hand the decline in play provision and the steady worsening of the condition of many play areas around the country.

It said that play is absolutely vital to children’s health and wellbeing and public provision of such facilities has an important role to play

“We should look at a different model where outdoor ‘play’ and exercise for all ages is somehow integrated so that a trip to the local playground involves the entire family, from children to grandparents,” said Wayne Grills, BALI’s Chief Executive.

The Federation of Sports and Play Associations also welcomed the report as “important and timely”.

It joined the API in calling on the government for a clear show of support for play and activity and the benefits it brings to children.

“A government investment of £100m now could turn the tide and ensure that children in all areas can access good quality areas in which to play,” said Jane Montgomery, FSPA’s managing director.

API Enquiry 61

in helping to ensure that children learn about risks in environments where the level of risk can be managed.

“The RPII welcomes this new research from the API and encourages the call for increased investment to help ensure the wellbeing of children and young people,” added Keith Dalton, Vice Chairman, Register of Play Inspectors International.

School specifies Jacksons Fencing solutions

Jacksons Fencing was commissioned to supply and install security fencing around two perimeters at Bickley Park School, a selective, independent preparatory day school for boys located in South East London.

The school site consists of a mix of listed buildings and newer contemporary facilities, all set in attractive grounds. The modern structures include a purpose-built nursery, with strong environmental credentials, and a new multipurpose astro pitch, to complement the existing sports facilities.

The eco nursery features modern, airy classrooms filled with natural daylight; an outdoor covered decking area and an additional natural outdoor environment to promote free-flow indoor/ outdoor learning.

Jacksons Anti Trap Bow Top fencing was installed around the nursery site perimeter to provide a visible layer of security that was aesthetically pleasing to the eye and sensitively fitted to lessen the impact on the area’s main occupants; very young children, as well as to complement the surrounding natural habitat.

Jacksons Anti Trap Bow Top fencing is designed to provide permanent protection for play areas. A key product design feature is the wider gap between each hoop above the top rail to prevent children getting their heads, necks or limbs stuck between pales. These qualities have enabled it to be RoSPA approved, with the design fully conforming to the play fence standards stipulated in BS EN 1176.

Jacksons EuroGuard Flatform welded mesh fences and gates were installed to protect the school’s new astroturf pitch. The main requirement here was for a durable and secure solution that would prevent unauthorised entry during out of school hours, as well as protect people, buildings and equipment outside of the perimeter from harm as a result of stray football balls, for example.

Cris Francis, Head of Commercial Sales at Jacksons Fencing, commented: “Our range of perimeter protection solutions are ideal for a wide variety of projects and can be modified to fit specific requirements.

“These two installations are a great example of how our fences and gates can be designed to meet bespoke safety and security requirements and regulations as well as match the aesthetic needs of the client.”

The fences and gates specified in Bickley Park School were powder coated in Green RAL 6005. From the quality of raw materials used, through the galvanising process to BS EN 1461, to powder coating to BS EN 13438 and construction to in excess of BS EN 1722 standards, every Jacksons product is designed to deliver best in class performance and lowest lifetime cost; culminating in the best value on the market.

Sutcliffe Play redevelops play area into community asset

Vale of Glamorgan Council approached Sutcliffe Play, a UK playground equipment designer and manufacturer, to fulfil a brief to update a dilapidated play area in need of refurbishment.

The brief included replacing an old Multi Use Games Area and incorporating new and exciting play equipment for children of all ages and abilities.

The design was required to be sustainable and encourage social interaction and physical development through a wide range of play features and activities.

The play area was designed in three distinct zones. The first area caters for juniors, with challenging play opportunities to meet the needs of children with more advanced motor skills.

The second area, for toddlers, includes brightly coloured equipment and floor games which help to develop young children’s basic motor skills.

The Toddlerzone Daffodil multi-play unit, Sutcliffe Play’s latest edition to its popular Toddlerzone Plus collection launched in 2016, has been designed to maximise activities with a minimal footprint. The

space under the deck creates multi-level play opportunities by incorporating a crawling tunnel and creates an additional play feature at ground level.

The Daffodil unit is designed to reflect natural play themes with a binocular rail for spying on wildlife, a circular finger maze, motifs, gently waving panels and a natural colour palette.

Boasting a unique design with a rubber dampening system which significantly reduces noise and vibration, Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) from Sutcliffe

Play are ideal for neighbourhood and residential locations.

The MUGA offers endless flexibility and can accommodate most sporting activities including football, hockey, basketball, tennis, badminton and volleyball.

“Sutcliffe’s design for the play area met our objectives and exceeded our expectations of the brief, and delivered a total transformation to a dilapidated and forgotten play area into one which is vibrant, exciting and robust,” said Emma Hancock, Landscape Architect, Regeneration and Planning, Vale of Glamorgan Council.

“The range of equipment and aesthetic are perfect for this compact urban play area.”

Jackson Fencing Enquiry 63

Sutcliffe Play Enquiry

Play the world with the new Big City Plus range

The remodelled, refreshed and renewed Big City Plus range of stainless steel modular tower units has been revealed by Playdale.

This brand new range completely replaces the previous Big City range. With more modules than ever before these units are guaranteed to become playground favourites.

Dynamic, curved shaping throughout the range provides a totally new play experience.

There are 18 newly designed tower units to choose from, to suit all needs and budgets, including three fully inclusive units which have been developed and created in collaboration with The Bendrigg Trust; a local

organisation of experts who provide outdoor adventures for disabled & disadvantaged people.

Within the new Big City Plus range we have designed and developed three inclusive units with brand new features and systems that have never been seen before on Playdale equipment.

Each unit has a variety of access points, to cater for a wide range of abilities and also to ensure there are ample exit points when needed.

A plastic tube slide on each unit provides light/dark sensory stimulation and aids independence. The bump panels on all the ramp fl oors give an exciting sensory experience whether in a wheelchair or on foot. There are sensory

coloured polycarbonate panels along the side of the ramps, and the new tactile play panels stimulate touch, feel and sound sensory experiences.

Paul Mallinson, Playdale’s Technical and Operations Director, said: “Through the use of proven, high quality and durable materials combined with our latest design philosophies we have created a modern, stylish range with sleek, elegant lines.

“Packed with masses of play value these units provide some fantastic new activities at low and high level which children can enjoy in a safe yet exhilarating way along with all the added benefits of being manufactured from virtually maintenance free materials.”

Playdale Enquiry 68

Timberplay helps generate interest in historic estate

older children were also a key audience, so Timberplay created designs that featured many open ended products that ensured all junior visitors would find plenty to stimulate them within the play space – named ’Wonder Woods’.

Waterplay is a great multiappeal play element and Stoner embraced this with water channels and a playground pump.

A Wobble Dish, Platform house and a bespoke Deer version of the Swinging Horse are all ideal for toddlers. A hefty Climbing Structure and Climbing Forest provide challenging fun for older children and teenagers.

During this time there has been no formal play provision, until Timberplay were called in to create a play area that would increase interest in the site, particularly with families and those caring for children.

Timberplay worked with Stonor Park to select a range of equipment which would appeal to children over a wide age range.

Stonor were keen to attract toddlers to capture the interest

The play area is due to open properly to the public in March, when the house opens for Spring and William Stonor has high hopes: “We trialled the play area last October, when we opened it for a few weeks and the reviews were very encouraging.

“Several visitors mentioned the Wonder Woods in their Trip Advisor reviews. Our own three children are certainly enjoying this new addition to the landscape and we are very confident that it will

Playforce becomes an official partner of The Challenger Trust

Playforce, creators of outstanding outdoor spaces, have announced a new long term partnership with The Challenger Trust, which supports schools to help young people to fulfill their true potential. The Challenger Trust supports schools to help young people to fulfill their true potential.

It believes that a comprehensive programme of character

development will typically include a blend of outdoor education, role model presentations, pupil to pupil supervision, curriculum trips, cultural tours, sports fixtures, enterprise training, careers talks, music camps and personal development expeditions overseas.

Playforce was one of the first to offer a complete, consultative approach to developing tailored outdoor spaces for the education sector. By taking the time to meet each customer and understand their needs, they ensure that every project delivers the very best outcomes for a school, nursery or group of settings.

Playforce Enquiry 69

Ancestral Home of the Stonor Family for over eight centuries, Stonor Park has been open to the public since 1979.

READER ENQUIRY 71

Wicksteed Playgrounds builds bespoke castle

Wicksteed Playgrounds has brought the designs of local primary school children to life by creating an impressive and imaginative playpark at Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scotland.

Reflecting the history of the area, a large bespoke timber castle-

inspired feature takes pride of place at the centre of the play area.

The custom-built castle is adorned with turrets, slides, climbing nets and monkey bars as well as a bridge over a moat and portcullis entrance to inspire the imagination of

all aspiring kings, queens and medieval soldiers!

Around the castle, Wicksteed has created colourful wetpour surface designs with tunnelled grass mounds, swings, roundabouts, balance boards and a trampoline to keep visitors thoroughly entertained.

The £300k play facility was developed as part of a £3.64m park regeneration project, funded by Scottish Borders Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It was important for the play area to be accessible to visitors with disabilities and so a wheelchair accessible sensory garden was created as well as the inclusion of a wheelchair-friendly roundabout and a basket swing.

The park features a range of different zones with play equipment suitable for a variety of age groups and abilities.

A timber fenced area features sensory sound and visual items as well as a central carved timber totem pole. As well as the diverse range of play equipment, Wicksteed has included plenty of seating areas to enable everyone to enjoy this vibrant place.

Wicksteed Enquiry 73

FSPA launches new brand

The Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA) has unveiled a new brand.

The FSPA is the national trade umbrella body that leads and supports associations which cover businesses in the play industry, sporting goods trade and golf sector.

While keeping the same name, the new logo, website and animated film will strengthen links to their 13 associations representing 500 manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of sports and play equipment, clothing and apparel. The association include API, the Association of Play Industries.

FSPA Managing Director, Jane Montgomery, explains: “The rebrand marks an exciting new chapter for us and all our members. Across the UK, there are businesses in the sports and play sector doing great things. The industry is vital to the British economy and these businesses are at the heart of one of the most vibrant, innovative and creative industries we have.

“As the UK’s federation overseeing the sector, we promote and

support over 500 manufacturers and distributers of sports and play goods and represent a wide variety of businesses, from startups to the big-name brands. With almost 100 years as the industry experts, we want to ensure that we are the voice of the industry –your voice.”

Jane adds: “But we want to do more. As a new political and economic landscape unfolds post-Brexit, and with the forthcoming general election, we’ll be working tirelessly to improve support for the industry.

“We know that there’s a lot of work to do and we’re ready. Our ambition is to reach out to every UK sports and play business, because together we are stronger. Our new strategy will ensure that we support, promote, represent, collaborate and lobby on behalf of every one of our members.

“That’s why we’re launching our bold new brand. Inspired by the world of sports and play, it will give a bigger voice to our associations and members and underpin our commitment to them.”

FSPA

Feel ‘the power’ with Connor Sport Court

Connor Sport Court, owned by international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor is the market leader in sports surfacing and has built systems for many elite associations including the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, USATF and USA Volleyball, together with supplying the recent 2016 Rio Olympic Games with their basketball courts.

Connor Sport Court specialise in both wood and synthetic surfaces and have appropriate solutions for every type of athletic venue, park or multi-use facility.

It provides products that are ideal for a myriad of sport uses in education colleges and universities, schools, sports and leisure centres, together with dance floor studios and fitness venues.

The safest outdoor court in the world PowerGame® from Connor Sport Court features the lowest skin abrasion of any outdoor court surface and is made of the highest quality materials and UV stabilisers to protect the specifiers investment and is a perfect fit for a host of performance sports including; badminton, tennis, basketball, netball and hockey.

The patented Double-Tier shock absorbing grid and Lateral Forgiveness reduces joint strain

and fatigue to help participants play longer and more safely than ever. Available in 16 stunning colour choices the performance of PowerGame® is also designed to deliver excellent ball bounce, a huge factor in both on-court response and enjoyment. After all, who wants to play a dull game?

A strong partnership with the charity Beyond Sport looks set to enable this commitment to flourish as Beyond Sport are focused on using sport for social change and connecting NGOs and community organisations with groups who can help them make a difference.

In London Connor Sports ® and Gerflor have worked with Beyond Sport and the Mayor’s Office to identify applicants for a ‘Court Award’. This meant seeking a community group who had a need for an updated space, but also who would require the programming and student engagement necessary to properly use the product.

The award went to the Phoenix Community Housing project which falls under the responsibility of Lewisham Council in inner London.

Gerflor Enquiry 77

Agripower expertise rings true school

After a competitive tender process via sports facility design consultants MUGA-UK LTD, Agripower was appointed as the main contractor for a manjor project at Notre Dame School in Surrey.

The scheme was to build a fullsize synthetic hockey pitch alongside four tennis courts, a sprint track with associated fencing and floodlighting.

Graham Longdin, Director of Agripower, commented:

“It was imperative that we completed the majority of the works without causing any disruption to the pupils and for the facilities to be ready for the new academic year. With careful planning we managed to achieve our goal.”

Agripower Enquiry 79

Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

Newmarket Town FC has completed a £750,000 upgrade to install a new artificial pitch, one of the first full size pitches in the UK to have cork infill.

To protect and maximise the lifespan of their investment, Club Secretary Graham Edwards enlisted the help of synthetic specialists, Replay Maintenance.

Filling a pitch with cork is becoming more common throughout continental Europe as an alternative to rubber and carries a number of benefits; its 100% organic from a renewable source; it doesn’t absorb water helping to keep the surface free draining; it’s odourless and from an aesthetic point of view, it plays and looks like a natural football pitch.

Steven Spence, Operations Manager at Replay Maintenance

A Quick Brush for Moulton College

There are three full-sized artificial sports pitches as part of the facilities at Moulton College in Northamptonshire. In addition to providing these for the College they also offer bespoke training, conditioning and rehabilitation camps for sports teams.

The floodlit, third generation rubber crumb pitch, specifically designed for football and rugby, was the first of its kind to be developed in the county. There is also a water-based hockey pitch at the College’s Pitsford Centre, which has a carpet surface, among the many other sports pitches and courts available to professionals and the public alike.

It is important then to be able to maintain the surfaces in top condition and that comes under the watchful eye of Grounds Manager Andy Flower.

Visiting last year’s SALTEX, he took a good look at artificial surface brushes and arranged a demo with GKB Machines of their Quick Brush QB 200

and Topfinish. What he and his team were looking for was simplicity, while being able to brush the artifi cial surfaces quickly and easily.

Dirt between the fibres readily promotes algae growth and results in the knock-on effects of reduced drainage, hardening of the surface and of course a deterioration of the appearance. With surfaces sanctioned by the Football Association for tournament match play, there can be no effort spared in keeping the pitches in top condition.

“We chose the GKB Quick Brush and Topfi nish drag mat having considered powered units,” he says. “What we liked, in addition to the excellent job they made of cleaning and standing the carpet up, was the fact there are so few mechanical parts, plus there are stiffer brushes and low maintenance costs. Without the cost of a powered machine we also had money left over for other pieces of kit.”

He and his team were also impressed with how fast the Quick Brush works, saving time compared to powered brushes in what is a small maintenance window. They were equally impressed with being able to

clean quite wet surfaces without smearing, and the drag mat in the wet is very effective at working the rubber back into the surface.

GKB Machines Enquiry 81

commented: “The uprated REVIVE PRO machine and process gives us a whole host of additional benefits.

“These include more horsepower enabling us to fully de-compact a surface without the need for tines - thanks to the increased control and productivity at the brush-head. It also features an uprated turbine for increased vacuum capacity and dust/ detritus separation and of course the all-important cab to safeguard our Operative against noise and the elements.”

With approximately 35 hours of use per week, and that looking to increase next year, the maintenance is going to be vital to keep the surface safe and playing to its full potential.

Replay Maintenance Enquiry 80

LazyLawn is a breeze come rain or shine

A nursery in Preston is enjoying the benefits of its new playground all year round thanks to leading artificial grass provider, LazyLawn.

When Rainbow Tots needed a low maintenance alternative to natural turf that could be used in all weathers and seasons, LazyLawn came to the rescue.

A total of 22 square metres of Wonder Yarn 36 were used in the installation, which transformed what previously was an unusable woodland area into a play area perfect for the children.

LazyLawn Enquiry 82

What is the future for weed, pest and disease management?

The continued loss of chemical options poses real challenges to the sector when it comes to weed, pest and disease management. John Moverley, chairman of The Amenity Forum, talks to us about future challenges and directions.

The Amenity Forum has devised the Ten Golden Rules and is campaigning for the industry to operate to these.

Those involved in weed, pest and disease management need to commit to best practice and take a truly holistic approach to weed, pest and disease management. The Forum is keen to take an integrated approach and make best and proper use of all the techniques available, both chemical and non-chemical.

Q: Why are pesticides under pressure?

A: Pesticide use in amenity is under pressure for a variety of reasons. A number of actives in the amenity market are old and additional data has to be generated to keep the authorisation and, in such circumstances, cost can outstrip the return. Data production is extensive and time consuming both in seeking authorisation of product and re-approval and can be very expensive.

As standards set within Europe have changed and developed, some products can no longer pass toxicity and environment models. We are often reliant on an extension of use from agricultural use and some of those are disappearing. There

is also the issue of European politics and media headlines, not always based on science and evidence.

To counter that, the sector must all work together and promote the important and essential nature of the operations and why, without the tools currently available to us, we would not produce safe, healthy and fit for purpose areas and certainly not at the current cost.

Q: Why have you placed so mch emphasis on communication?

A: In October last year, we launched our GetMoving campaign. This seeks to increase awareness of the nature of weed, pest and disease management and how it impacts upon every UK citizen. The three key target audiences for GetMoving are most importantly the public but also key stakeholders involved with amenity and indeed all involved operationally.

The campaign comprises infographic and edugraphic documents and posters as well as short video clips looking at specific areas across the diverse sector that is amenity. In terms of the public campaign especially, the issue of weed, pest and

disease management is seen through the eyes of the Colins family, Jim, Lynne and their two children. They have their own twitter page and email address and a website has been developed to focus on GetMoving www. Keepbritainmoving.uk The material and video can be accessed from this developing site or from the main Amenity Forum site at www.amenityforum.co.uk The campaign also seeks to give more prominence to the role of those who maintain and enhance amenity areas and to seek to ensure debate is on the facts and not just headline grabbing opinions.

Q: How can the industry as a whole get involved?

A: The campaign is important but there is also a key role for everyone involved. We need your help to take out the message and help distribute the materials available and to speak with pride on the important tasks undertaken; to emphasise the commitment to best practice and the true professionalism of those involved. We need to stress that the approach to weed, pest and disease management is a holistic one looking at all the options available and deploying these in an appropriate and planned manner.

The National Action Plan, arising from implementation of the Sustainable Use Directive in the UK, imposes requirements upon us all. Some are legal such as the need for sprayer testing, some are not legal needs as yet but are expected, and progress needs to be seen to be taking place.

One of the key areas requires us all to develop and implement integrated pest management plans (IPM). We need to show the public and key stakeholders that we are serious about this.

Q: What does the rest of 2017 hold in store given the changing political picture?

A: We have launched our GetMoving campaign because

it is needed but also because the coming year ahead is likely to be crucial to us all. We need to continue to inform our key stakeholders, not least the government, of the importance of our work.

Brexit negotiations are ongoing and whatever your view on the direction taken, we need to see this as an opportunity. Whilst it is true that much of what already applies will continue, there is real scope to influence and make a difference. The Amenity Forum will be at the heart of those discussions.

I believe our sector is vitally important. I fully advocate integrated approaches but equally believe that chemical approaches remain key both in terms of their effectiveness both in action and cost.

However everyone in our sector needs to ensure that approved chemicals are used properly and following best practice and that they are safe.

We must look to use them as part of an integrated approach to weed, pest and disease control. We must ensure trained operatives and specifiers with optimum delivery to Amenity Assured standards. We must address specific situations with appropriate methods and above all work in a unified way –better together.

Cutting edge landscape solutions at PLANTWORX construction machinery exhibition

The third biennial PLANTWORX Construction Machinery exhibition show, hosted by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), takes place at its established home at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire from June 6-8 2017.

Over 360 exhibitors have signed up for the ‘all action’ event and of these over 140 exhibitors will be making their show debut.

PLANTWORX is the perfect destination for Landscape contractors looking for new plant, tools and equipment and the one

show in the exhibition calendar where landscaping professionals can see machines and tools being put through their paces on one of the many demonstration areas around the show.

Visitors with the correct operators’ licences and PPE are invited by many of the manufacturers to get some ‘stick time’ on their machines and test out the latest innovations in machinery in working site conditions.

In terms of size and exhibitors numbers the 2017 show has exceeded the 2015 exhibition

event and the PLANTWORX team is expecting the show to be a ‘sell out’ - making this event the hottest ticket in town and a spectacular action packed 3-days!

Here’s a sneak peek of what visitors can expect to see at the show.

A&Y Equipment will be showing a number of key products from their Ammann, Yanmar and Cormidi ranges at the show, located on both the static stand and demo area.

A variety of Yanmar excavators from 1 through to 10 tonne are being exhibited, both zero tail swing (ViO) and semi zero (SV). It will be the first time for many to see the new and improved 5 tonne class ViO50-6. Its newly designed cab and increases in power and stability have made it a popular seller in 2017. The micro that debuted at the Executive Hire Show, the ViO12, will also be on the stand, since its first appearance a number of these have been sold with one

user saying that they treat it like a 1.5 tonne machine but with the compactness of a 1 tonner.

Takeuchi machines are amongst some of the UK’s most popular excavators with sizes ranging from the smallest micro up to the largest 15 tonne excavator.

The show will be the first occasion to see and test drive some key new machines in their range.

Visitors will be able to try the recently launched 15 tonne TB2150, a powerful new option from Takeuchi. In addition, operators will be able to try out the massive offset flexibility on the 15-tonne machine. Alongside operators can get a go on the 6 tonne TB260 for those looking for a powerful midi sized machine.

Operators can also have a go at the Takeuchi challenge. The operator challenge will focus on the smallest Takeuchi’s working in limited spaces - the Micro or the new Hybrid TB216. Visitors to the stand can also see how a Takeuchi Hybrid performs fully electric powered.

Mecalac Construction Equipment UK (formerly Terex GB), will showcase its latest compact machinery portfolio – including the brand new TLB870 backhoe loader and the market-leading TA9SP site dumper.

Visitors will also see Mecalac introduce a suite of new model technologies, including the rollout of site dumper telematics and hazard detection capability, as well as showcasing other products from Mecalac, including the award-winning MWR wheeled excavator.

Mecalac’s static displays at the show will be complemented

with a live demonstration arena, allowing visitors to see the latest equipment in action. There will also be the opportunity for those with correct PPE and valid operating licences to trial the units.

M. Lloyd Engineering is a UK based designer and manufacturer of excavator screening equipment. On display at PLANTWORX will be the company’s Star Screening Buckets which have a large screening area which gives high output and they are ideal for screening top soil, waste, turf, roots, compost, and street sweepings with no chopping or pinching. The range comprises models to suit 2.5 to 25 tonne machines, and stars can be spaced to produce a range of output sizes.

Also on display will be Lloyd Engineering’s Rotary Screening Buckets which have a conical drum and improved apron angles to give exceptional output and control for a wide range of demolition, top soil, waste, compost and recycling applications.

A selection of new models of mini-excavator, star screening buckets has recently been added, widening the range of sizes available for smaller machines.

The company’s ‘Babystar’ is suitable for machines as small as 2.5 tonnes. The larger rotary screening buckets with the quickchange drum system have been reintroduced and now feature the conical drum design. All buckets have a single hammer line, no drain line required.

Axpan is a French manufacturer of micro machines specialising in earth moving equipment for tight and restricted access. According to the company the machines are targeted to professionals like landscapers, builders, groundwork operators and owner operators.

Axpan is making its first appearance at Plantworx on the Four Ashes Machinery stand the company’s show debut coincides with the launch of two new models - the AX 36 Pro and the AX Loader.

Kubota, the manufacturer of compact construction equipment, will be showcasing its brand new mini excavator, the KX042-4 at this year’s show.

Takeuchi

Axpan

The 4-tonne machine is the most environmentally friendly excavator in its class and will be unveiled for the first time in the UK and Ireland on stand D63.

The new machine will be on show alongside many other Kubota construction, tractor, groundcare and engine products at the show.

Avant will showcase its innovative battery-powered, zero emission loader at PLANTWORX

The new e-series is fully electric battery-powered loader in the same size class as the Avant 500 series, offering zero emissions, extremely low noise and minimal running costs.

The battery powered loader is especially suitable for indoor use where ventilation is limited, meaning the operator and workers are not exposed to the exhaust emissions which create health risks.

A further benefit of a battery driven machine is the extremely low noise level, meaning it can be used in noise restricted areas.

The new e-series features two models: Avant e5 and Avant e6.

the company’s expert team in Warwickshire – Thwaites claim to have designed the definitive dumper which will be unveiled at the show.

Thwaites say that this dumper is what the market has been waiting for and will provide a new level of safety for contractors and clients across the UK, whilst offering the very best in operator safety and comfort.

New exhibitor Brilliant Ideas has developed a solution for strapping down secure loads to a trailer or van body where after placing the hook/loop on the pin/ chassis it often slips off before the operative has had chance to tighten it up. The solution comes in the form of the new Hook Buddy – which is a purpose designed plastic hook with an inbuilt magnet and specially shaped connection plates.

Indespension believes the plant industry has been crying out for.

Hook up Solutions is showing the Hooka. The original Hooka was launched at the 2015 Show and went down a storm! This machine combines the CV’s of forklift, spider crane and tracked dumper and has been specifically designed to revolutionise the safe lifting, shifting and installing of bulk building materials, plant and equipment. At only 1 metre wide, it has been ‘size matched’ to pallets and bulk bags, but can also transport and install statues, street

furniture, glass curtain walling, I-Beams and other materials.

The Hooka’s patented Loadlock system completely eliminates the inherent instability of traditional Forklifts by transforming dangerous ‘suspended payloads’ into ‘safety ballast’ for the machine. This allows the Hooka to be extremely compact, lightweight, and have ‘turn on the spot’ manoeuvrability. This provides unrivalled delivery access into the heart of sites, thereby minimising manual handling, yet the machine still lifts and shifts loads of up to 1.5 tonnes with complete safety!

Tufftruk will be showing its new Truxta Rigid mini dumper - the machine range secured a Plantworx Innovation award and was Highly Commended in the Safety Category. The Truxta Rigid is all about manoeuvrability and safety – it’s the ideal machine for the professional housebuilder working with limited space.

Available in two sizes there is the Bendi 300 and the Bendi 450, with a skip capacity of 300kg or 450kg. The mini dumper offers excellent load capacity in and around sites with a generous payload capability it also easily manoeuvres up steep ramps and rough terrain.

The new 4x4 mini dumpers provide easy access even in the tightest corners. At just 850mm wide it’s compact and Tufftruk say it can get into places other units can’t! The Bendi mini dumpers articulated chassis means the machines handles corners with

the minimum effort - just steer around bends and corners - no need to lift or reposition. The unit weighs in at just 200kg and is available in petrol, diesel or there is a battery powered offering a quiet environmentally friendly option.

A full exhibitor list and more information on the show can be found on the PLANTWORX website at www.plantworx.co.uk. Visitor registration is now open and it’s free – visit http://www. plantworx.co.uk/visit/registerfor-your-ticket/

The quick attach system as well as the multi connector for the attachment hydraulics are the same as in other Avant models, so the large attachment range is suitable also to the e-series.

Dumper specialist Thwaites is launching a brand-new dumper at the show – but is keeping the exact details of the product top-secret. Designed and manufactured here in the UK by

To keep the strap in place just slide the hook up as high as possible up the tie of pin / chassis then place the hook buddy underneath the strap hook to magnetically hold it in place. The driver can now walk round the trailer and ratchet the strap up knowing the hook is securely in place. After the load is secured the hook buddy is the removed and stored ready for use next time.

Indespension is at the show with new strapless transport solutions – the new Digadoc Ultra and Alumax models. According to the company, the Digadoc Ultra, which is available in two models, is the safety solution the industry has been looking for. Indespension’s quality combined with the unique Digadoc adjustable strapless cowling system results in the ultimate strapless transportation for 1.5 –2.7 excavators.

The Alumax provides a transport solution on its bed size to unladen weight ratio. At 580Kg unladen, Indespension have designed a trailer which can cater for machines weighing up to 2920Kg – something

Red Rhino Crushers win PLANTWORX award

Red Rhino Crushers (stand E55) are delighted to announce that they are the Environment Winners in the prestigious PLANTWORX 2017 Awards for Innovation.

Sponsored by the Construction Equipment Association this coveted PLANTWORX exhibitors prize recognises the progress made by the company in developing innovative new products which are specifically

designed to reduce its customer’s carbon footprint.

Speaking after the award ceremony in London, Simon Winfield, Managing Director of Red Rhino Crushers said: “Our new tracked 3-Way Screener which we introduced last year complements this process, enabling a variety of clean products to be produced all in one, simple, low cost operation.

“Our most popular crushers and screens are track mounted with diesel hydraulic drive fully complying with the latest and most stringent global emission regulations. Continuing the environmental theme, we decided to develop an all-electric version of our very popular 5000 Series

tracked crusher. This excellent plant has a 500 x 250mm jaw crusher and has been fitted with a 30 kW electric motor in place of the diesel engine.

“The first electric version has already been sold to crush material in an underground mine but it could equally be deployed inside a building or a tunnel or wherever exhaust emissions cannot be tolerated.”

On arrival the operator can simply “plug and play” with the 5000 Electric using all the same excellent features that Red Rhino products are renowned for. Standard features on the 5000 Electric include full wireless remote control for tracking, crusher start/stop, crusher

adjustment and crusher reversal. It is fitted with dust suppression as standard and optional extras include an overband magnet and even a plant mounted screen.

The 5000 Series is used for many applications such as crushing concrete, brick rubble, refractory waste, glass, asphalt as well as soft-medium strength rock types.

The electric motor and starter panel fits neatly in place of the diesel engine power pack. The plant can be transported on a small plant trailer as it weighs only 2.9 tonnes and has very compact dimensions making it ideal for small sites in urban areas.

Red Rhino Enquiry 89

Garic to unveil solar powered drying room

Garic, one of the UK’s most innovative manufacturers and suppliers of mobile welfare facilities, will be launching the latest in its range of eco-efficient solar powered products. The new highly innovative drying room is a world first and looks set to save up to 86% in energy costs.

Design-patented, the 10’x8’ drying unit with two changing benches and a coat rail is the only stand alone, self-contained

solar powered unit on the market. Its launch follows successful onsite trials by client Interserve who was impressed to find an alternative to existing costly to run mobile drying room products.

Garic’s self-contained solar powered drying room – tested during the bleak British winter – has consistently achieved carbon emissions of just 195.9kg and used 73l of diesel per week giving a fuel saving of 86%.

Taking its market leading development one step further, Garic has developed a combination toilet and drying unit (the Eco 2+1+Dryer) which conveniently provides two male and one female toilet with a 5’x7.8’solar powered drying room.

Garic is also exhibiting a comprehensive selection of products from its welfare and accommodation, environmental,

dust and pollution control, plant, storage and lighting ranges.

Garic

Enquiry 90

Hanix dig deep and reach for the sky

With almost 600 square metres of space, including a large digging demo area with a full range of excavators available to test drive, Hanix Europe’s stand will be hard to miss at PLANTWORX 2017.

The Hanix N085uj, which replaces the much-loved H75C, is the fi rst of a new generation of Hanix ‘urban’ mini- and midi-excavators.

A high-performance 2615cc Kubota V2607 engine provides 43kW of power for this 8315kg machine, and its relatively low capacity promises excellent fuel economy, with emissions in line with EU Stage IIIB regulations.

The machine specifications also confirm that this model is available with an option of either short or long dipper arm – the longer option adds 200mm to

both maximum digging depth and ground level reach; at 4505mm and 7135mm respectively.

The company’s range of excavators will be joined by a pair of crawler-mounted aerial work platforms; the articulating boom platforms are manufactured in Japan by Hanix Europe’s parent company, Nagano Industry, and Hanix plan to introduce these machines to the UK during 2017.

On display will be the smallest model in the range, the NUL070R-2, along with the company’s latest addition, the NUL13Suj which, weighing in at just over 8 tonnes, tops the range with a maximum platform height of 13 metres, and a working radius of almost 12 metres.

Hanix Enquiry 91

AS Motor’s AS 63 Brushcutter

Mulch and mow in one step with the AS 63 Brushcutter which offers a high performance and easy handling solution to cutting high grass even on slopes or where access is limited.

It’s low weight, vibration damping and handlebar adjustment makes the AS 63 exceptionally user friendly, and its fold down handles ease transportation and storage. There are also twin wheel kits available and the AS 63 is available with either 2-Stroke or 4-Stroke engines.

For further information contact: Tel: 08450 773773; sales@psdgroundscare.com; www.psdgroundscare.co.uk

Parts Depot Enquiry 94

CAMON’s 4-stroke brushcutters prove a hit

Trimming up after the mower, edging lawns, clearing vegetation from trees, posts and the base of hedges and mowing in areas that can be inaccessible for

bigger machines, the brushcutter is an indispensable tool for professional landscapers and homeowners.

CAMON brushcutters from Tracmaster are designed to satisfy the needs and working demands of all users. Features include anti-vibration and adjustable handlebars for perfect weight distribution, market leading engines, safety goggles, bump feed head and grass blade as standard.

Tracmaster also supplies a large range of alternative cutting heads, from clearing saws to the fantastic Nylsaw Speed heads.

Three different models of 4 stroke brushcutter are available, including the Combi HO25 with brushcutter, hedgetrimmer, chain pruner and a 75cm Extension for longer reach.

Tracmaster Enquiry 96

STIHL offers a professional solution

STIHL has introduced an interesting brushcutter for work in challenging situations such as woodland or plantations.

The FR 460 TC-EFM back pack brushcutter is aimed at professional users who perform significant amounts of banking work.

Fitted with STIHL ElectroStart for comfortably restarting the tool at the touch of a button, the FR 460 TC-EFM has ab additional pull starter with STIHL ErgoStart for cold starting.

Features; include an antivibration system, multi-function

control handle, loop handle, 2-MIX 3.0h[ engine, with STIHL M-Tronic, stop button, tool bag and detachable shaft.

The split shaft design makes it easy to transport in a van or pick-up, and a GSB 230-4 grass cutting blade is fitted as standard for tougher grass. Other cutting blades and mowing heads can be specified as options.

The FR 460 TC-EFM is not compatible with KombiSystem attachments.

STIHL Enquiry

95

New dealer for allterrain brushcutter mowers

Lawncare Garden Machinery Ltd has become a specialist dealer for the Canycom Samurai extreme range of brushcutters, from exclusive Canycom importer ICB Plant & Machinery Ltd.

These superior hand-built Japanese designed and manufactured machines, which feature an unmatched CE Certified stability angle of 30 Degrees on slopes, because of their low centre of gravity and unique engineering features.

The super hard working Canycom all terrain ride-on mower performs in conditions that would usually destroy standard equipment, safely and effortlessly.

The Canycom’s ability to plough straight through overgrown brush, extremely long grass and wooded material up to 36mm is due to their unique engineering and physics.

At the heart of the science is that the power for the Samurai steel blades comes directly from the Subaru V2 engine through a shaft drive to an oil filled gearbox and onto the blades. This unique shaft driven system delivers almost 100% of the engine power to the blades, which means that they can cut thicker and taller vegetation compared to normal belt driven machines which can lose up to 30% of their power between the engine and the cutting blades.

Lawncare Garden Machinery Enquiry 97

Versatile tools for hard to reach areas

Designed for heavy-duty work, Honda’s robust brushcutters can do any job expected of them.

There are no areas that stubborn undergrowth can hide. They are driven by a unique six-splined drive shaft (as opposed to a traditional groove key design) for added strength, with better torque and power delivery down to the work zone.

Brushcutters feature a special type of non-contact bearing. The same as those used by NASA, these bearings are renowned for their resistance to dust contamination, and are the best for ultra high-speed work. These bearings run freely with little resistance and are extremely quiet. They last much longer than the traditional full-contact rubber seal type – which can easily become contaminated with dust, overheat and wear out sooner than you think.

Honda’s brushcutters work in a rough, harsh and dirty environment so we developed a special heavy-duty, shockresistant transmission unit

– different from the usual pressed steel type – re-machined to provide the best dust protection you can find.

Honda brushcutters have a semiautomatic system that supplies the cutting line feed. When the line starts to wear out, it reduces the cutting performance.

So now when this happens, simply tap the head on the floor and more line is released automatically. No need to stop the engine to make the adjustment, as with other machines.

Honda also has a metal line cutter option which lasts much longer – essential for ripping through really stubborn growth and professional jobs.

Honda Enquiry 98

It’s so fast and is certainly the best mower for what it does, on the market – no question.

Free Gator SpeedLoad trimmer head available from Oregon

Oregon is offering lawn care professionals another reason to try its revolutionary Gator SpeedLoad trimmer and brushcutter system.

As part of its spring promotion, customers will receive a free Gator SpeedLoad trimmer head with any qualifying purchase of replacement line discs.

To qualify, simply buy two 10packs or six 3-packs.

The Oregon Gator SpeedLoad cutting system was designed to get lawn care professionals and homeowners back to work quicker, increasing efficiency and ease of use.

Oregon’s integrated head and disk line system simplifies the reloading of trimmer line

because it requires no winding or spooling, reducing both frustration and replacement time to less than 20 seconds.

Longer-lasting and two times stronger than its competitors, Oregon Gator SpeedLoad’s innovative tongue-and-groove line comes pre-wound in small, self-contained discs for convenient transport, making it a fast, easy-to-use replacement solution.

The Oregon Gator SpeedLoad cutting system has three models which, combined, fit over 95% of petrol-driven trimmers and brushcutters, and is available at authorised Oregon dealers nationwide.

Oregon Enquiry 101

Battery powered tools from Bosch

Aching fingers and joints, headaches and smelly fumes could be a thing of the past as traditional petrol powered tools make way for battery power.

The Bosch range of professional cordless garden tools includes a mobile power unit, brushcutters and a longer-life 36v 9.0Ah weatherproof battery.

All products in the Bosch Professional range share the same concept - powered by Lithium-ion batteries they perform as petrol equivalents but with low noise, low vibrations and savings on running costs. They are also more convenient to use and maintain than petrol models and easy to start up.

Joao Barufi, who leads the Bosch Garden Tools division in the UK. “We’ve now applied our award-winning battery technology across a wide variety of cutting-edge professional

tools to complete the range. The convenience and low-vibration of our quiet cordless products, coupled with top-end petrol performance is sure to impress.”

A serious issue for regular users of powered garden equipment is known as White Finger or HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) and is virtually eliminated by the low vibration electric tools.

The entire range benefits from low noise emissions with new models quieter than some domestic vacuum cleaners. Not only do they provide peace and quiet when used in public spaces, but also offer higher user comfort; extending the hours in which gardeners can work.

The batteries are weatherresistant and compatible with all products in the range – mowers, hedgecutters, leaf blowers and brushcutters. They feature a fast 42-minute recharge time for the

6.0Ah batteries, and a 64-minute recharge time for the 9.0Ah.

A key addition to the new range is the GEN 230V-1500 Professional Mobile Power unit which provides off-grid power for all-day working. The unit has twin AC sockets and allows for simultaneous charging of 2 batteries, or direct running of 2 electrical appliances. An LCD display presents real-time status information and enables the user to manage remaining “tank” capacity.

Ventrac is a machine for all seasons

The Ventrac 4500, distributed in the UK and Ireland by Price Turfcare, is designed as more of a ‘multi-tool’ than just a ride-on mower, says the company.

Its design combines all-wheel drive, an articulating frame and 25hp Kubota diesel engine for the stability and control to get a wide range of jobs done.

Available with five different mowing decks for multiple applications and Ventrac’s coupling system, the experienced operator can switch between mowing options in less than one minute.

Designed for mowing high grass, thick weeds and heavy brush, the HQ680 Tough Cut Mower has a large baffled front opening to direct materials into the deck

and hinder debris from escaping. Three heavy-duty blades counter rotate to cut and deposit waste evenly without windrowing.

The Ventrac 4500 can safely mow on gradients up to 30 degrees as the tractor frame articulates and pivots in the centre to maintain excellent contact with the ground and better weight distribution.

More than 30 different attachments are available, from trencher ideal for irrigation work to snow clearance equipment and much more.

Ventrac Enquiry 103

Bosch Enquiry 102

Makita’s back-pack brushcutter

The Makita EM4350RH backpack brushcutter is designed for use by grounds care contractors where large areas of rough vegetation need to be cleared.

Powered by a 43cc 2hp version of Makita’s advanced MM4 4-stroke engine, this back-pack brush cutter weighs just 12kg. With the fully padded harness it is comfortable to operate and vibrations are minimal.

With the engine effectively separated from the carry frame

by four isolating springs, which damp out any vibrations, the vibration effect on the operator is greatly reduced. Operator controls are at the handgrip position controlling throttle opening and cutting drive.

A useful accessory pouch is fitted at the back of the harness for carrying replacement blades and the required multitool spanner.

Makita Enquiry106

ECHO scissor head provides a safer cut

Working in built-up areas can present hazards when cutting close to bystanders, cars or buildings.

It only takes a few stones or loose objects to get thrown into the air and there is the potential of damage to property or even a risk to safety.

The new ECHO ASK-RW23D scissor head, a rotary scissor attachment suitable for most ECHO brushcutters, helps to reduce this risk.

It works on the principle of a 20:1 reduction ratio gearbox and two contra-rotating blades that actually ‘snip’ the grass or brush - just like a pair of scissors. This means you have safer and more precise cutting. Grass, weeds or

brush simply drops where it is cut, making the ASK-RW23D an ideal choice to use when required to work near people, office windows or parked cars.

Highly versatile, the ASKRW23D scissor head can trim up close to solid obstacles, such as trees, walls and kerbs without kickback or damage. Edging golf course bunkers and trimming grass in shallow water are easily tackled. The fl at bottom design enables the operator to place the cutting head close to the ground when uncovering hidden landmarks, such as drain covers.

The ASK-RW23D rotary scissor head comes with an 18 over 15 tooth blade kit, and an optional 28 over 24 tooth fine cut blade

The mower to bank on

The Attila A180 revolutionary ride-on brushcutter is perfect for safe mowing on banks and uneven terrain of up to 50 per cent.

Whatever the angle of the site, Etesia’s Attila A180’s unique automatic self-levelling system keeps the central driving unit upright, allowing the operator to work safely on slopes up to 27 degrees.

A dashboard light warns when this limit is reached. The machine has a certified ROPS plus hydrostatic drive, power steering and good all-round visibility.

Powered by a 30hp Yanmar water-cooled 3 cylinder diesel engine, the Attila A180 has a hydrostatic drive, power steering and hydraulic drive to the cutting units. It is specially designed for large sites such as motorway

banks, industrial estates, reservoir banks and other uneven terrain.

“While slopes and hillsides add dimension to the landscape, those same slopes can be extremely dangerous to mow without the correct type of mowing equipment”, says Les Malin, Etesia UK’s operations director.

“The big mistake is to use a standard ride-on mower for maintaining steep slopes as they can easily become unstable on gradients, putting the operator at risk”.

Etesia UK offers free demonstrations of the Attila A180 and is running a special discounted price of £26,995.00

+VAT which represents a saving of over £10,000.

Etesia Enquiry 108

Wipe it out with Wessex

The concept of weedwiping was developed in New Zealand in the 1970’s and it offers a controlled method of targeting weeds.

The Wessex Weedwiper attaches to a standard ball hitch on an ATV, UTV or 4 x 4 and comprises a unique roller carpet mounted on a sturdy mainframe.

There’s a large wheel at each end, one of which drives the roller rotation and the roller runs in the opposite direction to the travel of the Rotowiper to allow thorough coating of the underside of the leaf.

The machine is height adjustable to ensure all weed types and growth stages are catered for. A reliable pump transfers chemical from the tank to the carpet, coating it evenly and thoroughly to ensure the weed receives the right amount of lethal chemical.

The Wessex Rotowiper is available in a 2.4m width and can be used on any vehicle with a tow hitch.

Wessex International Enquiry 111

New forestry cutter attachments from Bobcat

compact tracked, skid-steer and all-wheel steer loaders.

T770H and T870H compact tracked loaders, S770H and S850H skid-steer loaders and the A770H all-wheel steer loader.

Designed for continuous use in shredding and mulching bushes, shrubs and small trees, the forestry cutters are ideal for fast removal of thick undergrowth.

Providing cutting widths of 1.5 and 2.0 m, respectively, the FRC150HT and FRC200HT forestry cutters are designed for continuous work on bushes and trees 100 to 120 mm in diameter, intermittent use for trees with a diameter from 180 to 220 mm and

occasional use on trees 250 to 300 mm in diameter. The forestry cutters are part of the comprehensive Bobcat range of attachments for forestry, estate management, amenity and landscaping work, which includes stump grinders, wood chippers, flail cutters, augers and tree transplanters.

All functions of the forestry cutters can be fingertip controlled from the operator seat without requiring the operator to remove their hand from the loader steering levers.

Bobcat Enquiry 112

Magic 10 from Grillo

Grillo is one of the largest manufacturers of ride on brushcutters with no less than 10 different models to suit all requirements.

Starting with the MD series they offer three models with various power units ranging from 13 to 18hp and all are equipped with cutter decks which are mulch capable or side ejection simply by the operation of a lever. There is no need to change blades or even fit baffles to the

deck, a quick and easy system of operation

In the well-known Climber range, there are seven models to choose from in varying sizes and specification with cutter decks ranging from 85 to 98cm. These models are capable of mowing in extreme conditions on either flat or sloping terrain in safety.

Introduced last year are two four-wheel drive versions which are proving to be a very popular

choice with both professional and domestic users were there is the requirement for a machine to work on very steep ground with the sure-footed traction of 4wd.

In addition, Grillo also produce two walk behind machines, the CL62 & CL75, both machines are hydrostatic drive and again are designed to cut down over grown areas of vegetation.

Grillo Enquiry 113

SCAG tackles toughest jobs

Early machines were threewheel riders with the operator positioned behind the cutting head in an articulated system; this remained in the range for many years.

Mitox packed with pedigree

The Japanese-made Mitox represents a formidable range of commercial brushcutters.

The new Mitox machines, formerly Kawasaki, still boast Kawasaki engines and quality Japanese manufacture, yet at lower prices in 2015 than you would have paid for the equivalent Kawasaki brushcutter in 2014.

At the top end of the brushcutter range is the Mitox heavy-duty 5300UK PRO for the professional who is using a brushcutter all day in harsh surroundings

In 1990 the company introduced the STZ, its first zero-turn ride-on mower, with the operator sitting in the centre of the unit, almost directly above the cutting deck for maximum compactness and manoeuvrability when coupled with the twin-drive zero-turn drive system.

The range now consists of five variants; there are choices ranging from high-end domestic, high-speed, or high productivity. Cutting widths are from 90cm to 1.81m and there are grass collection and mulching accessories.

A Little Wonder from Schiller

The Little Wonder Hydro BRC-26 Brushcutter is part of aformidable line-up of machinery solutions from Schiller Grounds Care.

The Little Wonder uses steel linkages and no cables, which are prone to snapping, that enables the

machine to handle really heavy brush and the toughest brambles.

Productivity is high with the forward speed of up to 4.2mph/6.7kmh and 1.7mph/2.7kmh in reverse. The all-round ability of the machine,

the fact it will cut through long, tough grass and sapling growth up to 2”/5cm thick while also able to leave a good, clean finish on less challenging grass areas. “

Schiller Grounds Care Enquiry 115

Brush

The Turf Tiger, the top of the range machine, at up to 35hp petrol or 25hp diesel, has just gone through a redesign.

SCAG believes in the compact, low centre of gravity machine principle for its benefits of manoeuvrability and visibility, and have extended this to demonstrate the fusion of pedestrian and ride-on in the V-Ride product, a unit that can be used as a walk-behind or instantly converted to a stand-on.

STM Co Ltd

Enquiry 181

Kawaski Enquiry 114

STM Co Ltd in Warwickshire represents SCAG machinery in the UK and Europe. From the start, the engineers at SCAG favoured a dedicated ride-on format.

Bobcat has launched the new FRC150HT and FRC200HT high torque forestry cutter attachments for use with the company’s market-leading

The new forestry cutters are compatible with the Bobcat

Pioneer takes Honda into new territory

Honda has strengthened its market-leading utility vehicle line-up with its first Side-by-Side (SxS) – the Pioneer.

Employing Honda’s acclaimed ATV technology and featuring

a powerful and efficient 700cc engine, the supremely capable Pioneer will be available as either a two or four-seater.

Able to transport up to four people and their equipment,

the Pioneer will open up a world of possibility for both business and leisure users who need a Utility vehicle that will take them across tricky terrain to even the most hard to reach places.

What’s more, its launch will help commercial operators meet the requirements of the European Two Man Working Directive with a single vehicle.

The Pioneer also offers a range of accessories and attachments that are perfect for the landscaping and groundscare market – not least the heated cab option, which proved most welcome with temperatures hovering around freezing for most of the day.

Honda has also teamed up with attachment specialists LOGIC to ensure the Pioneer offers the type of versatlity of use demanded these days.

The full range of LOGIC attachmenets suitable for sideby-sides, such as salt spreaders, brushes and snow ploughs, can be used on the new Pioneer.

Honda Enquiry 117

John Deere expands its use of CESAR on the Gator range

With more than 500,000 built, John Deere’s Gator range has earned a reputation for durability and quality like no other.

Unfortunately, their positive attributes have made Gators a popular target for professional and opportunistic thieves.

Reacting to this, and following the success of CESAR in reducing tractor theft from John Deere customers and dealers, John Deere has announced that all XUV & HPX Gator utility vehicle models now sold in the UK & Ireland will be factory fitted with the CESAR security marking and registration scheme.

The official CESAR Scheme, which is widely supported by trade

bodies including the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), uses a range of security marking technology supplied by Datatag ID, including tamper evident plates, with a unique registration number for each piece of equipment, RFID tags, forensic DNA and Datadots to give each machine a unique fingerprint that thieves cannot remove.

CESAR is widely recognised to have contributed to an overall drop in equipment theft of over 60% since its introduction in 2007. Many leading insurers offer discounts for all CESAR marked equipment including NFU Mutual who offer up to 12.5% insurance discounts.

Three decades of excellence with SCH

More than 30 years ago, entrepreneur Andrew Rodwell established SCH (Supplies) Ltd, a landscape machinery manufacturer that makes products for outdoor maintenance professionals, as well as the serious amateur gardener.

Andrew and his team have focussed on designing and building machines that are robust and do their job exceptionally well, yet are affordable to individuals and clubs that don’t have huge budgets.

Among the various products the company make – including lawn

care systems, trailers, sports surface maintenance machines and more – are sprayers of various configurations, size and mode of application, all available in the company’s 2017 brochure.

Whatever you need, there is a very good chance that SCH will have the ideal machine in their 80 page brochure. But one of the very best things about the company is that they have years of experience of bespoke builds for customers who are after something unique to them.

SCH Supplies Enquiry 119

Kubota revs into action

Kubota UK made a fast paced return to Rockingham Castle earlier this month for the eagerly anticipated Euromec customer Ride and Drive day.

In its third year, 100 nationwide guests from a range of sectors including commercial, industrial, private estate and local councils were invited to enjoy off road driving experiences provided by both the Sturgess Group and Kubota UK.

Speaking about the day, Peter Crewe, Managing Director at Euromec said: “It’s not every day that our 4x4 customers are given the opportunity to be behind the wheel of a Kubota utility vehicle, or vice versa for that matter.

“Our Ride and Drive Day is designed specifically to let

both our Sturgess and Kubota UK customers enjoy a driving experience that we can guarantee they’ll have never tried before.”

Kubota’s RTV1140 was a popular addition to the day, allowing groups of four to be driven around the track by an experienced member of the Kubota team or get behind the wheel themselves. Kubota’s RTV-X900, RTV500 and RTV400 models were also put to the test by users, along with a range of 4x4 vehicles.

With the grounds team at Rockingham hosting eight Kubota utility vehicles within their own fleet, the vast grounds and muddy elements created the perfect setting for the day.

Kubota UK Enquiry 118

Customers benefit from fitting Datatag

Since deciding to fit Datatag security technologies to their range of Utility ATVs as standard, Suzuki and it’s customers have seen a dramatic change in fortune.

The Datatag technologies fitted to Suzuki ATVs include RFID transponders, tamper evident warning labels and Datadots with a forensic DNA trace.

Combined these provide an almost impenetrable barrier for thieves who like to steal items which can be easily deidentified and sold on. Ensuring identification can be easily determined provides a huge deterrent to theft and allows the police to quickly prove

ownership via Datatag’s 24/7 secure UK based contact centre.

Suzuki have been quick to adopt Datatag as their preferred security marking partner in the ATV market.

Suzuki Enquiry 121

John Deere Enquiry 120

Take the rough with the smooth

Polaris has announced the introduction of the latest Ranger Diesel UTV with new features to complement its durability and practicality.

The 2017 Ranger Diesel HD comes with more torque, more towing power and a significantly longer lifespan than petrolpowered counterparts.

This is a real workhorse with its Active Descent Control for controlled hill descents, automatic four-wheel braking on steep inclines and Electronic Power Steering. A new 7-pin trailer socket now comes fitted as

standard and comfort is ensured with the Lock & Ride Pro-Fit cab system and a whole range of accessories.

The new 2017 Ranger Diesel HD is built for purpose with a 1028cc Kohler 3-cylinder overhead cam liquid cooled engine. This proven, high performance diesel engine utilizes indirect injection and delivers smooth power with reduced combustion noise.

The compact, heavy-duty design has a cast iron crankcase for durability and an aluminium cylinder head for weight reduction. It is also EPA/CARB

Tier 4 compliant. To make life really comfortable, the industry exclusive Lock & Ride ProFit cab system provides a new standard in accessory integration.

The highly modular design offers options from robust canvas doors and a poly windscreen, to premium automotive glass tip-out windscreens and electric windows.

The roof and rear panel on the 2017 Ranger Diesel come as standard.

The ideal seat height combines with wide foot clearance for easy entry and exit. There’s a full ten inches of tilt steering adjustment and room for three adults.

The payload capacity on this latest Diesel is 680.4 kg, with a gas-assisted rear dump box that can handle a hefty 454 kg of materials and a full-sized pallet.

When it comes to towing there’s 907kg of class-leading towing capacity on tap and when the going gets rough the on-demand all-wheel drive kicks in for more forward traction when its needed, reverting back to 2WD when the terrain smoothes out.

Polaris Enquiry 124

Boom time for sprayers

Wessex WS sprayers for ATV’s are tough and durable sprayers that have booms kept within the width of the ATV so there’s no chance of snagging.

The size of the boom is dependent on the pump size,

with four to choose from, and the boom height is adjustable.

There are three WS models, the difference between them being the pump flow rate: 3.8ltr per minute, 8ltr/min and 18ltr/min at 3 bar maximum pressure, although that is variable on the larger models.

With a 55 litre easy-to-clean and empty tank and many userfriendly features, all Wessex sprayers come as standard with a hand lance and 5m hose for spot spraying. Ideal for use in agricultural or amenity applications the sprayers feature high quality British build.

The tank is durable rotomoulded polyethylene which is rounded to prevent slopping. Built-in lifting handles make the units easy to move and mount on the ATV.

There is an in-line suction fi lter and gauze on the pipe to avoid pump contamination. The choice of boom. That means large areas can be sprayed quickly and effectively. The Whale pump used in the sprayers is said to be 20 per cent more efficient on the draw from the battery than other types of pump.

Wessex International

Choose your weapon against weeds

UK manufacturer Quad-X, have developed a wide range of ATV equipment to tackle all aspects of weed control, ideal for areas too wet or awkward for tractor access.

Left to its own devices your pasture will become choked with weeds and wild plants suck as docks, thistles and nettles which will stunt the growth of healthy grass.

The Quad- X range of mowers and sprayers and booms, and weed wipers are a vital tool in maintaining well-kept green pastures.

Quad-X manufacture a range of Wildcut Topper Mowers and Flail Mowers ideal for topping grass and weeds such as docks, thistles and nettles. The extreme-duty Wildcut Mower and innovative Power Shredder Mowers are the most capable ATV mowers available and are ideal even if you have heavy 5ft rushes, bracken or heather to cut.

The Quad-X ATV Power Shredder has been designed to shred heavy rushes and other dense vegetation. Considerable investment has been made in the rotor design which rotates at a higher RPM than a tractor flail ensuring momentum and faster travel speed.

The Quad-X ATV spot sprayers and booms provide a welcome alternative to a knapsack and are much handier to set up than large

tractor sprayers. They can be used on any ATV or utility vehicle and Quad-X can also provide connections for using their sprayers with tractors or 4x4s.

The most popular Quad-X sprayer is the Pro Spray, equipped with a high capacity pump carrying a 3-year warranty, which is ideal for both spot spraying and boom spraying. It fits onto any ATV in seconds. If you already have a sprayer tank, Quad-X can offer a range of compatible booms from a 5ft spray width to 16ft.

The innovative Wipeout 2 weed wiper is second generation technology boasting up to 96% chemical savings compared to boom spraying, with automatic weed detection and chemical application.

The Wipeout 2 can achieve 100% kill in one pass with no dangerous offspray, all while protecting your clover with no risk of stunting the grass.

Workman stands the test of time

a fairly regular basis in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2009. They’re used for everything from top dressing, spraying and of course transporting tools and machinery around the course.

“They get our seal of approval because they are reliable, comfortable and economical. Transport capacity is good, and so is ground pressure, even

when the vehicle is fully loaded with equipment.”

“The latest additions to the Workman fleet were two HDXs, which have been at other clubs on a lease plan. They are five years old, and prove that these units can last the distance.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 126

John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire, has five ‘generations’ of Toro Workman on its two 18-hole courses.

Nigel Broadwith, course manager, explains the history of the Toro Workman at the club.

“We bought our first Workman in 1999, since then we’ve added a new one to the fleet on

Garia Utility range available in UK

Garia, the global manufacturer of luxury golf carts, has appointed ePower Trucks to distribute its new range of utility vehicles (UTVs).

The Garia Utility sets new benchmarks in terms of standard features for a UTV cab, providing unrivalled height and leg room. It is also the first electric utility truck manufacturer to offer a Lithium-Ion battery pack as an option, replacing the standard 8x 6V lead acid pack.

The Li-Ion option significantly reduces vehicle GVW, battery recharge time and maintenance, while increasing range between charges.

This UTV has compact dimensions of 1.31m wide and

3.23m long; and has a tight turning circle of just 6.5m. There are two models: the Garia Utility Park, for off-highway use such as grounds keeping and estates management; and the road-legal Garia Utility City. The Park model has a top speed of 25 kph (16 mph) charge. The City version has a top speed of 45 kph (30 mph) and additional standard safety features such as lights and a three-point seat belt.

Autonomy is up to 75km (45 miles) on a single charge. The flatbed has a payload of up to 740kg, with other body options include mesh cage, drop sides, tipper, and a fully enclosed van with rear and side doors.

Garia Enquiry 128

More pulling power with Mule

Kawasaki has added two new Mule utility vehicles with the introduction of the four-seater Mule PRO-DXT and twoseater PRO-DX. Both diesel, the models have been designed primarily for work applications where their high-torque diesel engines will deliver improved performance and allow on-site fuel compatibility.

Hydraulic disc brakes are now fitted as standard to the front and rear and double wishbone suspension enable the wheels to drive over obstacles with minimum effect on the chassis.

The Trans Cab system of the PRO-DXT enables the flexibility

to maximise either cargo space or people-moving potential. It can be changed from two-person mode to four-person mode in just one minute and by one person. In two-person mode, the cargo bed capacity is 453kg and in fourperson mode is 158kg.

With a greater focus on cargo carrying performance, the PRO-DX features a long, flat cargo bed – the largest in the Mule fleet – designed to be easy to load from three sides. It has a dry weight of under 816kg which enables access to most weightrestricted areas.

Kawasaki Enquiry 130

Mechron remains a popular choice for Kioti customers

Mechron utility vehicles from Kioti UK have been on the scene in the UK since 2009, offering a range of functional and decent quality machines to various sectors.

Not only are Mechrons tough and reliable, they also offer decent levels of comfort too.

Three of the available models can seat three people in comfort with plenty of legroom whilst the Mechron 2240 can seat four people limousine style, making it an ideal machine for shoots or venues where transporting numbers of people is a necessity.

The popular Mechron 2210 seats three people in comfort and is fully EU homologated for use on UK roads.It can carry up to 500kgs or tow a similar capacity making it a truly versatile vehicle for all applications where people and goods need to be moved.

Power steering is standard on all Mechrons making them feather light to drive. Selectable two and four wheel drive along with diff lock allow vehicles access to steep and difficult terrain making them a truly versatile workhorse.

Kioti Enquiry 129

Tackling the heavy jobs is the Ransomes Jacobsen way

The

The Jacobsen Truckster XD heavy-duty utility vehicle Serving as a replacement for the Cushman Turf-Truckster, the Truckster XD offers 1610kg payload capacity, using a bed constructed of steel up to 75% thicker than comparable boxes and with 20% more volume, says the company.

The 24.8hp diesel version offers 71.5 nm of torque and the 32.5hp petrol model, 70 nm of torque.

The road homologated Cushman 1600XD-R features a 22 hp threecylinder OHV diesel engine and CVT transmission with low and high gear ratios, a user-selectable locking rear differential and fourwheel independent suspension. It is homologated as a tractor, so can be licensed for road use in European countries.

The Hauler PRO features a maximum load capacity of 454kg and is available as standard with a 269 litre cargo bed; a 422 litre aluminium cargo bed is available as an option.

The Cushman Hauler PRO X features lifted suspension giving higher ground clearance enabling it to tackle the roughest terrain.

There are also four models in the Cushman Hauler range with electric drive and petrol engine options, with cargo bed capacities up to 420 litres. Hauler X series vehicles offer extra ground clearance for undulating ground.

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry

131

Ransomes Jacobsen range continues to build on a position of strength.

units in one, its precision and reliability assure maximum accuracy at extremely low rates, even quantities as little as 1g/m².

The base unit (the Terra Float) aerates and loosens soil to 30 mm using either spikes or fine slits at 1 500 holes/m² or 500 slits/m² respectively.

The second unit is a brush and roller combination which incorporates top dressing materials to the ground before smoothing the surface. Finally a pneumatic air seeder unit sits atop assuring a receptive seed bed either pre or post top dressing.

The high performance air stream effortlessly directs precise amounts of 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 beauty of the Terra Float Air,” said a Wiedenmann spokesman, “is because its seed rollers are so fine you can achieve a very exact calibration which is normally impossible.

“The distribution of the seed is absolutely uniform via the air flow and deflector system. If the seed you are using is expensive or particularly precious then this delivers peace of mind.

“The memory function on the control panel stores input and calibration data for your follow up activity while the three-part rear roller helps take care of any undulations while firming the seed into the surface for soil seed contact.”

Wiedenman Enquiry 135

Cobra expands 40v lithium-ion range

The ever-expanding Cobra range has further increased its product offering.

Brand new Trilo S4 launched in UK

The second generation S4 vacuum sweeper from Trilo was shown in the UK for the very first time at a gathering of interested turf professionals at the East of England Showground.

Fitted with a number of new features, it provides greenkeepers and groundsmen alike with a multifunctional unit to perform difficult cleaning work in a straightforward manner.

Commercial Director Peter Van Mispelaar, discussed the upgrades at the recent demonstration event. “Though it

has not changed a great deal in its appearance, there’s not one nut or bolt that’s the same as the previous model.

“In response to customer requirements it has larger radial tyres, a larger air inlet and can be fitted with a range of shaft options.

“The biggest change is the switch from a hydraulic to a mechanical driveline, which among other benefits, offers a more environmentally friendly alternative.”

The first addition is to the lawnmower collection with a dedicated 16” rear roller. The RM4140V creates a traditional striped lawn but without the need for petrol or electric cables. It is hand propelled and has seven

cutting heights, including a low of just 20mm The new products sees Cobra branching out into the handheld tools sector too with the introduction of a grass trimmer, chainsaw and hedge trimmer –all powered by the same 40 volt battery as the lawnmowers as it is transferable across the range.

Cobra Enquiry 137

Council tackles tough terrain with Ransomes

Torfaen County Borough Council in South East Wales has purchased 5 Ransomes MP653 batwing rotary mowers for the new grass cutting season.

Steve Horseman has been the street scene manager at the council for 32 years, and is responsible for all grounds maintenance, street cleaning and green spaces. 75 members of staff are employed in the street scenes department and together they work to maintain the 12 x 9-mile area.

“Torfaen is a borough with lots of green, open spaces. The terrain is mountainous with many banks and inclines, which was a big factor to take into consideration when purchasing this latest machinery. Features such as Tilt Sensor Technology (TST) were particularly welcome as the safety of our operators is paramount,” Steve said.

“We spent a lot of time testing different machines to find out how each one coped in different areas, and the MP653 came out on top. The MP is the next generation of batwing rotary mowers; it is built for the road- everything about the machine has been geared towards our specific requirements.”

Torfaen used to operate outfront rotary mowers in smaller areas, and tractors with 4.8m

rotary decks on larger areas of land, but are now able to use the MP653 to maintain both small and larger areas using the independently operated decks. The MP653 has the widest width of cut in its class of 3.5m, and the narrowest transport width in its class of 1.65m.

“We have found that the MP653 is extremely versatile and adaptable, and it is able to manoeuvre around objects very easily which is an obvious advantage,” Steve continued.

“During the demonstration process, we placed an emphasis on usability and comfort because the operator is the one who will be using the machines. Again, the MP653 came out on top, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive since completing operator training carried out by Ransomes recently.

“Our local dealer, Keith Morgan Mowers Ltd has been very efficient throughout the entire process. The level of service and back-up support has been brilliant, and I feel very confident that we will receive the level of care we require in order to provide the best possible street scenes service throughout Torfaen.”

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 136

Trilo Enquiry 138

Farm Tech appointed as Mateng UK distributor

Farm Tech Supplies (FTS) has been appointed UK distributor of the Mateng range of compact tractor mounted mowers.

Mateng mowers will be imported and distributed across the UK and France by Farm Tech Supplies Ltd via its network of distributors.

The Mateng range includes mowers from 1.2m to 1.85m wide that are specifically designed for 20-65hp compact tractors and includes heavy duty flail mowers with hammer blades and hydraulically operated offset capability.

In addition, verge flail mowers and flail mower/collectors for maintaining wild flower meadows, a mower with a

hydraulic offset and one with a side cutter will also be available.

FTS will be hosting a Mateng Focus and Demonstration Day in Petersfield on Friday May 26 providing the perfect opportunity to see the full range of the Mateng mowers and to try them out for yourself.

Between the demos, you can inspect all the machinery on show and talk to FTS’s technical experts for skilled advice about maintaining and using all your Mateng machinery.

Keep an eye out for more information by visiting the FTS website: www.farmtechsupplies.co.uk.

Farm Tech Enquiry 142

Dennis helps club earn their stripes

Last season, Leicester City FC shocked the sporting world by winning the Barclays Premier League and according to grounds manager John Ledwidge, Dennis Mowers helped his grounds team playing a key role in the club’s triumphant season.

The grounds team’s artistry was exceptional and quite rightly, John and the team won many plaudits for his creativity and intricate, dazzling designs.

In revealing his mower of choice for preparing the pitch for Leicester City’s heroes, John said: “To get the results, the Dennis G860 was our predominant mower and we used them throughout the season.”

Last season John and his team had a fleet of seven G860 cylinder mowers – four at the club’s training ground and three at the stadium. This season, with the grounds team expanding, the club added to their fleet by purchasing a further three G860’s as well as a Dennis G34D cylinder mower.

Designed and built following the same concept as the Dennis G860, the new dedicated G-Series mower incorporates a large-diameter eight-bladed

cutting cylinder to cater for a wide range of uses.

Commenting on how the two machines are used harmoniously, John said: “We never really take the life out of the pitch but we do shift an awful lot of grass and sometimes, if for example, over the weekend it’s been left for a day on a Sunday when we’re not in, we will come in on the Monday and use the 6-blade cutting units in the G860. This is to really get through the thick of it and then as we move more towards the end of the week we’ll use the G34D’s to refine the cut closer to the game.”

Pitches go ‘pro’ at St Joseph’s College

Toro machinery is trusted to maintain many premier-league quality pitches, from those at Leeds Rhinos Rugby Club’s Headingley Stadium to West Ham United FC’s London Stadium, and has now been brought onto the superb sporting facilities at St Joseph’s College.

The Ipswich-based school purchased two Toros, a Groundsmaster 3280-D and a Reelmaster 5510-D, as well as a TYM T433 compact tractor to cover the 60-acre site and make the pitches look “professional” for its annual rugby festival.

St Joseph’s College Rugby Festival is a 30-year-old event, which brings the country’s top 16 rugby playing schools and colleges together every October in one of the biggest school tournaments of its kind. Head groundsman Peter Hamilton said: “We’ll be cutting the pitches every day in the lead-up to the Rugby Festival, and with the 5510 I can even cut the pitches in two directions the day before so they look as good as a professional rugby pitch.”

The Reelmaster 5510-D was chosen to perfect the pitches and

stands out as the true ‘favourite’: “The machine is so fast, but also delivers beautiful results. The 5510 cuts the rugby pitches at 30mm and always gives a clean, professional finish,” Peter enthuses.

“The 5510 has seen us halve our cutting time, and setting it up for cutting is easy with its quick click-in system. Another thing I love is its low fuel consumption, which I didn’t expect from such a large machine.”

The grounds at St Joseph’s College include four rugby pitches, three cricket outfields,

and many other sports surfaces that cater to a wide range of sports on offer – from netball, hockey and rounders to tennis, athletics, and cross-country.

Peter says: “We are a big sporting college and require machines which can keep up with it all. When we looked at what was out there, we felt Toro was more than up to the challenge and its competitive prices were the icing on the cake.”

The school chose Toro’s Groundsmaster 3280-D in particular to mow the amenity grass surrounding the college and

“Don’t get me wrong, the quality of cut on the 6-blade cassettes for the G860’s is still incredibly good, but when you want to take it to the next level with the intricate finer details of getting the precision of cut, then the dedicated 8-blades on the G34D will do that for us. Following a game we will use the G860s for the post-match clean-up. We’ll pop the brush cassettes into the G860’s to ensure that we collect all the debris.”

“The two Dennis machines just offer us excellent versatility –the G34D is a dedicated unit for cutting so you’re not taking units

in and out and then the G860 allows us to complete so many other key maintenance tasks.”

As John says, the G860 presents groundsmen with a multitude of options meaning that they can rely on just one machine for a number of maintenance tasks. Fitted with an interchangeable cassette system, and with a simple one minute changeover, users have the option of fitting eleven different types of heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters.

Dennis Enquiry 143

collect leaves across the entire site, and it’s already making a difference to the grounds team’s daily routine, saving both labour and maintenance time. “Before we had a machine for each job, but now the GM3280 can do both operations and we have more space in the shed,” says Peter

Meanwhile, the TYM T433 tractor is the perfect choice for aerating the pitches and relieving compaction. It is powerful enough to pull attachments such as a deep tine aerator without damaging the turf.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 144

Premium machinery for premium plans

maintenance equipment bought from dealer F G Adamson & Son using a John Deere Financial package has enabled Waltham Windmill Golf Club to address the issue of an ageing machinery fleet and implement a plan to make MF Strawson Ltd’s 20 year old American-style parkland course a premium golfing venue in north-east Lincolnshire.

Head greenkeeper Robert Welford said the club was prepared to make a serious investment in new machinery and decided it was better to replace the entire fleet in one go.

“We looked at other manufacturers, but elected to stay with John Deere,” he said. “The greenkeeping staff’s familiarity with the machines was a key

factor in the decision, and we know the high level of service and after-sales support the dealership provides.

“In addition, financially it was the best package – with this new deal we have interest free finance over two years, after which we will own the equipment outright.”

There was also no need for a full service package, due to the machines being under warranty for the length of the agreement and the skill sets within Robert’s group of four full-time greens staff, who have attended John Deere’s tailor-made product training courses.

The deal, brokered by F G Adamson & Son’s Tony Jenkins, saw Waltham Windmill take delivery of a John Deere

2500B PrecisionCut triplex greens mower, an 8000AE hybrid electric mower for tees and approaches, an 8700 PrecisionCut fairway mower, a 220SL walk-behind greens mower and a Z997R zero-turn rotary machine.

The package also included a TE electric Gator utility vehicle

and a Pro Gator fitted with an HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayer. These machines joined four more retained from the old fleet, including a compact utility tractor, another greens mower, a bunker rake and an F1145 outfront rotary mower fitted with a flail deck.

A lesson in being pitch perfect

Few schools in the UK can claim to have over 22 different sports pitches located within their grounds.

Quick Clean for Moody Grounds Maintenance

Twenty eight years of track record has established Moody Grounds Maintenance as a leading contractor in Hertfordshire and North London.

Most of their customers have been with them for ten years or more and largely because of the high standards of presentation the company and its employees have set for themselves.

A team of fully trained groundsmen, they maintain school grounds, commercial grounds, private stately homes and sports grounds for all types of sport.

One such contract is with Winchmore Hill Sports Club, a bastion of the community for over 130 years. A requirement of Moody by the club is the maintenance of their rubber crumb 3g football pitch and they needed a machine to do the job.

“We had heard the GKB Quick Clean 150 was good,” says

Andrew Moody, “so we arranged with Tom Shinkins at GKB and Ernest Doe’s at Bennington for a demonstration of the Quick Clean at Winchmore Hill.”

Quick Clean is a threepoint CAT I/II PTO operated machine for quick and thorough cleaning of artificial turf, sweeping up leaves, branches and dirt in a single pass. It uses a depth adaptable brush and shaking screen system to deposit dirt into a waste bin. The screens are interchangeable to allow filtering of different grain sizes such as sand, rubber, cork and TPE.

“We found it very efficient and does what it’s designed to do,” continues Andrew, “I would say it is a winning formula, for its good value and build quality as much as anything.”

GKB Machines Enquiry 149

However, for Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in York, their sporting facilities rival many of the country’s leading premiership clubs.

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

Home to 1500 students from over 66 different countries on a 200 acre campus. Continuous capital investment over the years has transformed the site, and the last 6 years has seen over £20 million dedicated solely to improving the 34 acres of outdoor training facilities alone.

Joining Queen Ethelburga’s in the autumn of 2016, Grounds Manager, Ben Grigor, and his three-man team, represent the school’s new grounds department and they have a determination for the sporting grounds to be some of the best in the UK.

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

The Collegiate purchased nine Kubota machines, including Kubota’s leading RTVX900 utility vehicle, two L4240 compact tractors, four W831RPRO pedestrian walk-behind mowers, two G23 ride-on mowers along with two Kubota trailers.

It was Kubota’s compatibility with a wide range of implements and machines across the range that made the manufacturer such a clear choice. The two G23 ride-on mowers are at the forefront of the pitches daily maintenance, providing clean and consistent cutting every day, while also being a useful tool during winter for cleaning up leaves and debris after professional and school matches. Supporting the G23’s are two manual L4240 compact tractors which provide easy operation for the team when completing spraying, top dressing and aeration work.

John Deere Enquiry 148

Kubota UK Enquiry 150

Council make good use of their Verti-Drain

Landscape Supervisor Andrew Cobbold, together with his team of Landscape Operatives, are in charge of the maintenance of these amenity areas. The decision was made to purchase the Verti-Drain to enable the council to aerate all of their own pitches as well as having the kit available to conduct extra external work thereby generating additional income.

“With this is mind we went for the large 7626 model, complementing our John Deere tractors, which will not only do a great job and cope with deep aeration on our pitches, but will allow us to tackle any jobs that might be put our way,” says Andrew.

A number of key elements of the 7626 model helped Andrew justify the expenditure. “Firstly the weight of the unit is a big plus – it can really get to grips with heavy compaction,” he adds.

“Pretty soon after we bought the machine we used it on a field which had hosted a fair. After one pass you could feel the difference underfoot between the areas aerated and those that weren’t.”

Another major plus point for Andrew is the ease of use offered by the hydraulically controlled roller and depth adjustment. This combined with the fact the 7626 can be fitted with 3/4” or 1” tines offers Andrew the flexibility to deal with a variety of applications.

Mow in any weather conditions with increased efficiency and minimum operating costs

Engineering Ltd, who have supplied products and solutions to the John Deere network for nearly 20 years, to stock parts in the UK and support Roberine dealers with demonstrations and technical assistance.

The F3 brings new innovation in commercial flail mowing with reduced operating costs, minimal down time for setup and servicing, and the flexibility to mow in varying grass conditions including thick growth, sports turf and parks and recreation grounds in all weather conditions.

The ultimate mower for bowls club

Wycliffe

and even across the blade when you’re mowing.

“It also has a great roller to give you good runs on the green for that all important presentation.

For the past six years, Keith has been looking after the stunning greens at Wycliffe Bowls Club, which can be found in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

“The Razor Ultra has made life a lot easier for me,” he said. “It is beautiful to handle, always starts with the first pull, and it cuts nice

“I think it’s just perfect to use. It goes at a nice even pace and you can slow it down if you want to. In my opinion, it is the ultimate machine.”

The Razor Ultra 560 has been developed specifically to meet the demands of fine turf such as bowling greens, golf greens and cricket pitches.

With a 560mm (22”) cutting width, the Razor Ultra 560 incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, compact handle

It also has the lowest noise levels in its class which will benefit councils working on housing estates or public parks. The R3 is a refined cylinder mower offering the latest technology and choice of 8” or 10” blades.

Both machines are hydrostatic with permanent 4WD and there is also an option to have a reverse blow fan, another way of reducing maintenance down time, making the Roberine user and service friendly.

Roberine Enquiry 153

design for extra maneuverability, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels for easy transport from site to site.

Dennis Enquiry 155

The Ransomes MP653XC is powered by a 65 hp Kubota, turbocharged common rail diesel engine.

Intelligently controlled to run the direct drive hydraulic systems it has the capacity to increase productivity by up 25%.

It’s 4.3m cut width can cut up to 2.5 acres an hour more compared to traditional 3.35m batwing rotary mowers.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council have recently invested in a Redexim Verti-Drain 7626, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, to help look after sports surfaces throughout the borough.

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry 154

Bowls Club head greenkeeper Keith Freakley and his assistant Raymond John Carter have both praised their recently purchased Dennis Razor Ultra 560 for its ease of operation.

Etesia launches MSC45 pedestrian scarifier

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

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

applications ranging from treating the average lawn to rejuvenating estates and formal grounds.

Scarification is one of the most essential lawn care tasks.

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

thatch and the scarifier unit to take out more of the bulk.

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

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

Specifications include:

• Working width - 45 cm

• Area coverage - up to 1500 m²/h

• Motor - Honda GX 160

• Capacity - 5.5hp

• Scarifier unit - Scarifier unit with fixed blades and torque overload safety clutch

• Accessories - Scarifier unit with loose blades or spring mounted tines

• Special features - Steel rims with ball bearings, step-less adjustment of operating height

Etesia Enquiry 158

New quick coupler for Bobcat excavators

Doosan Bobcat EMEA has extended its excavator quick coupler offering with the launch of a new hydraulic pin grabber coupler for attachments used on the seven Bobcat compact excavators from the E25 up to the E55 models.

The new Bobcat Hydraulic Coupler is available both as a factory installed option and as an aftermarket product for use with all the pin-on fitting attachments for the E25 to E55 excavators.

The new quick coupler complements the existing full range of mechanical couplers

from Bobcat including Klac and Lehnhoff systems. Bobcat excavators equipped with the factory-installed hydraulic coupler are now supplied as tailormade systems, ready to go from the start. All controls are incorporated within the operator area, so there is no need for additional controllers, switches, displays, hoses and/or wire harnesses to be connected.

The factory installed option is designed not to compromise machine efficiency, its robustness and overall performance.

Bobcat Enquiry 159

Accessories for Gators by HME

Howard Marshall Engineering Ltd (HME) is a Nottinghambased Engineering Company that has been providing innovative engineering solutions for dealers and operators of Agricultural and Groundcare machinery for over 20 years.

It offers an extensive range of accessories for Gator Utility Vehicles including LED lighting kits, beacons,

ladder racks, cargo box side extensions, mesh cab guards for golf courses, fully enclosed cargo modules, aluminium canopy and a noise reduction kit which enhances the in-cab comfort for drivers.

All HME products are designed, fabricated and finished in the UK. The premium quality products to suit all budgets are the result of meticulous development

using the latest computer aided design and highly efficient manufacturing processes.

The range of Gator accessories adds to the functionality of this popular UTV model across various industry applications as well as adding unique styling.

In addition, HME also undertake bespoke projects and UTV modifications for industry specific requirements that include custom winch systems, extended cargo boxes, medical response modules, colour changes, and van-style utility modules with roller shutter doors and tool racking.

HME is also the official importer of Canadian-manufactured Tektite cabs 2030A Pro Gators.

Expansion plans continue with 78 new Volvo excavators

Morris Leslie Plant Hire Ltd continues its ambitious expansion programme with the purchase of a further 66 new Volvo compact excavators as well as five reduced swing ECR145Es and seven 14 tonne EC140E for its nationwide hire fleet.

Besides the fourteen tonne machines, this latest batch of Volvo compact excavators

includes a total of 24 ECR25D and 16 ECR50D zero swing models along with 10 reduced swing ECR88Ds and 16 conventional EC55Cs – all of which will be distributed around Morris Leslie Plant Hire’s nationwide depot network.

“Since purchasing a significant quantity last year, our Volvo compact excavators have

proved themselves in terms of reliability, operator acceptance, ease of maintenance and of course their performance. Opting for equipment that has a good pedigree with these attributes in mind is critical to us and these machines have done just that,” comments Morris Leslie Plant Hire’s Managing Director, Graham Ogilvie.

Based on these facts it wasn’t a difficult decision to choose more Volvos as part of our continued expansion plan for 2017 and most importantly our continued positive relationship with one of our core partners.”

The purchase of these new Volvo excavators is just part of the first phase of Morris Leslie Plant Hire’s investment programme for 2017.

Howard Marshall Engineering Enquiry 157

Volvo Enquiry 160

Sherriff Amenity support key volunteer cricket events

Sherriff Amenity recently underlined its commitment to educating and supporting volunteers in the turf industry after proudly sponsoring both NatWest’s CricketForce initiative and The Surrey Grounds Support Network (SGSN) Conference.

NatWest’s CricketForce is the largest annual volunteering initiative in UK Sport which aims to rejuvenate the nation’s cricket facilities. It encourages cricket

supporters, their friends and families, and local businesses to give something back to their local community cricket club by volunteering to participate in major renovation projects to clubhouses and grounds.

Streatham & Marlborough Cricket Club, based in Dulwich London, was the latest showcase club to be chosen by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) for 2017’s NatWest

Cricket Force, and over one hundred volunteers turned up to show their support.

As proud sponsors, a number of Sherriff Amenity representatives also took time out of their busy schedules to help the cause and worked alongside staff from Lister Wilder and Dennis & SISIS to help prepare the pitch for the season ahead – in which it was rolled, scarified and fed with fertiliser.

As long-term supporters of the Surrey Grounds Support Network, Sherriff Amenity was also delighted to play a key role in the recent annual conference which was held at The Kia Oval.

The conference, which supports recreational cricket from grassroots up, saw over 95 delegates in attendance all hoping to gain advice on cricket groundsmanship, and Sherriff were on hand to offer their expertise.

Sherriff Amenity Enquiry 178

Sales and marketing teams enhanced at Dvorak

To support a progressive and structured sales initiative in northern Europe and across the Americas, The Dvorak svahove sekacky Ltd, Czech manufacturers of the Spider range of remote controlled slope mowers, has added new members to its sales and marketing teams.

Peter Driver has been appointed as Public Relations Consultant and will be based in the UK, working closely with the international sales and marketing teams at the company’s modern head office

and manufacturing premises in Pohled, Czech Republic.

He will be responsible for raising the profile of the Spider brand across northern Europe and the Americas. He has been associated with the turfcare industry for over 20 years having recently retired following a career at Ransomes Jacobsen, the international turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, based in Ipswich, UK.

Lubomír Dvořák, Founder and Managing Director of the Dvorak

company said: “We are delighted that we have persuaded Peter out of retirement to join us as at this exciting time for our business.

“We have recently changed our distribution in the UK and are now represented by T H WHITE Machinery Imports Ltd. We have also appointed Nick Penn as our northern European Sales Manager, while Jason Bristow now heads up our Americas sales operation supported by Lubor Hladik, International Sales Manager.

“We have some exciting new products coming to market over the next year and are determined to significantly grow our business as we approach 2020. These recent appointments and changes to our distribution demonstrate that we will enhance our position as the global leader in remote controlled mowing.”