Professional Groundscare March 2021

During the recent GroundsWeek (1-7 March 2021), the Grounds Management Association (GMA) has released new research that highlights the crisis the UK is facing without the next generation of grounds staff and volunteers.

Sport relies on grounds staff and volunteers to keep the nation

active. However, with 40% of the workforce now over 50, this vital sector is facing a 9% reduction in those who maintain grounds and sports surfaces in the next 5 years. This gap means approximately 5,120 pitches in the UK could be left without a grounds person, leaving 9% of kids that play weekly (around 340,000 junior players) unable

to play on safe and good quality pitches without staff and volunteers to care for them.

A 4.3m strong workforce is active behind the scenes in sport in the UK, fulfilling vital roles such as referees, coaches, physios, grounds staff and managers, and ultimately supporting 14,000 professional sports players.

However, while almost 6,000 young people must join the turf care sector as professionals in the next 5 years to fi ll the skills gap, most young people haven’t even considered it as a profession.

Thirty-two per cent of young people said they wanted to work in sport in the future and 57% regularly take part in and enjoy sport, but overall, 95% of children asked didn’t know the careers available to them in their favourite sports, and a meagre 2% had considered grounds management.

When it comes to adults, in a survey of 2,000 general consumers, 72% think grounds management is vital to sport, and 23% would encourage young people to consider grounds management as a career path, but only 11% of adults would consider it for themselves. Without an attitude shift, sport in the UK will face significant and potentially permanent

challenges, despite it currently contributing £39 billion to the economy each year.

Volunteers are the backbone of enabling play; they make up 56% of the grounds management sector and overall contribute a value of over £120 million.

Over 37,000 grounds volunteers in England offer their time to ensure sport at grassroots level can go ahead, supporting the 3.8 million children who would ordinarily play weekly.

Despite this, only 9% of children and 15% of adults would currently consider volunteering as a grounds person in the future. Encouraging volunteers of all ages is even more important now; two thirds of community grounds volunteer are over 60, and are therefore more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Grounds Management Association Enquiry 38

Wiedenmann briefing gives club smooth start

Every buyer of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike receives bespoke instruction about how best to set it safely and optimally for local conditions. Almost always the installation training is given by one of the Wiedenmann team themselves, supported by a dealer representative.

his GXi8 HD in October: “This kind of H&S training session is hugely appreciated. Everyone is instantly knowledgeable, aware and confident.

“The machine can go into service from day one with everyone using it properly, and I know we as a team, are

Rigby Taylor launch irrigation catalogue

Featuring the extensive range of Rain Bird irrigation products, this 128-page, fully illustrated catalogue showcases water management options for golf courses, sports pitches, landscaping and lawns.

This catalogue displays a comprehensive range of rotors and sprinklers, controllers, valves, pumps, pipes, hoses and fittings as well as weather stations and lightening protection.

Each section of the catalogue details the product’s specification and alongside, the 2021 prices.

In addition to the Rain Bird range, both the POGO Pro+ mobile and Soil Scout below ground systems are featured that offer GPS, wireless and data capture for moisture, temperature

and salinity measurement, monitoring and recording.

Working with experienced, specialist irrigation contractors, Rigby Taylor has the knowledge to assist all who have a need for

irrigation products, whether it is an enquiry for a new system, retro-fit or supply of replacement parts.

A fully stocked warehouse is located at the company’s Irrigation

Centre in Camberley, Surrey. Rigby Taylor Ltd is the UK’s official Rain Bird distributor for its range of golf, sports ground and landscaping products.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 41

Troon Abu Dhabi experience extra benefits of the Air2G2

Troon Abu Dhabi is using the Air2G2 Air Inject from Campey Turf Care Systems to further their aeration programme on three world-leading courses.

The property group operates and maintains the spectacular Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi. This trio of courses has hosted prestigious events such as the popular European Tour Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the first Ladies European Tour event in Abu Dhabi.

Keeping these world-renowned courses to the highest standards brings about its own challenges in the desert heat with little rainfall. It is the job of Group Head Mechanic Troon Abu Dhabi Properties, Richard Koen, to oversee the machinery used by each greenkeeping team of 20 per course. Initially sceptical, Richard now sees the Air2G2 as a vital part of the operation.

“The Air2G2 has not replaced any machine or agronomy practice but rather is giving additional benefits,” said Richard. “We got it to help with compaction and salt build-up caused by the quality of water we have at our facilities.

“It gets very hot in the UAE, and the Air2G2 allows us to provide deep aeration in the soil profile without exposing or opening the entire surface to the desert heat compared to more traditional aeration methods.

“Due to the Air2G2’s minimal disturbance to the playing surface, we can use it more frequently, creating more oxygen exchange in the profile, allowing us to better flush salts.

“And the no disruption element is a very important aspect for us. Our goal is to present all turf and putting surfaces in the best possible condition to our members and guests and using the Air2G2 allows us to do routine aeration throughout the year.”

The Air2G2 uses three probes to latterly inject pressurised air up to 12-inches beneath the surface of the soil to fracture the compacted layers that form as a result of foot traffic, mechanical traffic and daily wear and tear. Because the air is injected directly into the root zone, the surface of the turf is left undisturbed, allowing play to continue instantly.

Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 42

Husqvarna Automower aids lawn transformation

Located ten miles south of Edinburgh lies one of Scotland’s most influential 18th-century designed landscapes, Penicuik House.

Operations director, Scott Hall, credits three Husqvarna Automower robotic lawnmowers for maintaining its formal lawns. Looking to move towards a ‘greener’ way of working, Penicuik House turned to Husqvarna to help make the sustainable switch.

After an initial consultation with Husqvarna’s Automower

team, the Penicuik team purchased three models, two Automower 550 and a Automower 520, which were installed 18 months ago.

Using Husqvarna Fleet Services, Penicuik House’s gardening team is able to remote control the mowers from the press of button, and can change its settings, track its movements and receive notifications if anything out of the ordinary happens.

Husqvarna Enquiry 44

The Ram TXGD general duty trailer now available to order

Toro’s Titan tines are the perfect fit for better aeration

With over 150 Toro Titan tines available to cover all possible aeration applications, you’re guaranteed a perfect fit for better aeration.

And with 10 percent off the tines range from distributor Reesink Turfcare for the whole of March, superior parts are now available for even less.

Toro Titan tines, a perfect fit isn’t just reserved for Toro machines. With Toro conversion sleeves, Toro Tines can fit on the majority of equipment from competitor brands, as well as current and late model Toro aerators.

So, whether you’ll be coring, slicing or spiking, hollow, solid or deep tining, no matter what machine you use, there’s a Titan tine for every need.

Michael Hampton, turfcare parts manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “At Reesink we’re dedicated to providing our customers more, which is why our entire Toro tines range is available throughout March with 10 percent off.

“Not only does this mean a saving on the initial purchase price, but customers will see savings in the long term too.

After a successful launch in February, Towmate® Built Rugged is now taking orders for the Ram TXGD General Duty Trailer.

Built from the ground up, the Ram TXGD general duty trailer is no pushover when it comes to hard work, sporting a tough galvanised steel frame and symbolising the durability and versatility that our customers have grown to expect from Towmate® Built Rugged trailers.

The trailer includes some brand new and unique innovations, such as the pivot axle system, preventing wheel and axle damage and ensuring your axles are never overloaded.

Also included as an option are our unique hinged mesh sides, which are completely removable and provide easy access via the sides of the trailer.

With over 25 years in the market, this product is based years of customer feedback. Available in 8, 10, or 12 foot with a variety of widths available, there is a general duty trailer for any requirement.

To get in contact with ther National Trailer Sales Manager for a quote or to book a demo, please email marketing@ate-uk.com or give us a call on 01206 589555.

ATE Enquiry 45

Software for grounds maintenance contractors

Groundleader’s main purpose is to streamline the process of quoting, scheduling, logging visits, and invoicing.

Designed by a groundsmaintenance fi rm in the UK, Groundleader can be accessed online. Site visits can be logged via Android or Apple iOS apps (on or offline), or even on paper forms if preferred.

Groundleader offers a choice of scheduling methods for different situations and tasks (“appointment”, “fixed-date”, “auto-adjust”,

“days-between”), which all work together as one flexible, robust solution.

Groundleader’s “Lone-worker alarm” helps keep employees safe. Your staff ‘check in’ at intervals throughout the shift by interacting with the app (for example, by logging a visit).

If they fail to do so before their timer runs out, Groundleader places an automated alert phone call, and email, showing the employee’s last known location.

Groundleader Enquiry 47

The conversion sleeve slides onto a 9.5mm mount Toro tine to create a 12.7mm or 15.9 mm mount.

“The durable design of Toro Titan tines mean they last longer and reduce costly change-out and associated

downtime, and with Toro’s conversion sleeves, all customers can benefit from the superior quality of Toro Titan

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tines, no matter what brand they have in the shed.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry

New 2021/2022 Limagrain UK brochures Johnsons Lawn Seed looks at grass from an eco-friendy angle

The starting place for sustainable lawns begins with finding the most appropriate grass seed for the conditions of your garden.

Once this is established, you can encourage your lawn to be more resilient by mowing it less and allowing grass to grow that little bit longer, which in turn permits the growth of butterfly and bee-friendly lawn flowers.

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Quick Lawn and Tuff Grass mixes, based on hard-wearing ryegrass and an element of fescue, are perfectly suited to the requirements of most garden lawns in the UK.

If a meadow is more your style you should use grasses with prettier seedheads, which means choosing a variety with more fescues in the mix, like Johnsons’ Shady Place formulation.

Whilst they aren’t quite so hard-wearing as the ryegrass blends, fescues can cope with barely any additional nutrition – even growing out of drystone walls – so they are very low maintenance and beautiful to look at.

If you feel it is essential to provide your lawn with added fertiliser, Neudorff

Organic CleanLawn adds precisely the right balance of slow-release nutrition and a healthy balance of microorganisms and mycorrhizae for optimum grass growth.

Johnsons Lawn Seed

Enquiry 49

Limagrain UK, the UK’s leading plant breeder and seed producer, has announced the launch of its new collection of product brochures for 2021/2022.

The new range of Limagrain UK 2021/2022 brochures are now available to download on the Limagrain website or from a company representative. Existing and new prospective customers can look forward to the following brochures: Limagrain’s MM range of grass seed is one of the most respected brands in the UK turf industry and is relied upon at some of the most prestigious

sporting venues in the UK and beyond. Quite simply it is the premium grass seed for sports and amenity professionals.

Limagrain UK’s range of Colour Splash flower mixtures have been used in a broad range of landscape and amenity areas throughout the UK.

The Colour Splash mixtures are particularly popular with those who not only enjoy a delightful array of colourful flowers but also highly appreciate the effect they have on the landscape. Readers of the new Colour

Splash brochure will see how the flowers provide a welcome refuge for wildlife; offering a rich and varied source of food.

The Designer range from Limagrain is one of the leading brands in the UK turf industry.

With an extensive range of amenity grass mixtures which meet the exact requirements of varied end users, the popular brand is used by the likes of landscapers, local authorities and sports clubs throughout the country.

Limagrain UK Enquiry 50

Sustainable and carbon neutral turf maintenance

The awareness of sustainable and carbon neutral turf maintenance is growing within the industry, and for those implementing this approach,

Sustainability in terms of turf has direct environmental benefits, and in many cases, professionals can improve the condition of surfaces and reduce budgetary spend on water, electricity and fertiliser while lowering the

wider carbon footprint of their club or course.

Collecting pitch maintenance data using a system like GrasPro is the ideal starting point as it provides grounds professionals

with vital information, such as infiltration rates at different times of the year, soil temperatures, rainfall and nutrient inputs.

GrasPro Enquiry 51

Vitax Amenity goes virtual with e-brochure

Carl Welsh, Vitax’s managing director, says: “Vitax has developed its online presence over the past few years and the decision to produce an e-brochure supports a significant shift in how the business is adapting to working with customers.

“The creation of the e-brochure is the next step in making all products readily accessible to everyone in the industry.

Vitax Amenity has launched its first ever e-brochure to meet the growing demand for in-depth product information which can be easily downloaded and accessed at the touch of a button.

Providing specialist products for sport and amenity turf both in the UK and overseas, Vitax Amenity has established a reputation for producing a comprehensive range of products with a strong emphasis on quality, efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

Its latest decision to develop an e-brochure follows a significant update to its website and has been welcomed by customers across the globe as relationships continue to grow and be nurtured.

“The speed of which it can be changed to incorporate new products and sent out to our customers was at the forefront of our mind during its development, as well as its capability to include more technical information about each product’s composition.”

2020 saw the launch of two, new organic turf fertilisers –Vitax 4-2-6 Organic Sports Grass Liquid Fertiliser and Vitax 6-2-4 Organic Sports Grass Liquid Fertiliser. Both products are approved by the Soil Association.From golf courses, sports pitches and horse racing courses through to parkland, Vitax Amenity offers an exceptional level of expertise.

To find out more about Vitax Amenity, visit: www.vitaxamenity.co.uk

Xpedite rescues course from saturated greens

Having exhausted all mechanical methods of improving surface drainage, Manor of Groves Course Manager Lee Brinkley went into the winter of 2019/20 facing the challenge of managing saturated greens once again.

A consultation with his regional Headland Amenity Technical Manager led to a trial of Xpedite on four of the club’s problem greens and, despite it being one of the wettest winters on record, the greens had never been drier.

“We trialled Xpedite on four greens, using the equivalent of 14 x 20kg bags per 500m2 of surface after hollow-coring last October, and were astounded with the results.” Lee explains. “We had both mild, and wet conditions last year but the

greens treated with Xpedite stayed dry and playable throughout. This specific application dovetailed our existing nutritional programme which is delivering fantastic plant health, strong sustained growth and disease-free greens.”

Xpedite is a soil amendment product that introduces noncompacting pore space into problematic rootzones. The porous nature of the Xpedite granule, produced from diatomaceous earth, increases oxygen-holding potential and helps to improve permeability and drainage. In summer, it is able to retain water within its structurewhich is then available to the grass plant during periods of dry weather.

Boasting views of the Atlantic from every hole, Newquay Golf Club has been completing the postcard scenery with picture-perfect greens, thanks to their Suståne organic feeding programme.

After making the switch to Suståne three years ago, Course Manager Dan Kendle is reaping the rewards of the lower salt,

organic approach across the 18 greens of the links course.

Formulated especially to assist with the recovery of stressed areas, Dan has been applying Suståne’s Turf Revival 6-2-4 twice a year following their main maintenance periods in, normally, March and August. This is then supplemented

with two applications of Suståne 5-2-4+Fe in early June and October on the greens, surrounds and aprons.

Suståne Turf Revival 6-2-4 provides complete macro and micronutrients for optimal plant establishment and quick green-up, followed by up to eight weeks of uniform growth and colour.

The aerobically composted base material replenishes the soil with a rich supply of humus and mycorrhizal fungi, to improve the uptake of nutrients and boost overall plant health. Its naturally low salt index also allows for healthy root development.

A switch to Suståne keeps salt under control Spring sowing for summer showing

Ecological Initiative

Vitax Amenity Enquiry 53

Headland Amenity Enquiry 55

Evolution is the solution

Sport is an integral part of the experience at Hazlegrove and Graham, quite rightly, takes great pride in his work.

He found exactly what he was looking for in Agrovista Amenity’s Evolution Controlled Fine 25-5-10.

The vastly experienced Graham, along with two other members of staff, tends to approximately 22 acres of gardens and grounds at the prestigious Hazlegrove Preparatory School. This includes the maintenance of a six-hole golf course, a putting green, four cricket squares, two synthetic turf pitches, cricket nets and five rugby pitches.

Agrovista Amenity’s Evolution Controlled Fine 25-5-10 (3-4 months) was recommended.

Evolution Controlled is a fertiliser range consisting of nutrients packaged in a coated granule that are released over an extended period of time.

Longevity is determined by the thickness of the granule coating and by soil temperature.

High temperatures accelerate nutrient release, while lower temperatures reduce the process.

Evolution Controlled products are therefore very effective in supplying

nutrients to the grass relative to current growth requirements.

The Evolution Controlled Fine analysis provides a triple action nitrogen source to promote growth in a range of conditions and the immediate availability of nitrate ensures a rapid response. Polymer coated urea controls further release and ensures the grass continues to receive nitrogen over an extended period, which is exactly what Graham was looking for.

Furthermore, the product boasts significant calcium and magnesium content to support turf health and colour.

Agrovista Amenity Enquiry 57

Richard Jackson Garden extends collection

Richard Jackson‘s lifelong love of plants and gardening has taken him across all areas of the gardening industry and has given him a unique depth of horticultural knowledge and experience.

The Richard Jackson Garden team is now extending its carefully curated range of plants and seeds, making the website a great resource for

all things horticultural with a focus firmly on expertise, quality and proven results.

With new collections being added to the site throughout the season, the range will soon include over 90 individual collections. The wide variety available also means that there are plants for every style of garden.

Wild about landscapes

Johnsons Sports Seed announce new cultivars and formulations for 2021

DLF Seeds undeniably set the bar when it comes to seed research and development, giving turf professionals the mixtures they need and trust to achieve firstclass results.

As they launch the Johnsons Sports Seeds mixture guide for 2021, the introduction of new cultivars and 11 updated formulations promise further improvements to disease resistance, wear tolerance and visual performance across a number of key mixtures in their golf and sports portfolio.

With sustainability an increasingly key consideration for turf managers, many are discovering the benefits associated with DLF’s 4turf Tetraploid Ryegrass technology. New in the 4turf stable for 2021 is Tetragame, a cultivar which significantly improves disease

resistance and sward recovery, as well as demonstrating strong germination and establishment even at temperatures as low as 4oc. Tetragame features in the new formulation of J Outfield, together with updated J 4Turf and J 4Turf 100 mixtures to deliver the strength and durability demanded for winter sport and equestrian use.

With a trusted track record for high performance, Johnsons J Premier Wicket and J Premier Pitch mixtures will continue to set the standard for cricket and football respectively – with ProNitro coated options available for even faster establishment and reduced input costs. DLF’s ProNitro 5G seed coating contains a targeted combination of controlled release nitrogen, together with hydroactive water management technology, which leads to stronger

germination and improved nutrient utilisation during the early stages of plant growth.

Also new for 2021 is Absolom. This highly-rated Slender Creeping Red Fescue cultivar delivers exceptional disease resistance and tolerance for close mown management making it a great addition to a number of Johnsons golf mixtures including J Fescue, J Premier Fairway and J Green.

In addition, all mixtures across the Johnsons putting surface range are now ‘DLF Select’ purity as standard, meaning Course Managers can be assured that only seed from the purest crops and meeting the stringent cleanliness grade makes it into the bag.

Johnsons Sports Seed Enquiry 58

Graham Kitley, head of grounds at Hazlegrove Preparatory School in Somerset, needed a premium controlled release fertiliser with no excessive flushes of growth.

Richard Jackson Enquiry 59

New wildflower mix from John Chambers

The new John Chambers Professional Dual-Purpose mix is a blend of native annual and perennial wildflower seeds to provide colour from year one onwards. It can be supplied with or without grass seed.

It is ideal for use in areas where impact is required in the first growing season. The Cornfield Annual species including Poppy, Chamomile, Cornflower, Marigold and Corncockle will come through to give a beautiful burst of colour, while the slowergrowing perennial species such as Oxeye Daisy, Lady’s Bedstraw, Knapweed and Salad Burnet are all establishing, ready to spring forth from Year 2 onwards.

The annuals will normally only flower during Year 1, but a few may still appear in subsequent years, from self-dispersal. The species included in the recipe are excellent ‘do-ers’ and are generally successful in most soil types and scenarios, so if you do not know the exact constitution of your soil, this mix would be a great choice.

As with all wildflower areas, the best results come from well prepared areas and good maintenance for the developing sward, as and when necessary. One very important tip for Wildflower areas is to make sure that the sward is cut back after seed heads have dispersed in lateSummer or Autumn and always remove the cuttings.

Rigby Taylor’s 2021 grass seed brochure is now available to in both a printed and digital format.

This fully illustrated publication is available as a complete brochure or in sections according to purpose for golf/bowls, sports pitches & playing fields, cricket/ tennis, equestrian and landscape.

A special ‘Quick Search’ selector helps the reader to quickly identify the options available and all the required facts on which to make an informed choice, together with the product code for ease of ordering.

Also featured are sections on grass breeding, Tetraploid Technology, Carbon4Grass (C4G), Germin-8T liquid seed treatment as well as Euroflor flower seed, Flora Native wildflowers and FloraFleece biodegradable matting and turf.

One of latest mixtures to be featured in the brochure is the new 4Tetra mix, the first, 4 cultivar, tetraploid perennial ryegrass blend to become available to the UK amenity industry. Tetraploids germinate

and grow in colder temperatures down to 40 ° C and produce a stronger, deeper, denser root mass, increasing drought tolerance and tensile strength.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 63

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Pictorial Meadows has released its spectacular Bee Happy Meadow Turf – an instant designer meadow which is perfect for any setting.

It can be installed within hours, with no need to wait for seeds to grow. Making an immediate impact on any landscape, the colourful floral display will last for weeks.

Twenty-nine different species of flowering plants are carefully balanced within Bee Happy Meadow Turf, combining British native wildflowers and noninvasive wildflowers from around the world.

This results in a visually pleasing, long flowering season together with higher pollen and nectar

availability, helping to sustain the bee populations essential for pollination.

Bee Happy Meadow Turf from Pictorial Meadows is the result of 15 years of dedication to understanding the unique characteristics of the many plants that make up meadow communities, and how pollinators and other invertebrates interact with them.

By carefully balancing a broad selection of species, Pictorial Meadows is able to offer a meadow that is incredibly simple to establish, is visually stunning, and offers fantastic support for biodiversity.

Pictorial Meadows Enquiry 64

Green-tech Enquiry

Feel the power

Environmental legislation is now making its mark on the ride-on mower market. Jane Carley looks at how manufacturers are responding.

Ongoing changes to engine emission legislation is the one factor that has infl uenced agricultural and groundcare machinery developments more than any other over the last quarter of a century, and as the latest stages widen its scope, smaller machines such as ride-on mowers come into its remit. So what’s next?

Chris Cooper, Senior Product Manager at Toro comments: “Stage V legislation differs from its predecessors in that it affects both spark and combustion ignition engines - essentially petrol - and diesel-powered

products, ranging from your average single cylinder petrol engine domestic lawnmowers, up to multi-cylindered, high horsepower products used in Commercial applications.

“The effects of Stage V in the outdoor power equipment sector depend on the engine, for example small petrol engines may only require a change to the air filter and carburettor, which would be a simple running change for the manufacturer and go virtually unnoticed by the end-user. At the other end of the scale, diesel engines over 19kW (25hp) require

a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to reduce the amount of particulate matter being exhausted into the atmosphere.

It is with these engines that manufacturers have had to make significant changes to their products,” explains Chris. “At Toro, we’ve used this opportunity to further improve our products, and in the example of the LT-F3000,

to upgrade the efficiencies of our transmission and cutting systems and increase operator comfort.”

“With the additional on-board ECUs that are now required to support the operation of a Stage V engine with DPF, we’re able to use this extra computing power to include a new feature called ‘Turn Around Function’ which

provides the operator with the option of a one-touch ability to lift/lower all the cutter unitsincluding a staged timing that synchronises the lift/lower of all the units.”

New engine technology has also provided other challenges for machinery designers.

“Additional stage V requirements have increased

“It can be said that engines below 25hp are already stage V-compliant as they do not require a DPF.

“On our new F-series front mowers which will be released this year, we’ve opted for a three-cylinder long stroke 18.5kW (24.5hp) Kubota engine which has the low down torque to power a 1.52m deck, compared with the current series starting from 27.4hp.”

machine weight due to all the ancillary items that are now required as part of the engine. So, knowing weight is a concern of our commercial customers, we knowingly went through the product development process with the aim to reduce weight wherever possible.”

Chris adds: “The big benefit to the owner/operator is the ability to position themselves as being inline with the latest government legislation and ensuring their operating with the environment at the forefront.

In many European cities, it is not uncommon for contracts or machinery selection to be biased towards the ‘greenest’ solution available.

So in that sense, it can provide a competitive advantage if a contractor elects to use products that meet the latest emissions standards.

The legislation has given manufacturers the opportunity to review their engine strategy and consider whether models with less kilowatts but more low down torque would be appropriate for their machines, suggests Kubota UK product and key account manager Phil Catley.

Developments will also include ensuring that transmission technology is appropriate for lower kW engines, he adds, much in the way that the automotive industry has done with the latest ‘clean engine’ cars.

Kubota’s new G-Series also fits the bill, with the 22hp G231 and 24.7hp G261 offering a new hydrostatic transmission (HST) designed to increase traction and grip and electromagnetic PTO clutch which replaces the hydraulic PTO, offering a more positive drive for consistent cutting performance.

With a top speed of 19.0km/h, G-Series mowers enable users to cut grass at higher speeds. Enhanced driver comfort is also offered by the new tilting steering wheel.

An improved collecting system features a wider and taller chute with a shorter travel distance between the deck and the grass collector enabling impeccable grass flow and reduced clumping. Both models are available with low and high dump grass collectors.

Amazone UK managing director Simon Brown

Toro Toro

Kubota

comments that the Profi hopper ride-on continues to fill a niche in the market for a top-end, out-front decked, horizontal fl ail mower that collects in the wet, can mulch, can scarify and also collect leaves, rubbish and manage wild flower meadows.

“The Stage V emissions requirements have actually worked out very well for us. At 24.5hp the PH 1250 was already emissions-compliant by horsepower and so was without any additional cost factor and the 45.6hp PH 1500 had been designed to be Stage V-compliant from the word go and, so the cost of any emission control was already built into the project.

“The beauty of both the Köhler engine in the PH 1250 and the Yanmar engine in the PH 1500 is there’s no need for AdBlue in either so keeping running costs to a minimum; fuel tank capacity is also higher without the need for a secondary Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank.”

Simon adds that the Profihopper’s twin auger

collection system continues to be unique in the market place.

“Although we have seen a plethora of out -front flail mowers, they all suffer from their inability to reliably send the grass back to the collection hopper and also to maximise the capacity of that hopper.

“The twin auger system, known as the PowerCompactor, does just that, it collects, transfers and churns the cut material out of the augers into the hopper as a compressed bulk meaning less stops for emptying and more time mowing.”

He points out: “The introduction of the PH 1500 last year has opened up new opportunities with the increased transport speed between jobs, the wider cutting width and more engine power to speed up the mowing operation. This year will see the introduction of a cab to go on the PH 1500.”

With the implementation of the new Stage V engine emission regulations, Iseki has taken the opportunity to refresh and introduce new models to their range, says product and marketing manager Richard Tyrell.

reesinkturfcare.co.uk

Amazone

Amazone

At the top of the collecting range of mowers is the new SF551, replacing the SF450, powered by the new Iseki-built 49hp Stage V four-cylinder turbo diesel.

“This engine provides more horsepower and torque than its predecessor whilst offering improved economy and refinement. The dashboard has a new electronic display, viewable even in bright sunlight and new switch gear and the operator’s platform has been improved with new insulation and matting.

“Mower decks have been upgraded, with a choice of 1.52m rotary with single point or electric height of cut adjustment or 1.78m deck. The SF551 may also be specifi ed with the 1.6m Muthing collecting fl ail; the 1300 litre collector has been improved and will tip 100mm higher than the previous SF450 model.

“Sitting below the SF551, the new SF237 replaces the SF235 and is powered by the new Iseki designed and built 35hp Stage V 3 cylinder turbo diesel, which has been improved in a similar way to the SF551 and

can be fitted with 1.36m or 1.52m rotary or Muthing 1.4m collecting fl ail deck and hightipping 950 litre collector.

“Not all tasks require a 35hpplus collecting mower,” Richard points out, “So Iseki also offers the SF224, powered by a 22.5hp diesel engine.

“The deck is a 1.36m rotary supplied with a mulching insert and 950 litre high tipping collector. It is also available as a non-collecting mower with a 1.52m out-front deck.

“This machine was launched back in 2019 as the first of the machines to take advantage of the changes that would be caused by the Stage V introduction, offering a more financially economical option to users.”

The ISEKI SXG mid-mount collecting mowers have also been refreshed and all have sub25hp Stage V-compliant engines, decks of 1.2 or 1.36m and a choice of high or low tipping collectors.

Petrol potential STM CO supply the SCAG range of dedicated ride-on mowers.

There are six models in the ride-on range, from highend professional to high-end domestic, with a wide range of deck configuration and widths from 1.2 to 1.8m.

There has been a distinct change in attitudes to engine choice over the last fi ve years, the company suggests.

“The introduction of the much higher fuel efficiency Efi engines from Vanguard and Kawasaki has meant that the lure of the low

running-cost diesel engines is no longer as significant a part of the selection criteria,” points out their spokesman.

“It was not that long ago that the customer would be insisting ‘it’s got to be diesel’; now, perhaps in part due to awareness of ‘green’ issues, petrol engines are growing in popularity.”

“The case is quite straightforward. Diesel engines over 25hp now have to have additional equipment to satisfy emissions control legislation.

“But, although we have a 25hp Diesel SCAG in our range which does not need to comply with this legislation, we are experiencing a huge uptake in demand for bigger-engined petrol machines that are around 15% cheaper and give like-forlike fuel effi ciency. The saving in purchase price is effectively bridging the gap against diesel.”

Etesia UK suggests that with the increasing focus on the environment, the obvious solution is to switch to zero-emission battery-powered equipment.

“Battery technology has significantly evolved and is now widely recognised as the smarter way to power through

most landscaping tasks, such as mowing, hedge-cutting or leafblowing. However, where it currently falls short is when it comes to larger machines such as ride-on mowers,” says Etesia UK managing director Les Malin.

“There is not currently a batterypowered machine on the market which is capable of equalling the performance of a professional petrol-powered ride-on mower.”

“When you take into consideration the wide-spread demonising of diesel and the lack of professional battery powered ride-on mowers then there are unfortunately few solutions.”

The company has seen a surge in sales for its range of Buffalo ride-on mowers – which are the only commercial, petrolpowered ride-on machines available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

Since it’s the range’s launch six years ago, countries such as France and Germany have replaced huge fl eets of dieselpowered ride-on mowers with Buffalo ride-on Petrol mowers.

Only recently has the UK started to follow suit. Buffalo mowers are available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and in 1m and 1.24m cutting decks.

Wet or dry grass, long or short, collect or mulch, the PH 1250 and PH 1500 models take it all in their stride.

And it’s that flexibility that sets the Profihopper apart from the crowd.

The sharpened wing blades on the horizontal SmartCut rotor cleanly cut and shred the grass before conveying it via the cross auger on to that unique second vertical auger to be packed into the collection hopper - meaning less time emptying and more time mowing. To add to that versatility, the sward is rolled after cutting and scarifying comes as standard.

The more than adequate power is provided by engines that are already Stage V Exhaust emission compliant and require no AdBlue.

Don’t compromise - choose the machine that comes with more compaction built-in for maximum work rates and less emptying.

Contact the Amazone Team on: 01302 755 725.

ISEKI

SCAG

Etesia

Ariens

They feature 23hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engines and can cut and collect areas up to 12,000 m² per hour. The engines carry a three-year warranty with a two-year warranty on the rest of the machine.

Buffalo mowers are designed to cut and collect in all weathers using Etesia’s patented system.

“The most notable benefit is the fact that Etesia machines do not require any additional accessories to unblock them when emptying the machines. Everything is automatic so no accessories or rattling of levers are required –you can simply cut, collect and empty the grass box all while sitting on the machine,” says Les.

Electric dreams Ariens Co is investing in battery technology.

“The engine emissions legislation has made it increasingly more difficult to sell a petrol mower on a global scale,” comments CEO Daniel Ariens. “The base legislation of each country can vary wildly and while the largest markets are actually quite similar, the real impact on Ariens is having to certify the engine in each of those countries.

“This has become a nightmare of red tape and bureaucracy but has also forced us to focus in on our largest markets. In the UK and Europe specifically, we are responding to market demand by launching a range of rear discharge decks for our commercial and municipal customers.”

Engine emissions legislation have also forced Ariens to look at different technologies, he points out: “In the past we had a line of commercial zero turns powered by natural gas but we found the market and infrastructure were not quite ready for it.

“So we put our focus into what we believe to be the next big market

innovation, battery power. This year we are launching our Ariens Zenith-E lithium/ion powered commercial zero turn which will come with a 1.5m side discharge or rear discharge deck option.”

Daniel adds: “In parts of the world the engine emission requirements are becoming so strict that the company will have to innovate beyond its current petrol-engine technology or stop selling in those markets, it presents suppliers with a high level of risk.

“So instead we’ve developed our own li/ion technology to power our EV products: FusionCore. I don’t think petrol engines will be obsolete in the next five years but it is coming and Ariens prefers to be on the leading edge of the market rather than the trailing.”

Product developments

John Deere has expanded its commercial ZTrak ZTR range to include two new petrol models and two rear-discharge decks to meet customer demand.

The new Z740R semicommercial mower is powered by a Kawasaki 23.5hp commercial grade petrol engine, while the Z950R commercial machine has a larger Kawasaki 27hp petrol engine and is equipped with Michelin Tweel X Turf airless radial tyres as standard (these are optional on the smaller model).

Both mowers feature an adjustable operator platform and ComfortGlide suspension seat with armrests, with easy access to a quick-change height-ofcut dial and on-the-go tracking adjustments to maximise mowing performance.

The Z740R offers a choice of 1.22m or 1.37m side-discharge decks, while the larger Z950R is available with 1.37m or 1.52m side-discharge and new 1.52m rear-discharge decks.

John Deere’s existing Stage V diesel engine zero-turn mowers, the Z994R 24.7hp and Z997R 37.4hp models, can now be fitted with a choice of 1.52cm side-discharge and new 1.52m or 1.83m rear-discharge decks in addition to the previously available side-discharge options, depending on model.

The new heavy-duty reardischarge decks employ a single-belt deck design for easy maintenance, and are mulchingenabled for a cleaner finish.These have been introduced to the John Deere zero-turn mower range for the first time, specifically for those customers who require this particular configuration to meet contract requirements.

Ventrac has added two flail mowers to its growing list of dedicated attachments for its tractors. The new patent-pending Fine Cut and Fast Cut flail mowers use

the out-front mounted couplings unique to Ventrac, and are designed to offer a high quality finish on tall or dense growth, working alongside the Ventrac’s capability to mow difficult areas such as slopes or wet areas. Fine Cut and Fast Cut models are available in cutting widths of 1.42m and 1.83m.

The Fine Cut flail is equipped with scoop knives to achieve a quality cut with a more finished look on grassy material that’s mowed between three and eight times per year. For areas of overgrown brush and woodland margins that do not require regular mowing, the Fast Cut flail features Y-shaped knives, providing a superior finish to that of a typical rotary roughcut mower.

“The introduction of these two MW and MY flail options complements our existing Tough Cut rotary mowing deck”, said

Rupert Price, of Price Turfcare, the distributor of Ventrac products for the UK and Ireland.

“All decks have a flip-up option for easy maintenance, enabling access to the knives for sharpening or replacement.”

“Although powered by a sub25hp Kubota diesel engine, we have enough residual power to provide a rotor speed of 3,000 rpm. This is vitally important as it’s the speed of rotor that dictates the speed and efficiency of the cutting knives and, ultimately, the quality of cut and finish.

“Ventrac has made a conscious decision to keep the power unit of their 4500 tractor unit below the 25hp emissions threshold of Tier 4 legislation.”

Ransomes has launched the new MT Series of mowers, starting with the MT383 commercial

ride-on triple cylinder mower.The new series of machines has been developed as a direct replacement for the popular Parkway range.

“Our opportunity here was to provide operators with a series of heavy-duty triplex machines, starting with the MT383, that meet the demands of modern commercial mowing,” Ransomes Product Manager Lee Kristensen explains.

“Cylinder mowing remains the more efficient way to cut grass and maximise maintenance work done with the available power.

“We know users have longer cut cycles and need to cut for longer, and they need to be comfortable when they are doing it. That is why we utilised the platform from our MP range. You’re sat on an ISO-mounted platform on a mechanical suspension seat, and all of the controls are at your fingertips, and they all contribute to making a big difference.”

John Deere

“To increase uptime, we’ve fitted a reversing cooling fan that can be operated on an automatic timer or the touch of a button to clear the air intakes and keep the machine cool on hot summer days.

“Ease of access to the engine compartment has been improved significantly for both daily checks and servicing.

“We have added easily removable side panels and used external filters so maintenance can be done quickly and efficiently. We know a lot of commercial and municipal operators have a high environmental consideration

when choosing machinery. That made it very important to us to provide the MT383 with a Stage V 37.5hp Kubota cleanrunning engine.”

The performance of the Magna cutting units contributes to productivity with tool-free adjustments for cylinder to bottom blade set up and a heavy-duty welded and pressed steel construction.

The MT383 is available with Ransomes’ pioneering safety features, including an updated road visibility package, increased slope working angle, Tilt Sensor Technology and SureTrac four-wheel drive.

Campey provides zero emissions mowing

Campey Turf Care Systems now provides zero CO2-emissions mowing on areas ranging from regularly managed turf to overgrown vegetation using the 100% electric AllTrec Tool Carrier.

The machine has been designed by Dutch manufacturer, WeedControl B.V., to be the perfect solution for zeroemissions commercial mowing.

The powerful cutting decks are available in 130cm or 180cm width of cut with the height of cut adjustable from 30-110mm. Electric motors directly power the three blade 130cm deck and four blade 180cm deck with an adjustable speed between 20003000rpm.

With its zero turning capabilities, it is agile enough to work in small enclosed spaces while also having been designed to work on

large areas with a long-lasting battery to match its versatility. The running time is entirely dependent on the circumstances, but when cutting with the fourblade 180cm deck, the battery will typically last for 6-8 hours and 7-9 hours using the threeblade 130cm deck.

All batteries come with a threeyear warranty and have a lifetime of + - 2500 charge discharge cycles. The 48VDC battery uses LifePO4 technology with a capacity of 20kwh or an optional 30kwh, with onboard charging taking 4-8 hours.

The AllTrec unit can also be used with a number of other attachments including the Air E-Variator, weed brush, and hedge cutter.

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ISEKI

The ISEKI SF224 is perfectly designed for the commercial user who is looking for a mower that is lightweight to tow from site to site, economical to run and low initial cost.

The SF224 is powered by a 22.5 hp diesel engine that is Stage V compliant and does not need complicated emission control devices, keeping costs lower.

This also allows the mower to be extremely fuel efficient and only requires simple maintenance compared to the higher horse power stage V compliant models.

Its compact size allows for effortless manoeuvrability

whether mowing large parks or gardens that contain lots of obstacles to cut around.

This outfront mower is available with a range of rotary or Muething flail decks to suit the cutting cycles or finish required.

Unique to the SF224 is the option of a large 316litre tool carrier, perfect for carrying around all your tools or collecting up rubbish as you mow.

Alternatively, should the ultimate fi nish be required an impressive 950 litre high tip collector can be fitted.

offers a perfect package that is better by design

Campey

A range to suit all requirements Toro leads the way of Stage V compliant out-front rotaries

Grillo manufactures a range of ride on mowers with special expertise in cut and collection models.

They are appreciated for their exceptional build quality and performance in wet grass conditions.

A recent addition to the range is a 160 cm flail collect deck.

This features strong boot type flails which cut the grass and dispel the clippings into a steel auger which in turn propels them into the machine’s powerful hydraulic turbine.

Should collection not be required then by a simple turn of a lever the deck is converted to cut & drop without the

The new Kioti CX2510H tractor model is designed for the ultimate driver efficiency and comfort.

If you are working hard all day in the tractor seat the least you can have is a comfortable position to keep the operator fresh and alert. The model that replaces the highly popular CK2810 features a wide, open driver platform for easy access and working. The driver position is enhanced by an adjustable steering wheel, comfort seat with armrests.

At the business end, the engine has 24.9 HP and a large displacement of 1647CC this ensures the tractor has punch. A lift capacity of 740KG assists to make the tractor practical for a wide range of implements.

The front loader joystick is standard as is cruise control.

With Stage V emissions regulations now in place, finding compliant yet reliable, durable and productive machinery has become a key priority.

And when it comes to outfront rotary mowers, the Groundsmaster 3000 series from Toro leads the way.

The Groundsmaster 3000 series is the first wave of new Stage V emissions compliant machines from Toro, in fact both the Groundsmaster 3200 and 3300 were designed with Stage V compliance in mind.

Alastair Rowell, UK sales manager - turfcare equipment for Reesink Turfcare, says: “Stage V engine legislation is welcome and good, but it brings with it a period of uncertainty as customers assess the way they maintain their grounds and contracts.

“Is there a different way to compile a fleet or can different

purchasing decisions be made that allow customers to remain profitable and productive?

“It might cost more to buy a specific machine but if you can buy one machine to perform more than one function, or opt for a machine under the 25hp limit that hasn’t incurred the associated Stage V engine cost increase, those factors become more important than ever.”

When it comes to the Groundsmaster 3000 series however customers don’t need to consider how the addition of a Diesel Particulate Filter or a reduction in horsepower will affect the machine’s performance, because the design process considered it for them.

Alastair continues: “Toro benefitted from its experience with the roll-out of Tier IV products in North America. It learned how to design out inefficiencies in systems and

looked at whether a product can meet customers’ needs with less horsepower or migrate to alternative fuels. For example, the fact that the Groundsmaster series has a fine-cut flail attachment option means you can cut two ways with one machine.”

Launching on to the market at the beginning of last year, the Groundsmaster 3200 and Groundsmaster 3300 are still relative new-comers, but their ability to deliver year-round productivity and multiple cutting options, cope easily with longer, coarser, dry or wet grass and combat extended mowing cycles immediately caught the market’s attention.

Alastair concludes: “The Groundsmaster series is the perfect out-front rotary choice in the new Stage V world. They are clean, considered and compliant.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 77